Keeping in Touch
A Touch of Understanding, Inc
Spring 2002
Mission Statement
To encourage acceptance and respect for all individuals and to minimize the discrimination and misunderstanding experienced by people with disabilities.
By Leslie DeDora, Executive Director
Welcome to our first issue of Keeping in Touch! It’s exciting to give birth to our first official newsletter. This gives us the opportunity to share with all of you the news of how ATOU began, the extent to which it has grown and touched the lives of thousands of school children and adults alike, and the vision we have for the future.
As I look back over the past 8 years of our program, I see that our team has grown from one that included on my father and I to one that now averages ten members at each presentation. What a privilege it has been to work with my
Continued on page 2
Van Donation………………………page 2
Letters From You……………….….page 3
Program Presentations….…….pages 4 & 5
Kid’s Corner……………………….page 6
Success Story………………………page 6
Volunteer Picnic……………………page 6
Volunteer Spotlight…………………page 7
Participating School Districts………page 8
Program Sponsors…………………..page 8
Page 1
Dad, Ed Ennis, assured of his professional expertise and experience, as well as personal commitment to our mission. Our ATOU family of volunteers has grown. Each person brings their own strength, insight, humor and perspective to our program. I’m certain that as we enter a campus for a presentation, we are making a statement about our mission. Many of us use special tools: wheelchairs, service dogs, prostheses, and canes, but we arrive as a group of friends, laughing and eager to work together for a common goal.
As we visit each school for the first time, we hope that it will be our first of many visits. For some schools we are returning for our eighth consecutive year. How exciting!
Our geographic area has expanded to include South Lake Tahoe, Vacaville, Esparto and Sloughhouse, approximately 1,450 square miles. We are creating a reproducible model that will be available to communities around the country.
To everyone who has worked together to make this dream a reality; presentation volunteers and speakers; board members, the many individuals who have worked behind the scenes and offered their professional advice and services; parents, teachers and administrators who have seen the need; and the wonderful children who have embraced the knowledge and opened their hearts and minds, I say “Thank you.”
Leslie
Staff: Leslie DeDora, Executive Director, Edward Ennis, Assistant Director; Board of Directors; Mike Wilson, President; Annmarie Mallo, Vice President; Ruby Rodina, Treasurer; Leslie DeDora, Secretary; Kam Coveyou; Marge Hayes, Joan Lamoreau-Karr, Brenda Osiow, Bill Walker, Darlene Dusseau
Newsletter graphics and publication by Jeanne Culhane
A million thanks to Ted Mitchell, from Citrus Heights, CA! Ted donated a 1990 Ford Econoline van with a wheelchair lift to A Touch of Understanding. We can now transport all our equipment to schools in one vehicle.
Over the years we have received many letters from people whose lives have been touched by A Touch of Understanding. This letter is from David, whose mother Cynthia Schmidt, submitted his poem & letter.
March 1998
My son asked me to write this letter because he wanted to share his story about living with a disability.
My name is David Walters and I am 14 years old. I have cerebral palsy and use a wheelchair to get around. I am in a regular 8th grade class and have many friends. My favorite subject is math though it is very tough. I have an assistant that helps me through the school day. I live with my mom because she and my step dad are separated. I like movies by Disney and to have friends come over to play Nintendo and Sega. I have spent much time in the hospital. I had 14 operations. I had three last year. The nurses are great and my doctor is a fine man. I want children and my peers to know that I’m cool even though I am a little different.
Thank you, David Walters
Please look at me and not my chair,
And I really wish you wouldn’t stare.
I am a person just like you.
Talk to me and you will know it’s true.
I may not be able to walk,
Though I can smile and love to talk.
You don’t have to be scared,
It’s just me in this big chair.
If you will try, I’m sure you’ll see
Who I am, after all, it’s me
Cynthia Schmidt and David Walters
ATOU was chosen to participate in the “Caregiver’s Series” sponsored by KVIE, Access Sacramento and the Non-profit Resource Center, with a grant from Sacramento Metropolitan Cable Television Commission. A 20 minute video and a 60 second Public Service Announcement have been produced. Watch for them on Access Sacramento, channels 72/74 & KVIE channel 6.
Page 3
Student Comments
“I’ve never been to a better assembly in my life!”
“Yesterday I tired braces on. It made me think how embarrassing, because everybody stares at you. It made me think that disabled people are brave.”
“It never occurred to me that tasks we accomplish easily are such a struggle for some people. I dislike when people laugh and make fun of people that are different. Maybe if they had the opportunity to have this assembly, they would hear what it’s like to have a disability.”
“I had no idea there were so many braces that people must use in order to function in a normal day.”
“I know people with challenges are just like you and me. I know never to make fun of anyone like that again.”
Page 4
“I enjoyed writing in Braille, wrote my first & last names. I even wrote my dog’s names, Joey & heather. I’m going to keep that little piece of paper forever.”
“I could not write my name for the life of me. Left became right, right became left. Up became down & down became up! I did get to “walk a mile” in someone else’s shoes and for that I’m thankful.”
“Your program helped me because if I ever meet someone with a learning disability, I’ll know what they’re going through.”
“I really enjoyed riding in the wheelchairs. I never realized how hard they were to control. They make it look so easy. Whoever uses them gets a lot of strength in their upper body.”
“Your assembly changed the way I think about people with disabilities. It made me think of the limitations that many members of our community face when they deal with their challenges. I hope I will be more supportive & sensitive because of my changed outlook.”
Page 5
By Leslie DeDora
Occasionally, we have the privilege of meeting a child who, so clearly and obviously, takes hold of the opportunity ATOU offers and “runs with it.” This time it was Emily,” an eight year-old girl in a second grade classroom in Placer County.
It was during the demonstration portion of our activity period, when I explain the adaptive equipment; artificial arms and legs, Braille slates and styluses, wheelchairs, crutches, cane and walkers. Emily had come into the room using her own walker. I asked if she would like to share anything with her class. I wish you could have seen her shy smile as she proudly struggled to stand (all 3’ of her) in front of 40 of her peers. She began in a tiny voice, to tell of her complicated birth; the wonderful doctors; her therapy three times a week; how lucky she is; and how, one day, if she works hard enough, she will walk without her walker. I asked if she would like to answer questions from the children. She ten assumed the “teacher” role calling on each child by name and answering their many thoughtful questions.
A transformation occurred on the playground the following week. Although the students in Emily’s classroom understood her challenges and necessary accommodations, the children from the other classes didn’t. Lunchtime and recess had been difficult. Teachers reported that following our presentation, they saw something they had never seen before. Emily was in line to play tetherball! (Tetherball is of utmost importance to the children at this school.) The teachers watched to see what would happen. Emily stood with her walker, inching up as each child before her finished his/her turn. When it came time for Emily to approach the pole, she walked up, knelt down, and pushed her walker away. Her opponent walked up and without question, knelt down and began to play. No questions asked, no problems from the opponent or the children waiting in line for their turn. Emily who had been on the outside was now “in.”
Emily joined our ATOU team for that day when she educated her peers. They were able to use equipment that previously had frightened them; to talk with any question people who use this equipment daily. Those learned to look beyond the disability and see the person. This time, that person was a little eight year old girl named “Emily.”
2nd Annual Volunteer Picnic
Volunteers enjoyed a wonderful luncheon honoring them for their dedication to ATOU. Linda Otley was thanked for her years of service as our founding board president. A delicious lunch was donated by the Roseville Togo’s.
A smiling Grace Nolasco, holding her award for collecting the most money of any youth participant in the Human Race 2000.
Congratulations Grace!!!
Page 6
The net time you’re passing through Vacaville, if you see an airplane doing aerobatics through the sky, there’s a good chance you’re seeing A Touch of Understanding volunteer, Mike Penketh pursuing his passion. He can be found in the cockpit of his airplane, flying aerobatic maneuvers whenever weather permits. Mike’s personal history includes service as a Marine Corp pilot followed by a career as a captain for AirCal and American Airlines. As a side dish, he routinely flew in aerobatic competitions in the unlimited class.
Mike has been involved in the Reno Air Races for years as a winning participant instructor and safety monitor. In 1993, he won the Silver race in the Sport Bi-Plane class. That same year, in a car accident, Mike lost both forearms. A long recovery followed, but with his typical determination, he set out to return to his passion. After a three year struggle with the FAA, and with the help of an MD whose specialty is pilot medical certification, Mike returned to the skies with myoelectric prosthetic hands at the controls.
In 1997, as a result of seeing newspaper coverage of our work, Mike joined ATOU as a principal speaker. With few exceptions, which were to fly air shows in South Africa, he has spoken at every ATOU presentation for five years. (It’s about 100 miles round trip from Vacaville to Sacramento. How’s that for dedication?!) Mike’s example of courage and perseverance registers powerfully with his audience, whether children or adults. Children especially, are awed by this positive role model, the likes of which are so seldom seen today. His messages, to aim high, to show respect to all people, and to offer a friendly, welcoming attitude to those with disabilities, are long remembers. (We hope forever.)
Whereas, Ms. Leslie DeDora has demonstrated a keen interest in the well-being of the disabled youths of California through her industrious role in facilitation the program A Touch of Understanding, and I am delighted to honor and congratulate her for her remarkable efforts; and
Whereas, A Touch of Understanding is a nonprofit organization that promotes the acceptance of people with disabilities and encourages respect and empathy for all individuals; and Ms. DeDora remains very active in supporting the mission of this program to help children better understand the disabled; and
Whereas, A Touch of Understanding focuses on the interaction between children and disabled adults; and as Executive Director, Ms. DeDora supplies crutches, wheelchairs, prostheses and leg braces and lets children experiment to get a sense of what it feels like to be disabled so that they may come away seeing these implements as tools used by people, instead of as badges of abnormality; and
Whereas, today, A Touch of Understanding has spread its valuable message to elementary schools and high school districts across Northern California, as well as to adults at churches, colleges, universities and businesses.
Because you have taken the initiative to demonstrate the wonderful outcome of lending a helping hand to others, I extend my greatest recognition to you in the form of a Proclamation from the State of California. Your hard work and diligence serve as stepping stones for your achievements and benefit the people of the Golden State Tremendously.”
Cruz M. Bustamante, Acting Governor
Bill Jones, Secretary of State
Page 7
Thank you to the following School Districts:
Who in addition to their commitment to high academic achievement, also foster the development of well-rounded, compassionate individuals by providing students the opportunities and experiences to learn about others through A Touch of Understanding:
Elk Grove Unified School District
Esparto Unified School District
Eureka Unified School District
Folsom Cordova Unified School District
Foresthill Union School District
Loomis Union School District
Merryhill Schools
Rocklin Unified School District
Roseville City School District
Roseville Joint Union High School Districts
Sacramento City School District
San Juan Unified School District
South Lake Tahoe School District
University of San Diego Extension
Vacaville Unified School District
Yolo County Home School
Catholic Schools
To find out if your school is participating or to bring A Touch of Understanding to your schools, please call us at (916) 791-4146.
Thank You
Thank you Sponsors!
Advanced Biomechanics
ARCO Foundation
Bassinger Enterprises
B. J. Hitzemann, accountant
BankAmerica Foundation
California Endowment
Cool River Pizza
Country Gales Merchants Association
Drawing Board Studios
Give Something Back Community Fund
Esther Foundation
GenCorp Foundation
Granite Bay Kiwanis Club
Granite Bay Lions Club
Granite Bay Rotary Club
Hewlett Packard Company
Home Again Medical
JoAnn’s Elegant Gifts
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc.
Kiwanis Club of Granite Bay
O’Brien Painting
Paul Ennis, videographer
Placer Savings Bank
River City Bank
Roseville Automall Association
Roseville Host Lions Club
Sacramento/El Dorado – Medical Society Alliance
Shriner’s Hospital for Children
Sierra Health Foundation
Spiritual Life Center, Sacramento
Soroptimist International of Roseville
United Way, CA Capital Region, Placer County
Western Investment Real Estate Trust
Thank you to the many individuals who have donated to the ATOU program. We will feature you in our next newsletter!
A Touch of Understanding is participating in the Leave A Legacy Program in Placer County. As a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ), non-for-profit corporation, organized under the laws of the State of California, we can be the recipient of your deferred gift and/or a legal receiver in your Estate Plan. We encourage you to consider A Touch of Understanding, Inc. for a remembrance that will help us fulfill its mission. Please call Ed Ennis at (916) 797-7649 for information, with absolutely no obligation.
*Federal I.D. Number 68-0389777
I would like to help a touch of Understanding touch hearts and open minds. Here’s my tax-deductible donation of: ___$10 ___$50 ___$100 ___ Other___. Please make checks payable to: a Touch of Understanding, Inc. A Touch of Understanding, PMB, 4120 Douglas Blvd., #306, Granite Bay, CA 95746 (916) 791-4146
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