Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Road To Freedom Bus Tour

What: American Dream Road Tour
When: Saturday, July 14, 2007, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: Bus will be parked in front of the Madison downtown library
Party: Celebration Picnic at Brittingham Park - corner of W. Washington & S. Park

On September 26, 2006, The American Dream Road Tour - a year-long, cross-country "bus" journey and multi exhibit of disability history began its journey from Washington D.C. and has been making its way through all 50 states (one by air). Madison is fortunate to be included in their stops.

The purpose of the road trip is to promote public awareness regarding community integration, as well as advance education and economic opportunities for children and adults with disabilities. The tour is coordinated by the National Coalition for Disability Rights (NCDR) and supported by local organizations like the Survival Coalition. The road tour includes photojournalist Tom Olin's images and other artifacts of the history of the disability movement. Olin's work has been featured at the Smithsonian Institution. To learn more about the bus tour go to www.roadtofreedom.org

Youth and adults with disabilities, family members and advocates are welcome!

The bus will be parked in front of the downtown library from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Survival Coalition members will be greeting the hundreds of people walking by to get to the Art Fair on the Square, one of Madison's signature events. The day promises lots of foot traffic and great fun.

If you would like to volunteer your time on this day, there are two major ways you and your organization can help:
  • Volunteer to spend time at the bus stop; talk to people walking by (about disability rights) and pass out fans.
  • Volunteer yourself or organize a group from your agency. We're asking people to sign up for two hour shift but if you can only make it for part of a shift we want you to come anyway. We'll have refreshments/ treats and lots of fun.

Join us at the picnic:
  • We need volunteers to help the day of the event to set up, clean up and other tasks in-between.
  • We also need your help in helping consumers to join us. Please consider organizing a group from your organizations to join in the fun-- we'll provide the food and entertainment. We would like some sort of head count so that we can plan for food and refreshments.

There is money available to assist with transportation. Youth and adults with disabilities, family members and advocates are welcome!

If you have any questions about how you can participate please contact Fil Clissa at fil@tds.net or 608-698-0333




Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Happy Birthday Renee!


Turn on your sound and click here!



NYC Hope & Possibility Run/Walk



Madison Achilles has a group of 10 leaving for New York this Friday morning for the Hope and Possibility 5 Mile run/walk on Sunday, Central Park at 8:30am.

Wishing all Madison Achilles members everyone a safe and healthy walk/run! Attending this year: Linda and Michael, Rene and Bob, Kathy - Jim and Elizabeth (dog), Erika and James, Stephanie and Kimmer.

Good Luck Team!

Welcome New Members!


A warm welcome to three new members who joined us last week:

Judith, Mary and Alan

Neighbors Making a Difference




Making A Difference: Kim Virden

There are several clubs around Madison for sports enthusiasts. But, for people living with a disability they have very few options. We had a couple people nominate Kim Virden.

Kim is very modest.

Sheri Mauerman wrote this about Kim. "She is instrumental in getting our group involved with charity walks/runs that benefit many in our community."

Two years ago, Kim connected with a worldwide organization whose mission is something Kim lived through years ago after a skiing accident. Kim never thought she would ski again, but 13 years after the accident, she was back out on the slopes.

Kim plans to take some from the group to new york later this month for a five mile run/walk called hope and possibility race. In 1996, she was honored to carry the olympic torch.
In this week's People Making A Difference segment Mitch Weber introduces us to a woman who has made it possible for people living with disabilities to participate in sports.

Info on Achilles is on our website under links.

Mitch is always looking for people making a difference. To nominate someone go back to our home page and click on the People Making A Difference banner.

Updated: June 8, 2007, 10:55 am