Newsletter15(1)

CENTER POINTVICTORIA

VOLUNTEERpg. 4

2015 | Issue 1

CENTER POLO CLASSICMAKES ITS RETURN!

HOW TO HELP!

BREAKING OUT OF THE

BOX

LEADER LETTER

Lori A. LongExecutive Director

Val FimbresPresident, Board of Directors

The Center Staff: • Janice Bawden, Art Instructor

• Donna Bridenstine, Receptionist

• Margie Crossno, Program & Volunteer Coordinator

• Bradley Forbes, JWCS & Fitness Instructor

• KatrinaGriffiths,Fitness&RecreationSpecialist

• Andrea Hernandez, Fitness & Recreation Specialist

• Vickie Holler, Director of Member Services

• Erin Jacobs, Director of Community Relations

• Lori A. Long, Executive Director

• DarleneMcGrail,RecreationTherapist

• BurtMcLachlan,ProgramCoordinator

• CathyPennington,Executive&DevelopmentAsst.

• Erin Wambold, Director of Development

• Paige Stuart, Transition Services Coordinator

“Spring passes and one remembers one’s innocence.Summer passes and one remembers one’s exuberance.Autumn passes and one remembers one’s reverence.Winter passes and one remembers one’s perseverance.” - Yoko Ono

Innocence..Exuberance..Reverence..Perseverance. Thesewordsdescribemanyofourmembersandportraytheminthemostpositiveoflight.

Weliveinaworldwherepeoplearequicktothrowaroundstereotypes,preconceivednotionsandmisconceptionsofothers-especiallyofgroups“different”fromthemselves.Forthosewhohaveanideaofwhattheythinkpeoplewithdisabilitiesare“like,”IchallengethemtocometoTheCenter.Comespendoneday,evenjustonehour,withanyoneofourMembers.Theirstory,theirhistoryandbackgroundandnowtheirtestimonyabouthowTheCenterhasimpactedtheirlifewillchangeyou.Onelookattheirjoy,theirovercomingofmobilitychallenges,theirlearningandsometimesrelearning,ofdailylifeskillswillmotivateyou.Onelookattheirsmile,hearingtheirlaughterandcelebratingasmalltriumphwilltrulyinspireyou.

Ifyouhaven’tbeenimpactedinthiswaybyTheCenter,youaremissingout.Donotlettheopportunitypassyouby.Comevisitus!TourTheCenter.Meetourstaff.Seeourprogramareas.Meetourboardandvolunteers.Tryouttheequipmentoranadaptivesport.MeetourMembers.Seetheplacetheylove,theirhomeawayfromhome.Theircommunity.Itwillforevertouchyourheart.

Yours in Center service –

MEMBER STORYVICTORIA BAKER- BREAKING OUT OF THE BOX

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“I had to come here ...before I could go out there...”

In 2003, Victoria was an excellent college student: workinghard,planningherfutureandenjoyingcollegelife. One day, like many of ourmembers,shewasinanaccidentthatchangedthecourseofherlifeforever.

Thatday,afterclass,Victoriawenttoworkatarestaurantnearcampus.Althoughshedoesn’tremembermuchofwhathappenedthere,shehaspiecedittogether:therestaurantwasn’tbusyandworkwasslow,soshewasoutsidetherestauranttalkingwithfriends.OneofthesefriendshadamotorcycleandconvincedVictoriatotryit.Soshedid.Thebiketookoff,outofcontrol,runningherintoacurbandthrowingherintoabrickwall.Inherwords,“thewalldidn’tmove.”

Victoriawasinacomafor4days.Shesustainedatraumaticbraininjurytoherbrainstemandcerebellum–affectingallofhermusclemovements.ShestayedinICUfor3weeks.Victoriasays,“Itwaslikeanightmare.Iwouldwake up every day expecting it to be over, but I wasstillinmyhospitalroom.”Itwasthehardestforhermom,asthedoctorstriedtoprepareherfortheworst.“Ihatedputtingherthroughthat,”Victoriasays.Finallyafter5months,Victoriawasstableenoughtomovebackhomewithhermom.

After several years of treatment and various therapies,Victoriawasfinallyabletoliveonherown!ShedecidedtomovetoColoradotoliveindependentlywhilelivingnearextendedfamily.Butshebecameverydepressed.“IfeltlikeIwasinabox,”shesaid.“ItwaslikeIwasinabubbleandnoonewantedtocomeclosebecauseitmightpop.”

Becauseshewassounhappy,hermomdidsomeresearchonotherplacesforVictoriatolive

independentlywhilespendingtimewithotherswithphysicaldisabilities.ShefoundTheCenter!

SoVictoriamovedagain–toTulsa,specificallytocometoTheCenter.ShecreditsTheCenterwithherrecoveryfromdepression.“Itwassocomfortingtobearoundotherswhocouldunderstandmydaytodaystruggles!”Today,VictoriacomestoTheCenter 1-2 times a week to work out and to see friends.SherecentlydecidedtogobacktoschoolandnowattendsOralRobertsUniversity,studyingsocialworkbutmaychaneghermajortotheology.Her goal is to become a counselor.

Victoriasays,“IhadtocomeheretoTheCenterbeforeIcouldgooutthere–intotheworld.IhadtogainconfidenceandanunderstandingofhowtoaskforhelpbeforeIcouldgetoutoftheboxwhereIhadbeentrappedsincemyaccident.”Victoriaisalsonowasocialbutterfly!YoucanoftenseeherhelpingotherCentermembers,talkingwiththemandbeingtheirfriend.

PartofVictoria’sdisabilityaffectsherspeech.LastsemestershehadanOralCommunicationsclass–whichcanbedauntingforsomeonewithoutadisability!HerfinalspeechwasaboutTheCenterandshescoreda96percent!Shesaysshewantstobeaninspirationtoothers.“IwantpeopletoseemeandthinkthatifIcandosomething,thentheycantoo!”

CENTER HAPPENINGS

TheOklahomaCenterforNonprofitshasannouncedthefinalistsforitseighthannualOklahomaNonprofitExcellence(ONE)Awards.Theevent,whichtakesplaceApril25,2015,atSouthernHillsCountryClubinTulsa,honorsoutstandingnonprofitsthroughoutthestatefortheirworktoimprovetheirrespectivecommunitiesandchangelives.Winnersineachcategoryareawarded$7,500,andtwofinalistsineachcategoryreceive$5,000each.Attheconclusionoftheprogram,onenonprofitisselectedastheoverallwinnerandreceives$10,000totalforits organization. A total of almost $150,000 will be awardedtononprofitsthroughouttheevening.Outofnearly70organizationsnominatedforthisyear’sawards,24wereselectedasfinalists,includingTheCenter!

Wearesoexcitedforthisopportunityandhopeyouwilljoinusattheawardsceremony!

ONE AWARDS NOMINATION

InOctober2013,weintroducedyoutoGabrielle.Rememberher?Theyoungwomanwhowasavictimofarandomshootingandparalyzed?Theyoungwomanwhohasalwaysbeensomotivatedtoovercomeherdisability?Wellwearehappytotellyouthatsheisdoingjustthat!2014wasabigyearforGabby!Shestartedbacktoschool,pursuingherdegreeinTherapeuticRecreationatTulsaCommunityCollege.ShestillcomestoTheCenter3–4timesaweektoworkoutandparticipateintheSpinalCordInjurySupportGroup.Notonlyissheadevotedmother,studentandathlete…sheispursuingherdreamofcompetingintheParalympicsincycling!ThispastNovember,GabbyhadtheopportunitytoparticipateintheGatewaytoGoldTalentIDinChulaVista,CAwhichwentreallywell!Nowhergoalistostartparticipatingin“selectionraces”togetsometimetrialsin!Gabbyisalsoworkingtogetherownhandcyclethroughgrantsandishalf-waythere.

SinceTheCenterisaParalympicSportsClub,ourgoalistoofferourathletesthetrainingandopportunitiestheyneed.WejustsetupanindoortrainersowhetheritrainsorshinesGabbyandotherathletescangettheirtraining in!

Wedothebestwecantokeepallofourmembers,supportersandvolunteers“intheloop”aboutwhatisgoingonatTheCenter.Besidesthispublication,thereareseveralwaystofindoutourgoingson:

Members:Hotline918-794-4540Callanytimeforpertinentmembershipannouncements and information.

All:Website www.tulsacenter.org Visitourwebsiteformembershipapplication,semesterschedulesandwaystosupport.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheCenterTulsaDailyupdates,photosandvideosofwhatisgoingonatTheCenter!

Center Emails To sign up for Center Emails, send an email to [email protected]“AddtoMailingList”

STAY IN THE KNOW

PUSHING THROUGH

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Didyouknowthat65%ofCenterprogramsarerunbyvolunteers?Wecouldnotofferwhatwedowithoutyourhelp!Hereareourcurrentneeds:

Outings:Tuesdays12:30–3:30AboutTownorMovieOut.Needvolunteerstoaccompanymembersandassiststafftomaketheoutingasmuchfunaspossible!*Mustbe18orolder*

Wednesdays12:30–3:30Bowling.Needvolunteerstoaccompanymembersandassiststafftomaketheoutingasmuchfunaspossible!*Mustbe18orolder*

Sports: GoalBall-Tuesdays5:30.Weneedteamsof3–6adultstovolunteertofaceoffagainstTheCenter’sGoalBallteam!GoalBallisasportforthevisuallyimpairedthatrequiresuseofblindfolds.Itisaphysicallydemandinggamesocomeprepared!*Mustbe18orolder*ContactMargietoarrange!

Cycling-Liketheoutingsabove,weneedvolunteerstoaccompanymembersandassiststafftomaketheoutingasmuchfunaspossible!VolunteerswillrideabikealongsideCenterStaffandmembers.ProgramstartsinAprilandtimesareTBD.*Mustbe18orolder*

Special events:CenterPoloClassic–May16.ThisisTheCenter’spremierefundraiserthatfeaturesasponsorbrunch,polomatchandvariousactivities.Volunteersareneededtoensuretheeventrunssmoothlyandguestsarehappy.Hoursavailableallday.*Mustbe18orolder*

Contact Margie Crossno, Director of Programs & Volunteer Services for moreinfoortosignupforanyoftheaboveoppotunities-918-794-4510ormcrossno@tulsacenter.org

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

IntheFallof2013,DanielMathiessufferedastroke.Afterinpatientrehabilitation,DanielbecameamemberatTheCenter.HeenteredTheCenter’sTransitionServicesProgramtofocusonincreasingstrengthandmobilityinhisleftarmandlegduetoparalysis,increasehiscognitiveskillswithmemoryandproblem-solving,adapttoaleisurelifestylewithmodifications,andtransitionintoTheCenter’sprograms.TheoverallgoalfortheTransitionprogramistoworkwithindividualswhocurrentlyneedassistance,butmaybecomeindependentwithinstruction.DanielstatesthattheTransitionprogram“bridgedthegapbetweenthehospitalandtherealworld.Inthehospitalyouhavenosenseofhowdifferentthingswillbe,thisenvironmenthelpedmeinagradualandunpressuredway…ItalsohelpedmedefineandsetgoalsofwhereIneededtogo.”

DanielgraduatedfromtheTransitionPrograminFall2014.WhileinTransition,hespenthistimeworkingoutinthefitnesscenterandattendingthefitnessclasseswiththeTransitionstaff.AttheendofhistimeinTransitionDanielalsoincreasedhisconfidenceenoughtobegintoexploreartclassesandinteractwithothermemberswhoattendTheCenter.HenowisabletouseTheLiftandmanagehisschedulefortransportationindependently.Heattendsfitnessclassesandworksoutinthefitnesscenterindependentlyaswell.Andrea,TransitionServicesStaffMembersays“Danielhasworkedhardtoachievemanysuccessesinhislife.Hebroughtthesamepositiveattitudeandworkethictotransition.Danielhasmadetremendousprogressandweareveryproudtoseehimgraduatetheprogram.”

TRANSITION CORNER

SUPPORT

Special Needs Trust Seminar Planning for the future of a loved one with a disability can be compli-cated. It’s easy to become overwhelmed at the thought of organizing your financial and estate planning. For those who have a family mem-ber (regardless of age) with a disability, the task is even more daunting. Without proper planning, your family member may lose entitlement to needs-based benefits such as Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and other government programs.

Topics Include: How to outline a plan to accommodate & support your family mem-

ber’s future needs for their lifetime How to direct your family member’s portion of your estate in a man-

ner that will not cause them to lose their benefit eligibility Special Needs Trust How to create an estate to fund your children

Light refreshments will be provided

To register contact: Susan Pierce (918) 794-4506 or [email protected]

The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges, Happy Hands Education Center, Gatesway, The Bridges Foundation, Down Syndrome Association of Tulsa, & Hope’s Crossing.

This Complimentary Educational Seminar is hosted by:

BynowyoumayhaveheardoftheTreeforAllprojecthappeninghereinTulsa.TreeforAllisanallaccessibletreehousebeingbuiltinmemoryofTulsadisabilityadvocatesJill&BrookTarbelatChandlerPark.Aportionofthe“TreeforAll”projectisbeingdedicatedtothememoryofNateWaters,TheNateWatersMemorialGrove.TheCenter,whereNatewasamember,boardmember,donorandfriendwillbecoordinatingthiseffort.Donorswillpurchaseatreeinmemoryorhonorofanindividualwithadisabilityorsomeonewhoadvocatesfortherightsofthosewithdisabilities.Eachtreewillhavesignageindicatingthehonorariumor

memorial.Aportionofalldonationswillbedesignatedtothelong-termmaintenanceendowmentoftheMemorial Grove.

Ourgoalistoplant30treesintheMemorialGrove:20–2inchtree-formCrepeMyrtles$500each3–2inchLaceBarkElm$750each7–3inchChinesePistache$1,000each

All packages above are all inclusive of tree, planting, mulch,staking,initialwatering,3-yearmaintenanceandbasicsignageindicatingwhotheyarehonoring/memorializing.

To reserve your tree, please contact Lori Long at [email protected] www.tulsatreeforall.orgformoreinformationontheTree for All.

NATE WATERS MEMORIAL GROVE

Saturday,May 16

THEPOLO CLASSIC

CHAMPAGNE BRUNCH

AND GENERAL

ADMISSIONTICKETS

918.584.8607 tulsacenter.org

Benefiting: THE CENTER for Individuals with Physical Challenges

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Date, Time and Location: TBD

Contact: [email protected] interested

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Holiday Mart

Health Fair@ Center

Power Soccer

Exhibition

Perform

ance Night!!

SAVE THE DATE

Board of DirectorsVal Fimbres, President Ignacio Fernandez, 1st Vice-PresidentTomMcPherson,2ndVice-PresidentSamanthiaMarshall,3rdVicePresidentDylanMcCants,Secretary/TreasurerAnnie Tomecek, Past President

KrisBeachScott BellerAmber BurtonWilliam J. Doyle IIIEricEllsworthSethErkenbeckKenEtheredgeJason GruninDwayne HendersonBrendon MaguffeeMeredithMcDarisMegan MeussnerJack MontgomeryJim OgezBobO’NealGarthRenfrowJusticeWaidnerSmithLance Taylor

InternsStephenRobertson Lori A. Long, Executive Director

NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION

US POSTAGEPAID

TULSA OKPERMIT NO 31

return service requested

ALS - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s Disease: MeetsthesecondThursdayofeachmonthat6:00pinClassroom One.

Aphasia Support Group: MeetsthesecondWednesdayofeachmonthat9:30ainClassroomThree.

TAGS – Tulsa Amputee Support Group: MeetsthefirstMondayofeachmonthat6:30pinClassroomOnetodiscussvarioustopics of interests, provide support, education and socialization.

Spinal Cord Injury Support Group: MeetsthesecondWednesdayofeachmonthat3:00pinclassroomone.ThisisaninformalgroupofSCIsurvivorswhomeetmonthlyfordiscussions,education,andsocialization.

VISTA – Visually Impaired Seeking Technique Alternatives: MeetseachWednesdayat1:00pinClassroomTwo.Meetingsfeature dialogue concerning community resources, adaptive equipment,socialactivitiesandsupportiveinteractions

CENTER SUPPORT GROUPS

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