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Handicap This! Performers, Educators, Entrepreneurs

By Mary Curran Rhodes on July 31, 2013 in Education, Recreation, Relationships, Special Event, Spotlight

Handicap This! may have started as a fun and educational enterprise for Mike Berkson and Tim Wambach, but it has grown into a thriving business. The core business is a constantly-evolving show called “Handicap This!”. It is a funny, poignant and bawdy telling of the story of their friendship – Mike has Cerebral Palsy and Tim was first hired as his assistant over a decade ago. Their relationship grew and now they create a “Judgment Not Allowed” zone during every show that educates and opens minds with facts, tales and heart. They tell a story of human potential, using themselves as examples.

And apparently the business potential for Handicap This! is very great. With three employees now, revenues tripled in 2013 and the company keeps growing. They have performed for over 30,000 people in 10 states since debuting the show in 2010. They are increasingly called upon as motivational speakers in a variety of settings. Big users of social media, their facebook page has over 14,000 followers and offers unfailingly positive posts about life. Handicap This! also has produced a series of 13 web episodes with more on the way. You can watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UX0ttDKUhs&feature=player_embedded

Like many businesses, they want to give back to their community. Not surprisingly, they have created a foundation called Keep On Keeping On that has assisted 80 clients with the “high cost of living with physical disability” since 2007.

You can catch Handicap This! at the HOME Bar in Arlington Heights on September 5. Admission is $15 online, $20 at the door. Contact Tim to book an event. Tim@handicapthis.com

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Disability Pride Parade: Get on the LCCIL Bus!

By Mary Curran Rhodes on July 15, 2013 in Lifestyle, Other, Post Transition, Recreation, Relationships, Social Life, Special Event, Uncategorized

Excitement is growing for the 10th Annual Disability Pride Parade in downtown Chicago. Activities begin at 9am and the parade starts at 11. There will be booths, entertainment and presentations. Lake County-ers who want to attend the Parade can take the bus sponsored by the Lake County Center for Independent Living. The bus leaves the LCCIL office at 8 and will return about 3. To reserve your spot contact Matt at 847-949-4440, ext. 215, email: matt@lccil.org

Are you wondering about the parade itself? According to the event website:

The overall mission of the Disability Pride Parade is:

To change the way people think about and define “disability”;

To break down and end the internalized shame among people with Disabilities; and

To promote the belief in society that Disability is a natural and beautiful part of human diversity in which people living with Disabilities can take pride.

Visit the website at: http://www.disabilityprideparade.com/index.php.

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Stepping Out for Parkinson’s — June 9

By Mary Curran Rhodes on June 5, 2013 in Recreation, Special Event

Fund Raiser for Parkinson’s

The Stepping Out for Parkinson’s Fun Walk will take place at Nippersink Forest Preserve on Sunday, June 9. It features a 1.5 mile walk, run, wheel beginning at 11:30am. (Packet pick up is at 11.) The event also features volleyball, a bean toss and a raffle. There are over 89 gift baskets so far.

The event benefits Focus on a Cure whose mission is raising awareness, increasing education and providing support to patients and family members who live with Parkinson’s disease. This event was founded by Jodi Mara, a local woman affected by Parkinson’s. This is the second year of the event in Lake County.

For more information about the Fun Walk, contact Jodi at 847-373-8320 or Barb at 847-970-8422. Email them at sofpd@yahoo.com

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SO Torch Run in Lake County June 9

By Mary Curran Rhodes on May 30, 2013 in Lifestyle, Other, Recreation, Relationships, Social Life, Special Event

Over 100 Law Enforcement Officers will be carrying the Special Olympics Torch through Lake County on Sunday, June 9. There are several “legs” to the run and it is likely the officers will be running somewhere near you. Check with your local police department to see if/when you can cheer them on. The routes start at various places near the state line with Wisconsin around 6am. They are detailed below.

These runs are part of 23 similar Torch Runs that begin in various places around the state (East St. Louis, Quincy, etc.) All 23 segments will join up at the Opening Ceremonies are scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday, June 14 at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.

The Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is a year round activity that has raised nearly $28 million over the last 27 years to support Special Olympics activities. They aim to raise $3M this year. For more information about the Torch Run visit the Special Olympics Illinois website, or visit this link http://s162186.gridserver.com/law-enforcement-torch-run/

BTW — If you need a donut on May 31, stop by Cops on the Roof fundraiser held at these area Dunkin Donuts! http://www.soill.org/dunkin-donuts-cop-on-rooftop/

Supporters are invited to line the course and cheer for the torch bearers
as they show their support for the Special Olympics Summer Games.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run in Lake County details follow with itineraries and maps:

The Gurnee Route begins at the Six Flags Employee Entrance on Grand and Milwaukee at 6:15am and proceeds down Rt 21 to Dempster. From there, it meets other legs in Proesel Park in Lincolnwood. The Libertyville Stars Swim Team invites others to join them in front of the Baker’s Square on Milwaukee (21) and Greentree. The torch runners are expected to pass by between 7-8am.

The Sheridan Road Route begins at 6am at Sheridan Road and 128th in Winthrop Harbor for the first segment. They will run along Sheridan Road until they arrive in Lake Forest around 8:30. Then they will follow Green Bay Road to Evanston and conclude in Lincolnwood around noon. In Lincolnwood, they will meet up with runners on another leg of the Torch Run.

The Hwy 83 Route begins in Antioch at 6am. It goes through Lake Villa, Round Lake, Grayslake, and Wauconda. The route takes Hwy 83 to Hwy 120 to Fairfield to Chardon and ends at the Wauconda Police Department around 9: 25am.

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Shepherds Ministries Launches Summer Camp Discovery

By Mary Curran Rhodes on April 1, 2013 in Faith Based, Other, Recreation

Shepherds Ministries (in Union Grove, Wisconsin) will offer three one-week residential summer camp sessions for individuals with intellectual disabilities this year. “Camp Discovery” will target students aged 13-21 as they discover “purpose and possibility” in their lives. The camps will feature field trips, sports, devotions, life skills and counseling. Empowerment, goal setting and collaboration are themes in the camp. The fee for each week is $700.

“We encourage students to discover their abilities over their disabilities in everything we do at Shepherds Ministries” said Brian Canright, Transition Coordinator at the College. “We try to create a space where the student’s abilities can surface and build possibility.”

Some (but not all) campers are attending the camp to try out life at Shepherd’s College. The College offers 3-year programs in horticulture or culinary arts during the school year. Shepherds Ministries offers a variety of residential and day services as well as sponsoring Shepherds College.

Click here for the Discovery Camp webpage. (http://www.shepherdsministries.org/camp.html) The sessions will be held:

June 17-23 for ages 13-17
June 24-30 or July 1-5 for ages 18-21,

Shepherds Ministries has a Christian spiritual component in all their offerings. Programs are open to anyone interested. For more information about Camp Discovery contact Andrea Humphrey at 262-878-5620, ext. 1423, ahumphrey@shepherdsministries.org

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Tis the Season to Walk, Run and Wheel for Charity

By Mary Curran Rhodes on March 2, 2013 in Lifestyle, Recreation, Special Event

There are about 15 weekends every summer that can be used for outdoors fundraising events that benefit the disability community. These include fairs, 5Ks and more. These events are wonderful community builders as they raise vital funds for programs. TheNemoNews is creating a ‘master list’ of summer events, so that any supporter, athlete or outdoors person can easily find a way to have fun and do good in our area.

To get on the list, fill out the following form: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8T66BQ3

If you have questions, contact mary@thenemonews.com.

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