Caring Matters - Sacramento County IHSS Public Authority

Getting To Know You...Bari SchlesingerMattersby Ron Meier andMary-Ann CowanThis month’s featuredPublic AuthorityAdvisory Committeemember is BariSchlesinger.When we spoke withBari we were completelycaptivated by her joy oflife attitude, razor sharp mind and impressiveintellect.Bari is currently employed as an AssociateGovernmental Program Analyst with the stateof California Department of Rehabilitationand has been with the department for over 17years. She told us she heard of the AdvisoryCommittee when reading the newsletter. Herinterests were peaked because, “I have usedIHSS Caregivers in my life every day since myteen years.”When asked what would she tell others aboutthe Committee that might interest them inparticipating she said, “I wanted to have a voicein letting the Committee know what I haveencountered as a consumer of IHSS servicesand bring my unique experiences to the tableto educate others who could learn from myobservations and involvement in this area.Make them understand that you have good daysand bad days, and be able to ask for sufficienthours to take care of yourself so that you arecovered when you have bad days….You won’thave all good days.” She wants people to knowcaregivers make it possible for her to remain asindependent as possible.Advisory Committee Corner“A Day on the Beach”By Denise BlockmonThe 17th annual “Day on the Beach” onCowell’s Beach, Santa Cruz, Californiawill be held Saturday, July 18, 2009, from12 noon until 5 pm.This event creates an opportunity for thosewho, due to their disabilities, might neverhave dreamed of participating in oceansports such as kayaking, outrigger canoeing,scuba diving, water floatation, orusing beach wheelchairs. The event servesmore than 200 persons with disabilities,plus their caregivers, friends, families.Over 1,000 people are expected at thisspectacular beach party—and it’s all free.Volunteers place about 160 plywood sheetson frames over the sand to enable thosewith mobility issues to participate in theactivities. Participants range in age from4 to 85 years young, and come from acrossCalifornia and the USA to attend.This annual event is sponsored by SharedAdventures, a Santa Cruz-based non-profitorganization dedicated to improving thequality of life of people living with disabilities.They offer opportunities for socialand recreational interaction for disabledpeople.For those with special needs, pre-registrationis required. Participants can registeronline at: www.dayonthebeach.orgFor more information, to volunteer or tomake a donation, please call the SharedAdventures at (831) 459-7210 or see websiteat www.sharedadventures.org.