The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

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August 29, 2008

Center helps disabled remain independent at work, home

By Bev Davis

Learning to live with a disability presents probably one of the biggest challenges anyone can face.

The best place to turn for help is one of the state’s three Mountain State Centers for Independent Living.

Each center, including the Beckley location at 329 Prince St., provides a variety of services to help people learn to live as independently as possible.

The first step is often overcoming stereotypes and negative attitudes.

“Some people see a blind person or someone in a wheelchair, and they will try to avoid them,” said Kevin Maynus, Beckley office coordinator. “Some people treat a person with a disability as a second-class citizen. The reality is that a person with a disability is like everyone else. We have the same feelings, the same kinds of goals and hopes.”

Four core services are designed to help people with disabilities move on with their lives.

- Information and referral — The center can make consumers aware of services provided at the MSCIL and through a variety of other agencies.

- Advocacy — Sometimes people with disabilities face discrimination in the workplace or in other areas of life. MSCIL can provide the advocacy needed for those situations.

- Peer support — Networking an individual newly encountering a disability with someone else who has learned to cope and regain whatever degree of independence possible.

- Independent living skills training — Teaching consumers to use adaptive equipment and how to manage common, everyday living skills in different ways. They may have to learn how to cook, do laundry, iron, make beds or manage other independent living skills through training provided at the center.

A community living services program helps with larger issues such as the need for home or vehicle modifications.

“Once a person has a stroke and has to use a wheelchair, for example, they may no longer be able to use the bathroom or shower in their home. We can help get the modifications, such as wider doorways or lower cabinets to enable the person to remain at home,” Maynus said.

Vehicles can be equipped with hand controls, he said.

“We don’t buy the vehicles, but we can get the modifications made so that the person can continue to get out into the community or to work.”

The program assists with adding wheelchair ramps to homes, door flashers and amplified phones for the hearing impaired.

“We have a waiting list for some of these services, so we can also use additional funding and donations of items such as wheelchairs, walkers, scooters or other equipment that’s in good condition and no longer being used,” Maynus said. “When we get these items, we can go ahead and provide immediate help for some of these people who are waiting.”

For more information about services, call 304-255-0122.

— E-mail: bdavis@register-herald.com

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