“Always work with a smile!”

Dairy Queen has been a great partner in our community for employing people with disabilities. Mark has started working there this past summer and loves every minute of this opportunity! His entire shift, he is smiling, happy and working hard to keep the dining room spotless. He is very diligent about making sure all the condiments on the tables are fully stocked, the soda machine is clean and ready to use and he keeps the floors clean of trash and dropped food. He said that his motto is “Always work with a smile!”

If you’ve been to Goodwill Knox on Upper Gilchrist since they moved up there, there’s a good chance you’ve seen Blake. Blake started his job there during the summer when they were still located on Coshocton Rd. and has transitioned to their new location. He said that he really likes their new location and he enjoys going through all of the donations that come in and help organize them for sale. Blake works hard each and every shift he comes to work to help make sure Goodwill Knox is stocked and ready for customers!

Josh worked with our Employment Manager who helped him through some of the different employment programs that we can offer to help people with disabilities be employed in the community. This past summer he landed a job at Premier Theatre 7. He loves getting to go to work for each of his shifts and work hard. He loves being able to help clean the theater to keep it looking nice for all of the customers. Each shift he cleans the benches in the hallway, cleans all of the posters, door knobs, hand rails and all of the booster seats. This opportunity has meant the world to him!

Jocelyn and Debbie have been working together for many years.  Jocelyn has been learning more about her disability over the years and Debbie has been a wonderful support for her to help her get to conferences to learn how to advocate for herself and others who have disabilities. 

Jocelyn is a wonderful advocate and role model.  She has gone to college to get her Associates Degree and she works two jobs in the community!  She is truly an inspiration!  Make sure you check out the billboard that she will be featured on in October for Disability Employment Awareness Month!

Cheyenne started working with Paula just a few short months ago.  In that time, their relationship has truly started to blossom!  Cheyenne has been learning about taking care of horses and farm life since Paula owns her own farm!  They love to spend time outdoors, taking care of horses and going out doing fun things. 

Mary and Diane have been working together for years!  Mary comes into Diane’s home and helps her around the house, helps her get ready for work and they go out and have fun!  Mary and Diane can’t imagine not working together—they have formed an amazing relationship with each other that can’t be broken. 

Mary is honored to be able to help Diane live the life she chooses and loves being able to help her achieve her dreams!

Jackie and Kelly have been working together for a little while now.  Jackie is an independent provider and provides opportunities for Kelly to be able to go out to eat, go shopping and go to the theatre! Jackie and Kelly also enjoy spending time with Alyssa; the three of them make quite the team!

Will and Peter keep busy by participating in many different activities!  A few years ago, they found out about the Adaptive Sports Connection in Powell, OH which provides adaptive technology to help empower anyone with physical and cognitive challenges through sports and therapeutic outdoor recreation!  The mission of the Adaptive Sports Connection is to help people with challenges stay healthy and happy by focusing on their ABILITIES. 

While at Children’s Hospital for one of Will’s appointments, they have met many other families who help encourage and provide resources to each other.  One of the resources that Will and Peter learned about was the Adaptive Sports Connection program.  Will and Peter try to regularly go to the kayaking, water skiing and downhill skiing programs.  Will’s favorite is the skiing--- he loves speed!  Each time Will goes, the instructors and volunteers try new ways of adapting the equipment to make Will’s experience as enjoyable as possible. 

Once the custom pieces of adaptive equipment are added to the kayak, Peter and the instructors load Will into his tailored kayak, get different pieces of foam to strategically add around his body to ensure he is able to sit upright and get his paddles ready!  Once it’s his turn to load into the water, a float with wheels is loaded under his kayak and he is wheeled down to the water’s edge.  His kayak has a set of outrigger floats on the back to help prevent him from tipping it over.

Each time Will goes out kayaking, he has his father Peter, as well as a volunteer (Christina) and the instructor (David).  As a group they work diligently to learn how Will kayaks and what can help him have a better experience.  Each time he goes out, he builds his stamina and is able to kayak longer than the last time!  Once he gets tired, he can either paddle himself back in or his volunteer can tether their kayak to his and paddle him back in. 

If you are interested in participating in one of the great programs offered by the Adaptive Sports Connection, please go onto their website to learn how to get involved!  https://adaptivesportsconnection.org/

For the past 6 years we have held the annual Summerfest! Each year it has been something fun and different—- this year we decided to bring it back to the basics and have a simple and fun picnic at the park! The rain didn’t deter us from having a nice afternoon together. There was lots of fun and laughter during our picnic!

We had several families join us back in June for Lego Club: Sports at MVNU! Our next date is 8/7, 4:30-6:00 at MVNU again! We hope everyone can join us as we create fun musical Lego masterpieces!

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize