Thanks to our premier television stations for coverage of the SKIL 2019 Annual Meeting:

• KSN/KODE : https://www.fourstateshomepage.com/news/skil-resource-center-holds-christmas-party/
• KOAM/FOX: https://www.koamnewsnow.com/news/ski-dinner/1148921704

And of course, our photo gallery by Skip Smith!!! Click here to see them all!!!

- By Nancy G. Holman

PARSONS, Kansas — Over 400 people celebrated the Christmas season with the SKIL Resource Center on December 6 at SKIL’s annual signature event, “My Home for the Holidays.” The community event included a free chicken and noodles dinner, music by Duke Mason and Buzz-Bee Entertainment, special speaker Stephanie West-Potter of the Disability Rights Center of Kansas, and awards presented by SKIL officials during its annual public board meeting.

“We host this popular community holiday celebration every year, on the first Friday of December,” said Shari Coatney, SKIL president/CEO. “It’s a great way for people with disabilities to enjoy a free dinner, socialize and meet others in the community. We open it up for anyone who wants to come as part of our ongoing effort to promote true community integration.”

West-Potter, a well-known advocate for people with disabilities, spoke about the importance of voting and otherwise being involved with political processes. SKIL had an onsite voter registration table for anyone who wanted to register to vote.

Coatney and SKIL’s board of directors presented 10 framed awards to various recipients to honor their achievements.

Coatney presented the Bobbie Carter “Charitable Donor” award to Alisha Morrison. Board chair Susan Roberson presented the Edward Reynolds “Outstanding Leadership” award to Tina Pass. Roberson presented the Ron Garnett “Believe & Achieve” award to Traci Whitworth.

Board member Buzz Busby presented the Tom Robinson “Proving by Doing” award to Ricki Boyd. Busby presented the Bob Grant “Voice for Change” award to Bradley Glower. Board member Nancy Varner presented the Gail & John Spillman “Spirit of Independence” award to Michael Hamby.

Board member David Wooten presented the Sandra Klingensmith “Youth” award to Gracie Gatton. Wooten presented the Marty Wooten “Advocacy” award to Starli Jones. Board member Stephen Busby presented the Darlene Lomax “Above & Beyond” award to Michael Cox. Busby presented the Carolyn Freeman “Inspiring a Generation” award to Darlene Gardner.

Sponsors for the holiday event were Aetna Health, ATK, Carvin Software, The Iron Press, K-Loan, Labette Bank, Newkirk, Dennis & Buckles, and United Healthcare.

“We deeply appreciate the generosity and dedication of our sponsors,” said Coatney. “If it weren’t for them, this wonderful celebration would not happen.”

SKIL is a multi-faceted independent living resource center that serves people with all types of disabilities or those whose environment is disabling. Headquartered in Parsons, SKIL has branch offices in Chanute, Columbus, Fredonia, Independence, Pittsburg, and Sedan. The agency serves over 4,500 customers with disability needs.

In addition to operating the center for independent living, SKIL also operates an alternative lending program called K-LOAN that enables people with disabilities to purchase assistive equipment; and Assistive Technology for Kansans sites in Parsons and Wichita that provide assistive technology and training, as well as other programs related to technology.

For more information, call Parsons SKIL at 1-800-688-5616 or contact any SKIL office. On the web at www.skilonline.com .

Help the Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas (SILCK) out and fill out a four question survey about the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) .

"The State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) shall be reviewed and revised not less than once every three years, to ensure the existence of appropriate planning, financial support and coordination, and other assistance to appropriately address, on a statewide and comprehensive basis, the needs in the State for:

• the provision of State independent living services;
• the development and support of a statewide network of centers for independent living;
• working relationships between programs providing independent living services and independent living centers, the vocational rehabilitation program established under title I, and other programs providing services for individuals with disabilities."

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/B6V3NCD

People that work in agriculture are faced with many challenges, one of these being working in extreme weather conditions. Farm work cannot stop during extreme weather hot or cold, here are some tips to help farmers and ranchers stay in healthy condition while working outdoors.

Cold Weather Tips

• Wear several layers of loose, warm and lightweight clothing. Air trapped between layers acts as an insulator and layers can be removed to avoid perspiration and subsequent chill.
• Wear warm gloves and carry several pairs with you at all times in the event that one pair gets wet. Wet, cold hands cause a chill to set in quicker.
• Appropriate footwear should be worn for work and weather conditions. Footwear should not fit too tightly, if worn too tight blood flow could be reduced from the feet and increase the risk of cold injury.
• Forty percent of a person’s body heat can be lost when the head is exposed, always wear a hat that provides protection for head, ears and even faces in extreme conditions.
• Synthetic wool or silk clothing should be worn next to the skin to wick away moisture. Cotton clothing can lose insulating integrity when it becomes damp or wet.
• A heated vest and hand-warmers can be worn to maintain core and extremity temperatures while increasing muscle flexibility and range of motion. Heat sources for vests include gel packs and heating systems using batteries or rechargeable warming systems. Hand warmers provide heat by producing an exothermic reaction and are available in a variety of sizes; heat sources for hand warmers are one-time use air-activated or a reusable supersaturated solution.
• Take short, frequent breaks in sheltered areas away from the elements. Avoiding exhaustion and fatigue is important to reserve energy to keep muscles warm.

Hot Weather Tips

• Dress lightly, lightweight, long-sleeved, light-colored clothing reflects heat and sunlight and helps the body maintain normal temperatures. Clothing is available that features an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) that blocks ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) light.
• When possible, strenuous work should be scheduled early in the day. The hottest hours of the day are between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.[i]
• Utilize a cooling vest. Vest systems employ ice or gel packs as the cooling agent and include many different types of vest materials. Circulator, Evaporative and Phase Change are the three main types of systems, the user should choose a vest that is suitable for the situation.
• Take short, frequent breaks in a shaded or cool area to allow the body time to reduce its temperature.
• Wear sunscreen of at least 15 SPF, sunburn makes reducing body temperature more difficult. If working outdoors with a sunburn, wear clothing that protects skin, tightly-woven fabrics work best.

Hydration

• Consuming enough water is just as important in the winter months as in the summer months. Water is used to help maintain body temperature, not drinking enough fluids in the winter can cause core temperature to drop or make it difficult to cool off in the heat.
• It is recommended to consume at least 1 cup of water every 15 to 20 minutes during moderate activity in moderate conditions. Remember to drink water before becoming thirsty to maintain good hydration.
• If dehydrated, consuming large amounts of water in one sitting may have risks. Sodium in the body may become diluted, causing cells to swell.[ii] This swelling could cause health problems from mild to life-threatening.
• An average daily water intake of 3.7 liters for men and 2.7 liters for women is recommended.[iii] This may vary depending on activity, health, climate and pregnancy status.

^[i] Mary Knapp, Kansas State University Department of Agronomy, Service Climatologist, Weather Data Library

[ii] Hyponatremia

[iii] The National Academies of Sciences Engineering Medicine: Dietary Reference Intakes: Water, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride, and Sulfate. (Feb. 11, 2014)

Kansas State University Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering:
John Slocombe, Ph.D., Professor, Project Director,
Shelby Berens, Agricultural Communications and Journalism, Student,
Tawnie Larson, Project Coordinator,
Kansas State University Department of Agronomy:
Mary Knapp, Service Climatologist, Weather Data Library,
Shari Coatney, President/CEO of Southeast Kansas Independent Living Resource Center, Co-project Director,
University of Kansas Life Span Institute:
Sheila Simmons, MS, Research Project Manager,
Sara Sack, Ph.D., Senior Scientist.