AmeriCorps Members Carry a Big Stick (or Sledgehammer)

At noon on May 21, AmeriCorps volunteers from the National Ability Center arrived at Recycle Utah on Woodbine Way with destruction on their minds. Wielding screwdrivers, hammers, utility knives, scissors, pry bars, pliers and a sledgehammer they proceeded to demolish thirty-four discarded car seats in 3 hours. By separating the hard plastic from the metal and non-recyclable fabric, a sizeable amount of recyclable materials were mined from the car seats and the county landfill was spared unwanted additions. It was a tough job but all of the participants enjoyed themselves as they found creative new ways to use tools! Many thanks to Brian, Kristin, Rebekah, Garrett, Molly, and Tracy for volunteering, and thanks to Recycle Utah volunteer coordinator Britte Kirsch for organizing the project.

-John Matro (Recycle Utah volunteer, aka Junkyard Dog)

Note from the NAC;
Each AmeriCorps member who serves with us for a one-year term also participates in monthly service projects like this one with Recycle Utah. This year, the NAC AmeriCorps members have volunteered their time and talents to the Peace House, Utah Food Bank, Norwegian Outdoor Exploration Center and many others. Each of them is also required to fulfill an Individual Service Project during the year. For more information about serving as a member of this national organization, check out AmeriCorps.gov. There are many options for where and when you can serve around the United States. Join AmeriCorps, get things done.

NAC Co-founder Honored by Dalai Lama

Meeche White one of 49 Unsung Heroes of Compassion in the world

photo by Robert Bangtson

Twenty-five years after founding the National Ability Center (NAC) in Park City, Utah, Meeche White was honored by the Dalai Lama as an Unsung Hero of Compassion last month in San Francisco.

White was present two years ago when Paralympian Chris Waddell received the same honor. This time, it was her turn to meet the Dalai Lama.

“It was truly an honor to have an opportunity to shake the Dalai Lama’s hand,” Meeche said after the event. “He’s an amazing man.”

Meeche, who stepped aside as the CEO of the NAC last fall, was one of two individuals from Park City to be honored. She founded what was known as Park City Handicapped Sports in 1985 with her husband at the time. Their idea was to provide ski lessons to veterans with physical disabilities. That first season they taught 45 lessons. This past season the NAC taught more than 5,000 ski lessons and thousands more in programs like horseback riding, sled hockey, cycling, water skiing and swimming. Thousands of people have had their lives changed for the better through the NAC’s programs and Meeche’s efforts in the last two decades.

Her work was not limited to Utah or even the United States. She took the first ever trip with the Special Olympics ski program to Europe, and helped build other adaptive recreation programs in Thailand, Spain, Italy, Korea, Austria and Chile.

Meeche was one of 49 individuals from 13 countries who were chosen for being highly compassionate.

“These individuals have been selected as representatives of the tens of thousands of people worldwide who quietly serve the disenfranchised and work to improve our communities through their personal efforts,” said event chair Dick Grace, founder of Grace Family Vineyards, Red, White and Snow vintner and board chair of Wisdom in Action, the organization hosting the unique celebration. “We don’t see them or hear about them in the daily news, but they exemplify a humanism and heroism to which we must each aspire.”

Meeche said the event was both humbling and overwhelming.

“Of course meeting with the Dalai Lama is always an amazing experience,” she said. “It’s so overwhelming at the time.”

Now that she has had a chance to look back on the experience, Meeche’s thoughts have shifted to the uniqueness of having been honored by the Dalai Lama while so many people love and honor him.

“It’s very humbling because he’s an amazing man,” she said.

Meeche, you're amazing, too! Congratulations!

Tackling Cerebral Palsy

by Raeshell Sorensen
(names in the article have been changed to protect the privacy of our participants)

Every day at the NAC we witness small miracles. One of many small miracles happened early on a Wednesday morning with a young man named Brad. Brad has Cerebral Palsy and has been riding horses for about two years; he recently switched from Therapeutic Riding to doing Occupational Therapy on a horse with our Hippotherapy program. Brad’s Dad Stuart has mentioned a few times how Brad screams and kicks out of excitement when he pulls their car into our drive. Although Brad doesn’t speak, he is quite verbal and communicates with those who know him best. Brad loves the horses, and the horses now help him to achieve his goals of building strength and coordination that will help him work towards walking with a walker to be more independent instead of using a wheelchair.

After 45 minutes of strenuous exercises and stretches on the back of his horse, Brad practices standing and crouching off the horse while holding to the arena fence. Two weeks ago, while doing such an activity, Brad stood up while holding the fence supporting his own weight for the first time. This may not seem like a momentous occasion to the common passerby, but Stuart had a tear in his eye when he said he was going to start shopping for walkers the next day. These are the small miracles that remind us why we do what we do.

If you are interested in seeing what benefits our therapeutic riding or hippotherapy programs could provide you, come visit us! We are located on the east side of Park City at Quinn’s Junction (off exit 4 of Hwy 40). If you have questions about the program check out our website or give us a call at 435.649.3991.

AmeriCorps Week

The National Ability Center is fortunate to be one of only eight AmeriCorps state programs in Utah. These volunteers are invaluable and help create a positive environment for each individual who paritipates in our programs throughout the year. This week we celebrate with nearly 3,000 other organizations which are served by AmeriCorps volunteers. From rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina to helping kids with disabilities learn to ride a bike, AmeriCorps members help in many aspects of community life in the United States. At the NAC, each AmeriCorps member volunteers for 1,700 hours over the course of a year. Thank you AmeriCorps members!

Read on to learn more about AmeriCorps and its benefits to organizations like ours around the country. If you are interested in becoming an AmeriCorps member at the National Ability Center, please email us at info@DiscoverNAC.org.

What is AmeriCorps Week?

AmeriCorps Week is a recruitment and recognition event designed to bring more Americans into service, salute AmeriCorps members and alums for their powerful impact, and thank the community partners who make AmeriCorps possible. AmeriCorps Week provides an opportunity for AmeriCorps members, alums, grantees, program partners, and friends to shine a spotlight on the work done by members in communities across the country -- and to motivate more AmeriCorps to join AmeriCorps or volunteer in their communities.

The third annual AmeriCorps Week will take place May 9-16, 2009.

What is AmeriCorps?

AmeriCorps provides opportunities for 75,000 Americans to give back in an intensive way to their communities and country each year. It consists of three main programs: AmeriCorps State and National, whose members serve with more than 2,900 national and local nonprofit and community groups; AmeriCorps VISTA, through which members serve full time fighting poverty; and AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps), a team-based residential program for young adults 18-24 who carry out projects in public safety, the environment, youth development, and disaster relief and preparedness.

Greg Shaw & Team USA Head to Czech Republic

NAC athlete and Golden Eagles team member, Greg Shaw, is competing this weekend in the IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships in the Czech Republic. Greg has been all over the world with Team USA this season, and they are looking to bring home the gold after last year's bronze medal performance. ParalympicSport.tv is broadcasting the games live. Set your alarm clocks, and cheer for #8. Good luck, Greg!

2009 U.S. National Sled Hockey Team Schedule
May 9-16 • Ostrava, Czech Republic • Sareza Stadium

Date	Opponent	Time (Local/MDT)
Sat., May 9	Italy	9 a.m./1 a.m.
Sun., May 10	Korea	12 p.m./4 a.m.
Tues., May 12	Norway	4 p.m./8 a.m.
Thurs., May 14	Semifinal	TBA
Sat., May 15	Bronze-Medal Game	TBA
	Gold-Medal Game	TBA

Back in the Saddle

Lessons have resumed! Temperatures are warming! Trees are in blossom! What do you want to do today? Bike? Trail ride? Swim? Dance? We do it all, and you can, too!

The swine flu was an unexpected bump in the road, but everyone here is healthy as a horse (including the actual horses!). We're excited to have everyone back. Thanks for your patience. Now it's time to play!

All Clear

With the Summit County Health Department approving the reopening of area schools, the National Ability Center's programs will resume tomorrow (Thursday). If you have any questions, please feel free to call the us at 435.649.3991. What a crazy week! Wash your hands, and come play!

Two Weeks 'Til Shelby's Debut

by Abby Ferrin

Shelby is well on his way for his big show on the 16th. He has been working really hard on obstacles like crossing a bridge, walking through water, stepping over poles, and of course, looking as cute as possible. Up next for Shelby are some experiences with a slicker and trotting in hand. He has taken his training very seriously and is waiting eagerly for his chance to show off his skills next weekend. Wish him luck!

(Shelby being followed in his pen by fellow mustang Etta Place)

One More Week

UPDATE: ALL LESSONS, ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN CANCELED UNTIL MONDAY, MAY 11th.
Erring on the side of caution, the NAC has chosen to cancel lessons for one more week. We still have no reason to believe any individual at the NAC may have been infected with the Swine Flu, but we feel it is best to take this precaution. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the National Ability Center at 435.649.3991.