Persons With Disabilities

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1 Persons With Disabilities Newsletter - November 2016 Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education (FIRE) Provides Inspiration in Northeast Iowa The Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education (FIRE) in Northeast Iowa was founded in 2016, the Jubilee Year of Mercy, by founders who believe in the mission: to provide children with special needs the opportunity for an inclusive Catholic education in their home parish schools. The foundation is grateful for the opportunity to put mercy into motion. The Logo: The FIRE logo speaks to the foundation s Catholicity. The tongue of fire serving as the i in FIRE represents the flame of the Holy Spirit, and a flame is ignited. Igniting is what we do we ignite inclusive Catholic education. ( The FIRE name is inspirational at its core; the foundation is igniting fires in parents, educators and donors, and at its core is the fire of the Holy Spirit. In inclusive learning environments, children grow up knowing and appreciating each other s unique gifts. ( Learn more about the FIRE Foundation of Northeast Iowa here: Read about or share your stories of inclusion: Watch videos about FIRE here: and here: National Day of Prayer for Inclusion Today we mark as a national group of Catholics a moment to stand with our parishioners who have disabilities. We honor their lives. We cherish their sacred holiness. We know that life is a verb. In order to truly honor and cherish these members of our faith, we need to stand with them. We need to reach out and make our faith accessible to them. We need to actively support the families and caregivers. Most importantly, we need to make room at the table for these full participants, room in our Catholic schools and room in our Catholic parishes. We are One Bread and One Body. Everyone matters. ~ FIRE Foundation of Northeast Iowa You can support the FIRE foundation, and keep the flame burning brightly, by participating in the National Day of Prayer for Inclusion. This Day of Prayer will be observed in Catholic Schools on December 2, 2016, and in parishes throughout the archdiocese during the weekend of December 3 & 4. Pray that all Catholics may stand together to promote inclusion in our families, parishes, schools and communities.

2 Page 2 Suicide Prevention Awareness Suicide Prevention Awareness Month was observed in October. Over 90% of all deaths by suicide are a result of depression, implying a person is not in their right mind and therefore not capable of making a rational and moral decision. From the National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD): A rapid increase in suicide in our time is cause for alarm among pastoral workers and, of course, family members and other survivors of this tragedy. The depths of depression can rob a person of his or her desire to live With the knowledge now available about suicide, about what precipitates the act itself and also the act s tragic effect on survivors, the Church takes a much more compassionate stance on this issue than it has in the past The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) promotes resources and awareness around the issues of suicide prevention, how you can help others and how to talk about suicide without increasing the risk of harm. NAMI shares : Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender or background. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people and is often the result of mental health conditions that effect people when they are most vulnerable. For more information about: Knowing the Warning Signs and Risk of Suicide: Preventing Suicide as a Family Member or Caregiver: Being Prepared for a Crisis: If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call The National Suicide Prevention Hotline: TALK If you are looking for more information, referrals or support, contact the NAMI HelpLine: NAMI For additional suicide prevention information: Mental Health Myths and Facts The National Catholic Partnership on Disability reminds us that mental health problems affect everyone. Can you tell the difference between a mental health myth and fact? MYTH: Mental health problems don t affect me. FACT: Mental health problems are actually very common. NCPD reports that in 2014, about: One in five American adults experienced a mental health issue. One in ten young people experienced a period of major depression. One in 25 Americans lived with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression. Suicide is the 10 th leading cause of death in the United States. It accounts for the loss of more than 41,000 American lives each year, more than double the number of lives lost to homicide. Learn more about mental health problems here:

3 Page 3 Giving Thanks Holidays can be difficult for some families of children with special needs. Large family gatherings may not be possible what a child has a difficulty with sensory integration or food allergies or complicated medical equipment. The absence of family support or feelings of exclusion can be very painful. But it is during these times that families dealing with disabilities must dig deep, think about all the good things they do have, and develop a sense of gratitude. Here are some ideas to get you started on your own gratitude list for special needs: Learn the importance of providing creative outlets such as drawing, writing, photography and storytelling. Once a child discovers his or her special gifts and is able to share them with extended family, the holidays can become a time for all to be thankful. For more ideas about creative thinking: Although some seemingly simple tasks can be truly complicated, give thanks for what your child can do. She can use her utensils, cut her own food, recognize her name card and designated place. She can ask those present to bow their heads, and she can offer the meal blessing. What greater time to be thankful! For a short Thanksgiving prayer: Plan ahead to minimize the barriers No matter the challenges on this day of thanks, it shouldn t put a damper on the wealth of love and gratitude you all share. For tips on planning ahead for an inclusive Thanksgiving: Parents of special needs kids can worry about multiple things How will we travel without a meltdown? How can I manage his special diet? Find additional tips for celebrating Thanksgiving with your special needs child here: - q=thanksgiving+special+needs&start=10 Save the Date Future Advisory Committee Meetings: November 14 6:30 PM (via Zoom) January 9 6:30 PM (via Zoom) April 3 6:30 PM (Oelwein) September 11 6:30 PM (via Zoom) November 6 6:30 PM (Oelwein) UPCOMING EVENTS: National Day of Prayer for Inclusion December 2 Catholic Schools December 3 & 4 - Parishes Joy to the World, Winter Retreat Day Sat. January 7, 2017 Holy Ghost Parish, Dubuque Inclusion in Catholic & Private Schools: Welcoming & Supporting Students with Special Needs Conference February 22-24, 2017 Kansas City, MO (more information to come)

4 Page 4 Spotlight on the Education Resource Center Archdiocese of Dubuque (563) ext. 214 November is a month for remembering the Communion of Saints, for giving gratitude for the many blessings we have no matter the challenges and difficulties we daily face, and for raising greater awareness of vocations to priesthood and religious life. Below are resources offered through the Education Resource Center (ERC) to help you celebrate the month of November. Patron Saints for Persons with Disabilities This website page has compiled brief biographies of saints who are patrons for persons with varying disabilities and the issues often dealt with by persons with disabilities. I Will Rejoice (BK #200970) Karma Wilson uses Psalm 118:24 to help us appreciate even God s most simple gifts in our lives every day. Grateful: A Song of Giving Thanks (BK #200889) (includes CD with original song by Art Garfunkel) John Bucchino helps us sing a song of praise to God for many of His splendid gifts! Resources for Older / Disabled Discerners This website provides contact information for various communities that include in their membership individuals who are older and / or disabled. Contact the ERC for these and other resources: Kim Feldman: dbqmed@dbqarch.org Tricia Tranel: dbqcmed1@dbqarch.org

5 Page 5 Embracing Diversity ~ All Are Welcome! Highlighting the Gift of Inclusion FIRE Foundation of Northeast Iowa will be offering grants to partner parish schools in the Archdiocese of Dubuque who are committed to the Inclusion Best Practice Philosophy. For more information on this philosophy: Archdiocese of Dubuque and FIRE Foundation of Northeast Iowa Ignited their partnership in August. GRANTS AVAILABLE To learn more This year the FIRE Foundation of Northeast Iowa will be awarding grants to attend an inclusion conference. For more information about the conference, Inclusion in Catholic and Parochial Schools: Welcoming and Supporting Students with Special Needs, see: ation-conference/ A Prayer for Inclusion Living and true God, You created all that is good and holy in your image. Be close to us, your servants, who gather here today. Be our constant help and protection as we lovingly reach out to welcome and embrace ALL your children, regardless of their abilities, in our parishes and schools. Bless our children as they grow together in faith, knowledge and friendship. And bless their parents and educators who guide them through challenges, who celebrate their special gifts, and who encourage them to reach their potential. We ask this through Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever. Amen. If your parish has an event or program you would like highlighted on the Embracing Diversity page, please contact the Office of Persons with Disabilities at the Archdiocese of Dubuque.