Wheeling with new wheels- another program

It's time to get another disability awareness program started. I'm glad I waited because it will be easier to get recomendations from staff at Arbor Place where it is working well. I'd like it to be at a YMCA or YWCA and I'd like to do it to be on employment. I wrote to the chamber about doing a presentation for employers. I would show a video and discuss terms such as reasonable accommodations and undue hardship important for employers. I may get further with Rep. Gingrich's office backing me. Hopefully I will also benefit by the help of Scott from the Recumbent Bikes Store. That man has many customers.

Wheeling with new wheels- Arbor Place

The weekly classess on disability awareness for kids seem to be going well. Thus far I have had speakers with disabilities or those who have programs for people with disabilities. Every time I thik I'm out of topic ideas since I don't have many contacts, I realize someone else I know who can present something. Next week is adapted cooking and Betsy will talk bout all the meals she's made over the years. Then I called an OT to ask if I could borrow some cookig tools and the lady is considering coming ad bringing them in to show the kids. I would be thrilled with her just talking about Occupational Therapy. I have good pictures of many many kitchen tools I can make interesting to the kids.

Wheeling with new wheels - a scout program

I am used to adapting things to work for me. I did some research on the scout program in other stated, as requested by my boss. Some of the problems started out with kids who were unmotivated and grew due to the scouts thinking outside the box. I really want to try adapting a program based on out of the box thinking. I would like to think that kind of thought process would work, it's worth a try. I believe in the kids, even the ones with poor behavior. If people (my parents) gave up on me I would not be driving a van right now. My paperwork indicated I was not capable of driving. Those kids need someone (a professional) to believe in them. The scout program is about giving kids opportunities to grow.

Wheeling with new wheels- motivation

Appearantly my Infobility speech wasn't as bad as I thought. I got a message from someone who has many consumers looking to be more active. She heard my talk and wants me to do a program on motivation for her office. I never thought something good would come out of the experience since my timing was so off. It's exciting for me to reach an untapped resource. I think this topic is so very unique for most people they will consider. The system is arranged so that people with disabilities do not have to be motivation. Everything is optional so if someone doesn't want to be involved participated that is unfortunate because in our society we do not usually get a pass on life tasks. If there was no interest in daily tasks (cooking, cleaning, household chores, shopping, working etc.) and there was no money to hire someone else to do those tasks, families would be in decline and other concerns would be investigated.

Wheeling with new wheels - networking by volunteering

I volunteered in a gift wrapping booth for an agency. I felt pretty useless cause I knew I couldn't do the job but I was told I could distribute literature. So I showed up and sat with the cash box. I then realized I could fold boxes. I did a few but it was really really slow. I then mentioned Infobility and the Chili coookoff- who knows. Helping other groups with their holidays events is a good means of networking. Chamber Mixers are not the only means of learning what else exists in the community. Those events require that the person is social and outgoing. This is not the method for everyone. Business groups are expensive and require that you have contacts to share in order to promote someone else.

Wheeling with new wheels- chilli cookoff

I hope I get good participation from United Disability Services since their involvement is the key. When I chose to work with Excentia for the forum in May I got 40 parents because they are so well respected. I think this is the same sort of thing should show similar results. Also to get radio spots I must be a nonprofit. UDS offers so much and I could really use their help after this activity concludes. They have the consumers (with mostly physical disabilities), the services, the programs, the history, the connections and contacts. I am starting out small with one program and hopefully good word will spread. There are many other service groups, who need the money, have not shown me loyalty it was time to look elsewhere. I couldn't keep spinning my wheels, "just do it" like Nike says. It will get the name of my organization out. That's the goal.

Wheeling with new wheels- motivation

I think conducting programs directed to consumers are worthwhile. Motivation is such an