THREE RIVERS CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING is a non-residential, non-profit, community-based human service organization.  Its purpose is to assist people with disabilities to lead self-directed and productive lives within the community.  TRCIL is a Center for Independent Living (CIL), as defined from Section 702 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.  Empowerment through knowledge changes lives.

Our Mission is:

To empower people with disabilities to enjoy self-directed, personally meaningful lives by providing outstanding consumer-controlled services and by advocating for effective community change.

Our Vision is:

A world in which all physical, attitudinal, communication and systems barriers are eliminated and people with disabilities have equal opportunities and the right to full participation in society. 

Click here to read more about the Americans with Disabilities Act.

A CONCUSSION IS A BRAIN INJURY…GET THE FACTS!

Did You Know?

• A concussion is the most common type of brain injury sustained in sports.
• Most concussions do NOT involve loss of consciousness.
• You can sustain a concussion even if you do NOT hit your head. An indirect blow elsewhere on the body can transmit an “impulsive” force to the head and cause aconcussion to the brain.
• Multiple concussions can have cumulative and long lasting life changes.
• Concussions typically do NOT appear in neuroimaging studies such as MRI or CAT Scans.
• Of the 1.5 million traumatic brain injuries sustained by children and adults in the United States each year, at least 75% are mild and/or concussions.

For more information, contact The Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania,  950 Walnut Bottom Road, Suite 15-229, Carlisle, PA, Phone 1-866-635-7097, Fax 1-717-776-4420 or visit www.biapa.org.

Words are indeed powerful and can evoke both negative and positive perceptions - with the negative clearly lending itself to furthering stigma and misconceptions.  Although the common language within our disability community has by and large already eliminated the use of “mentally retarded”, official federal acknowledgment of this is indeed long overdue.

A Bill to remove “Mental Retardation” from Federal Law Books was introduced in the U.S. Senate.  S. 2781 (Rosa’s Law*) would eliminate the terms “mental retardation” and “mentally retarded” from federal law and replace them with “intellectual disability” and “individual with an intellectual disability”.

Ask Senators Specter and Casey to co-sponsor S. 2781.

Specter’s # 412-664-3400

Casey’s # 412-803-7370

*To learn more about Rosa Marcellino, visit http://abcnews.go.com/Health/rosas-law-asks-senate-kill-slur-mentally-retarded/story?id=9109319.

Provide your own life’s ‘tips’ for survival…

• Do you have a tip to share which helps you in your everyday life?
• Have you read something that has helped you in a crisis?
• Maybe you have created a plan or system to make life easier?
• Do you have information you wish to share about food, sports, finances?

Post the details here for all to see.  Share your secret for Living Well.

Date:   Friday, 3/19/10                                                                                                             

Time: 12:00 to 3:00 pm

“The Incredible Hulk” 

(2008) Edward Norton stars as Bruce Banner in this big-screen version of the classic comic-book tale about a doctor who searches for an antidote to his exotic condition, which causes him to transform into a hulking, green monster when under duress. Drawing closer to finding a remedy, Dr. Banner becomes sidetracked as he’s pursued first by the military and then by a rival monster known as the Abomination. Starring: Liv Tyler, Tim Roth and William Hurt co-star.

MENU:  Rigatoni, Garlic Bread, Green Beans & Desserts

*BINGO will be right after the movie!

IMPORTANT:  Please RSVP by 3/12/10 to Tonya M. at 412-371-7700 extension 107 or TTY 412-371-6230.  When you RSVP, please leave your name, phone number, # of people attending and let us know if you need a reasonable accommodation.

TRCIL kicks off the “Dare to Dream” Appeal to benefit the Living Well With a Disability program.  TRCIL’s Living Well With a Disability program “dares to dream” in so many ways.  Perhaps it is being able to drive yourself to work, exercise in a gym, attend classes at a local college, or go hunting with your son.  Whatever your goals, the Living Well With a Disability program will connect you with individuals and organizations who will work with you to make your dreams a reality. 

Won’t you help make a goal or aspiration a reality?  Donate now.  All contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law.  Please make checks payable to Three Rivers Center for Independent Living.  *Memo:  ”Dare to Dream” Appeal

For more information, contact Marilyn Caye, Development Director, at 412-371-7700 ext. 217, TTY 412.371.6230 or mcaye@trcil.org.