Daily Companions I/DD Waiver Consumers were thrilled to visit the Mt. Aetna Nature Center in Hagerstown, MD.  According to our tour guide, the nature center has more African mammals on display than the Smithsonian’s Museum of Natural History.  Boy, were our consumers excited to see these magnificent animals up close!  Everyone decided they liked the lion and lioness the best, with the cheetah a close second.

At the bottom of the stairs was a mount of a Kodiak Bear from Alaska.  (All the mounts were donated). This bear, being quite a size, was looked on in wonder.  Everyone wanted their picture taken with the bear!

Upstairs were a number of animals you would find locally, such as fox, deer, skunk, and a number of birds, all depicted in their natural habitat.  It was easy to talk and picture these animals in the wild.  Cases of seashells, small sea creatures, and gemstones add to the interest.

The highlight for almost everyone was the Reptile Room.  We were able to get up close and personal with snakes, geckos, turtles, and lizards.  It was fascinating to learn about their feeding habits, where and how they live, and camouflage themselves.

Due to the weather, we were not able to access the outdoor tower, and the hiking trails, but DCI consumers definitely want a return visit this summer!  Be sure to look the nature center up; they are open on Saturdays for the public.

Exercise, weight-training, aerobics, Zumba – what do these words mean to you?  A way to lose eight?  Help your blood-pressure?  Deal with depression?  Strengthen joints and bones?  Does exercise of any kind just make you feel better and able to deal with whatever life throws at you?

Daily Companions, Inc. understand the importance of teaching life skills to our consumers.  These skills will enable them to be gainfully employed and in some instances, to live independently or with some supervision.  But DCI doesn’t stop there.   We recognize that exercise, in any form, is beneficial, not just for the body, but for the mind as well.  When we feel well, we can cope with problems better, and be more successful in our dealings with others.

Zumba is an exercise fitness program created by a Colombian dancer and cyclist/choreographer, Alberto Perez during the 1990’s.  Working our to the beat of salsa, flamenco, and merengue music feels more like a dance party than a workout, which makes Zumba so popular.  You don’t need to be a great dancer to participate in a Zumba class, you just need to like to have fun!

DCI Consumers were ready to go when their Zumba instructor, Sabrina Griffin-Elder, showed up.  At the first burst of music, everyone was dancing away the stress and the calories!  Sabrina held a lower impact class, designed for individuals whose balance may not be the greatest.  It was enough to help all break a sweat, and get “glowing”.  Everyone was laughing and calling encouragement to their peers.  They agreed it was the most fun they had had all week.  It didn’t feel like exercise at all!  Sabrina will be teaching Zumba on Thursday mornings to our consumers, and they can’t wait!

Teamwork is the theme for January at DCI.

A series of activities have been planned such as games, puzzles, scavenger hunt, etc. to help reinforce the idea of working together to achieve a common goal.  Why is this important for I/DD consumers?

Teamwork requires social skills.  Social skills are linked to communication skills, including the ability to understand figurative speech, and abstract ideas.  These skills are many times underdeveloped in persons with I/DD challenges.  This makes something like “teamwork” a concept difficult to grasp and put into practice.

DCI consumers practice skills every day, including manners, writing, math, time, etc.  Social Skills need repetition to be understood and learned.  That is why one whole month will be devoted to a selected Social skill, and practiced as often as possible that month.  Building on that skill, others will be added as the year goes on.

The first “teamwork” assignment was to take an odd assortment of containers and try to construct a tower.  The first two tries did not work as everyone attempted to work independently.  But with Staff explaining, demonstrating, and coaching, the third try produced a tower, built with everyone’s cooperation!  Consumers were laughing and very excited as they watched their tower grow.  Teamwork!  What a great skill for all to learn and practice.

For their Friday Field Trip, DCI Consumers enjoyed a morning at the Discovery Museum in Winchester, VA.  Although the museum is set up for children, adults can learn things too.

One interactive display showed how food or drink enters the human body, is swallowed, and then digested.  Chris found this to be very interesting.  He was encouraged to swallow and feel his throat as the saliva traveled down.  Other consumers soon joined in and watched in fascination.

Another display was set up that distorted size.  It was a mock room with shortened walls and low ceiling.  the consumers got quite a charge out of feeling “oversized” and wanted their picture taken!  The fun-house mirror caused much hysterical laughter.  What a surprise to see yourself so short!

An Indian log house proved to be an opportunity for learning.  Consumers spent time feeling the hides on the walls and guessing which animal the skin came from.  What did the Indians use them for?  How was food stored?  Look at the canoe made out of a tree trunk!  So much work!  A weaving display was set up and several consumers tried their hand at weaving cloth.  they decided it was much more fun to go to the store and buy a ready-made dress.

Puppet and the puppet theatre was popular.  Many of the consumers tried their hand at using the puppets and an impromptu show was held.  Their laughter said it all.

The top floor of the museum is open-air and boasts an oversized chess set.  Everyone enjoyed setting up the pieces.  Due to the wind and cold the consumers were forced to return indoors.  A final group shot was held and then it was back to the Day Center for lunch.  All would enjoy a return visit in the summer.

Everyone of us is affected by weather.  It dictates how we dress, if we stay indoors or out, and sometimes even if we travel or not.  Most of us watch the weather forecast in the mornings to see what to expect the next day, or the next several days.  Do you need an umbrella?  How about snow boots?  The weather forecast helps us be better prepared.

David Dickson, of WDVM News, took time to visit DCI Consumers and explain what goes into a weather forecast.  Lot’s of math for sure!  Get up at 2:30 am!  Wow, we were amazed at that (and happy we don’t need to get up that early!).

Weather person’s do not “order” weather, they just look at the numbers and try to make an accurate forecast based on the information.  DCI Consumers thought it would be great if you could order weather!  Lot’s of sun for sure!

David helped us to appreciate that lightning and thunder are a natural part of the weather system.  If you hear thunder or see lightning, it is best to get indoors as soon as possible.  Why don’t we get more snow?  David explained you need that “just right” temperature and moisture balance for snow to happen.  Too warm, too cold, too dry, no snow.  And he did confirm that no two snow flakes look alike.

DCI Consumers were intrigued by the computer presentation David provided.  It was fun seeing the weekly weather forecast, and the “green screen” where he is filmed.  What an interesting presentation.  Thank you David for visiting DCI.

Have you ever wondered what happens to the water that runs into the drains in your home?  Where does waste water go?  DCI Consumers were eager to learn more about this mystery.  Therefore, a tour was scheduled.

Daily Companions, Inc. Consumers toured the plant for the Wastewater Division of the City of Hagerstown, MD.  On the tour they learned about the process by which dirty wastewater is recycled into clean water again.  They were able to see what equipment is used to perform each step of the process.

Who knew “bugs” were involved?  Yes, that’s right!  Bacteria, or micro-organisms, are critical to the operations.  The bacteria, or bugs, need to be fed and oxygenated.  As a result, the bacteria get rid of the waste in the water, and help return the water to a clean state.  A rather “smelly” process!

DCI Consumers enjoyed the tour very much.  Their tour guide, Mr. Mills, was very informative; it was plain he knows and enjoys his job.  Now the mystery is solved.  What a fascinating tour!

Cathy Lee Irizarry-Barron, Customized Employment Grant Specialist, represented Daily Companions, Inc. at the Berkeley County Transition Summit.  This summit was set up by Berkeley County Schools to offer students an opportunity to meet agencies who will be able to provide help in transitioning from High School to either College or into the work force.

Cathy was able to give families an overview of Daily Companions, Inc. and the services we offer, such as our Day Program, Service Coordination, Supported Employment, and the Customized Employment Grant Program, which is exclusive to DCI.  Daily Companions is also the only agency in the Eastern Panhandle of WV that has on staff a nationally Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP).

DCI takes great pride in learning who the individuals we serve are, what is their interest in job (career) seeking, and help plan to get them to their goal of inclusive employment.  DCI wants their consumers to believe they can have a career, not just a job.  Parents and students were made aware this may mean going directly into the work force and finding “discovery” jobs which will enable them to narrow down what career they want to pursue.  Going to college later to enhance their knowledge of the job is an option, once they have determined their career.  Cathy was happy to point out that several business’s offer scholarships, tuition reimbursement, and other incentives for their employees to grasp their future.

When asked how she felt about participating in this transition summit Cathy stated “this was an opportunity for both parents and students to seek guidance, become more informed about after graduation options, and ultimately, to have more hope in their future.  Daily Companions, Inc. was pleased to be a part of this transition“.

Paper Mache is a great craft for all ages.  DCI Consumers had a wonderful time learning this art form.  To make their paper mache pumpkin, a round base was needed.  Each consumer was given a balloon, blown up and tied.  The balloon was then covered with white paper that had been dipped in paper mache glue.  the white paper prevented the colored balloon from showing through.  Lots of concentration was needed to be sure that all the balloon was covered!

Next step was to add orange paper over the white.  Everyone loved getting their hands in the glue!  “That was the best part” laughed Patricia.  “You have to enjoy yourself” stated Marty.  “This class was the best” stated Thomas with enthusiasm.

Now that everyone had their pumpkin base, it was time to pick out the perfect eyes – black paper or wiggly google eyes?  How about a scary or smiling mouth?  Each consumer was encouraged to make their pumpkin their way, with any decoration they felt finished it off.

Any tactile art session is beneficial for I/DD individuals.  They are able to feel the art, both in their hands and in their souls.  This is relaxing, engaging, and makes for a wonderful time for all!

DCI Consumers were filled with excitement as they got ready for their first bowling game of the year.  Most had on their personally decorated T-shirts, with their name and team number.  The atmosphere was electric.  Having chosen a ball, put on shoes, everyone waited patiently for their turn.  Much laughter and high-fives for strikes and spares!  Calls of encouragement were given for times when the score was low.

Daily Companions, Inc. is committed to helping our consumers achieve a healthy lifestyle.  Exercise, in the form of various sports, is how we look to do that.  The consumers were asked how they enjoyed bowling.

“I love the excitement”, exclaimed one consumer.  “I like the action” said another.  All agreed that keeping busy via sports was the highlight of their week.

Many activities are available for pre-school special needs children.  School age children participate during their school years, and camps are open in the summers.  But when special needs adults are out of school, opportunities are few for sports, teams, exercise.  Health conditions can develop or worsen with inactivity.  Daily Companions, Inc. feels that a schedule that includes a variety of opportunities for exercise is a priority for our consumers.  We are always looking for new ways to add movement to our schedule.

Be sure to stop and say “hi” to our consumers if you see them at the bowling alley, or if you see them at the driving range, the recreation center, or out on one of the fitness trails!