Did you have fun this summer?

Volume 7, Issue 1
September 2007
Sandusky County Board of Mental Retardation
And Developmental Disabilities
Making the Pieces Fit
Maki ng the Pieces Fit
Did you have fun this summer?
Take m
e
Summer recreation participants
enjoy a day at Put-in-Bay
SUMMER RECREATION PROGRAM 2007
This summer proved to be an exciting and busy
time for children and young adults in Sandusky
County. Through the generosity of the Sandusky
County Council for Persons with Mental Retardation and the United Way of Sandusky County,
we were able to offer summer recreation options
for children with special needs. The United Way
has helped us fund summer recreational activities for children with disabilities since 1991.
This summer, participants had many recreational
choices, including a Toledo Mud Hens game,
African Lion Safari, Put-in-Bay, COSI, Toledo
Botanical Gardens and the Popcorn Factory in
Port Clinton. Other activities included swimming at White Star Park in Gibsonburg and the
Fremont Recreation Center, bowling at Plaza
Lanes, movies, putt-putt, laser tag, as well as
games are various local parks.
Comments we often hear from parents concern the lack of social opportunities that
their special needs children have outside of
school. We hope that through the summer
recreation program we are able to “let kids be
kids” and enjoy many of the same experiences
as other children in the community. Our goal
was to provide this opportunity for children with
special needs who may require more structure
and supervision, as well as medical and behavioral interventions, so that they would be healthy
and safe. Parents have responded by telling us
how they appreciate “the fact that there is somewhere fun for my child to go” and, “He made
new friends and enjoyed himself very much.”
We hope that memories of Summer Recreation
2007 will be just that, the sharing of fun activities with friends.
Submitted by: Jayne Repp
out to th
e ball g
ame
Making the Pieces Fit
MEET A LIFE SAVER
Recently
Tammy
Reineck
administered
the Heimlich maneuver
to a co-worker who was
choking and potentially saved her
life. All County Board staff have
been trained and certified to administer both First Aid and CPR.
SANDUSKY COUNTY BOARD OF MR/DD
ADDRESS AND HOURS OF OPERATION:
The Sandusky County Board of MR/DD is located at
1001 Castalia Street, Fremont, OH 43420.
Ph: 419-332-9296
Our hours of operation are:
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
We welcome your visit. Please REMEMBER to sign in and
out of our building and get a guest badge each time you
visit. This will help make a safer environment for all.
Way to go, Tammy!
Check us out on the web:
http://www.sanmrdd.org
From the Ohio Association of County Boards of MR/DD:
For all of you planning to travel and have had problems with
so-called “accessible rooms,” WhenWeTravel has compiled a list
of 37,000 accessible hotels from around the world. Their site
is thorough, with helpful hints and common sense ideas for
the challenged traveler. Of course, the only sure way to know
is to go to the hotel, but at least it’s a start.
Go to
www.whenwetravel.com, click “hotel search” and then click on
“wheelchair accessible hotels”.
A BIG thanks to the East Fremont Baptist Church
and Pastor Walker Horne for the 16 dozen Krispie
Crème pastries on the first day of school. They
were enjoyed by all!
WHAT A
“SWEET”
THING TO
DO!
Page 2
Contributions:
The following contributions have
been made between July 1, 2007
and September 1, 2007.
2005 Campaign Designations
from United Way $349.18
Ohio State Council Knights of
Columbus $328.00
Your donations and contributions
are always appreciated!
Volume 7, Issue 1
SANDCO INDUSTRIES CARF ACCREDITATION RENEWED. . . .submitted by Terry Stocker
Sandco Industries obtains a 3 year renewal of CARF Accreditation.
In late July 2007 our organization went through the CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) accreditation process. The results of the survey indicated a significant commitment to the continuation of
quality services provided to the people we serve. This national accrediting body clearly values Sandco Industries’ continued efforts
to meet and improve all aspects of service provision. Though this process evaluates the entire organization the specific areas
Sandco Industries maintains accreditation are the following: Job Development, Job Supports, and Job-Site Training.
The CARF Surveyors recognized the many strengths within our organization that we continue to practice day to day. Along with
all the positive accolades, they provided recommendations on how to improve or upgrade our services to a higher level of consumer
satisfaction. The responses to surveys and interviews during the accreditation process and over the past 3 years indicate a high level
of satisfaction from involved Stakeholder Groups.
The positive aspects of our organization and the services provided is a tribute to the support and hard work by staff, administration,
boards, families, community and most of all, the consumers.
We are very proud to announce that this CARF Accreditation Renewal will extend through September 2010.
A “Special” Volunteer
A friend of Teresa Langley's, Megan
Osuna, recently volunteered for Special
Olympics. Megan enjoyed her experience so much that she wrote a Sociology paper which earned her an “A” as
well as high praise from her teacher.
Megan writes, “This experience touched
me like I never thought it would. I
caught myself almost crying, and I can’t
even explain why! Just being there and
seeing all of the adults and kids competing just touched my heart. Usually with
high school kids, all they care about is
“Just being with them for a few hours
makes me feel like a happier person”.
-Megan Osuna
winning, getting first place. Well, with
these guys it’s just the fact that they are
part of a team. If they fall down, they
LOOK WHAT’S NEW IN THE
SENSORY ROOM . . . . . . . . .
Our new tactile board was
developed over the summer with the help of Debbie Haberland, Occupational Therapist, and Joel
Gallagher, Maintenance.
The school children will
be able to reach and touch
a variety of new textures
on this board. The purpose of the board is to
enhance fine motor skills,
gross motor skills, and
sensory input of the students.
just get right back up and keep going.
They have such caring hearts and just
being around them touches you. It
makes you want to be a better person.
Just being with them for a few hours
makes me feel like a happier person.
Just by looking at the huge smiles they
always have on their face. So after
helping with this, I would do it again
any chance I get.”
THANKS FOR A JOB WELL DONE
Carrie Abbott recently had an acute medical condition
that made walking painful. As a result, she needed adaptive equipment and assistance with daily activities.
County Board staff, including Laura Burkin, Doug Arter,
Pat Kingseed, Doug Krieger, Shanna Wright, and Larrick
Zirkle, helped Carrie get
the special equipment and
help she needed. This
allowed Carrie to remain
in her own home rather
than being forced to move
to a nursing home.
Shanna and Carrie
“Everybody is doing their best to accommodate
what I need. I am very grateful. I feel like one of
those Make a Wish kids!”
Page 3
Making the Pieces Fit
PEOPLE FIRST OF SANDUSKY COUNTY
Sandusky County has had a local
chapter of People First since 2003.
The group, made up of approximately
60 adult services enrollees, meets typically one time per month. The group,
which is open to any interested adult
enrollee, is a self-advocacy group.
Self-advocacy includes making
choices and decisions for yourself,
suggesting changes, creating new
ideas, and looking for ways to improve
things for yourself and people with
disabilities as a whole.
The group often discusses current
events that are going on and how they
may affect people with disabilities.
Out local members are also active at
the State level of People First. We
have four local members who serve on
the People First of Ohio Board: Rick
Collins, Alan Danhoff, Rachel Wise
and Deb Velliquette. Rick also holds
the officer position of Sergeant at
Arms. The four State Board members
bring back information from the quarterly meetings to share with the group.
Serving on the Ohio Board
(L-R)
Rachel Wise, Alan Danhoff,
Rick Collins
Not pictured: Deb Velliquette
Marta Nieto, who is Martha Nieto’s daughter (Martha is employed as a bus monitor) recently wrote an article in memory
of her sister, Rosa Madrid/Nieto for the WSOS Summer and
After School Program. Marta won 2nd place and her essay is
now a billboard that can be viewed on Front Street down by
the old sugar beet factory. The title of Marta’s essay is
“Stand.”
Page 4
If you are interested in joining the
Sandusky County People First group
just let a current member or staff advisor know you are interested in attending a meeting. Current staff advisors
are Doug Krieger, Doug Arter and
Mandy Camden.
Submitted by: Mandy Camden
I stand for those who are physically and mentally challenged. For one they are all ways treated and acted upon
as outsiders, but why, why I ask myself why are they
acted upon as outsiders? A lot of people don’t realize
that they too have feelings, and everything that
they go through is a heck of a lot more pain,
doctor visits, and more medical treatment than
others. Second off they are people just like you and me
so why don’t people realize that the freedom
rights count for them as well? A lot of people
don’t understand how it is to take care of someone
like that. Imagine the income of the family . . . I mean
come on, imagine how high the medical bills
must be. Then just the time and patience it
takes to take care of a special needs person. Now for my
next reason is they have NEVER done anything to be
treated like this they were just conceived the
same way like you and me and was just born
with severe medical problems, but then again some people get into car accidents and maybe had some type of
accident that made them become special.
Maybe if everyone can spend one week in the
body of someone who is very special they will understand
what it feels like to be an “outsider” and see if they like it
Volume 7, Issue 1
SANDCO “FUN IN THE SUN”
SANDCO SUMMER PICNIC
The Sandco picnic was held at the Recreation Center on Wednesday, July 18th with 215 individuals
participating. A wide variety of activities were offered, including volleyball, bingo, bean bag toss,
basketball and swimming. Grilled hot dogs and
drinks were provided by Sandco, with carry in
dishes brought in by participants.
Teenage volunteers from the Reach Out Mission 2007, based in Cuyahoga Falls, were on
hand to help out with the event. According to
a letter from their Mission Advisor, “We observed many life changing events over the
years due to mission sites and the experience
they provide to numerous youth. This is something we look forward to each year.”
THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!
Page 5
Making the Pieces Fit
Unified Softball Team. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Coach Ed McClain
Congr
a
2007 tulations R
West
ebels
Victo
ry and Section Ru on your
n
y
Cham our 3rd Pl ner Up
ace St
pionsh
ate
ip Wi
n!
2007 Unified Team (Back row, left to right): Dan Beeker, Vickie Strickland, Michelle Hoepf, James Goehring, Shawn Blausey,
Megan Nusser, Ed McClain. Front row: Michelle Snyder, Heather Reese, Rick Collins, Brian Burdette and Adam McDermitt.
Special Olympics Notes:
Congratulations to all 40 softball participants for a great season! The traditional team lost out to Lucas County in
the state qualifying round. The unified
team came in third place in the state
competition. Also competing in the
state individual skills competition
were Alex Laughlin-gold medal, Norman Caris-gold medal, Heather
Laurer-silver medal, Allison Bolensilver medal, Mike Hill bronze medal,
Jon Reiner fourth place and Alan Danhoff-fifth place. Registration for the
fall sports of swimming and bowling
will begin next week. A coach is
needed for bowling-please call 419
332-9296 x 119 for details. The annual fresh cut greenery sale will start
in October-your support is always appreciated!
A HUGE
Thank-you goes out to the
following contributors for their donations to Sandusky County Special
WHEELCHAIR LIFT
The Sandusky County Board of MRDD has available a used wheelchair lift.
This lift is designed to be used outside, allowing an individual to access their
home from a porch, to replace steps to an exterior door or in a garage where
there are steps to access the home. It is large, holding up to 550 pounds. The
top loading gate is 39” wide and the larger platform is 36” x 54”. The lift is
available for free and may be viewed at the Sandusky County Board of MRDD
between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, Mon-Fri. It does require installation and we
have the planning guide to assist with installing it. If you are interested in seeing the lift, please contact Helen Tonkin at 419-332-9296 ext. 187 or Megan
Nusser at ext. 186.
Page 6
Olympics: Penta Career Center, Green
Bay Packaging, The Keith Mumford
Family, First Energy Foundation, The
Rachel Wise Family, Seneca Railroad
& Mining Inc., Ray Wasson & family,
and Jeff Overmyer.
FRE
E
Volume 7, Issue 1
September 11, 2007
Sandusky County Board of MR/DD remembers . .
“What Freedom Means To Me” was the
theme for the September 11, Freedom Assembly held in the gym at the Sandusky
County Board of MR/DD.
Four self-advocates attended the 2007
Solidarity conference that took place
May 30, 2007-June 1,2007 in Columbus
at the Hyatt Regency Conference Center.
Those individuals who attended were
Kathy Woodruff, Heather Miller, John
Selvey, and Don Weills. They were
accompanied by staff members Ed
McClain and Shanna Wright. The Solidarity Conference is Ohio’s oldest and
largest educational, employment and
leadership conference for and about people with disabilities.
SOLIDARITY
2007
Consumers (above) and Students (below) shared
about what freedom means to them.
Consumer: John Selvey
School of Hope Students: Brooke Beier, Markus
Doss, Ben Wilson and Pedro Rodriguez.
Above: Speaker Dr. John Rusch served
as a pilot in the Air Force for 26 years.
He also served in Vietnam.
Below: Our very own George Mullen
sang “America the Beautiful” with the
Bettsville American Legion Veterans in
the background.
“I enjoyed hearing what the
group from People First had to
say. I learned a lot!” John said
about one of the breakout sessions at the conference. Don
stated “I liked it a lot and I
learned a lot.” Kathy stated, “I
had a lot of fun and learned about
living in apartments on my own.”
The group enjoyed good foods, good
times, including karaoke and swimming, as well as a nice hotel stay.
Kathy said “I can’t wait to go again!”
Above: Special Guest Singer, Chuck Getty, sang
“I’m Proud To Be An American.”
Some Gave All -
Left to
Right:
John Selvey,
Shanna
Wright
Kathy
Woodruff,
Don Weills,
Ed McClain
Not Pictured:
Heather Miller
In memory of Teresa
Martin who was working at the Pentagon on
September 11, 2001.
Teresa was the daughter
of Joan Shaffer and the
sister of Mary Jo Miller.
Mary Jo worked for many
years at Sandco Industries.
Page 7
Making the Pieces Fit
1001 Castalia Street
Fremont, Ohio 43420
Phone: 419-332-9296
Fax: 419-332-9571
Health Alerts: The Ohio Department of MR/DD Health
inin
m
o
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d
and Safety Alerts are now available on our home page.
s
s
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Keep up to date with the latest health and safety alerts
r
o
f
In
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by going to sanmrdd.org and click on the link!
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