FACES of DRAIL

S P E CI A L
E ST :
P O IN T S
OF
I N T E R-

F.A.C.E.S
OF
DRAIL
F.A.C.E.S of DRAIL
Friends, Advocates & Consumer Empowered Stories
HIGHLIGHTS
PAGE 1
Job
Development
AT Expo
Disability Resource Agency for Independent Living
V O L U M E
PAGE 2
Tuolumne
Health Fair
AT Expo
PAGE 3
Medicare
Enrollment
PAGE
4
Chemical
Sensitivity
PAGE 5
Success Story
Wave of Hope
PAGE 6
Women’s Faire
Finding
Solutions
2
I S S U E
F A L L
4
2 0 1 2
DRAIL Begins Job Development Services
In alignment with
the agency.
DRAIL’s Job
the National DisabilCoordinator will work
ity Employment
with consumers to
Awareness Month,
enhance employabilDRAIL is proud to
ity by building a
offer job developstrong foundation of
ment services to its
job skills that will help
consumers.
them achieve their
DRAIL is now
vocational goal.
vendorized through
Services include
the Department of
resume and cover
Rehabilitation to
letter writing, job
provide a range of
search skills,
job services to
individuals referred to interviewing skills and
successful work
practices.
In addition, job
development staff will
also ensure that the
match between
employer and
consumer is
mutually beneficial.
DRAIL will
conduct monitoring
services to ensure
optimal performance
and resolve any
Continued on Page 6
DRAIL A.T. Expo A Huge Success
Over a hundred
people attended the
DRAIL Assistive
Technology Expo on
PAGE 7
Staff Spotlight- Oct 20.
Jennifer
The event was
Grabowski
part of DRAILs 25th
anniversary
WWW.DRAIL.ORG
celebrations.
Held at the Salida
Library, the Expo
featured 20 informational booths by different vendors and
organizations.
DRAIL Executive
Director Barry Smith,
Dale Butler, former
DRAIL board member and Frank
Johnson, President
of NAACP and former DRAIL board
member spoke on
the occasion.
Continued on Page 2
PAGE 2
Tuolumne County 34th annual Health Fair
Jema Padavana,
disseminated information on
DRAIL services at
the fair.
The Health Fair
draws thousands
of people, and
features free
medical screenDRAIL Sonora Center staff Jennifer Grabowski
ings, in addition to
and Jema Padavana at the fair
free flu shots and
DRAIL set up a booth blood testing.
The screenings inat the popular Tuolumne
clude hearing, vision/
County Health Fair.
glaucoma, oral screenIt was one of the 100
ing, chiropractic screenorganizations that had
ing, bone density, body
booths at the fair held at
fat analysis, blood presthe Mother Lode Fair
sure, lung function
Grounds on October 16
testing and anemia
and 17.
testing. Over three
DRAIL Independent
thousand people have
Living Specialist, Jennifer
donated blood at the
Grabowski, and Sonora
event every year.
Center Coordinator,
DRAIL AT EXPO
One of the booths at Expo
AT vendors ranged from
mobility products to lift
and transfer devices
(overhead lift systems,
SureHands brand),
communication devices, devices for the blind
and low vision from
Read Again, accessible
phones from the California Telephone Access Program (CTAP),
and a portable shower
enclosure from ShowerBay.com.
Support Group
Attend a support
group and vent frustrations, break free from feelings of isolation, share
coping strategies and
triumphs, get answers
directly from people
involved in the organizations you receive services
from, relax and enjoy the
company of
others who share similar
experiences.
The group meets on
the 1st Thursday of every
month, 10:00
am-12:00 pm at DRAIL,
Modesto.
Goals Group
Bring specific
problems, questions and
issues that are impacting
your life. Chances are
another group member
has dealt with the issue
themselves and can
provide firsthand insight
into solutions that did, and
didn’t work for them.
The group meets on
the 3rd Thursday of every
month, 10:00
am-12:00 pm at DRAIL,
Modesto.
PAGE 3
Medicare Enrollment– A Few Tips
The Medicare open
enrollment is currently
going on.
Whether you’re a person
with Medicare, a caregiver,
or professional helping
clients to review their
coverage options, here are
some helpful tips from the
National Council on Aging,
for you to keep in mind this
season.
Get started early. Yes,
open enrollment runs until
Dec. 7. But the best time
to start thinking about
whether you want to
change your drug or health
coverage is now.
If your circumstances
have changed—for example, you’re taking different
medications, or you’ve
heard that your plan is
changing—it’s important to
have time to review all
your options.
If you need personalized
assistance, it’s easier to
schedule an appointment
now than if you wait until
after Thanksgiving.
Pay attention to your
mail. This is the time of
year that you’ll start to get
a lot of information. Your
Part D or Medicare Advantage plan sends out an
Annual Notice of
Coverage in September,
which explains any
changes happening to
your plan and/or to your
benefits in 2013.
If you get help paying
for your Medicare, such
as through the Medicare
Part D Low Income
Subsidy (Extra Help) or
Medicare Savings
Programs, you may
receive mail from Social
Security or Medicare
asking you to verify your
income or informing you
of changes to your
subsidy. You may also
get a letter if your plan is
ending service in your
area, or has not met
quality standards for
three years. Save all of
these letters, and have
them on hand as you
use the Medicare Plan
Finder, and discuss your
options with a counselor.
Review. This is also a
good time to review your
cost-how much will your
premiums and deductibles change.
Coverage. Does your
plan cover all the medications you will require in
2013?
Convenience. To
what extent will your plan
restrict access to certain
medications you need in
2013, such as through
prior authorization.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
Terry Gray
[VP-HR,
Emanuel Medical
Center]
VICE PRESIDENT
John Kirby
[President, USA Outdoor
Media]
TREASURER
Bob Williams
[Retired Counselor,
Modesto Junior
College]
SECRETARY
Mona Martinez
[Retired, Modesto
Junior College]
YOUTH
LEADERSHIP
Vacant
MEMBERS
Hannah Boxell
[Student, Modesto
Junior College]
John Saunders
[Ordained Minister]
Michael “Kim” Cornelius
[Financial Advisor, Cornelius Financial Group]
Sandie Shapiro
[Intl. Director, Local
Civitan International]
Zubair Desai
[Business Development
Manager, Coneth
Solutions, Inc]
Nick Nelson
[Branch Manager,
US Bank]
PAGE 4
Chemical Sensitivity And How To Protect Yourself: By Teresa L. Vosper
Every public
restroom
seems to have
an air
freshener or
deodorizer in it these
days.
Many are quite
powerful, if not
overwhelming. If an air
freshener doesn't disable
you, someone's perfume
or aftershave will. Many
people become disabled
by these scents, and they
are referred to as
"chemically sensitive."
Chemical sensitivity,
more commonly known
as multiple chemical
sensitivity, is a term
utilized to describe
severe physical reactions
to a variety of chemicals,
many of them common
household
or cosmetic
products
that are
actually
quite
dangerous.
Those
who suffer
from
multiple
chemical
sensitivity
may
experience minor
reactions such as eye
irritation, or more severe
reactions such as
asthma, dizziness,
neurological disruption
and impairment, and
memory loss.
It can take an
individual several days
to recover from a very
brief period or exposure.
Sadly, this brief
exposure can set the
foundation for future
degenerative diseases,
including nervous
system malfunction,
cancer, brain seizures,
Parkinson's disease,
Alzheimer's disease, and
Amyotrophic Lateral
Sclerosis (commonly
known as ALS or Lou
Gehrig's disease).
These products
contain neurotoxins that
poison the nervous
system, particularly the
brain.
Protect yourself and
others:
1. Discontinue the
use of fragrances at
home, car, business,
place of employment, and
house of worship.
2.Switch to safe, effective
cleaning products like vinegar, baking soda, borax,
eucalyptus oil, lavender
oil, thyme, and hydrogen
peroxides.
3. Use unscented
products.
4. Avoid establishments
that use harsh cleaners or
fragrances like animal
shelters, veterinary clinics
etc.
Paid Advertisement
Serving Modesto, Stockton, Tracy, Sonora, and Mariposa http://mobilityplusofca.com
PAGE 5
Success Story: Dealing With Vision Loss
DRAIL STAFF
more and
more difficult
be another normal
with her
day for Maximiana
diminishing
Jimenez. However,
vision.
when she woke up,
She is now
she found that
certified
something was
“legally blind”.
Maximiana Jimenez:
suddenly wrong
When she
with her vision.
approached DRAIL,
Jimenez went to the
Independent Living
doctors only to find out that
Specialist Ruben
a vein had separated from
Villalobos assisted her in
her cornea.
applying for SSDI
She was operated on,
benefits and the appeal.
but doctors advised her
“I am very happy and
that things would never be
satisfied with DRAIL
the same again.
services. If it weren’t for
That was 15 years ago.
DRAIL, I would have had
Her vision began deterioto get an attorney. I want
rating day by day, but
to thank Ruben and
Jimenez continued to
Morre Bento and
struggle to work and supeveryone in the office, ”
port herself. Tasks became
says a satisfied Jimenez.
MODESTO
It was going to
Collaborating With Wave of Hope
DRAIL is collaborating
with Wave of Hope, an
agency serving consumers with multiple sclerosis.
Wave of Hope works to
help alleviate some of the
daily challenges resulting
from MS by providing programs, therapies, support
& scholarships.
Over the last few years,
Wave of Hope has helped
DRAIL consumers get
grab bars, ramps, computer software, transportation, and eating utensils.
These are just a few
examples of the type of
items Wave of Hope has
funded over the last couple years. Contact
DRAIL to find out how it
can help you through its
collaboration with Wave
of Hope.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Barry Smith
PROGRAM MANAGER
Leng Power
ADMIN. ASSISTANT/ILS
Morre’ Bento
BOOKKEEPER
Leona Hollingshead
AT ADVOCATE
Kris Rowe
INDEPENDENT LIVING
SPECIALISTS
Angelo Clay
Ruben Villalobos
SYSTEMS CHANGE
ADVOCATE
George Sharp
JOB DEVELOPMENT
COORDINATOR
Ryan Moorman
STOCKTON
CENTER COORDINATOR
Jeff Vierra
INDEPENDENT LIVING
SPECIALIST
Eileen Preciado
AT ADVOCATE
Sandra Graham
SONORA
CENTER COORDINATOR
Jema Padavana
INDEPENDENT LIVING
SPECIALIST
Jennifer Grabowski
PAGE 6
DRAIL Participates in Women’s Faire
health and issues.
Independent Living
Specialist, Morre’ Bento
who attended the event,
and represented DRAIL
at the information table.
Job Development
Vendors at the Women's Faire
On October 11th, a
Women’s Health Faire
was held at CSU Stanislaus and DRAIL participated to promote its services with CSU students.
Continued from Page 1
The Women's Health
Faire organized by Associated Students Inc. and
Haven Women’s Center,
a domestic violence
agency in Modesto,
focused on women's
issues that may arise
within the first months of
employment. Call
209.521.7260 for more
information.
WWW.HealthDonor.Com: Coming Up With Solutions
DRAIL is collaborating
resource DRAIL staff
can refer consumers to
with HealthDonor.com, to
if they would like to set
help raise funds to meet
up their own profile on
the medical needs of its
the
consumers.
website to seek
Launched by Andrew
assistance.
Watson, the website
Watson started the
matches persons who
website as a fight to
Watson and his mother
need funding for their
change the story of
medical needs with percondition.
struggle for medical
sons or organizations willDRAIL Program
assistance that is part of
ing to help.
many American lives.
Watson is the son of one Manager Leng Power
Watson was inspired
of DRAIL’s consumers who says, “we see DRAIL
to find a way to help
was served through the AT being able to use this
website to help
others after seeing his
program.
consumers acquire AT
own mother struggle to
The website is aimed at
uninsured or underinsured devices or services when find medical help, owing
our grant funds have
to the legal requirements
persons with needs that
been exhausted.”
of government instituted
arise due to their medical
This is yet another
benefits.
PAGE 7
Staff Spotlight: Jennifer Grabowski, Independent Living Specialist
Her own disability has
helped Jennifer
Grabowski relate to her
consumers and help
better their lives.
As an Independent
Living Specialist at the
DRAIL Mother Lode
office, Jennifer, who has
had hearing loss, found
that she has achieved a
major goal in life.
A mother of two
teenage daughters,
Jennifer feels fulfilled in
working in a position that
allows her to help people
and make the world a
better place.
The fact that there is
family history of hearing
loss has Jennifer looking
for all possible avenues to
help people. One such
avenue is the blog she
writes and maintains. Focusing
on topics of living
with a hearing
impairment,
Jennifer’s blog
reaches out to
many who share
the
disability.
Jennifer feels
that working as
an Independent
Living Specialist,
helps her assist Jennifer Grabowski
people every day.
She enjoys looking for
presented challenges with
information and
her ability to
resources to help them
communicate effectively.
continue to live
However, she feels that
independently, improve
DRAIL has been
their lives, or meet their
supportive in this aspect.
goals.
Jennifer, is honored to be
For Jennifer, her own
able to serve the
disability has sometimes
community.
Sponsorship advertising in “F.A.C.E.S” is a great
opportunity to reach a highly concentrated
readership. Get the word out about your
service, business and products.
Call Morre’ @ 209 521 7260 for more information
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F.A.C.E.S OF DRAIL
Published Quarterly
Volume 2, Issue 4
Printed and published by
DRAIL-Modesto
920 12th Street,
Modesto, CA 95354
Edited by
Anuradha Gajaraj
DRAIL Modesto
920 12th Street
Modesto, CA 95354
NON –PROFIT ORGANIZATION
US POSTAGE PAID
MODESTO, CA
PERMIT NO 520
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Current Resident or
Visit us on www.drail.org
SERVICES OFFERED
MODESTO
920 12th Street, Modesto, CA 95354
Ph:209.521.7260, Fax:209.521.4763
TTY:209.576.2409, VP:209.566.0547
Independent Living Services
501 W. Weber Avenue, Suite 200-A
Stockton, CA 95203
Ph:209.477.8143, Fax:209.477.7730
TTY: 209.465.5643
Information & Referral, Personal
Assistance Referral, Housing Referral,
Individual Advocacy, Systems Advocacy,
Peer Support, Peer Support Volunteer
Training, Volunteer Services, Independent
Living Skills, Benefits Advising, Disability
Awareness Sensitivity Training, ADA
Technical Assistance & Evaluation, Motor
Voter Registration, Braille Classes
MOTHER LODE
Assistive Technology
STOCKTON
67 Linoberg Street, Suite A
Sonora, CA 95370
Ph:209.532.0963, Fax:209.532.1591
Visually Impaired Equipment, Dial a Ride
Certification, Interpreters, Utility Assistance
Programs, Equal Access Statements.