Class focus is on dance skill development, building self-confidence & self-expression, coordination, musical interpretation, following motor commands, and fitness. The course will be taught by a physical therapist.

The cost for the 8-week class is $120. Download Flyer with complete details

For more information and to register your child for this class, please call Christine Rather, PT @678.480.6016 or email her at crather@koolkidzpt.com.

Guest Blog: Lisa Tyran

Just wanted to let everyone know that Cate has been placed in a regular Kindergarten class at Hickory Hill Elementary for the 2011-2012 school year!!!!  She will have a daily pull-out for speech but she will be with her typical peers for the rest of the day supported by a co-teacher for Reading/Writing and Math.  She did great in her official testing, scoring 100 (100 being the median typical score) on the Kindergarten readiness testing, on the low end of typical average in a two categories, and borderline every other category.

We are so proud of her – this is a great place to start off her school career.  Her case worker at Hickory Hills will keep a good watch over her and make sure this is the right type of class setting for her to be in and we’ll adjust as necessary.  Hickory Hills is a great place for her to be because they have so many services to offer, if she needs more support we’ll be able to get it right there without having to move her to another school.  They are also the Arts Academy of the City of Marietta School system so Cate will get to participate in Art, Music, Dance, and Drama (we all know she will excel in that one) classes in addition to PE in rotation.  We will also plan to keep our current private therapy load as well, as long as you think she needs us too.

We know that it is because of all of  the members of her team that Cate is thriving.  We appreciate all your hard work and the time you spend overcoming Cate’s patented stubbornness.  She is paying attention to you after all – you are doing (or have done) great things for her.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the largest government funding organization for research.  The NIH has issued a “Request for Information” regarding a national Down syndrome registry, research database and biobank.  They are expecting responses from the Down syndrome community and from anyone who is interested in supporting people with Down syndrome.  Every e-mail counts!

If we have a large and clear response the NIH will be more likely to help us fund a Down syndrome registry, research database and biobank.   The deadline to respond is Friday, April 1. Please help us!!

If you agree with our recommendations you can easily cut and paste the message below and follow the instructions or you can use any part of the message to create your own.

–     E-mail your conclusions and recommendations about a Down syndrome patient registry, research database and biobank to dsrdrfi@mail.nih.gov by April 1^st

–     Please cc: us at nihresponse@globaldownsyndrome.org so we can keep track of the responses

–     You can use the Subject header: “RESPONSE TO NIH DOWN SYNDROME RESEARCH DATABASE & BIOBANK RFI”

–     Example of a letter of support:

^{To Whom It May Concern:}

It is morally, economically and scientifically important that the National Institutes of Health increase funding for people with  Down syndrome.  We are pleased that the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome and the Global Down Syndrome Foundation have taken the lead with the NIH in this regard.  We support and agree with the Linda Crnic Institute’s assessment of what the parameters should be for our future centralized Down syndrome patient registry, database and biobank.  Please continue to work towards this end.  We appreciate NIH’s renewed interest in Down syndrome research and we appreciate NIH addressing the historical and alarming disparity of funding for research that would improve the lives of people with Down syndrome.

Sincerely,

(name)

For those of you who would like to learn more, we invite you to attend one of our webinars.  Please follow the appropriate link to sign up:

–     Wednesday, March 23, 12:00pm MST

–     Thursday, March 24, 12:00pm MST

–     Friday, March 25, 12:00pm MST

–     Monday, March 28, 10:00am MST

–     Tuesday, March 29, 12:00pm MST

–     Wednesday, March 30, 5:00pm MST

This triathlon, the 5th annual Swim for Smiles, designed especially for children ages 5 to 19, is now held over two days:  May 14th and 15th, 2011 in Chapel Hill, NC.  Saturday the 14th is the short course which includes a 100 meter swim, a 2.5 mile bike, and a 1 km run.  Sunday the 15th hosts the longer course which includes a 300 meter swim, a 5 mile bike, and a 3 km run.   Kids can participate in both races and the event can be performed by groups, relay style.  There is a finish line festival that includes games and events for ALL ages.  To find out more and to register go to SwimForSmiles.org.

Jimmy, age 17, a sophomore at Roswell High School

Over $8000.  That’s how much Jimmy “Jimbo” Crivolio has single handedly raised this year for the Special Needs Mininstry at Mount Pisgah Methodist Church in John’s Creek and the Titans Wheelchair Sports Program.  You just can’t say no to “Jimbo”; he presents an extremely compelling case for his cause!   Jimmy will be honored at the 11:00 am service on Sunday, March 5, 2011 for his outstanding efforts on behalf of the ministry.  Way to go Jimbo!

Please consider Jimmy’s blog below:

Hi!

My name is Jimmy Crivolio and I have recently joined a new wheelchair sports team.  We’re called the Titans!  Titan Wheelchair Sports was recently formed as part of the Special Needs Ministry at Mount Pisgah Methodist Church in Johns Creek, Georgia.  As part of this program, physically challenged young adults like me have the opportunity to come together several times a month for wheelchair sports, fun and fellowship.    Since most of my friends are too old to play on the YMCA Mustang’s, my old team, we have not had the opportunity to play these sports we loved as kids.  And, while playing wheelchair sports is really fun, the most important benefits of Titan Wheelchair Sports are the social and fellowship opportunities.  And the program is growing…we currently have 15 to 20 young adults participating…so we need more special sports wheelchairs to allow others to participate in the program!

As a venue for kicking off our fundraising effort, our group participated in the 23rd Annual Jingle Jog, a 5K run/walk, on Saturday December 11th. We rolled the entire 5K!

We are looking for sponsors for our team, so if you would like to make a donation, please make your check payable to Mount Pisgah Methodist Church (in the bottom left corner of your check, you can note, “For Titan Wheelchair Sports”).  100% of your donation will go to supporting the Titans and their activities. You can mail the check to my house at 230 Slaton Circle Roswell, GA 30075.

WE NEED AND APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT!!!

Sincerely yours,

Jimmy Crivolio

Sled Hockey is a sport that was designed to allow participants who have a physical disability to play the game of ice hockey. Sled hockey was invented at a Stockholm, Sweden rehabilitation center in the early 1960′s by a group of Swedes who, despite their physical impairments, wanted to continue playing hockey.

Georgia hosts its own sled hockey program.  The Georgia Sled Hockey Foundation’s website is:

http://www.georgiasledhockey.org/

The Georgia Sled Hockey Foundation at the Marietta Ice Center is looking for new players! All skill levels and all ages are welcome.

More information can be obtained by e-mailing the following: ed.sneddon@georgiasledhockey.org or by calling the The Georgia Sled Hockey Foundation at 770-331-0622

I have talked to several budding sled hockey players and they all absolutely love it.  I asked James Seidl, a freshman at Walton High School and rising sled hockey star, to write today’s guest blog on his experiences playing sled hockey with the Georgia Sled Hockey program.

The Georgia Sled Hockey Foundation has a program in the Marietta area that I participate in that allows me to play sled hockey. It is one of the most fun sports I have ever played. When I first got in the sled and tried it, I was very nervous because it can difficult to stay balanced. Within a half an hour, I was hooked. I love playing sled hockey, as well as making new friends that also play and the opportunities it provides. Not all the kids that play it are good at keeping balance.  For this reason, there is a push feature on some sleds where it is pushed by a volunteer.

Annually, to celebrate “Hockey is for Everyone”, my sled hockey team and I get to play between periods at a Thrashers game on the Phillips Arena ice. It is so amazing to play in front of so many people.   Before the game, the mascot Thrash visits with us and provides us with Thrasher’s jerseys.   After the game we get to meet some of the players and get autographed photos.

Sled hockey is a really fun sport.  If you get chance, try it!

James Seidl, james.seidl@gmail.com

KATIE BECKETT DEEMING WAIVER WORKSHOPS

Who should attend:

Babies Can’t Wait Families who want more information or need help with the application process.  Please bring an application to the workshop. If an application is needed please contact the Department of Family and Children Services at 770-720-3610  and ask them to send you an application.

When:  The 3^rd Monday of each month

9:30am- 11:30 am

February 21, 2011

March 21, 2011

April 18, 2011

May 16, 2011

June 20,2011

Where:  Cherokee Recreation and Parks Authority

7545 N. Main St. Bldg. 200

Woodstock, Georgia 30188

Please RSVP

 Alyssa Allen

Babies Can’t Wait Parent Educator

770-517-9970 or allenblessings3@aol.com

Guest Blog: Will Black

I guess you could say that for the first 15 years of my life, I had a chauffer. Only problem was, my chauffer didn’t wear a fancy tuxedo, didn’t shine my shoes or open my door, and certainly didn’t drive a 30 foot limo with a mini bar and a disco ball in the back. Instead, she sat behind the wheel of an old, beat-up Chrysler mini-van, watching the odometer climb steadily as we cruised from basketball practice to doctor’s appointments to “Jimmy’s house” to music lessons until finally—ah, finally—we were home once again.

And although my driver (ah, who am I fooling–my mother) assumed her amorous duties with superlative grace and compassion, the whole “chauffer” bit was less than ideal for both parties involved. Not only did it place undeserved inconveniences on my mom, but it meant that I was constantly at the mercy of the people on this earth who were licensed to operate 2000-pound hunks of metal at 70 miles per while thousands of their closest friends did the same.

“Hey mom, is it cool if I sleepover at John’s on Saturday?”

“Yeah, if you can find a ride.”

“Can I go to the basketball game Wednesday?”

“Yeah, if you can find a ride.”

“Mind if I go jam with Danny for a bit?”

Well, you get the picture. I didn’t even bother to ask about the crazy party going on at Lindsay’s or the rowdy rock show down in Atlanta.

For any freedom-hungry 16-year old, this disparity between what one wants to do and what one’s circumstances allow him to do presents a show-stopping problem. For most freedom-hungry 16 year-olds, the solution is as simple as an official-looking card whose equally official-looking heading reads “Driver’s License”. For me, however, things were a little different.

It all started when I, like any other 15-year-old, cruised happily into the DMV with a smile as big as the line I had to wait in and asked to get my learner’s permit. I signed some papers, sat in a chair for a couple hours, took the test, passed the test, sat in a chair for a couple hours, stood still and smiled at a camera, did the whole chair-sitting gig again, and walked out at last with an equally huge smile and a permit in my hand. My journey to independence had begun. Little did I know the remainder of my journey would ironically be made with the approximate speed of a horse and carriage pulled by a single horse with 3 broken legs.

It was time to get behind the wheel. More specifically, because my parents were less than ecstatic about the prospect of hopping in the car with some idiot who hardly knew cars came with brakes and certainly couldn’t dream of an instance in which brakes were necessary, it was time to get behind the wheel with a highly trained professional who was well-versed in the delicate art of “STOMPING ON BRAKES, DAMMIT!!”. That is to say, I was headed for driving school. A quick Google search led me to Nathan’s Driving School, a driving center which, in addition to standard vehicles, carries a number of cars outfitted with hand controls. I made a couple quick phone calls, and in a matter of days I was stepping awkwardly into the side of the car that had up until this point been strictly “off-limits”, lurking tauntingly beside me like a toy resting on that shelf a kid just can’t quite reach. I was driving.

My experience at Nathan’s was nothing but positive, and, though I personally found the “bare-bones” hand controls installed on the car to be less than optimal, I quickly amassed 20 hours’ driving time under the watchful eye of a Nathan’s instructor, and I began to grow more comfortable behind the wheel.

We have now reached the part of the story which, were it not intended for a G-rated audience, would in all likelihood contain a few more four-letter adjectives than necessary. In fact, if you possess sufficient will-power to resist the deceptive trappings of reverse psychology, I highly suggest scrolling past the next two or three paragraphs…

I was ready to get my very own set of hand controls. At least, I thought I was. I once again turned to Google and after a good deal of research, I found that my best stylistic option was a pair of SureGrip “push-rock” controls. So I called up my local Handicap Driving “Service”. They call it a service, anyway. I found it to be a group of short-sighted idiots who happen to work in the hand control business. A long conversation with various managers and mangers-of-managers and managers of the managers’ managers ultimately revealed the disappointing, discriminatory, [insert favorite derogatory term here] reality that, although I had a fancy certificate showing that I’d  driven for 20+ hours through the perilous streets of Atlanta, GA, hand control installation would require an “evaluation” at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta.

But an evaluation means an appointment, an appointment means a 3 or 4 month waiting period, and a 3 or 4 month waiting period means 3 or 4 (more) months of dependence and inconvenience. Needless to say, an evaluation was not exactly in my best interest. Then again, the bureaucratic, bottom-line driven capitalists who sit behind fancy desks at Handicapped Driver Services aren’t exactly interested in my “best-interest”.

So 3 months later, I was sitting longingly in the passenger seat as my dad and I made the long trek to Shepherd. Every exit sign, I told myself wishfully, brought me one mile closer to independence and freedom.

In reality, though, every slow mile through the impenetrable sea of metal on GA-400 that morning brought me closer only to more bureaucracy, more short-sighted ultimatums and more daggum waaaaaiiiting.

After walking into Shepherd, I was escorted into a small, plainly decorated white room with a table and two chairs. Okay, it was some dude’s office, but I think “small white room” sounds a heck of a lot more dramatic. Whatever. I gave the man across from me just about every shred of personal information I had and took a unique test which I was told gauged my “mental aptitude”. Apparently I did pretty well, and it was out of the white room and back into the civilian world. That is, it was out of the office and into the hall, but hey.

So I was done with the room, but the test was not over—apparently by Georgia law, if you’re disabled and you want to learn how to drive, you must first know how to drive. More accurately, you have to know how to drive a car you’ve never driven with hand controls you’ve never used and with an official-looking guy with a pen and a pad of a paper in the passenger seat. That didn’t work out too well for me. The limited driving skills I had gained at Nathan’s had atrophied after half a year in the passenger seat, and I was, to put it kindly, a bit rusty.

The pen and paper dude next to me was less than impressed. Over bad food in Shepherd’s “café”, he delivered the news: sure, I could get my hand controls—as soon as he felt I was “ready”. His “ready” though, involved paying an outrageous sum of money to receive sufficient “lessons” from Shepherd. It would be a long time before I was ready.

So it was back to the drawing board and back to the phone book. Well, okay, I’m not sure I even own a phone book, but I do own a computer. I slowly dialed every listing related in any conceivable way to “disabilities” and/or “driving”, and pleaded tirelessly to the patient ears of manager after manager. But each and every one gave me the same unsatisfying answer: I was a liability—I needed an “evaluation”.

That is, until I called North Georgia Mobility in Ringgold, GA. “Yeah, I’ll do it for ya”, drawled a good-ol Georgia boy with an almost-absurd simplicity. No contracts to sign, no lessons to take, no questions to answer and no tests to take. All I had to do was cruise down to Ringgold, hang out for a few hours while they installed my controls, and drive home.

That was it. On December 29, 2010, I got my independence. I got my freedom. I got behind the wheel.

At least, that’s the cool Hollywood ending where everybody lives happily ever after and the hero moves to Costa Rica to chill on the beach with a glass of rum in one hand and a beautiful woman in the other. But I’m still here, and I’m certainly not hanging out on the beach drinking cocktails. Georgia law requires a parent be with me in the car at all times, but now, the roles are reversed: I’m sitting on the left, while my mom’s on the right. Things look different from the driver’s side, but I am still on a journey toward independence. Now, though, there is an end in sight—and it is just a few orange cones and a fancy laminated card away.

Picture of hand controls in Will's Car

Guest Blog:  Alyssa L. Fiss, PT, PhD

Three Kool Kidz therapists provided feedback for a focus group to begin developing a Pediatric Personal Transporter mobility device. This device is envisioned to be along the lines of a seated segway and would provide an alternative option for mobility devices for children with disabilities. The therapists helped researchers develop a preliminary plan for the design of this device.

Recently four of our Kool Kidz and their parents attended a session at Georgia Tech with the engineering and design students who are currently completing the formal design and prototypes of the Pediatric Personal Transporter. They provided insight on their typical mobility at home and at school and ideas for the design of this type of device. The children also demonstrated their abilities in walking and transfers so the design team could develop a better understanding of the population the were designing for. 
 
We wanted to share some information about the Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access (CATEA) at Georgia Tech and their resources and activities for individuals with disabilities.  CATEA is a multidisciplinary research center made up of engineers, scientists, therapists, and other professionals who “are devoted to enhancing the lives of people with all levels of ability and functional limitations through the development and application of assistive and universally designed technologies.”  CATEA is made up of four laboratories:

The Rehab Engineering and Applied Research (REAR) Lab focuses on increasing “health and function of persons with disabilities.” This lab conducts research and works to design wheeled mobility and seating systems, assistive technology and measures to prevent pressure ulcers.

The Accessible Workplace Lab focuses on development and education for workplace technologies that maximize independence and participation of people with disabilities in the workplace. 

The Accessible Education and Information Lab focuses on providing accessible information on education and technology.   They provide research, training and assistance to improve distance education accessibility for individuals with disabilities at the college and university level. 

Guest blog: by Josh Cusick

A spinoff team from the YMCA Mustangs, the North Fulton Titans are a relatively new team. Not only does the team play wheelchair handball, basketball, and a wheelchair version of touch football, the Titans also are expanding their off-court activities with social events, such as get-togethers at each of the team members’ houses, usually to watch a major event like the Super Bowl. The team is also planning to participate in several service projects.