A Woodstock North High School class is doing its part to bring some holiday joy to the residents of Sheltered Village by shopping for gifts and wrapping them in cooperation with the Woodstock Rotary Club’s Christmas Clearing House project. Students in the AVID class were tasked with finding a worthy service endeavor. After considering a […]
They’re such simple questions, almost trite in a way that makes us wonder sometimes whether they’re even worth asking. Surely there must be something bigger and more important to be done than just reaching out in such an ordinary way. For parents of children with disabilities, especially around the holidays, they could be the best […]
“Special needs” is a tricky phrase. On one hand, it means nothing. On the other, it means everything. Nothing, because it attempts to label and classify a huge range of ability and disability. Everything, because it’s a shortcut It’s code. When I say I have a special needs child, everyone knows what I mean. My […]
My son flaps his hands and makes loud noises in public. Usually people are very kind about this. They smile. They give us space. I can’t remember the last time I perceived a look of distain. When he was younger, his sounds and occasional tantrums got different reviews. Some people didn’t see his disability. They […]
State and local news on COVID-19 infections is encouraging, but precautions are still in place. On Friday, the number of new novel coronavirus cases reported in Illinois over the previous 24 hours had fallen below 600 for the first time since March 30. Gov. J.B. Pritzker did, however, announce the cancellation of state fairs in […]
As a Woodstock home for developmentally disabled adults reels from the deaths of six residents and a staff member, the people of Woodstock have stepped forward to help.“The support from our community has been outstanding and so uplifting,” said Lauren Schlendorf, business manager the Sheltered Village, in an email Friday. “I can’t even begin to […]
Four residents of a Woodstock facility for developmentally disabled adults have died from COVID-19, and more than a dozen residents have been diagnosed with the illness since the first case was positively identified April 1.Sheltered Village, 600 Borden St., put out an “urgent call” for help with nursing staff, gowns, and oxygen concentrators as the […]
Larry Lough is editor of The Independent and reports local news.
Janet Dovidio has been a freelance correspondent for The Independent for eight years.
Susan W. Murray wrote for The Independent, covering various beats, from 2005 to 2008.
Tricia Carzoli is a freelance writer and photographer that on community news.
