JSDD

Brad van Eeden-Moorefield, MSW, Ph.D., CFLE Acting Department Chair, FSHD Professor and Associate Department Chair for Social Justice Initiatives Department of Family Science & Human Development    I was thrilled to be asked to contribute a post for Pride month. I thought it would be helpful to share a little about how Pride began and what makes it so important. In doing so, I think it is also important to acknowledge how Pride is one way to help create visibility, safety, and spaces of belonging for the larger LGBTQ+ community and for those at the intersection of LGBTQ+ and Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities (IDD), including those who might be on the Autism Spectrum (ASD). Second, I thought I would share […]

  The residents enjoyed a fabulous in-person Shabbat celebration at LifeTown. The women residents had an opportunity to light the candles and then pray in the Friendship Circle praying room. Mark told Hagit, the JSDD Judaic Coordinator, that he enjoyed praying.   After the prayers everyone gathered in the dining room that was set up beautifully for Shabbat and sat in their designated seats around decorated tables. There was beautiful singing that filled the room including a favorite, “Shalom Aleichem.” Each participant had their own grape juice and personal challah. The residents enjoyed welcoming Shabbat together with the Friendship Circle community.   The event was in loving memory of Barbara Zinbarg. Her husband, Ed, enjoyed meeting the JSDD residents. Clifford […]

Shabbat celebrations began this week with Stacy C. and Debbie chanting the blessing over the candles. Mark performed the blessings over the grape juice and the matzah.  Since this is the last full day of Passover, the group enjoyed matzah instead of challah. Next, there was a video about the preparation of matzah.  An interesting fact is that in order to be considered Kosher and allowed to be eaten on Passover, matzah must be made in 18 minutes from the time the water and flour touch until it comes out of the oven, otherwise there is time where the ingredients could ferment and not allowed to be consumed.  Daniel and Stacy C. both said they really enjoy matzah and had […]

  This week was not a typical virtual Shabbat. Friday evening was the beginning of Passover. Each time a new person or group joined the meeting they wished each other “Shabbat Shalom” and “Happy Yom Tov” (a peaceful Shabbat and a happy holiday). Everyone was so excited to see each other and celebrate virtually. Some participants remembered that this was the third virtual Seder.  Daniel C. was grateful for the delicious holiday meal provided by JSDD. Stacy C. said the blessings over the holiday and Shabbat candles and all the participants covered their eyes. This is a tradition that allows you focus on the words of the prayer and close yourself off from the other distractions.  Daniel Z. and Daniel […]

Written by Chris Guida Imagine planning a trip to Hawaii, where the language is familiar, and the atmosphere is heavenly only to get off the plane and discover you are in Mongolia. When my son Kevin was born 37 years ago, I had a totally different idea of what his life would be like.  I imagined small joyful milestones like babbling his first words, taking his first steps, riding a bike.  I pictured sports awards, academic accolades, maybe even a scholarship to a fine college.   That never happened.  You see, Kevin was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder, Distal 18Q.  He is on the Autistic Spectrum.  This disorder affects his speech and language skills, gross and fine motor skills, weakens […]