AchillesLand

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Hope & Possibilites 2007 - Photos More

Ruby Says: Translated from Dogish to English: Good Job! Furless Friends

Hope & Possibilites 2007 - Photos

Photo of WI Achilles Team

Once again - our team photo made the New York Road Runner website for the H&P Race- click on link below:

http://www.nyrrc.org/race/2007/photosa70624.html

Hope & Possibilities 2007 Testimonials - Kimmer

Hello Team -

Well I thought I'd send a little recap on our wonderful trip - share the stories and times with you, and even a picture or two.

Let me start by keeping it short but starting with we have some incredible folks and a big round of applause to the TEAM!!

Most incredible race award goes to Bob who walked the whole 5 miles with his cane - no aid from the wheelchair at all. His finishing time was 3.5 hours - he deserves two medals for that act of courage.
We brought home two additional trophies for the team - Kathy came home with 3rd place trophy for the Female Visually Challenged division - awesome job for first time H&P participant and new to running with Achilles (chip time 1:00:50).
The other trophy went to myself for 1st place in Ambulatory Division (chip time 40:38).
Our other incredible finishers were Michael Roberts - who showed them all how strong us Cheeseheads can be.
and the team of Erica-James-Stephanie came home strong just over the 1 hour mark. Super big round of applause to all our Achilles members for a super-duper race on Sunday.

Other fun stories to share - all the flights seem to get into LaGuardia just fine.

Our pickup from the NY Fire Dept was awesome they dropped us off directly at the Lighthouse for the first party. We arrived with red jackets on and Cheese on our heads - everyone loved us.

Saturday most of us boarded the New York Circle Line for a 3 hour boat tour of Manhattan island. That was awesome - poor Jim stayed home at SSMA Club sick, with Elizabeth.

Saturday was the most awesome dinner party of them all - I give it an A++. The food was to die for - fantastic lobster, desserts - just incredible. And Sunday - was the race - wow, couldn't of asked for better weather….sunny, blue skies and cool - not too hot.

After the race we went back for a shower, nap and then joined Dick Traum (President of Achilles) for dinner on him.

Love to you all Kimmer

Hope & Possibilities 2007 Testimonials

You Brought Wisconsin Sunshine!

Kimmer and the entire team,

From the moment you walked into Friday night's dinner at the Lighthouse, you brought a ray of sunshine that radiated around the team! It was so good to see you and meet some of the new members. And thank you so much for my Wisconsin Cow -- it's on a shelf in my office in front of your card. Every time I look at it I just smile. Jim loved meeting you, too!

You are such a speedster! I was proud of myself for running under 10 minute miles -- 48 minutes and some change -- but that was nothing compared to you. I stopped at each water stop too, and lingered. Next year I have to train a little harder! Never thought I'd hear myself say "train" for a 5 mile race. Oh well, the body is getting a little slower, but you should see how good I've gotten at yoga.

Hope you all had fun in the City. I know you have stories about your adventures! Thanks for bringing your love, light and spark to Achilles and Central Park.

Hugs, Trisha

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