My Rabbi's wife is the director of a camp for kids with disabilities! I can't wait to get involved, they do things throughout the year. I am going to meet her to learn more and then hopefully I will be busy volunteering. I'm going to sign up for HUD housing, it culdn't hurt and I'd be in the city where thngs are. This would not come through for awhile anyway. I like Mt. Joy but eventually I'll be tired of living so far away. By thenI'll be very buisy with meetings at the synagogue and this way I won't have to go back and forth like I do now.

When it comes to safety I prefer to take preventative measures to ensure that a fall won't happen. Case in point- my shower bench is made to go over a bathtub not in a shower so it's too short. The easy answer is to buy a new one for $$. I opted to try a few diffferent ways til I figured out a pretty safe way. First, I used a very long transfer board. This was okay but securing it so it didn't move around while I was on it was hard and it would not move from under me once I was back in my own chair. Second, I tried a shorter but wider one which seemed good til I really had trouble securing it transfering back to my chair. Then I used it on the way up and "jumped" and prayed when transfering back into my chair. Then it fell as I was about to position it to get bak in my chair. There was no way could use it then. That was the best thing that could have happened. I decided to try to a very unconventional but logical idea. I looked at the big space I had to get over and realized that what I needed was something to fill it so there's no room to fall, the key to not falling is having no where to fall. My eyes scanned my kitchen and stopped when they spotted a garbage can. It was close to the right height so I took it, turned it over, and placed a big notebook over it. Now the space didn't exist and it was a perfectly straight transfer to the shower bench. I even put an old pillow case under my butt to ensure a smoother transfer. I haven't fallen yet and I don't plan to.

I went to a church acsross the street in town and found out that the kids program becomes an after school program once school begins. I spoke to an office worker and told her about my free disability programs. She said she was interested in would share the information with others. Once I do a program there I can do them at the other 43 chuches in this small town. I will also look into prsenting to students in the Disabilities Studies class in Millersville University. I will make progress.

I've been in Lancaster for 6 weeks. I'm meant to be here...in Mount Joy I mean. It's far away from the main town but I discovered the Janus School. I finally inquired and it's a K-12 school for kids with learning disabilities! Wow if I could work for them I'd be thrilled. I'm going to have an informational interview soon and get my resume on file. I'll volunteer for awhile and get another job. Hopefully my name will come up for something within the year that I'm here. If only I called sooner, school begins soon but that may be a good thing. I'm also looking into IU 13 which has a transition program and Friendship Community which has direct care openings and an enclave program.

I now have other options besides the Disabilty Empowerment Center, just in case or maybe rather than. I've done more for other populations (MR, MH, LD) than physical so maybe that is best. It's never a bad idea to have options.

Below are some of the programs offered through Infobility
Learn more by contacting Susan suewheels@gmail.com

Presentations for everyone.

This interactive program includes discussions and questions:
What is a disability? How can you improve society?
What are the effects of people’s negative attitudes?
Watch a video on disability and employment.

This program can be for: Students Youth groups, Boys/Girls Clubs
Small groups, support groups Scout troops/Brownies, churches

Presentations for businesses
This program discusses challenges and solutions in the workplace and includes a sensitivity exercise for those who would like to experience a disability for a day.

What are reasonable accommodations? Some examples.
Why hire people with disabilities? Tax incentives and statistics.
Some challenges in the workplace? Problems and solutions
The Americans with Disabilities Act and employment.
“Working on Wheels” A sensitivity exercise.

Programs for Individual & Family

This is an individualized program in which you may get help from us in your home or on the phone. It is geared for those who were recently diagnosed. We suggest… you decide.

We offer individuals- peer support, venting, connection to resources, tips for daily life. We will never answer your question rather we will provide you with options to consider. We offer families- a chance to vent and explain their perspectives. Everyone is accepted.

One of our tools is a pamphlet called “The Tenacity of Hope.” It is a booklet that includes thought- provoking questions on coping skills and ideas for daily life.
Inf bility: Sharing Information & Empowering People about Disability.
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Infobility has two goals:
1) Inform the community with programs for schools, businesses, and outreach.
2) Empower people with disabilities through coaching, to improve quality of life.

Sharing Information
• Guest speakers may present disability awareness programs for students.
• In-services may be presented for employers on architecture and attitudes.
• Projects implemented and resource tables at various community events.

Coaching and Literature:
• Vocational Venues- This is a discussion on employment skills including interviews, applications, cover letters, and resumes.

• Paths to Progress- These are individual discussions, via telephone or email, to assist you in evaluating your life and improving your coping skills.

• The Tenacity of Hope- This is a self-help booklet to help you assess your needs by posing a number of though provoking questions.


* As a person, who has a master’s degree and a physical disability, I am aware of the challenges in life and solutions available. I believe that support from someone “who’s been there” can be very valuable. Try my FREE programs.

• Schedule an awareness program in your company or school.
• Plan a sensitivity project in your community or small group.

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Infobility Presents: The Tenacity of Hope
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your disability? Read this book.

It is a self-help booklet on coping with a disability.
It is a workbook to help you assess your special needs.
It poses simple questions so you can decide where to start.
It offers insights for managing some common daily problems.
It provides you with a tongue and cheek look into life’s challenges.
It offers a comprehensive overview into the following six issues below:
Physical -- Psychological -- Educational
Social -- Vocational -- Societal

This book will…
…help you to determine what your next steps may be.
…help you become more productive and independent.
…empower you in order to improve your quality of life.

Infobility is a program that informs and empowers people with disability related concerns or interests. It offers simple, practical ideas in “Path Toward Progress.”

As a person, with a master’s degree and a physical disability, I am aware of special challenges in daily life. I believe that support from someone “who’s been there” can be very valuable. Contact - Susan Schaffer 717-492-4010

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A Program for Young Adults

What is a “Disability”?

Have you ever had a disability?

What if you did have a disability?

Do you know a person with a disability?

How could you help a person with a disability?

Does someone in your school have a disability?

Do you ever talk to/or help the person in your school?

Are people ever mean or act weird around that person?

What are some things that would be hard with a disability?

What are things someone can still do even with a disability?

What are some things in life that help people with disabilities?

What are some you NOT to do around people with disabilities?

I can't sit around and wait for a job so I sent out letters to local churches and the
Elizabethtown library abou doing disability awareness programs. I called the CIL to ask about borrowing the video on etiquette. Also I'm attending my first Mt. Joy boro meeting. People will look at me cross eyed- "Disabed people don't come here!?" I'll meet people and get involved in more ways than 1. I sent a detailed manuscript on enclaves to ODC and the girl seemed grtaeful and UDS will interview me for Volunteer Coordinator. I'll get to meet many people with that. Eventually Disability Empowerment Center will come through for a part time job too. I'm fine.