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​GbS Blog

Resources around the COVID-19 vaccination process and impacts on the Intellectual & Developmental Disability (IDD) community

1/29/2021

 

​Great Bay Services staff and our peers who also work with folks with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) are now receiving our first vaccination shots, and we are told to expect that soon vaccination shots will be available to everyone we support. Please note that we will not be delivering the vaccine on-site at GBS. Please ask your case manager and/or primary care physician for information about vaccine delivery.
 
The decision of whether or not to get the COVID-19 vaccine is a personal one, and we at Great Bay Services recommend that you speak to your medical provider(s) and to your loved ones about this important decision.
 
In order to assist you in having these conversations, we have compiled the following resources which may help you in thinking about and talking through the COVID-19 vaccine and related subjects.

  • The Center for Dignity in Healthcare for People with Disabilities has developed a “social story” about the COVID-19 vaccine. A “social story” is a social learning tool that supports the safe and meaningful exchange of information between parents, professionals, and people with IDD and/or Autism.
  • Green Mountain Self Advocates has produced the Self-Advocate’s Guide to COVID-19. It includes information on the virus itself, on financial concerns such as stimulus payments for folks receiving SSI & SSDI, and on speaking up for your needs in a hospital setting.
  • The Arc of California and the Stony Brook University School of Social Welfare launched a new 24-hour support helpline to help persons with developmental disabilities and those who care for them during the COVID-19 pandemic, called Project Connect. Project Connect is able to offer a wide range of support services, including counseling, wellness checks, depression screening, and referral to community services. Project Connect is available by calling (888) 847-3209.
  • Sibling & Leadership Network includes an excellent and comprehensive list of resources as well.
As we look forward to the coming months, and eagerly anticipate the time when we can all see one another again face-to-face, we welcome you reaching out to ask any questions or share any concerns you may have. Thank you for choosing to partner with Great Bay Services to meet your and your loved ones’ needs.

- Pam Layne, Executive Director

Setting Goals

1/6/2021

 

The beginning of a new year is a wonderful time for many people to look ahead to goals they want to accomplish over the next 12 months, but 2021 is beginning in the same unusual way that 2020 ended due to the pandemic. The uncertainty of when vaccines will be available to large numbers of people and questions about how this will affect our lives on a daily basis makes it difficult to look ahead.  So, one way to adjust how we create goals this year is to focus on our personal wellness. 
Trivia question: What is the most common New Year’s Resolution? Read on to find out.   
In 1976, three University of Wisconsin staff developed a picture of wellness based on six dimensions, and the National Wellness Institute continues to use this model. Their website describes the details of the six dimensions of wellness in our lives, which are: Emotional, Occupational, Physical, Social, Intellectual, and Spiritual. These dimensions can certainly overlap with each other, but for the sake of creating goals, it can be helpful to see each dimension as a bucket. It may not be reasonable for every person to get fill each bucket to a level of best functioning especially during a pandemic, but the dimensions of wellness give us a guide for creating goals in the short term.   
Step 1: Reflect on how satisfied you are with each dimension of wellness in your life. 
Step 2: Pick three areas you would like to work on. 
Step 3: Make specific goals to do. 
Step 4: Make a timeline to accomplish these goals. 
Step 5: Just do it. 
Step 6: Based on the timeline you made in Step 4, make sure you review your progress at that time and adjust your goals as needed.
Remember: Not achieving your goal does not mean you didn’t make progress. So, give yourself credit! 
The answer to the Trivia Question is Exercise More, and we can use that as an example:   
Goal: Exercise for 15 minutes or more at least 4 times per week. Do this with a class, or by walking on warm days, or even by taking time to do stretches. The goal above can easily become overwhelming when there is no end date. So, decide on a timeline. For example, keep that pace of exercise until May 1st. For some people, it can be helpful to keep a chart of their progress to be able to review later. One other thing that can be helpful is to share your goals. Other people can offer you encouragement, just as you can do for them. Good luck!   
For more information on wellness, click here: https://nationalwellness.org/resources/six-dimensions-of-wellness/   
Share pictures of yourself working on your goals this winter on the GBS facebook page!

- Jim Gorham, Clinical Supervisor

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Great Bay Services New Hampshire

23 Cataract Avenue, Suite 1
Dover, NH 03820

603-842-5344
​
Great Bay Services Maine

61 Washington Street, Suite 4
Sanford, ME 04073

207-850-1053 Ext. 2001
​
DEI Statement

​Great Bay Services was founded at the time that the US civil rights movement was being born and see our history as being tied to the fight for justice and equity. Throughout our 70-year history we have evolved and grown alongside major diversity legislations and societal changes. Disability is the forefront of our organization, but we encourage and celebrate all forms of diversity, fostering equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility for all. Creating an inclusive community where everyone has access to equal opportunities and feels they belong is vital to us as an organization – not just within Great Bay Services but in the world around us. We welcome and encourage all to live happy and healthy lives no matter who they are, where they come from, what they look like, their gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, or age.


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Great Bay Services is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit.
​All donations are directly used to support our services.

EIN: 02-0242389
​

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  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us & Our Mission
    • Blog
    • Buzz
    • Information & Contacts
    • Leadership, Senior Staff, & Board
    • News, PR & Videos
    • Memberships & Supporters
    • Social Media >
      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • LinkedIn
      • Twitter
    • Tax Information
    • Volunteerism
  • Events
    • Auction & Gala
    • Art Shows
    • Spring Fling Dance
  • Donate
    • NH Gives
  • Join Our Team
  • Our Services