| BOARD OF DIRECTORS
John-Paul Berlon
President
Jason Wilson
Vice President
Kim Harrison
Secretary
Mark Schreiber
Treasurer
Cheryl Brackin
Richard Graham
Barry Helmey
Stuart Klugler
Dr. Frank Lala
Billy Searles
Jodi Whitaker
LIFE STAFF
Fran Todd
Executive Director
Susan Dawson
Assistant Director
Shawana Bulloch
Bob Habas
Denise Howard
Mark Swift
Independent
Living
Coordinators
Sallie McClelland
Accountant
Jean Iaderosa
Marketing
Coordinator
SECOND LIFE STAFF
Debbie Wilson
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WHO WE ARE
Living Independence for Everyone (LIFE), Inc., is a non-profit advocacy organization operated by and for people with disabilities. We embrace the independent living philosophy, the core concepts of which are: consumer control, self-advocacy, community change and cross-disability participation. We firmly believe that everyone, regardless of disability, has the right to make his or her own informed decisions. |
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Only Success
at Disability Employment:
Getting Back to Work Power Lunch & Learn Presentation
LIFE, Inc. recently sponsored an employment Lunch & Learn to familiarize consumers with the state's Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program services and their application process. Veteran Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Leigh Harris and Employment Specialist Kevin Ionno were the presenters. Participants consisting of consumers, transition counselors, and college disability coordinators listened carefully as the presenters illustrated each phase of the VR process.
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Enthusiastic participants took away valuable information from a recent employment workshop. |
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Quick Links...
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WHEELCHAIR CLEANING EVENT A MEMORABLE SUCCESS!
If you didn't get to our Annual Wheelchair Cleaning event on September 22, you missed an awesome opportunity to meet new friends, reconnect with old ones and have a great time! Over 80 people enjoyed our most extensive and action-packed event ever including several who took advantage of free transportation offered by Chatham Area Transit's Teleride service.
The Physical Therapy students from Armstrong Atlantic State University once again generously volunteered their time and effort to clean wheelchairs and scooters and long-time LIFE friend Walt Anderson and his family made a trip from North Carolina just to perform minor repairs. In all, over 40 wheelchairs and scooters were cleaned, inspected and, when necessary, repaired.
Bill Byler with Integrity Medical sponsored live entertainment in the form of a local band and a barbershop quartet that was enjoyed by all, while both children and adults loved interacting with the therapy birds. Royal Restrooms provided portable and accessible facilities that were "fit for a king or queen."
Thanks to the Savannah-Chatham County Police Department for making an engraver available so wheelchair and scooter owners could have their mobility device engraved with a unique identifying number. This could help law enforcement return your mobility device to you in the event it were stolen. Residents of Chatham County could also fill out the requisite paperwork to have their device registered with local police.
For the sports-minded, information on adaptive sports was on hand as well as different sports wheelchairs to try out. If you were just looking to get in shape, representatives were here from Abilities Unlimited.
There were also opportunities to register to vote; apply for an absentee ballot; sign up for LIFE's Freedom Team; grab some food; register for a chance to win a door prize; and interact with our numerous vendors.
LIFE wants to thank everyone who participated -- our sponsors, vendors, volunteers, staff -- and most especially each and every one of you who came out and helped make the 2012 Wheelchair Cleaning Event the best ever! See you all next year!
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Could anyone possibly be having any more fun than little Carolyn? |
 | | This melodious barbershop quartet sponsored by Bill Byler, Integrity Medical, charmed our many guests. |
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Randy Thran with Tybee Island Custom Cycles gave a wonderful demonstration of his versatile all-terrain wheelchair. |
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A HEARTY AND HEARTFELT THANK YOU!
LIFE would like to give a hearty and heartfelt THANK YOU to the following organizations that generously provided door prizes for our Wheelchair Cleaning event. We couldn't have done it without you.
Integrity Medical
Hello Gorgeous!
Blue Turtle Bistro
Holland House
Abilities Unlimited
In addition, the people and businesses below were also instrumental in delivering the best wheelchair cleaning event ever. We can't thank you enough.
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STATESBORO SUPER HERO!
Costello Reese is five years old and lives in Statesboro, GA. A burn victim at the age of two, he has been going through numerous operations and physical therapy. Recently, LIFE was contacted to see if there was anything we could do for this young man. His mom told us that Costello would really like a bed that he could get in and out of independently. He had a hospital bed that he definitely did not like. LIFE contacted Bulloch County's Concerted Services, Inc. They were able to quickly secure a donation of a bed. Then, someone else donated the superhero bedspread and pictures that Costello likes so much. Costello's father told us that his little boy is so tickled with his new sleeping set-up that it is sometimes hard to get him to agree to get out of bed! Three cheers for Costello. Hip-hip-hip-hooray!
If you are interested in make a donation of any sort for Costello, LIFE is here to assist. Please contact Mark Swift at 912-920-2414 or email Mark.
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Check out Costello on his new super-hero sized bed and his smiling dad looking on. |
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Global Accessibility Reporting Initiative
The South Carolina Assistive Technology Program has something important they want to share with you: Sooner or later, everyone will develop at least some limitations in vision, hearing, dexterity or learning. The Global Accessibility Reporting Initiative (GARI) is a project designed to help you learn more about the various accessibility features of mobile phones and to help you identify phones with the features that may assist you with your particular needs. You can find information about particular features and how they might be of assistance to you on this site. To search for a phone, just click on the Find Phones link on the top menu bar of GARI's website. |
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STOCKING STUFFER SUPPORTS LIFE
Stuart Klugler, LIFE board member, has compiled a nifty sports trivia calendar for 2013. The calendar makes a great stocking stuffer for all your family and friend sports fans. Each day poses a unique sports question which is answered on the next calendar day.
Klugler is a sports enthusiast who coached the US Deaf Basketball Teamto a gold medal in 1999 at the Pan-Am Games in Havana, Cuba. He also coached the Denver Rolling Nuggets in wheelchair basketball (1998-2001). Stuart chronicled his wheelchair experience in a book entitled Wheelchair Basketball: One Rebound at a Time.
The cost of $10 for the calendar will go directly to help LIFE. To get your copies, please stop by LIFE offices between 9 am - 5 pm, Monday - Friday. We're conveniently located at 5105 Paulsen Street, Suite 143-B. |
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YOU'RE INVITED TO THE NEXT COASTAL EMPIRE POLIO SURVIVORS ASSOC. MEETING
The Coastal Empire Polio Survivors Association meets Saturday, October 27, 10:30am at Barnes Restaurant, 5320 Waters Ave., in Savannah. Harvey Varnedoe, RN and polio survivor, will discuss pain management. Polio survivors, their guests, and visitors are invited. For information call 912-927-8332 or go to www.coastalempirepoliosurvivors.org. |
Georgia Statewide Coalition on Blindness
and Savannah Center for Blind and Low Vision
These two organizations have some activites scheduled that you definitely will not want to miss. Registration information follows the events listings.
iPhone Boot Camp
Date: Friday, November 9
1:00 - 5:00 pm
Location: Savannah Center for Blind and Low Vision
214 Drayton Street
Savannah, GA 31401
912-236-4473
This handy dandy workshop will cover a wide variety of topics to help you make the most out of your iPhone. Some of the topics include covering all the essential features, learning about all the key navigation gestures for voice, accessible games, social networking, and using the externals with the iPhone such as Braille displays, speaker docks and keyboards.
Networking Social
Date: Friday, November 9
6:00 pm
Location: Outback Steakhouse
7 Drayton Street
Savannah, GA
912-232-1611
Georgia Statewide Coalition on Blindness Fall Conference
Date: Saturday, November 10, 2012
8:30 am - 4:15 pm
Location: Savannah Center for Blind and Low Vision
214 Drayton Street
Savannah, GA 31401
912-236-4473
A wide variety of speakers and topics will be offered to attendees. Guest speakers include Greg Schmieg, Executive Director, Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, and Kathy Segers, Program Specialist-Accessible Instructional Materials, Georgia Department of Education. Topics range from transportation, education, to policy and more. Please call the Savannah Center for Blind and Low Vision at 912-236-4473 for more information.
REGISTRATION: There will be no registration cost for either the iphone Boot Camp or for the Coalition Conference. Note: guests are responsible for paying for their meals at Outback.
VERY IMPORTANT:
Please call Alice Ritchhart at 912-996-4213 or email her to let her know of your attendance at any or all of these events no later than Friday, November 2.
Interpreter services must be requested by Monday, October 29. Contact Rebecca Cowan-Story (404-783-4193) or by email to make your request. If cancellation is needed, contact Rebecca no later than October 29 or you will be billed for this service.
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2013 LIFE Board Meeting Schedule
November 15, 2012
January 17, 2013
March 21, 2013
May 16, 2013
July 18, 2013
September 19, 2013
LIFE's Board meetings are open to the public. They are held in our conference room located at 5105 Paulsen Street, Suite 143-B, and begin at 5:45 p.m.
Please let us know at least a week in advance if you need accommodations such as a Sign Language Interpreter or materials in an alternate format. |
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