IN THIS ISSUE:Kira: Making Gains page 1Aquatics Renovations page 1What’s Happening page 2Just Exactly Who AreThese VIPs? page 259th Annual CP Telethon page 3

equipment that will help stabilize chemicals and water levels. More changes are a coming! Watch for updates to the locker rooms near the aquatics entrance and a new drop ceiling to be installed over Pool 2. This new ceiling will absorb sound creating a more inviting space for our patrons with sensory issues, and will also provide cost-savings from a heating standpoint. Whew! There is more! We also introduced a new class for the 2013 Spring Session, Goal Seekers, Thursdays from 6:15-7pm. This class was developed for those who would like to lose a significant amount of weight. It provides a detailed introduction to water exercise and how it can benefit those with chronic health issues due to increased weight. Don’t face the challenge alone; change your life with other “Goal Seekers”. For more info visit www.cp-center.org/aquatics

Aquatics Renovations>> From page 1

Our family welcomed Kira into the world on May 15, 2006. Her older siblings Kenzie and Carson were elated. She was born apparently healthy. Although Kira had begun to babble, stand at the edge of the couch with assistance, and feed herself, at her 1-year checkup the pediatrician had concerns about some missed milestones. Kira began speech, occupational and physical therapies each week, and we began to pursue the cause of her delays. After a long year, Kira was diagnosed with Rett syndrome, a neuro-developmental disorder, which usually affects girls. Due to a genetic mutation, the girls are apparently normal at birth and develop typically, then regression begins at 12-18 months of age. They lose their ability to talk, lose use of their hands in a purposeful way, and many lose their ability to walk or crawl. Most develop seizures, many have difficulties with feeding, and some develop scoliosis. Cognitively, however, they understand everything that is going on around them. Just before her third birthday, Kira had the first of hundreds of seizures. A doctor described

these clusters of seizures as feeling as if she'd run a marathon. Kira’s body was weak and she could no longer hold her head up. We were scared. Kira was now transitioning into an Early Childhood school program and her medical team highly recommended intense therapy to regain some of her strength and skills. Since she was in school only part-time, we needed child care for our little girl who couldn't walk, sit up or feed herself. How would we fit in additional therapies, while keeping some sense of normalcy for our older children? We visited the CP Center's child care, Common Paths Early Education & Care, where we were immediately welcomed. We will never forget our first visit…an angel warmly welcomed us as we entered the room. The children swarmed around Kira, talking to her and asking her to play. Kira couldn't respond verbally, but those children didn't care. She fit in! And this was being modeled by the teachers…We were speechless. Kira began attending Common Paths that fall and had access to occupational, physical and speech therapies while at the CP Center.

The past several months have been a time of transformation in the Aquatics Center at CP. We have been working to update the pools and adjoining locker room areas; keeping the safety of our CP clients and Pool Patrons in mind along the way! It all began last summer when the walls on deck were painted, energy-efficient lighting updates were made, and a lift frame that was no longer being used was removed. Now fast forward to winter break in late December. Non-skid tiles were installed in Pool 1’s locker rooms to provide independence for ambulatory clients. Both pools were drained, then acid washed to remove stains and calcium build up. While they were empty, Pool 1 was re-grouted and some

worn tiles were replaced, faded depth tile markers were re-tiled around both pools, plastic drains were replaced with long- lasting stainless steel, the hydraulic lift hose was concealed, and a manual surge tank was was replaced with automatic

Kira: Making GainsBy Matt & Patty Mevis, CP Family

Aquatics RenovationsBy Jody LaPlante, Manager of Aquatics

The Mevis Family

>> see Aquatics Renovations, page 4

>> see Kira: Making Gains, page 2

Feedback: We’d love to know your thoughtson the newsletter’s revised format. Please sendyour comments to CP_Center@cp-center.org

Kira and Laurie (her OccupationalTherapist) during a therapy

session at the CP Center.

Pool 1 being re-grouted

EmbracingEmbracinEmbracinggEmbracingAlAll AbilitiesAbilitiesAll Abilities

A Newsletter for friends and supporters of Cerebral Palsy, Inc.

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDGREEN BAY, WIPERMIT NO. 46

Cerebral Palsy, Inc.2801 South Webster AvenueGreen Bay, WI 54301

Mission: Cerebral Palsy, Inc. provides services for the people of Northeast Wisconsin to promote community involvement, inclusion, and to enhance the quality of life of persons affected by temporary or permanent physical, sensory, and/or speech needs or conditions.

Change of address? Wish to be removed from our mailing list? Please let us know! Phone (920)337-1121 ext. 1202 or email tklug@cp-center.org

Honorary Chairpersons Bill Jartz & Mary K. Schmidt

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Since 1954: Cerebral Palsy, Inc. is a locally run and funded non-profitserving a 17-county area of Northeast Wisconsin.

Greater Green Bay Area CP Center2801 S. Webster Ave.Green Bay, WI 54301Phone: 920-337-1122

Fax: 920-337-1126

Lakeshore CP Center2216 11th St.

Two Rivers, WI 54241Phone: 920-553-1122

Fax: 920-553-3840

Contact Us:

Visit us on the web: www.cp-center.org

Martha AhrendtGary AllenTom AppleDr. Eric DvorakFrank HermansKate HoganDr. Jennifer HoyerChristian JensenKarmen Lemke

OfficersHon. Tom WalshPresident

Tom Hinz1st Vice-President

Jill Feiler2nd Vice-President

Paul SniderTreasurer

Laurie OlsonSecretary

Bert LiebmannGary LofquistJoan MalcheskiDeb MautheGuy MeyerhoferStephanie SchultzSteve VandenAvondErin Van ZeelandDr. Steve Zent

2012 Board of Directors

FEBRUARY 2013 Volume VII Issue 1

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annualTELETHON

LIVE on WBAY:March 2 & 3

Kira: Making Gains>> From page 1 Kira’s team of CP therapists and teachers, school staff, doctors, and our family needed to work together to be successful. Her new caregivers at CP were very open to this approach. Her CP therapists were able to stop into her child care room to help her teachers with positioning, stretching, communication and feeding strategies; and they took time to learn how to communicate with her via her assistive technology device. Her therapists provided us with new techniques to apply to Kira’s daily living at home as well. Kira was in the regression stage of Rett syndrome… just holding onto a skill through regression is considered progress, but she made gains in all areas! Over the past few years, Kira has continued to face challenges. At each crossroads, Kira's team has adjusted strategies to help our family understand how best to support Kira. Her therapists continue to build bridges making sure we are all giving Kira the best possible chance to stay healthy. CP staff has also made recommendations for assistive equipment and we've been able to try some of the equipment on loan before purchasing it ourselves. It truly is a team effort, we couldn't ask for more. Although Kira is off to Kindergarten this year, we look forward to participating in CP’s swimming program for children with special needs, and working with one of CP’s assistive technology specialists in determining which high tech device will best help Kira continue to develop her communication skills and take part in conversations with friends and family. We can only imagine what her first "words" may be. Kira brings many blessings to our lives, teaching us tolerance…acceptance…advocacy skills and showing us how to work hard.

But…without the CP Center…we’re not sure where our family would be. Caring DOES come to life at the CP Center. To meet our family, along with other families who benefit from the services provided at the CP Centers, watch the 59th Annual CP Telethon. Live interviews, therapy sessions, and adult classes with families like ours, will give you an intimate glimpse inside the CP Centers.

CP BowlSpecial Thank You to ALL

Sponsors, Donors & Attendees. Platinum Sponsors:

Area Title LLC

What’s HappeningGo Green Bay Cribbage TournamentFriday, February 22 - Sunday, February 24;

Comfort Suites, Green Bay.

Blindman’s Volleyball Tournament Friday, February 22 - Sunday, February 24;

The Coop,Denmark.

Annual J&H Hunt Club Benefit Shoot Saturday, February 23; J&H Hunt Club,

Navarino.

Cousins Subs Donation Night Tuesday, February 26; Webster location, Allouez.

Hardee’s Chip-In for CP Campaign February - March; all locations.

Dart Tourney in Memory of Bob Dow Saturday, March 2; Simonet’s Bar, Green Bay.

CP Telethon Walk/RunSunday, March 3; WBAY, Green Bay.

59th Annual CP Telethon Saturday, March 2 & Sunday March 3; Live

on WBAY-TV 2.

Brown County Bookmobile Tuesday, March 12; Greater Green Bay CP

Center, Allouez.

PRC Training - How to Use Vocabulary Builder

Wednesday, March 20; Greater Green Bay CP Center, Allouez.

More information on these and other upcoming events is available

by calling 920-337-1122, or visiting: www.cp-center.org/events

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR TELETHON SPONSORS!

Larry & Kay FergusonHendricks Painting & Leasing

C&C ElectricPaul & Carol SchierlJack & Inky Meng

Major Sponsors: Set Sponsors:

Matching Pledge Sponsors:

AllouezKiwanis

PhonesProvided

in Part By:

Be prepared for your matching pledge opportunity!

Each Gift Makes an ImpactBy Tanessa Klug, Director of Development Each year, your generosity provides the CP Centers’ with the means to assist more than 1200 local families - children and adults - with essential and often life-changing services. Your gift may help a small child learn to walk, give a voice to the voiceless, or a make connection with someone who is otherwise almost impossible to reach. The CP Centers breadth of services is broad and far reaching. This often makes it hard to understand just how important your individual gift truly means. Here are some examples of how your support reaches those CP serves:

On average, it takes 5 pledges to support one client each year. Please consider a gift, it is easy to pledge your support! Respond now with a donation using the enclosed envelope

Pledge to a VIP: use the enclosed envelope (please indicate VIP name), find a VIP online at www.cp-center.org to make your secure online donation using your credit card or bank account, or call a VIP during the LIVE Telethon broadcast (See page 2 for more information about VIPs)

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annualTELETHONMarch 2 & 3, 2013

$1000:

$500:

$250:$100:

$40:

Subsidizes a communication device enabling a non-verbal client to express herself to loved ones and caregivers.Offers a post-stroke individual an entire year of aquatic exercise twice a week to improve body strength, balance and functional mobility. Provides busing and admission for 30 children to participate in a community activity. Funds a feeding chair that provides trunk stability for a child with special needs, allowing them to eat lunch with childcare peers.Supports 1 hour of music therapy for adult day services participants at our Lakeshore location.

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Call in your pledge during the LIVE Telethon broadcast 920-965-1000 or toll free 877-711-7830

Just Exactly Who are These VIPs?Each year, over 300 volunteers from throughout our community commit themselves to fundraise for the Telethon as a VIP. They set a goal to raise a minimum of $500 for CP in the weeks leading up to Telethon and for one hour on-air during the Telethon. VIPs are CP advocates from all walks of life … clients, family members, staff, board members, high school and college students, financial professionals, medical professionals, law enforcement, local clubs, dentists, veterans, area businesses, and more. Please help these wonderful members of our community to reach their personal goals by making a gift to the CP Telethon. If you already know someone who is a VIP, please write their name in the space provided on the enclosed return envelope. Or visit www.cp-center.org and click “Telethon Search for a VIP” to find an individual to support.

Searchfor a VIPTT

ONTTELETHOONNT

NONTELETHON

Kira, Tessa (her Speech Therapist)and Patty (her Mom) during a therapy

session at CP Center

Searchfor a VIPTT

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TTELETHONON

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TELETHON

Are you interested in improving lives by sponsoring the Telethon?Contact Tanessa Klug 920-337-1121 ext.1202 or tklug@cp-center.org

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