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Contents: Dorothy
Miller As
Sister Robert Therese, Dorothy Miller set aside a few hours every week
in 1965 to give a six year old little boy with Down syndrome religious
instruction for his first communion. Four years later, she received
permission to leave the order of the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart to
work full time with children with disabilities. She founded the Elaine
Clark Center in 1969 and People Making Progress in 1988. Interestingly,
the Elaine Clark Center provides services to preschoolers while People
Making Progress helps young adults find work placements in the
community. Both programs continue to provide valuable services to
individuals in the Atlanta area. In
1974, Dorothy became a single mother adopting the first of what would
become eleven children with special needs. Before coming under her care,
these children had been abused, neglected and unwanted. Their
disabilities included spina bifida, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy,
neuromuscular disease, speech delays and deafness. She met their needs
with faith, determination, love and optimism - always believing in their
abilities. I was the Lekotek leader for the youngest, Mary Beth. And
after every play session, Dorothy and I would reaffirm how smart Mary
Beth was. She saw only the positives and potential. In fact, she was the
first person in the field of special education to meet with me in 1983
when Lekotek was still a figment of my imagination. Again, she saw only
the positives and assured me that I would be successful in starting a
Lekotek in Atlanta. Dorothy
believed that children learn from experience and so she took eleven
children from Atlanta to Canada and then from Atlanta to California to
expand their abilities. She helped their families do the same. As a
tireless advocate, she spoke to medical groups, legislators, educators,
church and civic groups. Dorothy expected her children to be good
people, to care for others and to do their best. They made deliveries
from a food pantry to people who couldn't leave their homes and
collected blankets to deliver to homeless shelters. At Dorothy's
funeral, I had two recurring thoughts. One, how very proud she would be
of her children and the young adults present whose lives she had so
positively influenced. They were beautifully dressed, well mannered and
an integral part of a community mourning the loss of a loved one. As I
looked at these young people, it was crystal clear what a difference one
life had made for so many. Dorothy's passion for her life's work will
continue to inspire us all. In closing, I remain grateful for the
privilege of her advice, encouragement and friendship.
Chessa
Rose was born just in time for the summer Olympics on June 13, 1996. She
was a beautiful baby and everything was wonderful until we noticed that
she was not reaching developmental milestones. At five months a muscle
biopsy diagnosed spinal muscular atrophy, a neuromuscular disease which
would result in physical but not cognitive disabilities. We were told
that Chessa would die before the age of two. With time we came to accept
that our daughter would never roll over, crawl, walk or run. We decided
to raise her surrounded by friends and love. Chessa is now four and with
proper medical care is expected to have a normal life span. She uses a
bubble gum pink power wheelchair which she affectionately calls,
"Zoom Zoom".
She is a beautiful and bright little girl who enjoys the
computer, having tea parties, wearing jewelry and dancing in ballet
class. Chessa loves school and attends the Georgia Pre - Kindergarten
program. Chessa enriches our lives daily, challenging us to ensure she
receives the best
life has to offer. We
feel so fortunate to be a Lekotek family. Our Lekotek leader, Beth Yager,
has shared a wealth of knowledge on inclusion, assistive technology,
appropriate toys and play techniques. She has supported us through
trying times. We as a family enjoyed the Lekotek weekend camping trip
where we had the opportunity to meet other families. The Lekotek Run,
Saturday mornings with Happy Tails pets, music classes, computer
sessions and the many other activities Lekotek sponsors are all first
priorities on our calendar. There are so few extra curricular activities
for children with disabilities. Lekotek fills this need not only for
Chessa, but also for us, her parents. Thank you Lekotek for being there
for all of us. Lekotek would like to thank Chessa's parents for being
there for us as well. This month, Cheryl volunteered her time at the
silent auction and secured beautiful items, many of which were handmade
by friends. Lekotek wishes to acknowledge all that Cheryl, Rob and
Chessa give back to our program. Since
1991, The Country Club of the South Charity Guild
has generously funded charities in the Atlanta area. Each year
the guild conducts a silent auction and tour of homes the first weekend
in December. Money raised from these events has benefited worthwhile
causes. One of four charities selected from many, Lekotek will be the
recipient of a grant from the Guild this year. Funding from this grant
will be used to increase staff in order to serve one hundred children
currently on the waiting list at the Alpharetta satellite. Lekotek
would also like to acknowledge the partnership of Children's Healthcare
of Atlanta in supporting this site by providing space and a part time
Lekotek leader position. This is our second satellite affiliation with
Children's Healthcare with the first initiated in Duluth in 1991. We
look forward to an ongoing relationship with both Children's Healthcare
and The Country Club of the South Charity Guild. Without their
partnership it would be impossible to meet the needs of children and
families throughout Georgia. A
Disabilities Conference for Everyone The
First Annual World Congress & Exposition on Disabilities will be
held in Atlanta, November 10 - 12. Exceptional Parent chose Atlanta for
its first meeting based on the city's accessibility to individuals with
disabilities. The meeting will present
a broad scope of information, strategies and ideas. A range of
presenters includes parents and professionals expert in advocacy,
education, healthcare and related services. The medical track will
address the home needs and newborn screening. The education track will
focus on IDEA and IEPS and the family and direct support track will
address estate planning and caregiver needs. The conference promises to
be well worth attending.
Marcus
Foundation Generously Funds Annual Lekotek Run The
eighth annual Lekotek run was off to a great start this spring with a
generous donation of $25,000 from The Marcus Foundation. Lekotek
gratefully acknowledges additional support from the following sponsors: The Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation, Siemens, Canyon Cafe,
Wise Business Forms, WXIA - TV Channel 11, Sign Central, Coca Cola,
Roxane, Pittman Construction, Sprint PCS, Merck, Deloitte Consulting,
Roche, Wyeth-Ayerst, Pfizer, Career Sports Management, Pharmacia &
Upjohn, Saab, Agouron, American Elevator, Georgia Pacific, Mark C. Pope,
RegionsBank, Victor Realty, Szabo Associates, DWJ & Associates,
Children's Healthcare, Ippolito's, Metro Security, Suwanee Realty,
Quicktrip, Hatcher Homes, Schrudder Performance Group, Herman &
Jones, John Dixon & Associates, Automated Logic, Rainmaker
Consultants, Johnny's Pizza of Alpharetta, The Thompson Group, and the
Stone and Holderfield families. Channel
11, meteorologist Monica
Woods was on hand to run the four mile race and to present the awards.
And despite the fact that even Monica could not stop the rain, four
hundred and fifty runners were on hand to enjoy Coca-Cola products and a
delicious finish line breakfast catered by The Canyon Cafe. In
addition, a silent auction was held three days prior to the run and
concluded race day. Over 325 services, dinners, weekend get aways,
subscriptions and sports items were donated by Atlanta area companies
and individuals. Volunteers with Lucent Technologies and The Junior
League of Gwinnett and North Fulton counties gave hours of their time
during the course of the four days to organize and staff the silent
auction and run. The board of directors would
like to recognize the efforts of Lekotek leader, Peggy
McWilliams, who in addition to all her responsibilities insures the
success of this event every year. Both events were successful in raising
more money than ever before. The auction raised $19,000 and the run
$49,000 for a total of $68,000. We look forward to using these funds
to serve children and families currently on the waiting list at
two new sites in Athens and Alpharetta. A sincere thank you to all
runners, volunteers and sponsors for making both events the best ever! (photo
of 5 children who participated in the fun run) Pictured
above are Elizabeth, Matthew, Jennifer, Pam and Shawn Hardister. The
kids are proudly displaying their medals having completed the one mile
Lekotek fun run. Appropriately, the T-shirt design includes stars, for
at Lekotek everyone is a star. Our kids in wheelchairs, on crutches, in
braces and those walking with unsteady gaits all enjoyed the event
despite the constant rain. But that comes as no surprise as these same
youngsters always enter Lekotek with a smile. What comes so easily to
most of us, they achieve with great determination and effort. While
participating in the one mile event, I recalled an email that our board
president, David Sotto, recently sent with instructions to "pass it
on". And
some call these people "retarded" ... A
few years ago, at the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all
physically and/or mentally challenged, assembled
at the starting line for the 100 yard dash. At the gun, they all started
out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the
finish and win. All except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt,
tumbled over a couple of times and began to cry. The other eight heard
the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back. Then they all turned
around and went back - everyone of them. One girl with Down syndrome
bent down and kissed him and said, "This will make it better."
Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line.
Everyone in the stadium stood, and the cheering went on for several
minutes. Why? Because deep down we all know one thing; what
matters in this life is more than winning for ourselves. What matters in
this life is helping others win, even if it means slowing down and
changing our course.
Please
pass it on. Toy
of the Month: Made by Fisher Price,
the musical light and sound gym is secure on a sturdy base. Children can
enjoy this toy lying on their backs or positioned in an infant seat.
Children can gaze up at the sun, the moon and the star. As children hit
the dangling sky objects with their arms or legs the objects activate a
musical light show, encouraging the development of gross motor skills.
There are two modes of musical light play to choose from. Mode one will
continuously play music and lights for ten minutes, allowing the child
to enjoy visual and auditory stimulation. Mode two allows the child to
activate one song at a time. The gym set provides hours of fun as
infants learn the concept of cause and effect. Additional toys and
a mirror attached to the side bars of the gym provide opportunities for
additional exploration. This toy was enjoyed by Killian during a
recent visit to Northside’s neonatal unit. Musical Lights and
Sounds Gym is available at Toys R US and was featured in the Toy Guide
for Differently Abled Kids, a joint project of The National Lekotek
Center, Toys Are Us and The Nation Parent Network on Disabilities. If
you are interested in receiving copies of this guide call 1 800 732-3298
or the National Lekotek Center at 1 800 366 - PLAY.
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