"See Me See My Ability" gets the lowdown on what Spark is from the leading expert on Autism and Autism Services in our state, the Kennedy Krieger Institute, and its Dr. Erika Wodka. Listen as we discuss what you've been reading about all over social media sites like Facebook and LinkedIn. Find out if the online community and aspects of research would be a good fit for you and your family, and get to know native Marylander Dr. Erika Wodka.

The Arc Southern Maryland's Gene Nice is a Blue Ribbon champion numerous times at the Calvert County Fair. He encourages others who bake, create art, raise animals, and make things to enter their stuff in the fair because they just might get a ribbon!

Gene Nice really is nice! He's an example of why those with disabilities need to be seen and heard.

Joyce Allen, a native of southern Maryland, has been with the Arc Southern Maryland for a combined 30 years. Joyce says her mother told her to come back to the Arc after she left after her first five years. Joyce tells podcast host Rita Rich why she is so devoted to her people at the Arc.

This is the first episode of Season Three of the See Me, See My Ability Podcast.

Mary's celebrating over 35 years of working at the Arc Southern Maryland. It's more than a job for Mary. Mary says she doesn't have a job. She has a mission. It's not just about the paycheck. She shares with host Rita Rich her reasons for joining the team and working to improve how others learn to do their jobs.

https://arcsomd.org/its-not-just-a-paycheck/

Schools out for Summer and teachers and students are worried about forgetting everything they learned last semester. We get some tips from Dr. Emma Cole, Pediatric Neuropsychologist at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. One of the take-aways from host Rita Rich's conversation: Reading is fundemental.

Maryland and Virginia Arcs spoke this past Thursday at the 60-Hour Vigil to Save Medicaid near the Capitol Building on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The consensus: It's not too late to save those (now cut) federal funds that support state and local Medicaid programs. And, all should fight to do so as the effects of the cuts are detrimental to able-bodied persons as well as those in the IDD community.

Host Rita Rich also spoke with Ande Kolp, the executive director of the Arc Maryland; Gray Persons, the President of the Board of Directors of the Arc Virginia. Grey Persons, who is an advocate for a foundation that provides in home support for adults with IDD who live independently: Hope House; and Greg Snyder, Vice President of Government Relations at Maryland Association of Community Services.

Welcome to this special episode of See Me, See My Ability, where we shine a spotlight on the incredible athletes of Arc Southern Maryland who recently competed in the Special Olympics! We’re celebrating determination, teamwork, and the power of inclusion as we hear from participants and supporters who made this unforgettable experience possible. From countless practice and training sessions to competition and the friendships built along the way, this episode is all about how competition enriches all our lives.

#specialolympics #eunicekennedyshriver #southernmaryland #inclusion #arc

A conversation with Tracy Wright, the Deputy Director of Training, Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities, People On the Go, Maryland, with Arc So MD podcast host, Rita Rich.

While we're enjoying the fireworks and the cookouts, remember that educating others about disability rights and the abilities of the IDD community is still a great topic of discussion on American Independence Day.

Photos: Tracy Wright and People on The Go Maryland.

https://www.pogmd.org/anti-fascism-training

https://www.pogmd.org/

https://arcsomd.org/