Got ARTability? This is for you!

I wanted to let everyone know that entries are now being accepted for the Texas NDEAM Poster Art contest for 2015!

Each year in October, the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities produces a Texas poster for National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), which is distributed free of charge to businesses all across the State.

The art featured on the poster each year is an original piece created by a Texas artist with a disability. The winning artwork is incorporated into the national theme announced each year by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). The design of our Texas posters has become so popular that, in addition to our statewide distribution, we frequently have many requests from other states. In 2014, we distributed more than 2,500 posters.

Submissions from Texas artists with disabilities can be sent to us as a photo of the original work in a digital format, ideally a JPEG or PDF, attached to an email (this is the preferred method), OR as a color photocopy OR with the image on a CD sent by postal mail. The original artwork does not need to be submitted with the entry. There is NO FEE for entries. All entries must be accompanied by a signed Entry Form, which is available on our website along with the Submission Guidelines. Entries must be received by email or postmarked by March 15; the winner will be announced by April 15. Artwork in any media is accepted; there is no specific theme required.

Once the panel of judges has determined the winner, we will make arrangements to receive the original artwork, which will be designed into the 2014 Texas NDEAM poster. The original art and the poster will be on permanent display in the Office of the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities, and will be featured in offsite exhibits from time to time. The winning artist is also invited to be a featured guest at the annual Lex Frieden Employment Awards ceremony in October.

For Submission Guidelines, Entry Form, a view of the past NDEAM posters, and more information, please visit our NDEAM page on our website or contact us directly. Contact information is listed on the website and below.

Thank you for helping us get the word out to find the perfect NDEAM Artist for 2015!

Jo Virgil, Community Outreach and Information Coordinator                                Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities                                        P.O. Box 12428                                                                                               Austin TX 78711                                                                                     512.463.5740 or Relay Option of your Choice                                                         512.463.5745 – Fax                                                               Jo.virgil@gov.texas.gov          GCPD@gov.texas.gov                                                              http://gov.texas.gov/disabilities/

Rolling on, Stephanie

Enjoy more games at the Suite… Could not be sweeter!

I was not aware that Camp Craig Allen had the Legends Suite for home games the rest of the entire 2014-2015 season, me bad. But this is exciting news, because now everyone has more opportunities to go!

This platinum Suite is reserved for us (Food and soft drinks are provided), and is wheelchair accessible. We have 20-30 seats available on a first-come first-serve basis. So if you are interested in coming please make sure to message info@campcraigallen.org, and state how many able bodied (regular) seats and how many wheelchair seats needed.

ALL of the home games for the Texas Legend’s basketball team in Frisco:                Jan 31, Feb 4, Feb 7, Feb 18, Feb 20, Feb 28, Mar 11, Mar 12, Mar 14, Mar 21, Apr 1, Apr 3, Apr 4

Rolling on, Stephanie

A second chance to not miss the shot!

I first sent this post several days ago and it has been brought to my attention that a lot of readers had received a notification that the post was not found. I do not know what happened. However, the post was edited after it had already been published:( Sorry for the trouble, but thank you for taking the time to respond about the problem. Here is the post again:

They are only 6 more opportunities to join in watching the Texas Legend’s Basketball Games! Join us in Frisco in Camp Craig Allen’s very own, Platinum Suite, watching a Division D Basketball game. (Food and Soft drinks included in the Suite Club we have full access to). Just Email us directly at info@campcraigallen.org if you are interested in coming. We have 20-30 tickets per game, so yourself and a friend should join us! (Tickets for every game will be on a first come basis of emailing us). This Suite is specially designed for mobility equipment just for Camp Craig Allen and for the whole 2014-2015 Season of the Texas Legend’s. Huge thank you to our Suite Sponsor, Community Portable Xray, for making this possible. Thank you so much Kelly Stanley!!!
Upcoming Dates:
Jan 31, Feb 4, Feb 7, Feb 18, Feb 20, Feb 28

Rolling on, Stephanie

DON’T EVER GIVE UP!!

I am talking from experience when I say “DON’T EVERGIVE UP!” I wanted to share with you something that has been going on with me, it is something that has made that statement very true!

About 8 years ago I started seeing a PT named Cindy. She was the 1st and still is the only PT I have ever seen. I will admit, at 1st I was not fond of her. She has a very dramatic personality about the things that she does, and the people she sees. I have learned that it is who she is, and in no way is she being mean. Everything that she does is for my benefit. There are so many exercises that she has given me in the past that have made me think, “You want me to do what?” It has taken me 5 years to get down some of the exercises, and now I am exceeding even my expectations.  I cannot thank her enough for all that she has done, and will continue to do for me! She strives to keep making my life as independent as it can possibly be!

In August 2013 she had spoken to me about wanting me to try using a gait trainer (walker). I thought that she was completely out of her mind, and proceeded to not even talk to her about it. I had not walked in 20 years! She would bring it up on occasion and downright asked me about it. I told her that if she thought I could do it that I would try. She always says “There is no hurt in trying!” That is her answer to everything. So in March 2014 I got the gait trainer. The very 1st time I used it I took a couple of steps. I could not believe it, a very surreal moment for me. I had the goal of using it once a week, and walking across my living room and down the hallway twice with my PT helping me to step with the one leg while I straighten the other. I wasn’t able to make it once in the beginning. About these past 5 months I have not been able to use the gait trainer consistently. I have been having difficulties with high BS (Blood Sugar, LOL, diabetes) so it has not been a good idea for me to a exert the energy on the gait trainer. However, with the medicine that I am on and watching my carbs I have been doing great! I go back to the doctor tomorrow and he will check the blood work that I did last week that will show him an average of how my BS has been running for the past several months. Confident that it should be good! In August 2014 I had lost 25 pounds, so I have been trying to eat more protein! High BS is a symptom of my disability, my body is burning muscle instead of sugar, yeah me!  I am also having issues with my left ankle protruding and both of my feet turning in especially when I am weight bearing. I am going on Weds. to a new orthotic Doctor to see about getting me some new AFOs (leg braces), and repairing the 12 yr. old ones. I know that all of this will be a process as the program I am in will pay for the new ones. My PT wanted to show the orthotic Doctor a video of how my feet are acting while using the gait trainer. Before she started taking the video I asked the most important question of all,

“How’s my hair!”

She laughed, and told me that the video was only going to be of my feet, LOL! I knew that so she took this picture of me & my chicken legs, and shared it with me.

I have no idea what the future holds for me and the gait trainer. The thing that I know that it will do for me if nothing else is to help me with my strength! There is one thing that I know I will never do is NEVER GIVE UP!!

Rolling on, Stephanie

Don’t miss the shot!

They are only 6 more opportunities to join in watching the Texas Legends Basketball Games! Join us in Frisco in Camp Craig Allen’s very own, Platinum Suite, watching a Division D Basketball game. (Food and Soft drinks included in the Suite Club we have full access to). Just Email us directly at info@campcraigallen.org if you are interested in coming. We have 20-30 tickets per game, so yourself and a friend should join us! (Tickets for every game will be on a first come basis of emailing us). This Suite is specially designed for mobility equipment just for Camp Craig Allen and for the whole 2014-2015 Season of the Texas Legend’s. Huge thank you to our Suite Sponsor, Community Portable Xray, for making this possible. Thank you so much Kelly Stanley!!!
Upcoming Dates:
Jan 31, Feb 4, Feb 7, Feb 18, Feb 20, Feb 28