The National Ability Center had its staff BBQ at the Ski & Snowboard Center a couple of weeks ago. The BBQ was in celebration of the renovations and hard work that many people put into the off season to make the Ski & Snowboard Center a little better.
The equipment room is more space efficient with new places to store ski equipment.
The ski team now has its own locker room to help store its equipment, a place where the team can have meetings, and a separate place for the coaches and team members to hang out.
There is a new locker room that they are calling the Education Locker Space. Instructors will now have more room to store their personal skis, snowboards and different gear that they will be using to teach participants.
The main desk area has been opened up. There is now more desk room and more room in general area where the couches are.
Thank you to all of those who put in long hours to make the Ski & Snowboard Center renovations a success. I am sure the participants and their families will notice the changes and the new feel of a renovated Ski & Snowboard Center.
We are looking forward to a great season together. The returning volunteer training has now taken place at Park City Mountain Resort, and we look forward to seeing many familiar and new faces on mountain this season.
If you are an individual or know of an individual that would like to take part in lessons at the National Ability Center's Ski and Snowboard Center please log onto our website, and check out the programs and the different adaptive equipment we use to teach participants on mountain at DiscoverNAC.org.
If you have a friend that would like to volunteer with the National Ability Center's Ski & Snowboard Center please have them look at our website for the opportunities available at DiscoverNAC.org.
The National Ability Center is a host site for the AmeriCorps program. AmeriCorps is a volunteer service organization that partners with programs throughout the country. There are six new AmeriCorps volunteers joining the National Ability Center for this coming year. They started the first day of October and will be here for a solid year. They will be working in various programs that the National Ability Center has to offer. Take a few minutes to read about the new AmeriCorps individuals. They are all from different backgrounds, but they are bringing experience and passion to the programs that they will be working with.
Andrea will be the Peer Partner Coordinator and ski instructor at the Ski and Snowboard Center. She is from Fenton, Michigan. She studied Therapeutic Recreation at Central Michigan University and is a licensed CTRS. She finished her degree with her internship in the winter of 2009 at the NAC and fell in love with it. She stayed on as an AmeriCorps member and is excited for a second great year of AmeriCorps at the NAC! She loves the power of recreation to enrich peoples lives.
Her favorite quote is: "You gain strength, and courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face...You must do the thing you think you cannot."Eleanor Roosevelt
Erin in from the great state down south of Tennessee and she wishes y'all a good day. She will be working with the equestrian program and at the ski and snowboard center this winter. She loves rock climbing and staying active in the outdoors. She has completed two years of college at the University of Tennessee and is very excited about AmeriCorps and the opportunities at the National Ability Center.
Erica will be the Ski & Snowboard Program Volunteer Coordinator at the National Ability Center. She will be coordinating the volunteers at the ski and snowboard center. Her hometown is Marinette, Wisconsin and she is a Badger, graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology: Exercise and Movement Science. She was in a dance academy for 12 years growing up. She still has some skills.
Laura is originally from the frozen tundra (aka, North Dakota) and is excited to live in the mountains this year. She will be working with a little bit of everything this year including: aquatics, ski and snowboard center, volunteer coordinating, and outreach. A recent graduate of the University of Minnesota Duluth, Laura loves to go trail running, climb rocks, and bike in her spare time.
Michelle is originally from Napa, California. She was able to do an Equine Internship through the National Ability Center in the summer of 2009 and came back the following summer to teach Camp Giddy Up. She went to college at Feather River College in Quincy, California where she majored in Equine Studies. She concentrated her studies in Pack Skills and Stable Operations. She graduated with an Associates Degree in the spring, and decided to take a break from school and come out to the National Ability Center to participate in AmeriCorps.
Teaching therapeutic horseback riding has always been a dream of hers, and through the NAC she has been able to live that dream to the fullest. While being here, she hopes to push her boundaries and try something outside of the equine world. In reaching that goal she will be volunteering in the NAC's ski and snowboard program this winter as well as being in the barn.
My name is Ben. I am originally from South Bend, Indiana. I have a Health, Fitness and Recreation Degree and recently finished going back to school to receive my teaching certification in Health and Physical Education. I love to participate in all things sport. I have participated in seven marathons and about thirteen half-marathons in my racing wheelchair. When the snow flies you will find me on the slopes. I will be working this year with the National Ability Center in the marketing and outreach department, the ski and snowboard center, and the sled hockey programs. I am looking forward to meeting some great individuals and learning many new things in my year as an AmeriCorps member.
If you would like more information on AmeriCorps and the different programs they are currently working in Utah and nationally, you can click on the link below.
Primary Care Network is open now for all adults of low income who do not have other health insurance. See www.health.utah.gov/pcn for more information. See the attached flyers and distribute extensively in your networks. Print and post!
“It’s a good preventive care plan,” said Utah Health Department spokeswoman Kolbi Young, who estimates 100,000 uninsured adults are eligible. Currently, enrollment stands at 13,000, down from a yearly average of 18,000.
Applicants must meet the following requirements (please visit the state's website for full list of requirements): » Age 19 through 64. » U.S. citizens or legal residents. » Not covered by other health insurance. » Meet income guidelines (for example, a family of four must have an income that does not exceed $33,075 a year). » Not qualified for Medicaid. » Have no access to student health insurance, Medicare or veterans benefits.
Applicants can apply online at www.health.utah.gov/pcn or can call the PCN hot line at 1-888-222-2542.
Carol Ruddell Project Director, Work Ability Utah Utah Department of HealthDivision of Medicaid and Health Financing c/o Office of Rehabilitation 1595 West 500 South Salt Lake City, UT 84104 phone: (801) 887-9388 fax: (801) 887-9389 cruddell@utah.gov www.workabilityutah.org
*The National Ability Center (NAC) is not affiliated with Primary Care Network, Work Ability Utah or the Utah Department of Health. This information is passed on strictly as information that may be beneficial to those involved with the NAC's programs. Any concerns about the posting of this information should be sent to info (at) DiscvoerNAC (dot) org.
NationalAbilityCenter to celebrate achievements at gala benefit on Oct. 1
Alisha Self, Of the Record staff
The Park Record
Posted:09/24/2010 04:12:16 PM MDT
(reprinted with permission from The Park Record)
Twenty-five years ago, the National Ability Center (NAC) started with the vision to help veterans with disabilities get on the slopes. Co-founders Meeche White and Peter Badewitz ran operations out of their living room with an electric typewriter and not much else.
With funding from Disabled American Veterans, the pair taught about 50 ski lessons that first winter. In the summer, they shifted to riding bikes. "We started with what we knew," says White. "We were just mom and pop."
After two years, the organization moved to its first office a 300-square-foot space at Park City Mountain Resort (PCMR). As operations grew, so did activities and opportunities for people with all types of disabilities.
When White and Badewitz lost the lease on their office, the resort granted them use of a doublewide trailer at the base of the mountain. That trailer remains the headquarters for the NAC's adaptive ski and snowboard programs today.
Other activities, including swimming, cycling, waterskiing, horseback riding, rafting and camping trips, challenge course activities and leadership development training have been added and are now based at the Bronfman Family Recreation Center & Ranch, which lies on 26 acres of land donated to the center in 1996.
In 2009, individuals participated in 15,545 lessons and outings, a growth of more than 300-fold since the center's inception.
Kathy Stott's son, David, has participated in NAC programs for nearly 10 years. David has a genetic disease that is considered an autism spectrum disorder. Since the age of five, he has been involved in activities including aquatics, horseback riding, cycling, archery and skiing.
"It has opened a whole world to him," Kathy says. "There has been nothing that has given him a broader spectrum of therapy than being engaged in activities at the NAC. They have allowed him to develop physically, to mature, and to engage in social contact in the context of recreation. For David, that has made all the difference in the world."
Kathy sees the benefit of the programs not only for her son but for the entire family. "For the person who is participating, it's a great transformation, but for the parents and the families, it gives hope that there is a place where these young people feel welcome, feel accomplished and like they're enjoying life. That's so valuable. It's a wonderful program and I would love to see it continue to expand and grow."
On Friday, Oct. 1, the NAC will celebrate a quarter century of promoting self-esteem, confidence and physical development in individuals with disabilities at its annual fall fundraiser, A Starry Night. The gala dinner and auction will be held at the Basin Recreation Fieldhouse at Kimball Junction starting at 6:30 p.m.
"We will be highlighting the achievement of the center and additionally we will be honoring Park City Mountain Resort for its commitment to the AbilityCenter," says special events manager Jennifer Atkin.
PCMR has been an integral part of the NAC's success on the slopes. "They are a huge supporter with in-kind donations and they make it possible for us to have our ski program," Atkin says. Its employees are trained to handle adaptive equipment and the NAC's competitive ski team trains there as well, she notes.
A Starry Night will be a coming-out party of sorts for the NAC's new executive director, Gail Loveland, who took the helm in June. "It will be a great opportunity to get to know her and her vision for the center," Atkin says.
The event, which is one of the center's largest fundraisers, will feature interactive displays of all NAC programs, a tribute to PCMR, a video presentation showcasing the growth of several longtime participants, and live and silent auctions. Auction items include various recreation and vacation packages, Sundance Film Festival tickets, a two-year lease on a 2011 Subaru Impreza, fine wine baskets and more.
Proceeds from the evening will go toward sustaining the NAC's year-round operations.
Tickets are $250 per person, $125 for NAC participants or $150 for students. Tables for 10 people are available for $2,500 to $4,000. Purchase tickets in advance at www.DiscoverNAC.org . For information about volunteer opportunities, donating auction items and more, contact Jennifer Atkin at 200-0985 or jennifera@DiscoverNAC.org.
** The Utah Parent Center asked us to share this with our participants, so take a look if this applies to you and your family. **
HELP US HELP PARENTS IN UTAH!
Parents of children receiving services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) are being asked to help provide important information about how Utah is meeting the state's requirements to provide programs and services for children with disabilities in early intervention and special education.
Each year the US Department of Education makes what are called "verification visits" to state education agencies and early intervention lead agencies around the country. Utah has been chosen for a visit on October 12th, 2010. The Utah Parent Center has been asked to collect input from parents by distributing these surveys.
SURVEY DETAILS
Parents who have had children participate in the early intervention programs (Part C of IDEA for infants and toddlers) or special education programs in preschool, elementary, middle, or high school (Part B of IDEA) can provide input in your choice of several ways. 1. First, follow the appropriate link below depending on whether your child is ages birth through 2 (Part C) or is 3 or older (Part B) to a web based survey tool. Click on one of the following links, complete, and submit your responses:
Survey for parents of children ages birth through 2 (Part C) http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/partCbirth-2 OR Survey for parents of children 3 or older (Part B) http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/partB3older OR Access the surveys through the Utah Parent Center's website at: http://www.utahparentcenter.org 2. Second, you may print out the survey that relates to your child's program, complete, and fax (801-272-8907) or mail it in. The links for pdf (printable) versions are here and instructions for submitting your responses are on the form:
3. Third, you may call the Utah Parent Center office at 800-468-1160 and complete it over the phone with one of our staff or volunteers. Spanish-speaking families can ask for Julie Moreno or Nancy Rodriguez for help in completing the surveys.
SURVEYS OPEN UNTIL 5pm ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17th. We will collect responses until Friday, September 17th. We'll then summarize the information for the US Department of Education team that is coming to Utah.
Please help us reach as many families as possible by forwarding or providing this information to parents who would like to provide input.
You may receive this information from more than one source because our many partner organizations are helping us disseminate the information. If so, you are well connected! Feel free to contact us if we can help you complete the surveys or if you have any questions or concerns. Our toll-free telephone number is 1-800-468-1160. Thank you for your participation!
Parents of children receiving services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)are being asked to help provide important information about how Utah is meeting the state's requirements to provide programs and services for children with disabilities in early intervention and special education.
Each year the US Department of Education makes what are called "verification visits" to state education agencies and early intervention lead agencies around the country. Utah has been chosen for a visit on October 12th, 2010.
The Utah Parent Center has been asked to collect input from parents by distributing these surveys.
Parents who have had children participate in the early intervention programs (Part C of IDEA for infants and toddlers) or special education programs in preschool, elementary, middle, or high school (Part B of IDEA) can provide input in your choice of several ways.
1.First, follow the appropriate link below depending on whether your child is ages birth through 2 (Part C) or is 3 or older (Part B) to a web based survey tool.Click on the link, complete, and submit your responses:
Survey for parents of children ages birth through 2 (Part C)
2.Second, you may print out the survey that relates to your child's program, complete, and fax (801-272-8907) or mail it in. The links for PDF (printable) versions are here and instructions for submitting your responses are on the form:
Survey for parents of children ages birth through 2 (Part C)
3. Third, you may call the Utah Parent Center office at 800-468-1160 and complete it over the phone with one of our staff or volunteers. Spanish-speaking families can ask for Julie Moreno or Nancy Rodriguez for help in completing the surveys.
We will collect responses until Wednesday, September 15th.We'll then summarize the information for the US Department of Education team that is coming to Utah.
Please help us reach as many families as possible by forwarding or providing this information to parents who would like to provide input.
Feel free to contact us if we can help you complete the surveys or if you have any questions or concerns.Our toll-free telephone number is 1-800-468-1160.
Thank you for your participation!
Lo que los padres... nos dicen sobre la intervención temprana y los servicios de educación especial en Utah.
Estamos pidiendo a los padres de los niños que reciben servicios bajo la ley de IDEA que nos ayuden a proporcionar información importante sobre si el estado de Utah está cumpliendo con los requisitos de proveer la educación especial.
El Departamento de Educación de los EE.UU. le ha pedido a Centro de Padres de Utah que distribuya estas encuestas y recibir las opiniones de los padres.
Padres de infantes y niños que han participado en los programas (parte C de IDEA) o programas educativos especiales en preescolar, elemental, educación media, o secundaria (parte B de IDEA) pueden proporcionar su aporte en diferentes maneras.
1. Primero, siga la conexión apropiada abajo dependiendo si la edad de su niño tiene 0 a 3 años de edad (parte C) o si es mayor de 3 años (parte B) en la encuesta en el Internet.
Encuesta para los padres de niños de 0 a 2 años de edad
Recogeremos las respuestas hasta el 15 de septiembre, 2010 y resumiremos la información para el equipo del Departamento de Educación de los EE.UU. que está viniendo a Utah. Usted puede remitir esta información a los padres que quisieran proporcionar su aporte, pero solamente una respuesta por computadora será aceptada.
Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with a recognition reception for Senator Orrin Hatch on Thursday! The reception will run from 4-6pm at the Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired at 250 North 1950 West in Salt Lake City. If you are interested in going, please RSVP to Liz Cerna at ecerna@utah.gov or by calling 1.877.246.9675 today!
Utah Medicaid Budget Hearing for Fiscal Year 2012 (July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012)
JUNE 17, 2010 CANNON HEALTH BUILDING 288 N 1460 W SALT LAKE CITY, UT ROOM 114 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
The Department of Health invites you to attend a special Medical Care Advisory Committee (MCAC) meeting to obtain public input on the Medicaid and PCN (Primary Care Network) budgets for Fiscal Year 2012. The meeting will be held Thursday, June 17, 2010 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. in Room 114.
If you know of special medical needs not being met by the Medicaid or PCN programs, or want to speak on a budgetary matter of importance to you, please come prepared tomake a short (no more than five minutes) presentation to the Committee. Copy services will be provided, if you have a handout. SIGNED PETITIONS ARE ENCOURAGED.
Your input will assist the MCAC in recommending a budget that will be morerepresentative of Medicaid and PCN providers and clients.
The National Ability Center announced the hiring of its new Executive Director today. Gail Loveland joins the NAC following a five success-filled years at Outdoors for All in Seattle, Washington.
The NAC’s board of directors received interest from many qualified candidates across the country. Loveland’s experience working with people with disabilities and innovative strategies for community involvement led to her hiring at the NAC. Loveland helped Outdoors for All to become a Paralympic Sport Club – a designation shared by the NAC. She also volunteered with the International Paralympic Committee with 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver.
Loveland was the Associate Executive Director at the Outdoors for All Foundation in Seattle, Washington. She says she attributes her passion for adaptive recreation to the incredible athletes, families and volunteers who never cease to surprise and inspire her.
Over the last fifteen years, Loveland has gained experience in the recreation and non-profit fields as a ski and snowboard instructor for Keystone Mountain, Education and Program Director for the Starlight Children's Foundation, and Board President of the Washington State Chapter of U.S. Lacrosse. Her free time includes outdoor activities, team sports, and cheering on her home teams like the Philadelphia Flyers.
Loveland graduated from the University of Vermont School of Business with honors and holds an Executive Certification in Non-Profit Management from Georgetown University.
Gail will start at the NAC on June 21st, and you can meet her at the NAC's free Community Open House and Paralympic Experience on July 17th. Mark your calendars!
Parents of youth with bipolar disorder: your voice matters!
If you have an adolescent with bipolar disorder or who exhibits bipolar-like symptoms please consider filing out this survey designed to better assess the needs of parents & children with bipolar disorders in Utah. Simply click on this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BWW7662
The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete & all responses are completely anonymous.
This survey will close May 31, 2010.
Thank you in advance for sharing your valuable time & expertise. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns either by calling 801-274-7070 or reaching us through e-mail at asbell@xmission.com
Sally Asbell, PhD & Peggy Collier, PhD Department of Special Education University of Utah Salt Lake City, Utah 84112
Chris Waddell made history last year when he became the first to scale Mt. Kilimanjaro unassisted as a Paraplegic. Now you can learn about the journey from beginning to end at the Kimball Art Center.
This event is not sponsored by the NAC, but it is a great opportunity to see the abilities demonstrated by Chris on this trip.
ART TALK
Thursday, May 27, 6:00 p.m.
Kimball Art Center Art Talk is FREE and open to the public
Summiting Kilimanjaro Chris Waddell's Historic ClimbJoin the Kimball Art Center and Summit Sotheby's International Realty for a journey to the "Dark Continent" as Paralympian Chris Waddell and photographer Mike Stoner share the story of Chris' historic climb to the top of Kilimanjaro, "The Roof of Africa." With poignant stories and phenomenal images, Chris and Mike will lead you from the base of the mountain, through the difficulties of failed equipment, adverse conditions and heartbreak, to the epiphany of faded dreams and the summit.
Mike Stoner's photographs, which capture the pain and elation of this historic climb and the grandeur and beauty of the tallest freestanding mountain in the world, will be on display and available for order.
Last month my fellow AmeriCorps members and I attended a conference on volunteerism. During a short discussion session I noticed another conference attendee eyeing the dark goggle tans lining several of my coworkers’ faces. After a moment of hesitation he leaned over to one of my conspicuously tanned friends and, with a slight frown of incredulity, asked, “How can you be an AmeriCorps member and still have so much time to ski?” “It’s part of my job,” she laughed, “I teach skiing and snowboarding to people with disabilities.” He glanced again at the other National Ability Center AmeriCorps and, with a smile, asked, “Can we switch jobs?”
This second week in May is AmeriCorps week, a time when the nation celebrates volunteerism and, particularly, AmeriCorps members. As an organization, AmeriCorps isn’t particularly well-known. Unlike programs like the Peace Corps or the Red Cross, AmeriCorps could still stand to benefit from slightly improved brand recognition. In fact, when describing AmeriCorps I most often refer to it as “the domestic Peace Corps.” In short, AmeriCorps is a government-sponsored service program by which U.S. citizens work for one-year terms as full-time volunteers within the country. Without AmeriCorps, the nonprofit world would be a very different place. Each year nonprofit organizations in the fields of health, homeland security, education, and the environment benefit from the work of 85,000 AmeriCorps volunteers; a combined contribution of over 144 million hours.
Out of this massive number of volunteers, the National Ability Center benefits from the work of six. Not a very large number in comparison, but we six volunteers have moved from across the country for the opportunity to provide a plethora of services the National Ability Center would otherwise be unable to offer. As AmeriCorps we teach horseback riding lessons, coordinate volunteers, teach waterskiing in the summer and alpine skiing in the winter, we give presentations and recruit participants, help maintain the ropes course and belay participants on the climbing wall. We do a little bit of everything. AmeriCorps members don’t make much in terms of income. Nonetheless, as our friend at the conference would tell you, National Ability Center AmeriCorps have some of the best jobs out there. Two of our members are Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists and one intends to study occupational therapy; they’re learning invaluable information for their future careers. The rest of us simply revel in the novelty that playing outside can not only be considered work, but that it actually makes an extraordinary impact on the lives of others. And this, of course, is the true draw of serving an AmeriCorps term.
AmeriCorps member Adena Miller, from California, works with a little girl named Sarah Barber in the NAC’s hippotherapy program. Sarah was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a condition that causes her muscles to continuously shrink. The NAC’s hippotherapy program is conducted by an occupational therapist who uses horseback riding as tool to build muscle tone and motor skills in patients. Since beginning hippotherapy, Sarah has become the first SMA patient her doctors have ever known to gain muscle mass.
Not only does Adena work with Sarah in hippotherapy on Tuesdays, but she also teaches her swimming lessons on Monday nights. “Sarah and I have a unique bond,” Adena says, “In swimming I’ll ask her to do something five times and she asks, ‘how about three?’ She’ll look at me and I just look her back in the eyes until she grins and says, ‘Let’s do ten!’” Working with Sarah has reinforced Adena’s goal to pursue occupational therapy as a career and it has helped Sarah progress in ways her doctors had never imagined to be possible.
For people with the time to serve, a one-year AmeriCorps term is not only an opportunity to give back, but it is also a chance to explore new interests, build relationships with people you would never otherwise know, and enjoy the freedom to connect to a community in a way no other volunteer or career experience could possibly offer.
Happy AmeriCorps Week! Libby Falck, National Ability Center AmeriCorps Member
The 2010 Eight-week SCI Forum ends tomorrow at Liberty Park. This is TRAILS' Outdoor EXPO, and it is always a great time to learn about some of the adaptive sports that TRAILS sponsors and that their community partners (like the National Ability Center) provide. Dave Serbeck, one of the Forum participants will also be showing off the simple adaptations he has made to his 4-wheeler so he can drive it. Meet at Liberty Park on the west side just north of the tennis courts. Feel free to bring your family, friends etc. Even if you haven't been able to come to any other nights, please come to this one! There will be around 15 different stations for you to visit. A BBQ dinner will be provided. Please bring blankets, chairs, etc for the park. There should be adequate parking.
What: SCI Forum party
Where: Liberty Park (West side of the park, just North of the tennis courts. Enter the park from 900 South)
When: Tuesday, April 27th; 5-8pm
Should you have any questions. concerns etc please contact Lynette Ballard at 801-581-3142 or lynette.ballard@hsc.utah.edu.
Please forward this email to anyone who may be interested in these two free NAMI classes that start next week.
Family to Family is for anyone who lives with or loves someone with a mental illness. This class gives family members tools for coping, communicating and understanding their loved one with a mental illness. The class provides education, resources and support. This class runs for twelve weeks beginning Thursday 3/25 6:30 pm at the new IHC Hospital located at Quinn's Junction. The class will be meeting in the private dining room off the cafeteria. To RSVP please call Deb Kirby at 435.649.1921.
Bridges is for adults ages 18 and older who have a mental health disorder. This class provides consumers with tools for coping, communicating and recovery. The class provides education, resources and support. This class runs for ten weeks beginning Thursday 3/25 6:30 pm at the People's Health Clinic conference room at their new location at Quinn's Junction. To RSVP please call Sherri Christensen at 435.731.6056.
Please RSVP right away!
Thanks for your help in spreading the word!
Wendy Mair Wasatch-Summit Affiliate Director and Child and Adolescent Resource Specialist NAMI Utah wendy@namiut.org 435.503.0432
The National Ability Center's Greg Shaw is in Vancouver as a member of the USA Sled Hockey Team trying to cap an amazing year that saw the U.S. win its first ever Sledge Hockey World Championship this past summer. Last night Greg scored the second of six goals for Team USA as they routed the Japanese 6-0. A number of articles and photos of the team were posted after the win. Below are a few of the links. Feel free to add others in the comments if you find them.
World Cancer Day 2010, led by UICC (International Union Against Cancer), its members and with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO), will raise awareness of cancer prevention.
Each year, over 12 million people receive a cancer diagnosis and 7.6 million die of the disease.
The good news is that approximately 40% of cancers are potentially preventable.
Today, UICC launched the campaign "Cancer can be prevented too", focusing on how the risk of developing cancer can significantly be reduced through simple measures:
Stop tobacco use and avoid exposure to second-hand smoke
Limit alcohol consumption
Avoid excessive sun exposure
Maintain a healthy weight, through eating healthily and exercising regularly
Protect against cancer-causing infections
According to Love Hope Strength, cancer causes more deaths worldwide than AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined.
Many cancer survivors come to the National Ability Center in Park City, Utah each year to participate in our programs. Recently, we welcomed back a group with the University of Texas' M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. This group of young cancer survivors had all had some kind of cancer that resulted in a physical disability. Being a teenager is hard enough! Being a teenager who has had to fight cancer and then have your physical abilities changed by it face an even tougher road. Through our programs, these teens can find confidence by getting out with their peers and accomplishing things they never would have dreamed. Check out their video and the slideshow of their 2010 visit at the bottom of this post.
This week we have welcomed a local group called Un-Limb-ited. These local teens have also battled cancer and other illnesses that have taken away limbs, but not hope nor life! We'll post some of their photos and videos soon.
In two weeks we will welcome back another great group of youth battling cancer. One Step at a Time is based in Chicago and brings teens from around the Midwest to Park City each year for a chance to escape some misguided peer pressure and build new friendships. New friends and new hobbies, like adaptive skiing and snowboarding, can help teens to put their energy toward positive things. There is no room for pessimism on the Greatest Snow on Earth!
If you know someone who has a physical disability because of cancer, please let them know that they, too, are welcome at the National Ability Center in Park City, Utah. Here, we help people everyday to discover their abilities.
One of the most rewarding parts about being involved with the National Ability Center is watching families enjoy recreation together. Recently a family joined us for the fourth consecutive year on the ski slopes. After they returned home, they wrote us this great letter about the experience they had in our adaptive ski program.
Dear Mr. Schoon,
Please find enclosed a check to support the wonderful services the National Ability Center suppliesto a population often forgotten. As a family, we have had the great fortune and pleasure to take part in many of the activities offered throughout the year.
I would like to draw your attention to a particular group of people who have made a major impact onour lives and the lives of our children. The winter ski school and its instructors and organizers havemade the winters our favorite time of year! Jen C. is always ready to help and is, by far, the mostorganized person I have ever had the pleasure with which to deal. Kristen and Tracy are fabulous and are always ready to help or simply offer a smiling face first thing in the morning. Our prince in shiningarmor is Phil B. He has worked with our son for four winters in a row and we are pleased to saythat he has now achieved his goal and skied a black diamond. In addition to teaching our son to ski, Philhas taught him so much more. He is the type of role model you hope to find for your son. He is patient, careful, and most importantly, VERY COOL. Our son looks forward to seeing him each time wecome to Park City. And so do we.
We hope this contribution makes things just a bit easier for you and your amazing staff to continuethe incredible work you do each day.
Fondly,
Debi and Harry
Thank you for the kind words and the generous donation! We look forward to seeing you on the Greatest Snow on Earth again very soon.
If you have an experience you would like to share with us, we'd love to hear from you! You can email us at info (at) DiscoverNAC.org, or you can send us a letter to PO Box 682799, Park City, Utah, 84068.
From adaptive river rafting to climbing, mountain biking, skiing, camping and more, The National Ability Center empowers individuals of all abilities to discover their "I CAN".
