FairwindsFalmouth

10/19/2024

Reflecting on the nearly five years I've had the privilege to be part of the recovery journey for many Members at Fairwinds, I am grateful. While I have indeed witnessed some heartbreak, the triumphs have been nothing short of inspiring.

Every day has been an opportunity to learn from the incredible Members and staff. As a result, I have become much more capable and resilient as an employment staff member since my second interview for the employment unit coordinator position. Even more now in just the past six months despite all the challenges. I’ve been gifted a new understanding of how to better support individuals with many different kinds of disabilities and life challenges, including those that I love. I have also learned so much about the importance of family.

I want to thank all those who saw value in me and recognized my potential—your belief has made all the difference. A special thank you goes to Gerry McDowell, who saw my potential; Ken Beals, who has been there through thick and thin; and Hillary Andrews, who was diligent in her work and taught me the ropes. Yes, there were challenges and setbacks, but they only highlight the strength we've built together.

Just like Lou Gehrig in 1939, today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth for having been part of this incredible journey.

https://youtu.be/RhjfoYJDk_0?si=8ozENPKdZ69VgAF2

As I say farewell, I carry countless fond memories and invaluable lessons. Thank you, Fairwinds, for an unforgettable experience.

With gratitude,

Jeff Schlueter





















These hashtags can help increase visibility and engagement on social platforms by connecting with individuals interested in mental health recovery and support communities.

On July 4, 1939, Lou Gehrig delivered his farewell speech to a sold out-crowd at Yankee Stadium.No complete film or audio of the speech exists, so we filled ...

10/19/2024

🌟 Earlier this year, we had the privilege of welcoming back a former staff member's contributions to our clubhouse. She left a lasting impact on our community. She graciously offered her expertise to assist a fellow member in writing an insightful article for The Wave, focusing on a topic that resonates deeply: self-doubt and its crippling effect on success in the workplace.

It is truly disheartening to witness both members and staff holding themselves back out of fear of failure. This mindset can cultivate a cycle of victimhood, ultimately stunting personal growth and achievement. Similarly, the fear of success can foster jealousy and unwarranted criticism when one individual achieves greatness, illustrating how pride can distort our perceptions and interactions.

So, if you ever hear negativity surrounding your success, remember that it's likely a reflection of someone else's pride—take it as a badge of honor! It signifies that you have truly arrived!

Let us strive to break free from these limiting beliefs and uplift one another on our journeys toward success!

Don't ever forget, Fairwinds Clubhouse is a Community-based, Vocational Rehabilitation Clubhouse. Victimhood ought not be a part of it



People call me "Miss Social Butterfly," but everyone struggles with self-doubt...even me! Self-doubt can be normal, but you are capable of whatever you set your mind to - that's a fact. When you're faced with challenges, you can overcome and adapt. I understand that the only person holding me back from building the life I want is me. I have to believe that I am capable of getting a job and succeeding in it.

I feel like having a job to go to 3 times a week is very important to me. I like that I am a contributing member of society. Yes, when I had my very first job I had self doubt and sometimes I still do when I'm unsure of how to do a task at work. If I get anxious I relax, take a deep breath, and tell myself "I can do this." When I got the job at the nursing home I had self-doubt because I hadn't worked in awhile. I remember that I was nervous when I started doing room visits because I didn't know what questions to ask or how to start the conversation (believe it or not)! My job coach helped me - I caught on quickly and broke away from being nervous. Now I'm a pro at it. I love my job, especially working with the residents, and I hope to make a career out of working with the elderly.

If you're interested in having a job, but are experiencing self-doubt, just look at my experience. With the several jobs I have worked in the past, I have had to take time off due to medical issues. I have even been let go before because I took too much time off. After that, I still wanted to work and I know that I am capable of working, so I didn't give up. I know that if I can do it, so can you! I have faith in you and I believe in you!

08/28/2024

Our Elwyn Employment Unit Coordinators are uniquely qualified to assist you in negotiating Reasinable Accomodations in your workplace under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to help you succeed in your job.

Often times, if you have a hidden disability like a mental illness, Autism, ADHD or others, it may be unwise to request them. I only recommend requesting them to preserve a job or in order to advance your career.

Our Employment Professionals will do what is necessary to preserve a healthy and relational supervisory atmosphere during negotiations so as to prevent any hostilities. As a seasoned Employment Professional, it is in my best interest to keep a positive reputation, not only for Elwyn and myself but for my current and future clients and for my future jobs.

Some businesses that are not familiar with disability employment law or its implementation might have a Lawyer put up their brakes or resist an employee from attaining them because of an imagined or perceived threat of some kind like a lawsuit or violence because they might misbelieve that mental illness will be its cause. Did you know that only 3%–5% of violent acts can be attributed to individuals living with a serious mental illness according to SAMHSA? In fact, people with severe mental illnesses are over 10 times more likely to be victims of a violent crime than the general population.

Lawyers that do not specialize in disability law might be more prone to strike up an extreme or unreasonable fear in an Executive, Human Resources Professional or Supervisors. This might lead to dodgy and suspicious tactics and even paranoid thinking in the extreme cases. I have witnessed HR staff get terminated if the language in an email meant to control the protected employee might have a Lawyer in fear of a lawsuit.

Here is the section of Massachusetts law that protects employees from prohibited acts in response to an ADA Reasonable Accommodation request.

https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXXII/Chapter175M/Section9 #:~:text=(a)%20It%20shall%20be%20unlawful,is%20entitled%20under%20this%20chapter.

Section 9. (a) It shall be unlawful for any employer to retaliate by discharging, firing, suspending, expelling, disciplining, through the application of attendance policies or otherwise, threatening or in any other manner discriminating against an employee for exercising any right to which such emp...

08/28/2024

https://youtu.be/WH9vYL9GrcQ?si=kZ8OlY33aHvUaFHN

Welcome to the VCU Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) YouTube channel! 🔔 Subscribe to us now! https://www.youtube.com/?sub_confirmat...

08/28/2024

https://youtu.be/cmc-fDx86XE?si=4gMcdcdldazEfUQN

Welcome to the VCU Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) YouTube channel! 🔔 Subscribe to us now! https://www.youtube.com/?sub_confirmat...

08/22/2024

Thank you to all of the Members and Staff that have welcomed me back today. I appreciate it very much.

02/07/2024

Here is a post that Mary MacVarish empowered me to post. It was inadvertently deleted so I am reposting it:

One Day at a Time
"We are quick enough at perceiving and weighing what we suffer from others, but we mind not what others suffer from us."
(Thomas A'Kempis)
"There are some things I absolutely refuse to accept".
This is too often true of someone who suffers from inordinate pride or is unable to admit they are ever wrong.
Before we can decide that we cannot accept this or that, we had better examine our part in the deadlock. Were our expectations unreasonable? Did we
demand too much? Are we being confronted with a natural reprisal for our rigid, uncompromising attitude?
If we have hurt someone or demanded too much of them, swift retribution may dismay or infuriate us. Shouldn't we search out the causes and do something to correct them?
Today's Reminder:
You may feel ever so justified in "taking a stand" but let's consider whether it is something you did that led to the crisis. To remain unyielding may result in disaster you may be less prepared to accept!
So today, rather than assigning blame, accept responsibility where you should. Let the possibilities inspire you more than the obstacles discourage you.
I hope your Tuesday is filled with wonderful experiences.
🧘🏼‍♀️🧘‍♂️

02/07/2024

This post was inadvertently deleted so I am reposting it:

Here is our new Program Director Mary MacVarish. She comes to us from Gosnold where she was a clinician at Emerson House among others. Please stop in and welcome her to Fairwinds.