October 2016
4
The Comanche Nation News
Programs
6th Annual Disability Awareness Day Focusses on Vision
Photo by Jolene Schonchin/News Staff
Photo by Jolene Schonchin/News Staff
Vocational Rehabilitation Director, Charolette McCurtain, and her staff, stand with Guest speaker, Danny Robinson.
Many booths focusing on vision impaired were set up at the 6th Annual Disability Awareness Day Sept. 7 at the Comanche nation Complex.
By Candace Todd/News Staff
The Comanche Nation’s Vocational Rehabilitation Program held its 6th Annual Disability Awareness Day event on September 7, at Comanche Nation Woogie Watchetaker Hall. The main purpose of the event was to reach out to Native Americans with disabilities that imposed barriers to becoming employed. The event spotlighted several resources that could help you reach your goal or someone who you may know that may need guidance to reach a goal of self-sufficiency, such as the tribal Vocational Rehabilitative Programs and the State Department of Rehabilitative Services. Upon registering for this year’s event, titled “Make Your Vision Last a Lifetime” attendees were given a goody bag filled with promotional items and a T-shirt designed by Comanche Nation Vocational Rehabilitation Program consumer, Virginia Berg. Booths were set up around Watchetaker Hall, providing information on various resources to those in attendance. Each representative gave a brief presentation on services or goods they provided to the audience. There were eight Comanche Nation programs, four Indian Health Service Departments, two Oklahoma State Departments of Rehabilitative Service Programs, four Indian Health
Service Departments, three Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Programs, Dean McGee Eye Institute, Modern Eyes and a non-profit organization of Oklahoma Health. Guest speaker Danny Robinson, Interim Operations Coordinator BEP of the State Department of Rehabilitative Service, spoke of his own experience of living with a disability and finding employment. When Robinson a former truck driver lost his vision in a semi accident, he was directed to the State Department of Rehabilitative Services, for employment. Robinson said, being blind and trying to change careers, came with its own challenges, considering he had worked as a truck driver most of his life. But Robinson recalled one of the most important questions he was ask by his counselors, named Cecil. “If all jobs paid you nothing, what would you do?” “ His intent was, if you are happy doing it for nothing, you would be happy doing it for life.” said Robinson. The intent to that question had Robinson think real hard. Cecil was a truck driver before becoming blind and became a counselor, so Robinson thought being a counselor himself would be something he would like to pursue, but he didn’t think it was possible, considering he
convinced himself that he was “To dumb to go to school.” After much encouragement from Cecil, Robinson obtained a Bachelors degree and later a Masters of Vocational Rehabilitation. Now Robinson has an administrative position in the State Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS). Robinson encourages those with disabilities to apply for State (DRS) that are available to them and not to let a disability be a barrier to your employment. Guest speaker Carlos Dominguez, member of the Kiowa Tribe and participant in both the State Department of Rehabilitative Services and Comanche Nation Vocational Rehabilitation Program, has also overcome the struggles of continuing college with a disability. Dominguez, who was 19 years old at the time, was hit by someone under the influence while he was driving to his morning class. Dominguez suffered a severe spinal injury that left him a quadriplegic. After spending two months in the Trauma Unit of Oklahoma University Hospital he was transferred to the Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation Hospital, it was then that Dominguez decided to go back to college and to change his major from Mathematics to Psychology. Now Dominguez is spon-
sored by the Christopher Reeve’s Foundation, he is also a certified peer mentor of both the Reeve’s foundation and the Untied Spinal Cord Association. Dominguez has done as many as 15 speaking engagements and has continued being active in sports. The Comanche Nation Vocational Rehabilitative Program (CNVRP) has stated, they are grateful to have had these two individuals share their personal stories with the people in attendance. Closing out the event the (CNVRP) handed out evaluation regarding the event and presentations. A total of 60 evaluations were filled out and turned in, here is the feedback that (CNVRP) would like to share:
The CNVRP handed an evaluation to those in attendance. A total of 60 evaluations were filled out and returned. An example of the feedback for the survey participants are as follows: 1. The objectives of the presentation concerning vocational rehabilitation were clearly defined. Strongly agree – 53% Agree – 33% 2. The objectives of the presentation concerning vision and eye care were clearly defined. Strongly agree – 55% Agree – 32% 3. Participation and in-
Courtesy Photo
Carlos Dominguez, who is a participant of the Vocational Rehabilitation Program, shares his story during the event. teraction were encouraged. Strongly Agree – 53% Agree – 28% 4. The topics were relevant to me. Strongly Agree – 43% Agree – 33% 5. The content was organized and easy to follow along. Strongly Agree – 58% Agree – 28% 6. I learned more about vocational rehabilitation in this session. Strongly agree – 48% Agree – 25% 7. I learned more about the importance of vision and eye care in this session. Strongly agree – 53% Agree – 33% 8. The information will be helpful to me. Strongly agree 58% Agree – 25% 9. The presenters were helpful and knowledgeable. Strongly agree – 63% A g r e e 23% 10. The presenters were well prepared. Strongly agree – 62% Agree – 23% 11. The meeting room and facilities were adequate. Strongly agree – 65% Agree – 18% 12. The time allotted for presentation was sufficient. Strongly agree – 55% Agree – 28%
Comanche Nation Diabetes Program Hosts Lunch & Learn for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month The Comanche Nation Diabetes Program and the Lawton Indian Hospital are inviting everyone to a Lunch and Learn about Breast Cancer Awareness. With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Dia-
betes Awareness Program and IHS wants to teach ladies about the importance of learning about the cancer. According to the US Breast Cancer Statistics, about one in eight US women, about 12%, will develop invasive breast cancer over the course
of her lifetime. In 2016, an estimated 246,660 new cases of invasive breast cancer was expected to be diagnosed in women. The Lunch & Learn will be 10:30 a.m.-noon October 13 at the
Comanche Nation Complex’s Watchetaker Hall. Guest Speakers will be Dr. Steven Hults, Women’s Health Clinic, and Shelly Myers, Radiology and Mammography. There will be door prizes and lunch will be provided.
For more information, contact Marilyn Figueroa, (580) 2804674, or Romelia Kassanavoid, (580) 354-5501. Participants must call to register by October 7.