Kevin Detwiler is a 54-year-old client of Arc Southern Maryland. He's a retired substitute teacher who has held a variety of jobs while partially paralyzed and using a wheelchair. Natasia Herbert is a 27-year-old mom with a baby on the way. She says she loves working for Arc clients and gives a shoutout to her supervisor in Saint Mary's County. Listen to their uplifting and positive stories of meeting people where they are and their satisfaction of being out and about in Southern Maryland.

A graphic of a young man in a wheelchair, the episode art, was created by artificial intelligence.

The Arc Southern Maryland thanks all those who gave money to us during November. We call all the Tuesdays in this month Giving Tuesday. For almost two decades the Tuesday after Thanksgiving was proclaimed by charities and other nonprofit organizations Giving Tuesday. Listen to our development manager Renee Seigley explain why the concept was extended throughout November, and how the Arc's friends have made one of our campaigns a success.

Much thanks to Robinson's Cycles, on the web at ecyclemd..com,

Thanks to all those paying for a new roll-in shower for one of our group homes and those helping to support our Dental Fund to help pay for sedation dentistry for our clients.

In this episode of See Me See My Ability we're going to explain how Marylanders with all abilities or limitations will be able to increase their access to money and the freedom to save or spend it any way they like. Meet the director of at State of Maryland ABLE Program Betty Anne Mobley. Able accounts are a way for people with disabilities and their families to save money without jeopardizing state or federal benefits, such as SSI, Medicaid, waiver services, etc.. Betty Anne explains how Able accounts are changing lives.

Whether you're 25 or a 105 the idea of having others take care of your needs can be a sticky topic. In this episode of See Me See My Ability the Arc Southern Maryland talks to an attorney about how you can bring up the target if you are the one taking care of others, or if others are taking care of you. Laws change and are in the process of changing in Maryland, so the advice you might have been given in the past may not hold true now! #Listen and #Share this podcast with others so they can be updated!

Click here for a free guide from an allied non-profit group.

Since 1988 October has been declared National Disability Employment Awareness Month. “NDEAM,” celebrates the value and talent workers with disabilities add to America’s workplaces and economy. The Arc Southern Maryland talked to a government contractor recruiter who knows quite a few scientists and technicians with top clearances who are on the Spectrum or have other disabilities. So, don't discount yourself if you have a diagnosis! We also talked to Arc Southern Maryland Clients Alex Murray and Jeannie Sturgess, who have held jobs for most of their lives. Jeannie is in over 10 years with one employer! #Listen and #share how those with disabilities contribute to our economy and can earn and save their own money.

We've wanted to feature a guest who can speak frankly about the challenges married couples and their families face when one family member is diagnosed with special needs. Discovering the online community created by Carrie Cariello was a real find! She provides no-holds-barred accounts of being part of that special community. And, this podcast was an exceptional conversation that we cannot wait for you to hear!

We want to reward our listeners with a chance to win one of Carrie's books! Here' are the ways you can enter to get us to send you one straight from Amazon.com.

There are three ways to enter between now and October 13.

1. Share the giveaway post from our social media pages. For instance, https://www.facebook.com/TheArcSomd/
2. Leave a comment on the post and tag a friend who might be interested in the episode.
3. Give us a 5-star rating on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Podbean, take a screenshot of your review, and email it to me at RRich@arcsomd.org.

You can enter just one way, or if you’re feeling lucky, complete all three to increase your chances of winning! We’ll select the winners randomly after October 13, so don’t miss out!

Much thanks for Toronto Jazz artist Ron Davis for permission to sample his music..

Ron is an award winning musician, attorney and Francophile based in Toronto, Canada. He's further proof that our podcast, and everyone at the Arc Southern Maryland has friends and supporters everywhere. We've got a great family. Find out more about us here.

See Me, See My Ability tackles the tough topic some parents of neurodivergent or IDD students face: restraint and seclusion in our schools of their sons and daughters. Restraint and seclusion crisis management strategies are used in many schools nationwide and worldwide. But, what if we all, friends, neighbors, teachers, and security forces, better understood our sons and daughters? We talked with Guy Stephens, the executive director of the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint about what is a deadly problem. Find out more about educating your staff, and schools, plus get tools for self-advocacy here.

The Arc Southern Maryland facilitates the training of police and other security personnel on handling encounters with people like our clients. These are young men and women with developmental disabilities, varying communication abilities, and sensitivities to sounds and lights. In this, the second part of our special two-part series Calvert County Deputy Sheriff Corporal Nick DeFelice talked with See Me See My Ability about his training and why he likes his job of community outreach.