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April 2018
From the CEO
Patti Hays, CEO
It was two months after my college graduation.  I was an RN on an orthopedic trauma floor and we received a call from the emergency room. They wanted to transfer us a patient with a broken femur…wanted to.  The problem? Bessie. She was 100 years old and putting up a fight.  My shift was scheduled to end soon, and a combative patient admission was not a welcome thought.  Still, we mobilized staff, got equipment, orders and everything we would need to provide care. We braced ourselves for a challenge. 

Onto the floor came Bessie Gesheimmer…I will always remember her name.  As it turned out, her fight against the admission was really a fight to see the kick off of the Pitt v Penn State Game. And when she walked out of the hospital on a new hip, I was full of stories about her childhood in Germany. 

That “100 year old Fx R hip” taught me about labeling and judgement.  
When I went into her room, I expected to find a combative, agitated and (likely) senile patient with a hip fracture. I assumed she would have little likelihood of being discharged anywhere but a nursing home.  Instead, I found a gentle woman who, like me, loved the Pitt Panthers. We shared many of my lunch breaks. I heard about her immigration, her work in a family bakery, her children…and she kept me up to date on football scores during my shift.  We connected, and it turned out that we had a lot in common.
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9th Annual disABILITIES Expo

Join us for the 9th annual disABILITIES Expo on Saturday, May 12th, 10am – 3pm. This year boasts the same fun with even more opportunities to learn about programs and services for those with disabilities in Northeast Indiana. You’ll find old favorites and new additions to enhance your experience. With performances, activities, art and exhibitor booths, there’s something there for the whole family.

Anyone can learn to play tennis with Turnstone’s tennis clinics. They will offer adaptive stand up tennis for those with physical disabilities, adaptive tennis for those with intellectual or developmental disabilities and wheelchair tennis. Our popular art exhibit and sale will feature beautiful work from many of our areas best artists with disabilities. You won’t want to miss performances by the many talented groups that come back every year. If you love animals, we always enjoy our favorite therapy dogs from Canine Companions and this year we are welcoming Mark’s Ark for a hands-on experience! Most importantly, we have over 110 exhibitors ready to tell you everything you need to know for a healthy, fully enriched life in our community for those with disabilities.  

You can learn more at disabilitiesexpoindiana.org. Don’t miss your chance to have all of your resources in one place and enjoy a day with family, friends and lots of fun. We hope to see you there!
Family Voices Heart to Heart Conference

Join Family Voices Indiana for its 2018 Heart to Heart Conference, Friday, May 11, at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne. Heart to Heart is a day of learning and support for families of children and youth with special health care needs and the professionals who serve them. Conference topics include funding care and services, waivers, transition to adulthood, special education and more, all presented by parents with first-hand experience caring for a child with special needs. Attendees also will have time to network and visit exhibitors at the conference and AWS Foundation’s disABILITIES Expo. Register now, or email conference@fvindiana.org for more information.

Grants Awarded
Total: $15,425,592
Current Quarter: $966,515
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Priority Initiatives
A life rich in experiences and rewards is what we all seek. Why should it be any different for people with disabilities? Our five key initiatives; Social Enrichment, Education and Employment, Transportation, Early Diagnosis, and Housing, remind us that there are many facets to a life well lived and keep us focused on our mission to make a difference in every way we can. 
Priority Iniatives
8515 Bluffton Road | Fort Wayne, IN 46809
Office: 260.222.5005 | Toll Free: 877.799.5656

Be sure to check out our Event Calendar! Learn about disability related events happening in our community, or submit your own to be included.
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