September 2021 Newsletter: Jeremiah Thompson on the track to success
18-year-old Jeremiah Thompson was afloat. He was a high school dropout with no job, no future on the horizon, and no place to go. “I didn’t know what to do,” he said, “and I really needed help!”
Jeremiah’s sister reached out to Independent Living Specialist Jen Hawkinson from the Glendive branch of LIFTT, hoping she could get Jeremiah back on track. Little did Jeremiah know that Hawkinson was a powerhouse of ideas and a relentless advocate. “Jen is super persistent, “said Jeremiah, “she was on me 24/7, no slacking’.”
Jen met with Jeremiah and his family to discuss options that would help him obtain his high school diploma which included enrolling in the High School Equivalency Test (HISET) offered by both the Dawson Community College in Glendive, and the Job Corps program in Anaconda.
Jeremiah was drawn to Job Corps because it included occupational training courses and the High School Equivalency Test. Jen obtained the application papers from a Job Corps recruiter and helped Jeremiah fill them out. Unfortunately, there was a snag. Jeremiah was missing essential documents including his birth certificate, social security card, and school transcripts. He had no idea where they were, and neither did his family, but that didn’t stop Jen.
” Jen is super persistant, she was on me 24/7, no slacking”
Jeremiah Thompson on working with LIFTT IL Specialist Jen Hawkinson
Undaunted, she told him to contact Action for Eastern Montana, a nonprofit organization committed to promoting education. Jeremiah had been enrolled at Action as a child and was able to retrieve the necessary government forms. She assisted him in getting a replacement for a lost Social Security card. Jen then invoked the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) which provides public access to all federal agency records, allowing Jeremiah to take possession of his elementary and high school transcripts.
Once everything was in place, he submitted the Job Corps application and, shortly afterward, was accepted into the program. Despite the successful outcome, Jen wasn’t finished yet. She had recognized that Jeremiah’s’ disorganization was a barrier to his future and, through guidance and providing him with a personal lockbox, Jeremiah can now locate his important documents. “It is discouraging to keep losing things and be so disorganized.” he said, “but thanks to LIFTT and Jen, now I know where everything is!”
Today, Jeremiah’s future is bright. He owns a car and recently landed a maintenance job. He is considering returning to Job Corps at some point, but right now, Jeremiah is attending high school in Dickinson, North Dakota, working for his dad and keeping his life on track.
April 2021 Newsletter: LIFTT Partners with SPIRIT Club to offer consumers FREE online health & wellness
Editor’s note: A version of this article appears in the April 2021 LIFTT connection newsletter.
Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT) is excited to announce a partnership with SPIRIT Club to bring supportive inclusive virtual exercise and healthy lifestyle classes to people with disabilities free of charge across our 18 county service area.
Utilizing both live and on-demand video; SPIRIT Club offers exercise classes for people of all abilities including Zumba, Yoga, Boxing, Cardio Fitness, Strength Training, Balance & Flexibility, and Meditation. SPIRIT Club virtual exercise classes do not require participants to have any special fitness equipment.
SPIRIT Club virtual fitness classes are unique because they consist of multiple trainers demonstrating different versions of each exercise in various modified forms, including seated, standing, and progressed (see a video demonstration by clicking here). This structure makes SPIRIT Club classes meaningful and worthwhile for a wide range of ability levels so family members, housemates, staff, and peers can all participate together. These classes are available both live during the original broadcast and also on-demand so participants can access them any time.
In addition to the fitness classes, SPIRIT Club also offers a twice-a-month virtual healthy cooking class where participants are guided through the process of preparing an affordable, nutritious, and fun dish. Ingredients lists are posted ahead of time on the SPIRIT Club website so that participants can do their shopping. In addition to the live broadcasts, the healthy cooking classes are also available on-demand at any time.
“We are so excited for the opportunity to bring these fun and accessible SPIRIT Club classes to the people we serve across eastern Montana,” said LIFTT executive director Carlos Ramalho, “SPIRIT Club’s mantra of “Fitness for All” and their unique way of delivering their programs makes them an ideal strategic partner for LIFTT as we work towards advancing the independence of people with disabilities.”
For more information about how to access the full library of SPIRIT Club classes through LIFTT contact us today @ (406) 259-5181 or liftt.org/contact
April 2021 Newsletter: Raise your Voice with the MTCIL Action Alert System!
Editor’s Note: A version of this article appears in the April 2021 LIFTT Connection Newsletter
With the 2021 Montana legislature entering its final weeks and many vital items still under consideration, advocates are encouraged to pay attention to the Montana Association of Centers of Independent Living Action Alert system to keep abreast of the happenings in Helena.
The MTCILs Action Alert service notifies and provides links to action steps for advocates when legislation of importance to the independence of Montanans with Disabilities comes up. To sign up to receive Montana IL Action Alerts in your email, go to http://www.mtcil.org/become-an-advocate/
April 2021 Newsletter: An FAQ on LIFTT & Home Modifications
Every consumer at LIFTT has unique needs in terms of their disability and what they might require for them to live independently, including home modification. Here are a few questions and answers to help if you are considering a necessary change in your living arrangements.
How do you know if you qualify to receive the modifications?
Usually, your doctor can provide written support for the need, and then LIFTT can help you with the application process to receive one of these modifications.
Is there financial help available for home modification?
Clients can either pay for their own modifications, obtain a low-interest loan (Montana Assistive Technology Loan), or you can ask LIFTT to help you apply for grant funding.
How long does it take to complete a modification project?
The completion time can take a couple of months to as many as six months depending on the type or size of the project and if an application for grant funding is needed.
Who do I contact to learn more about accessibility modifications services?
Call 406-259-5181 and speak with the receptionist. She will record your information and put your request through a short protocol, and you will receive a return call from an Independent Living Specialist within two business days.
April 2021 Newsletter: Director’s Corner
Editor’s Note: A version of this article appears in the April 2021 LIFTT Connection Newsletter
At LIFTT, we tell consumers that when we deal with difficult moments, it is important to keep fighting and remembering that any challenge can be overcome if we do not give up!
It feels good to defeat challenges such as sickness, distress, sadness, and disabilities, by moving forward. We have seen it happen at LIFTT. I have personally faced many challenges. including illness, distress, sadness, and disabilities.
However, I persevered, moved forward, and did not allow my disabilities to prevent me from living, getting up in the morning to go to work, drive, and communicate.
All of us at LIFTT understand the importance of perseverance.
Recently, I was infected with COVID-19 and suffered complications from the virus.
It was a difficult recovery. My life was at risk because of underlying health issues. However, after a few weeks, I recovered, returned to work, and succeeded in preventing COVID-19 from breaking me.
What helped my recovery was remembering what we tell LIFTT’s consumers:” If we fall, we have to get back up, keep walking, and moving forward, one step at a time.” This is how we successfully reach our destination. LIFTT is here to get back up and keep walking with anyone who is dealing with any types of disabilities.
Our compassionate team of highly qualified specialists, facilitators, and peers will share with you their experiences, and inspire you to overcome challenges, sickness, distress, sadness, and disabilities.
Give us a chance to help you find a new direction for your future.
Carlos Ramalho, Executive Director
April 2021 Newsletter: Larry Ketchem I & R Specialist Living & Working Independently
Editors Note: A version of this article appears in the April 2021 LIFTT Connection Newsletter
When Larry Ketchem picks up the phone at LIFTT, he is armed with answers.
As the organization’s information and referral specialist, Larry is often the first point of contact with Montanans living with disabilities, many of whom are desperate for services and programs to enhance their lives. Larry makes the red tape necessary for services look easy, but it was not always that way. Growing up, Larry had to grapple with his own questions.
Born with retinitis pigmentosa, he lost most of his eyesight in high school. “My teen years were tough he said, “I should have been learning how to drive, but instead, at 16, I was learning how to be blind.” By the time Larry was 25, he could only see light and dark. Despite his dwindling vision, Larry refused to be held back: He was on the Billings Senior High School wrestling team, skied; and, as a third generation Broncos fan, faithfully followed his team. After high school graduation in 1988, Larry attended MSUB and accepted a job offer from LIFTT.
Except for a brief medical hiatus, Larry has assisted people with disabilities for a total of 12 years. He credits his accomplishments to his parents, who insisted he “pull himself up by his bootstraps,” and a blind vocational rehab counselor who held degrees in math and chemistry, drove a pickup around his farm outside of Billings, and frequently ran up the Airport Road using two canes as his eyes.
Passionate About Freedom
Larry believes living independently is a life well lived. He is passionate about helping others achieve the same sense of freedom, providing intake and referral information, fielding phone calls, conducting I&R research, and sharing his expertise with colleagues. He says the best thing about his job is seeing people with disabilities achieve their goals, “I enjoy helping people succeed,” he said, “they come to LIFTT beaten down and desperate for help and it’s great when they smile and say, “I can do this.”
In his free time, Larry unwinds by playing videogames, spending time with his wife of 22 years, and reading a good book through a talking book device courtesy of the State of Montana that can be downloaded and put on a thumb drive. Larry’s literary taste ranges from westerns to Sci-fi and horror.
Larry’s philosophy is to stay independent, try everything once, and laugh a lot. “If you can’t laugh” Larry said, “you’ll go nuts.”
Celebrating Independence Day
Once a year, Larry’s vision detects more than just light and dark. On July Fourth, Larry purchases the biggest fireworks he can find, and when they are ignited, he can see brilliant red, yellow, and orange explosions in the night sky, spotlighting both America’s freedom, and Larry’s independent lifestyle.
April 2021 LIFTT Connection Newsletter Now Available
In this Issue:
- LIFTT partners with SPIRIT Club to offer FREE online health and wellness classes
- Team Member Profile: Larry Ketchem, I & R specialist
- Director’s Corner
- Home Modifications for Independent Living
- Keep up with the Montana Legislature with MTCIL Action Alerts
You can request that we mail you a paper copy by sending your name and address to jedb@liftt.org
Sign up to receive the newsletter and other updates from LIFTT via email by clicking here
Also, look for articles from the newsletter to be posted on liftt.org and our Facebook and Twitter feeds.
February 2021 LIFTT Connection Newsletter Now Available
You can request that we mail you a paper copy by sending your name and address to jedb@liftt.org
Sign up to receive the newsletter and other updates from LIFTT via email by clicking here
Also, look for articles from the newsletter to be posted on liftt.org and our Facebook and Twitter feeds.
August 2020 Newsletter: Steve Woodard retires after over a decade with LIFTT
Editor’s Note: A version of this article appears in the August 2020 LIFTT Connection Newsletter
Congratulations to Steve Woodard on his July 31 retirement. Steve has been a dedicated and appreciated member of LIFTT’s staff for more than ten years. As an IL Specialist, Steve’s devotion and faithful service to LIFTT’s consumers will be missed.
He is an all-around great guy and we wish him the best of luck on his new adventure.
August 2020 Newsletter: Responding to COVID-19
Editor’s Note: A version of this article appears in the August 2020 LIFTT Connection Newsletter
A variety of supplies are bagged in the COVID-19 prevention kits. Now available at no cost for LIFTT consumers. (Photo by Corby Skinner)
Weathering the pandemic is difficult for all humans, but for disabled people, it can often be devastating.
Carlos Ramalho, executive director of Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow (LIFTT) said, “in many cases, people with disabilities face a greater negative impact during challenging world-wide events.” Normally, LIFTT hosts classes, counseling sessions, and peer groups, on site, but as a safety precaution, the office remains closed. LIFTT is committed to serving disabled individuals and their families in all ways possible during this crisis.
“COVID is not going away soon. This is our new reality.
We are working at reinventing LIFTT.”
Carlos Ramalho
LIFTT Executive Director
Through the CARES Act, the federal government awarded LIFTT a major grant which specifically targets individuals and families who are experiencing difficulties due to COVID-19. A portion of LIFTT’s grant was used to assemble kits carrying cleaning disinfectants, hygiene products and face masks. Funds also are available for a variety of expenses, including financial assistance to clients to cover household expenses such as rent, utilities, and access to technology.
To access these funds, applicants must go through LIFTT’s information and referral process. Recipients can only receive COVID-19 funds once. The funds must be distributed by September 30, 2021, and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Please contact LIFTT at (406) 259-5181 or via our website at liftt.org/contact to discuss the application process and whether you and/or your family are eligible.
For more information about using, or obtaining our services call (406) 259-5181 or (800) 669-6319.