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 Rademaker of Lincoln leads Health Matters, a peer-to-peer program
focused on improving the health of people with developmental
disabilities.
While 33 percent of all American adults are obese, people with
intellectual and developmental disabilities have a higher chance of
being overweight. In her class, Rademaker shares information about
healthier food options, exercise and goal-setting.
“In class, we talk about different ways to exercise and how it’s
important to find something that you like doing and keep doing it,”
Rademaker said. “You can bike or walk or if it’s too hot or raining,
use a DVD exercise tape. I also remind everyone to drink water, not
soda, and to exercise at least three times a week.”
The Logan-Mason Rehabilitation Center in Lincoln is a program of
Mental Health Centers of Central Illinois, which launched its annual
holiday fundraiser this month to help the people it serves who
struggle with mental illness or with intellectual or developmental
disabilities.
The nonprofit agency, one of seven affiliates of Memorial Health
System, has set a $10,000 fundraising goal for its appeal, which
runs through the end of the year. The theme of the campaign is “Lend
a Hand. Heal a Heart.” Interested donors can visit MHCCI.org or call
217-525-1064 for more information.
“Our community has been so supportive of our work to make a
difference in the lives of thousands of people from central Illinois
who are dealing with behavioral health issues or developmental
disabilities,” said Jan Gambach, president of Mental Health Centers
and administrator of behavioral health for Memorial Health System.
“This campaign highlights several stories of success and how their
continued support helps people to regain wellness and independence
in their lives.”
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Through the services at Logan-Mason Rehabilitation Center, Rademaker
has been inspired by the messages of wellness and independence that
she teaches throughout the program. She has made a lifelong
commitment to being healthy and plans to continue sharing her
personal lessons with her peers and friends in the community.
Rademaker has become a great health coach who loves to encourage
others and celebrate results. And she is celebrating her own
personal health results. Since the program started, Rademaker has
lost more than 30 pounds.
“I feel better and have lost a lot of weight because of all of the
things I’ve learned in the class. Some of my friends have lost
weight too. They tell me that they really like the class and that I
inspire them.”
Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation
Facilities, Mental Health Centers of Central Illinois is one of the
largest providers of behavioral health services in central Illinois,
serving more than 9,000 individuals each year in Logan, Mason,
Menard, Morgan, Sangamon and Scott counties.
Established in 1947, Mental Health Centers has more than six decades
of experience caring for children, adolescents and adults and has
six sites of care in Springfield, Lincoln and Jacksonville.
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