Embracing Change

contributed by Tracy M. Gale, PsyD, HSPP and
Emmaleigh Badeaux, MA, LMHCa, Easterseals Crossroads

As adults, we can often anticipate and accommodate changes to our routine. Unexpected changes may lead to feelings of discomfort and agitation. Ideally, we control the expression of those feelings, but our children may not. Children are still developing the executive functioning skills necessary to sequence events, as well as plan and inhibit emotional responses, which can make their reactions to change unpleasant. Here are some strategies to encourage flexible thinking in your child:

  • When possible, change your routine in small, pleasant ways, such as stopping at the park or making a favorite dinner. This allows children opportunities to practice adapting to change in a positive way.
  • Prepare your child for discomfort. Changes are not always pleasant, and children need strategies for dealing with discomfort. Your child may benefit from taking deep breaths, tensing and releasing muscles, or focusing on something fun happening later that day.
  • Remind your child of the sequence of events by using “First, Then” language. Try saying, “First we will stop at the grocery store, then we will play at home.” This reminds the child that the unexpected occurrence is temporary and that better things will follow.
  • Prepare your child for changes to routine. Tell your child about the change and what your expectations are for behavior. Be sure to explicitly state your expectations. For example, “We have to pick up your sister at gymnastics. I know you were planning to stay at home, but we need to go together. You can hold my hand and walk into the gym with me, stand quietly while we get her, and then we can play when we get home.”
  • Praise your child when he/she shows flexibility with changes. Acknowledge the difficulty faced and the demonstrated success at managing a challenging situation.

Change can be difficult, but with practice and support, children can learn valuable life skills about being more flexible and managing unexpected changes in their lives.

Contact us for more information about children’s services at Easterseals Crossroads.

2021-06-29T12:51:40-04:00February 25, 2020|Our Blog|
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Meet Angie and Cindy

An employment success story written by Employment Consultant
Angie Tarr, Easterseals Crossroads

For the past two and a half years, I have worked in Employment Services as an employment consultant. The people who are referred to me are all very different and have different needs. I am often paired with consumers who are in science and healthcare fields because I worked as a registered nurse for 11 years as both a clinical nurse educator and as a critical care nurse. My supervisor Marjorie Duryea puts a lot of careful thought and time into which consumer she matches with which employment consultant.

Sometimes people need to reevaluate how they perform their jobs, secondary to the changes that a disability has caused with their bodies and/or cognition. I help evaluate and practice different skill sets that are necessary for a person to continue in a specific job field. Creative solutions can make all the difference to someone who is terrified about the thought of no longer performing a loved job. When an employee and an employer learn that the tasks of a job are possible with some accommodations, everyone is so happy and relieved. Sometimes I even work with people who are young and starting college, but they know that they want to work in academia, medicine or social sciences. Helping these people transition to college, select course loads and get engaged with the services provided by the university often sets the stage for future success.

Cindy had been a neonatal intensive care RN for over 23 years working in a PICU. She has worked at St. Vincent’s Hospital that entire time. During the last five years, Cindy suddenly began losing her vision. She was diagnosed with Stargart Macular Dystrophy, which is a hereditary disease that causes progressive, permanent macular degeneration. Cindy was absolutely devastated that her vision loss could end her career as a bedside nurse in the PICU.

When I met Cindy, she had been involved with vocational rehabilitation in our state for three years. Her vocational rehabilitation counselor happened to be a woman who is also blind; she helped Cindy navigate through a lot of things that prepared her to work with an employment consultant.

Cindy and I met in May 2018. During our time together, I learned that Cindy’s vision was failing and coming to the point where she could no longer perform bedside nursing and direct nursing care. She very much wanted to remain in the healthcare field working for St. Vincent’s and Ascension Health so that she could share and utilize all of her invaluable knowledge to improve the lives of others. Cindy and I talked, practiced and assessed her skills. She came to realize that if she wanted to continue in her field, but could no longer be in direct care, then she would need to hone her computer skills so that she could either assume a role in administration or in patient advocacy. 

Cindy and I found some free classes at the Glendale branch of the Indianapolis Public Library where they offer a computer lab to teach basic MS Office classes for those with visual disabilities. Cindy attended all of the classes that she could. She worked tirelessly with Anna Leung in our Assistive Technology Center to learn screen magnification software and other technology programs. Cindy really honed her skills. 

Cindy and I practiced interviewing and focused on body language recognition and usage. We added her newly acquired skills to her resume and then began the long and arduous process of internal application for jobs. It took a long time and a lot of patience, but finally in July 2019, Cindy went through a three-stage interview process and was hired as an RN Health Partner through Ascension Health. Cindy absolutely loves her job and is thrilled to put her prior skills to such great use. Our assistive technology center has been invaluable to Cindy’s journey; Anna’s hard work, knowledge and care greatly contributed to this successful outcome.

After Cindy found her dream job, she really did not need me at her place of business. They are aware that she works with vocational rehabilitation, but she hasn’t needed me. She worked so very hard to gain the needed skills prior to being employed in this position that she doesn’t need my coaching now. She has all the important clinical knowledge from the years she has spent working in the PICU; she just needed help with the transition.

I’m forever grateful for the extraordinary kindness, patience and professionalism that Angie Tarr extended to me as she compassionately walked my long career-search journey. I struggled with grief over the loss of my vision and the loss of my 30-year career as a Newborn Intensive Care Nurse. Angie was compassionate and in-tuned to my grief. She was encouraging and creative to ultimately assist me in finding a new career as a case manager/nurse navigator that highlights my passion and skills for helping and educating people.  

Cindy

I love my job especially when one of my consumers reaches a goal previously thought to be impossible.  I have the honor of working in a field where I get to help people change their lives though increased independence because of employment. I can’t think of anything that I would rather be doing! I am so proud to be part of what we do at Easterseals Crossroads for those in our community.

For information about how Employment Services can help you find qualified employees, contact us.

2021-06-29T12:51:40-04:00February 6, 2020|Our Blog|
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Easterseals Crossroads Confirms New CEO

Easterseals Crossroads’ Board of Directors has just announced that David Dreith has been confirmed as the new CEO/President. Current CEO J. Patrick Sandy is retiring on April 3, 2020, after 22 years with the agency and the last 7 as CEO.

“It is with great confidence that I welcome David Dreith to Easterseals Crossroads. His commitment and experience make him a terrific choice to further our reputation as a leading resource for people with disabilities and guide the agency into a new era of leadership,” said Sandy.

Dreith brings a vast amount of experience to the position and the agency is looking forward to the next chapter in its history. Dreith has been the chief operating officer at Easterseals Greater Cincinnati and has led the entrepreneurial environment there with its social enterprise efforts that have provided training for more than 12,000 individuals served annually. As COO, he oversaw all agency and social enterprise services since joining them in 2000. Dreith is fully committed to the Easterseals purpose of empowering people with disabilities and disadvantages to more fully live, learn, work and play in our community.

“I look forward to building on the legacy and reputation of Easterseals Crossroads as the go-to place for people with disabilities. I am committed to joining the staff who day in, day out make Indianapolis and central Indiana a great place for all,” said Dreith.

Dreith has been instrumental in the following initiatives for Easterseals Greater Cincinnati

  • He served as a team member in the business planning and launch of Building Value in 2004, a used building materials resale store and deconstruction enterprise that provides on-the-job training to those looking to start careers in construction. (www.buildingvalue.org)
  • He led the conversion of a production enterprise in 2011 to a global fulfillment and logistics enterprise that primarily serves the clinical trials industry. This business employs people with disabilities and disadvantages at competitive wage rates and assists others in launching careers in manufacturing and logistics.
  • He played a key role in the combination of Easterseals Work Resource Center and Jewish Vocational Services in 2012, a merger that doubled the size and impact of the previous two organizations.
  • He led the creation of Operation Vets THRIVE in 2013, which includes employment and emergency services for veterans as they transition from the military into civilian life. In the first 18 months of this project, ESTS led a community convening of veteran services providers that resulted in a report and a road map for aligning community resources and serving veterans using best practices.
  • He is a founding Board member and Vice Chair of the Social Enterprise Alliance, Greater Cincinnati Region, and he was part of the team that founded the Tristate Veteran Community Alliance in 2015.

Dreith holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University, and he is a graduate of Leadership Action Class 2 (2016) and C-Change Class 4 (2009) of the Cincinnati Regional Chamber USA.  He volunteers with the Interfaith Hospitality Network, and he is an avid open water swimmer. He enjoys spending time with his wife and two children.

Easterseals Crossroads is proud to have David Dreith join the Easterseals Crossroads team in Indianapolis.

2021-06-29T12:51:40-04:00January 28, 2020|Our Blog|
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Bingo Bonanza 2020

Easterseals Crossroads is proud to once again partner with Century 21 Scheetz to bring an amazing evening of bingo, food and fun to Indianapolis on Friday, February 21, 2020. The fun takes place at Northside Events & Social Club (formerly Northside Knights of Columbus) at 2100 E. 71st Street, Indianapolis. This year we are playing bingo Mardi Gras style; we will have Mardi Gras bling, but you and your group can come in style if inspired!

Tickets are $50 advance sale only and include 3 game cards for each of 7 games, buffet dinner, 2 drink tickets and free water and soda. Due to charity gaming laws, tickets can only be purchased by cash or check (download order form). Tickets are advance sale only; we have a limited amount to sell, so purchase early as we will sell out quickly. Contact AnneMarie Chambers if you have any questions about Bingo Bonanza.

Gather a group or gather a few friends and download your order form today! You really don’t want to miss the fun! (Festival License 000834)

composite of six photos of people having fun at bingo

2021-06-29T12:51:40-04:00January 14, 2020|Our Blog|
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Interested in Volunteering?

Volunteers at Easterseals Crossroads participate in behind-the-scenes work to benefit the agency. We have many opportunities with a variety of activities from weekly childcare in our respite program to much-needed groundskeeping at our facilities. We value time, talent and treasure of those in our community.

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Rose Prep Volunteers
We need volunteers to help prepare roses for the Sertoma annual rose sale to benefit us. Volunteers are needed at Easterseals Crossroads (4740 Kingsway Drive, Indianapolis) Thursday, February 13. from 5 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. to help de-thorn roses and place in vials; volunteers are needed Friday, February 14, from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. to help package and box roses. If you can help, please complete this volunteer form. We will contact you for more information when we receive the form.

Corporate groups are encouraged to join us for customized, meaningful day-of-service experiences. We have benefited from many volunteer groups including Citizens Energy Group, CNO Financial Group, Duke Energy, Engaging Solutions, Express Employment Professionals, Learfield Licensing, Liberty Mutual, OneAmerica and Rolls-Royce. Every volunteer group who gives time and talent provides the agency with the huge benefit of freeing staff to concentrate on what it does best – serving individuals with disabilities in our community.

Individual volunteers are an integral addition to the agency in that they commit to filling support activities so that our staff can provide quality service for families. We benefit from individual volunteers for activities such as childcare at Parents’ Night Out and autism support training sessions; toy and equipment cleaning used in therapy rooms; computer refurbishing in our technology reuse/redistribution program; assistance with children’s activities for our summer camps; and clerical work in program areas.

Our Crossroads Guild is a dedicated, committed group of volunteers who have given their skills to Easterseals Crossroads for over 60 years. This group of individuals originally formed to provide assistance to our children’s therapy areas, but has grown over the years to adapt to the changing needs within the agency and our community.

Guild activities include making and selling crafts to benefit the agency; assisting with events such as Career Expo and Disability Expo; providing food, entertainment and assistance at events to benefit our families; holding a book party each year for children with special needs; creating opportunities for staff enrichment; and fundraising on our behalf.

Easterseals Crossroads benefited from 7,834 hours of volunteer service from 444 individuals in our community through individual, corporate, group or Guild activities.

If you are interested in volunteering at Easterseals Crossroads, please complete this volunteer form.

2021-06-29T12:51:41-04:00January 7, 2020|Our Blog|
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Behind the Scenes with Ryder

Ten-year-old Ryder has made strides toward independence. Ryder has worked with physical, occupational and speech therapists at Easterseals Crossroads for seven years.

Ryder was born at 38 weeks. Doctors suspected that there would be some difficulties, but did not diagnose Fraser syndrome until several years later. Everyday life for the family includes ventilators, oxygen tanks and breathing machines; he is still fed via his feeding tube, and he is just now experiencing the freedom of being off his vent. “We were told that he would never come off the vent during his life, but he has done that,” said dad Dustin.

Ryder is no stranger to physical, occupational and speech therapy; the family has logged many weekly therapy appointments as well as practice at home. His goals since three have included learning to use his left hand to grab things and standing independently.

“Reaching a milestone can be a long process; we reach things, but they are more like yearly goals,” said Dustin. “I would love to see Ryder walking independently within the next five years. I would love to be able to see him crawl into the car and car seat without us having to physically lift him. Those would be amazing milestones if we could hit those,” said mom Katy.

“Easterseals Crossroads has been great; the consistency is amazing. Since we don’t know what the future holds, we just know what we can do now,” said Katy.

And the now is what Ryder’s family concentrates on. Ryder is taking supported steps with his gait trainer; he is communicating his needs and his personality through devices; he is reaching for things; and he is pulling himself up.

“People ask how we do all this; we are not sure what they mean. This is our normal; this is our life,” said Dustin. And for the future? “We just keep going and put Ryder out there and live each day to the fullest. We’re not held back by disability,” said Katy.

“We try not to let things limit us. Sometimes we have to modify what we do as a family, but we don’t let things slow us down,” said Dustin. Community support for children’s therapy services allows Ryder to continue to progress; his parents see continued therapy in his future, but are excited about the possibilities that each milestone brings.

2021-06-29T12:51:41-04:00December 26, 2019|Our Blog|
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Behind the Scenes with Jack

At 18 years of age, Jack is figuring out his future. With high school graduation behind him, he is just now discovering his options.

Elementary school was hard for Jack; he achieved all the developmental milestones, but he was very anxious. Professionals arrived at an autism diagnosis in the early school years.

“Jack had a hard time communicating with other kids. He had eruptions when things were too loud and he would sit under his desk,” said mom Kim. “The school bell was so loud; every time it rang, it just made my ears feel like they wanted to pop off,” said Jack.

As Jack transitioned to high school, his anxiety continued and his family worked with their school to identify resources. “Sometimes I would be so out of control that they had to remove me from class. I hated to go to lunch; I yelled at people to stay away from my table.” said Jack.

“Easterseals Crossroads’ autism services began working with Jack in high school. He and his therapist Brooke Bastin have a theme of getting comfortable with being uncomfortable,” said Kim. “When I first started coming here, Brooke would ask me to do something that seemed impossible and I would tell her no. She kept pushing me and well, here we are,” said Jack. Jack graduated with the Core 40 diploma and he received an award at the end of the school year for working hard to achieve his good grades and cope positively with the school environment. He adapted to the point where he could eat lunch with other students.

“To think of Jack as that little first grader who was too afraid to come out from under his desk to seeing him walk across the graduation stage and give a big fist pump – that was huge.” said mom Kim.

Jack continues to work with staff at Easterseals Crossroads to discover opportunities for his future. He recently started volunteering in our INDATA Depot, which is a program that accepts donated computers to refurbish and give to people with disabilities in our community. Jack checks monitors and power boxes, and he removes old hard drives; he works alongside others each day.

Jack’s experiences at Easterseals Crossroads have helped him gain confidence, create coping mechanisms and develop work skills. His family is thrilled with all of his progress and look forward to his continued success. Many of our programs depend on generous support from people in our community who want to make a difference for families like Jack’s.

Because of Easterseals Crossroads, Jack is learning to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.

2021-06-29T12:51:41-04:00December 13, 2019|Our Blog|
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Behind the Scenes with Rachel

“Rachel was diagnosed with her disability as a child after recovering from meningitis,” said Rachel’s sister Georgena. As part of a close family, Georgena looks out for Rachel. “I’m many things to Rachel. I’m her sister; I’m her direct support staff; I’m her legal guardian. I’m her good friend and I handle her finances,” said Georgena.

After 25 years of searching for a day program where she could learn, have fun and gain independence, Rachel has found that pace at Easterseals Crossroads.

Once they settled on Easterseals Crossroads as a day program, they were thrilled to once again entertain the idea of an independent living situation for Rachel. After years of various living situations from staying with Georgena to living with roommates to living in a group home, Rachel found an independent option near her sister.

Part of what made this living option a reality was technology recommended by Easterseals Crossroads’ INDATA program. INDATA program director Brian Norton evaluated Rachel’s needs and recommended options. “We were able to take smart home technologies and put them in Rachel’s home so that she can voice the need to turn on lights or music. Within the smart speakers, we made reminders to do things like go to bed or start dinner,” said Brian.

Equally important to the helpful home technology, was the practice of living skills learned in the adult day program at Easterseals Crossroads.

With independent living as a goal, Rachel has spent many hours working on home skills. “I like working on my handwriting, practicing my money skills and cooking with my friends,” said Rachel. “Rachel has gained so much confidence in her skills, which has been a huge part of reaching her goals,” said Tara Vajner, manager of adult day services at Easterseals Crossroads.

“It can be very challenging to find something that a person loves to do on a day-to-day basis. Coming to Easterseals Crossroads was like hitting the jackpot, because we had been struggling and pushing to find an activity Rachel would love,” said Georgena.

And both sisters have come to love Easterseals Crossroads with all the doors that have opened for them relating to independence. These two sisters are happy where they have landed.

Donate today so that Easterseals Crossroads can help more individuals in our community.

2021-06-29T12:51:41-04:00December 2, 2019|Our Blog|
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CHEER Celebrates Thanksgiving

Article and photos submitted by team lead Katy Everhart

CHEER is our monthly respite program for individuals with disabilities who are 18+ years old. While participants enjoy fun activities with peers, family members and primary caregivers are able to enjoy some time to themselves out in the community or relaxing at home. Earlier this month, we had 22 adults come for our Thanksgiving Feast CHEER event.

At our Thanksgiving Feast event, participants sat together family style around long tables and served mashed potatoes, chicken, green beans, macaroni and cheese and pumpkin pie. Without prompting, one participant encouraged everyone to state what he/she was thankful for. The group is close-knit and many have been a part of CHEER for years. 

After enjoying our meal, we played a game of turkey toss by tossing newspaper balls into a paper bag turkey. Our craft for the evening was a pumpkin centerpiece made out of a roll of toilet paper and fabric. The participants enjoyed helping each other make and decorate their pumpkins. The night passed quickly and before we knew it, caregivers arrived signaling an end to our evening.

CHEER events are thoughtfully planned to ensure all members of the group are able to participate. As we spend many of our events in the community, that often means collaborating heavily with off-site locations to make sure we can make the evening as seamless as possible for our participants. We take into consideration any adaptations our consumers may need. Full participation means reducing accessibility barriers and making every event approachable.

 We try especially hard to create events that foster friendships, belonging and fun. Many of our respite families and participants have become close friends over the years and spend time together outside of CHEER. The participants know who to expect each month and ask about each other if someone is absent. As our events are a respite time — a break for both the caregivers and the participants — the emphasis is not placed on learning, although that does happen naturally. An outstanding event is when everyone is engaged throughout the duration of the event. 

CHEER is a valuable program to Easterseals Crossroads because it creates a safe environment for friendships; it provides relief for caregivers; and it allows people to participate in unique community events. Easterseals Crossroads provided 1,804 hours of respite care for families so that parents and caregivers could benefit from valuable time for themselves this past year.

Contact us to learn more about our respite programs.

-article contributed by Katy Everhart, Respite Team Lead

2021-06-29T12:51:41-04:00November 26, 2019|Our Blog|
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