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ETB 42:  In this episode I talk with Kathryn Kane-Neilson about her 19 year old son, Clark who has Down syndrome.   She talks about her experiences raising Clark, through life in NYC, through divorce, through medical misadventures and fresh beginnings in Texas.

Kathryn shared,  ” At 22 years old, I was aware of the fact that I was carrying a child with Down syndrome and it absolutely changed my paradigm.  it changed my brain.  Clark is the joy of my life.  He gave me purpose.”

GHFEDS – Greater Houston Families Exploring Down Syndrome
http://ghfeds.org/

Connect with Heather – frequently mentioned on this podcast!
Medicaid Resources Website:  http://texasmedicaidwaivers.com

Connect with Sandy
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sandydeppisch
Embrace the Blessing Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/ETB4ME
Website: http://www.embracetheblessing.com/

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ETB 27:  In this episode I talk with Vivecca Hartman, mother of 2 and new grandmother, about life with her 24 year old son Christopher, born with a rare genetic mutation, Leber Congenital Amaurosis. Physically healthy in every other way, his vision and hearing was all that was affected at birth.  Very curious, physically fit and funny, Christopher likes to stay active and keep busy.  He communicates with tactile sign language.  As long as he feels safe, Christopher is a very happy person, very independent within his home.

Vivecca is cofounder of Touch Base: Center for the Deafblind, a nonprofit organization that benefits deafblind people after they graduate from school. Currently, Touch Base is located in Houston, Texas. It is a small organization with a board consisting of parents of deafblind children, experienced staff from the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and other dedicated professionals.  The purpose of Touch Base is to provide deafblind men and women with a day habilitation facility where they can participate in organized, meaningful, and purposeful activities.

Vivecca is also a long standing board member for the Lighthouse for the Blind, having served 10+ years.  The Lighthouse of Houston serves 5,000 individuals annually through health and community programs, independent living centers and assisted living facilities.  Of those they employ, nearly 40% are blind or visually impaired. Employees are trained to work in their service or products division.  Their programs and services provide individuals with the ability to live independently and to reach their full emotional, social and educational potential.

Deaf-Blind with Multiple Disabilities (DMBD) Medicaid Waiver
https://www.hhs.texas.gov/providers/long-term-care-providers/deaf-blind-multiple-disabilities-dbmd

Deaf-Blind Multihandicapped Association of Texas (DBMAT)   
https://dbmat-tx.org/

Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS)
https://www.hhs.texas.gov/providers/long-term-care-providers/community-living-assistance-support-services-class.

Texas Medicaid Waiver Programs for Children with Disabilities
https://www.navigatelifetexas.org/en/insurance-financial-help/texas-medicaid-waiver-programs-for-children-with-disabilities
Phone Number: 1-877-438-5658 

Lighthouse for the Blind
https://www.houstonlighthouse.org/

PPCD
https://www.navigatelifetexas.org/en/education-schools/what-is-ppcd

Touch Base Center for the Deafblind
https://www.touchbasecenter.org/about-touch-base

Touch Base: Center for the Deafblind Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/TouchBaseCenter

Connect with Vivecca Hartman
hartmanfam28@sbcglobal.net
1-713- 231-7508

Connect with Sandy
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sandydeppisch
Embrace the Blessing Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/ETB4ME
Website: http://www.embracetheblessing.com/

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ETB 24: In this episode I talk with Heather Burdeaux, a former guest from episode ETB 4 Paying Attention to Behavior Changes, Expectation Management & Maintaining Friendships.

As a  case manager Heather shares about Community First Choice (CFC), a program in Texas that provides certain services and supports to individuals living in the community who are enrolled in the Medicaid program and meet CFC eligibility requirements. Services and supports may include:

  • activities of daily living (eating, toileting, and grooming), activities related to living independently in the community, and health-related tasks (personal assistance services);
  • acquisition, maintenance, and enhancement of skills necessary for the individuals to care for themselves and to live independently in the community (habilitation);
  • providing a backup system or ways to ensure continuity of services and supports (emergency response services); and
  • training people how to select, manage and dismiss their own attendants (support management).

Medicaid Buy In for Children: https://texasmedicaidwaivers.com/medicaid/medicaid-buy-in-programs/medicaid-buy-in-for-children/

Community First Choice: https://texasmedicaidwaivers.com/medicaid/benefits-of-medicaid/community-first-choice/

CLASS Form 3596 PAS/Habilitation Plan: https://www.hhs.texas.gov/handbooks/community-living-assistance-support-services-provider-manual/forms

HCS Form 8510 HCS/TxHmL CFC PAS/HAB Assessment: https://www.hhs.texas.gov/handbooks/home-community-based-services-handbook/forms

Paths to Medicaid: https://texasmedicaidwaivers.com/medicaid/

Disability Rights Texas: https://www.disabilityrightstx.org/en/home/

Connect with Heather
Heather Burdeaux: heatherburdeaux@gmail.com

Connect with Sandy:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sandydeppisch
Embrace the Blessing Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/ETB4ME
Website: http://www.embracetheblessing.com/

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EBT 22:  In this episode I talk with Cynthia Rodriguez, amazing mom, grandma, and special needs advocate who loves to reach out and help others.  If you have a child with a disability and happen to  cross Cynthia’s path somewhere out in the world,  more than likely she will strike up a conversation to check in with you to see how things are going.  She’ll offer suggestions and resources and may even accompany you to the right agency to get you the help you may need.   That’s just who she is.

Yet, 24 years ago when her son Victor was born with Down syndrome, Cynthia didn’t even want to hold him for the first few days.   Life took an abrupt turn at that point and it took Cynthia a little while to accept all the changes.  From initial reluctancy to totally embracing her new journey, Cynthia is a source of love and laughter, drawing others in with her joy and making a positive difference for so many.

In addition, Cynthia does Court monitoring visits for people who have guardianships to make sure they are being treated properly and have everything they need.

GHFEDS
http://ghfeds.org/

HCS – Home and Community Based Services
https://www.hhs.texas.gov/providers/long-term-care-providers/home-community-based-services-hcs

Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) Program
https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/financial/health-insurance-premium-payment-hipp-program

Side by Side Parent Support Team: League City
https://www.facebook.com/groups/155613631266509

STAP – Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program (STAP)
https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/disability/deaf-hard-hearing/stap-services

Swallowing and Speech Services
https://www.swallowingandspeechservices.com/

Texas Medicaid Waivers
https://texasmedicaidwaivers.com/

Connect with Sandy
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sandydeppisch
Embrace the Blessing Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/ETB4ME
Website: http://www.embracetheblessing.com/