News
In this month’s newsletter, we celebrate our 2019 Individuals of the Year, update you on the DPI Employment Connections, and share how our Sensory Room is impacting our Lee’s Summit location.
Of special note is survey results and our January through June Outcome Results. Read all the great information by clicking here. Thank you for supporting DPI!
Our newsletter for September has arrived! Check out the important Bus Survey, updates on fighting the flu this season, and fundraising opportunities.
We know you won’t want to miss it. Click here to read!
Heather Brock
When I started down this path of nursing, I knew I wanted to help people (as all nurses do) - particularly underserved populations. I completed my nursing education, which included clinicals in geriatrics, pediatrics, critical care, home health, etc. and I was ready to change the world. I decided to take a position in the ICU at an inner-city hospital and later moved to the emergency room and trauma team to fulfill the desire I had to help a community in need.
As the years passed, I still had a strong feeling that there was something else out there that I was meant to do, another career where I could truly make a difference. As my circumstances changed, I found myself at a crossroad: should I continue what I was doing or take a leap of faith? So I jumped. I accepted a position with a school district where my role was providing medical care and oversight to students with developmental disabilities. For me, this was uncharted waters; I did not receive much education regarding this population during school and had minimal experience as a critical care nurse. But I did know I loved it, so I took it upon myself to learn. I read books and sought out information on different genetic disorders, chromosomal disorders, and other rare conditions my students had. I felt alone, like I was the only nurse in the universe doing this type of work. None of my nursing friends or colleagues had any guidance for me, as they didn’t receive much education on developmental disabilities either.
After a few years, I found myself at another intersection: a new opportunity presented itself to me, and I had a choice to make. I was offered a position working with adults that had developmental disabilities. By this time, I was feeling fairly comfortable in my new role working with children and adored all of their smiling little faces. After a lot of soul searching, I decided to take the less-traveled path and found myself again in a role that I was not prepared for nor did I even know existed.
In this new role working with adults with I/DD, I found myself having to use all of my nursing skills. Not only did these individuals have a developmental disability diagnosis, they were also aging. This is where my assessment and triage skills really served me well, as I was able to distinguish between life-threatening situations such as heart attacks, strokes, and hypo/hyperglycemia, as well as monitoring health conditions such as blood pressures, mobility, seizures, illness, etc. Little did I know that I would have to use every aspect of my education and nursing experiences to be successful.
On this path I have discovered that I am not alone, that there are other Developmental Disabilities Nurses out there across the United States and the world. A commonality amongst us is a passion for this population and the acknowledgement that better education is needed not only for professional nurses but also physicians and other medical support professionals. The skills of an I/DD nurse are so unique. Unfortunately, I/DD nurses are few, and our importance as a team member is often not recognized. If you have a friend that is a nurse or family member, I encourage you to request that nurses caring for your loved ones learn more about CDDN (Certified Developmental Disabilities Nurses). The process for becoming a CDDN is detailed at the DDNA (Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association) website at https://ddna.org/. DDNA has training and certification available for nurses, and gives them opportunities to belong to a local and national chapter.
The truth is that specialized nurses are needed, according to a study [TA1] by the Center for Development and Learning at the University of North Carolina:
Adults with developmental disabilities were more likely to lead sedentary lifestyles and seven times more likely to report inadequate emotional support than people without a disability.
Those with developmental disabilities were significantly more likely to report being in fair or poor health.
11.5% of women with developmental disabilities reported that they had never visited a gynecologist.
People with developmental disabilities were more likely to have a diagnosis of diabetes than people without disabilities.
26.8% of women with developmental disabilities age 40 or older in a recent study reportedly had never had a mammogram.
1 in 2 people with a developmental disability had chronically high blood pressure.
1 in 3 people with a developmental disability said that they haven’t had any kind of exercise in the past 30 days.
More than 38% of people with developmental disabilities had at least one missing diagnostic code on their health file that could limit their treatment options, funding availability, and other needed services.
As I continue my path in my personal mission of supporting persons having developmental disabilities at Developing Potential’s adult day services, I am loving the journey with each person I support and help toward wellness. Nursing is a blessing and I count it a privilege to provide this support each day to the great friends at DPI.
[Havercamp, S, PhD; Scandlin, D, Med; Roth, M, MPH. “Health Disparities Among Adults with Developmental Disabilities, Adults with Other Disabilities, and Adults Not Reporting Disability in North Carolina.” Public Health Reports. 2004; 119:418-426.]
Click here for a great list of ALL the new events to support DPI!
We have a lot of exciting events coming up for DPI!
Upcoming Events Flyer June through December
Did you catch our news article in The Kansas City Star? The sensory cocoon for our clients and our building campaign are featured along with information and quotes from Development Director, Amy Cox and Executive Director, Rebecca Case.
The article also cites the Greater Lee’s Summit Healthcare Foundation for their grant and support of DPI this year. Their grant is helping to build our controlled multi-sensory room.
Check out full article here.
We have a lot of great events coming up (as usual), so get out those calendars and mark it for all the ones you are coming to. Or just print off the schedule and put in on your fridge.
Summer Camps fill up fast! Click here for more information!
Need resources? Check out the resource guide through Parenting Children With Special Needs magazine. Click here.
Petunia's Baskets - Pick up a free basket for a special needs child or family. Click here for flyer.
April 2: Election Day!
April 5 : Healthy Homes Principles for Home Visitors/Staff half day event at eitas. Click here for flyer.
April 6: Annual Funny Bunny 5K at Unity Village hosted by Paws4Autism
Click here for more info.
April 7: Autism Awareness Day at the Kansas City Zoo - free admission! Click here for flyer.
April 12: SOAR R&R with Easter theme. Click here for more information and registration.
April 17: Company of Champions Bingo. Click here for flyer.
April 18: Healthy Homes Principles for Home Visitors/Staff full day event at eitas. Click here for flyer.
April 20: Autism Outreach Event/Special Needs Day, Lee's Summit. Details to follow.
April 23: Thompson Center Autism Parent Conference for family members and caregivers. Click here for more information and registration.
April 26: Jelly Bean Dance sponsored by Jackson County Parks + Rec. Click here for flyer.
April 28: DPI Trivia Day at KC Bier Co. Details to follow.
May 12 - 18: Charlie's Car Wash fundraiser to benefit DPI. Click here for flyer!
May 19: Eitas camp scholarship deadline. Click here for scholarship application.
June 3 - 27: Elks Mobile Dental Program at Blue Springs Elks Lodge serving Jackson and Lafayette Counties. Free dental care for children an adults having intellectual and developmental disabilities. Call 573.690.6003 for appointments. Capacity is limited.
June 5: DPI Take Me Out to the Brewery event at Boulevard Brewing! Mark your calendars, details to follow!
July 29 - August 8: Elks Mobile Dental Program at Harrisonville Elks Lodge serving Cass, Bates, Henry and Johnson Counties. Free dental care for children an adults having intellectual and developmental disabilities. Call 573.690.6003 for appointments. Capacity is limited.
August 25 - 27: Real Voices, Real Choices Conference at Tan-Tar-A Resort
September 21: Autism Speaks Walk, Click here to register.
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Join us at Chipotle on Monday, January 21st.
Chipotle Flyer
