LIFE Center for Independent Living

02/02/2026

Today is Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Awareness Day.

1.5 million people in the U.S. have rheumatoid arthritis.
Women are three times fore likely than men to develop RA.
In women, RA most commonly begins between the ages of 30 and 60.
For men, RA is rare under the age of 45.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune condition in which the body mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints, treating it like foreign tissue. It most commonly affects the hands, knees, or ankles, but sometimes affects the eyes, heart, and circulatory system and/or the lungs. RA usually causes joint pain, tenderness, swelling or stiffness that lasts six weeks or longer and morning stiffness that lasts for 30 minutes or longer.

A doctor specializing in treating arthritis (called a rheumatologist) is the best person to make an accurate diagnosis. The doctor will use medical history, physical exam, bloodwork and imaging to determine what the best treatment might be.

All of this and more can be found on the Arthritis Foundation’s website:

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory type of arthritis that can cause joint pain, swelling and damage. Learn what causes RA and how to treat it.

02/02/2026

Important changes are coming to SNAP (food benefits)

The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) wants you to know about major changes to SNAP that may affect your benefits. These changes could cause some people to lose SNAP unless they take action. Please review this information carefully and share it with others who may be affected.

Who is affected by the new rules

SNAP has work rules for certain adults, often called Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs).

Before the new federal law, ABAWDs were:
*Adults ages 18–54
*No disability
*No children under 18 living at home

Some people were exempt, including Veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and young adults aging out of foster care.

Under the new federal law (H.R. 1), many more people are included. ABAWDs now include:
*Adults ages 18–64 with no disability, and
*Adults with children at home if the children are 14 or older
*The law also removes previous exemptions for Veterans, people who are homeless, and youth aging out of foster care.

What this means for your SNAP benefits

Starting February 1, 2026, if you are in this group and you do not:
*meet SNAP work requirements, or
*qualify for an exemption,
you may only receive SNAP for 3 months in a 3-year period.

In Illinois, the current 3-year period ends on December 31, 2026. After that, you could lose SNAP benefits if you do not meet the rules or get an exemption.

What you should do now:
*Check whether these rules apply to you
*Learn about SNAP work requirements and exemptions
*Take action early to protect your benefits

More information and help are available through IDHS - this is the notice we received.

Dear Partner, The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) has some important links and resources to share with you regarding SNAP. There are big changes to the program that will impact those you serve and support. Quick action may be needed to protect their coverage. We welcome your help to amp...

02/02/2026

This week, we will wrap up the programs and services featured in our brochure, but we will continue sharing useful information in the weeks ahead.

Advocating for Accessible Communities

We promote positive social change so that all people have equal access and equal opportunities to fully participate in community life. Our work focuses on improving access to the built environment, transportation, housing, healthcare, communication, assistive technology, education, and employment. We also strive to increase disability awareness and challenge attitudes that can exclude people with disabilities from full participation in their communities.

image is a drawing of a set of stairs with a person using a wheelchair at the bottom. A sign on the stair railing points up the stairs and reads “Way In,” along with the words “Everyone Welcome.” (thanks to the University of Alaska Anchorage for the image)

02/02/2026

Happy Groundhog Day!

According to tradition, if a groundhog comes out of its hole on this day and sees its shadow, it gets scared and runs back into its burrow, predicting six more weeks of winter weather; no shadow means an early spring.

So, did the groundhog see his shadow or not?

Read more about the history of Groundhog Day here:

The first Groundhog Day celebration is held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

01/30/2026

Today is World Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) Day.

CTE is a brain disease that is linked to repeated head injuries. Over time, these injuries cause brain cells to break down and die. CTE gets worse as time goes on. At this time, CTE can only be officially diagnosed after death through a brain autopsy.

Researchers are still working to better understand CTE. It was first identified in 1928, when Dr. Harrison Martland described a group of boxers who showed symptoms he called “punch drunk syndrome.”

Research from the UNITE Brain Bank, including its 1,000 Reasons for Hope report, shows that nearly everyone diagnosed with CTE has one thing in common: a history of repeated hits to the head. CTE is most often found in contact sport athletes and military Veterans.

The report found CTE in individuals whose main exposure to head impacts came from:
*Tackle football (700+ confirmed cases)
*Military service (66+ cases)
*Hockey (45+ cases)
*Boxing (30+ cases in the U.S., 50+ worldwide)
*Soccer (24+ cases)
*Rugby (18+ cases)
*Amateur wrestling (15+ cases)
*Fewer than three cases each in baseball, basketball, intimate partner violence, and individuals with developmental disabilities who engaged in head-banging behaviors

To learn more about CTE, visit the Concussion & CTE Foundation website:

CTE is a progressive degenerative disease of the brain commonly found in people with a history of repetitive brain trauma. Click to read more.

01/30/2026

LIFE CIL is best known for our Durable Medical Equipment Loan Program.

We loan certain medical equipment free of charge for up to 90 days. Available items include walkers, wheelchairs, canes, crutches, commodes, raised toilet seats, shower chairs, and more. Equipment is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and you may call ahead to reserve items for same-day pickup.

If needed, one 90-day renewal is allowed. If you need equipment long-term, we ask that you work with your doctor to obtain your own while borrowing ours for up to 3–6 months. If you need help finding where to purchase equipment, please contact us—we’re happy to share local resources.

image shows six pieces of durable medical equipment as examples of items that are part of our program, starting from top to bottom, left to right: wheelchair with footrests, wheeled walker, seated walker across the top; then quad canes, shower chair, and commode.

**Please note: LIFE CIL does sell commode buckets and splashguards for your convenience. Buckets are $9.00 and splashguards are $7.00. LIFE CIL can only accept cash or check at this time.

01/29/2026

LIFE CIL proudly partners with the McLean County Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) to support Veterans with disabilities in our community. If you are a Veteran—or have a Veteran in your household—and need assistance, we may be able to help.

One day each week, a Veteran Service Officer (VSO) is available at our office to:
*Answer questions about VA benefits and eligibility
*Help gather documents and prepare, submit, and track claims
*Provide guidance and support through the VA process
*Represent Veterans during hearings and appeals
*Connect Veterans with helpful resources and services

In addition, LIFE CIL has received a grant from the McLean County Veterans Assistance Commission to assist Veterans in McLean County with disability-related needs.

If you or a Veteran you know could benefit from this support, we encourage you to contact us and learn more. Contact our Bloomington office at 309-663-5433 or lifecil@lifecil.org.

image shows an American flag stretches across the top of the image. Below it, the words “THANK YOU” appear in red letters with a red star on each side, and the word “VETERANS” is written underneath in blue letters.

01/29/2026

WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL 2026 is scheduled for Saturday, May 2. Mark your calendars and plan to join us!

image is the Wheelchair Basketball flyer with the following information:

Saturday, May 2, 2026

Eastview Christian Church
1500 Airport Road; Normal, IL

Doors open and activities begin at 9 a.m.
Game starts at 10 a.m.

Tickets $5 each
Tickets can be purchased in advance (starting April 6, 2026) at LIFE CIL. Tickets will also be sold at the door. Free admission for children ages 5 and under.

50/50 RAFFLE
SILENT AUCTION
PRIZE RAFFLE

All proceeds from this event benefit LIFE Center for Independent Living (LIFE CIL) and provide two scholarships to the University of Illinois Youth Wheelchair Sports Camps.

For more information, contact Brianne at 309/663-5433
or brianne@lifecil.org or visit www.lifecil.org & like us at www.facebook.com/lifecil

across the top of the flyer from left to right is the University of Illinois Wheelchair Basketball logo, our Wheelchair Basketball logo, and an American flag with the emblems for US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Space Force and under the flag it says "United States Veterans"

In the middle of the flyer is a photograph of players in wheelchairs with the basketball in the air and the crowd in the background cheering.

Towards the bottom of the flyer is LIFE CIL's logo and Eastview Christian Church's logo

01/29/2026

LIFE CIL is seeking a Livingston County resident to serve on our Board of Directors!

LIFE Center for Independent Living supports people with disabilities across DeWitt, Ford, Livingston, and McLean Counties. We are looking for a community member from Livingston County who is passionate about disability advocacy, independent living, and community leadership.

Board members help guide our mission, support the Executive Director, and strengthen our organization. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply, but a disability is not required.

🕒 Time commitment: approx. 2–3 hours per month

Apply here: https://www.lifecil.org/application-board-of-directors/

Questions? Contact Brianne Anderson at brianne@lifecil.org

image is LIFE CIL's logo

01/28/2026

LIFE CIL’s Patricia Tolan Cox Bequest is our second program for individuals with vision loss. It provides funding for people of any age with severe vision loss to live more independently. This support can cover free assistive devices and services, including wheelchairs, costs for obtaining a service dog, and more.

Tiena also manages this program and can provide guidance and support. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact her at 309-663-5433 or tiena@lifecil.org.

image looks like a blurry newspaper with a hand holding a magnifying glass over the top and you can clearly see the words "Low Vision"

01/28/2026

Living with severe vision loss? LIFE CIL can help you stay independent.

We offer funding for two programs for people whose vision cannot be fully corrected by glasses—often due to glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, trauma, or stroke.

One program is for seniors 55 and older who want to maintain an independent lifestyle. We provide free low-vision aids like magnifiers, large-print items, and talking devices. We also offer community orientation and mobility training, teach sighted-guide techniques, and suggest small home changes to make daily life safer and easier.

The advocate for this program, Tiena, also has vision loss and can offer peer mentoring and lived experience. Each year, we assist more than 200 individuals to help them live safely and independently with their vision loss.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Tiena, contact her at 309-663-5433 or tiena@lifecil.org.

image is a flyer for this program that says:

Are you 55 years or older with Macular Degeneration? Glaucoma? Cataracts? Diabetic Eye Disease?

LOW VISION SERVICES AT NO CHARGE

FREE assistive devices such as: low vision & talking watches; talking clocks, timers, scales; large print calendars, address books & check registers; handheld and standing magnifiers

The low vision services are provided by appointment only.

Contact Tiena at 309/663-5433 or by email tiena@lifecil.org to make an appointment.

LIFE CIL logo
2201 Eastland Drive, Suite 1; Bloomington, IL 61704; Phone: 309-663-5433; Fax: 309-663-7024

216 N. Main Street; Pontiac, IL 61764; Phone: 815-844-1132
Website: www.lifecil.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lifecil

LIFE CIL's funding for this program is provided in whole or in part by the Illinois Department of Human Services/, Division of Rehabilitation Services The contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services, nor is it an endorsement.