Catch D.J. Gregory on the Golf Channel This Weekend
If you haven’t already heard, D.J. Gregory, a young man with CP, has decided to walk every PGA Tour event during the 2008 regular season (38 weeks of travel and 37 events) and blog about it.
We are happy to report that D.J. will appear this weekend (March 8 & 9) on the Golf Channel's Golf Central, 9:00 — 10:00 PM ET, to discuss his incredible journey on the PGA Tour. He will be featured about 45 minutes into each program. Since show times are dependent on PGA Tour events, check your local listings for up-to-the-minute information.
Please don’t miss this opportunity to follow D.J.’s adventure and support him and all people with disabilities who are living full, independent and productive lives.
Cheryl Hines Speaks Up for CP in Neurology Now Magazine
Cheryl Hines, national spokesperson and trustee for United Cerebral Palsy was featured in the November/December 2007 issue of Neurology Now Magazine. In a Q & A session, Cheryl discusses her reasons for working with United Cerebral Palsy and her future plans to create more awareness for cerebral palsy.
She cites her 4-year-old nephew Michael, a child with cerebral palsy (CP), as the prime reason why she has gotten involved and finds encouragement in new studies surrounding CP. Further, she discusses how her love of poker has helped raise awareness for cerebral palsy and her dream that someday her nephew will escort her down the red carpet at a Hollywood premier.
Paul Ruffner can't see, but he has a vision for saving the world. Armed with a saxophone and a sense of compassion, Ruffner is fighting for the future of millions of Africans who were devastated by flooding that ravaged large swathes of West Africa in August and September 2007.
Since September, Ruffner has parlayed his perfect pitch into a purpose, and he plays his saxophone at charity functions for the African relief effort throughout the east coast. Money raised at his concerts typically goes to charitable organizations like the Red Cross, United Nations and the World Food Program.
Ruffner has been visually impaired since birth. For years he has relied on the help and support of others. Now, he is giving back. "Being blind and needing services - everyone needs some sort of help - I think it is important to give back," Ruffner said.
"The average American citizen is not going to stop the genocide in Darfur, yet that person can have a great positive influence by reducing the impact of this flood through grassroots efforts," he said.
Ruffner is an American University Junior and member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity (SigEp). His fraternity brothers say he exemplifies SigEp's cardinal principles. Vice President of Recruitment Kevin Carter calls him an asset to the chapter. "He's never let his blindness get in the way of anything he's wanted to do," said Carter. "He's no different than any other brother, and he functions just as well as everyone else supporting the Fraternity."
Ruffner maintains a 3.88 GPA and is majoring in International Politics and Latin American studies. He plans to continue his efforts to help with the African flood crisis and challenges everyone to do what they can for organziations that help with the cause.
Disaboom.com recently released a series of videos of an interview with Josh Blue, winner of NBC's Last Comic Standing Season 4. As a person with cerebral palsy, he shares his experiences from his childhood to the present.
"By the time they figured out that something was wrong with me, they knew nothing was wrong with me," he states, in discussing the casual attitude his parents adopted about his diagnosis. "They knew that I was all there mentally but that they'd have to make certain adjustments. It was never an issue. It was just natural."
Blue reveals that his act, though it may seem demeaning toward his disability, has a message that is working to change minds and perspectives as much as it aims to make someone laugh. "Look at Richard Pryor. He talked about being black. Then Ellen (Degeneres) talked about being gay. They both brought their differences out into the open and made them more acceptable," he said. "What I'm doing with disability is the same thing. It's a grassroots way of getting it out there and making it mainstream and more comfortable."
Founded in 1948 to help people with cerebral palsy, today United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is a pivotal advocate for the rights of all people with disabilities. As one of the largest health charities in America, UCP is dedicated to advancing the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities.
The Waiting Game Must End for People with Disabilities The Cutting Edge Washington, D.C., USA 2/20/08 In 2010, we will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. In 1990, after years of work by former Congressman Tony Coelho, the great patriot Justin Dart Jr., and many, many other great leaders, President George H. W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law, in front of a joyful crowd spread across the south lawn of the White House.
Individuals with Disabilities Face Added Complexities at Tax Time: Allsup Answers Questions to Help Save on Taxes The Independent Massillon, OH, USA 2/20/08 More than 8.5 million working-age adults either rely on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits as a primary source of income or are awaiting a decision to receive their SSDI benefits. Along with the complexities of SSDI and managing their disability comes an added layer of complexity at tax time, according to Allsup(www.allsup.com), which represents tens of thousands of people in the SSDI process each year.
12-year-old set to take mission to Capitol Hill The Independent Massillon, OH, USA 2/19/08 On April 1, Frankie will have his day on Capitol Hill. He will be one of 50 individuals from across the nation who will address Congress about epileptic conditions and push for the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Restoration Act.
Allan Appel: Invisible disabilities come in many forms TCPalm Palm Beach, FL, USA 2/17/08 Invisible disabilities surround us every day. They are in the grocery store, at the workplace and even in a mall's parking lot.
Mother, daughter duo beat disability MyrtleBeachOnline.com Myrtle Beach, SC, USA 2/17/08 Melinda Baker, 39, of Bushnell, Fla., decided she didn't want to sit on the couch and do nothing, so she took up handcycling. After her first race, the New York City Marathon, she said she was hooked.
Bush urges agencies to buy from AbilityOne program Federal Computer Week Falls Church, VA, USA 2/11/08 Nearly 43,000 people with disabilities work at more than 600 community-based nonprofit groups that sell products and services to the government through AbilityOne, the memo states.
Employees at This Walgreens Distribution Center Are More Able Than Disabled ABC News New York City, NY, USA 2/11/08 At first glance, the Walgreens distribution center in Anderson, S.C., seems ordinary enough. But upon closer inspection, it's anything but. More than 40 percent of the 700 workers here are disabled.
'Wheelchair' demystifies disabilities The Arizona Republic Phoenix, AZ, USA 2/9/08 Friendship inspired Elisa Linovitz Snader, a first-grade teacher at Village Meadows Elementary, to publish a book about a child with special needs.
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