The South Carolina Commission on Disabilities and Special Needs officially adopted, in April, a person-centered philosophy for serving people with disabilities and special needs. This philosophy has the person with a disability as the focal point. The intent is to increase the control that consumers and families have in their lives regarding the services and supports they need and want.

Sometimes changes are productive and appropriate and then again, they can be counter-productive. We have a tendency to resist change even when we know that changes are really needed. If we could only visualize ourselves as a person with disabilities, I believe we would shout an emphatic, "CHOICE - I really want a choice in determining my future - where I work, where I live, what kinds of activities I would like to do, etc."

As we begin to implement this new concept, we may have questions. Will the individual or family make the right decision, will there be enough funds to support their recommendations, and can other people from outside our agency assist an individual or family in determining his future?

I have to admit in the beginning I had reservations. However, as I began to comprehend this philosophy through documentation, attending many meetings, and with the support and understanding of colleagues, I believe it will give our clients the opportunity to have a choice about their future. I have seen many changes take place since the late 60’s with the shift from institutional service to community inclusion. The lives of individuals with special needs have truly been enhanced because someone really cared and wanted to make things better. Person-centered services are better and with the leadership of the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs working together with the South Carolina Human Service Providers, we can really make it work.

I truly believe that choice is the American way regardless of your condition in life. Helen Keller once said, "It is not enough to give the handicapped life, they must be given a life worth living".

Plans are underway for the Emerald Center Bell Atlantic Mobile Martha Barnette Golf and Tennis Classic which will be held on Thursday, May 7^th at the Greenwood Country Club. Information about the classics will be mailed the first of March. Teams participating last year will receive first refusal until March 23^rd. For more information, please contact Kim Williams at 942-4902. Proceeds from this tournament will be used for the special needs of individuals with disabilities where funding is not available.

Joe Fuller has joined the Emerald Center Multi-County Board for Disabilities and Special Needs as Production Projects Manager. Joe will be responsible for developing and implementing production contracts for our workshops and facilities from businesses, industries, and other organizations.

Joe brings extensive manufacturing and production experience to Emerald Center. He served in a variety of production management positions at Greenwood Mills, Warner-Lambert / Parke Davis, Professional Medical Products, and the Kendall Company. During his tenure with Professional Medical Products, he served as plant manager for the Medical Textiles, Inc. facility in Greenwood.

Joe is a graduate of Lander University with a BS degree in Business Administration.

He and his wife, Deborah, reside in Greenwood

Christmas 97
Thank You

…to everyone who helped meet the special needs of many people during the Christmas season. Because of your generosity we were able to provide clothing, food, firewood, toys, shoes, blankets, coats, hats, and gloves for over 180 people with disabilities and their families.

Governor David M. Beasley has proclaimed March as Disabilities Awareness Month in South Carolina. The theme for Disabilities Awareness Month 1998 is "Every Person, Every Family". More than a half a million South Carolinians and their families are impacted by severe, lifelong disabilities.

Local county disabilities and special needs boards, like Emerald Center, contract with the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs to provide services throughout the state. These agencies work with families to provide support services which promote economic self-sufficiency and independence.

People with severe, lifelong disabilities live, work, play and worship in communities and are productive citizens, neighbors and family members.

It is the mission of the Emerald Center Multi-County Board for Disabilities and Special Needs to provide quality services to all persons with disabilities and special needs in Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, McCormick, and Saluda counties.

We believe that every individual has the right to experience a life with love, respect, and dignity, regardless of the individual’s physical and mental disabilities. We firmly believe that each individual is important and deserves the opportunity to strive to reach their full potential in accordance with the principals of Person- Centered Services. Therefore, we will focus on each individual’s strengths rather than their limitations.

We will develop programs and services on an individual basis to ascertain if they are appropriate for that individual.