Grassroots Advocacy Partnership Survey

The Grassroots Advocacy Partnership (GAP) is gathering information for as part of a survey of the disability community to gather important data to use in making a case for the importance of disability services during the 2010 Utah Legislative Session.

The first link below is a survey directed primarily at people with disabilities and their families. The second link is directed primarily at people who are professionals and/or volunteers. You are welcome to take both if both apply to you.

Please pass this survey on to anyone and everyone so that GAP can get a good sampling of data from the Utah communities. We will officially close the survey on Sunday, November 29, 2009, and the data will be available on the Utah Developmental Disabilities Council website after December 1, 2009 at www.utahddc.org.

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey(s) and then please pass this along to as many people as possible! Thank you!

Survey for people, family members, and friends

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=6fUTPTmg4GHIFkjUTaceWA_3d_3d

Survey for professionals and volunteers

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=50Zvur4v_2bzJe8L_2ffkEdJvw_3d_3d

Western Sled Hockey League Games

Over the weekend the National Ability Center's Golden Eagles competed in the most recent round of games in the Western Sled Hockey League series. Thanks to everyone who came to support the Eagles!

The final scores were:

Friday, November 6th
NAC Golden Eagles 2 - 0 U.S. Jr. National Team
Phoenix Coyotes 0 - 9 U.S. Jr. National Team
NAC Golden Eagles 6 - 0 Phoenix Coyotes
U.S. Jr. National Team 4 - 1 NAC Golden Eagles

Saturday, November 7th
Phoenix Coyotes 1 - 7 U.S. Jr. National Team
NAC Golden Eagles 8 - 0 Phoenix Coyotes
All-Star Team 0 - 7 U.S. Jr. National Team

Peacefully to Pasture

Today was a sad day for all of us at the National Ability Center. After three years of working with many of the big and tall riders in the NAC's therapeutic and adaptive riding lessons, Bally passed away.

Measuring more than 16 hands tall, Bally towered over most participants and staff. His body was barely big enough to contain his big heart. Even to his last day, Bally had the respect of both his riders and fellow horses. As he took what would be one of his last walks across the ranch this morning, the other horses in the pastures walked to their fences seemingly knowing that something was wrong with the big Belgian Draft. Bally passed away only a few hours later.

Special thanks to Dr. Sam Hendrix and Dr. John Sieverts for their care of Bally over the last few days. Thank you to David & Sue Steinman, the Alysa Casey Family and Stella Tavilla for helping bring Bally to the NAC.

Sincerely,
Dale D. Schoon,
CEO National Ability Center

A Note from the Equestrian Program Staff:

Bally was a gentle giant who tried his best at dressage and barrel racing. We'll all miss him. - Equestrian Program Resource Manager, Jan Drake

Bally was a friend and mentor to many riders. His kind heart and willing nature will be greatly missed. Thank you to all those who helped make his stay here possible. The big guy changed many lives. - Equestrian Program Manager, Rae Sorensen

United We Serve

This morning President Barack Obama announced a new initiative called United We Serve. Mr. Obama encourages Americans of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to get out this summer and serve! At the National Ability Center, we could not survive without our army of volunteers. We are thankful for them everyday. For those of you who don't volunteer already, let this be your call-to-action. Come serve with us! We need you, and you will feel good for having helped out in your community. If you are interested in coming up to help in any of our many summer programs (cycling, horseback riding, swimming, water skiing, archery and more), call Jennifer Carpenter at 435.649.3991. She will get you pointed in the right direction. If you are ready to start today, our monthly volunteer orientation will be held tonight at the NAC at 5:30pm. We hope to see you there.