Special Needs Registry

Hurricane season officially started for the Atlantic Ocean on June 1st.  It's a time when many of us living in Coastal Georgia (and other parts of the Atlantic coast of the U.S.) give at least passing thought to our preparedness planning.

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know that families who have children (or other loved ones) with special needs must do a special type of estate planning to be sure that those loved ones are protected.  Disaster planning is no different.

Your local emergency management agency or your local health department likely have a special needs registry available.

What is a special needs registry?

In the words of our local health department:

The registry is for that population requiring specialized assistance in meeting daily needs and may require special assistance during emergency situations. Individuals may need specially trained health care providers, special facilities equipped to meet their needs, and specialized vehicles and equipment for transport.

If you are accepted into the Special Needs Program and a mandatory evacuation order is about to happen, you will be advised by the health department staff to prepare for evacuation.

This registry is provided to local emergency management agencies. In an actual emergency, response agencies will try to provide assistance, but this cannot be guaranteed.

The registry is truly a last resort, but if a hurricane [or other disaster] is threatening our area, it is important we know where some of our most vulnerable residents are so we can try to help them evacuate.

What do I do now?

If you live in the Coastal Georgia area, you'll find information about the special needs registry here.

If you live elsewhere and need to know more, please use the links above (or a simple Google search) to find your local special needs registry.

Pay careful attention to the actions recommended by the people running your local special needs registry.  Do it now.  By the time a hurricane (or other disaster situation) is bearing down on you - it may be too late.

Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society to Host Night of Champions

The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society (LDSS) is hosting its second annual Night of Champions. This year’s Night of Champions will take place Thursday, June 9th at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Savannah. Tickets are $20 or $200 for a table of ten. LDSS is pleased to welcome celebrity chef and author Jamie Deen as emcee this year. For more information, please contact Allyson Harvin at info@nightofchampions.org or visit the event's website.

This community event is aimed at recognizing the fine contributions made by workers with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities. The event is also designed to celebrate area businesses who are hiring people with intellectual disabilities and to encourage other local employers to do the same.

According to the National Down Syndrome Congress, as many as eighty percent of adults with Down syndrome are unemployed. Low expectations and a lack of understanding about the great skills and wonderful work ethic many people with Down syndrome possess have contributed to this sad statistic. LDSS hopes to reverse this trend by encouraging area employers to give workers with intellectual abilities a chance.

“People with Down syndrome are just like the rest of us,” said LDSS Vice President and Night of Champions Chairperson, Brooke May. “We all have special talents, gifts, and skills that can be developed and used in the workforce. I hope Night of Champions gives people that ‘aha’ moment where you say yes, people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities are capable and can do a great job somewhere if given the opportunity. As the mother of an eight year old with Down syndrome, I’m hoping for the day when my child will be a fully productive member of society and that includes finding meaningful employment.”

Autism Awareness Month

April is Autism Awareness Month.  Many of you have family members or friends who face the challenges of Autism on a daily basis.  There is an interesting documentary on the topic titled Wretches & Jabberers showing at select AMC theaters in April.

The film follows two men with autism, Tracy Thresher and Larry Bissonnette, as they travel to Sri Lanka, Japan, and Finland.  They use their time in each location to find out more attitudes toward autism in those places and carry a new message about the competency of those with autism.  Their goal is to inspire people with autism, and their parents, though exposure of their own extraordinary experiences.  You'll find a more thorough synopsis here and a theatrical trailer and listing of AMC show times nationwide here (note that AMC Theaters - and some other theaters - sometimes offer sensory-friendly showings of films; inquire at the theater you are interested in attending).

Please enjoy this important documentary and, if you have questions about special needs planning, you'll find more information here.