Blog

Services for Independent Living would like to encourage you to attend the public meeting concerning sidewalk replacement projects in Columbia.  The meeting will be held Wednesday, January 18, between 4:30 and 6 p.m. at City Hall, 701 E. Broadway, in … Read more …

The Services for Independent Living Board of Directors will be meeting on Friday, January 20, 2012 from 12 – 2 p.m. to discuss the feasibility study.  This meeting will take place at the Columbia Office.

by Melissa Medcalf Kocher

Following recent changes in the Consumer Directed Services (CDS) program, SIL is providing training for consumers to assist you in making decisions necessary to direct your own care and understand your rights and responsibilities as an employer. All SIL CDS consumers and their attendants are encouraged to attend. Read more …

by Jill McClintock

Shortly after I started working at SIL four and a half years ago, I was asked to facilitate our PAVE (People Advocating for the Voice of Equality) group. I immediately said no because it involved public speaking , which was a great fear. I was told that this would be a great opportunity to get over that fear and given my love of education it would be a good fit. Despite my frequent protests, I have personally benefited from being a part of this group. Read more …

by Leslie Anderson

I recently had a candid conversation with my father about protection under the law. A retired pastor, my father always taught his children that liberty is precious and should be protected. In retrospect, I think he was hoping this would keep his kids out of jail. Whatever his intent was, the philosophy is crucial as my parents are in their seventies and my siblings are now having “the talk.” My parents are quite energetic and involved in many activities with family and the community. However, my sister and I have this ongoing conversation about my parents’ future and where they are going to go. Of course, my attitude is that decisions should not be made without their involvement, and it wouldn’t matter what was decided unless it was their idea anyway. Many families have this conversation, and in many circumstances, the parent is taken to a nursing home. My conscience will not allow me to make this type of decision because I do not believe my parents would thrive, and I can’t imagine trampling on my father’s principles of liberty and individualism. Read more …

by Aimee Wehmeier, Executive Director

The 4th of July commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. The statement, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,” leads one to believe the rights of people with disabilities are included. Read more …