Hello PFLC Parents & Friends,

Well, 2017 is off to a great start.  We sponsored a Spring Fling 2017 Banquet and Dance at Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park on March 16th.  A great time was had by all!  Be sure to visit the website for more details and photos!  Click on the link:  Spring Fling 2017

PLFC sponsored a Spring DJ dance in the gym on April 9th.  The DJ played songs that all the individuals knew and enjoyed.  That gym was really rockin’ that afternoon!

Be sure to ‘save the date’ for this coming Sunday, April 30th.  It’s our Spring General Meeting (details below).  This is your opportunity to hear ‘what’s new and improved’ from the Administration, as well as an update from Parents & Friends of individuals living at Ludeman.

Mark your calendars, and we hope to see you Sunday!

Please make a note that the Special Olympic Area 7 Spring Game is taking place on May 6^th, 2017, at Richards High School located at 10601 S. Central, Oak Lawn (not Thornwood high school).  The opening ceremony will be at 9am.  Lunch is provided to families and friends of participating individuals.  Free parking is marked and available on the school campus.

More events sponsored by PFLC, thanks to your generous donations (and Amazon Smile)!

Thank you,

Parents & Friends of Ludeman Center

Dear PFLC Members,

It has come to our attention that Illinois House of Representative William Davis, (District 30, Hazel Crest) is sponsoring a bill, HB2665, which could potentially impact the Guardianship Rights you might hold for your intellectually/developmentally disabled family member.

This bill targets family and private guardians of persons like our residents at Ludeman.
It is proposing that the Office of State Guardianship (OSG) develop training and requirements, yet to be determined, that you would need to complete in order to maintain your legal guardianship.

We believe the intent of HB2665 is to add one more barrier and diminish your right as a legal guardian to make decisions for the person/family member you represent.  The OSG current caseload is more of a ‘rubber stamp’ office that does not have the capacity to even visit the people they represent, let alone develop training and establish requirements.  HB2665 also oversteps the Illinois Court decisions that already determine that a person is qualified to be an individual’s legal guardian.

On March 8^th, a hearing is currently scheduled for HB2665 before the Judiciary Civil Committee. If you are planning to attend the hearing, be aware that hearings are sometimes postponed.  We will update the PFLC website if we receive information regarding a change of hearing date.  Meanwhile, continue to fill out Witness Slips and contact your legislator by letter, call or fax.

Here is where we need your help –
Go to the link below and fill out a Witness Slip.  Be sure to click on ‘Opponent’.
If you plan on attending, click ‘Oral’.  If not, click on ‘Record Of Appearance Only’.

http://my.ilga.gov/WitnessSlip/Create/103952?committeeHearingId=14348&LegislationId=103952&HCommittees3%2F10%2F2017-page=1&committeeid=0&chamber=H&nodays=7&_=1488582877267

Hearing Location Information:
Judiciary – Civil Committee Hearing Mar 8 2017 8:00AM Stratton Building Room C-1 Springfield, IL

Write, Call, or Fax your opposition letter to your State Representative. You can find out your Representative information by clicking on the link:   http://votesmart.org/

Thank you!

Parents and Friends of Ludeman Center Board Members

The Parents and Friends of Ludeman Center has re-imagined the Annual Holiday Dinner Dance for Ludeman residents that was canceled in December, 2016!

Spring Fling Dinner Dance
Silver Lake Country Club

14700 S. 82^nd Ave.

Orland Park, IL 60462

For Ludeman Center Residents
Thursday, March 16, 2017
6:00pm-8:00pm

Parents and Friends are Welcome to Attend.  Tickets are $16.00 each for a family style dinner and dancing with the Ludeman residents.

Contact the Ludeman Activity Department for reservations and advance payment at

708-283-3107.

Thanks to our generous donors, this event is sponsored by

Parents and Friends of Ludeman Center

Chicago Tribune – Watchdog Series
SUFFERING IN SECRET:

Illinois hides abuse and neglect of adults with disabilities

By Michael J. Berens and Patricia Callahan

Click on the link below to read the full 3-Part Series as well as the Impact and Updates

Suffering In Secret

We’ll all want to read this series.  Share it with others, add to the comment line on the online article, and contact legislators with our concerns.  This is a story we’ve waited a long time for.

Hurry Spring!

Parents and Friends of Ludeman Center

Dear Parents & Friends,

The weather won’t stop us from hosting a Holiday Dance Party for the Ludeman Residents!
Parents & Friends are encouraged to join the party.
Here’s the details, and we hope to see you tomorrow evening!

Happy Holidays to all, and thank you for supporting our organization.
We can sponsor these great events with the help of the Ludeman Staff and the PFLC Elves.

Sincerely,
Parents & Friends of Ludeman Center

http://www.ludemanpflc.org
Ludeman.pflc@gmail.com

Hello Parents and Friends,

A decision has been made to postpone the 6th Annual Christmas Party for the Ludeman residents at Silver Lakes Country Club on December 14th.  Because of the extreme cold that is predicted for Wednesday evening, it was the appropriate decision made by the Ludeman Administration and supported by the Parents and Friends to postpone this great event.

A new date will be announced when weather conditions improve.
Keep checking in on our website for an update.

Thank you,

Parents and Friends of Ludeman Center

Hello Parents & Friends,

The Ludeman Stingers Basketball Team has advanced to the Regional Championship Game! They are playing for all the marbles against Choate and we would love to have strong support in representation at the game by PFLC. It’s our first regional event and we would love for it to continue. The game is on Saturday Dec. 10, 2016 and starts at 10 a.m. at 1301 Concordia Ct., Springfield, IL.

The Chicago Tribune has published another article on Wednesday, November 30th  regarding community services for the developmentally disabled.  The link to the article is Group Home License Pulled

 Go Ludeman Stingers!

Thank you,
Parents & Friends of Ludeman Center
www.ludemanpflc.org
ludeman.pflc@gmail.com

Hello PFLC Parents & Friends,

The Chicago Tribune has published the second of the 3-Part Series regarding ‘Suffering In Secret’.

The links below will take you to the first and second articles, plus an opinion letter that was also published in the Chicago Tribune.
Part 3 is tentatively scheduled to be published within the next 7 – 10 days that will focus on the Jacksonville and Murray Development Centers.

Chicago Tribune 2-Part Watchdog Series, Part 1
Chicago Tribune 2-Part Watchdog Series, Part 2
Chicago Tribune – Letter: Adults with disabilities and their families need Illinois’ support

Amazon’s Cyber Monday offers are awaiting your Amazon Smile “Click The Link” to support PFLC:

Awesome Amazon Fundraiser

You can support the Parents and Friends of Ludeman Center by shopping on Amazon.

Click on the link below, and Amazon will donate to our organization!

Click on the link:      Amazon Smile

Thank you for your support!
Parents & Friends of Ludeman Center

Hello Parents & Friends,

Let’s give thanks today for all Parents & Friends of Ludeman Residents, Staff, and Caregivers that provide the level of care that supports the best outcome for our family and friends that reside at Ludeman. 

PFLC is grateful for your support of our organization so we can provide events and life-enriching activities for the residents.

So, here’s the pitch………….Put on your Santa Hat and get shopping!

Awesome Amazon Fundraiser

Click on the link below, and Amazon Smile donates to our organization!

Link:      Amazon Smile

Thank You For Your Support!

Parents and Friends of Ludeman Center

We’ll all want to read this series.  Share it with others, add to the comment line on the online article, and contact legislators with our concerns.  This is a story we’ve waited a long time for.

Hello Parents & Friends!

If you are not familiar with VOR, I urge you to visit their website.   The organization works on a national level that supports their mission:

Speaking out for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

VOR has asked us to help them “Spread The Word” regarding the U.S. Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision:

For too long, the U.S. Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision has been misrepresented as requiring all people with intellectual and developmental (I/DD) disabilities to be served in community settings regardless of individual choice.  This twisting of the law has caused thousands of individuals to lose their homes and work places.

It’s time to correct the myth!

Olmstead allows for a full range of services to address the diverse needs of individuals with I/DD, including large and small Intermediate Care Facilities, sheltered workshops and day programs. 

Please send a ‘ready to send’ letter to your legislators.

Click on the VOR Action Alert! below to send your letter:

VOR Action Alert!

VOR Home Website link:

VOR

Thank you!

Parents and Friends of Ludeman Center