Event Supports Need for Accessible Fitness

Center for Independent Living of Central PA Hosts Event to Raise Dollars for Accessible Fitness Resources

(Camp Hill, Pa.)—If you had a disability, would you workout at the same gym you attend now? If you used awheelchair, would you be able to use the same equipment you use now? The Center for Independent Living of Central PA (CILCP) recognizes that a “typical” gym is not always accessible. So, once again CILCP is finding ways to provide options for people with disabilities – even for physical fitness. In order to help fund more accessible fitness resources for people with disabilities, CILCP is hosting their 2nd Annual Walk ‘N Roll for Living Well. People of any age, with any type of disability or ability, are invited to come to the event on Saturday, July 24th at City Island.

Participants will walk, roll, or jog three laps around City Island in Harrisburg, rain or shine. Following the Walk ‘N Roll at 10 a.m., attendees will be able to visit exhibitors’ tables, and enjoy food, music and other entertainment.

CILCP recognizes that adding exercise to daily life is just as vital for people with disabilities as it is for people without disabilities; therefore, by taking part in the Walk ‘N Roll, participants will help CILCP provide more opportunities for people to live healthier lifestyles. CILCP is the only organization in the area that offers cutting-edge, fully adaptable and accessible fitness equipment. By providing specialized equipment like the Magnum ADA Advantage Trainer and MOTOmed, individuals can secure their arms and legs, and let the machines provide smooth, steady movement. The equipment allows people who have no or limited feeling in their limbs to use it.

By incorporating exercise into their daily lives, people with disabilities can help eliminate many problems that are often encountered. The various equipment and fitness programs help strengthen weakened muscles, improve circulation, reduce spasticity, lessen swelling in lower limbs, and decrease the chance for potential infections from cuts. Whether it’s providing the specialized equipment, one-on-one training, or a fitness program, CILCP seeks to provide endless options and accessibility for all.

All proceeds go towards expanding accessible fitness resources – so everyone can workout and improve their health! The event, sponsored by PinnacleHealth, CBS21, and CW15, will also highlight the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which is the law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability.

Everyone is encouraged to participate by forming teams or joining individually. Participants who register by July 2, 2010, will receive a free Walk ‘N Roll t-shirt and a discounted registration fee of $20.00. After July 2, 2010, the registration fee is $25.00, and participants are not guaranteed a t-shirt. Children age 5 or younger may participate for free, but will not receive a t-shirt.

“The Walk ‘N Roll for Living Well was such a success last year, and it brought people of all ages and disabilities together to participate. We are excited to do it again this year to benefit accessible fitness, as living a healthy lifestyle is so important for anybody. It’s also the perfect time to celebrate the 20th anniversary of such a vital law in the independence movement for people with disabilities,” states Theotis W. Braddy, Executive Director of CILCP.

Tanya Foster, evening news anchor from CBS21, and Central PA’s Living Well With A Disability spokesperson, will serve as host for the event. Additional speakers will also be on hand, including Mayor Linda Thompson. Mayor Thompson will make a proclamation in support of the ADA and in celebration of its 20th anniversary.

For more information or to register, visit www.CILCP.org or call 717-731-1900 / 717-737-1335 (TTY). Participants may also register on the day of the event at the Carousel Pavilion. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. and the Walk ‘N Roll starts at 10:00 a.m. All City Island facilities and the route are accessible.  A sign language interpreter/CART service will be on site.

About CILCP

The Center for Independent Living of Central PA (CILCP) is a consumer controlled, cross disability organization dedicated to assisting people with disabilities to achieve and maintain independent lifestyles.  The organization assists individuals with any type of disability to find resources available to meet their needs, wishes and aspirations through Living Well With A Disability. To learn more about the CILCP visit their Web site at www.cilcp.org, and to learn more about Living Well With A Disability, visit www.livingwellwithadisability.org.

For more information regarding this press release, please contact Megan Kurtz by email at Megan@TheSuasionWay.com or by phone (717) 432-2468.

Much-Needed Resource Arrives in Newport to Assist People with Disabilities

Center for Independent Living of Central PA Expands to Further Serve Rural Residents

(Newport, Pa.) — The Center for Independent Living of Central PA (CILCP), an organization that has been serving the needs of people with disabilities for over 20 years, will begin offering specific services in its Newport office on June 29th.  Located in the old Newport Hotel, at 2 North Second Street, Suite 100, the new office will provide people with disabilities and senior citizens residing in Perry, Juniata and Mifflin counties essential programs and services to ensure independent lifestyles.

Services for independent living; advocacy; peer counseling; information and referrals; community integration; support coordination; as well as Living Well With A Disability will be available. Through Living Well With A Disability, a free lifestyle survey is conducted to determine a person’s needs as well as their interests, goals and dreams. People interested in these services can meet with specialists at the Newport office during business hours or by appointment. Surveys can also be scheduled to take place in the person’s home.
Overseeing the new office, its staff and integration into the community will be the Rev. Nancy Firestone. As a dedicated member of the community who is living with a disability, Rev. Firestone has years of experience in advocating for people with disabilities and managing assistance programs. She will perform community outreach to acclimate the community to the first-of-its-kind resource. Among these efforts, Rev. Firestone will give presentations to educate residents and businesses about CILCP’s services and the needs of people with disabilities. She will also work with surrounding businesses to support accessibility at their establishments. 

“Although CILCP has always offered services to people with disabilities in Perry County, having an office here will make it possible to reach more people. As a person with a disability, I know how important the role of advocacy is to address the barriers people with disabilities face and why we must educate people without disabilities as to why it is vital to support accessibility and sensitivity to people with disabilities,” states Rev. Firestone.

From the feedback so far from residents, it seems as though this approach is what the community wants. Rev. Firestone adds, “We even heard from one resident who stated that ‘this is what we’ve been praying for.”
In August, the office will also offer personal assistance and consumer employer services, as well as a fully-accessible fitness center with specialized equipment designed to meet the needs of both senior citizens and people with disabilities.

Heidi Koch, a local resident, is one of the many people excited about a new neighbor in Newport. A busy community leader involved in various organizations, such as Newport’s Lions’ Club and Senior Citizens Center, Ms. Koch is the proud mother of a son, Matthew, who is living with multiple disabilities. Matthew is legally blind and has a learning disability. Throughout the years, Ms. Koch has been frustrated with the lack of services for people with disabilities in the rural areas of Perry, Juniata, and Mifflin counties.
“When I found out about CILCP opening another office here to assist people with disabilities, I was very excited about the new opportunities and services. We have many needs here, from transportation and employment, to recreation and exercise. People know what they need, but don’t know where to go or how to go about getting it. With CILCP coming in, now they will.”

 Services at the new office will begin June 29th. The office will be open Monday through Friday; from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hours are subject to change depending on demand.

CILCP also has a Camp Hill office location, which has an accessible fitness center. For general questions about the Newport office contact 1-800-323-6060 and for questions about CILCP’s services, including Living Well With A Disability, call 1-877-TO-LIV-WELL (1-877-865-4893) or visit www.cilcp.org.
About Center for Independent Living of Central PA

For over 20 years, CILCP has been serving people with all types of disabilities who live in Cumberland, Dauphin, Perry, Mifflin and Juniata counties. It is a consumer controlled, cross disability organization dedicated to assisting people with disabilities to achieve and maintain independent life styles. From achieving a small task to accomplishing a life-changing goal, CILCP is helping people with disabilities exceed their lifestyle expectations through one point of contact.

 

New Hope Ministries Invites Community to Celebrate Its New Mechanicsburg West Shore Center

(Mechanicsburg, Pa.) - To celebrate the opening of New Hope Ministries’ new Mechanicsburg West Shore Center, the Christian social service agency is holding an open house and dedication ceremony on Monday, June 28, 2010 from 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. Located at 5228 E. Trindle Road in Mechanicsburg, the event will feature guest speakers at 2:00 p.m., including Congressman Todd Platts.

Founded in 1983, the three centers (Dillsburg, Dover and Mechanicsburg West Shore Center) provide emergency crisis assistance, including food, transportation for job purposes, financial assistance for utilities, counseling, and referral services to local, low-income families and individuals. The community-based organization also offers after-school and summer youth programs. Overall, New Hope serves approximately 7,000 people each year in areas within York and Cumberland counties.

According to Eric Saunders, Executive Director of New Hope Ministries, “Congressman Platts was one of the community leaders who brought the unmet human needs of the West Shore area to New Hope’s attention. With the expansion of New Hope Ministries’ services and new building, the communities of Mechanicsburg, Enola, Wormleysburg, Camp Hill, Lemoyne, and New Cumberland will now have access to basic needs services such as food, heat and utilities, and assistance with housing, transportation, and/or healthcare.”

Because of its state-of-the-art features, including loading docks and forklifts, the new location is able to accept larger quantities more efficiently. Unlike other organizations that provide food pantries, New Hope now has the ability to accept large donations from businesses because equipment is available to lift the items. In addition, the center has 15,000 square feet available to stock the donated items, and refrigeration to store food for a longer period of time. By reaching out to members of the communities and area businesses, New Hope is striving to provide over 750 tons of food each year to families and individuals in need.

“The current economic conditions have had a big impact on the nonprofit community; donations are down, but peoples’ needs are up. However, we hope that with the new building, people will be just as excited as we are to help the communities that were being missed when it came to receiving basic needs services. Whether it’s volunteering, donating food, or providing a financial contribution, New Hope welcomes the support,” states Saunders.

Due to limited parking space at the new location, parking for the event will be at 5275 E. Trindle Road, with regular shuttle vans taking guests to and from the center. Should you need special accommodations, please contact New Hope Ministries at 717-432-2087.

About New Hope Ministries
New Hope Ministries is a community-based, Christian, social service agency that shows the love and hope of Christ by meeting the needs of low income families and individuals through our crisis assistance centers in Dillsburg, Dover and Mechanicsburg West Shore. New Hope provides help with food, housing, utility, transportation needs, and medical care to approximately 7,000 individuals from 3,000 different families every year. As New Hope meets the urgent needs of clients in crisis, they also endeavor to counsel them towards long-term stability. In addition, New Hope provides structured after school programs for underprivileged youth to help them learn educational and life skills in order to prepare them for success in school and life. For more information on New Hope Ministries visit www.nhm-pa.org.

New Quality Data on Local Health Care Providers Now Available Online

(York, Pa.) – Recently, Aligning Forces for Quality (AF4Q) – South Central Pennsylvania released new Coronary heart disease care results for more than 50 health care practices in York and Adams counties. AF4Q – South Central PA is known for conducting the I Can! Challenge, which focused a portion of its 12 week challenge on the need to use quality data.

The results can be found at www.aligning4healthpa.org under the Community Checkup. It’s for both the patient and health care provider to use to help take control of chronic conditions like heart disease.

With the overall goal of improving the quality of health care, AF4Q-South Central PA is focusing on chronic conditions first. On the basis of 2005 mortality rate data, nearly 2,400 Americans die of cardiovascular disease each day – an average of 1 death every 37. Within York and Adams counties, approximately 5 of every 100 people have heart disease. Patients need to be able to make informed choices about their own care, and doctors need to know what they can improve upon; this new data will help guide patients and doctors in that direction.

Overall, the data shows how well the doctors’ offices are providing care, and how well patients are participating in their care. Specifically, the results indicate whether the practice and patients have good control of the patients’ blood pressure and LDL cholesterol levels. The data also shows the percentages of patients being prescribed a daily aspirin or aspirin alternative, and what percentage of patients had their body mass index checked during the past year. By using this information, patients can see the types of tests that need to be done for chronic conditions, and ensure they are receiving the appropriate tests.

AF4Q-South Central PA’s Project Director Christine Amy states, “Often, patients aren’t sure what they can do to improve their chronic condition. Therefore, the overall goal with releasing the information is to educate patients and help them see what they can be doing to improve their health. One of the first steps a patient can take to improve his or her chronic condition is to strengthen their relationship with their doctor. Having access to this data helps the patient and physician to work better together as a team in controlling the disease.”

Those who volunteered to participate in the Community Checkup were given evidence-based guidelines and supporting medical literature. As part of the guidelines, doctors were asked to identify all patients in their practice who have heart disease, and submit the data to be analyzed and reported. No personal information that could identify patients or individual physicians was shared. Some of the organizations who volunteered to participate include: Family First Health, Hanover Hospital, Memorial Hospital, WellSpan Health, and many independent primary care physicians.

When viewing the data, individuals can see the name, address, and phone number of the practice, as well as the names of the providers and the link to the practice’s Web site.

The information has been designed to benefit everyone from the patient and doctor, to employers and health plans. Doctors can learn from each other, and do a comparison against other practices. Employers should use the information to share with employees and ensure their benefits cover the needs of their employees, and encourage healthy behaviors.

About Aligning Forces for Quality – South Central Pennsylvania
Aligning Forces for Quality – South Central Pennsylvania (AF4Q – South Central PA) is an initiative of Healthy York County Coalition. Since its establishment in 1994, Healthy York County Coalition (HYCC) has worked to bring together stakeholders from across the community and to unite them in health and wellness efforts. Our Aligning Forces for Quality – South Central Pennsylvania initiative created in 2007, works to improve the care that individuals with chronic disease currently receive. It also conducted the I Can! Challenge, a 12-week challenge developed to give people the direction and support for improving their health. For more information on I Can! Challenge, visit www.ICanChallenge.com, and for more details on AF4Q – South Central PA, visit www.aligning4healthpa.org.

About Aligning Forces for Quality
Aligning Forces for Quality, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) initiative, brings together those who get care, give care and pay for care to improve the quality of health care in entire communities. RWJF’s unprecedented commitment of resources, expertise and training is turning proven practices into real results in 15 communities, including Albuquerque, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Humboldt County (Calif.), Kansas City (Mo.), Maine, Memphis, Minnesota, Puget Sound (Wash.), South Central Pennsylvania, West Michigan, Western New York, Willamette Valley (Ore.) and Wisconsin. For more information, log onto www.rwjf.org/qualityequality/af4q.