Joseph stated at the 3.20 Staten Island clinic after receiving his vaccine, “I got my COVID shot and it was fine.”

Deborah from West Hampton Beach got her vaccine and stated, “It feels good to get the shot!”

Care Design NY members residing in the Bronx and other NYC boroughs, (18 years and older) are receiving their first shot of the COVID-19 Vaccine at a specialized clinic to meet the needs of individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD).

Over 100 people, including Care Design NY members, received their COVID-19 vaccine at Saratoga Bridges in Ballston Spa this past Saturday. This specialized clinic tailored for individuals with I/DD was in partnership with Saratoga Bridges, A chapter of The Arc New York, St. Peter's Health Partners, Mohawk Ambulance Service, Helgerson Solutions and the NYSID, Purchasing That Powers Employment. Person-centered care included administering vaccinations curbside and additional support to help alleviate anxiety. Individuals received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine allowing older teens (16-years+) to receive their shot. #IGotTheShot

Steven is happy to be getting his final dose of the COVID-19 vaccination.  Second dose? Easy!  Steven can't wait to see his friends again with the vaccination keeping him protected from the virus.

Tyler and his mother can’t wait to get back to some normalcy in their life. They are thankful for the Care Design NY 3.6.21 COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic and are feeling happy to be on a path to return to the many activities that they have missed over the past year. The vaccination will protect Tyler who has high risks and he is so glad to be protected after this difficult last year!

Will was anxious to celebrate his vaccine shot with a photo! There is a big smile behind his mask as Will and his mother share their happiness with the ease of getting the shot and their optimism for a “return to normal” in the near future.

Yva attended the vaccine clinic on 3.6.21 with her sister by her side and both were comforted with the smooth and respectful process, the quick pace and the friendly atmosphere. Priscilla stated, “Having Care Design staff reach out to us so we didn’t have to struggle and search to get a vaccine for Yva was great; we didn’t have to experience the horror stories others reported.

The vaccination today was “a blessing” says Dennis who already feels safer after his first shot. Dennis and his mother were looking for a place to get the vaccine with no luck. They were so relieved to get the help they needed from their Care Design NY Care Manager. Dennis’s mom, summed it up: this was a “brilliant idea.”

Over the last year Carmel reports  getting very good at participating in Zoom. Her days have been full of Yoga, Zumba, Dance and Trivia. However, Carmel misses seeing her friends in person. When Carmel’s Care Manager helped her get an appointment at the Rockland County Clinic she and her mother felt such relief! They are so thankful for the help they received. Their experience at the Clinic was amazing; they reported it being organized, pleasant and “spotless”. Carmel even saw some friends while there! Carmel cannot wait to get back out in the world – there are new babies and an upcoming wedding in the family, and she wants to be sure to be involved!!

“Christina’s whole world has been shut down during the Pandemic,” stated her mother, “because she will not always wear a mask, she could not do most of the activities that she was used to. It has been difficult for her because she does not understand why she cannot go to her program and go out as usual. We were so grateful to receive a call from Christina’s Care Manager that she was eligible for a vaccine appointment at the Rockland Clinic. “I don’t know where we would be without Care Design NY! Getting the vaccine brought us a ‘wonderful sigh of relief’” Christina and her family are looking forward to getting out of the house and a return to some “normal” activities.

“I was very hesitant to get the COVID-19 vaccine and had decided not to pursue it. Although I live alone in my own town house, my mother advocated that I get it because I like to spend time ‘out and about’, so I agreed! I am very thankful for the help of my Care Manager, she was able to assist  to get me on the wait list at the Center for Disability Services. The shot hurt for a second, but I’m grateful to be safer from the virus!

This is such a good opportunity for Evan to be vaccinated in a smaller setting, with people who know him, to make sure he could safely get his vaccine.