Mental health disorders are conditions that affect our thinking, mood, and/or behavior to the extent that it interferes with our ability to function. These disorders include, but are not limited to, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. For the general population in the United States, the CDC estimates 20% of adults (or one…
Camp Royall: A Place for Teens to Connect
Camp Royall is a special place for campers of all ages, from 4 to 104! In recent years our programming for teenagers has grown, and we’re excited that Camp Royall can be a place for young people to connect and prepare for adulthood. In 2016, we started Teen Tuesday, a monthly group for teens to…
Becca Martin, Kaitlin Warren, and Angela Wideman Honored with McCrimmon Award
The McCrimmon Award is named for Ed McCrimmon, a longtime member of the Autism Society of North Carolina staff. He was known for his outstanding dedication and integrity as he served individuals with autism. Tragically, he died in 2017. The McCrimmon Award was established to keep Ed’s memory alive, and at the same time, celebrate…
MeKayla Sheene Named 2022 Roman Award Winner
Direct support professionals often become honorary members of the families they work with because of their presence during highs and lows, good times and bad. MeKayla Sheene began working with Casey Drakeford in May 2022, less than two weeks before his mother’s death. For consistently going above and beyond during this difficult time in Casey’s…
Don’t Ring the Doorbell, and Mark Your Lifelong Calendar for June
One of the first things I tell a new direct support professional interviewing to work with our family is to not bother ringing the doorbell. Just come on in and join the family. My twins, Isaac and Samuel, have had Medicaid Waiver services since they were 7 years old. They are now 22. While some…
Elections 2022: Voting in the November Midterms
Voters return to the polls this fall for midterm elections. As a reminder, there are three ways to vote in North Carolina: from home, in person, and in a facility. North Carolina has made it easier to vote from home with updates to the absentee voting laws, but you can also vote in person at…
Public Policy Update: Voting Rights Update
Disability Rights North Carolina sued the state over restrictions on who can help voters with disabilities cast their ballots in elections. Several North Carolina laws limited who can help voters as well as who can request ballots for voters. Those restrictions have been ruled in violation of federal laws. What does this means for you…