Demetri Howser, 14, with Lisa Polk-Woolfolk, who was born prematurely and suffers from autism spectrum disorder and receives mental health services at NEGC.
The Northeast Guidance Center (NEGC) is expanding its mental health services to cover developmentally disabled children on Detroit’s east side with the ASPIRE program. ASPIRE covers youth who have been diagnosed with a lifelong condition or disability such as autism disorder, cognitive impairment, Down syndrome, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy.
In conjunction with services, NEGC is in the process of raising $150,000 to build a playroom for the ASPIRE children at its Kelly Road location. Without ASPIRE, many children from lower economic families would not get the specialized support they need.
“We’re excited about ASPIRE because we will be able to connect people to services and resources, including respite, occupational/physical therapy, sensory motor integration, community living services, behavior management, and crisis intervention,” a representative stated. “There is a high demand for this type of integrated service which is non-existent right now.”
ASPIRE will provide assessments, support coordination and referrals to enable persons with developmental disabilities and their families to improve their quality of life. ASPIRE is an acronym for Advance Supports Provided Individually with Resource Education/Enabling/Empowering. If you’re interested in ASPIRE services, please call 1-877-242-4140.
Take care of your diabetes to keep your kidneys healthy
By Lindsay White
The National Kidney Foundation of Michigan (NKFM) is recognizing National Kidney Month this March by educating residents on the connection between diabetes and kidney disease. If you have diabetes, it’s important that you know about the link between diabetes and kidney disease, and what you can do to keep your kidneys healthy.
Kidney disease is most often caused by diabetes or high blood pressure (which many people with diabetes also have). About half of the people with diabetes also have high blood pressure. About one in three people with diabetes have kidney disease.
When you have diabetes, there is too much glucose (sugar) in your blood. This high blood glucose can damage the tiny blood vessels in your kidneys, so they have trouble filtering waste from your blood. High blood pressure also can damage these blood vessels.
Having diabetes does not mean you will get kidney disease. The better a person with diabetes keeps their blood sugar and blood pressure under control, the lower the chance of getting kidney disease.
Kidney disease usually develops over many years, and has few warning signs in the early stages, so many people with kidney disease don’t know they have it. That’s why it’s important to manage your diabetes and your blood pressure at all times.
People with diabetes can lower their chances of having diabetes-related health problems like kidney disease by managing the ABCs of diabetes — A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Here are other things you can do to keep your kidneys healthy when you have diabetes:
• Get your blood and urine tested at least once a year to measure how well your kidneys are working.
• Be physically active.
• If you smoke, get help to quit.
• Follow what your doctor says. Your doctor may ask you to see a special doctor to help with your kidney disease. Your doctor may also tell you to eat less salt or less protein.
• Take all medicines that your doctor tells you to take—even when you feel well.
Spread the word about the link between diabetes and kidney disease during National Kidney Month. There are many things you can do to take care of your kidneys and your overall health when you have diabetes.
For more information about preventing and controlling kidney disease, or details about local events and workshops during Kidney Month, please visit www.nkfm.org or call the NKFM at 800-482-1455.
