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Barrier-Free Blog

Loss within the Disability Community

9/5/2022

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I recently experienced loss of someone I knew from one of my social groups I am a member of. Let's call him A. A was sweet and always smiling young man. A probably understood the world in ways other people couldn't. A passed away on Sunday at the age of 17. A was entirely too young for anyone to pass away. Because of his passing, I'm reminded of the unique loss within the disability community. 

Grief can take many forms. Grief is described as a loss of some sort, psychological distress, confusion, shock, yearning, and/or anxiety about the future. Loss takes many forms within the disability community.

​Some examples include: 
  • Loss of physical health or mental capacity due to aging or disability ​
  • Loss of caregivers/parents/family members or supporters who work individually with the person with a disability
  • Loss of those within the disability community (activists, friends, social media influencers, etc.) 
  • Losing a job, retiring from work, changing homes 

We also must recognize that older people with developmental/ intellectual disabilities may have a cumulative loss. Cumulative loss can be referred to as multiple losses in a short period. In people with disabilities, we must look at a loss within a person's lifetime.Some things to think about if you support someone with a disability
  • How well do you know their life story?
  • How well is their history documented?
  • Are you aware of significant events that happened in their life? 
  • Does the individual have a way to express their feelings and experiences?
  • Are we seeing ways to get access to this information?
  • Are we discussing their histories with essential team members? 

What can grief look like? 
For individuals with developmental/intellectual disabilities and autism, grief can be hard to understand and/or difficult to express. They may also struggle to make sense of loss. They may have difficulty finding the silver lining or benefit of that loss. They may need extra support during that time, and whoever is taking care of them may not be able to know how to support them. There is not much research about those with intellectual disabilities and whether or not they can find the benefit in the loss or if they're unaffected by it. 
A study conducted by Harper and Wadsworth found that over half of the respondents with a developmental disability reported at least one death that was very disruptive to their lives; more than a year after the deaths, the majority of these respondents were still suffering from feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and sadness, as well as from behavior problems. I think this study points to the isolation felt by living with a disability. Often people with disabilities are isolated and spend lots of time in the mind. If you cannot express your grief to those around you, it encourages self-harm and harm to others. 

How do we support those with disabilities in their grief? 
  • Be ready to have open, honest conversations on an appropriate level. 
  • Be able to provide social stories and visual supports 
  • Encourage the use of coping skills 
  • Seek extra support from a therapist, if needed​
Sources:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewpulrang/2020/05/26/we-know-theres-a-disability-community-because-we-mourn-our-losses/?sh=5555c70f98c4​
Brickell, C., & Munir, K. (2008). Grief and its complications in individuals with intellectual disability. Harvard review of psychiatry, 16(1), 1–12.. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3166634/​
Harper DC, Wadsworth JS. Grief in adults with mental retardation: preliminary findings. Res Dev Disabil. 1993;14:313–330. [PubMed] [Google Scholar] 
http://www.intellectualdisability.info/mental-health/articles/managing-grief-better-people-with-intellectual-disabilities​
https://www.mylepage.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Guidebook-for-People-with-IDs-.pdf​​
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​Written by Emily Wachter

​Emily Wachter is the owner and entrepreneur of Photography through Autism. She is a lifelong writer and photographer with a passion for disability rights, social justice, and psychology. She is a college student at Carroll Community College with dreams of being a case manager. Emily has spoken on a number of disability panels on living with autism and experiences of bullying. She is involved with a number of disability groups in Maryland, including YoungLife Capernaum, Disability Express Group, and Special Olympics. In her free time, she likes spending time with family and friends, coloring, and shopping.

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September Bulletin

9/1/2022

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September Bulletin

Contents:

  • “See the Ability” Art Exhibition

  • Inclusive Theater Season

  • Supportive Independent Living

  • Make Studio

  • Team Announcements

  • Fresh off the Press

  • Internship Opportunity

  • Community News

Barrier-Free Buzz

“See the Ability” Art Exhibition

We invite you to our Studio Art Gallery, to celebrate the work and artistic achievements of our neurodiverse community!

This an open-house style event with a suggested $5 donation.

Thursday, September 8
• 6 - 8pm
Friday, September 9 • 6 - 8pm
Saturday, September 10 • 12 - 4pm

A variety of art pieces will be available for sale with proceeds shared between the artist and Barrier-Free.

Location:
The Life Skills & Social Studio
7520 Main St #103
Sykesville, MD 21784

Click Here for Details

Inclusive Theater Season

Inclusive Theater rehearsals begin September 12 & 14th! What creative ideas will our actors bring to life this season?

Mark your calendars, our performances will be:

Friday, March 17

Saturday, March 18

Sunday, March 19

Inclusive Theater Company A & B are FULL but you can still join our Waiting List.

Inclusive Theater Waiting Lists

Supportive Independent Living

We've been a bit busy here at Barrier-Free, focusing on our Supportive Independent Living program!

Supportive Independent Living is part of our Skill Coaching program and provides individuals with the opportunity to live independently with plug-in support while increasing participation in their community.

This beautiful 2-bedroom apartment in Sykesville, MD is now home sweet home for one of our Studio Members! They'll be living independently with daily check-ins and support, plus 24-hour on-call emergency response.

Learn more about Supportive Independent Living at https://www.barrierfreemd.com/skill-coaching

Supportive Independent Living Booklet

MAKE STUDIO Collaboration

We are thrilled to share that Make Studio has selected Barrier-Free artist’s pieces for inclusion in the upcoming exhibit - Cordially Invited V.

Cordially Invited V

Barrier-Free will be featured in this art exhibition alongside other exciting and thought-provoking art produced in progressive art studios around the country and around the world.

Cordially Invited V will run from October 7 - November 5 2022 in Make Studio's Showroom Gallery in Baltimore, MD.

Join us in congratulating Barrier-Free artists Emily (left) & Katie (right) with their art pieces Rainbow Lion & Regulus.

Team Announcements

We are delighted to add two new team members to Barrier-Free - Tianna & Kelly!

Tianna (she/her) joins us as a mentor in Company A and is excited to be part of Barrier-Free! Tianna works full time for Target Community and Educational Services as an Employment Specialist. She has a passion for giving back and helping others live their best and fullest life. Tianna's family is her world and she enjoys spending most of her time traveling or attending events and shows with her fiancée Kelsey and step-son Oliver. She also enjoys photography, being outdoors and being an active member in the LGBTQ community!

Kelly Young (she/her) joins us as a Graduate Intern for Company A and The Studio. Kelly is currently pursuing her MA in Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Drama Therapy at Lesley University. She loves the multi-faceted world of theatre and has spent years working on shows as an actor, director, crew member, prop designer, set designer, and dramaturg. Outside of school, theatre, and Barrier-Free, Kelly works as the Office Manager for a Maryland-based private practice, where she strives to make mental healthcare more accessible and connect people with the best possible services to meet their needs. Kelly is also a proud member of and passionate advocate for the Disability and LGBTQIA+ communities. In her free time, she loves spending time with friends and family, making art, reading, and playing board games and video games. Kelly is immensely grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Barrier-Free team and is excited to learn new skills and give back to her community!​

Fresh off the Press

Faces of Westminster

Barrier-Free's very own Michael Eaton was featured in Faces of Westminster! Mike shares about his journey helping to found Barrier-Free and other fun facts about himself!

Click Here to Read

Carroll Magazine LIVE!

Barrier-Free was recently featured in Carroll Magazine LIVE. We are thankful for the opportunity to share about inclusion in Carroll County!

Click Here to Watch

New Blog

Emily Wachter, shares her first-hand experiences with loss through the lens of a young adult with autism.

Click Here to Read

Last call for interns!

Barrier-Free is seeking undergraduate or graduate interns to join our Inclusive Theater Companies beginning September 2022. Our internships provide college students hands-on, immersive experience with drama therapy work in the disability field.

Internship applications open now through September 10th

Fill our the application on our website and we will be in touch to schedule an interview!

Internship Details

Community News

Howard County Public School Transition Fair

Learn about community and school resources available for individuals with specials needs to prepare for adult life.

Click here for details.

Theatre Training Program

Queens Theatre presents its 5th annual Theatre for All Professional Training Program for Deaf/Disabled actors aged 18 or older. This year's workshops and events will be held October 17 – 28, 2022, online via Zoom. The program is free of cost for the students. Applications are due by Friday, September 23rd, 2022 at 5:00pm EST.

FREE Arts Lecture

Longtime Carroll County Arts Center Visual Arts Coordinator, Susan Williamson, presents From the Shadows to the Spotlight, a new lecture focused on 20th Century female artists like Alice Neel, Faith Ringgold, Ana Mendieta, and more!

Catch it Tuesday, September 20 at 1pm or 7pm.

Thank you for you support!

Pictured: Studio Members with Mayor Link touring Sykesville’s Local Government building, “The Town House”

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    About our Blog

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    • Calendar
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    • Life Skills & Social Studio >
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      • Weekly Registration
      • Studio FAQ
    • Individual Skill Coaching
    • Expressive Arts Programs
    • Music Studio >
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