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Issue 29 July 2006
Our mission
is to build
communities of
support, acceptance,
and opportunity for
children, adults,
and families living
with developmental
disabilities.
IN THIS ISSUE
(Click on title below to go directly to an article.)
1. AADD to Celebrate 50th with "Family Reunion" August 22 - Save the Date!
2. Legacy of Leadership Breakfast September 28
3. FAS Day Run-Walk Planned for Sep. 9 - "stay tuned"
4. Join Us to See "What's Eating Gilbert Grape?" at The Rialto Sep. 23rd
5. The Re-union - a Time to Re-connect
7. Yoder Featured Speaker at Prevent Child Abuse Georgia
8. Recreation - Upcoming Events and Activities (includes new listings this month)
9. Other Upcoming Events and Opportunities
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1. AADD TO CELEBRATE 50th with"FAMILY REUNION"
Tuesday, August 22 - Join us ! Y'all come!
Make your Reservation Now!
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P "I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member." -Groucho Marx
P "You want a friend in Washington? Get a dog." -Harry S. Truman
P "Duct tape is like the force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together." -Oprah Winfrey
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With the theme, "Your story is a part of our history," the Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities will assemble its "family" for a traditional family reunion-style picnic on the evening of Tuesday, August 22.
AADD will celebrate its 50th birthday at Cater-Woolford Gardens* on August 22, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., with traditional picnic fare. Dessert, however, is strictly pot-luck, which is great news as there are many terrific cooks in this "family !" Come join us & bring your favorite dessert! * 1815 Ponce de Leon Ave, NE
Atlanta, GA 30307
Past volunteers, officers, people the organization helps to support, staffers, volunteers, donors, and friends will gather for the informal celebration and the chance to connect and reconnect.
"We are looking forward to the chance to visit with people who helped create the Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities. These people are the heroes who helped establish AADD as Atlanta's premiere organization advocating for support, acceptance, and opportunities for people with developmental disabilities," says Mary Yoder, AADD executive director.
AADD is the organization that led the way in making a free and appropriate education available for all of Georgia's children. Yoder adds, "We have helped to keep Georgia's babies healthier by advocating for the screening of certain metabolic disorders that, if unidentified, could lead to developmental disabilities."
"We've helped people with developmental and other disabilities receive badly-needed services, employment supports, medical care, recreation, and more. It truly is a celebration that this organization, begun in 1956 by parents who wanted more for their children with developmental disabilities, is celebrating its 50th year," she said.
The volunteers planning the event are collecting memorabilia from the past to have on hand, including old newsletters, photos, and videos. Attendees will have the opportunity, too, to share their best memories of their association with AADD, just as families at reunions where everyone is related share their stories.
MAKE YOUR RESERVATION ON-LINE TO ATTEND THE REUNION
More details
Or for more information, contact Carey Sipp at carey@aadd.org or 404-881-9777, ext. 228.
History Center Site for ’06 Legacy Breakfast
“50th Anniversary Edition”
Celebrating its 50 years of support, education, and advocacy, the Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities will hold its annual Legacy of Leadership fundraising breakfast at the Atlanta History Center on September 28.
“We’ve worked to help communities recognize and utilize the gifts people with developmental disabilities bring to their communities. We will celebrate that rich history, and look ahead to the many challenges of the next 50 years,” said Mary Yoder, AADD executive director. The organization, she noted, is “celebrating 50 years of making education, healthcare, employment, recreation, representation, and choice possible for people with developmental disabilities.”
“We are touched and pleased that gifts by anonymous donors are making it possible for us to have our annual fundraising breakfast at a very fine and appropriate venue, The Overlook Room at the Atlanta History Center,” Yoder added.
The event will take place on Thursday, September 28, at 7:30 a.m. Invitations are being sent, though the 90-minute event is free and open to the public. Attendees must have a reservation to attend, however, and the reservation must be made by September 15, according to event hosts and AADD advisory board members Sarah and Jim Kennedy.
People wishing to attend the breakfast, which includes special entertainment and a brief, inspiring video, must RSVP by September 15 to carey@aadd.org or by calling 404-881-9777 ext. 228. Attendees should also note that the breakfast is a fundraising event and will begin at 7:30 a.m. sharp. Media are invited, though reservations are needed.
AADD is planning its first annual FAS Day Run-Walk. The event will be a "fun-raiser." As final details are set, information will be posted on the AADD web site; keep an eye on the AADD home page (www.aadd.org) for updates.
The event will be held on the symbolic date of September 9th, 2006, to represent the 9 months during which a fetus develops and deserves to be unharmed. As we “Run Tell That” at the FAS Day 5K Run-Walk the primary purpose is to raise awareness and support the for the continual outreach efforts of the FASD Program. For more information contact Alberta Mirambeau at (404) 881-9777 ext. 206 or Crystal Russell at (404) 881-9997 ext 205, or by e-mail to: alberta@aadd.org.
AADD 50th Anniversary Film Series, Stories of Triumph! continues Sat., September 23rd
"What's Eating Gilbert Grape?" starring Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio
FREE ADMISSION
Want more Johnny Depp?
Mark your calendar for Sat., Sept. 23rd - 4:00 P.M. !
For the fourth and final film in the AADD Stories of Triumph! film series celebrating AADD's 50th anniversary, Georgia State University's College of Education is co-sponsoring a showing of "What's Eating Gilbert Grape?" starring Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio.
The free showing of the film begins at 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 23, at the Rialto Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Atlanta.
Leonardo DiCaprio and Johnny Depp (in pre-"Pirate" days), starring
in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape?" (1993)
"It's particularly timely and exciting that, with all the buzz about the second 'Pirates of the Caribbean' film starring Johnny Depp, that we are showing this film. The committee chose it more than a year ago, long before we knew the next 'Pirates' film was coming out," said Sandy Foxworth, chair of AADD’s development committee.
Dr. Paul Alberto of the GSU Dept. of Educational Psychology and Special Education chairs this event, which targets college students in an effort to raise awareness of the gifts people with developmental disabilities bring to the community.
"The film series has raised the profile of AADD in the community," said Mary Yoder, AADD Executive Director. "Sponsors for the series have given us great promotions for the events. The Atlanta Journal & Constitution, and the WSB-TV2 Family2Family sponsorships have resulted in our hearing from many people that the films’ promotional announcements 'have been everywhere,'" said Mrs. Yoder.
Prior films in the series were: "Rain Man," sponsored by the Marcus Institute; "39 Pounds of Love," sponsored by the Woodruff Arts Center's Celebrate Diversity through the Arts initiative; and "The Miracle Worker," which was co-sponsored by the Fox Theatre and the Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival.
"We hope that everyone who's attended the films -- and especially everyone who hasn't made it to one of the movies yet -- will join us on September 23rd. This is the chance to see AADD's own video presentation on the big screen, and to see a remarkable film about the life of a young man with mental retardation and his relationships with his family, the community, and the people he meets along the way," said Mrs. Yoder.
Leonardo DiCaprio plays Arnie Grape, the young man with mental retardation who adores his older brother Gilbert, as portrayed by Johnny Depp. While both actors received excellent reviews for their work, DiCaprio was nominated for both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe nomination for best supporting actor for his work in the film. "What's Eating Gilbert Grape?" was released in 1993, and is rated PG-13.
There is no charge for the film. Groups are welcome. For further information, please contact Carey Sipp at carey@aadd.org, or 404-881-9777, ext. 228.
The Rialto is located at 80 Forsyth Street NW at the corner of Forsyth and Luckie Streets in Atlanta. For directions and map, see the Rialto's web site at Rialto.
REUNION - coming together of people who have been separated
'Tis the season --for reunions.
My friend Klay is all excited about going back to camp and seeing his friends from the past three summers. Dean from our office returned to Illinois for a class reunion. My neighbor David will be one year old and grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins are coming from far and near – there will be a family reunion to celebrate his life. Many families celebrated July 4th together.
Like all of these people, AADD is also blessed with a rich variety of people who form our family. There are people who served on our board when our organization was young. There are people who, like Klay, look forward to the opportunity to reunite with old friends whom they seldom see, but with whom they feel a sense of kinship and shared experience. For some, it is almost like being classmates – people who served together on the Board, or who took on special tasks like community education projects, or who worked to get legislation passed.
Mary Yoder, CAE,
Executive Director of AADD
extends a special
invitation to AADD's
50th Anniversary
Celebration Picnic
Together we are family, a family that has waited too long for a reunion. But wait no more! I hope you will join us for the AADD Family Reunion on August 22. For details, visit our website at reunion, or make your reservation to attend, on-line, at reunion reservation.
Special Olympian Andre Johnson and Dan "Dij" Evatt, AADD's recreation manager, finish a 70 mile day on the Bike Ride Across Georgia (BRAG). For the past four years AADD's cycling team has participated in BRAG each year riding between 300 and 400 miles per week.
This year’s ride went June 10th through June 17th. It started in the north Georgia city of Dalton and finished in Augusta. Riders averaged 50 to 60 miles a day and camped at various schools along the route.
Riders celebrate a level stretch of highway. 1,600 riders in the Bike Ride Across Georgia spent a week and traveled more than 300 miles in hot June weather across the hills of North Georgia, from Dalton to Augusta.
Evatt noted that AADD's involvement and support of this and many other recreational activities has been made possible, in part, by grants from The Falcons Foundation and The Junior League of Atlanta.
The BRAG web site is located at www.BRAG.org.
For the second year in a row Mary Yoder, AADD Executive Drector, was a featured speaker at the Prevent Child Abuse Georgia Annual Symposium in July.
Yoder joined a long list of distinguished presenters in delivering her program on "Working with Parents with Cognitive Disabilities: The Challenges and Rewards."
"It is important for caregivers from every type of social service organization to understand more about cognitive disabilities. Parents with cognitive disabilities have many, many challenges, but these challenges do not mean that they cannot parent successfully," said Yoder.
In her presentation Yoder detailed methods and processes that have proven effective in supporting parents with cognitive disabilities. "The most important thing to remember is that every parent faces challenges, and that in most cases, children are happiest and healthiest when they are with their parents. Supporting parents with cognitive disabilities may take more time in the training and the support, but in most cases children are happier and more successful when they are with their parents, whether the parent has a cognitive disability or not."
Mary Yoder spoke on the challenges and rewards of working with parents with cognitive disabilities, as she addressed the Prevent Child Abuse Georgia Annual Symposium.
Help Us Update This List
The Junior League of Atlanta and AADD are partnering together to update this list. If you know of an activity or have an activity you would like to include in this list please contact Dan Evatt at dan@aadd.org or call the AADD office at 404-881-9777 ext. 216.
SUMMER DANCE *new listing
Come join us for this year’s Summer Dance with lots of music, food, and fun.
Date: Saturday, August 5, 2006
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Place: Decatur DeKalb YMCA 1100 Clairmont Ave. Decatur GA 30030
Cost $5.00
For more information, call 404-307-5653
RSVP by July 31, 2006 at 404-687-2521
AADD’s "Who Doesn’t Like A Day At The Lake?" *new listing
(Unified Activity - including persons with disabilities and without disabilities) (Reservations required)
Sunday August 27, 2006
Time: 2 PM until 6 PM
Yacht Club Boat Rides - Fun & Games - Food, Swimming
Bring your family and friends.
The University Yacht Club on Lake Lanier, again this year, has invited AADD's consumers, family and friends for an afternoon at the lake. Dave Erickson (AADD board member) has arranged for us to enjoy the hospitality of the University Yacht Club in their own clubhouse and cove on the lake. There will be boat rides, fishing (bring your own pole), swimming (bring your own suit), and food (the yacht club will provide the food).
ADVANCE RESERVATIONS WILL BE REQUIRED.
If you do not receive a registration flyer in the mail by August 5, please request one by contacting Dan Evatt at 404-881-9777 ext. 216, or 404-326-5345, or to dan@aadd.org.
Fitness/Recreation Walking Group
AADD is planning to start a walking group at Stone Mountain Park. This will be in conjunction with our Special Olympics cycling group that already trains on Monday evenings at the park.
Monday Evening
Stone Mountain Park
6 PM until walkers finish
Start date July 10
We need walkers and volunteers for this program. Walk at your own pace and walk only as far as you can. Stone Mountain Park is a great place to walk. It has a great paved path around the mountain and you couldn’t ask for a more scenic place to walk.
Contact Dan Evatt 404-881-9777 ext 216 or email dan@aadd.org, if you’re interested in participating as a walker, volunteer, or both.
AADD's Special Olympics Bocce
(unified activity - including persons with disabilities and without disabilities)
Wednesday Evening
Starts Wednesday, July 5th 6:30 to 7:30 PM
No charge except for special events (scholarships available for those events)
Mason Mill Park (Toco Hills Area)
Ages 8 and above.
This is a Unified Bocce group. Everyone is welcome to play. We need more players for this group.
The team is planning to compete in Special Olympics Fall games the weekend of Oct 7th in Albany, GA this year. The more the merrier!
Contact Dan Evatt 404-881-9777 ext 216 email dan@aadd.org
Special Olympics Softball
Three Evenings starting in June
Tuesdays at Murphy Candler Park (Ashford-Dunwoody Area)
Wednesdays at Gresham Park Athletic Complex (South DeKalb Area)
Thursdays at Mason Mill Park (Toco Hills Area)
Times at all locations 6:30 to 8:00 PM
Ages 8 and above
These teams are planning to compete in Special Olympics Fall games the weekend of October 6th 7th & 8th in Albany, GA this year. Also, these teams will compete in the Metro Atlanta Special Olympics softball league this summer.
Contact Aseelah House at arhouse@co.dekalb.ga.us 770-671-1728
Cycling
(Unified Activity - including persons with disabilities and without disabilities)
Our group is looking for riders. You don't have to be a hardcore cyclist. All participants ride at their own pace. Come check us out. You don’t have to commit.
If you are interested or just curious, give Dan a call.
Monday 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Ages 14 and above
No charge except for special events (scholarships available for those events).
Toco Hills Area
Contact Dan Evatt 404-881-9777 ext 216 email dan@aadd.org
North Metro Miracle League (Buddy Baseball & Bowling)
Interested in Buddy Baseball and Bowling? Check out the North Metro Miracle League’s web site at www.nmml.net.
Special Olympics in Alpharetta (Special K’s)
Interested in Special Olympics activities in the north metro area. The Special K’s have a lot of sports to offer. aquatics, track & field, bowling, gymnastics, powerlifting, basketball, long distance running & walking, bocce, golf, tennis, and cheerleading are the sports Debbie Currere has in the Alpharetta area.
Contact Debbie Currere at 770-649-0070
Other DeKalb County Recreation Activities and Events
Check out great events and activities in DeKalb county. Some activities include:
Adventure Series Ropes Course, camping, and indoor rock climbing,
Boy Scouts & Cub Scouts designed for children with special needs,
soccer, volleyball, Miracle Baseball and Blaze Sports Goal Ball.
Aseelah House and her staff do a great job, give them a chance and try out some of their activities.
Contact Aseelah House at arhouse@co.dekalb.ga.us or call 770-671-1728
Social Club
DeKalb County Parks and Recreation Department is starting two new social clubs. One will be at Midway Park for 13- through 16-year olds, and the other will be at Browns Mill Park for 16+ year olds.
Contact Aseelah House at 770-671-1728 or email at arhouse@co.dekalb.ga.us.
South Metro Residents
Check out Fayette County Parks & Recreation Department Therapeutic Programs.
Special Olympics Teams, Happy Club, and social activities are just a few of the activities Debbie and her group have for South Metro Atlanta residents.
Contact Debbie Parrish at 770-716-4325
SASSY (A Fun Family Group)
This group in South DeKalb County meets several times a month for social activities.
They meet as a family, parents and children, for picnics, parties, bowling, and even trips to Disney World.
Contact: BJ Kelly 770-987-9171
Voice Mail 770-969-9571
Happy Group (Social Clubs)
Meets twice monthly at several Metro Atlanta YMCAs, usually on Saturday afternoons, depending upon the activity.
Takes field trips such as Braves games, dinner and a movie, dances, plays, “wish to fish,” Hawks basketball games (we don't sit courtside), paint your own pottery, etc.
The newest location will be in the South Metro Area through the Fayette Co Parks & Recreation and Fayette YMCA Dept. Contact Debbie Parrish 770-461-9714 ext. 5644
Contact Happy Club Voice Mail 404-687-2521
Cobb County Residents
Contact the Cobb Co. Parks & Recreation Cultural Affairs, Therapeutic Recreation Services Unit for lots of activities. They have social clubs, special trips, dances, camps, and various sport teams.
555 Nickajack Rd, Mableton, GA 30126 770-819-3215 Fax 770-819-3218
Rockdale County Residents
Rockdale is rockin’. Check with Tom McPike, Rockdale County's Parks and Recreation Department recreation therapist. He has started and expanded many programs. A few of the activities include: after school programs, bocce, Halloween Party, Beep Baseball, Miracle Baseball League, bowling, sled hockey, social clubs, wheel chair basketball, basketball, cooking, swimming, soccer, Christmas Parade and Party, and Mother- Daughter Spa Day.
Call Tom McPike at 770-981-6306 and see what’s new.
In the items below, activity costs, if any, are noted.
Lekotek ATLANTA Computer Club
All kids 8 and above, come join us for fun, computer games and pizza!
We have teens and young adults who participate, as well.
Dates: The second Sunday of every month 4-6pm
Cost: $10 per child (scholarships available)
Where: Our Lekotek in Atlanta on 1955 Cliff Valley Way, Suite 102, 30329
RSVP: ASAP 404-633-3430 visit Lekotek web site at www.lekotekga.org
Lekotek LekoPals - For more information contact Audrey or
Helene at Lekotek 404-633-3430
Lekotek COBB Computer Club**
All kids 8 and above, come join us for fun, computer games and pizza!
We have teens and young adults who participate, as well.
Dates: 3rd Sunday of every other month 4-6pm
Cost: $10 per child (scholarships available)
Where: Lekotek in Kennesaw on 1925 Vaughn Rd. NW, Suite 150, 30144
RSVP: ASAP to Lisa at 770-420-9889
visit Lekotek web site at www.lekotekga.org
**Volunteers needed for COBB Club Return to Top
Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities - (AADD)
1440 Dutch Valley Place - Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30324-5371
Phone: 404-881-9777
Fax: 404-881-0094
Email, AADD newsletter ONLY: AADDnewsletter@aadd.org
Email, AADD Information: info@aadd.org
AADD web site: AADD WEB SITE
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Announcements of Activities and Programs are provided as a public service.
If you have announcements of upcoming events, send them to AADDnewsletter@aadd.org,
by the 10th of the month. AADD reserves the right to include or edit information.
Excepting programs of which AADD is a sponsor, AADD
does not endorse any product, privilege, or service.
AADD is supported in part by the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta and by the Junior League of Atlanta
