The President’s Message…
October 2009
Happy Fall, Everyone! I hope you are enjoying our sporadically cooler weather.
What a glorious moment in CEPSA’s history occurred on Saturday, October 3!
The “Heel-to-Toe: End Polio Now” event at Coligny Beach on Hilton Head Island was a great success. More than 40 members, spouses, relatives, and friends were there to represent our group, which was a co-sponsor. We were warmly welcomed by the Rotarians, who were so very accommodating. CEPSA participants enjoyed visiting with each other and meeting many Rotarians and others who walked or rode. Kudos to our Polio Eradication Hero Jim Veccia for all his dedication and hard work on this project. When we learned that CEPSA members had raised more money than any of the Rotary groups, I was elated. Along with committing many hours to the event, Jim was our top fundraiser in CEPSA and for the entire event!! Great thanks to all of you who raised money for polio eradication and who attended. It is critical that polio be eradicated from the planet. Many people in the Low Country learned about our group through the publicity events in which Jim participated. Three new members are joining us. We already are planning to join these Rotary groups next year for this annual event. Don’t miss it. My pride in CEPSA’s accomplishments continues to grow.
Thanks also to Harvey Varnadoe for ordering CEPSA shirts for us to wear on Hilton Head. If you missed the order, we will be ordering more shirts in early 2010.
We look forward to seeing you at the October 24 meeting. Dr. Joseph Hegarty of Southeastern Orthopedics, who specializes in pain management, will be our speaker. Those of us with post-polio syndrome deal with pain daily, and we hope to obtain information to help us cope.
Cheryl Brackin
CEPSA’s next regular monthly meeting is on Saturday, October 24th, at 10:30 a.m. in the Candler
Hospital Heart & Lung Building, second floor, conference room.
CEPSA Meeting Minutes, September 26, 2009
The September monthly meeting was called to order by Cheryl Brackin, President, at 10:45 AM.
Two visitors attending the meeting were Sharon Mohr from Bluffton, S.C., and Sharon Solomon, sister of Ruth Parham, from Maryland.
The inspiration was brought by Marty Foxx. She shared about the time several years ago when she wrote an article for the Redbook magazine. Marty related her experiences and adjustments raising an infant daughter, while dealing with the effects of polio. A lady, who also had polio, wrote her about her same trials. Ironically Marty had the privilege of meeting this woman at the Polio Health International Conference this past April in Warm Springs.
Care Team Reports: Jim Veccia related that Eileen Boyle has a spot on her lung. Jim has not been able to talk with Danny Jenkins. Betty Goff has concerns about the Parkhursts, who were supposed to be here today. Ruth Parham had no reports on members on her list. She did report on setting up a CEPSA table at the Baby Fair at the Brunswick Mall 9/12/09. She passed out handouts and arm bands. Janet DiClaudio has not been able to reach Tom Schendorf, who reportedly still is in New York with family. Cheryl reported that Lorraine Frew is recovering well from her shoulder replacement surgery and will remain in a sling for 4 ½ more weeks. She also reported that Dale Merritt has lost his job at Wal-Mart. Due to this, Dale’s colon surgery has been postponed several weeks until later in October. We need to support the Merritts with our prayers and cards. Terri and Michael Dunnermann are in St. Louis, where his father is not expected to live very long. They need our support as well.
Jim Veccia presented the plan for the “Heel-to-Toe: End Polio Now” walk-a-thon/roll-a-thon on Saturday, October 3. CEPSA is a co-sponsor along with five Rotary groups from Hilton Head, Bluffton, and Okatie, S.C. This fundraiser will support Rotary’s continued efforts to eradicate polio from the planet. Jim has attended numerous planning meetings and given media interviews. He gave us excellent directions on how to get to Coligny Beach and provided maps, so we would not get lost. Jim asked for volunteers for registration and counting money. Several members volunteered to arrive early for these assignments. Members who had collected donations gave them to Jim. Any other donations were to be turned in at the event.
Dan Shehan, who represents us on the Savannah-Chatham Council on Disability, reported plans for an “Accessibility Guide to Museums and Historic Sites” in Savannah. He said that this guide currently is being developed, and if we have any suggestions, please let him know. He said that the Isaiah Davenport and the Juliette Gordon Low houses have elevators and already are accessible. He reported that some sites cannot install elevators, but will be providing virtual tours on DVDs.
Harvey Varnadoe passed out T-shirts to those who had ordered them for the October 3 walk. Members not present can obtain their shirts at the next regular meeting. For those who missed the order, we will be ordering more shirts in early 2010.
There was no further business, and the meeting was adjourned at 12:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Adrienne Stallworth
October’s Article By Min. Patrina Moss Johnson, Walk by Faith, not by Sight
By nature children are empirical beings. They believe only what they see. I’m told babies think you disappear when you leave their sight. Sometime as Christians it’s hard for us to believe things are going to work out for our good even though the situation looks bad. But remember we are to “walk by faith not by sight”. 2Corinthians 5:7
One of the most vivid experiences from my childhood is a hospital visit when I was about 9 years old. I had Polio as a child and had to spend much of my childhood in and out of the hospital. It was OK because I knew everybody on the pediatrics floor. The nurses, the aids and the orderlies were my friends, they all treated me special.
This particular occasion I had to have surgery on my right foot. When I woke up from the anesthesia I had a caste on my foot and leg and I couldn’t see my little toe. I thought they cut it off. I started screaming to the top of my lungs. Everyone kept telling me my toe was still there but I didn’t believe them. My foot hurt so bad it had to be gone!!!
Finally they had to get a caste cutter and cut back a little corner of the caste enough for me to see my toe. I calmed down and went back to sleep.
Have you ever felt that way about GOD, like maybe he’s just not there? Sometimes when we are walking through those hard places, those hurting places we feel so all alone. Remember Jesus said “lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of time” Matt 28:20. We must believe this! Jesus told Thomas “because you have seen me, you believe: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet believe” John 20:29.
Polio survivor Hattie Evensen and Delores McIntyre were guests of the Blackshear Rotary Club last week.
Ms. Evensen first thanked the local Rotarians and Rotary International for helping to eradicate polio world wide. Evensen told of her life experiences since she contracted polio at the age of four. After her diagnosis she stayed at home where her mom and dad took care of her, but visited the Cripple Children’s Clinic in Waycross where she saw her doctor regularly. At age five, she was sent to Atlanta to learn to walk with braces and crutches. Evensen stated that she was now experiencing post-polio syndrome which is a weakening of muscles, joint pain, breathing and swallowing difficulties among other things. She has joined the Coastal Empire Polio Survivors Association in Savannah. She said that this organization is a vital resource for polio survivors, their families and friends. The object of the group is locating polio survivors, provide support, encouragement and fellowship. Pictured above is Hattie, Delores and two Rotary members.
Member Concerns
Lorraine Frew Archie Ivey
Dale Merritt Hariett Merritt
Shirley Johns Larry Richter
Gene Jarvis
Our Condolences go out to the families of
Michael and Terri Dunnermann on the death of his father and Jerry Hewitt on the death of his wife Tammy. Tammy was a CEPSA member and polio survivor. Please remember them all in your prayers.
Happy Birthday …
October
Billy Ray Washington – 3
Charlotte Richter – 4
Eileen Boyle – 5
Dan Shehan – 6
Hattie Everson – 7
Harvey Varnadoe – 15
Bererly Jarvis – 23
Adrienne Stallworth – 31
November
Ann Chance – 11
Pixi Winters – 12
Delorise Manor – 21
Judy Frick – 23
Hilda Fields – 25
Beverly Polin – 25
Velma Underwood – 26
Congratulations from CEPSA!
Betty & Gene Goff went to Atlanta this summer to see their grandson, Will, receive the prestigious Eagle Scout award.
He is 18 years old and has been a scout for 12 years.
Leslie LeSage, Diane & Fred Davis’ daughter, graduated with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Armstrong Atlantic State University with highest honors. Leslie’s 2009 Physical Therapy Graduating Class was the first Doctorate Program at Armstrong. Leslie is on staff at Candler Hospital in the In-Patient Physical Therapy Department
Nominating Committee Chair, Diane Davis and Committee; Richard Graham, Dan Shehan and Jim Veccia submit the following slate of Officer Nominees for 2010 to be voted on at the October 24, 2009 General Meeting:
President – Jim Veccia
Vice-President – Diane Davis
Treasurer – Marty Foxx
Secretary – Marty Foxx
Below are two web addresses to polio sites. One to the Salk Institute. The other to a page where you can post questions or read what others have posted and the answers they received.
Heel to Toe for Polio – October 3, 2009
View many more photos on the web site. Go to our web site, click scrapbook and then Heel to Toe.
We’re Still Here
Post-Polio Health International ~ 2009 Campaign
“Improving Community Accessibility”
October 11th -17th
Diane Davis, CEPSA’s Polio Awareness Chair, received an e-mail from the Post-Polio Health International director, Joan Headley, to announce this years We’re Still Here Campaign ~ “Improving Community Accessibility.” Diane and Jim Veccia composed a letter to inform Post-Polio Health about CEPSA’s on-going map project since 2006 to improve accessibility in Savannah’s Historic District. Joan Headley immediately responded and asked for permission to post the following article on the Post-Polio Health International website so other post-polio groups could see what could be done regarding accessibility. To view the web page go to CEPSA’s website; click Projects and then Project #1 or http://post-polio.org/WSHsuccessSavannah.pdf
Success in Savannah, Georgia!
We at Coastal Empire Polio Survivors Association (CEPSA) in Savannah, Georgia, have been striving to improve accessibility in Savannah’s Historic District as an on-going project since 2006
We at Coastal Empire Polio Survivors Association (CEPSA) in Savannah, Georgia, have been improving accessibility in Savannah’s Historic District as an on-going project since 2006. There were so many streets that did NOT have curb cuts to allow a person using a scooter or wheelchair to exit the sidewalk that the person had to turn around and backtrack to another street. It was the vision of our Accessibility Chairman, Dan Shehan, the committee, and CEPSA not to come down on restaurants and the City of Savannah for their lack of accessibility, but to take a positive uplifting approach. We chose to encourage people to make their establishments accessible and to recognize those that did, and to point out to the city council the location of needed curb cuts and sidewalk repair, and at the same time, help people with disabilities safely tour our beautiful Historic District. Shehan received permission to design a navigational guide for scooter and wheelchair users that mapped out the accessible path of the Historic District for vacationers and sightseers to tour our beautiful city. After countless hours of the committee actually driving their scooters on the sidewalks and taking trips in cars on every historic street to determine the accessible path, the first map was published. Copies were distributed to the Visitor’s Center, hotels and restaurants. When Shehan contacted city officials, they were so impressed by the positive attention the map brought to the lack of accessibility in the Historic District, they allocated more than $200,000 to add 500 curb cuts. Next, the committee up-dated the map with the new curb cuts and distributed the new version. Success breeds success! The following year the city added at least 500 more curb cuts at an additional cost of $200,000. The committee contacted every restaurant in the area and included the name and address of those that were accessible on the back of the map. (After the first map was published and its popularity grew, more restaurants asked to be included.) The committee sought sponsors for the third edition of the map (2008) and their contributions completely paid for the copies. Please click on
this link Project # 1 on CEPSA’s website to see the map of the accessible route in Savannah’s Historic District. This is an idea that many of our groups could implement in their cities or towns.
Savannah’s Historic District Navigational Guide for Scooter and Wheelchair Users
CEPSA’s Navigational Guide Project Chairman: Dan Shehan and Committee Members: Diane Davis, Richard Graham, Marty Foxx, Sandra Bath, Tom Newcomer, and Sher Blackwelder.
The form on the following page was given to the members who attended the September General Meeting. Please make several copies and keep them in your car. When you encounter a business that causes concern for the disabled, use this form to notify them of the problem.
Coastal Empire Polio Survivors Association, Inc.
112 Van Nuys Blvd.
Savannah, GA 31419
Georgia: (912) 355-1221
South Carolina: (843) 837-1230
www.coastalempirepoliosurvivors.org
E-mail: CEPSA05@msn.com
Dear Business Owner or Manager:
Coastal Empire Polio Survivors Association, Inc. would like to thank you for providing a safe place for people with a disability.
We are offering a list of concerns for your consideration so that your business can be an even safer environment for your disabled customers.
Circled below are problems encountered at your place of business that could be improved to provide additional safety. Please consider this a friendly request to help make our experience at your business easier, safer, and more productive.
- Provide adequate disabled parking near entrance(s), including van access.
- Install automatic doors.
- Provide wheelchair ramps.
- Provide handrails for stairs and ramps.
- Wooden ramps must have a non-slip surface.
- Insure that all floors are free of grease or water.
- Use “Wet Floor” signs when mopping during business hours.
- Provide adequate rugs with non-slip rubber backing at every entrance.
- Eliminate turned up corners on rugs.
- Avoid excess wax on floors.
- Provide accessible restrooms including adequate space, grab bars, and raised toilet seats.
- Place restroom paper towel dispenser or hand dryer near the sink at wheelchair level.
- Lower door hooks in restroom stalls for people using wheelchairs or with arm problems.
- Provide wider doorways and hallways.
- Provide wider aisles between clothes racks in retail stores.
- Provide elevator or lift for buildings with more than one floor.
- Increase the number of scooters available at malls, grocery stores and department stores.
- Make sure store scooters are charged at all times.
- Other _________________________________________________________________
Thank you for making your establishment more accessible.
Sincerely,
Members of Coastal Empire Polio Survivors Association, Inc.
Reminder: Tax Incentives for the Business
* Small Business Tax Credit: IRS Code Section 44, Disabled Access Credit
*Architectural/Transportation Tax Deduction: IRS Code Section 190, Barrier Removal
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, GA31405.
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.