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 In the Limelight
Susan Berch Former AADD Board Member  At the June Board of Directors meeting, self-advocate and AADD Board Member Susan Berch read a letter to share the impact the Agency has made on her life. We were deeply touched by Susan's sweet letter, and asked her permission to share it with our readers.
Dear Dave,
I just wanted you to know you have impacted my life in such a positive way.
When I was a young kid, I didn't speak up very often. I guess I just didn't think about it at the time. I had a difficult time making it in middle and high school because I was shy and it wasn't easy making friends. I had a few, but I never got asked to dances or the prom. It didn't bother me much at the time. Years later, I went away to a Vocational School called Warm Springs. I made several friends there. One of my best friends lives in Athens and we take trips together. We've traveled to Alaska, Hawaii and in two weeks we are going on a cruise.
When I moved back home, I joined some social groups and made friends. I obtained a job at Jewish Family & Career services in July of 1993 and moved out on my own December of 1993. Several years later, my friend, Linda Danzig told me about this wonderful organization called Partners in Policymaking. She told me I should get involved and she kept talking about it. She encouraged me to apply, which I did. When I received the letter that I was accepted, I was so excited. I learned so much about people's rights with disabilities, the challenges we face and so much more. The one thing I have found most helpful to me is to become more assertive. That's always been a hard obstacle for me, but since I have graduated from Partners, it has become easier.
Everyone should be given a chance to live on their own, obtain a job, make friends, vote, travel, take public transportation, etc. It's not always easy and it takes us longer to comprehend tasks, but we can do it if we are given the opportunity. I feel honored to have been on the Board of AADD and learn what AADD is about. I want to thank you, Dave, personally for all the encouragement you have given me. I wish you well on your future endeavors. I will miss you. I also want to thank the Board for being part of your committee and helping others.
Gratefully,
Susan Berch
Classic rock buff Susan Berch has served as an enthusiastic member of AADD's Board of Directors for six years. When asked why she became so involved with the organization, she told us "because AADD has helped so many people with developmental disabilities who desperately need their services when it comes to obtaining employment, finding housing, and regaining custody of their children."
Now that she has some extra time, this summer Susan hopes to make a difference in children's lives by becoming a member of Happy Tails Pet Therapy along with her furry friend, Gabby. When Susan is not spending quality time with Gabby, she enjoys traveling, reading, going to the movies, watching TV and frequenting ethnic restaurants. If she could trade place with any animal, she would be a dog, joking, "I'm jealous of all the attention they receive." Her personal hero is First Lady, Michelle Obama for her understanding and compassionate character.
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Upcoming Events
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Back to School Drive
July - August
AADD- 125 Clairemont Avenue, Suite 300, Decatur, GA 30030
Families we support often have children in need of school supplies to prepare them for success in the school year. You can provide the tools necessary to ensure a brighter future for the children we serve by donating school supplies during the months of July and August. Please contact Suzie (Fatkin) Sloan for more information.
Backpack in the Park
July 28, 2012
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Piedmont Park: Greystone Pavilion
AADD is excited to be a beneficiary of the For the Kid in All of Us Backpack in the Park. The donation of school supplies will prepare the children we serve for success in the upcoming school year. You can support AADD by bringing a backpack and reliving the fun-filled memories of summer camp, this year's theme. For more information about the event, please click here.
Volunteer Orientation
September 11, 2012
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
AADD- 125 Clairemont Avenue, Suite 300, Decatur, GA 30030
Do you want to make a difference in your community? Are you passionate about helping others? Do you enjoy having fun while doing good? If you answered yes to any of these questions, we enthusiastically invite you to attend AADD's volunteer orientation! Please join us to learn more about the exciting volunteer opportunities available at AADD! RSVP to Suzie (Fatkin) Sloan by Monday, September 10th.
Legacy Breakfast
October 11, 2012
7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Atlanta History Center
130 West Paces Ferry Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
Mark your calendar for AADD's Annual Legacy Breakfast. This year's event will feature an exciting and moving program that will be remembered for years to come. We hope that you will consider attending to learn more about our work in the developmental disabilities community. Please RSVP by October 1, 2012.
If you or your company would like to sponsor this event, please contact Keisha Tennyson at (404) 809-2951. For information about our Legacy Sponsorship levels, please click here.
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Mother's Day Luncheon
A Day of Royalty for AADD Moms
At AADD's May Mother's Day celebration, the only rule of the day was for the amazing mothers we serve to be treated like royalty. Oh, and no men allowed, unless, of course, they were dressed to the nines and escorting the ladies of the hour to their seats. AADD volunteers treated our moms to a delicious home-cooked feast, pampered them with massages and captured fun poses in a photo shoot.
"I was honored to photograph all the moms and capture their sweet smiles and wonderful energy," says Regan, volunteer photographer. "They had a blast posing for the pictures."
Ask any mom what her favorite part of the luncheon was, and she will tell you, hands-down, it was the massages. Qiturah Lampkin, a local massage therapist, donated her time to make sure our moms had a relaxing afternoon. Each attendee was offered a complimentary massage accompanied by soothing music and relaxing lighting.
 | | Volunteer Barbra Barker serves AADD mothers lunch |
But that wasn't all that was planned for the day. Singer/songwriter, Helga Moore sang from her inspirational jazz album entitled "Stronger", which documents her experience as a mother of a child living with developmental disabilities. Everyone enjoyed hearing Helga's incredible voice, and showed just how much by clapping their hands and swaying to the music. And Norma Stanley, author of The Elected Lady-Finding Victory in the Challenge: Words of Faith, Reflections and Inspiration for Mothers of Special Needs Children and Other Moms, read encouraging poems from her book discussing what it's like to be a mother of a child with a developmental disability.
When everyone had their fill of cucumber sandwiches, pimiento cheese croissants and home-made cookies, our wonderful volunteers distributed tea cups potted with pink impatiens to each mom.
 | Letha enjoys the Mother's Day Luncheon
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"I've never felt so special," said Letha, a participant of AADD's services, who attends the Parenting Support Group every other Tuesday. "It was a really nice lunch for me and all of my friends."
Mother's day is an exceptionally meaningful occasion for us each year. In Georgia, a mother living with a developmental disability can lose custody of her children for that reason alone, and AADD advocates to keep mothers connected with their family. If you would like to become one of AADD's valued volunteers for events like the Mother's Day Luncheon, please contact Suzie (Fatkin) Sloan at (404) 809-2911.
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Individual and Family Support
AADD's Annual Picnic Provides a Fun Day for All Picnic participants weren't allowed to say the word "hot" on this toasty Friday afternoon full of games, music, food and fun. Upon arrival, guests were greeted by friendly volunteer, Reda Fricks, who gave them a name tag and a binder clip, explaining that no one was allowed to say h-o-t or their binder clip would be taken by someone who heard them. At the end of the day, it was AADD participant Anthony who kept his cool, collecting 17 binder clips and winning the award for the "Not So Hot" game. Volunteers were integral to the success of the Annual Picnic by helping with set up, preparing and serving food, leading games, grilling and cleaning up. Grillmaster and Partners in Policymaking graduate Michael Coleman didn't mind the heat, helping to cook and serve over 300 hamburgers and hot dogs provided by our wonderful volunteers.
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Shonetta and Logan join the hula hoop competition
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"It was a blessing to have the opportunity to serve and assist at the picnic. I was moved to see that everyone could be themselves in a healthy and safe environment," Michael tells us about his experience at the picnic. Michael's family wasn't afraid to join the fun as well. His wife, Michelle, and daughter, Logan, led the hula hoop contest, clocking many hoop runs at over nine minutes. Other popular games included the water balloon toss, golf ball relay and shoe box shuffle.
"The people we serve had a great time getting outside and being social," Outreach Specialist Ruth Wright says. "It was so wonderful for them to have family time, see old friends, have fun and meet new people."
 | | Demonte shows off his hula hoop award |
The Annual Picnic & Fun Day was a testament to the one common thread that binds all people who are living with developmental disabilities: the desire to live a full, stable life, fully engaged in their family and community. It's a desire we all share, and a right AADD believes everyone deserves.
AADD hosts our Annual Picnic & Fun Day every year for the families we are proud to serve. If you would like to join AADD's amazing team of volunteers and become part of our extended family, contact Suzie (Fatkin) Sloan at (404) 809-2911.
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Advocacy and Education
Save the Date! Conversations That Matter:
Post-Secondary Options for Students with Intellectual Disabilities
- Meet with others in the community to gain insights, exchange ideas and brainstorm solutions for students.
- Find out how Georgia compares to other states in supporting young adults and Post-Secondary options.
- Learn about legislative activities to support Post-Secondary options and how to get connected to advocacy.
September 27, 2012- Macon
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Mullberry Methodist Church
719 Mullberry Street
Macon, GA 31204
October 2, 2012- Statesboro
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Georgia Southern University, Russell Student Union Room 1042A
85 Georgia Avenue
Statesboro, GA 30452
October 9, 2012- Kennesaw
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
North Star Church
3413 Blue Springs Road
Kennesaw, GA 30144
October 16, 2012- Valdosta
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
1905 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA 31601
October 25, 2012- Gainesville
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
The Oaks at Lanier Charter Career Academy
2719 Tumbling Creek Road
Gainesville, GA 30504
Please invite your friends and colleagues who you think would benefit from the discussion. If you have any questions or require any additional information, please contact Heidi Fernandez.
Sponsored by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Division of Developmental Disabilities. Presented by All About Developmental Disabilities. |
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All About Developmental Disabilities
Atlanta's preeminent resource on developmental disabilities, All About Developmental Disabilities (AADD) has been providing support services to families for more than 55 years. We are often the one place where people with developmental disabilities can go to achieve personal empowerment, family stability and community participation. AADD employs a family- and community-based approach to helping families with developmental disabilities, because the impact isn't limited to just one individual. We provide consultation and planning; individual and family support services; and education and political advocacy. For more information, visit www.aadd.org.
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All About Developmental Disabilities
125 Clairemont Avenue Suite 300 / Decatur, Georgia 30030
  
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