Local Resources

Hi all,

Here is some information for those who live in Northwest Ohio from the Family Information Network, which I've mentioned in the past as a great resource for those in our area who have family members with disabilities. I have a link to FIN in our Useful Links section on this blog (http://www.unitedwaytoledo.org/fin ). Here is the information:

http://www.unitedwaytoledo.org/sites/unitedwaytoledo.org/files/webform/Community%20Resource%20Guide.pdf   - Resource Guide

http://www.unitedwaytoledo.org/sites/unitedwaytoledo.org/files/Summer%20Rec%202012.pdf - 2012 Summer Programs for Kids with Disabilities

Your House or Mine
This group is facilitated by Family Information Network (FIN) and discusses housing situations for your child with special needs. Your House or Mine is simply other parents in the same situation asking the same questions, and parents who have already been there & done that who may have some answers. We also offer guest speakers, group discussion, updates on policies or regulations, and social opportunities to discover how to make the most of your child moving out. Contact Diane Frazee at diane.frazee@unitedwaytoledo.org

Calendar of Events : http://www.unitedwaytoledo.org/sites/unitedwaytoledo.org/files/March%20April%202012.pdf

I have to say, it's these local organizations and resources that have been SO helpful to us on numerous occasions when we've needed information, resources, support for Nick as he was little and while he was growing up. FIN and The Ability Center of Greater Toledo (www.abilitycenter.org) were two organizations that we relied upon many times over the years. FIN has been staffed by parents of children with disabilities over the years and when Nick was an infant (less than 6 months old), these people were the first parents of children with disabilities I met. It was a raw time for us and I remember it like it was yesterday, and their help and support were comforting to me. I'm sure those of you who live in other areas have these "treasures" / local resources that you find helpful and I encourage you to spread the word to other families and people who may find their services useful whenever the opportunity arises.

Blessings:-)
Amy

'Dreamer' - A Short Film By Jason D. Ashberg

Hi all,

I received this e-mail I'd like to share:

Dear Amy,

I was born with mild Cerebral Palsy. I was lucky to receive treatment early in my childhood. I'm very moved by your blog and wish you and Nick love and healing! I have been following my dream of becoming a filmmaker. I recently wrote a short film that reflects a lot of my experiences living with Cerebral Palsy. I'd like to share my funding campaign for my short film "Dreamer" with you. Please take a moment to watch my pitch video by clicking on the link below. I would greatly appreciate your assistance to pass along my link and/or post on your website, or simply get the word out so I can get my film made. Most importantly, I plan to donate 50% of any profits the film makes to United Cerebral Palsy

Thank you!

Love Jason

View My Pitch Video
http://igg.me/p/34374

http://www.jasonashberg.com/

Check out Jason's website and campaign! Thanks for sharing this Jason and best of luck with your campaign for Dreamer. Keep us updated!

Blessings:-)
Amy

Push Girls

In the same way MURDERBALL, winner of the 2005 Audience Award for Best Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival, took the lid off the competitive world of “wheelchair rugby,” Sundance Channel is bringing an unfettered, uncensored glimpse at what it means to be sexy, ambitious and living with paralysis in Hollywood with Push Girls, a new original non-fiction series from producer Gay Rosenthal (Ruby; Little People, Big World). This half-hour long docu-series traces the lives of four dynamic, outspoken and beautiful women who, by accident or illness, have been paralyzed from the neck or the waist down. Abilities Expo is thrilled to present our attendees the opportunity to meet the stars of Push Girls, ask them about their experiences and see clips of the new original series which will premiere on June 4, 2012. "The indomitable spirit of this series will give viewers permission to stare at a world that they may previously have been too polite—or too frightened—to explore,” says Sarah Barnett, General Manager of the Sundance Channel. “Sundance Channel allows the Push Girls to convey the stark reality of their lives, something our broadminded audience will appreciate. We are remarkably fortunate to get to work with this exceptional group of women." Gay Rosenthal commented, "Watching the Push Girls tackling life with spirit and confidence is not only inspiring but compelling. The show challenges perceptions about life in a wheelchair, giving the audience an honest, no nonsense look into their world. It's real, it's outspoken and it's from the heart. I am delighted to share their story on a network that prides itself on authentic, bold and respectful storytelling.” Taking a matter-of-fact attitude towards their disabilities, Push Girls offers a candid view of the women as they pursue their own claims to happiness as they enter different stages of their lives. Angela is a down-to-earth, stunningly gorgeous model who has recently become separated from her husband. Auti, a dancer, rapper, actress and all-around powerhouse, is crossing her fingers that, at age 42, she can try for a baby with her husband. Reflective and pragmatic Mia is taking stock of her relationship with her able-bodied boyfriend; a onetime competitive swimmer, she is about to attempt to swim for the first time since high school. Flirty, wisecracking Tiphany is doing some deep soul-searching about her sexuality, settling down and finding her calling in life.

For more information, visit www.push-girls.com .

(http://www.abilitiesexpo.com/newyork/specialfeatures_pushgirls.html )

Dog Days Of Summer - June 7, 2012 - Information Below

Save the Date! Come join The Ability Center for an evening of fun as we welcome Assistance Dogs into the family! June 7, 2012 (5:00-8:00 PM) Twylite Thursday at The Pinnacle Don't miss out on the fun! Mark your calendars for this special event!

Walk For Williams Syndrome - May 19th 2012 Perrysburg, Ohio

Hi all, I received this e-mail today from my friend Michelle:

We are holding the very first Northwest Ohio Williams Syndrome walk onMay 19th from 9 AM to 1 PM - My son, Alex, was born with Williams syndrome and the WSA has been instrumental in providing information and funding research. This is a very rare condition and people will be coming from all over northern Ohio and southern Michigan to attend. The event is at Grace United Methodist Church and then we will walk at Woodland Park. After the walk, there will be carnival games, entertainment provided by the Perrysburg High School Show Choirs and lunch. To register or make a donation visit: www.walk4williams.org  Online registration ends April 27th. You can contact me if you would like to help with the event or have any questions. Michelle Self maselfadvocate@hotmail.com Alex would love to see you there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The picture is of Alex and his new therapy dog, Hamden! Thank you!!!! Michelle

Alex and his therapy dog, Hamden

http://www.walk4williams.org/

If you are able to join the walk, that would be GREAT but whether you can walk or not, please pass this information on to anyone you know who may be interested and able to walk. You can also click on the link above and make a donation as well as get more information.

Thank you!

Blessings:-)
Amy

The Toledo Crash VS. The University of Toledo Varsity Football Team April 22nd, 2012 - Join Us!

Hi all!

Please join us this Sunday April 22, 2012 at 1:00 pm at The University of Toledo's Rec Center to see The Toledo Crash, Nick's wheelchair football team, play The University of Toledo's Varsity Football Team! Of course UT's team will play in wheelchairs too. It's a fun game to watch!

We'd love to get a lot more people to attend these games so join us if you can and please pass this info. on to anyone you may know who would be interested.

On a side note, Nick recently got his new sports wheelchair! It is titanium, which is the best part to us, so it can take a lot of bumps and hits which means less wheelchair repairs / expenses for us!:-) It's made for wheelchair court sports like football, basketball, rugby, etc. It's light and easy to move in. Also, speaking of wheelchair rugby, if you've never seen the movie Murderball, rent it. It's a great movie about wheelchair rugby players. I'll warn you, there are sex scenes and a lot of bad language, but it's totally worth watching the movie even if these things offend you (you can skip those parts!) because it's inspirational and just a great movie!

Here's a few pics of Nick's chair:

Nick now has a manual wheelchair (we use when we have our van, not Nick's van, because our van does not have a wheelchair lift and this chair is light and we can lift it in and out of our vans-plus he needs to propel in this chair or have someone push him), a power wheelchair (he uses on campus and when he's out and about and when we have his van with the wheelchair lift), a beach wheelchair we got recently for use on the beach and in sand (we can't use any of his other chairs in the sand, the can't propel in sand-the beach wheelchair has huge wheels for sand), and now his sports wheelchair for court sports, a walker (he really doesn't use this much anymore, it's not so efficient), a Segway with a special seat we had made for him, his paralympic hand-peddled bike, his AFO's (Ankle-Foot Orthotics or what we call "leg braces"), his hearing aids and FM system for his hearing aids, and of course his new van with a wheelchair lift. Insurance paid for his manual wheelchair and his power wheelchair, as well as about 75% of his AFO's and that's it.

I think we need to build a shed one of these years coming up to hold all of his equipment which is mostly all in our garage or his van and the house. But we wouldn't have it any other way:-) It's just how Team Hyndman rolls!

Blessings:-)

Amy

Greg's license plate - "Team Hyndman"

Nick's Song on iTunes

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-man-ill-never-be/id516288517?i=516288524

Hi all,

I've posted before that Nick likes to write poetry and songs. He's written several songs actually, and he just put one of them on itunes! (www.iTunes.apple.com) It's called "The Man I'll Never Be" by Nick Hyndman. So, CHECK IT OUT and buy it!!!!! Spread the word please! Thanks!

Pretty impressive for someone who is hearing impaired with cerebral palsy, huh? Not that we don't know how smart and talented he is in a lot of areas but we're happy he enjoys music so much and likes to spend his spare time creating. Way to go Nick!!!!

Blessings:)
Amy