“The only disability in life is a bad attitude.” -Scott Hamilton

"The only disability in life is a bad attitude." - Scott Hamilton

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

The State Museum of Pennsylvania

On Sunday we took the kids to The State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg.  We've been trying to get there for awhile but they are always closed on the days when we are down that way.
 
 
 
I got LOTS of smooches while we waited for Daddy and Isabella to get done in the bathroom.
 
 
Isabella is really interested in fossils.  She thought this fossil was really cool because it was so big. 
 


 
Lily thought is was amazing that we were so close to all those ducks and they didn't even fly away!
She and Raymond kept waving at them.



 
 
The Mastodon!!!
 

There was a large section dedicated to dinosaurs. 

 
This wall had replications of prehistoric trees. 
It allows you to touch them and feel the different textures.

 
Despite the fact that my arm looks broken/dislocated, I like this picture of me with the kids.




 
 
 
They have a really great children's area.  All three of the kids had a fun time there. 

 
Lily found a pig.
 
 
BOO!!!
 



 
There was a wooden bus that Raymond really enjoyed playing on.
 

 
He decided to slide down the slide...

 
Sideways!
 
We had a lot of fun! 
 
***
 
We are trying to stay dry from storm Sandy.  It has been pouring and SO windy.  Hopefully, we won't have any storm damage.  Isabella's school was closed yesterday and today.  She wasn't as upset about it as I thought she would be.  We've been having an extended pajama party.  I'm sure that helps.
 
***
 
On a totally different note, people keep asking me what to get the kids for Christmas.  I updated their Amazon.com wish lists with some things I could think of.  There is a link to the wish list's on the left side of this blog if you are one of those people who is interested.  What to buy them is a hard question to answer because I don't even know what to get them myself.  I normally have almost all my Christmas shopping done by now but not this year.  I will have to sit down and really start thinking about it.  Christmas will be here before we know it...yikes!
 
 
Until Next Time!
Lots of Love,


Monday, October 29, 2012

The History of the Special Olympics

I thought I would share how the Special Olympic began and how's it's become the organization it is today. It was founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, a truely special lady. The following information was taken right from the Special Olympics Website.

How It Began

It all began in the early 1960s, when Eunice Kennedy Shriver saw how unjustly and unfairly people with intellectual disabilities were treated. She also saw that many children with special needs didn’t even have a place to play. She decided to take action.


Mrs. Shriver gently guides a child into the pool for a swimming lesson
 
Soon, her vision began to take shape, as she held a summer day camp for young people with intellectual disabilities in her own backyard. The goal was to learn what these children could do in sports and other activities – and not dwell on what they could not do. This vision eventually grew into the global Special Olympics movement. See a slideshow about the camp


19-20 July 1968

The 1st International Special Olympics Summer Games are held at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, USA. 1,000 people with intellectual disabilities from 26 U.S. states and Canada compete in track and field and swimming. See a slideshow about the first Games

Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Sargent Shriver pose

Powerful Partnership. Sargent Shriver was more than Eunice Kennedy Shriver's husband. As a team, they steered Special Olympics in new directions. A new biography of Sargent Shriver written by his son Mark provides insights about the man and his long history of public service.

December 1971

The U.S. Olympic Committee gives Special Olympics official approval as one of only two organizations authorized to use the name “Olympics” in the United States.


5-11 February 1977

Steamboat Springs, Colorado, hosts the 1st International Special Olympics Winter Games. More than 500 athletes compete in skiing and skating events. CBS, ABC and NBC television networks cover the Games.

June 1981

Wichita, Kansas (USA) Police Chief Richard LaMunyon launches a Special Olympics awareness campaign that becomes the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. The Torch Run grows into the movement's largest grassroots fundraiser, raising $30 million each year.

September 1986

The United Nations launches the International Year of Special Olympics. The theme is “Special Olympics—Uniting the World.”

October 1987

“A Very Special Christmas,” a benefit album featuring holiday music by top rock 'n' roll performers, is released worldwide. It is produced by Jimmy and Vicki Iovine of A&M Records and Bobby Shriver, with all earnings going to Special Olympics. More than 2 million records, compact discs and cassette tapes are sold.

February 1988

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) signs a historic agreement with Sargent and Eunice Kennedy Shriver officially endorsing and recognizing Special Olympics.

July 1988

Special Olympics Unified Sports® is launched at the annual Special Olympics Conference in Reno, Nevada, and Lake Tahoe, California. Bowling, volleyball and softball are the first sports included.

20-27 March 1993

The 5th Special Olympics World Winter Games are hosted in Salzburg and Schladming, Austria. These are the first World Winter Games held outside North America. 

1-9 July 1995

Several new initiatives make their debut at the 9th Special Olympics World Summer Games. These include the Host Town Program, Healthy Athletes®, and Research and Policy Symposia. In addition, for the first time, people with intellectual disabilities serve as certified officials.

January 1997

Healthy Athletes becomes an official Special Olympics initiative, providing health-care services to Special Olympics athletes worldwide. The program includes free vision, hearing and dental screening, injury prevention clinics and nutrition education.

20 July 1998

Special Olympics celebrates its 30th anniversary with the introduction of the first Sargent Shriver International Global Messengers. These 12 remarkable men and women travel the world as spokespeople for the movement over a two-year term.

17 December 1998

U.S. President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton host “A Very Special Christmas from Washington, D.C.” It's the first time the White House hosts a Special Olympics gala and the first time that artists from “A Very Special Christmas” album series gather together to perform. In 2000, President and Mrs. Clinton host “A Very Special Christmas” for the second time.

2000

The “Campaign for Special Olympics” sets unprecedented goals to increase athlete participation by 1 million and to raise more than $120 million over a five-year period. This global campaign changes the face of the Special Olympics movement.

18-22 May 2000

As part of the “Campaign for Special Olympics,” actor Arnold Schwarzenegger joins Special Olympics athletes to light the Flame of Hope at the Great Wall of China. They launch the Special Olympics China Millennium March and begin the most ambitious growth campaign in the movement’s history. China pledges to increase its number of athletes from 50,000 to 500,000 by 2005.

May 20-23 2001

The first-ever Global Athlete Congress takes place in The Hague, Netherlands. Special Olympics athletes from every region in the world come together to discuss the future of the Special Olympics movement. Despite differences in language, culture, age and gender they hold discussions, challenge existing ideas and vote on new resolutions.

The president of South Africa competes at the 2010 Unity Cup in South Africa.

The Unity Cup, 2010. The president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, right, competes with Special Olympics athletes and celebrity footballers in the Unity Cup, sponsored by Coca-Cola.

12-14 July 2001

Cape Town, Johannesburg and Sun City, South Africa host Special Olympics African Hope. Former President Nelson Mandela, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Special Olympics athletes gather to light the Flame of Hope and kick off the largest Law Enforcement Torch Run through the streets of Cape Town. The event generates awareness of the movement throughout the continent. It also launches a major push to reach 100,000 new athletes in Africa by 2005.


October 2001

Special Olympics develops and distributes So Get Into It® kits for students with and without disabilities to schools and teachers worldwide at no cost. They teach young people about intellectual disabilities while empowering them to “be the difference.” The lessons highlight values of inclusion, acceptance and respect.

19-20 July 2002

The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund partners with Special Olympics to host an annual birthday celebration for its founder and chairperson, former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela. The event also helps Special Olympics spotlight its Unified Sports® program.

Three female athletes share a victory hug at the 2003 World Summer Games in Ireland

Ireland in 2003. The Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland, drew athletes with intellectual disabilities from countries scattered all around the world.

21-29 June 2003

Ireland hosts the first Special Olympics World Summer Games to be held outside the United States. 5,500 athletes participate in this landmark event. It is the world's largest sporting event in 2003, capturing the hearts and imaginations of the Irish people. See a slideshow about Special Olympics World Games


20 June 2003

Special Olympics releases “The Multinational Study of Attitudes toward Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities.” It's the most comprehensive global study thorough ever on this subject. The report offers valuable insight into how people around the world view the roles and capabilities of persons with intellectual disabilities in the workplace, classroom and daily social life.

30 October 2004

U.S. President George W. Bush signs the “Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act." This gives $15 million every year for five years to Special Olympics programs. The funding goes to initiatives that encourage greater respect and understanding for people with intellectual disabilities. This marks the first time that Special Olympics secures support through legislation.

23 December 2005

"The Ringer," a Farrelly Brothers film starring Johnny Knoxville, opens in theaters throughout Canada and the United States. The film includes appearances from more than 150 Special Olympics athletes. Its producers work with Special Olympics to challenge destructive stereotypes and negative thinking about people with intellectual disabilities.

2006

Special Olympics surpasses its goal of doubling the number of athletes that participate worldwide to 2.5 million participants. With sports at the core, the movement stands as a leader in advancing rights and opportunities and policy change for its athletes in 165 countries worldwide.

10 June 2006

U.S. President and Mrs. George W. Bush host a tribute dinner at the White House to honor Special Olympics for its unprecedented growth over the past five years. The event also celebrates the 86th birthday of founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

October 2007

The city of Shanghai, China, hosts the 12th Special Olympics World Summer Games. The Games are broadcast internationally on a vast scale. Participation is at a record high -- bringing together more than 7,500 athletes from 164 countries participating.

July 2008

Special Olympics celebrates its 40th anniversary as a true global movement, with nearly 3 million athletes in more than 180 countries.

February 2009

The Special Olympics World Winter Games in Boise, Idaho, USA, draws nearly 2,000 athletes from close to 100 countries . U.S. Vice President Joe Biden visits and declares special needs advocacy "a civil rights movement."

May 2009

The U.S. National Portrait Gallery unveils a historic portrait of Eunice Kennedy Shriver. The painting is the first portrait the Gallery has ever commissioned of an individual who has not served as a U.S. President or First Lady.

11 August 2009

The founder of Special Olympics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, dies at her family home in Massachusetts. Letters and messages celebrating her contribution to humanity poured in from world leaders and ordinary people around the world. See www.eunicekennedyshriver.org

November 2009

"A Very Special Christmas 7" is released, infusing the Christmas record series with the energy and talent of a new generation of music stars. See www.veryspecialchristmas.org.

June 2010

The first Special Olympics Global Congress is held in Marrakech, Morocco. Hundreds of Special Olympics leaders from around the world gather to chart the next five years of work.

Cyclists ride near the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC, as part of the first Eunice Kennedy Shriver Challenge running, walking and biking event

2010's Eunice Kennedy Shriver Challenge. Held in Washington, D.C., it was a daylong celebration of sport in honor of Special Olympics' founder featured running, walking and biking events plus music and games.

September 2010

The first global Eunice Kennedy Shriver Day is held in more than 100 countries to celebrate the vision of the founder of Special Olympics. The event also aims to increase the momentum of the Special Olympics movement. See photos from the day.


October 2010

Officials announce that the next Special Olympics World Winter Games will be held in PyeongChang, Korea, on 29 January-6 February 2013.

January 2011

The Special Olympics movement mourns the death of Sargent Shriver, husband of late founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver. He was also a longtime Special Olympics President and Chairman of the Board Emeritus.

June-July 2011

The 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games are held in Athens, Greece. Nearly 7,000 athletes from 170 countries take part.

September 2011

Officials announce that the next Special Olympics World Summer Games will be held in the United States for the first time in 16 years. Los Angeles, California is set to host the Summer Games in July 2015.

Until Next Time!
Lots of Love,

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Batman


 
Until Next Time!
Lots of Love,

Saturday, October 27, 2012

WW/MM

I don't eat M&M's, but I thought this was funny.

Until Next Time!
Lots of Love,

Friday, October 26, 2012

Weekly Therapy Update & More

We have had a busy week getting to know Raymond and Lily's new therapists!  We took some time out to bake cookies and carve a pumpkin!
 
 
Lily and Isabella both helped!


Lily was SO happy to help!!!

 
Only a little bit of flour made it onto the floor : )
 
 
Lily discovered that she loves raisinets!
 
Then we sat back and enjoyed the results!
We made "blockbuster" cookies which have raisinets and popcorn in.  They were a huge hit! 
 

While the cookies baked we carved the pumpkin.





 

Raymond has been slowly meeting his new therapist.  I have mixed feelings about some of them but I will be open minded and allow them to work with him awhile and see how it goes.  As an example of something that has not impressed me - the new OT doesn't know any sign language - REALLY?!?!?  That is so surprising especially since she isn't a new therapist.  I did tell her it was imperative for her to quickly learn the signs that Raymond is using.  We'll see how she does.  Also, Raymond's new physical therapist is scared of dogs.  She saw Sadie and wouldn't even come in our house.  Sadie was extremely proud of herself considering that everyone who actually knows her has NO fear what-so-ever!  I'm really excited about Raymond's new speech therapist, Allison.  She seems like she is going to be a perfect fit for him!  Lisa and Kristen both had their last sessions with Raymond this week.  They both cried.  Lisa has been seeing Raymond twice a week for three years and Kristen once a week for almost 3 years.  Those were tough days.   

"1st visit with Raymond today, overlap with 0-3 SI and BCIU SI - Beth S.  Worked on stacking, turn taking, and interacting with new staff.  Discussed signs and words that Raymond is using and strategies for behavior and attention.  Discussed re-eval process and scheduling."
-Becky, New Occupational Therapist
10/19/2012
 
 "Raymond was a little distracted by the shadowing IU therapist.  He practiced:
1) Stand through 1/2 keel with help
2) Stand on one foot
3) Balance reactions - pulling the balls off falling 7/10 trials
4) brief side sitting
Raymond was not very cooperative for most of the session.
-Lisa, Physical Therapist
10/23/2012
 
"Beth shadowing from BCIU to transition.  We worked on turn taking, matching and being attentive with table skills.  He was able to make choices with activities.  Used transitional ques "more" or "all done".  Waited for Raymond to comply."
-Stacy, Special Instruction
10/23/2012
 
"IU therapist, Allison, started today - meeting Raymond and family.  Raymond worked very nicely today.
Potato Head - Raymond pointed to parts on himself when named.  Great job!
He imitated block with approximation.
Raymond labeled animals with signs, sounds or names."
-Kristen, Speech Therapist
  10/25/2012
 
 
 Until Next Time!
Lots of Love,