Family Connection of SC, Newsletter

 

WAZE to Adulthood - Student Training “Living Independently - What Skills Do You Need?” Join WAZE for a live Zoom training as they discuss various independent living skills that will benefit you as you prepare for adulthood. This training is for students with disabilities age 12-22 who live in South Carolina.   Presented by PEATC in partnership with Family Connection of South Carolina   📅 Date: February 26, 2025 OR February 27, 2025 | ⏰ 6 PM – 7 PM 📍 Location: Online   Presented by PEATC in partnership with Family Connection of South Carolina Register here!

[A notebook, stack of coins, and a graduation figure posing.] A Beyond 2025 Critical Conversation   Join us for "Threats to Medicaid Eligibility and Benefits for Children and Families: A Beyond 2025 Critical Conversation." This important discussion will explore proposed policy changes that could impact millions of children and families who rely on Medicaid.   📅 Date: Wednesday, February 12 ⏰ Time: 3:00 – 4:15 PM ET 💻 Location: Zoom   Speakers Meg Comeau (CISWH Senior Project Director) and Adenike Chon (Licensed Graduate Social Worker & Lived Experience Partner, Gillette Children's Hospital) will discuss how we can advocate against disruptive legislation to ensure Medicaid-enrolled children continue to receive the care they need.   Don’t miss this opportunity to learn and take action! [A group of young adults about to gp into a study.] Family Training and Support Services Study - Now Enrolling!   Are you a caregiver for a child or young adult with autism, intellectual disability, or developmental delay? The Family Training and Support Services (FTSS) Study offers personalized, in-home guidance to help manage challenging behaviors and teach life skills.   🔹 12-week program with 1:1 support from a trained interventionist 🔹 Flexible sessions (1-3 per week, 1-3 hours each) based on your needs 🔹 No travel required—we come to you! 🔹 Earn up to $150 for participating   📍 Eligibility: Caregivers of individuals (ages 6-21) who are not receiving ABA or Behavior Support services and live within 45 minutes of Columbia, SC   📩 For more info or to apply, click to email.

[A father and kids sharing their story.] Register Now for DRSC-U 2025!   The DRSC-U 2025 Class Schedule is out, and registration is now open! Join us for an exciting lineup of free, virtual sessions covering important disability rights topics. Whether you’re an advocate, professional, or community member, these sessions provide valuable insights and resources.   📅 View the schedule & register today   Feel free to share this opportunity with others who may be interested! [A group of professionals in a meeting.] Apply Now: 2025 Limitless Learner Summer Incentive Awards!   Do you know a young person with an intellectual or developmental disability? Applications are open for the 2025 Limitless Learner Summer Incentive Awards! These awards provide up to $500 to help cover registration costs for summer camps, learning programs, recreational activities, and more. Funding is paid directly to the camp or service provider, making summer opportunities more accessible for families.   📅 Deadline to apply: February 28 🔗 Learn more & apply

[A father and kids sharing their story.] Upcoming Series: Navigating Social Media with Tweens & Teens   Are you a parent or caregiver looking for guidance on your tween or teen’s digital media use? Join us for the AAP Navigating Social Media with Tweens and Teens ECHO series! These free, 1-hour online sessions will cover essential topics like managing device settings, identifying good vs. harmful content, and handling tricky conversations about media use. We’ll also discuss when digital media use may become a concern and share helpful tips and resources. Click here to register.   📅 Dates: February 18, February 25, March 4, and March 11 ⏰ Time: 2 PM Central / 3 PM Eastern (Tuesdays)   Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from experts and connect with other parents and caregivers. For questions, contact Kristin at kconrad@aap.org. [A group of professionals in a meeting.] Upcoming Sensory Nights at EdVenture!   EdVenture Children’s Museum is hosting FREE Sensory Nights designed for children with sensory needs, ensuring a welcoming and inclusive environment for learning and discovery. These special events feature reduced lighting, limited crowd size, and sensory-friendly educational programming to support a comfortable experience for all families.   📍 Columbia Sensory Nights: February 21, 2025 – Click here to register April 18, 2025 – Registration link coming soon June 20, 2025 – Registration link coming soon   📍 Myrtle Beach Sensory Night: February 21, 2025 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Enjoy the museum in a sensory-friendly setting with tailored resources for parents. Click here to register

[Ablegamers logo] Sign up for AutismConnect 2025! Mark your calendars for AutismConnect 2025, a free, in-person event bringing together individuals, families, and professionals in the autism community! Hosted by DDSN and CAN, this gathering will feature 21 unique presentations, 75 exhibitors, BINGO prizes, and more—all designed to provide valuable resources, innovative therapies, and meaningful connections.   📅 Date: April 2, 2025 | ⏰ 8 AM – 3 PM 📍 Location: Brookland Banquet and Conference Center, Columbia, SC 💡 Highlights: Free lunch, continuing education credits, and networking opportunities!   Don’t miss this opportunity to engage, learn, and grow within a supportive community. Register today for free!

FAMILY CONNECTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA INC 1800 St Julian Place Suite 104 Columbia, SC 29204 Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser Unsubscribe

New Mobility, Accessible Furniture Line

 

February 5, 2025 - View in browser

PRODUCTS Award-Winning Designer Partners with Pottery Barn for Accessible Furniture Line Pottery Barn has partnered with Michael Graves Design, a wheelchair user-led design firm, to create a collection of accessible furniture that doesn’t sacrifice beautiful design. The new collection features upholstered armchairs as well as items from Pottery Barn’s bestselling bedroom collections, including bed frames with integrated armrests and “pull-and-roll side grips,” dressers and nightstands with easy-to-use larger pulls, and more. Review: TruCath Duo Dual-Balloon Catheter While there isn’t a lot of variation between most indwelling catheters, the TruCath Duo offers much-needed innovation. A second balloon at the catheter’s tip is designed to improve the ability to drain the bladder and reduce inflammation caused by the catheter digging into and adhering to the bladder wall. Ian Ruder tests out the Duo and talks to other wheelchair users about their experiences. For more on bladder management, check out the first edition of our new Health & Wellness newsletter. NEWS SmartDrive MX2+ Faces Second Safety Recall For the second time in less than two years, the companies behind the SmartDrive MX2+ have recalled a critical component of the popular power-assist device due to safety concerns. The recall stems from problems with the SpeedControl Dial — including failure to stop and unintended activation of the drive unit. Read the story for more information about the recall and who is affected.   SPONSORED CONTENT Extreme Motus: Nature is Wheelchair Accessible Explore the outdoors without limits! The Extreme Motus All-Terrain Wheelchair is durable, comfortable, and versatile. It can handle tough terrain like sand, gravel, dirt trails, and even float in water. Folds in half for storage and transport. No one will be left behind on your next outdoor adventure with Extreme Motus. DISASTER RELIEF Support for Wheelchair Users Affected By Natural Disasters United Spinal is accepting applications for Disaster Relief grants for individuals with spinal cord injury and related disabilities who have been impacted by 2024-2025 natural disasters, including hurricanes, wildfires and floods. In addition, Airbnb.org is offering eligible wheelchair users who are displaced by the LA wildfires lodging in accessible properties in the region. Click the link for more information and how to apply. PEOPLE Recording Studio Owner Eric Sills For Eric Sills, going to work every day is like having a front row seat to a concert. This Ohio-based wheelchair user started his music production career with a just basement recording setup, which now has grown to a full studio that hosts local and national recording artists. See a day in Sills’ life as he records everything from improvised jazz sessions to audiobooks. PERSPECTIVES How Travel Helped Me Challenge My Internalized Ableism Greg Moomjy has always loved visiting castles and old churches when traveling with his family, but he never really questioned why he was OK with the limited access that he often encountered as a wheelchair user. A recent trip to London with a disabled friend showed him that inaccessibility doesn’t have to be the norm, and that he has as much right to enjoy historic sites as anyone else.

New Mobility publishes member content for United Spinal Association, whose mission is to empower wheelchair users to achieve their highest quality of life. Join here.

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