Doing more of what works and less of what doesn’t

What are we working on?

It’s Craft Show Season! This past month we participated in the Mum Festival in Barberton, for the 7th year. Craft Shows allow us not only to sell the crafts made by the people we serve, but it also allows us to tell people about our field and the services we provide. In December we set up in local schools for kids to purchase Holiday gifts for their parents. We bring several people we serve who wrap presents and help younger kids shop for their families. If you know a school that might be interested, please let us know! Come on over and visit us! November 2nd Springfield High School Craft Show November 20th Saint Lukes Craft Show in Portage Lakes December 6th Alliance Hospital Care Center Show December 7th Holiday Hoopla at Real Hope Church in North Canton

Loretta’s Cooking Class!

Robert is making breakfast

Preparing for a t-shirt order

Among the sunflowers at Stark Fresh

Delicious ice desserts!

Kim at the Akron Zoo

X-Excel 2018

www.xexcel.net

“Being told that you can’t do what you are able to do

shouldn’t define your future.”

Khrissy sharing her “a-ha” moment during the synergy conference

October 2019

,

Halloween Tips

1. When buying Halloween makeup make sure to test it in a small area on your skin first.

2. Avoid a fire. Do not overload electrical outlets with Halloween decor.

3. Wear well- fitted masks, shoes & costumes to avoid trips and falls.

4. Put pets away during treat-or-treat time. It may cause anxiety to both kids and animals!

Hey, why shy away from controversy now! I do

want you to know that I say we need to change the Individual Rights with a great amount of respect for the people that worked so hard to get these rights into law that lead to the advances in the field that we see now. There is nothing wrong with the old rights, it is just a different time.

The “Rights” were first put into law in 1986. I was

28 and had hair, ICF’s were state of the art, if you lived in a community home, you probably did it with 10 or more people, everybody went to the County Board school or workshop, etc.

Now I am 62 and bald, we have waiver services

where there are many options, I don’t think we experiment on people anymore, and people eat what they want to, not what a dietician tells them to. I could go on and on.

So, if we move away from “separate rights” to the same human rights all of us have, that would be a good move. I guess if you think people have the right to be treated with dignity and respect at all times, you have never been on Facebook or Twitter.

I think a good place to start would be to look at the

“We Have Human Rights” by Harvard Project on Disability. One of the DODD’s new hires, Nick Miller would be an excellent moderator and/or Steve Beha and we should involve People First (and other self-advocates), the ARC and the Sibs group. This pairing would give us a 3 pointed view of what is important. In my opinion, County Boards and providers should stay out of it and let’s see what really is important to the people we work with.

The gauntlet has been thrown down, the sacred

cow prodded. Any takers??????

“Our dilemma is that we hate change and we love it at the same time; what we really want is for things to remain the

same but get better.” Sydney J. Harris

Tom

From the Desk of Tom Rickels

While we are changing, we need to change the Individuals Rights

If you haven’t heard there is a Direct Support Professional (DSP) crisis. So how can we as

providers keep our best employees? A recent statistic stated that 35% of employees are facing a

personal crisis that will directly affect their work performance. So, what can we do? We can show

empathy. We can do our best to try and put ourselves in others’ shoes. No, this won’t solve the

crisis, but it can help an employee feel valued and appreciated as a person, not just a someone

who does work for us.

Some other important things we ALL can do: • Don’t treat employees like machines

• Don’t micromanage

• Reward employee’s efforts

• Provide adequate training and support

• Remind staff often, how important their work is.

Click on the video above

Lucy started at X-Excel within the past few months. She is an out-going, well spoken, and ambitious young woman. She tells many that she is proud of her disability and in fact, doesn’t think there is any “dis” when referring to her abilities. Before Lucy started at X-Excel she started working with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD).

In September Lucy was offered a

part-time hostess job at Grinders restaurant. This job seems to be such a perfect fit for Lucy, who is personable and warm. Lucy has chosen to continue working at X-Excel while also at Grinders. Congratulations Lucy!

Picnic in the Park

The People First Self Advocacy organization hosted their first “picnic in the park.” This newly created organization was

looking to increase their numbers by meeting new people and sharing fun times.

The Stark County People First Organization meets at 10:30 on

the second Monday of each month at the Whipple Dale Center. All self-advocates are welcome!

X-Excel 1098 N. Main St.

North Canton, Ohio 44720 330.768.7786

www.xexcel.net

There was a packed house for the 1st DSP Recognition Luncheon at LaPizzeria in Canton, Ohio. Superintendent Bill Green of Stark CBDD and Jeff Davis Director of

DODD gave the keynote speeches that were followed by the announcement of the 12 DSP “all-stars.” Three DSPs from X-Excel Mary Virtue, Stella Stout, and Whitney Miller,

were recognized for their outstanding dedication, drive, and ability to act when needed. Ed Lewis was also there.

After the 12 people were recognized, four additional awards were given. X-Excel’s own

Stella Stout won the Energy award for continually arriving everyday full of enthusiasm. Whitney Miller won the Resourcefulness award for using her education to

help someone speak clearer. Mary Virtue did not win an additional award, but we feel she truly is an “all-star” and deserves our praise for not only saving somebody’s life but

for continually being positive and energetic.

It was great to see all the providers, Stark county board staff and representation from the Department of Developmental Disabilities giving praise to the hard-working direct

support professionals from all over Stark county.

Special thanks to Bill Green and the Stark County Board of DD for sponsoring this event that truly shows their dedication to all people.

Just so you know, X-Excel plans on sweeping the honors next year!