The RI Cross Disability Coalition’s membership meeting “All About me…Making Your Voice Heard Through Art Journaling” featured Katie Lowe, owner of Cheetah Greetings and creator of the “All About Me” portfolio. Beyond being an arts and crafts project for fun, the result is to be presented by the participant during scheduled planning meetings, often called Individual Support Plans (ISPs).
To help participants along their personal “Road to Independence,” as depicted on everyone’s cover page, the contents of the portfolio might include a pocket containing their prescriptions as well as photos of family and friends, favorite hobbies, and activities they would like to help them stay healthy, such as walking. Combined, this offers insight to those who are charged with designing plans or providing care, especially for those unable to speak for themselves.
Katie presented her portfolio, with her mother, Claudia Lowe, helping to distribute and assemble the materials used for the cover and interior pages. While Katie’s finished product colorfully depicts her interest in cooking and sporting a FitBit to inform others of her health goals, the group began with personal photos as an incentive to make their own personal collections.
The almost ready-to-open Red White & Brew coffee café, located in Warwick, hosted twenty at the afternoon event in its conference room, along with their support staff and an ASL interpreter. Together, Katie and Claudia, with RICDC coordinators, Tanja Blicker-Ucran and Rachel Ferreira, guided the workshop, a fun-filled activity with many practical applications.
PICTURE: Participants are from the RI Cross Disability Coalition and The Corliss Institute, group home agency that provides services for adults with developmental and other disabilities.
