FOCUS ON A Newsletter by ODC, Inc.
ability
FALL 2013
LOGAN'S ADVENTURE On July 20, 2013, Logan began an adventure that he may have once never thought possible. Logan, who uses a wheelchair, went water skiing. On July 18, just as the 2013 Wisconsin State Water Ski Show Championships on Lake Wazeecha in Wisconsin Rapids were about to begin, ODC received a call from Kurt Roskopf of the Wisconsin Water Ski Federation. He was calling to ask if one of our clients might like to participate in a demonstration of adaptive water skiing at the show that weekend. He was coordinating two demonstrations each day with the assistance of Colsac Skiers, an adaptive ski school located in Merrimac, Wisconsin, and he was looking for volunteers. “I checked the Colsac Skiers’ website and watched the video,” said Kristen Jinsky, ODC Service Coordinator. “Based upon what I saw – the way that the ski apparatuses were designed I thought about the physical abilities of a number of our clients and Logan came to mind.” “I thought, ‘How many of the individuals we serve have never had the opportunity to ride a bike fast, to drive fast… all the things that individuals without disabilities might take for granted,’” said Jinsky. “Logan is 21, and I know he has that in him. His mother is always telling him to ‘slow that wheelchair down!’” When Jinsky approached Logan’s mother, Karen, she was hesitant. So was his dad, David. “It sounded so exciting,” said Karen, “but what might happen? He’s been through a number of surgeries… you spend your whole life trying to make him ‘better’, so I worried about everything! Would he tip over? Was it going to hurt him?” The group made its way to observe the first adaptive water ski demonstration at the ski show championships with some apprehension. But according to Jinsky, one couldn’t help but be moved. Empowering People With Disabilites To Achieve
TOP: ODC’s Tanna Livernash (L) and Kristin Jinsky (R) accompanied Logan and his parents to an adaptive water ski demonstration at Lake Wazeecha on July 19. After watching the demo, Logan was ready to be a part of the action! | BOTTOM: Logan was seated on the ski sled, then lowered off of the dock and into the water.
“When we heard the crowd’s reaction to that first adaptive skier,” she said, “it was overwhelming. They were shouting ‘awesome’, ‘how cool’, and ‘I know so-and-so and she could do that!’” Logan watched, too, and then said, “There’s no question. I’ll do it!” SEE ADVENTURE / PAGE 3
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This column, In Our Own Words, features the inspiring words and stories of those on the front lines of ODC’s mission: our staff, our volunteers and our supporters, as well as the parents and caregivers of people with disabilities. Together, we achieve! "My name is Lynn Haefer, and I am an employment resource manager at ODC. My
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primary role is to help people find jobs in the community. Everyone has unique talents and
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skills, and we tap into what they have to offer and find out what makes them unique. We then use that knowledge to find the right job
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match for them with the right employer. Most people are unaware of all the work that
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we do to help individuals get to the point where they are valuable
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lengths to which we go to understand and get to know people, to
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So it isn’t just “plunking” someone into a job in the community. It’s
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employment candidates for a community job. Most don’t realize the identify those unique talents and skills and interests…
finding the right job, and really often it’s customizing a job so that it’s right for that person and fills the needs of the employer. When someone we are working with hits a milestone - when somebody is hired for a job in the community - it’s a party! We celebrate here! But it’s not just huge milestones like a new job… it’s the small things that we celebrate here at ODC. Small victories are worth celebrating, too!"
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"I am Sara Bloczynski, and I am a vocational services manager at ODC. My advice to everyone is to visit us and see what we do.
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When we take someone on a tour of the facility, the common theme we hear is that ‘I had no idea what you do here’. And so many
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times, I think that our community members feel that if they don’t know someone with a disability, there is no reason to have contact with ODC, and yet, in some way, we are probably touching their lives and they don’t even know it. I am constantly amazed… I think of individuals that I have worked with, and the times when I may have thought, ‘There is no way that we are going to accomplish that goal’. And I have been proven wrong over and over and over again.
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I think so many times, for so long, everything that individuals with disabilities have heard has focused on the negative, on the disability. Then they come to ODC, and we spend our time focusing on what they can do, what they want to do, and how we can help them get there."
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TOP LEFT: Logan ready to take off. | TOP RIGHT: What does it feel like to be up on skis for the first time in your life? | BOTTOM LEFT & MIDDLE: On his second demonstration run, Logan advanced to using a slalom ski with no supporting skis on either side. Two professional skiers kept a hold on Logan so he didn’t tip; at some point, Logan may learn to balance for himself. | BOTTOM RIGHT: A proud Logan relaxes after the second day’s events, joined by Kurt Roskopf and his wife, Susan.
ADVENTURE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Logan made his first water ski run the next afternoon. His adaptive ski equipment was placed on the dock; it resembled a slalom board with a seat attached and a smaller ski on either side for balance. Logan sat in the seat and was lifted off the dock and down to the water. “When they ‘plopped’ him off the dock and into the water,” said Karen, “I was overwhelmed with ‘what ifs’. But then I felt, what a great opportunity for him to feel free from any barriers! When he came back to shore, he was so proud, so confident!” “Holy cow,” Logan said to his mother. “The boat was going at a ludicrous speed, and it felt awesome!” Not wanting to miss the experience, Karen went along for the ride on Logan’s second trip around the lake. That ride was part of the show’s finale, and a huge crowd looked on. He was acknowledged by wholehearted cheers from onlookers as, on this run, the boat pulled him directly off of the shore and into the water. Empowering People With Disabilites To Achieve
The Colsac Skiers promised to keep in contact with Logan, and they did. According to Karen, they called once more this past summer and asked if Logan would be interested in skiing again in a demonstration in Northern Wisconsin. Unfortunately, the family already had plans but they were assured that there would be many more opportunities. And everyone agrees that Logan would love to do it again. “The experience built more confidence in Logan,” said Karen, “but it was also a confidence-builder for his parents - we had to let go! We all grew a little that weekend.” Editor’s Note: Colsac Skiers, Inc., based on Lake Wisconsin in Merrimac, is a water ski school for children and adults with disabilities. They are USA Water Ski certified instructors and Red Cross certified life guards. With over 100 combined years of water skiing experience as well as national championship titles, they provide experiences that allow people with disabilities to share the sport they are so passionate about. For more information, contact them at 608-493-4674.
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In Their Own Words In Their Own Words features stories
applying and getting the job... and
feelings of depression. Thus
of opportunity, support and personal
the rest is history!
began the nightmare of searching
achievement. In this column, we FOCUS ON ABILITY!
KATIE “My name is Katie. I have worked at the Marshfield Public Library for almost three years. My job is to re-shelve items. I am at the heart of
I love my job, but I don’t just want to stop there. I have dreams of working higher up in the library system, and I would also like to work with people with disabilities.
do, and I’m really good at it.
really have
day care and cleaning, and nothing seemed to fit. And then one day I thought, ‘Well, I love books,’ so I thought maybe the library. They had a job opening; I ended up
a purpose, a reason to get up in the morning,
How has ODC impacted my life? The question is, how has ODC not impacted my life?
a reason to do anything with my life. But now I have a new-found hope… I can go to work, I have friendships and relationships, and my life is so much better. How has ODC impacted my life? The question is, how has ODC not impacted my life? Before I started in their programs, I could barely function let alone hold down a full-time job. It took a lot of hard work on all of our parts, but we did it!” Honestly, everything I have accomplished I am proud of. They may be small things to
to get up in the morning. It has given her a sense of pride in a job well done and has built up her confidence tremendously. My hopes and dreams for Katie are to have a life of joy and fulfillment; that each day she feels better and stronger. I am very proud of how far she has come and very grateful to ODC for being a part of that journey.”
- JUNE, Katie's mother
TIM “No one here sees Tim as having a disability… when he came to us, he was uncertain of himself. What he is gaining here at The UPS Store is confidence.
others, but to me it’s
I found myself not thinking about
everything."
adding to his tasks at UPS… it
- KATIE “When Katie was about 14 years old, she came to me expressing
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Then she was introduced to ODC.
for Katie. It has given her a reason
ODC, I didn’t
what might fit my needs. I tried
making improvements in her life.
back and help others. Before I found
temporary job trials just to see
medications, Katie slowly began
Having work has been a life saver
feel incredible at work. I love what I
five years ago. I started with some
different counselors and trials of
More than anything, I want to give
the library – I keep it circulating. I
I started working with ODC about
for help. After years of many
wasn’t occurring to me. It wasn’t until I saw him growing that I knew he was capable of managing the technology here. Now he is taking care of customers who are dropping off packages to be
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shipped, and competently using
my own a few months ago, and
to do. I love the people here, and I
the computer.
living on my own has been great –
love being with the customers.
The bottom line is that he figured out his job really quickly, and it has worked out really well. Last year, after we had worked through the holiday rush, I am absolutely certain that he felt he was part of a very efficient team.
- PAT, Owner | The UPS Store, Wisconsin Rapids
peace and quiet, no parents telling you what to do! I don’t have more responsibility in my own place because I was doing dishes, laundry, cooking and cleaning when I lived with my parents. Long-term, I would like to work at
ODC has given me the support I need on the job at Renaissance Learning and at UPS. They helped me build the skills I need for employment.”
- TIM
The UPS Store. This is what I want
“My name is Tim. I work at The UPS Store and Renaissance Learning in Wisconsin Rapids. I started working at Renaissance Learning in November 2012. I clean tables and chairs and take out the trash. The people there are
ODC has given me the support I need on the job... They helped me build the skills I need for employment. extremely nice, great to get along with. I’ve actually seen a few of my coworkers outside of work. It’s a great place. I also work at The UPS Store. When I started in December 2012, I took out the garbage, cleaned and restocked. I have now learned to help customers with drop-off packages which I scan into the computer – I’ve been doing that for a few months. I also help package boxes a bit. I was able to get an apartment on
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SIMPLY AMAZING!
Another Successful Locals on Stage They laughed. They clapped their hands and tapped their feet. They even shed a tear. Those in attendance at ODC’s 2013 Locals on Stage variety show were simply amazed at the talents of their friends, neighbors and fellow community members. Over 150 all local, all volunteer performers took to the Wisconsin Rapids Performing Arts Center stage on September 14 to entertain the over 1,500 guests who attended one of two shows that evening.
Thank you to our performers, production crew, volunteers, sponsors and all those who came out to have a truly fun evening to support a great cause. Because of you, we raised over $18,000 to support ODC programs in Wisconsin Rapids and Marshfield. If you would like to see more photos of the evening’s festivities, visit our Facebook page at ODC, Inc. Don’t forget to “like” us while you’re there!
TOP LEFT: The VSA Choir provides people with disabilities the opportunity to learn new skills and form new friendships. Here, they perform “Marvelous Medley”. | TOP RIGHT: TRISIS is a trio of sisters singing harmonies from the early and mid20th centuries, styled after some famous sibling acts including the Andrews Sisters. They recently released their second CD titled “Studio C”. Here, they perform a “Sisters/Sincerely Medley”. | BOTTOM LEFT: Dance with Pam featured 39 dancers in a show-stopping performance of “Heads Will Roll”. | BOTTOM MIDDLE: The acoustic trio Tilly’s Village, which includes ODC President Pam Ross and Jerry & Michele King, was accompanied by guest musicians Ginger Marten, Bill Jungwirth and Galynne Goodwill in a performance titled “Walk or Ride”. | BOTTOM RIGHT: Wisconsin Rapids Chief of Police Kurt Heuer and his granddaughter, Harper, made a special appearance in a segment titled “Dream Big”.
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2013-14 ODC, Inc.
Board of Directors WE CAN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU! You are a partner in ODC’s mission, and we can’t achieve our goals without your support. Please watch your mail for ODC’s Annual Appeal, coming to you during the month of November.
YOUR GIFT WILL TRULY MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
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Empowering People With Disabilites To Achieve
Theresa Richards Chairperson
Director, Strategic Initiatives Ministry Health Care
Lyle Lang Vice-Chairperson President Lang Furniture
Luke Weiland Secretary
Attorney Luke A. Weiland, Attorney at Law, LLC
Tom Janke Treasurer
President Corenso North America
Dale Arendt
Executive Coach The Arendt Group
John Corrigall
VP Human Resources & Administration Renaissance Learning, Inc.
Patricia Curti Lori Gropp
Academic Business Systems Manager, Division of Education Marshfield Clinic
Jeff Hill
Owner Gene Hill Construction
Dave Krause
Assistant Vice President Forward Financial
Josh Linn
Administrative Manager The Bridge Center
Jeff Meyers
Vice President - Commercial Lending WoodTrust Bank
Pam Ross ODC President
pross@odcinc.com | 715-818-6447
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