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Health care providers, administrators, legislators, advocates and more gathered at the Holiday Inn in Helena on Thursday, joining forces in an effort to discuss a controversial issue gaining momentum in legislative bodies across the nation: mental illness.

Helena’s Diana Tavary credits respite care for enabling her 20-year-old daughter with autism to remain at home. “When our daughter was diagnosed with autism many years ago, our whole world changed,” Tavary said. “Respite care has allowed our daughter to remain at home and also provide much-needed assistance for my family.” Tavary will tell her story as part of a panel that will discuss the need for respite in Montana during the Montana Lifespan Respite Summit on March 9, 2011 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Great Northern Hotel.

Two weeks ago, a man named Chris Waddell arrived at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa. A paraplegic athlete from Park City, Utah, Waddell became the first in his condition to reach the summit of the 19,340-foot peak. In addition to the courage, vision and mental and physical strength he needed to achieve that goal, there was something else that helped propel him to the top of the largest free-standing continental mountain on earth; something that could only be found in the Bitterroot.

1. You are a hero for your kids. You are. You’re a go-the-distance, fight-the-dragon, face-the-challenges hero for your kids. Taking a beating makes that more true. Not less. 2. We all struggle. Every parent. Everywhere. We all second-guess ourselves. And we all want to quit sometimes. Hold the good times close, and when things are tough, remember “this, too, shall pass.” 3. Finding the funny may not save your soul, but it will save your sanity. Or maybe it’s the other way around. Either way, look for the humor and embrace the crazy. Laughter is a lifeline. 4. Every day, you will feel like you have mishandled something. Like you’ve been impatient. Like you’ve misjudged. Like you’ve been too harsh. Like you’ve been too lenient. You may be right. Apologize if you need to and then, whatever. Seriously. Just whatever. Let it go. 5. The crazy, the crying, the cuddles. The screaming, the sacred, the scared. The minutes, the magic, the mess. It’s all part of it. And it’s all worth it. 6. Family is the best. Even when it’s not perfect. And it’s never perfect. Ever. 7. At the end of organization, at the end of patience, at the end of perfection, we die to ourselves. And then love rises from the ashes. It sucks. And then it gets better. And then it sucks again. Still, love rises. 8. You will never regret parenting. Except for the teeny, tiny tons of times when you secretly wonder if you maybe regret it just a little. But, overall, never. And overall is what counts in the end. 9. Parenting is like climbing the big mountain. Look for the base camp. That’s where you rest, meet other climbers, take in oxygen and acclimatize. Base camp is what makes summiting possible. 10. You are not alone in this strange, vast, parenting ocean. Even in the dark of night. You are not alone. You’re not. 11. Kids know the way to magical and they’ll give you a free pass to come along. Breathe in the magic as long as you can because that same kid is going to poop his pants in just a minute. 12. There’s a very fine line between enjoying the chaos and barely surviving. Actually, there’s no line at all. It’s all mixed up together. That “fine line” thing is a lie. 13. If you pay attention, kids will teach you how to laugh loudly, how to love deeply and how to live fully. They will also ruin all your stuff. 14. Any number of kids is a lot of kids. 15. Look for joy. You’ll find it in the middle of the busy. Or under the ridiculous. Or hanging from the overwhelmed in its underpants. Joy’s like that. It’s in the middle of everything. It’s completely unpredictable. And it will surprise you when you’re not expecting it. Like vomit and diarrhea, except good. 16. You will fall apart and do it all wrong. Forgive yourself. Ask your kids to forgive you. Set an example of resilient fallibility. Set an example of practicing the art of love — both loving yourself and loving others. No one does this parenting gig right the first time. Or the last time. Or the times in between. Showing your kids how to keep going after getting it wrong is a wonderful gift to give them. 17. Kids are difficult, gross, confusing and awesome. So are you. 18. Parenting will bring you face to face with yourself. It may be terrifying. It may break you. But it will also rebuild you, and you will be stronger than you ever thought possible. 19. Balance is a myth. Parenting isn’t a tight-rope walk; it’s a dance. Strive for rhythm instead of balance, and trust yourself to move to the ever-changing beat. 20. Yes, you will have days where you wonder where the hell the capable and organized you went. Yes, you will sit on the floor of the main aisle at Target by the check-out area with a child who is thrashing, screaming and calling you names. Yes, you will have to tell your child that the dog is not a napkin and to put down the urinal cake. If you do not do all those things literally, then you will do them figuratively. And yes, you will also hold that child and rock back and forth and tell him you love him and tell him he’s safe and tell him you’re not leaving even though he will someday leave you. This is parenting. It is tragic and triumphant. Messy and magical. Sacred and spectacular. And it is, always, fiercely worthwhile.

Play has crucial and wide-ranging benefits to children and the people around them. When children of all abilities play together, kids learn to appreciate the differences between people and respect the perspective of others. Playing together connects our community and creates fun, happy memories we call all share.  These programs are designed to allow people with and without disabilities to recreate together. Give us a call to discuss inclusiveness options in our other recreation programs.  Please contact Meg Rogosienski at 552-6271 or email Meg. McCormick Park is home to Silver Summit, a new, universally-accessible playground. The All-Abilities Playground Project continues to raise funds to expand the playground.  Learn more at The Playground Project. 

A Free One Day Guided Group Discussion on the Independent Living Movement - Missoula - Oct. 7, 2010 Connect with others. Culture begins with a common history, come share your stories and learn about others, locally and nationally. Become a part of Disability Culture. If interested in attending, Contact Mary Olson at Summit Independent Living Center by October 1st, 2010: molson@summitilc.org or 728-1630

President Barack Obama’s heath care reform proposal released Monday includes many of the provisions disability advocates have been pushing for. The $950 billion proposal comes ahead of a bipartisan health care summit planned for Thursday and retains many elements advocates consider favorable for people with disabilities. Notably, the plan would prevent coverage denials based on a preexisting condition and allocate additional federal funds to expand Medicaid.

Click here to download the flyer (PDF) When: April 7, 2011 6pm to 9pm, 3 CEUs, $50.00 Where: Summit Medical Fitness Center Community Conference Room 205 Sunnyview Lane, Kalispell What: This is an overview of a 15 hour course designed for parents of a child with a brain disorder.  NAMI Basics is a peer education program. Parents and other primary caregivers of children and adolescents with mental illness have diverse and complex needs. Education and support for families helps them to live the best life possible while managing the trauma that often accompanies the onset of mental illness. NAMI Basics allows families to connect to one another while learning about brain disorders and empowering themselves to overcome new challenges. It provides information families want and need about their child.  This course is taught by a team of trained NAMI family members and direct caregiver volunteers who know what it’s like to have a child struggling with one of these brain disorders.  Topics covered will be: the ‘no fault’ approach, the biology of mental illness, getting an accurate diagnosis, an overview of treatment options, the impact on family, communication, crisis management, the systems/agencies involved with your child, the importance of record keeping, and advocating and team building for you and your child.  To register:  Contact Stephanie Luehr at stephanie.luehr@pluk.org, or 406-270-1086

Click here to download the flyer (PDF) What: A series of 6 classes, over three weeks, structured to help parents and direct caregivers understand and support children and adolescents with serious mental illness while maintaining their own well being.  The course is taught by a team of trained NAMI family members and direct caregiver volunteers who know what it’s like to have a child struggling with one of these brain disorders.  Topics covered will be the ‘no fault’ approach, the biology of mental illness, getting an accurate diagnosis, an overview of treatment options, the impact on family, communication, crisis management, the systems/agencies involved with your child, the importance of record keeping, and advocating and team building for you and your child. We invite you to call for more information. There is no cost to participate in the NAMI Basics Program and you will be given course materials to take home. Pre-registration is required and class size is limited to 20. When: March 1 – March 17, 2011 Tuesday and Thursday at 9:00am to 11:30am Where: Summit Medical Fitness Center 205 Sunnyview Lane Kalispell To register: Call Stephanie Luehr at 406-270-1086 or email stephanie.luehr@pluk.org

What: Our monthly Autism Support Group Meetings have been a success with parents coming out to share stories and ideas. Please join us at the next meeting and help us grow our network of parents and caregivers. Because there will be an open discussion between parents and caregivers about daily challenges of autism, we ask children not attend the meetings. Also, visit our website for great information about autism as it affects Montanans and find us on Facebook under the name “Montana ASA”. Where: Summit Medical Fitness Center, Meeting Room #3 205 Sunnyview Lane in Kalispell, MT When: Wednesday, February 16th, 2011 7-9pm Mountain Contact: Tim Tepas Founder, Autism Society of America – Northwest Montana Chapter www.MontanaASA.org Tim@montanaasa.org (406) 257-8758

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today called on states and communities to join with HHS to redouble efforts to find and enroll the 5 million children who are currently eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), but are not yet covered.  The Secretary issued this call to action as she opened the National Children’s Health Insurance Summit in Chicago, kicking off the nation’s largest campaign to find and enroll uninsured children in over a decade.

Click here to register for this event What: This is a repeat (and updated) performance of last year's tremendously popular webinar featuring young adult presenters organized by Summit Independent Living.  Join Ashlee, Michael, Mary, Mike, Barclay, Molly and Kim to learn about: The importance of considering healthy relationships as part of transition planning Friendships, dating, and marriage How to meet other young people How parents can help young adults make safe and healthy choices What resources are available to learn more about this topic   And much more! When: Tuesday, May 3, 2011 1:00-2:30pm Mountain After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

Click here to download the The Learning Options’ Spring Newsletter (PDF) What: The Seminar introduces findings of recent research about and effective methods available to correct learning disabilities involving reading, writing, math and attention focus skills.  Pre-registration is required and can be made by calling Learning Options at 406-282-7416 or emailing elsie@thelearningoptions.com. Seminars are free of charge (Pre-registration is required). Seminar Dates: Bozeman Public Library Tuesday, May 3, 2011 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Great Falls Public Library Tuesday, May 10, 2011 12–2 pm and 6:00—8:00 p.m. The Summit in Kalispell Thursday, May 19, 2011 1– 3 pm and 6:30—8:30 p.m. For more info or to register: Email elsie@thelearningoptions.com or call 406-282-7416.

Click here to download the flyer (PDF) Who We Are: Family Solutions is a group of parents and caregivers of children with mental health issues who meet once a month for the purpose of confidentially supporting one another and sharing resources. All are welcome to join with us and share experiences and lessons they’ve learned along the way. When: October 28, 2011 6:00pm - 7:30pm Where: The Summit (Conference Room 2) 205 Sunnyview Lane, Kalispell MT Who to Contact: If you have questions, contact Kristy Negri by phone at 406-261-2440 or by e-mail at kristy.negri@pluk.org. Additional Information: A light dinner will be provided. Please RSVP Kristy, either by phone or e-mail, if you will be attending.