SPF - MA TeamWalk Connection

Waltham, Massachusetts TeamWalk Connection - Sept. 8, 2007

Organized by Kathi Geisler with help from the Boston Center for Independent Living, American Red Cross and Alternative Care Providers

This year's TeamWalk Connection was another resounding success. Two dozen people met at the Best Western Hotel in Waltham for the TeamWalk Connection and lunch, enjoying three inspirational and informational programs as well as lunch and 1-1 Sharing Time. After the programs, people headed to the nearby Prospect Hill Park for the TeamWalk.

Missed this year were Bob Swain, who is recovering from a recent stroke and Gerry Leary, who passed away last year from PLS complications. Bob's wife Marie attended the TeamWalk Connection, bringing a Welcome Home Banner that was signed by everyone and will be given to Bob when he returns home. Gerry's wife Barbara joined the group for the TeamWalk walkathon.

TeamWalk Connection
(click thumbnails to see photos)

Rob Park, from the Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL), shared his inspirational story about managing life despite challenging disabilities. Rob was born with severe cerebral palsy and is legally blind. Yet those difficulties have not limited him. He delighted the audience with stories about living a full life - how he overcomes challenges and hardships and triumphs in joy and accomplishment and making a difference for others. His current goal: finishing his undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice and going on to law school.

Rob is a full-time Specialist for the BCIL, a private non-profit organization, controlled and directed by people with disabilities. The Center works to promote the civil rights of people with disabilities and respond to the needs of persons with many different disabilities. The four service areas are Skills Training, Peer Mentoring and Advocacy; Information & Referral; Personal Care Assistance Program and Youth to Adulthood Transition Program. For more information: http://www.bostoncil.org/

Lori Gillen, a Red Cross volunteer, spoke about Disaster Preparedness and special considerations for the disabled. She stressed the importance of discussing Disaster Preparedness with your family and creating a plan. The Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and Special Needs booklet, co-authored by the American Red Cross and FEMA, gives tips on getting informed, making a plan, assembling a kit, and maintaining these plans for people with mobility problems or other disabilities. Download it here: http://www.redcross.org/images/pdfs/preparedness/A4497.pdf

Michael Schleipfer, President of Alternative Care Designs, spoke about the importance of participating in grassroots advocacy - we can all pick up the phone and/or email our Representatives and get our voices heard on important health issues. He also demonstrated an assortment of mobility devices and Aids for Independent Living and gave assistance to a number of people who had concerns with their assistive devices.

Click the thumbnails to see more Connection photos