LIFE Center for Independent Living

03/16/2026

Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day and one legend suggest that wearing green🍀on St. Patrick's Day makes a person invisible to leprechauns; if you don't wear green, you will be pinched.

This is just a reminder to wear your green (if you wish and don't want to be pinched)! 😉

image is a square with 25 squares with different shades of green throughout

03/16/2026

Don't forget about the Quarter Craze Auction coming up on Wednesday! We hope to see you there!

Quarter Craze Auction

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Bloomington VFW
1006 E. Lincoln Street, Bloomington

Auction begins at 6:15 p.m.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Paddles are $1 each

Food and beverages available for purchase
No outside food or drinks allowed to be brought in

image is the flyer with the above information. At the top of the flyer is LIFE CIL's logo and says "Support LIFE CIL March 2026".

03/16/2026

This week is Neurodiversity Celebration Week.

Approximately 15-20% of the population has a neurological difference.

When it comes to inclusion, neurodiversity refers to a world where neurological differences are recognized and respected as all other human variations.

Depending on how our brains are wired we think, move, process information and communicate in different ways. Many people in our community use neurodiversity as an umbrella term used to describe alternative thinking styles such as (not limited to) Dyslexia, DCD (Dyspraxia), Dyscalculia, Autism and ADHD. But regardless of labels, neurodiversity is about recognizing those who think differently.

Neurodiversity Celebration Week was founded by Siena Castellon in 2018, a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. It aims to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported by creating more inclusive and equitable cultures that celebrate differences and empower every individual.

All of this and more can be found at

Neurodiversity Celebration Week aims to bring about worldwide neurodiversity acceptance, equality and inclusion in schools and workplaces.

03/16/2026

Due to weather and poor road conditions both the Bloomington and Pontiac offices are closed today, Monday, March 16.

03/13/2026

Don't forget that Wednesday, March 25 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. if you go to Papa Murphy's Pizza in Bloomington or Normal and place and order telling them you want to support LIFE CIL or if you order online at www.papamurphys.com and enter code SUPPORT at checkout, LIFE CIL will get 20% of your purchase!

image is the flyer that has a red heart centered at the top and says "JOIN US IN SUPPORTING" then LIFE CIL's logo and says "LIFE Center for Independent Living

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 10am to 8pm

Mention the fundraiser to the cashier, or you can order online and use the code SUPPORT at checkout

20% of your total purchase will be donated to the fundraiser!

Order at PapaMurphys.com
Enter Code: SUPPORT
at checkout

1531 E. College Ave
2402 E. Oakland Ave

There is a QR code to scan for pickup or delivery

Not valid with any other offers, specials, promotions or discounts.

Papa Murphy's logo is in the bottom right corner.

03/13/2026

Approximately 1 in 345 people have cerebral palsy (CP).

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common cause of motor (movement) disability in children and includes a large adult population. The term cerebral palsy describes a group of movement disorders caused by an injury or disturbance in the early developing brain, specifically the sensorimotor areas involved with creating, coordinating and controlling movement and posture.

March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month.
Find this and more at

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common cause of motor (movement) disability in children and includes a large adult population.

03/12/2026

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a serious condition affecting around 35.5 million people.

March is National Kidney Month and this year's focus is on taking charge of your health and the many factors that go into managing your kidney disease.

Below are some healthy lifestyle habits the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease suggest to take charge of your kidney health:

*Meet regularly with your health care team
*Manage blood pressure and monitor blood glucose levels
*Take medicine as prescribed and avoid NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen
*Aim for a healthy weight
*Reduce stress and make physical activity a part of your routine
*Make time for sleep
*Quit smoking

All of this and more can be found at

Each March, communities across the country observe National Kidney Month. Join us to learn more about your kidney health.

03/11/2026

One week from today is the Quarter Craze Auction to support LIFE CIL - we hope to see you there!

Quarter Craze Auction

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Bloomington VFW
1006 E. Lincoln Street, Bloomington

Auction begins at 6:15 p.m.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Paddles are $1 each

Food and beverages available for purchase
No outside food or drinks allowed to be brought in

image is the flyer with the above information. At the top of the flyer is LIFE CIL's logo and says "Support LIFE CIL March 2026".

03/11/2026

Every 9 seconds, someone in the United States sustains a brain injury and no two injuries are exactly the same.

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month.

What is a brain injury?

A brain injury affects how a person thinks, acts, and feels. The effects of the injury are complex and vary greatly from person to person and also depend on factors such as cause, location, and severity.

There are 2 main types of brain injuries:

1. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when brain function is altered by an external force - when something strikes the head or whent he head hits something as a result of a fall, motor vehicle accident, assault, and more.

2. A non-traumatic brain injury causes damage to the brain as a result of internal factors such as lack of oxygen, exposure to toxins, and pressure from a tumor.

Learn more about brain injuries on the Brain Injury Association of America's website:

During Brain Injury Awareness Month, help the 5.3 million people in the U.S. who are living with a permanent brain injury-related disability.

03/10/2026

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system. The central nervous system includes the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. This system controls everything we do.

MS disrupts the flow of information within the brain and between the brain and the rest of the body. If you have MS, your experience with the disease may change from day to day and year to year.

Symptoms also vary from person to person and can include:
Fatigue
Memory difficulties
Mobility issues
Mood changes
Numbness
Pain
Tingling
Vision impairment

MS can affect different areas of the body. Symptoms depend on where inflammation and damage are occurring at any specific time.

March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month.

Find this and more on the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's website:

The National MS Society is the leading resource for MS research, education, and support. See how we drive progress to change the world for people affected by MS.

03/10/2026

LIFE CIL is helping spread the word about the Transitional Planning Committee's Transition Fair coming up:

TPC14
Region 3
Transition Plannign Committee
Transition Fair
Open House

Thursday, April 9, 2026
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Heartland Community College
Astroth Community Education Center

This is a free event for parents of students with disabilities and high school juniors and seniors* with disabilities. Connect with local resources in the community.
*seniors through age 22

Special Guest Speaker:
Erin Compton will address those in attendance at 10:00 a.m. in the auditorium.

Questions?
Contact Emily Kull at TPCCentralIllinois@gmail.com

Thank you to our sponsors!
Ameriprise Financial Julie Smith, Financial Advisor, CRPC, ChSNC
309-827-6817 - julie.x.smith@ampf.com - ameripriseadvisors.com/julie.x.smith

IDHS: Illinois Departmentof Human Services Division of Rehabilitation Services

image is the flyer with all of the above information.