Category: Dale Rogers Training Center

As we enter the holiday season, for many people, backs can begin to ache and necks begin to stiffen with the stress. 

Everyone handles stress differently, but I want to share what I was recently roped into. Walking around the mall lost–like I usually am when I’m there–a small, unassuming man running a kiosk for massages asked me if I needed one.

Now, anyone who knows me knows I don’t even hug puppies. I have a strict “please don’t touch me” policy. But this particular day, I was a little edgy… and I was outnumbered. He was gently persuasive and my family member was tired of my grouchiness, so they ganged up on me. Before I knew it, I was face down on a massage table, pocketed valuables in a dish like the ones at the airport checkpoint. Did I relax? He had to wake me up to tell me it was time to go!!!

For generations, we’ve known that people don’t thrive without human touch. Babies who aren’t cuddled have delayed development, isolated elderly people’s health declines, and healing after surgery is slowed if enough human contact is not made.

People with disabilities often have less human contact than other people, and most of their physical contact consists of personal care like dressing, bathing, etc. That may not be enough. Some disabilities, like cerebral palsy, cause a person’s muscles to be “hyper” toned. This causes tightness and sometimes discomfort. Spending all day in a wheelchair can make a person very stiff and fatigued.

I’m not recommending everyone rush out to the mall for a massage (although, I am now a believer and may be next to you in line). Some disabilities make human touch uncomfortable, making a massage out of the question. But perhaps a conversation with a physician is warranted. There are many ways to reduce stress, so I encourage you to explore stress relief for your family member even if massage is not feasible. They may not be rushing around shopping, but your stress may rub off on them. Think about it… and find time to RELAX!

This post comes, once again, from Deborah, LPN and Special Needs Program Coordinator.

As the holiday season comes around, we are all sure to indulge in a few seasonal goodies. That’s part of the experience!  But remember that we should, for our health, strive to eat quality food. Especially if we already have other underlying health issues, as do many people with disabilites.

Anyone who knows me knows I love carbs! Carbohydrates have been some of my most loyal friends. So, it is with that deeply felt attachment that I write this article.

I am not one of those fitness gurus who seem to find no challenge eating a healthy diet. I, too, tend to tune out and not listen to what the experts are trying to tell all of us: Six out of ten Americans are overweight!

And there’s more: 1 out of 3 adults are more than overweight. They are obese – which is 20-30% over the average weight for their age, gender, and height. Over the last 20 years the number of obese adults has doubled in this country.

There are many reasons why things have changed. We’re on the go more and, as a result, more than half of us do not get the recommended amount of daily physical activity. Only 1 in 4 Americans eats the recommended 5 servings of fruit/veggies a day.

To top it off, serving sizes have grown.  Compare serving sizes from 20 years ago to today’s serving size:

• The average bagel was 3 inches and 140 calories. Today’s 6-inch bagel has 350 calories!
  It takes 50 minutes of raking leaves to burn off just the difference in calories.
• The average cheeseburger had 333 calories. Today’s cheeseburger has a whopping 590 calories!
  It would take 1½ hours of lifting weights to burn off the difference in the calories from 20 years ago and today’s burger.
• The average serving of spaghetti and meatballs of 1 cup pasta and 3 small meatballs had 500 calories. Today’s serving size is doubled at 2 cups pasta and 3 large meatballs and has 1,025 calories! Count on cleaning your house 2½ hours to burn off the difference.
• The average soda was 6½ oz and 85 calories. Today’s is 20 oz and has 250 calories – more than double from 20 years ago. You would have to garden 35 minutes to burn off the difference – for just one soda! How many people drink only one soda a day?
• An average serving of french fries was about 2½ oz. and 210 calories. In today’s age of “super size” me – french fries are now 6.9 oz and have 610 calories/serving. Your nightly stroll around the neighborhood would have to last 1¼ hours to burn off the difference.
• The average turkey sandwich had 320 calories and today has 820. You would have to ride your bike 1½ hours to take care of the 500 calorie difference.

The need to write this article became apparent as I saw an individual eat his entire lunch, including (among other items), two whole lunchmeat sandwiches (that’s four pieces of bread) with plans to go to the vending machine to buy a cheeseburger, too. At this rate, he would have eaten the recommended calories for an entire day in one meal! He needed help to make healthier choices.

We serve people across disabilities. Many disabilities, like Down syndrome and those that make a person less active, come with weight issues. Heart problems, high blood pressure, and diabetes follow. Help your loved one stay healthy by making healthy meals and re-evaluating money sent for vending machines.

Calorie information is from the Portion Distortion Quiz of the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.

Much of the 4.2 million dollars earned by workers from Dale Rogers Training Center in 2008 was due to the assistance of Supported Employment Services and its new components.
Job Placement is intended for individuals who require assistance in finding appropriate employment, but who do not require on-the-job coaching. For individuals who need further guidance beyond job placement, Employment and Support Services offers continued support in assessing the individual’s current needs and community integration, which may include training on the use of public transportation, money management skills, daily living skills, and locating housing.

An exciting new program is a Job Club, or Vocational Preparation. This program is intended for individuals who need assistance in work adjustment skills, self esteem building, obtaining and maintain employment, and career choice. Some of the activities include career exploration, application and resume writing, mock interviews, and tours of potential employment sites. Another valuable highlight is the opportunity to hear from other individuals who are currently working successfully.

Thirteen individuals have graduated from the Vocational Preparation program and 8 have become employed as a result of the skills learned. Some employers that have taken advantage of these workers are:

The Supported Employment Services Department has also installed a video phone system for people with hearing impairments. This phone provides 24 hour, free Video Relay Service. Video phone calls are placed over the internet connection through the easy-to-use Sorenson videophone computer, equipped with a Web camera and Sorenson EnVision SL software.

• Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
• Super Suppers in Edmond
• Encore Distribution
• Western Industries
• Homeland Grocery Stores
• Wal-Mart Super Center in Moore
• Arby’s Restaurants in OKC
• Renaissance Hotel
• St. Luke’s United Methodist Church

(The Supported Employment Services Department is always seeking employers who have job openings. If you are an employer looking for dedicated workers, contact Cathy Hirsh, Job Developer, at 946-4489 ext. 417 and CHirsh@drtc.org, or Linda Sechrist, ES Manager, at 946-4489 ext. 403 and LSechrist@drtc.org. If you know people with a desire to make a difference, the department is currently hiring motivated, team oriented staff. Apply online at www.drtc.org or stop by 2501 N. Utah in Oklahoma City to pick up a job application.)

Welcome to Dale Rogers Training Center’s blog!  We are the oldest and largest community vocational training and employment center for individuals with disabilities in Oklahoma. With five locations in Oklahoma, Dale Rogers Training Center trains or employs 1100 people a year: over 900 with disabilities.

We look forward to posting and interacting with our readers.  In the meantime, feel free to check out our website at http://www.drtc.org/.