Wheelin' to raise awareness about disabilities

I posted this yesterday on the View from the Valley blog for the New Haven Register and I thought I'd re-post it here today. 

Ralph, Allegra and I enjoyed spending time with some wonderful, like-minded people. 

Also please check out Ralph Rolls Along ~ it's his new blog.

West Haven Wheel-A-Thon raises $16G to aid disabled youth

Music, fun, sun accompany 7th annual event 

Marc Anthony Gallucci, executive director, Center for Disability Rights, leads the way Sunday at Savin Rock. 

My daughter and I were two of the able-bodied people who took part in the 1.5-mile walk/roll event Sunday morning along the West Haven shoreline.
My husband Ralph, who uses a wheelchair, has been involved with the nonprofit Center for Disability Rights for many years and I can attest to the fact it's a great organization.

Sunday was a picture-perfect weather day, which added to the festive, upbeat atmosphere. After a complimentary breakfast walkers and rollers started down the sidewalk along the beach, then through the parking lot and out to the sidewalk along Capt. Thomas Boulevard.
Some who don't need wheelchairs tried them out to learn firsthand about the daily difficulties faced by the disabled.

Entertainment throughout the morning was provided by five talented teens in a rock band called "Up in Arms."

Members include: Joe Famiglietti of East Haven, lead guitarist; Joe Caruso of East Haven, singer and keyboardist; Kyle Cifarelli of East Haven, bass guitarist; Dan Durazzo of East Haven, drummer; and Matt Zingarello of Guilford, rhythm guitarist.

Executive Director Marc Anthony Gallucci said at least $16,000 had been raised, with more funds pledged. He said more than 90 percent of the money raised goes to scholarships for disabled young people who are headed to college or technical school. "You can feel good about that," Gallucci said.

I do feel good about being a part of this great event. And judging by the many smiling faces that were there I know I'm not alone. 

Labels: Center for Disability Rights, East Haven, fund-raiser, Guilford, West Haven

If at first...

you don't succeed...

I'm posting a link to a story I wrote Thursday, which appeared in Friday's newspaper.
Last week I linked to a story about a World War II veteran, but it got no comments.

So I'm trying again, 'cuz if at first you don't succeed...

The story is about a beautiful little girl who is suffering from a degenerative illness, Neimann-Pick disease, and the children at a parochial school who wanted to do something to help her. I hope this post brings some awareness to the devastating disease, which has no cure.

An amazing man inspires many at school event

He's spirited and full of good humor. Yet he has had to overcome so much in his life. He's a professional educator, and a motivational speaker. He certainly inspires those who hear him.

John spoke at a recent high school human relations club conference that I covered for my job. Ralph was there with me.
We were impressed and inspired by John, who was born with rather glaring physical disabilities. The braces on his legs click and clack as he walks. His hands are deformed. I shook his wrist when he held out his hand to introduce himself.

He says he has spent most of his life trying to make those around him more comfortable. He started speaking in public about his journey, his struggle, when he was in the sixth grade, he told us.
He has a brilliant mind, a twinkle in his eye and an infectious smile.

Stare? Yes, people always stare at him. And they have stared for his more than 40 years of life, he says. Could we infer from that that he is used to it? Would you get used to it?

He joked that his own children, ages 10 and 12, also stare at disabled or other "different-looking" people when they are out in public.
Human nature, I guess.

We went to a workshop he led in a classroom after the conference. We got to know him a little better. He is amazing, for sure.
He left us with a renewed feeling that, by drawing on our inner strength, anything we want to achieve in life is attainable.

Overcoming the overwhelming

This afternoon my husband, Ralph, and I went to a picnic sponsored by a local group that advocates for disabled children. Although made up mostly of parents, it is starting to broaden its horizons to include other members of the community.

The reason why we were invited is because the founder of the group, a woman with an autistic son who is 16, asked me to serve on the organization's board of directors. I've never served on a board of directors before, and I was honored to be asked. This energetic and accomplished woman also has four (!) daughters.

I wanted Ralph to be there too as a role model for children who use wheelchairs. We did meet a couple with a very young son who can walk a little with braces on his legs but who also has a manual wheelchair. The little guy cannot speak, but he is going to a great school and he is learning.
He had a big smile and an even bigger hug for everyone there, friends and strangers alike.

We met a man who has an autistic son and has been a stay-at-home dad for four years. His son is about to go into fourth grade. But in addition to the disability, the family is facing financial difficulties. A lead paint abatement for their house cost $74,000, for starters. My mouth dropped open as he told us about it.

There were other parents with autistic children there who we didn't meet, but we observed. What a constant struggle their lives must be. Hard to fathom if you haven't walked in their shoes.
Parents like the ones we met today face overwhelming circumstances on a daily basis, but they are doing what they need to do and they are overcoming.

I give them a lot of credit.