I've been down in Florida visiting family now for a while.  As a New Yorker, I've been through and seen a lot, but let's just say I think a lot of things need major fixing down here in Florida. 
One thing I've been watching very closely as it has been quite disturbing and is near and dear to my heart, is a case involving a 36 year old Developmentally Disabled young man named Aldo Alvarez.  I do not know the extent of his disability nor do I obviously know the exact events that occurred that day as I was not there.  But just as close as we all watched Treyvon Martin and quickly gathered our opinions of George Zimmerman, I promise you'll do the same here.  Luckily this time, lives were spared, at least for now. 
Aldo had lived in that development for a long time along with his mother Ana.  He had been known by others living in the community to take walks around the gated community, often saying hello to people.  Everyone knew who he was, or at the very least recognized him. 
Deputy McGehee was just moving into the community. On a day early in May, Aldo was on one of his walks and saw Deputy McGehee in his garage unpacking.  This is where the rest of the report becomes peculiar and uncharacteristic.  The Deputy states that Alvarez comes up the driveway and starts beating him (or attacking him out of nowhere). The Deputy decides that he has no choice but to shoot him as even though he's off duty, his gun was all he could reach, and Alvarez was unarmed. Although Alvarez was shot 10 times, he was lucky to live. Alvarez is shot, arrested, and now most recently reported, facing a lifetime prison sentence.  The Alvarez shooting was the only one of four involving sheriff’s deputies that did not result in a fatality. Thankfully he is alive, but the following questions remain: why is Mr. Alvarez facing prison? Why a lifetime prison sentence? Why is the Deputy not penalized for shooting an unarmed person?
I am deeply saddened by the above for many reasons.  This kind of thing constantly goes on all over the state. I would love to hear how everyone else feels.  

If you would like to read more about the case, simply google both names, FL, as there are many articles. 

Fact: Schools are punishing kids with disabilities at higher rates than other students.

Now the U.S. Department of Education is doing something about it. They’ve provided guidance for schools to make discipline fairer and decrease suspensions and expulsions:

Read how the new guidelines affect your child - here - http://www.ncld.org/ld-insights/blogs/government-gives-new-guidance-on-school-discipline-but-what-about-students-with-disabilities?utm_source=ldaction_jan_23_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=ldaction

Get advice from a mother whose child was labeled as “disruptive” here - http://www.ncld.org/learning-disability-resources/special-needs-stories/parent-stories/african-american-mother-be-wary-disruptive-label?utm_source=ldaction_jan_23_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=ldaction

Fact: President Obama signed the federal budget, but the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is still not fully funded.

Money isn’t everything, but schools need the right resources so they can provide special education services. To help you understand the stakes, we’ve put together a brief update about which education programs got funded and which didn’t here - http://www.ncld.org/ld-insights/blogs/budget-update-idea-not-fully-funded-but-special-ed-research-increases?utm_source=ldaction_jan_23_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=ldaction

At the end of the month, President Obama gives his state of the Union. Among the many things needed to be discussed, one vital issue is that the President should promise to fully fund IDEA in the next 10 years and the National Center for Learning Disabilities is asking Congress to sign a letter urging him to do so.

Awareness of the needs of students with learning and attention issues is growing—for proof, check out the new Congressional resolution on dyslexia here http://www.ncld.org/learning-disability-resources/ld-in-the-news?utm_source=ldaction_jan_23_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=ldaction

It’s time to turn that awareness into real gains for our kids.

GET INVOLVED!  HELP OUR CHILDREN! Click here:  http://www.ncld.org/disability-advocacy??utm_source=ldaction_jan_23_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=ldaction

Everyone should take a look at this. Unfortunately this kind of behavior occurrs on a nearly regular basis in SNFs & LTCs.  No one should have to go through or even watch this subhuman conduct. 

I assure you, I haven't personally witnessed this kind of disgust or any evidence that it may have it occurred.  I also know a lot A LOT of therapists who say the same thing.  For the most part your loved ones are in good hands.

However, there are no excuses, if you suspect one little thing is off, you talk to management.  If it keeps happening, you get your loved one into another facility if you have to. 

Please click on the link below, read the article, and watch the video.  If you find any of the information presented in the article familiar, either bring it to your management's attention (by-passing the nursing staff), or feel free to contact me & I'd be happy to assist if I can.  

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/health-24958181

This month's Advance magazine features an article, already online, written by Rebecca Mayer Knutsen.  The article interviews 3 (three) working SLP's (myself!!! :) included YAY!) and their views on why the therapy world is slower in picking up the EMR part of the profession.  You can find the article here:  http://speech-language-pathology-audiology.advanceweb.com/Features/Articles/Navigating-EMR-Offerings.aspx