timing is everything...in so many ways

I had the pleasure of touring a potential volunteer today and had two wonderful, unexpected experiences.

When the volunteer arrived, I asked why he chose Abilities United for his volunteer work when there are so many other organizations to choose. He told me his personal story which began in 1976 he was a high school basketball player. He and his team came to Abilities United to teach the after school students how to play basketball in preparation for Special Olympics. He had a wonderful time and enjoyed working with the students. They impressed him with their energy and eagerness to learn. Having left an indelible mark on him and his life, he continued to think about that group of kids, his 4 hour long teaching experience, and Abilities United for all these years. Now, 35 years later, he finds himself with more time to donate to a nonprofit agency. He said "I always had Abilities United in the back of my mind and wanted to be able to volunteer and contribute what I can to the organization. Those kids really impressed me. Now I have the time and resources to contribute. I hope I can make a difference. They made a difference in my life."

While touring this volunteer, one of the men in the Day Activities program came up to greet us. I have know this man for years and he has always come up to greet visitors but would grab a person's hand and hold on tight. I was surprised, thrilled, and impressed when he walked up to the visitor, reached out his hand, and gently shoot his hand and released his grip within seconds. Wow, what a change in just a few months! I was blown away and learned to always expect the unexpected each time I see the program participants. Each day they are learning new things... it may take a while to "get it", but then suddenly it will "click" and voila, they have acquired and perfected a new skill. This man was proof of the importance of practicing over and over again an act as common place as shaking hands. Learning such skills is an individual accomplishment and something we need to appreciate, celebrate and value in all people. All people have the ability to learn new things...everyone just learns at their own pace...but they will learn given the instruction that works for their learning style.

What an unexpectedly delightful and educational tour this turned out to be for me and apparently, our new volunteer! If you are interested in seeing Abilities United in action and meeting the individuals who make this organization the wonderful community resource that it is, contact 650-494-0550 or info@AbilitiesUnited.org

Submitted by Wendy Kuehnl, Marketing Director

Motorized wheelchair helps San Mateo man maintain his independence

Ray Bogdan, a gentleman of 50+ years living with Cerebral Palsy, requires the use of a motorized transport to maintain his independence. Previously, he has been able to use an electric scooter to suit his transportation needs, and a manual wheelchair for moving around his home. However, in the time that he has worked with Abilities United ILS, his scooter has been in and out of the shop frequently, and is clearly no longer able to suit his needs. So, Wheelchairs of San Mateo initiated a request for Ray to receive a new, electric wheelchair, so that he may maintain his independence and continue to enjoy his outdoor excursions without the constant and necessary presence of support services.

One of Ray's ILS goals is to improve his ability to utilize and work with his support services, he and I made a series of phone calls, gathering and delivering information necessary to expedite this process. Eventually it came to a point where the Health Plan of San Mateo was uncertain if Ray qualified for this new wheelchair, as they had recently covered the purchase of his manual wheelchair.

It became necessary for ILS to advocate formally and directly for Ray, expressing his needs in a detailed and comprehensive letter that would illustrate the multitude of reasons Ray absolutely required this motorized wheelchair, and how a manual wheelchair would not suffice. An important focus of this letter was the progressively debilitating nature of his condition, and the increasing need he has for assisted mobility, out in the community and also in his own home.

The request was authorized! The doctors reviewing the case realized that the progressive debilitation of Ray's condition indeed warranted a more accessible mobility device. On Friday, August 12, Ray's new wheelchair (he calls it the Bently) arrived at his home in San Mateo. I saw him the following Wednesday, and he was showing off all the cool new tricks it could do, and had a smile clear across his face. I can't recall a time I've seen him happier, the chair is a dramatic improvement on his old scooter and is going to be essential in Ray's continued involvement in his Downtown San Mateo community.

Submitted by Drew Thorne
ILS Instructor