Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services

When Melanie Courtney was in college she wanted to be in the school’s beauty pageant but was refused participation because she was in a wheelchair. Although she was offered the opportunity to help backstage, this same scenario had played out all too often in Melanie’s life.

Melanie, who has Cerebral Palsy, has spent a life time overcoming not only the physical barriers that stand in her way but the attitudes that people have towards those with disabilities. On May 20, 2003, Melanie finally got her chance to be on stage by modeling in the Celebration of Achievement’s noon fashion show which included disabled and able body models. “It really felt great,” states Melanie. “I think people’s perceptions of people with disabilities are changing and it’s because of events such as the Celebration of Achievement Conference.” Melanie is the grant Project Coordinator for the Arc of Mississippi. “I had the opportunity to network with other business professionals throughout the day,” continues Melanie. “The whole day was a great success for me in many ways, professionally and personally.”

“A Celebration of Achievement” was presented by the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services and the Mississippi Society for Disabilities CAP Program in partnership with the Methodist Rehabilitation Center. The event highlighted the successes of those living with disabilities and provided educational opportunities for health care, rehabilitation and mental health professionals, as well as disabled persons, their employers and advocates. More than 1,000 people attended the conference.

The highlight and draw of the event was Heather Mills McCartney – internationally known speaker, humanitarian, author, and wife of Sir Paul McCartney – who lost her leg in an accident 10 years ago. She faced tremendous adversity even before becoming disabled, including abandonment and homelessness during her childhood and youth. As an adult, she continually overcame obstacles, including living as an amputee, to launch a successful modeling career and most notably, humanitarian efforts that led to a Nobel Prize nomination in 1996. McCartney is also the author of “A Single Step,” an inspiring story of courage and the will to succeed. She speaks frequently to audiences around the world, sharing motivational insights and celebrating quality of life for those living with disabilities.

Miss Mississippi, Jennifer Adcock, Greg Smith, Radio Talk Show Host, and Jennifer Jernigan, Miss University were among many Mississippians that shared their stories and talent as a part of the day’s events. Other highlights included an exhibition for healthcare and employment professionals, a FashionABILITY show with fashion demonstrations by disabled artists and an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding achievements by those with disabilities.

H.S. McMillan, Heather Mills McCartney, Martha Benjamin and Senator Bunky Huggins at the Trademart Center during the Conference.

More than twenty deaf-blind Mississippians have received services through the deaf-blind program at the Addie McBryde Rehabilitation Center for the Blind, a facility of the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS) since the program’s beginning in June 2001. The purpose of the program is to provide deaf-blind individuals with the skills and technology assistance that will allow them to lead productive independent lives in the communities in which they choose to live.

There are different levels of deaf-blindness. Some individuals may be completely blind but only partially deaf. Others may be born totally deaf with some vision early in life and gradually lose that vision. Only very few people described as "deaf-blind" are profoundly deaf and totally blind. Their experience is limited to that which they can touch or smell, which is why developing options for communication and mobility is an extremely important goal. If the person has some vision and/or hearing, their world expands somewhat, but adapting to the condition is still a monumental challenge.

It is roughly estimated that there are approximately 250 Mississippians who are deaf-blind. This includes school age, birth to twenty-one and transition age, twenty-two and above. “These individuals have the same goals as everyone else, to live an independent life and be contributing members of society by working out in their communities,” stated Cassondra Holly, Deaf-Blind Specialist at MDRS. “One of our major challenges is to convince employers to give them a chance.”

Individuals who are Deaf-Blind can become successfully employed in a wide range of occupations. Some of the jobs that deaf-blind consumers have been successful with have included; plant nursery work, such as watering plants, putting wire hangers on hanging baskets, replanting flowers, rolling silver ware and dishwashing at local restaurants, unpacking stock at clothing stores, grocery stores, and restaurants, stocking shelves, clerical work such as filing, veterinarian assistant, hanging clothes at local retail stores, car detail work, artist, sculptors, and some deaf-blind consumers have even gone on to college and are now employed as computer teachers, rehabilitation teachers, and social workers.

June has been declared National Deaf-Blind Awareness month in honor of America’s most famous deaf-blind person, Helen Keller. This year’s campaign was employability of individuals who are deaf-blind entering into the job market. For more information or to join the growing number of inspired employers who have opened their doors to deaf-blind individuals contact the Addie McBryde Rehabilitation Center for the Blind at 601-364-2343.

Cassondra Holly, MDRS Deaf-Blind Specialist, talks to James January during the reception held in honor of Deaf-blind Awareness week. January was featured in a video shown by the Ellisville State School.

The Mississippi Partners for Informed Choice (M-PIC) project is in the third year of providing benefits planning, assistance, and outreach (BPAO) to SSDI/SSI disability beneficiaries of Mississippi. Contributing to the success of this project are the excellent start-up and on-going training and technical support that have been provided to BPAO projects across the southeast by Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) through their contract with the Social Security Administration. A second follow-up Region IV training event was held in Atlanta on June 17-18, 2003 for BPAO and PABSS (Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security) projects. Topics such as Medicaid Coverage for Special Groups, Deeming Concepts, Ticket to Work, and Self-Employment will help M-PIC serve clients with varying needs.

The vital information provided by M-PIC Benefits Specialists to beneficiaries can help them make informed choices about work and benefits. To date, over 1,600 beneficiaries have received services from M-PIC. If you know of someone who is drawing Social Security disability benefits and is considering a work experience or a change in current employment status and is concerned about how work and earnings will affect benefits, please contact M-PIC at 1-800-443-1000, Ext. 5332 with a referral.

M-PIC staff recently participated in the BPAO Region IV Training in Atlanta, GA offered by Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Pictured are presenter Barbara Butz with The Capstone Group in Florida; Norma Langston, MDRS Ticket to Work Unit; Tina Chow and Susan Basden, M-PIC Benefits Specialists; John Kregel, Director of Research and Associate Director of the VCU Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Workplace Supports; Lucy Miller, VCU Training Associate; John W. Myatt, IV, M-PIC Senior Benefits Specialist; Rebecca Doyle, M-PIC Project Coordinator; Kim Dillon, MDRS Selected Social Security Services Division Director; and Robert Myers, M-PIC Benefits Specialist.

The Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services received a grant from the Mississippi Development Authority - Employment Training Division for the production of an educational video. The video will be available in all WIN Job Center locations to give individuals with disabilities an overview of MDRS services. Employers, clients and MDRS staff across the state have been interviewed during the production of the video scheduled to be in all WIN Job Centers this fall.

(l to r) Shannon Akers, Senior Vice President, Bank of Brookhaven and employee, Miranda Moak, are interviewed for the WIN Job Center video. With them are Cindy Goodin, MDRS and Allan Simmons, Simmons Productions.

Recreation Grant helps provide a variety of activities for Coastal Residents and Vacationers

The Toy Library and the Technology Learning Center (TLC) at USM Gulf Park in Longbeach received a “Recreation Unlimited” grant from the Office of Special Disabilities Program. The grant helps provide special equipment to disabled individuals allowing them to participate in a variety of fun and sun activities. Types of equipment available to disabled individuals include toys and playground equipment, adapted golf, tennis and fishing equipment, beach wheelchairs, and computer access and augmentative communication devices. The TLC loans the equipment to anyone who comes in the door. They have tourists who come specifically to this area for the equipment. The TLC also recently purchased four tennis wheelchairs and will begin offering wheelchair tennis clinics to all disabled athletes who want to learn how to play. The TLC plans to release adapted kayaks and hand cycles in the near future. For questions about renting equipment or how to contribute to TLC, contact Holley Patterson at 228-867-2636.

D.W. Green, who has spina bifida, is one of several novice tennis players who has recently tried out the new tennis wheelchairs provided by the Toy Library.

MDRS is embarking on a succession planning pilot project called LEADRS. The inaugural pilot group of 24 participants is representative from various programs across the state. The program will be 12 – 18 months in duration and focuses on developing a pool of applicants agency wide that can be considered for future management positions within MDRS. The program concentrates on accelerating participants’ exposure to the various agency programs, departmental budgeting, team building, work related projects, service projects, and internal/external communication. The next LEADRS class is tentatively scheduled for Spring 2004.

Mississippi Public Service Commissioner, Bo Robinson, hosted a Wise Consumer Workshop to educate the citizens of North Mississippi about the services available through state and county agencies. More than 70 agencies exhibited at the one day conference held at the DeSoto County Convention Center in Southhaven.

Les Crowson, MDRS district manager with Bo Robinson, Public Service Commissioner.

“Celebration Of Achievement” featured Keynote Speaker Heather Mills, wife of Sir Paul McCartney, and amputee due to a motorcycle accident. The event was a one-day conference on disability awareness and more than 1000 people were in attendance at this event. MDRS employees from all over the state volunteered to participate in many areas of this conference.

Karen Brown, director, Addie McBryde Rehabilitation Center for the Blind, H.S. McMillan, executive director MDRS, Presley Posey, director of CAP and Jetta Vance, MDRS, pose for a photo during the disabilities conference kick off.

“MDRS Blood Drive” was sponsored in the Madison Office Building in June with the Ms. Blood Services. Forty-six people offered to give blood and thirty-six were able to participate. This was one of the most supported blood drives in MDRS history.

Mississippi Blood Services Representative Tammy Bouchillon with Kevin Hill, MDRS. Kevin and Paula Brown, MDRS, coordinated the blood drive.

“Operation Comfort From Home” in the Madison Office Building was a huge success. Employees collected over $1500.00 to purchase phone cards for the Troops overseas. This was achieved through selling American Flags and ending the week with a raffle of 2 Gail Pittman items and 4 ferns.

Michelle Minton, Rebecca Doyle, Katie Weatherbee, Red Cross, H.S. McMillan, MDRS executive director, Andy Byars, Penni Harden, and Efrem Warren.

“Christmas in July”. The Madison Office Building, AbilityWorks of Jackson, Addie McBryde Center and Districts VIII A & B offices sponsored Christmas in July. This is the third year MDRS has participated in collecting non-perishables for the Stewpot Community Services in Jackson. Staff also volunteered their time to serve lunch at the stewpot.

H. S. McMillan was selected by the graduates of the December 2002 Certified Public Manager program to represent them and speak at the graduation ceremony, which was held at the State Capitol. Mr. McMillan was awarded the CPM designation after completing this nationally certified program that is operated by the State Personnel Board and is designed to maintain and improve the effectiveness and professionalism of government managers.

His fellow graduates surprised him with an engraved plaque expressing their appreciation for his leadership and support during their months of participation in the program.

H.S. McMillan, MDRS executive director, receives leadership award and CPM certification.

David Powers, Ph.D., received the Associate Commissioner Citation for his outstanding contributions to the adjudication of mental impairment claims in the Mississippi Office of Disability Determination Services.

Paul Barnes, SSA Atlanta Regional Commissioner, David Powers, PhD., DDS Medical Consultant, and Sheila Everett, DDS Office Director

MDRS had nine managers receive their Certificate of Supervisory Management designation during the June 2003 graduation ceremony for the Certified Public Manager’s program. These individuals have completed the first half of the CPM program and will eventually receive the CPM designation. They are: Laquita Brown, Don Walker, Jo Ann Summers, Harry Wheeler, Jan Dicken, Wiltz Cutrer, Delores Navarrete, Mike Gandy, Rosie Gibson.

Attending the June graduation are: (l to r) front row: Harry Wheeler, Rosie Gibson, Jan Dicken, Laquita Brown, (l to r) second row: Rene’ Woodward, Delores Navarrete, Dr. Mike Gandy Sheila Everett and H.S. McMillan.

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