| 2010 Annual Appeal | If you're on our mailing list, this cute  monkey will be arriving in your mailbox shortly.
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| Upcoming Events | Behind the Scenes Tour
Be sure to keep checking our website for the upcoming dates in 2011!
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Contact Us
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Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers for the Disabled, Inc.
541 Cambridge Street
Boston, MA 02134
617.787.4419
www.monkeyhelpers.org |
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Hi ,
We hope that this newsletter finds you happy and ready to celebrate the upcoming holiday season. This month's layout is a little bit different, as we are devoting much of the newsletter to catching up with one of our recipients, Ned Sullivan, and his monkey helper, Kasey.  | | Photo by Claudia Kronenberg |
Ned and Kasey have recently become quite well known with the release of Kasey to the Rescue written by Ned's mother, Ellen Rogers. We are so proud of this pair and their many accomplishments that we want to share them with you, too. As always- a big THANK YOU to our generous community of supporters who make placements like the one you are going to read about possible! Don't forget to check out our Donor Spotlight for a great holiday gift idea. Happy Holidays, ~ Noelle, the staff, and monkeys at Helping Hands ~
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In his own words: Life with Kasey
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| In 2005, Ned, was your typical college student attending the University of Arizona at Tuscon. His life changed in an instant when he was in a terrible car accident that left him a quadriplegic. Proving what a fighter he is, he has far surpassed his doctors expectations for his recovery, but was still left struggling with his new life since the accident.
Ned shared with us how his life has changed since receiving his monkey helper in 2006, and gave us some insight about what it's like to live with a 5 pound capuchin monkey who can be a bit of a handful at times.
"My life has improved so much in the last four years, and I've grown to respect Kasey that much more because she is able to adapt to my needs by helping me in different ways. When I first got her I couldn't really move anything and there was little feeling of hope. Now I'm moving my arms. This has to do with the fact that I get to practice using my hands by holding and grooming Kasey. All of these movements accumulate, and it's not like exercise where I feel tired at the end.
 Kasey can tell when I'm having a good or bad day. Sometimes she'll go on my shoulder or lap and groom me; I'm actually at peace with myself when I'm with her. When I'm in pain she is a great distraction with all of her silly monkey antics.
I can't imagine life without her. I would feel so much more vulnerable and helpless without Kasey's cage in my room at night. I love hearing her little noises reminding me that I am not alone."
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Helping Hands featured in Kasey to the Rescue: The Remarkable Story of a Monkey and a Miracle
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| Now that you know more about Ned and Kasey, it's easy to see how compelling their story is. Ned's mother, Ellen Rogers, thought so too, and wrote a book about their family's life after a spinal cord injury and the experience of living with a monkey helper.
Kasey to the Rescue was recently featured in O Magazine. This wonderful article, an excerpt from the book, can now be read and shared online here.
Ellen has created a website featuring more information on the book and their family. Spend two minutes with Ned, Kasey, and Ellen by watching a terrific video on their site.
Inspired by their story? You can purchase one or many copies of the book to share. They make a great gift for the holidays!
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| Donor Spotlight- You! | |  YOU helped us make 2010 a special year. Maybe you donated money, time, or in-kind gifts, helped us raise awareness, or attended one of our many events in California, Boston, and New York City. Thank YOU- every gift helps us change lives!
A special thanks to Lisa Flores, our Boston Festivale Event Chair, and the entire Committee for hosting an outstanding fundraiser in the Fall. Go to our website to see fabulous event pictures, highlights, and the sponsors that made it possible.
Our monkey grams are back!
Celebrate this holiday with a very special kind of giving- a Helping Hands monkey gram. Do you have what feels like an endless amount of holiday cards to write? Let us help! For a $10 per card donation, we will personalize and mail a holiday card to friends or family.
Click here* to order yours today- or email Noellel@monkeyhelpers.org with any questions. Cards sent for Christmas must be ordered by December 17th.
*Please indicate that your gift is in honor of someone by checking the box in the donation form. You can then enter the person's name and address for us to mail the card to.
Need more gift ideas? Check out our merchandise! Proceeds benefit our Training and Placement Programs.
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About Us
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Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers for the Disabled, is a national 501 (c) 3 organization and member of Independent Charities of America. We place specially trained capuchin monkeys with individuals living with severe mobility impairments. Relying on private contributions, Helping Hands provides our service animals and their lifetime support free of charge.
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