A sold out crowd gathered together at the Key Club in West Hollywood on December 14th to rock out at the third annual Rock to Roll benefit for UCP Wheels for Humanity. For the third straight year, the event was spearheaded by Joe Sib of Side One Dummy Records, with legendary artist Brian Ewing designing all of the art work.
The punk rock line-up included Alkaline Trio, The Gaslight Anthem, and Broadway Calls, as well as punk-rock karaoke with members of NOFX, Bad Religion, Pennywise, Social Distortion and punk legends Circle Jerks.
At the end of the night, punk rock enthusiasts helped raise more than $30,000 to help support UCP Wheels for Humanity.
Since 1996, UCP Wheels for Humanity volunteers annually collect, refurbish and ship donated wheelchairs, and have helped more than 40,000 children and adults living in the poorest of conditions, in developing countries such as Zimbabwe, Vietnam, Ukraine, Mexico, Mongolia, and many others.
Ballerina Dreams Come True at Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta
As some 300 spectators settled into their seats on Sunday, November 30, at the Shaw Theatre, 37 tiny little ballerinas were excitedly waiting backstage for their cue to take their place on stage.
Unlike other recitals, you didn't see shallow curtsies, pointed toes or perfect pirouettes. These dancers have mobility challenges and varying degrees of disabilities that prevent them from participating in the typical dance class.
But thanks to the Ballerina Dreams Program and the Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta (CPAA), for an hour a week, the little participants are able to put their leg braces and wheelchairs aside and experience freedom of movement and the grace of a real prima ballerina.
Four sets of dance routines were rehearsed for eight weeks leading up to the recital, opening with a number to Little Suzie Snowflake, followed by I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas, Marshmallow World, and, finally, Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Families and friends watched teary eyed as their little ones danced across the stage with the help of their teen dance mentors.
"It was one of the proudest moments in my life", said Eric Jepson, father of 3-year old Skyler, who is one of three male ballerinas in Ballerina Dreams.
Many of these children have always dreamed of being on stage, but never thought it would become a reality because of their physical limitations. Now, with CPAA’s adaptive dance program, they were able to get dressed up in their adorable tutus and ballet slippers, some stretched over their leg braces, and performed a show unlike any other.
"It’s was really amazing to watch," said Karen Quinn, Program Manager for CPAA. "To see many of these kids who can’t walk or stand on their own, and suddenly they are on stage and dancing, it’s the greatest feeling in the world."
The program has been a huge success thanks to the many volunteers dedicating their time. The classes are taught by dance instructor and occupation therapist, Rachel Jones McKinley. With a vision to combine her two passions, and the help of her assistants, Cathy Dixon, Betty- Anne Rennie, and a number of teen dance mentors dedicating their Saturday afternoons to the program, dreams have come true.
These dancers are proof that anything is possible with the right tools and right support in place. Programs such as the Ballerina Dreams opens up many doors and allows individuals to live life without limits, regardless of ability.
For more information on Ballerina Dreams, contact Karen Quinn, Program Manager for the Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta, at 780.471.9167 or visit www.ballerinadreams.ca.
UCP of the Golden Gate Throws Ultimate Holiday Bash
More than 100 children with disabilities from around the San Francisco Bay Area attended the 6th annual UCP of the Golden Gate Ultimate Holiday Party on December 13 at the Marriott City Center in downtown San Francisco.
Children visited with Santa Claus, enjoyed ice cream and other treats, and had the opportunity to play with accessible toys and video games.
"We wanted disabled children to come to the party and to be a part of it and to feel welcomed," said Barry Gardin, board president of the United Cerebral Palsy of the Golden Gate. "We just want them to have fun and to show them that they are not so different."
The event included food, music, entertainment and a special visit from the Oakland Raiderettes and Santa.
Gardin said the idea to throw the party came from his son Christopher, 9, who has cerebral palsy. Gardin said he wanted to help other parents find appropriate toys for children with disabilities since finding adaptive toys can be challenging and costly because they are not mass marketed.
Lisa Vigil, 42, of Oakland, brought her son Jose to the event for the second year in a row. She said her son enjoys participating and interacting with other children.
2009 Exploring Spasticity Calendar Now Available
Difficulty with movement and mobility can be tied to a condition known as spasticity tight or stiff muscles that can make movement, especially of the arms and legs, difficult or uncontrollable. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 70-80% of persons living with cerebral palsy have spasticity.
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is proud to be a partner in the Exploring Spasticity program, spnosored by Medtronic. As a partner, UCP contributed to the development of the 2009 Exploring Spasticity calendar -- created with people affected by spasticity for people with spasticity. We are pleased to offer this calendar to affiliates free of charge and encourage you to order copies to distribute to clients affected by spasticity.
Affiliates are also encouraged to use Exploring Spasticity as a resource and support for their clients with spasticity. Through the Exploring Spasticity community, clients can:
» Learn about spasticity and available treatments
» Manage their treatment with online tools and resources
» Read shared experiences from others with the condition
This Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, UCP will be participating in President-elect Obama’s National Day of Service. In cities across the country, Americans will be volunteering their time and energy at non-profits, churches, and other community organizations. This is the first step towards making a sustained commitment to serving our communities throughout the year, and UCP is proud that many of our affiliates will be hosting events.
To find volunteering opportunities at a UCP affiliate near you, please visit: http://www.usaservice.org/
This new, interactive website enables Americans in every state in the nation to volunteer in their neighborhood, or to create and host an event on their own. Please click on the link above and sign-up today.
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.
United Cerebral Palsy of Southern Arizona opens center in Yuma The Yuma Sun Yuma,AZ,USA 12/21/08 Waiting lists and long drives to Tucson are now in the past for clients of United Cerebral Palsy of Southern Arizona, which recently opened its first center in Yuma.
Disability 101: Disability Rights Laws Summit Daily News Summit County,CO,USA 12/21/08 I am often aghast at the total lack of knowledge people have regarding disability-rights laws.
Plenty of loyal supporters attend James golf classic The Desert Sun Palm Springs,CA,USA 12/21/08 The Dennis James UCP Center in Cathedral City benefits more than 300 local youth — not just those with cerebral palsy, but also autism, mental retardation, Down's syndrome and other special needs.
Breaking barriers Business Gazette Gaithersburg,MD,USA 12/19/08 John Yeh came to the U.S. as a deaf teenager; today, he heads a multimillion-dollar tech firm.
Private nonprofit to operate Levinson Center Bangor Daily News Bangor,ME,USA 12/18/08 The state-owned and -operated Elizabeth Levinson Center, which provides care to Maine children and young adults with severe mental retardation, will be run by a private nonprofit organization starting on March 1.
Embracing Life Washington Post Washington,DC,USA 12/16/08 Michael Oliveri was born with muscular dystrophy, but he has not allowed this fatal condition to cloud his outlook on life.
Taking On SNL For Paterson New York Daily News New York,NY,USA 12/15/08 Councilman Oliver Koppell released a statement today demanding that Saturday Night Live apologize to Gov. David Paterson and all his fellow disabled Americans for its skits this past weekend that made fun of the governor's visual impairment and past drug use.
Comic Book Hero Washington Post Washington,DC,USA 12/14/08 Andre Campbell's vision is severely limited, but that hasn't stopped him from pursuing his dream of making it as a comic book artist. Will he ever see success?
Sports opportunities for kids with disabilities ABC 7 Chicago,IL,USA 12/14/08 (Video) Sports can be important to the development of children. It can also be important for children with physical disabilities.
Artists Gain Recognition at Holidaytime Market Watch New York,NY,USA 12/11/08 A group of adults with disabilities are participating in a project with the help of dedicated teachers from United Cerebral Palsy of NYC and the corporate support of a small law firm.
Providing learning experiences: UCP Lemoore is open to all families The Lemoore Advance Lemoore,CA,USA 12/11/08 Singing songs, watching a tarantula in its aquarium, play acting, reading and listening to stories; all are part of the fun experience for children under the age of five as part of the Parent and Me program at United Cerebral Palsy's Parent and Me center in Lemoore.
How do you treat a person with a disability? The Windy Citizen Salem,OR,USA 12/11/08 How do you treat a person with a disability? "Like a person", according to an old ad campaign.
Toys, Shoes Donated For Kids In Need NBC 6 Miami,FL,USA 12/10/08 (Video) Thanks to the combined efforts of the United Cerebral Palsy of Broward County, the Telephone Pioneers and Kmart, Mathew and 48 other kids in his UCP Early Beginnings Program are receiving a $10 to $15 holiday gift.
Disability 101: The formula plan doesn't work Summit Daily News Summit County,CO,USA 12/8/08 I believe that's exactly what I am trying to express here, that people with disabilities are not all the same.
Recession's Bite Hits Americans With Disabilities Extra Hard US News & World Report Washington,DC,USA 12/5/08 "People with disabilities tend to be the last hired and the first fired," says Rick Diamond, director of employment services at Disability Network/Lakeshore, a disability rights nonprofit based in Holland, Mich.
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