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Greetings!
Welcome to Summer! We thank you for your interest in and
support of LifeSPAN this past year, and we hope you'll enjoy
reading about some of LifeSPAN's latest activities.
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Featured Network: Matteo's Network |
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"A Conversation That Deeply Moved Me"
(Excerpt from an article by Rob Ohlstrom)
For the first time in the conversation, and perhaps in my
life, I looked straight at my brother, who was rocking back
and forth with a gigantic crooked smile on his face, and
truly thought about what he said to me. I pondered what it
meant, and wondered where it came from. Surely, that
sentence was not the result of some personality glitch from
one of his disabilities; it was an expression of genuine
gratitude and happiness.
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Nancy's Story |
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(Nancy is a member of Matteo's Network)
I really like the continuity of the network and the chance
to stay in touch with a group of people I enjoy and respect
in addition to seeing Matteo bask in the glow of the love
and interest they show in him. I love to see his ability to
care and interact grow with the spotlight given to him as
the focus of the gathering. There is no substitute for the
value of humanity at work in positively influencing the
lives of people with or without disabilities.
The network embodies humanity: Matteo shares his with us and
we share ours with him. We all thrive and get to broaden
ourselves. This past year I have seen him at his home, his
parents' home, danced with him at a dance, and welcomed him
at the housewarming of our son with disabilities. His hug of
welcome is always a gift as is seeing him happy, creative,
and proud within his life and extended group of family and
friends. And I am richer to be part of it and to know Matteo
and the Ohlstroms. They each inspire me and make me smile.
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LifeSPAN Trainings Spring 2006 |
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LifeSPAN had a busy spring with a number of trainings. Many
thanks to Matt Wesley, a lawyer with the Albertson Law
Group, who volunteered his time to provide expert
information to the workshop participants in "Wills &
Estates," and LifeSPAN board members, Sue Willey, Deborah
Wakefield, and Val Ohlstrom, who helped facilitate the
workshop. The series "7 Steps in 7 Sessions" was led by
board members Kathy Sellars and Linda Davidson this time.
A highlight of the spring was the one-day "A Good Life"
workshop, sponsored by the Snohomish County DD on April 29,
facilitated by board members Jean Bateman, Kathy Sellars,
and Val Ohlstrom, which had over 60 registrations.
Testimonials
"Excellent workshop. So glad I came! This information
helps me feel able to act and move forward with a task that
can seem overwhelming."
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Introduction to LifeSPAN - June 11, July 9 |
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We invite you to attend a free one-hour session to talk
about LifeSPAN and our approach to building relationships in
the community. You will have an opportunity to speak with
members of LifeSPAN who are excited about ensuring a good
life for people with disabilities. You will also be able to
get more information about membership in LifeSPAN, training
workshops, and involvement in Networks and Facilitation.
Our next sessions are scheduled for Sunday June 11,
2005 and July 9, 2006 from 3-4 pm at Jackson Place
Cohousing 800 Hiawatha Place S. Seattle, WA 98144, one block
east of Rainier Ave, at Dearborn.
To help us with planning, please RSVP to Kathy (206)
522-3099 or email (kathy@lifespan-wa.org) if you're planning
to come this month.
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Thank You from LifeSPAN! |
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A sincere thank-you to all the organizations, businesses,
and individuals who have supported LifeSPAN and the "Ties
that Bind" project, including:
Contributors
Vancity, Washington State Division of Developmental
Disabilities Region 4 and King County Developmental
Disabilities Division, Our Anonymous Friends, Rotary Club of
Seattle Columbia Tower, The Thurston Foundation
In-kind Support
Anciaux International Communication, Bateman Consulting LLC,
KCTS Television, National Film Board of Canada, and Rockey
Hill & Knowlton
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Purchase "A Good Life" by Al Etmanski |
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The book A Good Life is primarily for families,
friends and caregivers of people with disabilities. It
offers a step by step guide to creating a plan for the
future which provides for the safety, security and
well being of people with disabilities. It leads the
reader to look beyond professional services and
programs in planning for the future and focus on what
is needed to create a good life.
To order A Good Life and other resources,
contact LifeSPAN. Income earned from sales helps
support LifeSPAN’s work.
Our Price: $39.95 (plus $5 tax, shipping and
handling).
Learn more |
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"Ties That Bind" A Big Success
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We're still hearing from people who saw the "Ties That Bind"
program on KCTS (Channel 9) on January 19, 2006 and were
inspired by the beautiful documentary film and the heartfelt
sharing on the local KCTS Connects program "Beyond The Ties
That Bind" filmed in Seattle.
We expect to have copies of the DVD documentary and the
KCTS Connects program, moderated by Enrique Cerna, available
for sale on our website soon.
Testimonial
"How we happened to have PBS/KCTS TV on at that time is
forgotten. Who spotted it and called the other? Forgotten.
But what we saw changed our lives, answered that prayer, and
gave us hope that we will believe you will find as urgent
and important as we did."
-- Bill Looney, new LifeSPAN Associate
For more information, visit our Outreach page.
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