Midstate Independent Living Choices, Inc.

We are excited to see another accessible park in our area!
Not only is this awesome for kids with disabilities, it also makes it easier for parents/grandparents with disabilities to play with their kids in an accessible environment.

PS: We're working with Options for Independent Living to make more community parks accessible through the Livable Communities Grant. Have a park you'd like to see more accessible? Send them our way!

Tomahawk community celebrates grand opening of ‘Our Dream Park’ - Tomahawk Leader Newspaper A dream more than three years in the making is now a reality, and the Tomahawk community came together this past weekend to celebrate.

We'll be closed tomorrow (Friday, 9/13) for a staff retreat.
We'll be back bright an early Monday Monday morning. Have a great weekend!

Send a message to learn more

Make a Difference Day: Technology Fair on October 30th
In partnership with the Aging & Disability Resource Center of Portage County and United Way of Portage County.
Learn how to use technology, avoid scams, and discover how different devices can help you be safe and independent in your home!

Harvest Picnic Reminder! 🎃🚜

Saturday, September 21st, 12-3pm
Trzebiatowski Farm, 6131 State Hwy 54, Plover

Join us for an all-inclusive picnic with accessible hayrides, live music, games, petting zoo, tractors, crafts, Pork Roast lunch & ice cream, snowcones and popcorn!

Admission is free, and there's something for everyone to enjoy!
Our focus is our special needs community.
This event promotes community & inclusion!!

Hosted by Alan and Karen Trzebiatowski and friends and family
For questions, please call 715-344-5972.

Save the Date!

Saturday, September 21st, 12-3pm
Trzebiatowski Farm, 6131 State Hwy 54, Plover

Join us for an all-inclusive picnic with handicapped
accessible hayrides, live music, games, petting zoo,
tractors, crafts, Pork Roast lunch & ice cream, snowcones and popcorn!

Admission is free, and there's something for everyone to enjoy!
Our focus is our special needs community.
This event promotes community & inclusion!!

Hosted by Alan and Karen Trzebiatowski and friends and family
For questions, please call 715-344-5972.

Learn how to improve your advocacy skills, and practice telling a strong, personal story that can influence lawmakers and decision-makers! Dinner is included! ASL and spoken English translators will be provided, along with CART.

What: NAMI Smarts for Advocacy: Telling Your Story
When: October 28, 2024, 4:30-7:30pm
Where: Midstate Independent Living Choices, 3262 Church St., Stevens Point
Register today: https://forms.gle/2fwmKmBdoyLx6p4q8
NAMI Wisconsin Independence First - The Resource for People with Disabilities

With school starting, we're reflecting on all the great things that have happened this summer. From hosting a massively successful ADA Celebration with the Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice, to celebrating the commitment and growth of our Youth Peer Support Grads, and to working with our first client through MILC Business Solutions. We've accomplished so much with the help of our community and incredible team!

We also realized we hadn't yet shared photos from the Adapted Kayaking Event! Please enjoy photos from the event, and share yours in the comments (or tag us!).

In this month's edition of the digital newsletter, learn about our home assessment services! Know someone who could benefit from making their place of living more accessible? Send this their way!

August MILC Newsletter Home accessibility and modifications have many shapes and forms. From installing a ramp at an entrance, to creating a larger and more accessible bathroom, there are many changes that can help you live in your home as independently as possible.

It's been 2 years since we lost our community member, Neena Pacholke.
To honor her, choose joy and kindness today and every day. It's what she did each and every day.
And if you, or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please call or text 988 or visit WAOW.com to find their mental health resources.

It's been 2 years since we lost our dear friend and colleague, Neena Pacholke. We miss her tons here, and we know many of you do too.

To honor her, choose joy and kindness today and every day. It's what she did each and every day.

And if you, or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please call or text 988 or visit WAOW.com to find our mental health resources.

🌟 Calling All Ice Skaters! 🌟

We're excited to host the 4th annual adapted ice skating event on November 9th, where we'll be helping individuals with disabilities experience the joy of ice skating. We need 5-6 passionate and skilled ice skaters to volunteer and assist our attendees, whether it's guiding them on the ice or helping them glide in wheelchairs or sled hockey sleds.

If you have the skills and heart to make this day unforgettable, we'd love to have you on our team! Sign up at the link below to join us. ⛸️✨

Adapted Ice Skating-Volunteers Thank you for volunteering! We could not run this event without your help. Event Information: Midstate Independent Living Choices (MILC) in partnership with the K.B. Willett Ice Arena are proud to offer the 4th annual adapted ice skating event. This is a FREE event and is open to any individual with...

🥳 Congratulations to our 2024 Youth Peer Support grads! 🥳

This summer our peer support and youth transition team held summer courses to help empower and increase independence for youth with mental health and/or substance use struggles.

We are SO PROUD to see the growth in each individual, and are grateful for the time we spent together.

Our students said that this is THE BEST program they’ve participated in, and parents said they could see a huge change in their children.

This is our first time running a summer program like this, and are thrilled the impact it’s had.

Stay tuned for info on 2025 summer programs, you don’t want to miss it! 🔔

The Paralympics Games start August 28th! It looks like they'll be streaming on Peacock, and some events will be on cable.
Do you watch the Paralympics? Tell us what you're looking forward to below!

That's a mouse?! 👨‍💻🖱️

If you have a disability that impacts your fine motor skills, using technology independently can be challenging. Fortunately, there are a variety of assistive technologies that can help people stay connected. Feathertail is a lightweight wearable mouse for your wrist, head, or foot. To try the Feathertail (at no cost!), or other devices that may improve your independence, please contact us and ask to speak to an Independent Living Consultant.
WisTech Assistive Technology Advisory Council

Some photos of Friday's event from our friends at ODC, Inc.. The Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice 2024 ADA Anniversary Celebration | Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice

It’s a beautiful morning to host the The Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice 2024! We’ll be here until 2 😁

Ready for the ADA Anniversary Celebration | Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice! Stop by and check it out!

Looking forward to hosting everyone on Friday!

Come say hi to some other organizations who will be joining us including:
Aging & Disability Resource Center of Portage County
Children's Resource Center- North
ODC, Inc.
Noble Clinics
Inclusa
DVR
Midstate Independent Living Choices, Inc.
The Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice 2024
League of Women Voters of Wisconsin

Send a message to learn more

Thanks WSAW NewsChannel 7 for the coverage on this year's Adapted Kayaking Event! We had an amazing time.

Adaptive kayaking offers opportunities for those with disabilities Whether you are in it for the fun -- or looking to pick up a new hobby -- the event welcomes new faces every year.

TEPP days of Summer! Each Tuesday and Thursday come say hi to some of our IL Department staff who will be sitting outside soaking up some sun, ready to talk to you about TEPP and other services at MILC! Even if you're not intending to get out of your vehicle, just swing around and say, "hi!"

So glad our friends at ODC, Inc. were able to join us!

See you Saturday!

Open to any ability and age, join Midstate Independent Living Choices, Inc. for the 17th Annual Adapted Kayaking! On June 29th from 10 AM - 2 PM at Nepco Park. This event is free and the first 100 participants registered will receive a free tee shirt! Please register at:

https://milc-inc.org/kayaking/

The Creating Ability Paddle Pivot is a super cool piece of tech that allows for one-arm control of a kayak.
If a paddler is using two arms, the Paddle Pivot can take the weight off the paddler's arms, reducing strain.

Try it out at the 17th Annual Adapted Kayaking Event this Saturday, or reach out to Alex Lena at 715-344-4210 ext. 232 or [email protected] to try it out through our free assistive technology loan and demo program.

WisTech Assistive Technology Advisory Council

Beautiful day at the Crandon Farmers Market!
Up in the Northwoods? We’ll be here til 1 😃 🌱

Happy Juneteenth! Today, we commemorate the day when enslaved African-American people in Texas were freed in 1865, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, and recommit to the ongoing fight for racial justice. Today, we reflect on the intersections of race and disability on the journey to collective liberation.

"Without taking away from the celebratory aspect of this holiday, I implore you to reconsider freedom, what it means, and for whom it was meant," says Tony Alexander of Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network (ANW). Learn more about Juneteenth and the legacy of Black disabled slaves: awnnetwork.org/juneteenth-and-the-legacy-of-disabled-black-slaves/



ID: Graphic reads Juneteenth, Freedom Day in blue and orange text against a cream colored background. Below the text is an illustration of two Black women who are facing opposite directions and smiling. Red, orange, and blue flowers emerge from behind.