East Suburban Citizen Advocacy (724) 325-3344 FAX: (724) 327-4868

4407 Old Wm. Penn Hwy. Ste 300 e-mail: esca15632@aol.com

Murrysville, PA 15668 website: eastsuburbancitizenadvocacy.org

Spring -2010

♦ Kasun & Probst

Families

♦ Memorial Page

♦ Uncommon Weekend

♦ GAG Group

♦ Labels Affect Attitude

♦ ESCA Events

♦ Cook Book Success

♦ Paul Harris Award

♦ Advocates Hired

♦ PCP Continues

♦ Tom’s Travels

What’s Inside

Tom Bob Logan Catherine Bobby Michele

On a warm spring evening last year, Tom and Michele Kasun got toknow Bob Probst while his boys played nearby throwing pebblesinto a stream under the watchful eye of their daughter, CatherineKasun. It has been a year of weekly visits, and Michele said theyhave become like family to each other. She said, “We care aboutthe boys and look forward to seeing them.”

Bob claims that the boys enjoy the socializing and he reallyappreciates the support since his wife passed away last year.Reports from the boys’ teachers indicate that the school year hasgone well with the added support. Bob said, “We are blessed byknowing the Kasuns. Tom and Michele are very nice. You don’tmeet people like that everyday!”

A fun summer is starting to be planned with trips to Idlewild andthe Demolition Derby on the schedule so far.

MISSION STATEMENT

East Suburban Citizen Advocacy

The Purpose of East Suburban Citizen Advocacy is to create and support relationships between individuals with developmental disabilities and caring members of the community

who will listen and respond to the needs of the individual as if they were their own.

East Suburban Citizen Advocacy 4407 Old William Penn Highway Suite 300 Murrysville, PA 15668

NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE

PAID MURRYSVILLE, PA

PERMIT NO. 6

E4Mesca

East Suburban Citizen Advocacy

OUR VISION

We envision a community in which all people are appreciated and accepted without question and where

dignity and equality are unconditionally enjoyed

In Loving Memory DEANA LUTTNER

East Suburban Citizen Advocacy partnered with Mother Teresa Outreach from Mother

of Sorrows and Cornerstone Ministries’ “Uncommon Weekend” to repaint,

renovate, and restore the home of Donnie and his family.

Community Outreach

Jennifer Daugherty was trusting, kind and spent her days trying to make others happy. We remember Jennifer who was brutally tortured and killed by people whom she thought were her friends. We mourn for the loss of Jennifer. We mourn for the fact that people who have a disability have twice the risk of victimization as people who do not have a disability (statistic from U.S. Department of Justice Special Report).

In response, we at ESCA realize we cannot sit back and accept the loss of Jennifer without working harder to help build supports and advocacy for the most vulnerable people in our communities.

Deanna Luttner spent many years in Westmoreland Manor unable to move anything but her head. She is remembered by Carol Cutler, her advocate of seven years, as being very friendly, generous and caring. Carol offered support and always tried to represent Deanna’s best interest. Carol

fondly remembers Deanna using her many hours of free time praying for people. “Having Deanna in my life was a wonderful adventure and a huge blessing,” said Carol.

of life even during his painful illness. Unfortunately, Ben was not always included in his community. We remember Ben and will continue working toward inclusion for all, in Ben’s memory.

JENNIFER DAUGHERTY

BEN MCCAMPBELL The miracle of Ben McCampbell is to teach the rest of us how to live. His charismatic, “Hi, I’m Ben!” broke down barriers of the heart and societal obstacles. With Ben, there was no judgment, no concern for the future, nor regret for yesterday. His playful spirit continued to find the “funny side”

Rita DeIuliis

Regina & Jim Costello

Janette Nelson

Jane & Augie Rossi

Donna Forys

Judy Polczynski

Hilda & John Martino

Don Rose

Janet Lamb

Katrina Hawthorne

Alli Friedsam

Vanessa Fisher

Karen Lauer

Jean Hufnagel

Kate and Greg Cala

Jacquie & Bill Smith

Kim & Bud Ferraro

Sue & Stan Billings

Pearl Smith

Jean Wolfe

Chris & Steven Perovich

Cindy Woods

Ruth Pulka

Charlene Davis

Rose Ann Lamont

Debra & John Wohlin

Mary Bohner

Mary Lou Patterson

Philene Revitsky

Jamie & Jim Diandreth

Ann & Dennis Cutrell

Carol Ziss

Ted Shaffer

Karen and David Lukacsena

Roxanne & Tom Wilson

Marnie Silbert & Family

Angie & John Bliss

Cathy & Rick Easterling

Janis Bush

Joanna & Tom Franz

Wanda & Paul Patla

Mr. & Mrs. L.Hufnagel

Nancy & Bob Hays

Suzanne Mahady

Sandy & Bill Ladebue

Elizabaeth Dernbach

Mary Jean & Dave Dickman

Rebecca & Donald Hollis

Patti and Herold Hicks

Annette & Orrie Barbarino

Atria’s Restaurant – Murrysville Bondi Printing Co., Inc.

WalMart – Delmont Murrysville Giant Eagle

Jordan Banana Co.

Wanda Gerber in Memory of Len Beatty Sattler Family in Memory of Maureen Miller

Pat & Tom Loughran in Memory of Ben McCampbell

Our Sincere Thanks to

The Edith L. Trees Charitable Trust for their continued support and endorsement

Bechtel Plant Machinery Co. Sam’s Club – Monroeville

Pat Catan’s Chaye Coffee & Tea

Dolores Skena

Murrysville-Export Rotary

Roy Creps

Jacquie McIntyre

Jim Snitger

Karen Wolfe

Millie Burik

Janice Steele

Ann & Tony Pauly

Jack Christy

Kati & Donna Baughman

Lylse Bash

Joanne Direnzi

Maryanne & Len Schavone

Eileen & Dick Baloh

Joyce Clohessy & Dean Pry

Carol Ax

Emma Diaz

Judy Graziano

Alison Graziano

Aura Lee & Dick Mulik

Karen & David Lukacsena

Jeff Lukacsena

Michelle & Garth Clarke

Rose House

Li Duffus

Vickie and Terry Myser

United Way Donor Option #3795

In the fall of 2009, ESCA, the Murrysville-Export Rotary, and the Murrysville Community Library collaborated to create a literacy-based, socialization group for middle school boys. The boys refer to it as “GAG" the “Go Adventure Group.” The guys have participated in a paper airplane contest, learned about therapy dogs, created their own snow globes, built birdhouses, attended a fishing outing and competed in the “Wii Olympics.” Friendships have formed, and the importance of advocacy has been introduced through the boys’ camaraderie.

Go Adventure Group pairs with “Friends to Friends” for a day of fishing and fun! Look forward to more events to come in the future!

Go Adventure Group

GONE FISHING!

Advocates Secure New Positions

Executive Director receives Paul Harris Fellow Award

The Paul Harris Fellow Award is given by the Murrysville-Export Rotary to an individual who provides exceptional service to the community. In November 2009 Kate Cala, Executive Director of East Suburban Citizen Advocacy, was chosen as the recipient of this honorable award.

Former intern, Kati Baughman (right) was

hired by East

Suburban Citizen

Advocacy to support our

Christin Hydeman, ESCA intern and volunteer, was hired by the Miracle League Athletic Complex Committee as an administrative assistant. Christin is currently teaching and preparing to attend graduate school in the fall.

Stephanie Kent, ESCA advocate and volunteer job coach, was recently hired by the Department of Labor and Industry for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Stephanie will report to the Office of Rehabilitation as a Rehabilitation Counselor for Allegheny County.

Debra Wohlin, ESCA consultant and advocate, was recently hired for her expertise by the ARC of Pennsylvania as a Regional Inclusion Consultant. Debra will be promoting inclusion and building the capacity for inclusion in Tier 1 and Tier 2 schools. Debra was also recently elected as the vice-chairperson of the Local Right to Education Task Force.

growing advocacy groups. Katie Cutrell (left) joined ESCA as a summer intern

and is credited with this newsletter.

Chris and Diana

Tom and Jeff

Elise and Julie

New Helpers John, Ben, and A.J.

Allison with the girls book club

The cookbooks developed through the ESCA cooking club were so popular we sold out! The second order has arrived and books are available at ESCA and

Clelian Heights.

Eliminating the “R” word representing individuals with intellectual disabilities is not just about

making people feel better about themselves. Far more importantly, it is about changing the

attitudes and perceptions held by the general public and well meaning providers. Eliminating

“labeling” is a necessary first step to change how we support people. Labels tend to congregate,

segregate, and control by design. We encourage everyone to use “people first language” and focus

on a person’s abilities.

Tom Brown recently participated in a National Federation of the Blind law program. He spent a week in Baltimore learning advocacy skills, then went to Congressman Jason Altmire’s office in Washington, D.C. to encourage him to help pass the Transportation Enhancement Act and the Accessible Touch Screen Act. Tom is an amazing student who, despite his legal blindness, marched with his high school band in the Macy’s Day-Parade in New York City on Thanksgiving Day. He also participated on the track and field teams. Tom is also a member of the ESCA “Go Adventure Group.”

Tom Brown Advocates in Congress

Donna Forys has been an advocate and friend to Kyle and his family since they met when Kyle was three. Donna, a speech therapist, has advocated on many levels for Kyle through the years. At his recent graduation Kyle’s eyes twinkled and he beamed when he spotted Donna after the ceremony.Donna may not have noticed as she was communicating easily with him in a way that only she can. Kyle has a limited speaking ability, but can clearly say “Donna!” The bond between them is visible and strong. Congratulations to Kyle on his graduation and to Donna for being there every step of the way!

Kyle’s Milestone

ESCA continues to implement Person Centered Planning opportunities for individuals in the community who may need some help identifying goals and supports. In May we gathered a team for Janet and started the PCP process. It is an immensely valuable tool that helps bring ideas and opportunities into focus. Janet has a very supportive team and we are looking forward to our next gathering when we expect to see measurable progress toward achieving her goals.

Janet’s PCP Team