The Care of a Loved One

Carol Heidbrier takes care of her mother, 98-year-old June Rehmert. After a fire destroyed her home, she and her husband rebuilt with the mindset of moving June in with them. Eventually Carol realized she needed support and approached Heartland Independent Living Center (HILC) to assist with her mother’s care.

June lives with a series of health conditions; including, dementia, bladder incontinence, hearing loss, congestive heart failure, and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), which require she live with 24-hour care. HILC’s In-Home program helps Carol care for June with four-day-a-week aides who come into the home. The aides assist by cleaning, bathing, and sometimes just socializing with the person to give family members some much needed rest.

“There are a lot of individuals in her situation,” HILC In-Home Coordinator Sandi Johnson said. “Families are unaware of the services out there to avoid nursing homes. This is better than assisted living facilities because they get to live in the home with family members.”

June is often times restless throughout the night and that affects Carol, who must get up to care for her mother.

“You know I think the most difficult thing for me is probably the nights,” Carol says. “The lack of rest for me because you know she gets up to go to the bathroom two or three times a night. … But I try to get my sleep in. Sometimes if I try to take a nap during the day it’s kind of difficult. I’m sitting in there in a chair and she doesn’t want me to sleep. She wants to talk to me.”

The overwhelming stress 24/7 care puts on families is something Heartland hopes to alleviate by expanding to overnight respite care.

“It’s a constant worry about whether they are doing enough for them,” Johnson said. “They’re working 24/7 essentially. It can be very tiring and patience can wear quickly, even though they love them. Having someone there (overnight) would allow her daughter to get some rest, while she knows her mom is being cared for.”

Carol sits in her mother’s wheelchair and discusses the grocery list with

 her mom. She goes through each ad asking her mother what she wants 

to eat.

Carol is in a constant juggling act of caring for her mother, caring for herself, and completing her own work.

“Of course I have my own housework to do,” Carol says. “Sometimes if I’m raking outside I have to tell her where I’m going. If she can see me she can watch me from the window. But in the summertime, I can take her outside. If I’m working in the garden, I take her outside and let her sit on the porch. I put a straw hat on her so she can watch me wherever I’m at, because you can’t leave her alone for very long periods of time because you don’t know what she is going to do.”

Heartland’s aides relieve Carol, giving June company and keeping her safe, allowing Carol an opportunity to work or run errands

Kyla Tungate, one of Heartland Independent Living Center’s In-

home aides, flips through a nature book with June, while she holds 

her music book. June will often times sing to Kyla while she works.  

“People like Mrs. June are what makes me love my job,” said Kyla Tungate, one of June’s HILC’s In-Home aides. “She makes it all worth it, and there’s no better feeling in the world than knowing that I made a difference in her life, as well as others. I strive to make every day an enjoyable and memorable one. Through the rough times in my life I’ve learned that you never know when one day may be someone’s last, so you've got to make every day count.”

Carol does what she does because she always has. Her mother is not the first person she has cared for when their health declined. Though her mother is deservingof all the care she can give, Carol says.

“I love my mom very much and I know here she has the family environment,” Carol says. “You see, my dad died when she was 39-years-old and she lived alone for a long time. She never got remarried. From that point on she was the family provider and care giver for the children. My youngest sister wasn’t even a year old at the time. She has been a wonderful, wonderful mother and she’s been a caring mother. She’s carried a heavy load and personally I feel that she needs the same love and care that she gave her family. I really do.”

Carol knows that as time progresses her mother’s needs are going to change and it could become harder to care for her.

“Sometimes it gets difficult and you get tired,” Carol says. “Which I am today – I’m tired. It really helps to have the girls (from HILC) come in. As time goes on I know I’m going to need more things to take care of her and make it easier. It’s going to get harder. I think at the rate she’s going she may outlive me. Maybe I shouldn’t have said that, but sometimes I feel that way.”

Heartland Independent Living Center is a nonprofit, community based organization that serves individuals with disabilities in their quest to remain independent in their own homes.  Services include in-home assistance, home modifications and ramps, adaptive equipment, transition assistance from institution to home, and dental services.  Heartland meets accountability standards and holds the Better Business Bureau Charity Seal of Approval. For additional information on their services contact Heartland at 573-437-5100, or visit their website at www.heartlandilc.org. Follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/heartlandilcenter.   

Improving Generations through Life Skills

Cheryl French opens the door with an uneasy smile on her face. Being shy, new people, especially a new person with a camera, causes her to withdraw slightly, but the familiar face of Independent Living Specialist Debbie Skasick eases the situation quickly. Debbie has been working with Cheryl since June 2014 on skills training – a service provided by Heartland Independent Living Center.  

Why is Cheryl, a 37-year-old, putting herself through learning all of this? It’s all for her son – Abraham.  Abraham is 13 months old and Cheryl hopes that by the time he is going through school she will be able to help him with his homework because of the work she is doing now. 

The two sit comfortably at the dining room table, while Abraham plays quietly in his Pack ‘n Play and talk with each other before diving into a review on singular possessive nouns – a topic Cheryl is finding difficult.

“It makes it so I can read and write again,” said Cheryl about the skills training Heartland is providing her. 

Cheryl has a learning disability and was previously being assisted by Millicent at Pathways until they referred her to Heartland.

“In grade school, they just wanted you to know your name and address,” Cheryl said. “They didn’t teach me anything.” 

Now Debbie is trying to fill in the pieces of Cheryl’s missing education, working through The Complete Book of Grammar Punctuation Grades 3 to 4 - a grammar book that Cheryl already owned.  Along with working through the grammar book, Debbie gives Cheryl spelling words and other worksheets as homework. 

“I think she is actually doing very well,” Debbie says. “She’s comprehending and understanding a lot and when she doesn't she asks a lot of good questions so we can learn together.”

Debbie walks Cheryl through the first few problems to make sure she understands the concept that possessive means ownership.

“We won’t move on till I know you get it,” Debbie reassures Cheryl.

After answering a particularly difficult question, Debbie tells Cheryl, “You’re awesome! You are awesome.”

Debbie’s teaching style is to constantly reassure Cheryl that she is doing the work right and to make Cheryl, who seems to lack a certain confidence in her ability to complete the work, understand that she is capable of doing the work on her own.

In between visits, Larry Wehmeyer, Cheryl’s boyfriend, helps her with learning and the work assigned.

“I can’t say enough about you guys coming out here,” Larry says. “I know it’s a long drive, but it really means a lot. God bless you.”

An hour, even after arriving early, goes by in no time. The difference in Cheryl’s ability is already evident. Cheryl breezes through several practice sheets on singular possessive nouns – the same concept which gave her trouble not two weeks before.

Debbie leaves Cheryl with practice work in plural possessive nouns to work on between visits; as well as, her spelling words and sentences.

Debbie loves providing skills training to individuals.

“I love it because I feel like I’m making a difference for them,” Debbie says. “I’m making them feel more confident in being independent.”

Heartland Independent Living Center is a nonprofit, community based organization that serves individuals with disabilities in their quest to remain independent in their own homes.  Services include in-home assistance, home modifications and ramps, adaptive equipment, transition assistance from institution to home, and dental services.  Heartland meets accountability standards and holds the Better Business Bureau Charity Seal of Approval. For additional information on their services contact Heartland at 573-437-5100, or visit their website at www.heartlandilc.org. Follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/heartlandilcenter.   

Heartland Gains Grant to Buy Smoke Alarms

Roughly two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from properties without working smoke alarms, according to the National Fire Protection Association. In an effort to prevent that from happening to individuals with disabilities served by Heartland Independent Living Center, the Owensville Area Community Foundation awarded Heartland a $500 grant to be used for the purchase smoke alarms.  Heartland’s primary objective is to help individuals with disabilities live an independent life.

According to FEMA’s (Federal Emergency Management Agency) National Fire Incident Reporting System’s most recent report, during a three year span, 2007 to 2009, an estimated 700 residential building fires involving individuals with disabilities were reported. These fires caused an estimated 160 deaths, 200 injuries and $26 million dollars in property damage.

“With people with disabilities and advanced age it takes them longer to get out (of their home),” Independent Living Specialist Karman Warner said. “They need an earlier warning. Smoke alarms will go off probably two to three minutes before its necessary. Two to three minutes doesn’t seem like much but it could be the difference between life and death.”

Heartland Independent Living Specialists work to design emergency plans based on the individuals living environment and particular needs. This includes providing a File of Life with the necessary medical information needed a life-saving situation, Guardian Alert 911 communication devices and smoke alarms to qualifying individuals.

“Heartland Independent Living Center is very grateful to the Owensville Area Community Foundation for their support,” Executive Director Pat Chambers said. “The smoke alarms purchased with these grant funds will support the health and safety of a number of folks in our community.” 

Heartland to Host Red Carpet Trivia Night

Try to fend off the paparazzi during an evening of glitz and glamour during Heartland Independent Living Center’s annual trivia night at the Owensville Lions Club on October 11, 2014. This year’s theme is “The Red Carpet Challenge.”

A celebrity costume contest and auction will be among the evening’s festivities.  Come dressed as your favorite celebrity for a red carpet appearance and join in during the auction which will take place during the intermission. Some of the items to be auctioned off will include: St. Louis City Museum tickets, a one night stay at the Big Cedar Lodge, Gateway Arch adult tickets, a limited edition autographed poster by Kansas City Chiefs player Gary Barbaro and much more.

Categories for the trivia night will include four movie categories: scifi/thriller, action, comedy and drama; as well as four television categories: reality, sitcom, miniseries and drama. Each category will contain ten questions.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the challenge will begin at 6:00 p.m. Price of admission is $10 a person and teams can range from two to ten people. Concessions will be available, but outside food/beverages are also permitted.

All proceeds will benefit Heartland’s Emergency Assistance Program. Nearly all those served by the organization are at or below 185% of the federal poverty. These individuals have very limited financial resources.  Unfortunately, an unplanned expense such as a vehicle or home repair very quickly results in their inability to meet basic needs for themselves and their families. In response, Heartland developed the Emergency Assistance program to address these unique needs not addressed by other services. As with all other programs, it is designed to aid consumers in meeting essential needs in order to remain independent and living within their own home.  Funds are most often requested for utility or prescription assistance

Heartland Independent Living Center is a nonprofit, community based organization that serves individuals with disabilities in their quest to remain independent in their own homes.  Services include in-home assistance, home modifications and ramps, adaptive equipment, transition assistance from institution to home, and dental services.  Heartland meets accountability standards and holds the Better Business Bureau Charity Seal of Approval. For additional information on their services contact Heartland at 573-437-5100, or visit their website at www.heartlandilc.org. Follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/heartlandilcenter.   

Heartland Awarded Green Foundation Grant

Human services funder, the Allen P. and Josephine B. Green Foundation, granted $2,500 to Heartland Independent Living Center to establish the Heartland Care Closet.

The Heartland Care Closet will be one element of the Heartland Community Resource Center. The program will provide essential household, personal hygiene and first aid items to qualifying individuals. Heartland serves individuals of varying ages with disabilities. Their current consumer base is predominantly individuals with disabilities at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. The Care Closet falls right in with Heartland’s philosophy of caring for the “whole person” and by doing so promoting a healthier, happier community.

Current plans are to implement the program in early 2015 once procedures are in place, supplies are bought and adequate space has been built to hold them.

“Heartland Independent Living Center has been working to establish a ‘Care Closet’ program for more than two years,” Executive Director Pat Chambers said. “This program will provide individuals with disabilities, living on low fixed incomes, with a few personal hygiene, laundry and household cleaning products, allowing the consumer to have those much-needed items without having to use funds they really need for rent, food, and medications.”

The Green Foundation’s funding primarily focuses on central and eastern Missouri. Approximately 15% of their funding goes towards human services. This funding will allow Heartland to purchase the initial inventory of products and shelving to store the products. An estimated 1,200 people will benefit from this service.

“We continually seek new ways to help individuals with disabilities, and it’s exciting to establish a new service,” Tiffany Reid, Resource Development Coordinator, said. “This seed money will allow us to assist with some very basic human needs while furthering the Green Foundation’s mission to improve the quality of the life for Missourians. I am thrilled that they have granted our request.”

For further information contact Resource Development Coordinator Tiffany Reid at 573-437-5100.

Attention Blind Pension Recipients!

The State of Missouri will soon be making changes to the handling of prescription coverage for Blind Pension recipients.  To ease the transition process, a series of conference calls have been scheduled to brief individuals on the impending modifications.  Hosted by the Missouri Department of Social Services MO Health Net, four calls have been scheduled for:

• Wednesday, October 1, 2014, 7:00 p.m.
• Sunday, October 5, 2014, 4:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 7, 2014, 10:00 a.m.
• Thursday, October 9, 2014, 2:00 p.m.

The call may be accessed by dialing 567-314-4017.  At the prompt, enter pass code 25463, followed by the pound sign.
  
Blind Pension recipients are permitted to take part in any of the four calls.  In addition to outlining changes, MO Health Net will be answering questions.  

Beneficiaries are encouraged to participate and make inquiries regarding the changes.

Surplus Walkers Need to Go

Are you in need of a walker and your health care insurance doesn’t cover it? Or are you a rehab facility or a medical center that could use a few more in their inventory? No worry, Heartland Independent Living Center has a surplus that they are willing to donate to those who need them in the community on a first come first serve basis.

Heartland is grateful that so many have recently been donated for those in need. Usually, Heartland would hold on to them until a need arises; however, with the upcoming renovations on the Heartland building, storage space will be limited.

“We want to make good use of the gifts we’ve been given.” Resource Development Coordinator Tiffany Reid, said. “Rather than place these items in storage, we want to be proactive in getting these items back into the community where they are needed.”

If you’re interested in getting one for yourself, a loved one, to have on hand at your church or civic organization or if you simply need some for your rehab or medical facility please contact Heartland at 573-437-5100.

Lab Comforts Nursing Home Residents

Ray Vermillion has been a paraplegic for 25 years, but he doesn’t let his disability keep him from things he wants to do.  A country boy at heart, Ray lives in a farmhouse not far from the Gasconade River outside of Vienna.  His loyal companion, Lady, is a black lab who showed up on the property and took up residence with him.  Although Ray uses a stripped down wheelchair for indoor mobility and traveling, the rough terrain outside requires a more rugged motorized set of wheels.  “We love it out here in the country,” says Ray.  “Living in town is like being in jail.”

One of the things Ray likes to do is visit his 93-year old grandmother, Beulah, in the nursing home.  Once a month Ray and Lady drive to Meramec Nursing Center in Sullivan where they visit grandma and other residents.  Fellow dog lovers welcome Lady and are glad to have the opportunity to reconnect with “man’s best friend.”  Even Smokey, the resident cat, has come to accept Lady on the premises.  “Residents look forward to Lady’s visits,” states the Center’s Assistant Administrator Donna Barns.  “She’s very gentle and her presence comforts our residents.”

Ray Vermillion and his black lab, Lady, visit his 93-year old grandmother at Meramec Nursing Center in Sullivan.  During Ray’s monthly visit, Lady makes her regular rounds visiting other residents as well.  

INVITATION FOR BIDS

Sealed bids for the Heartland Independent Living Center (HILC) Project will be received by HILC,1010 Hwy 28 West, Owensville, MO 65066, until 1:00 PM CST, on Thursday, September 04, 2014 and then be publicly opened and read aloud. The Scope of Work includes renovation of a 14,500 SF office. It includes demolition, new standing seam metal roofing, exterior wall panels, front façade, HVAC units, electric, and other incidental items and work described in the Project Manual, or reasonably inferable therefrom. Sitework includes new water line, parking lot sealing and striping.

Phase One bid package will be bid as part of CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) project # 2013-PF-04. Phase Two bid package is not being bid at this time.

Bid packages will be available after 1:00 PM on August 14th and may be obtained from the office of Cochran located at 530A East Independence Drive, Union, MO 63084, upon payment of a non-refundable fee of $100.00 for a hardcopy set and/or $25.00 for an electronic disk. Please call prior to picking up (636-584-0540). Plans will also be available for viewing at Dodge Plan Room and Reed Plan Room.

A mandatory prebid meeting for general contractors (subcontractors may attend) will be held on August 21, 2014 at 10:00 AM, at HILC, 1010 Hwy 28 West, Owensville, MO 65066.

The wage rates applicable to this project have been predetermined as required by law and are set forth in this specification. When Federal wage rates are applicable and included, this contract is subject to the “Work Hours Act of 1962,” (P.L. 87-581: 76 Stat. 357) and implementing regulations. Attention of bidders is particularly called to the requirements as to conditions of employment to be observed and minimum wage rate, to be paid under contract, Section 3, Segregated Facility, Section 109, and E.0. 11246.

Effective January 1, 2009, and pursuant to RSMo 285.530 (1), No business entity or employer shall knowingly employ, hire for employment, or continue to employ an unauthorized alien to perform work within the state of Missouri. The successful bidder must submit a sworn affidavit and documentation affirming the business entity's enrollment and participation in the federal work authorization program and that all of its employees working for the contracted services are not illegal immigrants.

Upon signing the contract, the successful contractor and any subcontractor performing the work shall provide a ten-hour Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) construction safety program for their on-site employees.

Companies owned and/or operated by individuals with disabilities are encouraged to bid on this project. HILC hereby notifies all bidders that it will ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, these companies and all other companies will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.

No bidder may withdraw his bid within 60 days after the actual date of the opening thereof.

THE OWNER INTENDS TO AWARD THE CONTRACT TO THE MOST RESPONSIVE, RESPONSIBLE BIDDER SUBMITTING THE LOWEST BID. THE OWNER RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY AND ALL BIDS, AND TO WAIVE ANY IRREGULARITIES IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE OWNER.

Heartland’s Back to School Fair Helps Maries County Students

Smiling faces and general tones of happiness filled the room as Heartland Independent Living Center (HILC) hosted two Back to School Fairs supporting the students and families of the Maries County R-1 and R-2 school districts. Children and parents went from booth to booth gathering essential supplies for the upcoming school year.

Over the past two weeks HILC has worked diligently to support families struggling to buy school supplies. The first fair was held at Vienna’s Knights of Columbus Hall on July 18 and the second was held at the Bland Christian Church on July 25.  A total of 272 children received new backpacks, Crayola products and much more. In addition, approximately 20 vendors provided resource information and additional supplies.

“Buying all this stuff would put us deep into debt,” Ginger Moreland, mother of two, said at the Vienna Fair. “Saving us a lot of money is a blessing in itself.”

Constance Smith, the counselor at Belle Elementary, came to the event in Bland and expressed how much Heartland’s efforts were helping her and the school district this year.

“What’s so great about this is the kids so enjoy coming in the first day with their own supplies,” Smith said. “If they get them from me it could take up to a week. It’s just really nice if they can fit in with everyone. I think the highlight was the kids got to pick the backpack color. It was like shopping.”

By the end, most children were complaining of the weight of the bag, as their parents smiled and expressed their gratitude to staff and volunteers.

“We are extremely pleased with the results of our first-ever Back to School Fairs!” Executive Director Pat Chambers said. “Almost 300 Maries County students took advantage of the fairs in Vienna and Bland. Our successful events would not have been possible without the tremendous work of the Heartland staff and the cooperation and support of a number of outstanding community partners!”

Heartland will continue working with Maries County R-1 and R-2 districts to provide supplies to children who are in need but were unable to attend. 

Heartland Elects New Board Officers

The Board of Directors poses outside of Heartland on July 21, 2014. Pictured: Mark Hulsey, right, Jim Brinkmann, Denny Huff, Deborah Moore and Dee Ann Fuller, left. Not Pictured: Vera Williams

Heartland Independent Living Center elected new officers for their Board of Directors.

The board consists of six members. Mark Hulsey was re-elected to fill the position of President, Dee Ann Fuller re-elected to Vice President, Deborah Moore elected to Secretary and the three remaining board members are Vera Williams, Denny Huff and James Brinkmann.

Federal rules require that at least 51 percent of the employees of a Center for Independent Living consist of individuals with disabilities.  That same requirement applies to the Center’s Board of Director’s. Five of the six current Heartland board members are individuals with significant disabilities.

“Heartland is extremely fortunate to have the commitment and stability our board has given to our organization. The organization’s accomplishments over the past five years have been achieved thanks to their support and encouragement,” said Executive Director Pat Chambers.

The Board of Directors meets once a month.

Heartland Independent Living Center is a nonprofit, community based organization that serves individuals with disabilities in their quest to remain independent in their own homes.  Services include in-home assistance, home modifications and ramps, adaptive equipment, transition assistance from institution to home, and dental services.  Heartland meets accountability standards and holds the Better Business Bureau Charity Seal of Approval. For additional information on their services contact Heartland at 573-437-5100, or visit their website at www.heartlandilc.org. Follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/heartlandilcenter.   

Heartland Receives Backing for Backpacks

While area school children have been enjoying a little down time and beating the heat of summer, the staff at Heartland Independent Living Center has been busy working on details of upcoming Back to School Fairs for the students of both Maries County school districts. 

“There has been outstanding response to this project.  We’ve seen so much generosity, from donations for supplies to area residents wanting to volunteer at the events,” said Tiffany Reid, Heartland’s Resource Development Coordinator.

TAP-T Phone Reconnects Dad & Daughter

Thanks to a hearing amplified telephone from Missouri Assistive Technology, Warren Venable is now able to have two-way phone conversations.  Using his new TAP-T phone to call his daughter in St. Louis, he says it’s the first time in his life he has been able to have a phone conversation with her. “We had a 30-minute conversation,” says Warren, “and it was wonderful hearing her voice.”  Warren’s wife, Sharon, said he was as excited as a kid at Christmas.

Warren Venable enjoys making birdhouses now that he’s retired.  With his new cordless amplified TAP-T phone for hearing impaired individuals, Warren can still be in phone contact while in his workshop in the barn.

Warren has been hearing impaired since the age of eight when his family home burned and his ears were scarred from the fire.  His hearing further degenerated from years of loud machinery in the candy factory where he worked.

After years of wearing hearing aids, Warren’s new insurance agency sent him to a different hearing specialist.  His audiologist informed him of the hearing amplified telephones available under the Telecommunications Access Program for Telephones (TAP-T.)   He was referred to Heartland Independent Living Center, a certified TAP-T provider, who assessed him as unable to use traditional telecommunications equipment due to disability.

Warren Venable displays one of the many styles of birdhouses and feeders he makes.  

Within a few weeks, Heartland Independent Living Specialist certified for the TAP-T program was at the Venable’s home with several styles of amplified phones to try out.  The Clarity XLC-2, a portable amplified cordless phone, worked best for Warren.  With a 200-foot range, he could take it with him to his workshop in the barn where he makes birdhouses.  “I can even hear it ring over the noise of the table saw,” says Warren.

Sharon, who owns a business in St. Clair, says the phone has really given her peace of mind.  She calls him from work to make sure he is OK, but prior to the TAP-T she would just leave a message as Warren couldn’t hear the phone ring.  When Warren saw the message light on, he would call her back and say he was fine, but there was no dialogue between them.  “Now he can hear the phone ring and actually talk to me,” says Sharon.  “It also voices what number is calling - - a verbal caller ID.”  In addition, the phone flashes lights when it rings.  “It lights up like a Christmas tree making it hard to miss,” says Sharon. “I only wish we had known about the TAP-T years ago.” 

Back to School Fair Already?

It’s not just pencils and paper anymore. Do you feel dread every year when you receive your child’s school supply list? School supplies have become a financial hardship for many families. Heartland Independent Living Center has a plan to help.

Each fall, Heartland has seen an increasing number of families struggle to prepare their children for the return to school. With no formal back to school fair in Maries County since Missouri Ozark Community Action’s loss of funding for the event, area families have relied on the assistance of local churches to ease their school supply burdens. Assisting these families has been quite a responsibility.  More than half of the 1,451 children enrolled in Maries County schools receive free or reduced-cost lunch, due to low household incomes. For parents of multiple school age children, the financial strain is greater.

“As a mother of three, living in Maries County, I personally can see the financial impact that back to school time puts on families,” said Maggie Brooks.  “Without some assistance with school supplies, families are forced to send their children to school with little or no supplies. Last year, my children came home and asked if we might be able to help some of the kids in their classes. Our family decided to buy extra supplies for a child whose family was unable to cover the expense. I am excited to help the families in need through Heartland’s Back to School Fair.”

Heartland recognizes that education directly impacts the prosperity of our communities. Their staff has decided to take action, ensuring that these children have the opportunity to succeed. Heartland is hosting two back to school fairs for the students in the Maries County R-1 and R-2 school districts. The event will be providing school supplies, services, and information to each family attending.

Heartland is respectfully requesting the participation of local community members. Sponsors, donors, and vendors are needed. They have begun approaching local businesses, churches, civic organizations, and human service agencies, asking them to partner in helping make the back to school fairs a success. If you would like more information or can help in any way, please contact Tiffany Reid, at treid@heartlandilc.org.

Heartland Independent Living Center is a nonprofit, community based organization that serves individuals with disabilities in their quest to remain independent in their own homes.  Services include in-home assistance, home modifications and ramps, adaptive equipment, transition assistance from institution to home, and dental services.  Heartland meets accountability standards and holds the Better Business Bureau Charity Seal of Approval. For additional information on their services, contact Heartland at 573-437-5100, or visit their website at www.heartlandilc.org. Follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/heartlandilcenter.   

Geek is Chic

It’s very chic to be geek.  Heartland Independent Living Center is bringing “Get Your Geek On” trivia back to the Belle/Bland Community Center.  Heartland invites you to get in touch with your inner “know it all.”  In fact, their staff is hinting that his year’s event will be enough fun to blow the protector right out of your pocket!

Rest assured, you don’t need to be a brain scientist to play.  (Seriously!  The Heartland Fundraising Committee has guaranteed that there will be no questions on how to perform neurosurgery.)  However, you are definitely going to have your knowledge of TV, movies, music and sports put to the test.  In addition to giving your brain a workout, Heartland will be selling concessions.  Plus, they’ll be giving away door prizes and auctioning off lots of items collected from generous donors across the state, like the St. Louis Rams!  All you need to do is bring some friends and get ready for a good time.

Proceeds from Get Your Geek On will benefit Heartland’s Emergency Assistance program.  Nearly all those served by the organization are at or below 185% of the federal poverty level, more than half of which are senior citizens. These individuals have very limited financial resources.  Unfortunately, an unplanned expense such as a vehicle or home repair very quickly results in their inability to meet basic needs for themselves and their families. In response, Heartland developed the Emergency Assistance program to address these unique needs not addressed by other services. As with all other programs, it is designed to aid consumers in meeting essential needs in order to remain independent and living within their own home.  Funds are most often requested for utility or prescription assistance.  Each request is examined on a case-by-case basis by a Heartland Independent Living Specialist and then by administrative personnel. Funded requests are those for items seen as crucial and for which other avenues have been investigated and/or exhausted.

Guardian Alert and Knox-Box Provide Peace of Mind

Ninety-four year old Sophie Valley lives by herself in Sullivan.  She has limited mobility and is not able to complete her daily living tasks on her own.  Her daughter Chris assists her so she can remain at home rather give up living independently.  Chris Brake is her mother’s caregiver through Heartland Independent Living Center’s Consumer Directed Services (CDS) personal care attendant services program. She helps her mom with her meals, daily chores, activities and also transportation. “I’m there every morning to fix breakfast, and every evening for dinner,” says Chris. 

One obstacle posed a threat to Sophie staying alone in her home - - what happens if she is incapacitated in some way and can’t get to the phone to get help?

94-year old Sophie Valley raised 11 children in the 

Sullivan area and is not about to give up her 

independence now.  She lives alone and her daughter 

Chris helps her with meals and activities. “Mom is sharp 

and still has all her wits,” says Chris.  “She will 

remain in her own home for as long as she can.  When 

her independence is removed, so is her will to live.”  

SFD Auxiliary Treasurer Melissa Larrison displays 

a Knox-Box that the department provides free of 

charge to disabled and/or elderly Sullivan residents.  

The locked box contains a key to the consumer’s 

door so that emergency personnel are able to 

enter the residence.  The Auxiliary purchased 43 

Knox-Boxes for consumer use.  “The Sullivan

community supports the fire department,” says 

Melissa, “and we in turn support our community.” 

Pictured with Melissa is Billy Harris, Sullivan Fireman 

and Missouri Baptist Hospital paramedic.

Sophie did indeed fall last winter and couldn’t get up.  “I just laid there and watched the clock,” says Sophie.  “Chris is always here by 6:00 am, so I just told myself I’d be OK until she got here.”  And she was.  Chris says God must have been pushing her along that day as she got there earlier than usual.

Following Sophie’s fall, her Heartland CDS Specialist suggested providing her with a Guardian Alert emergency communications device, which Heartland supplies free of charge to qualified consumers.  Sophie now wears the Alert knowing that if she get in trouble, she can push the button and receive immediate assistance.  And, her daughter will also be notified of the emergency.

Now Sophie faced another potential risk. “Mom has family and friends who visit, but I’ve always told her to keep her doors locked when family members are not there,” states Chris, “but, how does someone get in case of emergency?”

Through local firemen, Chris was informed of the Knox-Box, a locked safety box attached to the front door that can only be accessed by the Fire Department or EMS personnel.  The consumer’s door key is kept in the Knox-Box so an emergency team can enter the home without forced entry.  “This prevents costly repairs to doors or windows,” says Sullivan Fireman and Missouri Baptist Hospital Paramedic Billy Harris.  “But more importantly, it saves life-threatening time in assisting the person.” The box is secure as it is remotely opened through Franklin County Dispatch by a call from the fire truck Captain arriving on the scene.  The box is immediately opened, the call is logged, and the box is remotely relocked once the emergency is over. 

The Sullivan Fire Department (SFD) provides the Knox-Box free of charge to qualified individuals throughout the fire district.  The SFD Auxiliary purchased 43 Knox-Boxes for consumer use with money raised from fund-raising activities.  The only thing the Department asks is that when the box is no longer needed, it be returned for recycling to another consumer.

“I can now go home and sleep at night knowing that Mom is safe,” says Chris.  “Mom and I both have peace of mind knowing that help is on the way whenever she needs it.  We thank both Heartland and the Fire Department for that.”