Catch D.J. Gregory on the PGA Tour This Weekend on the Golf Channel
Are you a golf enthusiast? Even if you're not, you'll want to tune in to the Golf Channel this weekend to learn about D.J. Gregory, a young man with cerebral palsy (CP) who has decided to walk every PGA Tour event during the 2008 regular season (38 weeks of travel and 37 events) and blog about it.
When D.J. was an infant, doctors told his parents he would never walk. Now 30, D.J. walks with a cane, holds a master degree in Sports Marketing, lives independently, works as an entrepreneur and lets nothing stand in his way. D.J. is truly living his life without limits and wants the world to know that people with disabilities can do whatever their hearts' desire. D.J. has already secured numerous sponsorships for his upcoming adventures, including underwriting from the PGA Tour, Southwest Airlines and Ashworth.
Hear D.J.'s story on the Golf Channel's Golf Central, March 8th & 9th, 9:00 — 10:00 PM EST on both days. D.J. will be featured about 45 minutes into each program.Show times dependent on PGA Tour events so please check your local listings for up-to-the-minute information.
Don't miss this opportunity to learn about D.J.'s adventure and support him and all people with disabilities who are living full, independent and productive lives.
UCP of Northwest Missouri Annual Chili Cook Off Sets Record
The 22nd Annual Heart of America Chili Challenge raised a record amount of money for United Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Missouri on Sunday, March 2nd.
Teresa Gagliano, executive director for UCP of Northwest Missouri, said the event raised $59,000 for UCP programs as of Sunday night. Revenue from online auctions, which had yet to be counted, could bump the total to $60,000 or more. The previous fundraising record was nearly $50,000, set in 2007. UCP of Northwest Missouri gathered their earnings through corporate sponsoships, entry fees, ticket sales and donations at each of the 58 competitors' booths. These donations served as competition to name the "People's Choice Award" that ultimately was awarded to "The Scottish Rite" team, who more than doubled the nearest competitor, with a winning donation of $10,934. In all, Gagliano said, People's Choice donations accounted for nearly $20,000 of the event's total.
Event volunteer, Dorothy Weese, who handed out plates and utensils, said that attendees "were packed all along the walls when we let them in at 2:30. You couldn't see how far back they went."
The competition was comprised of 58 contestants competing to become the State Champion. The awards consisted of three categories, amateurs, professionals and commercial sponsors with amateurs taking the top three spots.
Disability Policy Seminar: Advocacy Still Strong After 32 Years
The 2008 Disability Policy Seminar Wrap Up Advancing Disability Policy in an Election Year March 2-4, 2008
The 32nd annual Disability Policy Seminar wrapped up yesterday with visits to Capitol Hill by advocates from 43 states and the District of Columbia. Based on preliminary feedback from the various state delegations, advocates found generally receptive responses to our legislative priorities.
However, much will depend on the follow up with the Congressional offices in months to come.
Over 500 persons were in attendance at the 3-day Seminar, entitled "Advancing Disability Policy in an Election Year." The Seminar was jam packed with information on the following key public policy issues
Sessions on these topics included presentations by numerous Congressional staffers from Committees with jurisdiction over related legislation, as well as Co-chairs of task forces of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD). Connie Garner, the Disability Policy Director of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, was the recipient of the Leadership in Disability Policy award.
Leadership from the five sponsoring organizations - The Arc of The United States, American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Association of University Centers on Disabilities, United Cerebral Palsy, and National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities anticipate another highly successful Seminar next year. Mark your calendars for April 27 -29, 2009 in Washington, D.C.
Let Congress Hear From You at the 2008 Believable Hope Conference
Headed to Washington, D.C. this June for the 2008 Believable Hope Conference? Don't miss out on the opportunity to get in front of your Congressional leaders to discuss the important issues affecting people with disabilities today... and in the future. Being an election year, it is even more critical that your voice is heard on topics such as accessible voting, Medicaid, employment, and increased benefits for direct support professionals.
» The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has issued two new question-and-answer (Q&A) guides providing technical assistance for employers and veterans on workplace issues affecting veterans with service-connected disabilities.
» recruitABILITY is a nationally-based online recruitment application that specifically targets the disabled community and is a free public service.
Celebrity dance partners step out to aid United Cerebral Palsy Herald & Review, 3/4/08 That's part of the reason the Richland Community College president is stepping out of her comfort zone and onto the dance floor for Celebrities Dancing for Dollars, a fundraiser for United Cerebral Palsy Land of Lincoln.
But their motorcycling souls have remained intact and through a growing movement, riders with disabilities are finding ways to stay on the road — and participate in rallies such as Bike Week, which continues through Sunday in Daytona Beach.
Poker and party in the cards for UCP, Cheryl Hines The Orlando Sentinel, 3/2/08 Actress Cheryl Hines, a UCF alum and star of HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm, hit town this weekend for one of her annual gigs — helping United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida raise a few hundred thousand dollars.
Conference targets achievement gap: Parents of the disabled learn advocacy skills The Boston Globe, 3/2/08 The blustery, snowy morning didn't prevent more than 850 parents and advocates from gathering at the World Trade Center yesterday for the Federation for Children with Special Needs annual conference. After all, these people are used to overcoming adversity.
Raising awareness, advocating change Laramie Boomerang, 3/1/08 March will be an important month for many in Laramie. No, not just because of NCAA “March Madness.” Something much more important is happening, which relates to the everyday life of many residents. March is National Disabilities Awareness Month and a Laramie group will be working hard to educate and advocate.
He's going to walk the PGA Tour. He's going to walk every round of 37 events.
'The last great struggle' A pioneer views disability as the final frontier in civil rights The Boston Globe, 2/26/08 (Audio) When you're born with cerebral palsy, you have to battle constantly against the low expectations of others. When you're black and in a wheelchair, you have to combat the assumption that you are a victim of gang violence. When you're whip-smart in ways that the world may not see, you have to make the world see it.
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