NEW SUPPORT GROUPS FORM
Wheel Life Group at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center
Real life conversations about wheel life for people with spinal cord injury, their families and caregivers. Everyone meets together for 15 minutes then breaks into two groups, survivors and family members. Survivors are welcome to come without family members and likewise. Facilitated by Barrow psychologists, social workers and peer mentors, they meet the first Wednesday of each month from 6-7:00 pm in Sontag Pavilion, 350 W. Thomas Rd., Phoenix AZ 85013. For more information, contact the Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association at 602-507-4209.
Accessible Arizona
Accessible Arizona, a new grass-roots advocacy group, has a self-described mission: “A new wave of advocacy fighting for people with severe mobility disabilities. We don’t support the victim mentality, but instead self-responsibility.”
Accessible Arizona is currently focused on the misuse of accessible parking spots, etiquette for use of accessible restrooms and educating entertainment venues on the value of accessibility. Learn more at accessibleaz.org.
Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing’s Day at the Capitol Connected Community and Legislators to 1.1 Million Arizona Adults that Experience Hearing Loss
On Tuesday, March 7, more than 300 Arizona State Legislators and community members joined The Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing (ACDHH) at the state capitol for a 40th Anniversary celebration.
In addition to being connected to local resources and free hearing screenings from ASU students, event attendees were able to experience “Deaf, Deaf World,” an interactive activity highlighting the opportunities and obstacles members of the Deaf, DeafBlind and hard of hearing community face. A complimentary lunch and brief program followed where Representative Heather Carter, Senator Debbie Lesko and the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs received Champions of ACDHH awards. Additionally Chris Desborough, Chair of the SSP Deaf Blind Statewide Services Task Force was an inspirational keynote speaker sharing both challenges the community faces, and how we can join to find solutions.
The event was an opportunity to help legislators better understand the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing community as well as connect community members and employers to resources.
To learn more about the ACDHH and its efforts to improve the quality of life for the Deaf and the hard of hearing for more than 40 years, please visit www.acdhh.org
Seth Haynie Named PTR Wheelchair Professional of the Year
Congratulations to Ability360 wheelchair tennis coach, Seth Haynie, named the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) Wheelchair Professional of the Year. Per PTR’s announcement, Haynie is working with the Billie Jean King Eye Coach group to develop training methods for wheelchair students, as well as the Johnson & Johnson Human Performance Institute program to develop an appropriate wheelchair variation for 16-second cure. In addition to teaching tennis, he is serving as the Chair of the USTA Southwest Wheelchair Tennis Committee in both his district and section. Haynie’s goal is to increase participation in wheelchair tennis worldwide by sharing his knowledge and expertise with physicians, facility directors, tournament directors, and most importantly, fellow teaching professionals.
Sports & Fitness Center Volunteer Recognized
Stuart Burns first came to the Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center as a volunteer for Bank of America. A retired Marine sergeant, Burns has 14 years of service with Bank of America where he works as a consumer risk analyst. He is a familiar face at 360 events, especially wheelchair rugby. Burns received Bank of America’s 2016 Global Service Award as an individual awardee for his work on military causes. Bank of America embraces volunteerism as an important component of its corporate culture. Burns leads the Arizona chapter of their military support and assistance network.
Recognition included flying Burns and his wife, Terista, to New York City in early December for the BofA Global Service event. Along with his award, Burns was able to direct a contribution in his name to the project of his choice. He chose the Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center. “We’re grateful to Stu for the time that he spends here and we’re also thankful for Bank of America’s generous donation in his name.” said Gus LaZear, Vice President and General Manager of the Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center. “BofA’s commitment to community causes is impressive and we’re always appreciative for their time here.”
Burns’ commitment is contagious. At the recent Rugby Rave, he and Terista were busy working the event. “It’s important to step across our comfort zone and volunteer. That’s how we put our thoughts into action.” Burns said. Congratulations Stuart Burns and thank you!