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I immigrated to the United States from Bosnia, a country where you wouldn’t see a person with disability working or out in public. However, I quickly learned that people with disabilities are just like you and me. Read more
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Anyone who really knows me knows I am a control freak. From the way my pants are creased, to how my bangs are laying, to chopping an onion — everything is intentional. Read more
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A good personal care attendant is someone who is caring, flexible and reliable. Finding someone who meets those qualifications involves a process that includes placing ads or contacting Paraquad (or, if you’re not in the St. Louis area, your local Center for Independent Living), completing face-to-face interviews and making the best choice you can among the people who apply. Read more
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Recently in the news, you have probably happened on a few stories focused on Medicaid fraud. Some of these involve doctors or hospitals, but many focus on fraud and waste in home and community-based services. Read more
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When I began my employment with Paraquad in 2004, the Consumer Directed Program (CDS), then called Personal Assistance Services, was a lot different than it is today.
For starters, in 2004, only Centers for Independent Living could have a contract with the state to provide CDS attendant services. Read more
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I drove a round trip from St. Louis to Kansas City, Mo., last week. I saw a lot of billboards — a lot. And I saw a fair amount of billboards advertising companies that provide home-based personal care services for senior citizens and people with disabilities. Read more
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What is Body Substance Isolation (BSI) and why it is important? BSI basically means protecting yourself from germs and bacteria found in bodily fluids like blood, urine, mucus, feces, etc. Read more
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When I think about the relationships I have built with my participants, it brings me great joy. I think about how I may never have had any interaction with these wonderful people, if not for my job working for Paraquad. Read more
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For many people, having assistance from a reliable and qualified personal care attendant is a key part of living an independent life full of choice and opportunity. Thankfully, many men and women before us helped create programs and services to give us easier access to personal care attendant services. Read more
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Compassion fatigue is a natural consequence of providing care for a family member, friend or of being a professional caregiver. There are several phases of caregiving that will help you define your job as caregiver. Read more