HearthStone of WI

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Sheboygan, WI
HearthStone of WI

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HearthStone is a self-help and advocacy organization for people with disabilities and their families.

More information on becoming a member can be found here: https://hearthstonewi.org/free-hearthstone-membership-request/ In October of 1995, a small group of family members and friends in the Sheboygan area were drawn together for a common concern they shared about how we as a society were caring for disabled individuals in our community. The initial focus of this group was directed mostly to the residential care facilities we had in the county. The concern and grassroots efforts by this group lead to the creation of “HearthStone of Wisconsin”, which filed Articles of Incorporation with the State of Wisconsin as a non-stock, non-profit organization in December of 1996. Our mission is to make our communities a welcoming place for people with disabilities and to support and encourage positive life experiences. Our members are people with developmental and/or physical disabilities, their families, friends and people within our communities who care about them. We offer assistance, guidance, advocacy and support in transition to and in perpetuation of community-based living. We believe in working together to help dreams come true; Dreams of Independence, Dreams of Respect, Dreams of Achievement, and Dreams of Laughter. In the past, HearthStone has helped provide and obtain funding which enabled individuals and families with a disabled member to have their own home. We have helped families obtain funding for specialized equipment and or respite care. We continue to hold quarterly community educational meetings and seminars for the disabled and their family members. In addition we regularly provide social opportunities for our young people including an annual summer outing, bowling party, Christmas party, and spring dance. We continue to be a strong advocacy voice for the disabled in our community and throughout the state attempting to influence legislative policies that improve services and promote greater independence for individuals with disabilities.

10/29/2026

Voting is a right

Wisconsin’s turnout gap between voters with and without disabilities is among the largest in the nation at 11.7%, according to a Rutgers University analysis of 2022 voter turnout data.

While Wisconsin has ‘many excellent accessibility requirements’ for voters with disabilities, it’s challenging to make sure voters are aware of them and that they’re implemented correctly, said Lisa Hassenstab of Disability Rights Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Watch intern Baylee Alger, who has a visual disability, has never voted. However, in the course of reporting this story, he learned about ExpressVote machines, which would enable him to cast a ballot with privacy and security.

Read more about voting accessibility and resources in Wisconsin at the link in the comments.

10/29/2026

Alzheimer's disease occurs more frequently and at a younger age in people with Down syndrome. Alzheimer's disease involves the buildup of damaging proteins in the brain. One of the proteins is amyloid. The gene that produces amyloid protein is called amyloid precursor protein (APP), and it is found on the 21st chromosome. Since people with Down syndrome have a full or partial extra copy of the 21st chromosome, they have more of the APP gene and, consequently, more amyloid protein.

More research is needed on Alzheimer’s disease in people with Down syndrome, and there remain unanswered questions. However, wonderful strides forward have occurred in the last several years. One area that is getting thoroughly researched is how to accurately diagnose Alzheimer’s disease in Down syndrome. There is a much-improved understanding of neuropsychological testing, blood biomarkers (blood tests), PET scans, and other testing. While much of this still requires more study to clearly understand the utility in the care of people with Down syndrome in the doctor’s office or hospital, the understanding has come a long way.

We are hopeful that ongoing efforts to improve our understanding of how to diagnose, treat, and prevent Alzheimer’s disease in people with Down syndrome will lead to further advancements.

Additional information is available in this article on Alzheimer's disease in our Resource Library ➡ https://adultdownsyndrome.org/resources/alzheimers-disease-article/

10/28/2026

10/27/2026

RCS Empowers and Kohler Foundation working together to enrich local lives.

Through a Kohler Foundation grant, RCS Empowers, Inc expanded its Advanced Therapeutic Art Program, creating meaningful opportunities for individuals with disabilities and special needs to build artistic, vocational, and communication skills.

The program serves as a pathway to greater self-confidence, self-expression, and community engagement through art. Participants explored new artistic techniques, connected with local arts organizations through educational tours, and gained exposure to art as a potential career path.

One participant, Sorrell Anderson, has grown into a confident artist who now speaks publicly about his work and the impact art has had on his life.

By fostering creativity and connection, RCS Empowers is helping individuals discover their talents and share them with the broader community. 💙

10/27/2026

“Empathy Radar”

In their book Mental Wellness in Adults with Down Syndrome, Dennis McGuire, PhD, and Brian Chicoine, MD, discuss a characteristic called "empathy radar." Many adults with Down syndrome and their families had shared with them that the adults with Down syndrome were often able to "pick up" on the feelings and emotions of others. Dr. McGuire and Dr. Chicoine share the following example:

"Mark, age fifteen, was with his parents at a school conference. The focus of the conference was expectedly on Mark. Suddenly, he changed the flow of the meeting by asking his teacher, 'How are you doing? You seem upset.' His parents, who had not noticed a problem, were somewhat startled by his interruption and confused by his apparent lack of understanding of the purpose of the conference. The teacher paused, became teary-eyed, and then told Mark and his parents that a close relative had recently died. She thanked Mark and spent much of the rest of the conference discussing Mark’s empathy and compassion for others."

Empathy radar can be beneficial in developing and maintaining relationships with family, friends, classmates, co-workers, and other people that individuals with Down syndrome interact with throughout their lives. Empathy radar can also be a challenge if the person internalizes the feelings of others and is unable to filter out the strong emotions, stressors, tensions, and/or conflicts of others.

Additional information on empathy radar is available in the article on common characteristics of adolescents and adults with Down syndrome linked below.
🔗 https://adultdownsyndrome.org/resources/common-characteristics/

10/26/2026

10/23/2026

The State of America’s Direct Support Workforce Crisis explores challenges and highlights the resulting impacts upon the direct support workforce and the continued ability of people with I/DD to access the services they require to live and thrive within their homes and communities.

10/22/2026

We’re dedicated to making decisions about programs and policies with input from the people they affect.
Our councils and committees help us do that!
If you have experience with Medicaid or long-term care, you’re the expert we need.
Learn more and apply today: dhs.wi.gov/medicaid/bcc.htm

Address

P. O. Box 1444
Sheboygan, WI
53082

Website

http://hearthstonewi.org/

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