Host:  Welcome to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of Western New York Independent Living (WNYIL). Our guest today is Mark Shaw, Independent Living Specialist at Independent Living of Niagara County (ILNC), and your host is yours truly, Ernie Churchwell. Welcome to the program, Mark.

Guest:  Thank you.

Host:  And you're here today in particular, although you do many terrific things as an Independent Living Specialist, you are also the facilitator of the Anger Management Support Group, which takes place there in Niagara Falls. Could you tell us who is that intended to serve?

Guest:  That is intended to serve anybody of any ability that either mandated or comes on their own. Or they may be mandated by court, child protection, or some other entity like probation or parole, we just help them learn new skills to cope with and manage their anger and express it properly without having negative consequences.

Host:  And the fact that it's taking place at a center for independent living suggests that there is a particular need among individuals with disabilities for this service. Can you comment on why that might be the case?

Guest:  Well as a disabled individual myself I can honestly say that individuals with disabilities tend to more than not have anger issues, they’re just mad about their predicament that they're in. And they get angry and they express it in the wrong way.

Host:  Would you say that because the tendency of a lot of people, whether they be with more traditional type of agencies, or just people around the individual in general, that they might underestimate individuals capabilities, and treat them in a way that causes frustration, which leads to anger?

Guest:  Yes, I would definitely agree with that.

Host:  And more particularly, what are some of the stratagems that you use in your support group to help the individuals deal with their anger in an appropriate fashion?

Guest:  Well a cognitive therapy-based program. And it teaches you to take those hypothetical baby steps and replace those current habits with new habits of expressing your feelings and your anger. Being more assertive than aggressive.

Host:  So, there’s an entire curriculum, or just to kind of a set of standard practices that are brought to bear on individual circumstances.

Guest:  Well, it can be individualized, but there is a curriculum and it can be tailored to those with substance abuse disorders, mental health disabilities, physical disabilities or other disabilities, other abilities even.

Host:  Is there a particular day and time that it meets and what's the address there?

Guest:  We meet at the ILNC on Monday night, from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. And the address is 746 Portage Road, Niagara Falls, New York.

Host:  Alright, and is that every Monday except holidays?

Guest:  Yes.

Host:  How can people call you to get more information?

Guest:  Well, they can call me personally at 284-4131 extension 208, or they can call the intake department, or the phone and then it will get sent to me and I will contact the individual, and I’ll get them scheduled to start.

Host:  That's terrific. Thank you so much for being with us, Mark.

Guest:  Yeah, thank you.

Host:  You've been listening to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation at WNYIL. Our guest was Mark Shaw, Independent Living Specialist at ILNC, and your host was yours truly, Ernie Churchwell.