CENTER POINTDEANDRE

WELCOMENEW STAFF

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2016 | Issue 1

POLO CLASSICREVAMPED

EMBRACINGCHANGE

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815 S. Utica Ave. Tulsa, OK 74104 918-584-8607 www.tulsacenter.org

LEADER LETTER

Lori A. LongExecutive Director

The Center Staff: • Kelli Anderson, Fitness & Recreation Specialist

• Donna Bridenstine, Receptionist

• Margie Crossno, Program & Volunteer Coordinator

• Stacie Downs, Evening Fitness Instructor

• Bradley Forbes, JWCS & Fitness Instructor

• Andrea Hernandez, Fitness & Recreation Specialist

• Vickie Holler, Director of Member Services

• Erin Jacobs, Director of Community Relations

• Elisha Long, Accounting Specialist

• Lori A. Long, Executive Director

• Darlene McGrail, Recreation Therapist

• Burt McLachlan, Program Coordinator

• Cathy Pennington, Executive & Development Asst.

• Sally Ramirez, Visual Arts Instructor

• Paige Stuart, Transition Services Coordinator

• Erin Wambold, Director of Development

Relationships–theyaretheheartofEVERYnon-profit!HereatTheCenter,wehaveseveralgroupsthat mean the world to us – of course we have our Members, Board of Directors, Volunteers, Staff and our Donors. Each of these groups is critical to the success of The Center. We don’t just work with these people, we form lasting relationships and many, if not all, hold a special place in our hearts. The past coupleofmonthshavebeendifficultaswehavelostseveraldearfriends(seepage4).

Inwritingthismonth’s“LeaderLetter”,wecannothelpbutreflectonthosewhowehaverecentlylost.We empathize with the families, but we also grieve ourselves over the loss. Our thoughts then turn to a practical approach to “getting your house in order”. All of us are aware that in an instant our lives can take a dramatic change – this is a common theme when many of our members tell their stories of how their lives were impacted and how they learned of The Center. We have seen through these recent lossesthebenefitofhavingeverythingarrangedandtakencareofforfamiliesduringthegrievingprocess.

We wanted to take this time to remind you that The Center is a part of a Planned Giving Program Partnership, in conjunction with the Tulsa Community Foundation and The Advancement Group. For no charge,youcanmeetwithalocalexpertintheareasofestate,financialandcharitablegiftplanning.Theycanhelpguideandofferassistancenavigatingwhatcanbeaverycomplicatedanddifficultprocess. But, from what we have learned through these recent losses it is a very necessary process that all of us could use guidance through. Your expert will assist in helping with your estate planning, while payingattentiontoyourvaluesaswellasmeetingyourfamily,financialandphilanthropicgoals.(LearnmoreaboutTheAdvancementGroupbyvisitingwww.tagpg.org)

Don’t delay. Feel free to call our Development Director, Erin Wambold, for more information. She can bereachedat(918)794-4506orewambold@tulsacenter.orgWearegratefultobeabletoofferthiscomplimentaryserviceandhopeyouwillfinditvaluableinyourplanningefforts.

Yours in Center Service –

Tom McPhersonBoard President

MEMBER STORY

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DeAndre Acklin

DeAndre was born with Cerebral Palsy, a condition that affects body movement and muscle coordination caused by damage to one or more areas of the brain. He has been in a power chair as long as he can remember. As a child, DeAndre enjoyed going to school and participating in school activities but like we all know, transitioning to adult life is a challenge, especially if you have a disability.

After his family relocated to Tulsa, they found out about The Center and in 2012DeAndrebecameamember.DeAndresaidhewasnervoustocomeatfirstbecausehewasafraidhewouldnotmakeanyfriends.Anyonewhoknows about The Center and our members knows that you will make friends assoonasyouenterthebuilding!Hesaysaftermeetingseveralmembers

and the staff, he felt right at home. DeAndre now comes to The Center every day because as he says, “It keeps me from being stuck at home.”

Before2016,DeAndreparticipatedinafewactivitieshereatTheCenterlikeBingo,BurtBall,BocciaBall and Chair O’Tonics every semester. In his down time, he socialized in the Member Lounge or in the CenterHall.Thatallchangedthisyear!

Inourlastissuewetoldyouaboutchangesweweremakingtoourmembershipenrollmentin2016.Instead of making members choose and pay by class, we moved to a package system in which for onelumpsum,memberscouldparticipateinbetween85percent&100percentofCenterprograms.DeAndreistakingfulladvantageofthenewmembershippackagesthissemester!Inadditiontohisregularclasses,hehasstartedPowerSoccer,SpeechClassandart!

When asked what his favorite activity is, DeAndre did not hesitate to choose art. He tried watercolor painting at a health fair and realized he could do it last year. Ever since then he has been hoping for an opportunity to be a part of The Center’s art program and with the change in enrollment structure, he was givenjustthat.Hisgoalistoworkuptobeingabletoparticipateinceramicsclasses!OurnewVisualArtsInstructor,Sally(seePage3)hasbeenveryhelpfulashelearnstomastertheartofpainting.DeAndre’s favorite part of The Center is, “The people. Everyone is very nice and understanding.” We couldn’t agree with him more. Keep trying new things DeAndre, we can’t wait to see what you will accomplish!

CENTER HAPPENINGS

Wewanttointroducetoyouthe3newestmembersofTheCenterStaff!

Sally Ramirez, our new Visual Arts Instructor brings a wide-range of experiences and artistic talent to The Center. Originally from Los Angles, California, Sally madeherwayheretoTulsa,andwecouldnotbemoreexcited!ShefoundTheCenter by searching for art jobs on the Internet and saw there was a position open. After reading about what we do she decided that this is where she needed to be. Her favorite part about The Center is getting to work with the members. She loves developing their ideas and introducing them to new methods and art concepts. Her vision for the art department is to expand it and to help make more individualized plans for members to help them reach their own goals and to make the program more member focused. Sally has also received several recognitions for her art work and instruction: she was elected as Artist Inc. Member for

2016,SueLehmannRecipientforthestateofOklahoma(excellenceinteachingaward)andawardeda substantive grant from George Kaiser and Schusterman Foundations for Inside-OUT Summer. We cannot wait to see where Sally takes the art department and are excited about the art work to come from themembers!

Stacie Downs, The Center’s long-time Yoga Instructor is now our Evening Fitness Instructor. She is trained in Iyengar style yoga, which is designed to create more alignment within the body as well as train the muscles to support thealignmentthatisdeveloped.ShecametoTheCenteralmost11yearsagoandhelpedthecreatoroftheprogram(BethFields)withclasses,andthenshewas given the opportunity to continue the program on her own. Her favorite part ofTheCenterisseeinghowtheyogaprogrambenefitsthemembers.Oneofher favorite stories is of Melissa Dickerson who came into class not being able touseherleftarm(fromelbowtofingers)andafterjustoneclass,shecameinandshowedStaciethatshecouldextendherarm!Thenthenexttimetheysaweachother,Melissacouldmoveherfingers!Itisstorieslikethat,Staciesays,

that make her love working at The Center. Stacie is excited to continue developing the yoga program and working on new evening programs.

Kelli Anderson, our new Fitness Instructor, was an intern last semester and we areexcitedtohaveherback!ShecametoTulsafromLivermore,Californiawhenshe found out we had an internship available in Therapeutic Recreation. Kelli’s favorite part of the working at The Center is being able to see how members progress.ShelovesseeingthemwhentheyfirstgettoTheCenterandthenwatching them learn and grow. She also loves to see how excited they get abouttheirownprogress!LookingintothefutureKellihopestobeabletoworkon and develop new programs for the members. For example, as an intern she developed a Frisbee golf program that was well liked and is hoping to either bring that back or create new programs. We cannot wait to see what she comes up withnext,andareexcitedaboutwatchinghergrowrightalongsidethemembers!

WELCOME NEW STAFF

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TRANSITION CORNERTravis“Bucket”NolenbecameamemberofTheCenterinOctober2015aftersufferingastrokeandsustaining paralysis on the right side of his body. He began his time in Transition Services highly motivated and ready to progress, as he lives a very active lifestyle. Travis is a husband, father of 2, fulltimeworkerasaplumber,andheavilyinvolvedinB.A.C.A(Biker’sAgainstChildAbuse).Travis’stransitional goals were to increase independence at The Center by ambulating without an assistive deviceandincreasehisrightarmfunctionally.Travis’sinitialroutineswereinthefitnesscenterworkingonstrengthening,balance,coordination,functionalmobilityandfinemotorskills.HealsoparticipatesinBurt Ball and Totally Fit. Utilizing these resources Travis has made tremendous progress. Go ahead and givehimafistbumpwhenyousayhitohim!

He attributes his quick discharge from a wheelchair to Daniel and Sherri(lastissuecoverstory)andnowteasesthemaboutkeepingupwith him in the hallways. When asked how Transition Services helped him,hesaid,“Ilovethe1-1attentionfromTransitionStaff.Itisverymotivating because I want to do well for myself and for them. It’s easy togetdepressedwhenyouaren’tbusy.WhenIambusyhere,itfillsavoid. I don’t have time to think about the bad things, but I stay excited about the things I can do.” Travis went on to talk about how positive The Center’s environment is, “everyone helps each other and it’s a big family.” Travis will be discharged from Transition Services soon as he is graduating to become an independent member. His new goal is to start a strokesupportgroup.GoodLuckTravis!Welookforwardtoseeingyourcontinuoushardworkandpassion!

REMEMBERING FRIENDSThis year we have been saddened by the loss of several members and supporters we wanted to remember in this issue.

Members:

Supporters:

•Jessica Brand•Robert Byas•Dick Dupuy•Bill Green•JimSteinsiek(Member&Volunteer)

•Raymond Guy “Ray” Feldman •William“Tom”Mills(Photographerofcoverphoto)

Wecouldfillthisissuewithmemoriesofthemandtheirpresenceisalreadymissed.Wearethankful for the time we had with each of them and what they taught all of us about love and life.

SUPPORT

LOVE THE CENTERInourlastissuewetoldyouabouttheamazing$54,520diamondringthatwehadtheopportunitytoraffleinordertoraisefundsforourmission.TheringwasoriginallydonatedtoTheCenterin1981by Ruth Nelson. It was then purchased by Mr. Pete Bartlett, with the funds being designated to help repair a roof leak The Center was experiencing. Pete lovingly gave the ring to his wife, Pat, with strict instructions that the ring be given back to The Center upon her passing.

589ticketsweresoldraising$58,900forTheCenter!Wealsogainedover200newfriendsthroughthiseffort!ThedrawingtookplaceFeb.11at5:30phereatTheCenterandwhatanightitwas!RebeccaUngerman and Mark Bryan serenaded us with some jazz, Glacier Confections and Lambrusco’z provided us with some treats to have with our champagne courtesy of Seventy-First Wine & Spirits. At 5:30BenSartain(CenterMember)reachedinanddrewawinner...andwewereallpleasantlysurprisedtoreadthename“AndreaNielsen”!Andreaisthedaughter-in-lawofthelateMrs.BartlettwhogiftedTheCentertheringafterherpassing.WHATASTORYthisisturningouttobe!Herearesomecommentsfrom Andrea:

“The Center and the wonderful atmosphere and services it provides is very important to our community. to myself and to my family. My family’s involvement with The Center started in the 1950’s when my father in law, Pete Bartlett, was on the board and my mother, Dorothy Nielsen, taught speech therapy at The Center. Friends and inspiration abound at The Center.

I am honored to have the historical ring that has belonged to two influential and generous women; Ruth Nelson and Pat Bartlett. Could the ring have absorbed some of their fine traits and powers? Could it transfer some to the keeper of the ring? And to those who see it? Maybe it can at least be a reminder of the many accomplishments of these fine women. It can be an inspiration to do good for the Center and beyond. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for donating to The Center through this raffle. In Ruth Nelson’s and Mrs. Bartlett’s tradition- let’s keep on helping others as I know you will. I only wish everyone could have won. Maybe we all did through the work of The Center. We are a family.”

Thankyoutoeveryonewhoenteredthisraffle!WehopeyouwillcontinuetoLoveTheCenterforyearstocome!

We also want to remind you that Nielsen’s Fine Gifts donates a percentage of each purchasetoTheCenterifyoumentionourname!

81st & Lewis

Andrea Nielsen & Center Member Ben

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SAVE THE DATE

Be the FIRST to SCORE!

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APRIL

JUNE

JULY

If you purchased one of our calendars, then many of these dates you know. If you would like an “Artist’s ofTheCenter”calendarfor$10thenpleaseemailejacobs@tulsacenter.org.

4/29 - 30 - MidAmerica Games -Multi-sport competition for disabled athletes. Events such as track and field,Boccia,Slalomandbowlingareoffered.Thereisalsoanopeningceremony,complimentarylunchand dinner, and an awards ceremony. These Games, while sanctioned by NDSA and WASUSA, welcome anyone with a physical disability over the age of seven and able to perform at a competitive level. ContactTheCenter’sParalympicSportsCoordinatorat918-794-4510formoreinfo!

6/24 - 25 - The Center Polo Classic - Sure to be a “Weekend Fit for A King”. The Center Polo Classic consistsof2parts:VIPReceptionontheeveningofJune24forSponsorsandthePoloMatchonJune25forall.Theeventisnotonlyprestigiousbutitisalsoaffordableandopentoall.Whethersponsoringorcomingasageneraladmissionguestyouaresuretoleavefeelinglikeaking!Formoreinfovisitwww.tulsacenterpoloclassic.org.

6/2 - Performance Night! -Showusyourskills!SignupwithMargie!Wanttowatchinstead?Weneedanaudience!Bringfriends!Nocosttoattend!

6/9 - 6/12 - Endeavor Games - The University of Central Oklahoma’s annual Endeavor Games for Athletes with Physical Disabilities provides children, adults and military service members with physical disabilities an opportunity to display their talents in a proper and competitive setting against individuals withsimilardisabilities.SignupwithMargie!

Tulsa Adaptive Games - TBDSoon!7/9 - Waterfest - TalktoMargieaboutparticipating!

Board of DirectorsTom McPherson, PresidentSamanthiaMarshall,1stVice-PresidentDylan McCants, 2nd Vice-PresidentScottBeller,3rdVice-PresidentKen Etheredge, Treasurer/SecretaryVal Fimbres, Past President

Maria AnthamattenKieran BarrowsKris BeachEric EllsworthSeth ErkenbeckPayvand FazelSteve GannawayJason GruninGail HayDr. Sherri HaysDwayne HendersonMichael KrupkaBrendon MaguffeeMeredith McDarisMegan MeussnerJack MontgomeryGarth RenfrowDan SchmidtJustice Waidner SmithLance TaylorJohn Villareal Interns Moises Echeverria Weydan Flax

NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION

US POSTAGEPAID

TULSA OKPERMIT NO 31

return service requested

ALS - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s Disease: MeetsthesecondThursdayofeachmonthat6:00pinClassroom One.

Aphasia Support Group: MeetsthesecondWednesdayofeachmonthat9:30ainClassroomThree.

TAGS – Tulsa Amputee Support Group: MeetsthefirstMondayofeachmonthat6:30pinClassroomOnetodiscussvarioustopics of interests, provide support, education and socialization.

Spinal Cord Injury Support Group: MeetsthesecondWednesdayofeachmonthat3:00pinclassroomone. This is an informal group of SCI survivors who meet monthly for discussions, education, and socialization.

VISTA – Visually Impaired Seeking Technique Alternatives: MeetseachWednesdayat1:00pinClassroomTwo.Meetingsfeature dialogue concerning community resources, adaptive equipment, social activities and supportive interactions

Youth Amputee Support Group:Peer to peer interaction and support, occasional speakers, family encouragement, and information. The group will meet quarterly. Pleasecall918-794-4508formeetingdates.

CENTER SUPPORT GROUPS

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