Midstate Independent Living Choices, Inc.

02/20/2026

🌟 Celebrating Personal Caregiver Month! 🌟

Meet Michelle, one of our incredible Caregivers at MILC!

What inspired me to pursue a career in caregiving was the experience of helping our elderly neighbors when I was younger. From that point on, I knew I wanted to dedicate myself to supporting others and making a meaningful difference in their lives.

The advice I would give to someone just starting out in caregiving is to practice patience with your clients. Building trust takes time, and it’s important to allow clients to feel comfortable relying on you for their daily needs. Always treat those you care for with respect and compassion.

In my free time, I enjoy watching my daughter play hockey, spending quality time with my family, and playing video games.

💛 Here’s to all caregivers - your compassion makes a difference every single day.

02/20/2026

The MILC office will be closed today. Our staff will be working remote and can be reached by phone or email!

Stay safe out there and we will be back in the office on Monday!

02/19/2026

As a voter with disabilities, it is important that you know your rights when voting. Learn about these rights in our short video https://youtu.be/UnNxZ7L8Qdc
& check out our fact sheet! https://disabilityvote.org/2021/voting-rights-fact-sheet/

As a person with a disability, it is your right to have a full and equal opportunity to register to vote, cast a ballot, and access disability related accommodations. Read the DVC Voting Rights Fact Sheet to learn more: Voting…

02/18/2026

Know someone ready to stir up some independence? 🥄

Ready, Set, Cook! helps individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities build confidence and practical kitchen skills in a supportive, hands-on setting. Caregivers welcome!

March classes are almost here -grab a spot while you still can!
👉 https://milc-inc.org/ready-set-cook-2/

02/13/2026

🌟 Celebrating Personal Caregiver Month! 🌟

Meet Lisa, one of our incredible caregivers at MILC! Here is her story!

My journey into caregiving began when I started helping a friend’s elderly mom- and I absolutely loved it. That experience opened the door to something truly meaningful, and I’ve never looked back.

One of my favorite parts of being a caregiver is the incredible people I meet. I love listening to their stories - the lives they’ve lived, the things they’ve done, and the memories they share. It’s a privilege to be part of their world.

I’m also excited to celebrate a milestone: on March 14th, 2026, I’ll be with Midstate Independent Living Choices Inc. for 8 years! This company has been such a rewarding place to work. The staff is an amazing group of people who treat me like family, and I’m so grateful to be part of it.

For anyone beginning their caregiving journey, here are a few things that have helped me along the way:
1️⃣ Learn all you can
2️⃣ Foster open communication
3️⃣ Stick to a routine
4️⃣ Create a safe home environment
5️⃣ Document everything
6️⃣ Be patient with yourself
7️⃣ Advocate for your loved one

And when I’m not working, you’ll find me enjoying life with my two wonderful daughters (13 and 18), my fiancé, our teddy‑bear puppy Pugsley, and our tortie cat Callie. I also love reading, learning to crochet, and going for car rides.

💛 Here’s to all caregivers - your compassion makes a difference every single day.

02/12/2026

Make sure you are ready to vote in the 2026 elections.

The “Make Your Plan to Vote” fact sheet will help you prepare for the February 17 Primary and the April 7 Spring Elections.

View the fact sheet here: Be Ready to Vote in 2026! - Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition

02/11/2026

Aprons on! it’s time to level up in the kitchen! 👩‍🍳👨‍🍳

Ready, Set, Cook! is a hands-on workshop designed to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities build confidence, independence, and practical kitchen skills- all while having fun!

Over 6 weeks, participants will grow their cooking knowledge, practice real-life skills, and gain confidence in the kitchen.

We’re Talking:
👉 Kitchen safety basics (because safety is always the secret ingredient)
👉 What to do with small cuts, light burns, or bubbling-over pots. No panic required!
👉 Following and adapting recipes like a pro
👉 Proper sanitation and avoiding cross-contamination
👉 Safe food temperatures and smart time management
👉 Meal planning, food storage, and even cooking in bulk
👉 Core techniques like boiling, simmering, and safely handling hot or sharp items
👉 Reading ingredient lists, comparing prices, and shopping cost-effectively
👉 Using kitchen tools and appliances in adapted, accessible ways
👉 Staying focused and minimizing distractions while cooking

Caregivers are welcome to attend at no additional cost - making it a great shared learning experience.

🔥 The first class is coming up soon in March, so now’s the time to grab a spot!

Let’s build skills, boost confidence, and have some fun in the kitchen.

Register now! https://milc-inc.org/ready-set-cook-2/

02/06/2026

🌟 Caregiver Spotlight: Larry 🌟

Meet Larry, one of our incredible caregivers at MILC! Larry has been part of the MILC family for 20 years, and his dedication to helping others truly inspires us.

What inspired Larry to pursue caregiving?
Larry’s passion for caregiving started at home- he has cared for many children and foster children over the years. After working in respiratory therapy and later retiring from the post office, Larry embraced caregiving full-time. He loves the flexibility and the ability to work from home while making a difference in people’s lives.

Larry’s advice for new caregivers:
"Just go with the flow, that’s all you can do."

Outside of caregiving, Larry enjoys:
🏹 Hunting
🎣 Fishing
🌾 Spending time on his hobby farm

Thank you, Larry, for your years of compassion and commitment to those you serve. We’re proud to have you on our team! 💙

02/05/2026

NEW WORKSHOP ANNOUNCEMENT: Ready, Set, Cook! 🍳🥗🔪🔥

We’re so excited to introduce Ready, Set, Cook!, a 6-week, hands-on cooking workshop designed to help individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities build safe, confident, and independent cooking skills!

Participants will practice real-life kitchen skills including following recipes, using kitchen tools safely, meal planning, and handling common kitchen challenges- all in a supportive, safety-focused environment.

Supports welcome! Parents, guardians, and caregivers are encouraged to attend at no extra cost to learn how to support skill-building at home.

📅 Multiple sessions available | 👩‍🍳 Small group sizes
💲 Funding accepted through IRIS, Family Care, CCS, CLTS, or private pay

👉 Space is limited- registration is now open! https://milc-inc.org/ready-set-cook-2/

Learn more and sign up today!

02/03/2026

February is Low Vision Awareness Month: Understanding AMD (Age-Related Macular Degeneration)

Low Vision Awareness Month helps raise awareness about vision loss that cannot be corrected with standard glasses, contact lenses, medication, or surgery. One of the leading causes of low vision is Age-Related Macular Degeneration, commonly called AMD.

AMD is an eye condition that affects the macula, the part of the eye responsible for central vision. Central vision helps with tasks like reading, recognizing faces, driving, cooking, and using digital devices. While AMD does not usually cause complete blindness, it can make everyday activities more challenging and impact independence.

Millions of Americans live with AMD, and early education and supportive tools can make a meaningful difference. Many individuals with low vision use adaptive equipment and accessibility tools to continue doing the things that matter most to them. Some helpful supports include:

• Handheld, stand, or electronic magnifiers
• Screen readers and text-to-speech technology
• Screen magnification and built-in accessibility features on smartphones, tablets, and computers
• Large print materials, labels, and keyboards
• Talking devices such as watches, medication reminders, thermometers, and glucose monitors
• Improved lighting and contrast tools to support safety and navigation at home

At MILC, we believe vision loss does not have to mean a loss of independence. We help connect individuals with assistive technology, independent living skills, and community resources that support living well with low vision.

If you or someone you know is experiencing vision loss or has been diagnosed with AMD, MILC is here to help! Contact us to learn more about available supports and services!