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Author Archive | Mary Curran Rhodes

Rally for Autism 5K on August 11

By on July 27, 2012 in Recreation, Special Event

The 10th Annual Lake County Rally for Autism is scheduled for August 11, 2011.  It will be held at Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville, IL.  The Rally features a 5K run or walk, in a family-fair type atmosphere.  The race begins at 9am, but activities begin earlier in the morning.   The race is CARA certified (Chicago Area Runners Association) and registration fees range from $15 to $25.   Register here.

Lake County Chapter of the Autism Society of Illinois, organizers of the event, anticipate 700-800 participants in this year’s race.  They are still recruiting volunteers for the day’s events.   Other events include Pre-Post Race stretching by Fitness Together, an Autism Resource Tent, and a Fun Fair by FUN Services Inc.  Families are encouraged to spend time using the Independence Grove Facilities.  Pets other than service dogs are not allowed in the park.

For more information on the race or to volunteer, contact Eric Smith, rally4autism@aol.com, 847-543-4502.

 

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Autism Awareness Day at Six Flags on Saturday, July 28

By on July 26, 2012 in Lifestyle, Recreation, Social Life, Special Event

The third annual Autism Awareness Day at Six Flags will take place on Saturday, July 28.  It is sponsored by the Autism Society of Illinois.  Reduced admission of $29.00 is available to participants who pre-register and pay online and use the promo code AUTISM. Details are here.

There will be a quiet area near the Wilderness Theatre for those who wish to use it.  In addition, the Chicago Children’s Theatre Red Kite Project will provide an interactive, multi-sensory performance in the Wilderness Theatre.

For more information go to the website:  http://www.autismillinois.org/?p=1990#

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Wendy on Wheels at Abilities Fair

By on July 25, 2012 in Education, Health, Opinion, Special Event

“Wendy on Wheels” author Angela Lieberman attended the recent Abilities Expo in Schaumburg.  She reviews her experience on her blog.

Ms. Lieberman lead a discussion on bullying using  the fourth book in her series, “Wendy Takes A Stand”,  In this book, Wendy witnesses a bullying incident and has to decide how to handle it.  Other books include “Wendy Goes to the Beach”, “Wendy Goes to the Zoo” and “Wendy Saves the Day”.

Author Lieberman recently released two books on self-catheterization for children in collaboration with 180 Medical.  “Ethan can Cath” and “Emma Can Cath” will help children learn this important independence-building skill.  The book is free to members of the 180 Medical Kids Club.   Membership is free and available at http://www180medical.com/kids.

Acclaimed author Lieberman stories were inspired by her sister, Amanda, who has spina bidida.  They have been featured magazines and newspapers.  She is currently booking fall school visits.

 

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Respite Funding Still Available

By on July 24, 2012 in Lifestyle, State Agency

Funding is still available for respite care under this program.  Recent communications suggest that there is a fair amount of flexibility in the program.  As we prepare for the new school year, needs for respite may arise in families.  TheNemoNews repeats it’s earlier post for your information.

Funding is currently available for families in need of emergency respite care for individuals with special needs in Illinois.  There is no age limit on the person to be cared for (birth to 100+).  The funding for this project is available until September 30, 2012.

Called the Lifespan Emergency Respite Program, the purpose is to help families with children or adults with special needs deal with an urgent need for respite care in the absence of any other funding source.  The program does not provide the particular respite caregiver, although a list of caregivers can be found on the website. There are other rules for eligibility and limits on expenses that are described on the website.

For more information visit the Illinois Respite Coalition or contact  Nancy Fidler, Illinois Respite Coalition at nfidler@marklund.org or 630-529-2871 x3231

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Think College iPad Webinar

By on July 23, 2012 in Education

“The iPad as a Personal Learning Device”, a webinar, will be offered on Thursday, July 26, 2012 at 1-2:30pm CDT (Chicago time).  The webinar will introduce  the many applications, settings, features, functions, and apps that make the iPad a state-of-the-art personal learning device.   Participants will learn how to take notes, make audio recordings, add email accounts, activate speech to text, and other functions. Participants will learn about the uses and possibilities of available apps for productivity, social networking, storage, reading, personalized newspapers, and much more.

The webinar is sponsored by Think College, an initiative that promotes college options for individuals with developmental disabilities.  Webinars are free, but pre-registration is required.  To register for the webinar click here.  Other scheduled  webinars are shown here.

 

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“Extreme Recess” for Kids

By on July 19, 2012 in Lifestyle, Recreation, Special Event

“Extreme Recess” is an aquatic event for kids with disabilities and their families.  It will feature swimming, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, tube and jet ski rides, water slides, a jumpy castle, beach games.  All water sports are adapted for wheel chairs.  It will take place on July 30 and 31 at 220 Lance Drive, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin.  It is sponsored by Dreams for Kids, a Chicago-based non-profit.

Tickets are $10 per participant and $5 per family non-participant. The fee includes lunch, a Dreams for Kids book and participation in all activities except water skiing.   All water ski participants will pay an $7 additional to join USA Ski on site.  Instructors, equipment, food & beverages will be provided.

This event has limited enrollment an fills up very fast.  To register go to EventBrite.  For more information contact David Bromley at dbromley@DreamsForKids.org or call 1-312-729-5404 and ask for Shelly.

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Nemo’s Summer

By on July 17, 2012 in Opinion, Other

This summer publication of TheNemoNews.com has been spottier than hoped or anticipated.  Thanks for hanging in there.  We would like to share a couple of thoughts with you.

First:  TheNemoNews.com will resume publishing articles as they arrive for the rest of the summer.  Some regard will be given to the importance, timeliness and audience for the item.  So you’ll see us more often now, but still not quite daily.

Second: In the fall, we will publish on a more regular schedule.  We are currently reviewing software and scheduling options that will make TheNemoNews more useful.  We hope to take Nemo to the next level.

Finally:  Thank you for your encouragement and kind words.  We are gratified that subscribers continue to enroll even though we have not published very much this summer.  We are excited by the opportunities presented by the community that TheNemoNews serves.

Thanks for staying tuned in….

Mary Rhodes
Publisher

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July 4th “Rest Stop” at Great Lakes Naval Station

By on June 25, 2012 in Lifestyle, Other, Recreation, Social Life, Special Event

Click to Enlarge

This year there will be a “Rest Stop” for families with special needs at the Naval Station Great Lakes 4th of July Celebration.  The Rest Stop is designed as a place to get out of the sun, take meds, get info and connect with other Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) families.

The public is invited to the annual celebration  that features a craft show, a carnival, a 5K run, fireworks, bingo and more.  The website has a detailed description and directions and an FAQ.   Check out the Facebook page as well.

“This is the first year that EFMP will have a tent for families with Special Needs.”, said Sally Tilli, Program Liaison.  “We are hoping that more families will be able to attend because of this support service.  And we’re expecting a really good time!”.

For more information contact Chris Mohr at Chris.Mohr@mwrgl.com or Salli Tilli at 847-688-3603, x 119, sally.tilli.ctr@navy.mil.

 

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Respite Care: Train the Trainer in McHenry

By on June 15, 2012 in Education, Lifestyle, Post Transition

Respite care is precious commodity to those of us who care for those needing 24-hour supervision. Often personal networks of family, friends, neighbors and church members are called on to help.   in our gratitude, the matter of training  may not be addressed, sometimes leaving us a bit unsettled.

As part of an initiative to train these volunteer respite providers, McHenry County’s Options and Advocacy is sponsoring a the two day workshop to prepare trainers who can then train additional volunteer trainers.  Schools, senior living facilities, healthcare and other groups are encouraged to attend. Some church communities plan attend in order to train members of their congregation who feel called to give families a little break from time to time.

Training will be provided by staff from Marklund, a Geneva,IL based non-profit using their Respite Education and Support Tools (REST) program

The free workshop will be held on June 19 & 20 from 9am-6pm each day.  For more information contact Options and Advocacy, Karen Rios,  847-477-4720.

 

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Lose the Training Wheels – Nearby Workshops

By on June 14, 2012 in Uncategorized

The ability to ride a bike is not only fun and healthful.  It can be key to transportation and inclusion with peers.  Yet the ability to ride a bike eludes many with intellectual and physical disabilities.   Enter Lose the Training Wheels, (LTTW) bike riding program created by Dr. Richard Klein, retired Professor of Engineering at UI – Champaign Urbana.

Using a unique system of graduated wheels, sponsor organizations, volunteers and therapy professionals, LTTW teams offer week-long workshops around the country helping children and adults learn to ride a bike.  They have a very high level of success.

There are two camps taking place near Lake and McHenry County this summer.  (There are none in Lake County.)  Camp registration is around $200-$350 depending on location,   In addition, volunteers are still being enrolled.  They camps are:

June 25-29, Milwaukee, Co-hosted by the Autism Society of SE Wisconsin (ASSEW)
414-427-9345 , assew3@assew.org and the Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin (DSAW) 414-327-3729, info@dsaw.org.  Limited space is available.

 July 30 – August 3rd — Hosted by the Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region.  Contact Mary Beth Scholtes at 630-261-6287, mscholtes@eastersealsdfvr.org.

Each site has multiple sessions each day.  There are over 80 camps going on around the country this summer.  They are listed here.

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