challenges facing people with developmental disabilities and their families. UCP Suffolk encourages all to celebrate “Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month” by sharing these important facts: • Developmental disability is a natural part of the human experience and affects approximately 4.6 million Americans. • All people with developmental disabilities can be productive, contributing members of their communities! • During times of economic decline, essential services and supports for people with developmental disabilities are often threatened. • Policy makers can only make good public policy when they hear from the people directly affected by their decisions! “People with
developmental disabilities and their families have come far in improving their lives and enjoying the same access as every other American to housing, education, employment, and more but there is still work to be done,” said Stephen Friedman, UCP of Suffolk - President, CEO. “Communities can get more involved and become more responsive by embracing people with disabilities and encouraging system and policy changes to better meet the needs of those we serve.” Now is the time to reflect and participate in Developmental Disabilities Awareness month. For more information about Developmental Disabilities and programs available through UCP Suffolk, please visit our website at www.ucp-suffolk.org or call 631.232.0011.
Hundreds of attendees filled the pews at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre on March 10th for a special Mass of Celebration to mark the 100th Anniversary of Mercy Medical Center. Established on the Feast of St. Patrick, March 17th, 1913 in a 13-bed former sanitarium in Hempstead by the Congregation of the Infant Jesus, the Nursing Sisters of the Sick Poor, Mercy has grown and developed over the
decades into one of Nassau County’s leading medical institutions. The mass was celebrated by the Most Reverend William Murphy, Bishop of Rockville Centre, who expressed thanks for the century of compassionate care made possible at Mercy by the hard work and dedication of not only the hospital’s physicians, nurses and support staff, but also The Friends of Mercy and the Council of Leagues
Suffolk Zone 5 - NEIGHBOR NEWSPAPERS - Wednesday March 20, 2013
Everyone wants, and deserves, to enjoy life, feel productive and be secure. Since 1987, when President Ronald Regan officially proclaimed March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, we have taken extra steps during this month to raise awareness about the needs and rights of people with disabilities and to celebrate their accomplishments and contributions to our communities and society as a whole. The original proclamation called for people to provide understanding, encouragement and opportunities to help persons with developmental disabilities to lead productive and fulfilling lives. March is recognized by groups across the country as an opportunity to highlight the accomplishments and
Special Mass
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Disability Awareness Month
auxiliary organizations, community residents and the continuing inspiration provided by the members of the founding Congregation. Among those in attendance were six leaders of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) on Long Island in recognition of Mercy’s Century of Compassionate Caring and its witness to Catholic health care.
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