Shakepeare at Heart Featured in Exceptional Parent Magazine
Shakepeare with Heart, the UCP of Central Florida (UCP-CFL) summer program is featured in the March 2008 edition of Exceptional Parent Magazine. Ilene Wilkins, CEO of UCP of Central Florida (UCP-CFL), and Dr. Rebecca Hines, a professor at the University of Central Florida and sibling to actress, board member and trustee, Cheryl Hines, collaborated to produce the article.
The article describes the beginnings of the Shakepeare with Heart summer program and how it is truly inclusive in every respect. In fact, Wilkins was surprised by the outcome of the project. When asked by Hines, "Why shouldn't this project be for all kids?" Wilkins "immediately thought, wow, could that really work?" Indeed, it has and the program has run successfully for two years. Now entering its third year, the program looks to have even more promising results in changing the hearts and minds of all it touches when dealing with life's real and mythical barriers.
The program is an authentic drama camp with all members of the cast participating in the warm up exercises, drama games and performance to the best of their abilities, with UCP-CFL providing assistance as needed.
The most important aspect of the program is how the kids learn life lessons and social skills that will impact their lives as they grow older. In the end, Wilkins and Hines write:
"The most valuable lesson is that, if you put a group of kids together who share a passion for something and we adults 'get out of the way,' the kids themselves do all the work in creating something incredible!"
For those participating in the UCP of Greater Birmingham day program, giving back is something that comes naturally.
The news story by WBRC-TV FOX6 about giving back demonstrates that the people with disabilities involved in the UCP of Greater Birmingham day program are just like everyone else and are living a meaningful life by serving others.
Nicole Shevin, Volunteer Coordinator for UCP of Greater Birmingham, says "What we do with the day program is help the participants live their life to the fullest. Coming here it gives them a friend outside of UCP and it gives them an outside connection." Everyone benefits by helping shape a sense of community and by sharing in an experience of helping someone in need.
Did you know there is a therapy available that may help provide better movement and control for those experiencing severe spasticity? As you well know, movement can be difficult or uncontrollable as a result of cerebral palsy, spinal cord or brain injury.
During a live teleconference on April 8th at 7:00PM EDT, you have the opportunity to hear Jeff Schilt, M.D., associate professor of orthopaedics and pediatrics at Wake Forest University, explain how the therapy works and also hear others' stories who have had personal experiences with the therapy.
VoiceforLiving.com A Voice for Those Who Can't Speak
VoiceforLiving.com launched recently as a Web site "dedicated to raising awareness of speech disabilities and providing the answers that families are seeking to help their loved ones, challenged by significant speech, language and learning disabilities to speak their minds."
The Web site houses information for individuals who cannot speak and their families that discusses assistive technologies as well as access to community resources in facilitating communication solutions. Sponsored by DynaVox Technologies and Mayer-Johnson, the site creates an enjoyable and valuable learning experience and allows individuals to discover how an array of tools and techniques, including electronic speech communication devices, can open a whole new world of possibilities for those who cannot speak due to various conditions such as autism, stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease), and cerebral palsy.
Before the launch of VoiceforLiving, families often had a difficult time finding the resources they needed to learn about and obtain the tools available to help their loved ones speak their minds. Often there was no good path for the family to follow. VoiceforLiving.com changes all that by providing inspiration, resources and an opportunity for families to learn from experts and others that have already been down the same road.
Currently, the site provides basic information about speech disabilities, communication options, funding availability, and profiles of individuals employing a variety of tools that help them to speak their minds. VoiceforLiving.com also offers a virtual Community Center featuring an “Ask the Expert” section and a community forum.
2008 Believable Hope Conference Update: Nominations Due Soon
Award Nominations Due April 16 United Cerebral Palsy is accepting nominations for its prestigious Awards for Excellence, which will be presented at the 2008 Believable Hope Conference in Washington, DC. Nominations are due by April 16, 2008, so don’t delay!
This is your opportunity to showcase national recognition of the contributions and commitment of exceptional individuals and organizations making a difference in your community. Your nominations for the coveted Awards for Excellence make it possible for UCP to honor those who have made a strong and positive impact in the lives of people with disabilities.
We want to hear about the great work being done in your community. Please visit the UCP Web site for nomination forms:
» Employer of the Year Award;
» Life Without Limits Award;
» Prentke Romich Augmentative and Alternative Communication Service Award; and
» Universal Accessibility Design Award.
The categories above are available to the public. Additional affiliate award categories are listed on AffNet or contact Terrie King at 800-872-5827 for more information.
Don't Delay - Register today for the 2008 Believable Hope Conference, sponsored by United Cerebral Palsy.
Chocolate Sundae lures the indulgent to Michael's Herald Tribune, 3/19/08 Chocolate Sundae marked the last event for United Cerebral Palsy's Chocolate Festival, and event chairman Wendy Mann Resnick was all smiles as she greeted chocolate lovers, friends and family, including her son Bobby and brother Peter Mann.
Biking Across the Country Indiana's News Center, 3/18/08 (Video) A Huntington man left Tuesday to bike across the United States. 29-year old Jeremy Winkleman has cerebral palsy, but that's not stopping him from biking from San Diego, California to St. Augustine, Florida.
Bill would help business owners with disabilities Frederick News Post, 3/17/08 More residents with disabilities could find work if a bill sponsored by Delegate Rick Weldon passes in the Maryland General Assembly.
Tamara Browning: After-school program helps disabled teens Springfield Journal-Register, 3/15/08 United Cerebral Palsy Land of Lincoln's initiative will give District 186 students who have disabilities a place to socialize, explore and learn outside of school, says Neal Young, the program's coordinator.
Disabled leave the shadows and their mark: After 25 years of activism, the emphasis is finally on ability not disability Toronto Star, 3/15/08 (Video) [Justin Hines] is the future of a culture emerging from the shadow, a generation of young people who transcend wheelchairs and labels. In the 25 years he has been on this planet, the pace of change has gone from eons to nanoseconds. For those who move or communicate or process information differently from the majority, progress takes many forms.
Hearing no problem for deaf juror 'I should be able to be on a jury like everyone else,' he says Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 3/15/08 What stood out for many about the trial was one of the jurors. He was deaf. Though a deaf juror is not unprecedented, it is rare, according to jury experts and advocates for the hearing impaired, and it was a first for the veteran judge, the attorneys and the other jurors. Two interpreters translated the proceedings into sign language.
Making Second Life More Accessible Second Life News Network, 3/15/08 Virtual Ability is a Colorado nonprofit organization that helps bring people with a wide range of disabilities into SL. They provide help with assistive hardware and software. The Heron Sanctuary is a project of Virtual Ability within SL.
Special needs Telethon: raises money for local facility Times Daily, 3/14/08 Whitson is one of five children with a disability who attends the center and will be featured in the annual United Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Alabama telethon. David Marks, Angel Reporto, Chandler Thompson and Jakarius Ziegler are the other children to be included on the program.
11th Berkshire Disability Day Planned April 5 iBerkshires.com, 3/12/08 The Berkshire Disability Pride Day committee will holds the 11th annual Berkshire Disability Pride Day on Saturday, April 5, from 10 to 3 at the Berkshire Mall in Lanesborough.
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