Earlier Reports
Oct 07
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Dec 07
Jan 08
Feb 08
Mar 08
Apr 08
May 08
June 08
July 08

Ms. Wheelchair Nebraska 2008
March Report

Hello Everyone from MWNE 2008,

Well, March is holding true to itself in coming like a lamb and going out like a lion. This month had me preparing for presentations, advocating, and networking with organizations to schedule more presentations. I am currently working with Nebraska State-Wide Visually Impaired Peer Support Organization planning their June conference. I have brainstormed some new ideas for workshops that will help the visually impaired, that relate to independent living and cooking safety. I will be a speaker at the event the first week in June. I was nominated to submit my application for the Nebraska Volunteer Service Commission. This is a commission that the Governor appoints members by his selection. On the 28 th of March, I spoke at the ARC of Platte County, in Columbus. I really enjoyed this opportunity and felt rewarded by the response from those present. Many consumers shared their concern about how the current benefit criteria, as well as the way the representatives at Social Security and Social Services have treated them. I am convinced that each community should have an independent office of benefit counselors to work with these people on a one to one basis to better educate them, and offer assessments, and work with them and the entity together for follow-through. These people feel intimidated by anything that may be of government and they are mistreated because they do not understand what is being told to them and they don't know how to effectively advocate for their needs. I am on another quest. Looking forward to the challenge!

Lorinda