Veteran’s Day: The History and Commemoration

November 11th marks Veterans’ Day here in the US, but you may have wondered: where does this holiday come from? When did it start? And is it commemorated in other parts of the world?

Veterans’ Day honors all military veterans of the armed forces, as well as those killed in our country’s wars. It began in 1919 on the first anniversary of the 1918 armistice which ended World War I, and was known as Armistice Day at the time. In 1921 Armistice Day was commemorated with the burial of an unknown World War I soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Other countries that lost soldiers in the conflict also conducted similar ceremonies that year.

In 1938 November 11th became an official US holiday, and its name was changed to Veterans’ Day in 1954 to honor those who served in all wars where the US took part.

In the US, ceremonies are held every year at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Flowers are placed on the graves of men and women who served our country, and parades are held to celebrate the contributions of these patriots.

Other countries commemorate Veterans’ Day in different ways. In Britain, “Remembrance Day” is observed on the Sunday nearest to November 11th. In the Commonwealth countries (such as Canada, South Africa and Australia to name a few), November 11th is also known as Remembrance Day. In these countries (as well as in other countries in Europe) it is common to observe two minutes of silence at 11:00AM on November 11th – the date and time of WWI armistice in 1918 – to honor those who lost their lives. There are usually parades and church services on Remembrance Day, like we have in the US.

Poppies are also associated with WWI memorials through the poem “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae. In many countries, paper, fabric or plastic poppies are worn on the left side of a shirt or lapel (over the heart) as a sign of remembrance. In Britain, wreaths of poppies are left at the Cenotaph (a war memorial in London).

For more information on Veterans Day see here and here. For a video about the history of Veterans’ Day, see here.

2021 Statewide Veterans’ Day Celebration

Unfortunately, the Portland Veterans’ Day Parade for 2021 has been cancelled, but the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA) will be holding a celebration on Wednesday, November 10th to honor all veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. The celebration is returning to an outdoor in-person format this year (within public health guidelines). It can also be watched live online.

Date/Time: Wednesday, November 10th / 2:00PM

Location: Oregon State Capitol Park in Salem (near the front entrance of the Oregon Capitol)

See here for the Facebook post.

Click here to watch live on November 10th!

Social Experiences Research Survey

The University of Oregon wants to hear from you! Do you have an intellectual disability? Do you ever feel lonely?

We want to learn more about your experiences with friends and how your caregivers support you in making friends. Everyone is important! The process is simple. All you have to do is take a survey with your choice of caregiver and you may have a chance of winning a pair of $25 gift cards for you and your caregiver. If you are a caregiver and have an idea of someone who would be great for this research, please let them know!

If you are interested or have any questions, please reach out to Sara Hearing at shearing@uoregon.edu or 503-880-4035.

Oregon Self-Advocacy Coalition (OSAC) – Fall 2021 Quarterly Meeting

OSAC is excited to announce that they are holding their first quarterly meeting since the pandemic began! All advocates in the I/DD community are welcome to join in via Zoom for an afternoon of connecting with other self-advocates across Oregon.

Date/Time: Monday, November 15th / 3:00-5:00PM

To attend the meeting, RSVP to Gabrielle Guedon at gabrielle.guedon@askOSAC.org or call 971-258-7697. Participants will receive the zoom link after they RSVP!

Social Security Benefits – Changes for 2022

There will be a number of Social Security benefit changes that will go into effect January 1st, 2022. Contact your PA if there are any questions about these changes, including how the minimum wage increase in July of 2022 may affect benefits.

Resource limits will remain the same
Trial Work Period (TWP) amounts will go up to $970 (currently $940)
SGA will go up to $1350/mo (currently $1310)
Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) will go up 5.9% (if individuals have Title II benefits (SSDI or CBD) monthly checks will increase by this amount)
SSI will go up to a max of $841/mo (currently $794)
Individuals who receive both SSI and Title II benefits will go up to a max of $861/mo

COVID Update

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots – Update

Last month, we shared some information about COVID-19 Booster shots, and although most of that information remains the same, we have some updates to share.

The CDC is now recommending booster shots for all three available COVID-19 vaccines in the US (Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, as well as Pfizer).
These recommendations now allow for a heterologous or “mix and match” booster; any of the three vaccines may be used as a booster, regardless of which vaccine people received initially. Ex. A person who got the Pfizer vaccine for their first two doses, may choose to get the Moderna or Johnson and Johnson vaccine for their booster. For more information on the “mix and match” dosing, see the OHA’s website here.
Individuals are now eligible to get their booster shot 6 months after their last dose of a 2-dose vaccine (ex. Moderna or Pfizer).
Individuals who got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, and who are 18 years and older, should get a booster at least two months after getting their vaccine. The J&J vaccine has lower effectiveness over time, compared to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. This is why the booster is recommended so soon.

The primary purpose of the vaccine and booster shots are to avoid severe side effects including extended hospitalization and death. The vaccine and booster will also decrease the likelihood to catching and/or spreading COVID 19.

Individuals can get the booster if they are:

65 years or older;
18+ and live in long-term care settings (like a foster or group home);
18+ and have underlying medical conditions, including I/DD (this includes caregivers and families); or
18+ and live or work in high-risk settings.

To find out more about who is eligible, see the CDC’s website here.

To find a COVID-19 vaccine near you, search vaccines.gov, text your zip code to 438829 or call 1-800-232-0233.

COVID-19 Vaccine – Children 5 – 11 Years

On October 29th, 2021, the FDA approved the emergency use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 through 11. Read more about the FDA’s approval here. To schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment for a child, see the OHSU website here or call 833-647-8222.

Although fewer children have been infected with COVID-19 compared to adults, children can:

Be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19
Get sick from COVID-19
Spread COVID-19 to others

Key Points for Parents and Caregivers:

The Pfizer vaccine is effective in children. Their immune responses were similar to individuals who are 16-25 after given the vaccine. It was found to be 90.7% effective in preventing COVID-19 in children 5 through 11.
The vaccine is safe for children. It was studied in approximately 3,100 children ages 5 through 11 who received the vaccine and had no serious side effects.
The vaccine for children will be a 2-dose series. The shots will be given 3 weeks apart.
Children will receive a lower dose. The vaccine given to children ages 5-11 will be a lower dose (10 micrograms) than used for older children, adolescents and adults (30 micrograms).

Possible side effects

Children may experience side effects from the vaccine. Side effects are normal signs that their body is building protection to COVID-19.

On the arm where they got the shot, they may have some pain, redness and/or swelling. They may also experience tiredness, headaches, muscle pain, chills, fever or nausea. Side effects should go away in a few days, and some people don’t have any side effects.

Ask your child’s healthcare provider for advice and steps you can take to comfort your child if they do experience any side effects.

For more information on the vaccine in children, see the CDC’s website here and see the OHSU’s website here.

November Office Closures

Veteran’s Day

Community Pathways honors and thanks our Nation’s military veterans, both past and present, for their sacrifice and service. Our offices will be closed on Thursday, November 11th in observance. We will re-open on Friday, November 12th at 9:00AM.

Thanksgiving

Our offices will be closing at 3pm on Wednesday, November 24th and will remain closed through Friday, November 26th in observance of Thanksgiving. We will re-open on Monday, November 29th ant 9:00AM. We wish everyone a happy and safe holiday weekend!

November Recipe: Acorn Squash with Chickpeas & Chimichurri (Via Love & Lemons)

Do you have a vegetarian coming to Thanksgiving this year? Skip the tofurkey and try this Acorn Squash with Chickpeas and Chimichuri instead! Don’t use the yogurt if you need to make it vegan.

Ingredients

2 acorn squash, seeded and cut into quarters
Olive oil for drizzling
Sea salt and black pepper

For the Chimichurri (makes extra)

½ cup roasted pepitas with salt, plus more for garnish
¼ tsp red pepper flakes
1 small garlic clove, minced
½ cup finely chopped cilantro, plus more for garnish
2 tsp fresh lemon juice
⅓ cup olive oil
¼ tsp maple syrup
Black pepper

For the Chickpeas

2 tsp olive oil
½ cup chopped yellow onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ tsp cumin
Pinch of cinnamon
1 (14-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
⅓ cup vegetable broth
2 tsp fresh lemon juice
¼ cup finely chopped cilantro
Sea salt and black pepper

For the Lemon Yogurt (optional)

½ cup plain yogurt
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp olive oil
¼ tsp sea salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 450°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Drizzle the cut and de-seeded squash with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast the squash, cut side up, 35 to 40 minutes, or until tender and browned around the edges.
Make the chimichurri: Place the pepitas in a food processor and process until finely ground. Transfer to a small bowl and mix in the red pepper flakes, garlic, cilantro, and pepper. Add the lemon juice, olive oil, and maple syrup and stir until combined. Set aside.
Prepare the chickpeas: Heat the oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, a pinch of salt, and cook until soft, 5 to 8 minutes, until browned. Turn the heat to low and add the garlic, cumin, cinnamon, and chickpeas. Stir to coat, then add the broth, ¼ teaspoon salt, and pinches of pepper and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice. Set aside, the mixture will thicken. Stir in the cilantro just before assembling the dish.
Make the lemon yogurt: In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt.
On a platter, assemble the squash quarters and top with the chickpeas and the chimichurri. Garnish with cilantro and pepitas and top with the lemon yogurt (if using). Enjoy!

Upcoming Events

Creating Opportunities – Bouncing Back: Family Resiliency

Join a free interactive online workshop for brokerage customers and their families. Learn some great ways to help your family continue to adapt, find balance and stay strong together! Language supports available upon request. For any questions about the webinar, email: support@creatingops.org.

Date/Time: Monday, November 15th / 5:00-7:00PM

Register here

Build a Movement (BAM)

It’s not too late to join BAM!

BAM is a project that aims to get self-advocates together and to talk with legislators before legislative session begins, and before legislators write policy. This year for the first time, BAM will be welcoming people with physical disabilities as well as self-advocates from the I/DD Community to participate! Focus for 2021 will be the Caregiver Workforce crisis, affordable/accessible housing and out of pocket health care costs.

BAM’s third and final session for 2021 is happening next Friday, November 12th.

Have questions or would like to request accommodations? Contact Glenna Hayes at: Glenna.Hayes@UCPConnections.org or 503-522-0409.

Session 3: Meeting with Legislators

Date/Time: Friday, November 12th 3:00-5:00PM

Via Zoom, https://zoom.us/join

Meeting ID: 881 2610 4881

No passcode required to join

Newsletter: Friday, November 5th