The President’s Message…
“In Roman mythology, Janus was the god of gates, doors, doorways, beginnings, and endings. His most apparent remnants in modern culture are his namesakes, the month of January and the caretaker of doors and halls: Janitor.”
“Janus was usually depicted with two faces looking in opposite directions. He was frequently used to symbolize change and transitions, such as the progression of past to future, of one condition to another, and of one vision to another.” http://www.pantheon.org/articles/j/janus.html
As a new year begins, we who are CEPSA members and supporters must, like Janus, look in opposite directions: backward to our past and forward to our future.
The past few years have brought amazing changes to and because of CEPSA. Our membership has grown as we seriously pursued our goal of locating polio survivors. Our organization has been recognized as a respected and powerful force for the disabled in our area. The streets and sidewalks of our beautiful and historic city are being made more accessible as a result of CEPSA’s activism. Diane Davis, in the last newsletter, beautifully and thoroughly recapped all of CEPSA’s recent accomplishments and endeavors.
Now we welcome 2008, a new year with new challenges and opportunities. At our first meeting of the new year we will begin planning for our future meetings. To assist in that task, we will each complete a survey, designed by Marty Foxx, asking us to prioritize the types of programs we would like to see presented at a CEPSA meeting. You will be asked which programs you liked best from past years and would like to see repeated, what new topics you want to know about, and you will be given an opportunity to identify people you know with skills and information that would be of benefit to CEPSA members.
Would you spend some time thinking about the direction you want your support group to go? What projects should we undertake that fit into our goals? What strategies could we use to reach more polio survivors? Let’s all do some thinking and researching so that this year’s programs and activities are beneficial.
The new year is also a great time to get more involved with CEPSA. Listed below are the committees currently active; you will be given an opportunity at the January meeting to meet the chairpersons, to learn more about the work of each committee, and to sign up for a committee. The committees are: Publicity, New Member, Mailing, Newsletter, History, By-Laws, Fundraising, Immunization Awareness, Polio Awareness, Accessibility Awareness, Hospitality, Care Team, Photography/Videography.
Finally, I want to say “Thank You” to the officers and committee chairpersons who worked so diligently in 2007. Their creative vision and hard work brought CEPSA to a new level. As in-coming president, I promise not only to continue the good work that CEPSA members are currently doing but also to encourage new ideas, to forge new partnerships, and to foster increased communication among members. I will need you help and input!
Sandra Bath, President
CEPSA’s next regular meeting is on Saturday, January 26th, at 10:30 a.m. in the Candler Hospital Heart & Lung Building, second floor, conference room.
Reprint from WSJ Battle Against Polio Gets Major Grant
REUTERS NEWS SERVICE
November 27, 2007; Page D2
The global campaign to eradicate polio received a $200 million grant that health officials say will help fund the final push to wipe out the disease.
A world effort to beat polio has succeeded in slashing the number of cases by 99% during the past two decades, but the virus that causes the disease persists, mainly in Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Pakistan.
The grant from the Gates Foundation and Rotary International is the catalyst needed to finally eradicate the infection that mostly strikes children under 5 years old, said Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization.
“We have the technical tools to do it, and we can achieve a polio-free world if the rest of our financial partners step up to meet the challenge,” she said.
The highly infectious polio virus usually causes common cold symptoms, but in a small percentage of people spreads to the digestive and nervous systems and can cause severe, lasting damage. Survivors can struggle to walk or breathe. Vaccines developed more than 50 years ago work well against polio, but geographic isolation, armed conflict and cultural barriers have kept it from reaching people in the four countries where the disease remains endemic.
In October, the WHO said there has been significant progress in India and Nigeria, which together account for most of the world’s 735 reported polio cases so far in 2007. This compares with 1,686 reported cases at the same time last year.
A nearly 20-year effort called the Global Polio Eradication Initiative involving more than 200 countries has succeeded in driving the number of polio cases world-wide from 350,000 in 1988 to 1,997 cases in 2006. All but 128 of the cases last year were in India, Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan, the group said.
Rotary International received a $100 million grant from the Gates Foundation, which the organization of business leaders said it would match over a three-year period. Most of the $100 million will be spent to boost mass immunization campaigns in the polio-affected countries, polio-virus surveillance activities and community education and outreach.
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Lorraine Frew – 10
Tammy Hewitt – 29
Harriet Merritt – 14
Jim O’Kelley – 23
Gloria Sullivan – 8
Gigi Veccia – 5
Voluntary Dues of $15.00 may be paid at any time throughout the year to Marty Foxx; her mailing address is: 21 East 61st Street, Savannah, GA 31405
The gift of stamps for mailing your newsletter would be greatly appreciated!
There were no immediate member concerns
this month, but I’m sure a prayer for our members health in 2008 would benefit us all.
CEPSA OFFICERS – 2008
President: Sandra Bath – 920-3862
Vice President: Lorraine Frew – 925-0117
Secretary: Adrienne Stallworth – 748 – 8436
Treasurer: Marty Foxx – 353-8808
Members-at-large- Janet DiClaudio – 352-8383, Jim Veccia – 843-837-1230
Committee Chairpersons
Publicity -Cheryl Brackin – 927-8332
Newsletter – Jim Veccia – 1-843-837-1230
Mailing- Beverly and Gene Jarvis – 925-3628
New Member – Beverly Jarvis – 925-3628
Fund-Raising – Richard Graham – 728-3393
Hospitality – Janet DiClaudio – 352-8383
Website – Jim Veccia – 843-837-1230
Care Team Co-Chairs: Betty Goff – 355-8497 and Lavonne Calandra – 354-2020
Photographer/Videographer – Junie Parham – 912-437-4764
Polio Awareness – Diane Davis – 355-1221
Accessibility Awareness – Dan Shehan – 658-2847
Immunization Awareness Sandra Bath – 920-3862
History – Diane Davis – 355-1221
By-Laws – Jim Veccia – 843-837-1230
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Share the News–Johnny Mercer Theater Accessibility Improves at Last!
Bob Habas, LIFE Independent Living Coordinator, and Cheryl Brackin, CEPSA member and LIFE board member, visited the newly renovated accessible seating area in the Johnny Mercer Theater at the Savannah Civic Center 11/9/07. Director Marty Johnston reported that 7 to 8 wheelchair and scooter users can be seated there along with a family member or friend. The area is located at the back of the theater.
Ms. Johnston related that the ultimate plan is to have accessible locations throughout the theater when the entire building is renovated, after a new arena is built in West Savannah.
If you plan to attend a performance, be certain to tell the person selling your ticket that you and
your companion want to use the accessible seating area. Also twelve transfer seats are scattered about the theater. If you are able to transfer from your chair or scooter and have someone to move it to the foyer, you can request that type of seating. We have advocated for this improvement and attended meetings for several years. Your input is important to us. Please let Cheryl know (912-927-8332) about your experience after you use the area the first time. If you have concerns, share them with Ms. Johnston at 912-651-6550. Enjoy your next show!
Submitted by Cheryl Brackin
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Global Case Count (The number of wild polio virus cases)
Data as at 8 January 2008
| Total cases | Year-to-date 2007 | Year-to-date 2006 | Total in 2006 |
| Globally | 992 | 1902 | 1997 |
| – in endemic countries: | 897 | 1783 | 1869 |
| – in non-endemic countries: | 95 | 119 | 128 |
Welcome our newest Member …
Pixi Winters, Columbia, SC
“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change”
Charles Darwin, Naturalist
CONTRIBUTIONS
The Coastal Empire Polio Survivors Association is a non-profit corporation which is tax exempt under IRS code 501c(3). We have no paid employees, only volunteers dedicated to helping all polio survivors.
Your financial support is appreciated at any level suggested below:
- CEPSA Member – $15.00 annual voluntary donation
- CEPSA Supporter – $25.00 $50.00 $100.00 $300.00
- CEPSA Memorial or Honor Gift – any amount
- CEPSA Sponsor – any amount
Your contributions are tax deductible and will be acknowledged appropriately.
Please complete this form and mail it along with your check to: CEPSA, Marty Foxx, 23 East 61st Street, Savannah, GA 31405.
Name ______________________________________
Address ____________________________________
City _______ State_____________ Zip _
Phone ___________ E-mail _____________________
Are you a relative or friend of a CEPSA member, if so _____________________ (Name of member)
Thank you for your support and encouragement.
Coastal Empire Polio Survivors Assn., Inc.
112 Van Nuys Blvd.
Savannah, GA 31419
CEPSA’s next meeting is on Saturday, January 26th, at 10:30 a.m. in the Candler Hospital Heart & Lung Building, second floor, conference room.