Vision for the future leads to new mission statement

As Abilities United enters our next 50 years of service to people with disabilities and the community, we reflect on the past but just as importantly, we look to the future and envision what life can be like for community members living with a disability.  When we consider the incredible changes over the past 50 years, we can only imagine the great improvements that are possible in the next 50 years. As the world is increasingly embracing the concept of inclusion and as technology enables people with disabilities to be active members of their community, we see a very bright future for everyone.  Abilities United sees a society where people of all abilities learn, live, work, and play together creating greater fulfillment, benefit, and unity for everyone. It is a society where there are no barriers to the full inclusion and contribution of people with disabilities and their families.  It is truly “Abilities United”.

To ensure this vision, AbilitiesUnited promises to provide the highest quality of services to the people we serve.  As we strive to be a center of excellence, we will continue to champion the rights of people with disabilities; give them the opportunity to participate meaningfully in the community; and in so doing, make decisions with them – not for them.

So with this vision and promise in mind, we found it important to review our mission statement to ensure that it fits our vision and promise for the future.  After months of input, reviews, edits, and final approval we have adopted the following mission statement, which you will immediately begin to see on all Abilities United materials.  

Abilities United supports children and adults with disabilities, their families and members of the community, and champions a culture in which all members of society are included and appreciated for their distinctive contributions.

Please join me in embracing this new mission statement and keep our mission and vision in mind with every action you take so we live up to the goal of our name “Abilities United”.

Lynda Steele, Executive Director

Weaver family: on the right track with connections at Abilities United

The entire Weaver family benefited from the
Early Intervention Services they received at Abilities United

Jana Weaver wrote and presented this speech at the Abilities United 50th Anniversary Recognition event on April 25, 2013.

When our son Jackson was young and diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy I had no idea what I was doing. I spoke with Gina Rayfield and she told me “get to Abilities United!”

That was the best advice – thanks Gina! Abilities United really helped me find connections to other families facing similar issues. And like Gina expressed, having those connections, and the support from the staff in the Early Intervention program was like a new lifeline. Suddenly, we weren’t alone.

That early start from Abilities United has helped us all in so many ways. Jackson learned his first independence during early intervention group which enabled him to easily transition to preschool. He and his friends inspired my husband to develop products which help them live more independent and enriching lives. We see technology as a true equalizer in the lives of people with differing abilities. We’ve all seen the YouTube video of the boy with special needs in Texas playing basketball and the high schooler with Cerebral Palsy winning a wrestling match (and if you haven’t visit the Abilities United facebook page!) and these viral videos of people with different abilities are tearing down the barriers. When I was my daughters’ age (30 plus years ago) the world was not so accepting. I can only imagine what the next 30 years will bring.

For the future, who knows what technology Jackson will have at his command. Today, people use various social media to stay connected and tablets to control their TVs and lights. Tomorrow he may have a speech recognition system that is attuned to his voice and “accent” to control his physical world, allowing him to complete tasks otherwise too difficult to do in a time-effective manner – opening up his career options.

But in the end it isn’t about the technology itself, but what it does for us. By allowing Jackson to live more independently he can also live more happily, and I know these early connections at Abilities United have helped put him (and all of us!) on the right track.

Charlotte and Gina Rayfield: Abilities United is a Lifesaver

Gina Rayfield and her daughter Gina, and the entire Rayfield family have
been involved with Abilities United as participants, donors and volunteers.

This is the speech given by Gina and Charlotte at the Abilities United Recognition event on April 25, 2013 

It’s always such an honor and a pleasure for Charlotte and I to get a chance to share our love and appreciation for AbilitiesUnited.  One word described how I feel about the agency and how it affected our family.  That word is Lifesaver.  Defined as:

1. One that saves a life.

2. One that provides help in a crisis or emergency

3. A life preserver shaped like a ring.

My lovely daughter Charlotte was born at 1 lb 11 oz at 29 weeks. She spent 10 weeks in NICU and was adored by all of the nurses and doctors.  We were extremely blessed because she progressed very well and had very few complications.  But once she came home, weighing just under 4 lbs my husband Mike and I were very anxious because we were new parents and we didn’t know how to help our daughter.  As a preemie her development was delayed and we struggled to find the resources to support her.  Some days it felt we were drowning in worry.

But, luckily when Charlotte was one, we were referred to the Early Intervention program at Abilities United.  And, once Charlotte entered the program, not only did Charlotte get the therapy she needed to thrive but our whole family immediately felt lifted up by the connections we made through the parent group and by the expertise of the staff.  It was if a life preserver had been thrown to all three of us.

Shortly after starting in the early intervention program Charlotte was introduced to the soothing warm water at the Betty Wright Swim Center.  There she received therapy and her muscles relaxed in the 90 degree pool. 

Our beautiful daughter Charlotte is now a very successful, outgoing young lady who has evolved into an active fundraiser for the organization.  Although she no longer needs Abilities United’s services she has grown into one of the organization’s biggest fundraisers and supporters.

Charlotte's speech:

I just want to thank Abilities United for helping me become who I am today.  I am a freshman at Mid-Peninsula high school and enjoy reading, creative writing, art and music.

And, I dream of becoming a writer and teacher some day and I know that I will achieve my goals because of the support I received early on in my life. 

The following additional story is based on a 2013 interview with Gina and Charlotte Rayfield. Written by Bob Thomas. Edited by Gina Rayfield and Wendy Kuehnl

For Gina Rayfield and her charming daughter Charlotte, Abilities United has been a family affair.

The Rayfields first came to what is now Abilities United when Charlotte, who was born with cerebral palsy, was about a year old. “We were a family coming in, with a child born with a disability, and we didn’t really know how to support her,” says Gina. “At the beginning when you have that challenge, it can be daunting, and you feel alone. Abilities United is really a great place for people to come together; to get the support for the family, and to help the child excel and succeed as much as they can.”

Gina was so impressed with her experience at Abilities United that she became a volunteer, then a member of the Board of Directors for six years, and then continued to be involved with the annual Author’s Luncheon. “My favorite memory of Abilities United was having our family featured at the Authors Luncheon,” says Gina. “We presented a video of Charlotte, showing some of the amazing things she’s done and what a great person she is. Being on stage with her and sharing that moment was truly special.”

Charlotte today is a smart, vibrant, and impressive young lady. Now a 14-year old girl, she’s something of an ambassador for Abilities United, and supports fundraising activities via the Authors Luncheon and the Abilities United Aquathon. She uses a wheelchair, but this hasn’t stopped her from developing a passion for bi-skiing, and videos on youtube of her skiing [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh1yiA4iGuE] reflect her joy on the slopes. She’s a young girl with great dreams – “I want to be a teacher and an author,” she says.

“I would encourage people to learn more about Abilities United,” says Gina. “It’s a vital part of the community, and the work they do is amazing and important.”

Here at Abilities United, we appreciate the kind words, and the great support. We couldn’t serve the community without wonderful supporters such as Gina and Charlotte.

Joseph Omolayole: here and doing well!

Joseph Omolayole, artist and participant of Abilities United
showed his art and was a guest speaker at the
50th Anniversary Recognition party on April 25, 2013.

When I was a few months old, I was in a serious car accident. My injuries left me with short-term memory problems. My mother thought I would not make it, but I’m here now and doing well.

That is what led me to the Golden Gate Regional Center and then Abilities United where I met Christen, the best I.L.S instructor I have ever met!  Christen introduced me to biking. And now I love biking! Biking has helped me improve my ability to focus and improved my balance. It also taught me patience; to be aware of what is ahead of me, to be cautious, but act in a way to be most successful.

I also love to make art. It is wonderful when my pieces are sold to art appreciators. My art sales help me buy more art supplies so I can keep improving my skills.

Recently, I got a visual styling job in a retail store with the help of the Abilities United job counselor, Jackie. I get to do what I love in this job…working with fashion and style.Fashion is my passion!
My goals are to have my own fashion design studio. I have developed a women’s clothing line and soon I’ll have a show of my collection.

I thank everyone who has taken me to places that I wouldn’t have known with out you. I would have been lost without these tools you have taught me.  I dearly thank Golden Gate Regional, Abilities United, my dear mom for her support and the blessings my God has given me.

Thank You :)

Joseph Omolayole wrote this speech (edited by Wendy Kuehnl) and delivered it at the Abilities United 50th Anniversary Recognition event on April 25, 2013.  He was quoted in the Palo Alto Weekly story "Abilities United rocks out at 50th anniversary"

Lynda Steele: Reflections on the past, present & future

 

Lynda Steele, Executive Director of Abilities United
 and Linda Vargas, parent and volunteer, celebrate at the
Abilities United 50th Anniversary Recognition party.

The following is Lynda Steele's speech at the Abilities United 50th Anniversary Recognition party held on April 25, 2013.

When Abilities United was founded in 1963, life was very different for people with disabilities and their families. In California, 13,400 people were living in institutions and 3,000 more were on the waiting list for admission. Families with children with disabilities had few, if any services. They were faced with the tough choice of their child living in an institution miles away, or leading an isolated life at home.
 
The 12 founding families of Abilities United wanted their children to have the same rights and resources as everyone else – to share in community life and not be shut away from it. At the same time, Betty Wright was teaching children to swim in her backyard pool.  Betty realized that water was the great equalizer and leveled the playing field for children with and without disabilities.With these visionary founders, the community was mobilized and Abilities United was born.  The organization leased land from Santa Clara County and raised donations to build its first pre-school on Middlefield Road so that early childhood support services could begin.  This was quickly followed with a recreational program in 1966, then aquatics and respite services in 1969, all as a response to the needs of families in the community.
 
At the same time, significant public policies changed.  The state of California passed the Lanterman Act in 1969, creating a right to services for people with developmental disabilities. This was coupled with the civil rights movement led by Ed Roberts to create Centers for Independent Living across the country. Mass transportation, education and employment were made more accessible.  When the Americans with Disabilities Act was finally passed in 1990 President, George H.W. Bush said “Let the shameful wall of exclusion come tumbling down”.
 
Now, 50 years later, less than 3,000 people in California are living in institutions and over 240,000 receive services in the community. Abilities United is proud to be a part of this revolution.  We have grown from serving 12 children in 1963 to serving over 62,000 people with disabilities in our 50 years of service to the community. Our impact reaches far and wide because of all you have each done to help us fulfill our founders dream. I am sure our founders would be proud today to know that many of our children are getting a fast start on life with our help.  They would be pleased to know that many of our adults are employed in businesses you patronize; many more are living independently throughout our neighborhoods.
In our past 50 years, we, and the people we serve have demonstrated the significant contribution that people with disabilities can make in their community. Based on their needs to be the best they can be, they used the opportunities, resources and supports we created together. The dark ages of institutional care and exclusion from society are nearly over.
 
We now want to build on this solid foundation.  Help us work side by side with other organizations and individuals to ensure a future of full inclusion, where people with and without disabilities live, learn, work and play together.  So just take a moment to imagine the future with me….

• Imagine Abilities United working with even more pre-schools, child care centers and school districts so that they can be fully equipped to ensure all children get the best start in life regardless of their disability.
• Imagine Abilities United partnering with City Parks and Recreation departments so that afterschool programs are available for all children and parks are accessible to everyone.
• Imagine a community where every employer is like Safeway and calls Abilities United first for qualified job applicants to fill their vacancies.
• Imagine Abilities United becoming the regional or national training center for aquatics professionals so that many more swimming  pools have the capacity and skills to serve people with disabilities.
• Imagine a community where  technology is available to everyone to help minimize the effect of a disability.
• Imagine a community where people who are still bullying people with disabilities are required to report to our very powerful Abilities United self advocacy group to explain their behavior and change it.
• Imagine people being defined for their abilities and not their disabilities.
• Imagine no more excuses to justify segregation.
• Imagine no more barriers.
• Just imagine no SPECIAL anything any MORE!

With your continued help this future is within our grasp. Thank you.


Presented by Lynda Steele at the Abilities United 50th Anniversary Recognition party  on April 25, 2013.

Niels Smaby and Tina Hendrickson: volunteer experience changed their lives

 

Niels Smaby, his wife Tina Hendrickson, & their children:
their connection to Abilities United changed their lives.

Abilities United can change people’s lives, whether it’s for the lives of participants, their families, or even  volunteers. Just ask Niels Smaby and his wife Tina Hendrickson.  

Niels and Tina first became involved with what is now Abilities United when they were at Stanford in the late 1980s. “We happened to both take a class called ‘Understanding The Handicapped,’ and through this we came to volunteer at the pool at Abilities United,” says Tina. Little did either of them know that the next few months would have an enormous impact on the rest of their lives.  

First, through working together, Niels and Tina became close, and before long they were married. “Many of our co-workers and clients from Abilities United came to the wedding,” says Tina as she fondly recalls the memory.  

Second, the experience at Abilities United was to shape their life perspective and Niels' career.  

“The pool was a great place to be and a great experience,” says Niels. “After I graduated I worked two jobs for a while, as a physical therapy aide in downtown Palo Alto, and at Abilities United Betty Wright Swim Center. At my physical therapy job, I was struck at how people would complain about how their injuries impacted things like their tennis game or their golf swing. Then I’d go to the pool and work with people who had more significant disabilities, and they didn’t complain at all.”  

“One of the men I worked with has cerebral palsy. His therapy includes walking in the pool,” says Niels. “We spent a lot of time together in the water, walking and talking, and we became good friends. I eventually went over to his house to help him get his home computer work area set-up, as he has some unique needs because of his disability.”
Niels became increasingly interested in assistive technology. In the coming years he designed custom devices to aid people with disabilities in their jobs. He also worked at the Veteran’s Administration helping improve reconstructive surgical processes to give vets with spinal cord injuries better use of their hands. Today Niels is an engineer at Intuitive Surgical, which designs and manufactures surgical robots used in laparoscopic surgical procedures.

Niels' and Tina's early experience at Abilities United also impacts their family's next generation.  Their two daughters learned to swim at the Abilities United Betty Wright Swim Center. “They were in the pool when they were a couple months old,” says Tina. “The warm water was perfect for infants. They’ve continued swimming at Abilities United ever since.”  

 “Volunteering at Abilities United was an amazing life experience,” says Neils. Tina then adds “The people we worked with were so appreciative, but I think I got even more out of the experience than they did.”

Based on a 2013 interview with Niels Smaby & Tina Hendrickson.  Written by Bob Thomas, edited by  Niels Smaby, Tina Hendrickson and Wendy Kuehnl

Champ Pederson: I've grown and learned how to be an adult with a disability

Champ Pederson lives independently in Palo Alto and
utilizes Abilities United Independent Living Skills.

My name is Champ Pederson and I am a 25-year-old man with Down Syndrome.  

I was living independently in Palo Alto in 2010, and I had my own place. I was using services from another agency, but I wanted something better. 

I wanted to major in communications. I wanted to have a career in public speaking. I want to be an advocate for people with Down syndrome.

After I graduated from Taft College in 2010, I came to Abilities United. At Abilities United I learned how to be a professional, and how to be an adult with a disability. I have learned new things like grocery shopping, meal prep, keeping a budget, and time management. 

Abilities United helps me out no matter what I do in life. I have Down Syndrome and its going to be with me all my life. I used to be frustrated. I lashed out at people and I told people off. I got very mad. I cursed. I cried. Now, I can control my anger by walking it off, going to my room, and finding fun things to do. Abilities United has done a lot for me, and it’s hard to explain how much it means to me. I am happy. This is MY story to tell, and it’s such a beautiful thing that it makes me want to cry. 

My family supports me in what I do. My family has seen me grow up and be a good son to my mother. My Mom is my strongest advocate. She helps me whenever I need her. I have faith and hope in my brothers.  I am a sensitive, emotional, fun loving, cheerful man. I know I have problems. We all have problems, but there are people here at Abilities United to help me. 

I believe in the quote on the Abilities United web site: “If you want to be happy for an hour, take a nap. If you want to be happy for a day, go fishing. If you want to be happy for a month, go on a honeymoon. If you want to be happy for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want to be happy for a lifetime, help children with disabilities.” 

Written by Champ Pederson. Edited by Bob Thomas and Champ Pederson.