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Subject: Life Without Limits: A Dream Come True for Girl in Poland
Life Without Limits, the UCP Monthly E-Newsletter <http://www.ucp.org>
December 2006 Forward to a Friend
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* Inside This Issue
* A Dream Come True for Girl in Poland
* 2007 UCP Annual Conference -- No Limits. Just Life.
* Five UCP Affiliates Awarded Grants for Low-Incoming Housing
* Voting Accessibility Improving, Problem Areas Remain
* In the News
A Dream Come True for Girl in Poland
The second Zach Woolley heard that a 6-year-old girl in Poland needed a new
wheelchair, he was on a mission. Zach, a young man with cerebral palsy, didn't
know how he would get a child-size wheelchair halfway around the world, but he
was committed to making it happen.
Zach Woolley<http://www.ucp.org/uploads/zach.jpg>
Zach Woolley
Zuzia in her new chair, with her
father<http://www.ucp.org/uploads/zuzia_poland.jpg>
Zuzia and her father
The story began a couple of years ago. Krystyna Gawlik, a craft maker, designed
a beautiful Christmas ornament based on Zach and his service dog. The ornaments
sold in stores upwards of $75, with the proceeds going to United Cerebral Palsy
of Greater Birmingham. Gawlik sent her design to Poland for an artist to carve
her mold. When the ornament arrived, the carver wept. His young daughter, Zuzia,
also has cerebral palsy. The carver told Gawlik how his daughter could never sit
comfortably because all she had was an adult-size wheelchair.
Gawlik shared the story with Zach, and he sprang into action. After a few months
of fundraising, Zach got a wheelchair donated, and his family donated a bath
chair. The next step was shipping the chairs to Poland.
Shipping options were even more expensive than the wheelchair. But, through help
from the Alabama State Development office, UCP was put in touch with the
Panalpina Group, a leading supplier of forwarding services specializing in Air
Freight shipments. Within days of contacting the company, a truck picked up the
two items and loaded them onto a 747 Cargo Jet. The package traveled first to
Luxembourg, then Berlin, and -- finally -- to Poland.
In a translated letter, Zuzia's father wrote, "The wheelchair is great and Zuzia
can now drive this luxury car 'Mercedes.' Also, the bath chair is perfect!" A
family in Poland now knows that there are no boundaries when a young man sets
his mind to something important.
2007 UCP Annual Conference -- No Limits. Just Life.
United Cerebral Palsy invites you to participate in a once in a lifetime
opportunity to redefine the future for people with disabilities at the 2007 UCP
Annual Conference, to be held in Orlando, Florida, April 12-14. This year's
event will focus on the future as we re-imagine it for people with disabilities
- a future where people with disabilities are fully integrated into the entire
fabric of society. Our conference theme - No Limits. Just Life. - speaks to this
goal and also sets the stage for us all to think about insights, implications
and potential action steps to ensure a future with No Limits. Just Life., for
individuals with disabilities.
This year's conference will include sessions specifically geared toward families
of people with disabilities, and will allow time for attendees to enjoy nearby
Disney with specially priced passes. Come experience the magic of Disney!
To learn more about the 2007 UCP Annual Conference, including hotel and
registration information, visit http://www.ucp.org/conference
<http://ga4.org/ct/0pzgusn1Xm7c/> .
Five UCP Affiliates Awarded Grants for Low-Incoming Housing
Five United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) affiliates will soon be able to provide more
affordable housing for people with disabilities, thanks to more than $5 million
in housing assistance grants announced October 31. The funding was acquired
through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)'s Section 811
program.
HUD logo<http://www.ucp.org/uploads/hud_logo.jpg>
Award winners included UCP of Greater Birmingham, UCP of Delaware, UCP of Texas,
UCP of Greater Houston, and UCP Land of Lincoln. The grants will be used to
construct a total of 53 new housing units. Each of the housing projects will
emphasize blending people with disabilities into their communities, allowing
them to live independently.
"These grants will help the nation's people with disabilities find decent
housing that they can afford," said HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson. "[People
with disabilities should not] ever have to worry about being able to find a safe
place to live."
Voting Accessibility Improving, Problem Areas Remain
Whether the 2006 midterm election results pleased or disappointed you, we all
can agree that a more accessible political process is a good thing. A number of
voters with disabilities shared their story with DontBlockMyVote.org, a national
voting initiative of United Cerebral Palsy, such as Tricia. On election day,
Tricia, a Kansan with low vision, was directed to a special machine and was able
to vote independently. Afterward, three people asked her about the voting
experience. "Very positive!" she exclaimed.
Thanks to the continuing implementation of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA),
Tricia's story is no longer unique. As of January 1, 2006, HAVA required every
polling place to have at least one accessible voting machine. However, some
states have been slow to implement HAVA requirements and many polling places
continue to be inattentive to accessibility issues.
Wes from San Diego, CA, reported to DontBlockMyVote.org that the tables at his
voting site were not wheelchair accessible despite continued local advocacy on
the problem. Wes wasn't alone. Inaccessibility problems have been reported in a
number of other states, including New York, Ohio, Utah, Indiana, and Kentucky.
These reports demonstrate that, while more people with disabilities are being
empowered to vote, we must continue to be vigilant on voting accessibility
issues.
How was the voting experience for people with disabilities in your community?
Share your story with DontBlockMyVote.org -- send it to Rhys Gerholdt at
[log in to unmask]
Visit DontBlockMyVote.org <http://ga4.org/ct/lpzgusn1Xm7x/> to read stories
people have shared with us already.
About United Cerebral Palsy
Founded in 1948 to help people with cerebral palsy
<http://ga4.org/ct/pdzgusn1Xm7X/> , 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, the UCP is dedicated to advancing the
independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities.
Learn more about UCP <http://ga4.org/ct/p1zgusn1Xm7B/> .
UCP Gift Ideas Under $10
<http://ga4.org/ct/07zgusn1Xm7d/>
Show your support of United Cerebral Palsy by purchasing items at the UCP Online
Store <http://ga4.org/ct/07zgusn1Xm7d/> .
In the News
United Nations Celebrates "E-Accessibility Day" December 3
<http://ga4.org/ct/ppzgusn1Xm7r/> UN.org Access to information and communication
technologies creates opportunities to everyone in society, but perhaps no-more
so than for persons with disabilities. No longer do the societal barriers of
prejudice, infrastructure, and inaccessible formats stand in the way of
participation.
Medicare 2007 Open Enrollment Period Begins <http://ga4.org/ct/l7zgusn1Xm7s/>
About.com, 11/17/06 The Medicare program's annual Open Enrollment Period
officially started on November 16. According to the Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (CMS), Medicare beneficiaries will have six weeks -- until
Dec. 31, 2006 -- to change or add coverage to their current Medicare health and
prescription drug plans.
Plea to Let Doctors Kill Babies with Disabilities
<http://ga4.org/ct/ldzgusn1Xm7w/> Scotland on Sunday, 11/05/06 Doctors are
urging health professionals to consider permitting the euthanasia of newborn
babies with serious disabilities. The proposal, by the Royal College of
Obstetricians and Gynaecology in England, follows the increase in the number of
such children surviving because of medical advances.
Getting There is None of the Fun <http://ga4.org/ct/l1zgusn1Xm72/> KTLA News,
11/13/06 A lamppost in the fast lane? A curb blocking an offramp? On the freeway
it's unheard of. For wheelchair users, it's a typical day of violated
accessibility laws.
Soldier Who Lost Use Of Arm Says It's An Aggravation, Not a Disability
<http://ga4.org/ct/P1zgusn1Xm7f/> WAVE 3, 11/13/06 With the in war in Iraq still
raging, America's young men and women are making sacrifices for our country.
Some make the ultimate sacrifice, while others come back facing a life that will
never be the same. For those who have lost an arm or a leg, it is a tortuous
battle, but it's a battle one very special Kentuckian fought and won.
Generating a Positive Attitude <http://ga4.org/ct/01zgusn1Xm73/> Indianapolis
Star, 11/10/06 The anniversary of a friend's death spurred two Franklin Township
students to collect funds to help others who, like their friend, have cerebral
palsy. Within a week, the eighth-graders collected more than $1,200 by selling
stuffed bears wearing a sweater printed with the word "attitude."
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