http://www.lgtinc.org en-us http://www.lgtinc.org N/A contact@lgtinc.org Sat, 04 Feb 2012 06:00:59 EST 20 http://www.lgtinc.org/articles/236/1/Advocacy-%26-Medicaid-Information-from-Heidi-Moore May 1, 2007   Dearest Advocates:   A few weeks ago I gave a presentation to the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta that I thought might be helpful to you.  The presentation has years worth of information in it thanks to many people that have worked with me on my advocacy efforts and trying to better understand the system  in order to help my family and thousands of others.    Please remember: I am just an informed parent and not an attorney. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney. This information should be used for general information only!    In addition, starting the first of the year, I started a consulting business to help families with the Katie Beckett/Deeming Waiver and MRWP application process (as well as education and other advocacy issues for their child)  based on all the experience I have learned in the last 4 yrs of advocating for families and working with DCH/DHR and other non-profit organizations.  If you are interested in this service, please let me know.      In addition this year,  I started working part-time for B&B Care Services, Inc as their Community Relations Manager. For those that don't know- B&B Care Services, they help to provide services to families under the Mental Retardation Waiver Program (MRWP),Independent Care Waiver Program, Community Care Services Program and the SOURCE Program throughout the State of Georgia. Please let me know if you have any questions regarding this company and how I can help you with getting those services via B&B Care Services, Inc.   I must warn you....this is a very long email and you may want to print it out for future reference.   Hope you find this information helpful!   In addition, if you would like to see my previous advocacy email postings, please go to the following website: http://www.lgtinc.org/authors/41/Heidi-J.-Moore?Page=9   United... We WILL Make a Difference! Sincerely, Heidi ============================================ Medicaid Waivers and AdvocacyYour Child Needs YOU! Heidi J. Moore   Parent Advocate for Children and Adults with Disabilities   Proud Mother to Jacob- 7 yrs old with Down syndrome and Jared - 5 yrs old   The material contained in this presentation is for general information only. It is not intended in any way to provide or offer legal advice. To obtain legal advice, please consult with your attorney or qualified legal representative.   Agenda •Medicaid - Waivers and Supports. •Tips and Traps. •Networking and Building Alliances. •Advocacy •General Information - Things you should know!   Medicaid  Medicaid is a federal entitlement program of medical assistance for people of low-income who are: •Age 65 and older; •Blind or have other disabilities; •Children; •Pregnant women; •and families with children.   Medicaid Basics •Funding for Medicaid comes from both state and federal dollars. •Each state's Medicaid program is unique. (must be in compliance with federal guidelines.) Medicaid Eligibility •Individual must meet both "categorical" and "financial" requirements. •In Georgia, the following categories of people are eligible for Medicaid: •Parents and children, •Pregnant women and infants, •Children through age 18, and •The aged, blind and disabled   •In Georgia, SSI recipients are  automatically eligible for Medicaid.   What is the Katie Beckett / Deeming Waiver ? •Category for Medicaid eligibility based on the Tax Equity & Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA) 1982. •State's are allowed to make Medicaid available to a child with a disability if: -18yrs old or younger, AND -Meet federal criteria for childhood disability, AND -Meet institutional Level of Care, AND -Can safely be served at home, AND -Cost does not exceed the applicable institutional cost.   What is the KB Waiver criteria based on? •Federal Regulations established general requirements in 42CFR 435.225. -Requires institutional level of care: nursing home, hospital, or intermediate care facility- mental retardation.   1. Intermediate Care Facility - Mental Retardation - 442CFR440.150 & 42CFR483.440 •Requires 24 hour supervision AND active treatment. 2. Hospital Level of Care - 42CFR440.10 •Georgia uses Interqual. 3. Nursing Home LOC - 42CFR440.155 •DHR Rules 290-5-8 & OCGA 31-7-1(1)(b). •Requires 24 hour nursing care.   Background on Katie Beckett-Deeming Waiver for Georgia •KB Waiver was created to waive income limits of parents to establish eligibility for Medicaid in 1982. •This is an optional Medicaid Program for Georgia. •In 2001, the only national study ever conducted concluded that 20 states enrolled approximately 25,000 children in Medicaid through the KB waiver option. Georgia was the second highest ranked State for KB waivers. •Increase in KB Waiver denials since May 2005. No specific disability has been targeted. •Over 6,200 families had the KB waiver before the new guidelines were implemented on 11/15/04. Over 2,400 children have been denied since that time.   How is the Level of Care determined for the KB Waiver? •Initial application made to DFCS. -Clinical detail is sent to and reviewed by Georgia Medical Care Foundation. -If Level of Care is satisfied, DFCS does cost neutrality assessment. •Georgia Medical Care Foundation does clinical review. -A certified Prospective Review Organization. -Co-Medical Directors and nurse reviewers.   What is the Appeal process for KB Waiver? •An  initial administrative appeal can be requested from GMCF. You have 30 calendar days to supply additional information. •A 2nd appeal can be made by requesting a hearing directly from the DCH. (Fair hearing in front of a judge) •As of 1/17/07, DCH is currently conducting fair hearings for January 2006 requests! DCH has limited any patient liability to 3 months, should the hearing not turn out in the parents favor.   Appealing…..Tips & Traps •Tips for Appealing: -In the original denial letter, the parents have 30 Calendar days to appeal. -Resubmit any Medicaid documents that you feel you may have not filled out properly based on the new eligibility criteria. -Prepare a 24 hour Care Plan going into detail about your child's day. Explain everything you do as a parent that goes beyond a "typical" child's duties as a parent. -Have all your doctors, therapists and any other professional that works with  you child submit a letter explaining why your child needs the waiver. -Contact your local State Senator and Representative and send copies of e-mails to the Governor. -Detailed information on the procedural aspects of a fair hearing and instructional video on representing yourself in a hearing without an attorney can be found at: www.osah.ga.gov/   Tips and Traps •Review the eligibility criteria by going to www.communityhealth.state.ga.us or http://dch.georgia.gov/00/channel_title/0,2094,31446711_31946814,00.html   •All applications have new forms which include the following: -Pediatric DMA6(A). -Care Plan (DMA 706). -Cost-Effectiveness Form (DMA 704 which replaced the Deeming waiver Physicians Referral Form). -3rd Party Liability Health Insurance Info. Questionnaire (DMA 285).   Tips and Traps •Fill out all forms out as a "Provider" NOT as a "Parent". •Always send everything to GA Healthcare Partners / DCH by certified mail / return receipt. •#1 Reason for denials is an administrative denial (lack of paperwork and incomplete package). •Submit ALL the forms and supporting documentation in one application. •Put together a Table and Contents and tab each document. •Question #7 on DMA6(A) "Does guardian think the applicant should be institutionalized? Yes or No".  •Don't date the DMA6(A) until submitting the entire application package. (Form only good for 30 days!) •Include a picture of your child. Make it personal!   Home and Community Based Service Waivers •Section 1915c of the Social Security Act allows the federal government to "waive" (ignore) certain Medicaid rules to enable states to cover home and community-based services as an alternative to institutionalization. •These are called Home and Community Based Service Waivers.   Service Waivers "Waive" Medicaid policies that require institutionalization of an individual before non-medical services can be provided.   •This allows states to offer programs that provide additional services to Medicaid eligible individuals in their home and/or community.               Georgia's Service Waiver Programs •CCSP (Community Care Services Program) •ICWP (Independent Care Waiver Program) •CHSS (Community Habilitation Support Services) •MRWP (Mental Retardation Waiver Program)   Community Care Services ProgramThe Community Care Services Waiver (CCSP) is for the elderly with disabling conditions and people with severe physical disabilities who need in-home support services.             To apply:  CCSP Intake Unit (Atlanta Regional Commission)  (404) 463-3244 www.agewiseconnection.com             Eligibility: Must have a functional impairment. • Require nursing home level of care • Medicaid eligible • Any age             May include cost share which is determined by individual's monthly income Resource limit.  Individual may have up to $2,000 in resources.              Provides Adult Day Health • Personal Support Services • Out of Home respite care • Home delivered meals • Home delivered services, e.g. nursing, PT, OT, ST • Alternative Living Services • Emergency response services   Independent Care Waiver Program The ICWP is for adults between ages 21 and 64, with physical disabilities or traumatic brain injury.   •Individuals must be able to direct their own care. Must be at risk of nursing home or hospital placement.   •Services include: case management, companion services, including homemaker services, personal support services, environmental modification, skilled nursing, specialized medical equipment and supplies, personal emergency response systems,  counseling, occupational therapy, adult day services, respite care,  physical therapy, and speech therapy.   Community Habilitation Support Services   §        This waiver program was created to serve individuals in institutional settings to facilitate their move back into the community. §        Individuals are not being added to this program. §        Individuals must be Medicaid eligible; have mental retardation since birth or before age 18, or another developmental disability since birth or before age 22, which requires services similar to those needed by people with mental retardation. §        Services are residential supports, day habilitation and supported employment.     Mental Retardation Waiver ProgramThe MRWP provides a wide array of community based services to individuals with developmental disabilities.   To be eligible for an MRWP, an individual must: •be Medicaid eligible; •Have mental retardation or another developmental disability which requires services similar to those needed by people with mental retardation; •Be at risk for going into an institution for people with mental retardation if unable to get the services you need in the community. The MRWP is available to all ages.   MRWP Services •Natural Support Enhancements •Respite Care •Specialized Services •Medical Equipment •Personal Support •Day Support •Day Habilitation •Supported Employment •Home Modifications •Support Coordination •Residential Training and Supervision   Support Coordination •Support coordination is a separate State contract- it does not use an individual's waiver money. •Support Coordination is for those on the Short Term Planning List and for those enrolled in the program. •The regional office contracts for support coordination.   MRWP +The largest service waiver program in Georgia.             +The largest waiting list for services (over 6,000 people statewide)   +Georgia has had this waiver since 1989.   MHDDAD Regional Offices Region 1: (706) 802-5272 or toll-free 1-800-646-7221.   Region 2: (706) 792-7733 or toll-free 1-866-380-4835.   Region 3: (770) 414-3052. Clayton, Cherokee, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale   Region 4: (229) 225-5099.   Region 5: (912) 303-1670 or toll-free 1-800-348-3503.   NOW Waiver will likely replace MRWP on 7/07 •Behavioral support up to $2,460 max a year •Community access •Community Guide services up to $ 2000 max a year •Community living support •Community residential •Dental services for adults up to $ 500 a year •Environmental accessibility adaptations up to $ 10,000 lifetime •Financial support services •Natural support training and individual directed goods and services •Professional therapeutic services up to $ 1800 a year •Respite •Specialized medical equipment and supplies •Support coordination •Transportation up to $ 2800 a year •Vehicle adaptation up to $ 6,240 max lifetime cap   Medicaid Covered Services •GAPP (Georgia Pediatric Program) •SOURCE (Service Options Using Resources in Community Environments)   The above are services (not waivers) covered under Medicaid.   Things to Know…. For those who already have a waiver •Individuals who have a Medicaid waiver are entitled to ALL the necessary services provided in that waiver program. •Waivers can be used anywhere in the state of Georgia but cannot be transferred out-of-state.   For those who are waiting for a waiver. •Parents and family members need to advocate for services.    Networking & Building Alliances •Contact Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) via e-mail (vmsuber@dhr.state.ga.us) regarding being placed on their "Moving Forward" e-mail update during the legislative session. •Contact your State Senator and Representative's by going to www.vote-smart.org and inputting your zip code.  They need to hear from you about your situation and how it impacts your family. •Contact Governor Perdue:  Georgia.Governor@gov.state.ga.us .   Networking & Building Alliances •Stress when talking to your legislators that the majority of the our families are hardworking, middle class, tax paying, voting citizens that have never asked from anything from the State until they had a child with a disability.   •Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities (AADD) is also involved in advocating for the disability waiting list. http://www.unlockthewaitinglists.com/   •Work with the media to get the message out and to help educate the general population of our concerns and abilities of our children (given the right resources)!   Networking   •Get Involved! Advocating is the key to success in getting the services we need for our children. Send on e-mail to : heidijmoore@comcast.net if you would like to be placed on my advocacy distribution list. (over 2,500+ members)   •My goal: Make the issues easy to understand and explain to advocates what they can do to influence change in this State.   •Additional information can be found at: -www.kidshealthcarega.org -http://www.lgtinc.org/authors/41/Heidi-J.-Moore   •Effective February 2007, Heidi now provides fee based consultation services for the Medicaid application process for the Katie Beckett Waiver and MRWP and other advocacy issues including education, healthcare and general information.  Please contact her for additional information.   More Helpful Website Information •GCDD guide to waivers :   http://www.openminds.com/indres/111306gawaivers.pdf •Summary of GA Medicaid waivers  :  http://www.unlockthewaitinglists.com/pdf/summaryofwaivers.pdf •Medicaid's Main ICF-MR page:          http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medicaid/icfmr/default.asp •Parent to Parent of GA KB Waiver Information: http://www.parenttoparentofga.org/roadmap/insurance/insurancedeemingcover.htm •Unlock The Waiting Lists website : •http://www.unlockthewaitinglists.com/  •ICF-MR level care and "persons with related conditions":             http://www.healthlaw.org/library.cfm?fa=download&resourceID=61843&appView=folder&print •Great site to find current lawsuits in other states re: disabilities: http://www.healthlaw.org/ •When you see a code w/  "CFR" go here to look it up.  Most healthcare is in title 42.  Medicaid's definitions are listed here.             http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/retrieve.html •An appeals decision re: 24 active care vs. 24 supervision.  This is the court's breakdown of the fed regs and how they interpreted them.           http://www.state.in.us/judiciary/opinions/previous/archive/02280101.nhv.html •Autism Handbook http://www.usd.edu/cd/autism/Autism%20Handbook.pdf                                                                          Update : Strengthening Families of Children with Disabilities (SFCD)- KB Waiver Foundation. •In April 2006, the legislature approved $7.6 million to go towards families that have been denied from the KB waiver. •A foundation was formed to manage this process. (Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta-CFGA) •Eligibility: Families that were denied the Katie Beckett Waiver from Oct 2005 - to date. •One time prepaid debit card will be paid in the amount of $2,600/child expires March 31, 2007. •Funds are being set aside to address the long-term needs of medically fragile children and their families •Currently, DHR is finalizing the Advisory Committee members. •Contacts: Lita Ugarte- Program Officer- CGGA (404) 688-5525 and Brian Dowd with DHR bddowd@dhr.ga.gov 404-657-3592..   Advocacy Issues Therapy Issues- -Starting Sept. 1, 2006, Prior Authorizations are needed for more than 8 units/month for ST, PT, OT. -Starting Nov. 1, 2006, CHOA no longer accepts outpatients for therapy. -HB 549 - Defines "Medically Necessary Services" and being prescribed by Physician not defined by DCH. Also changes process and need for prior authorizations. Currently awaiting Governor's signature!   Other Advocacy Issues:   •Administrative Service Organization (ASO) coming in 2007 for all disability waivers. •SB 10 Voucher program for children with IEP's. Waiting Governor's signature. •Get involved and monitor your child's Medicaid card. -www.ghp.georgia.gov and request a password from GA Health Partnership to be able to track Medicaid charges to your child's account. -This is very important in order to verify and report problems. You can report a complaint via the website as well. -Only through education, accountability and communication are we going to be able to make a difference in the process.   Be Prepared, Advocate, and Win…… YOUR Child Depends on YOU! --Heidi J. Moore (Proud Mother to Jacob - 7 years old with Down syndrome & Jared - 5 years old) For more information about how you can get involved regarding advocating for children, please visit us at www.kidshealthcarega.org "Help The Children Now, So They Can Help Themselves Later!" The material contained in this e-mail is for general information only. It is not intended in any way to provide or offer legal advice. To obtain legal advice, please consult with your attorney or a qualified legal representative. Heidi J. Moore Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 EDT http://www.lgtinc.org/articles/235/1/Media-Coverage-of-HB-549 April 29, 2007   Dearest Advocates:   I just wanted to send you a quick email letting you know about some media attention we have received regarding HB 549 which changes the way our therapy is approved via the prior authorization process. As you are aware, the House and Senate approved the Bill and we are awaiting the Governor's signature. There is NO need at this time to contact the Governor's office. I will let you know if any additional advocacy efforts are needed in the future regarding this matter.     Please take a moment to thank reporter, Dave Williams, dave.williams@gwinnettdailypost.com with the Gwinnett Daily Post for his continued coverage of issues that matter that help continue to educate our State on the needs of our children.    To see the actual article, please go to the following website: http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=32&url_subchannel_id=&url_article_id=27299&change_well_id=2.   Thanks again for everyone's hard work in making this happen. I hope you are seeing that our advocacy efforts are working.....OUR legislators are listening and making a difference for our children.   Sincerely, Heidi gwinnettdailypost.com   Families of disabled children hail therapy bill 04/26/2007 - By Dave WilliamsStaff Writerdave.williams@gwinnettdailypost.comATLANTA - Advocates for children with disabilities were upset with tighter restrictions the state imposed last year on Medicaid coverage for therapy visits.So they mounted a public campaign against the changes, including a rally at the Capitol on the Saturday before Election Day. The result is legislation the General Assembly passed during the hectic final day of this year's session making it easier for children with diseases such as Down syndrome and autism to get needed therapy. "This is the first legislative session where we stood up and got action," said Heidi Moore of Alpharetta, a longtime advocate for children with disabilities, who has a 7-year-old son with Down syndrome. "The legislators listened to the families and responded." The bill won final passage last Friday night with an hour left in the 2007 legislative session and is on Gov. Sonny Perdue's desk for his signature.Under the legislation, families seeking physical, speech and/or occupational therapy for their children through a Medicaid waiver program would only have to apply for prior approval every six months. A policy change imposed by the state Department of Community Health last September made families go through the prior approval process every three months.Children also would be covered for 16 units of therapy per month, up from eight units under the current policy. Four units equals one hour of therapy. "That allows children who are getting therapy for an hour a week not to have to submit for prior authorization," Moore said. Also, the legislation directs the DCH to reduce the amount of paperwork families and therapists have to fill out to comply with the program's requirements. "It's silly that we require therapists and doctors to fill out nine pieces of paperwork to say, 'Yes, this child has Down syndrome,' " said House Speaker Pro Tempore Mark Burkhalter, R-Alpharetta, who introduced the bill."We're spending 10 to 15 hours a week on paperwork," added Ellen Roberts, a speech  language pathologist at Children & Adult Therapy Services in Monroe. Moore said the paperwork has become so burdensome that some therapists have stopped accepting Medicaid, reducing families' access to therapy services."It's been a nightmare," she said. "It's one thing to get approval for therapy. It's another to find a therapist to provide the service." Mark Trail, Medicaid director for the DCH, said the agency already has put in place some changes to streamline the process.He said two of the required forms have been combined into a single document. Also, families now can attach requests for prior authorization onto the program's Web site rather than having to fax it in, he said."We're not interested in making more paperwork than is necessary," Trail said. "But it has to be enough to determine if the care is actually m edically necessary."Burkhalter's bill was amended when it reached the Senate to extend the bill's requirements to the care management organizations that oversee therapy services for disabled children who are covered by the regular Medicaid program and not through the waiver. Families enrolled in Medicaid through the CMOs under an initiative the state launched last year have made the same complaints about delays in prior approvals and limited therapy visits.   --Heidi J. Moore (Proud Mother to Jacob - 7 years old with Down syndrome & Jared - 5 years old) For more information about how you can get involved regarding advocating for children, please visit us at www.kidshealthcarega.org "Help The Children Now, So They Can Help Themselves Later!" The material contained in this e-mail is for general information only. It is not intended in any way to provide or offer legal advice. To obtain legal advice, please consult with your attorney or a qualified legal representative. For previous advocacy email's, please go to the following website: http://www.lgtinc.org/authors/41/Heidi-J.-Moore Heidi J. Moore Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 EDT http://www.lgtinc.org/articles/229/1/URGENT%3A-Managed-Care--Continued-Advocacy-Needed-By-YOU%21 April 16, 2007   Dearest Advocates:   Please find below additional information regarding our advocacy efforts. MANY thanks to those 25 families/kids/providers/concerned citizens (and even a grandma!) that took time out of their busy schedules to come down to the Capitol today to show a unified voice on this issue.......The Aged, Blind and Disabled populations can NOT be in another managed care model!   The Senate listened and took this proposal OUT of their version of the 2008 Budget!   BUT our advocacy efforts must continue........PLEASE take a moment and call and/or email the below legislators (ESPECIALLY if you are in their District. It means more when you live in their district!!!!!) and the Governor letting them know that managed care does not work in this population of individuals and why.    Please make your stories personal and how it could impact your family. Also thank the Senators for taking it out of their version of the budget and help the our House of Representatives understand better so they will support that final decision with the 08 Budget!   To help you with your phone calls and emails, below are some of the facts to the situation..........   Facts:   Many of our families already have a managed healthcare network! With the Katie Beckett Waiver children alone, 71% of those waivers use Medicaid as SECONDARY INSURANCE and have primary healthcare insurance.  Why would we need to be in ANOTHER managed care situation?   For the other Waivers (including MRWP, SOURCE, ICWP, CCSP, etc) - They are already in a managed care model.     There needs to be a lot more thought and input into this option before adding into the budget at the last minute.  No study data is available at this time. We don't even know how many individuals this could impact!     This plan was not discussed in any public meetings and was NOT recommended by the Appropriation Health Subcommittee and Dept. of Community Health (DCH)!  DCH Commissioner Medows says the plan is premature because the State has less than a year's experience with the current managed care (CMO) model in place.   DCH would have to get a 1115 Waiver from the Federal Medicaid office even if this is approved by the Georgia legislator (which takes time).   Given the complexity and needs of this vulnerable population, many who have private health insurance and hold Medicaid as secondary insurance, the cost of coordinating care would be a financial burden to Medicaid and could actually end up costing the State more taxpayer dollars! Bottom line: Managed care is NOT a good service delivery model for the Age, Blind and Disabled populations and could actually cost the state taxpayers more money.  We need more time to evaluate the options before this radical approach is taken. Please remove this line item from the 2008 Budget! Thanks in advance for your support.   UNITED... WE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!   Our advocacy efforts are paying off...keep up the GREAT WORK!   Sincerely, Heidi  ==================================================== THIS STATEMENT ISSUED BY:  Laura O. Moore Founder and CEO Dream House for Medically Fragile Children, Inc. laura.moore@dreamhouseforkids.net 770-717-7410 Leanne D. Manning Project & Advocacy Coordinator leanne.manning@dreamhouseforkids.org 678-462-7789 Heidi J. Moore heidijmoore@comcast.net 678-357-8200 YOUR VOICE WAS HEARD!!! Dream House Call to Action Update United…We are making a difference!!! Our state leaders heard from you today, your phone calls and emails made the difference and the Senate did not approve the last minute amendment that would implement a managed care program for the Aged, Blind and Disabled Medicaid population in the Atlanta region, which is said to become effective January 1, 2008. We have one more thing to do… The House and Senate Committees will now need to work out their differences on this issue, So we still need to call and email our legislatures, Especially tomorrow, Tuesday, April 17!  Please voice your concern about this rush of putting the aged, disabled and blind into care management.  We would like to have the study data used to validate how many aged, blind and disabled people this change would affect made public and given time to review that data; to learn about how much money this change would actually save or cost, both long and short term; and to be able to participate in timely public response before this change is implemented into legislation. We do not want the state budget balanced upon the health and lives  of children or elderly folks, disabled, or blind people. But what can I do that  will make a difference? 1.      Please call and email your state legislature on Tuesday!! You can find your State Senator and Representative by going to www.vote-smart.org and typing in your zipcode. 2.      Please call Governor Sonny Purdue's office at 404-656-1776, or FAX: 404-657-7332 or email: sperdue@gov.state.ga.us. 3. Contact Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle's office at 404-656-5109 or email him at: http://ltgov.georgia.gov/00/article/0,2086,2199618_2208307_11792200,00.html   4. Contact Senator Jack Hill at 404-656-5038 or jack.hill@senate.ga.gov 5. Contact Senator Tommie Williams at 404-656-0089 or tommie.williams@senate.ga.gov or tommie@tommiewilliams.com 6. Contact Senator Eric Johnson at 404-656-5109 or  eric.johnson@senate.ga.gov or ejohnson56@comcast.net  7. Representative Ben Harbin at 404-463-2247 or  ben.harbin@house.ga.gov 8. Rep. Jerry Keen 404-656-5052 jlkeen@bellsouth.net 9. Rep. Mark Burkhalter 404-656-5072 or  mark.burkhalter@house.ga.gov Dream House for Medically Fragile Children, Inc. provides education, skills training, and assistance with healthcare equipment acquisition and resource referrals, so that kinship, foster, and adoptive families can care for medically fragile children in their own 'dream home'. ###   --Heidi J. Moore (Proud Mother to Jacob - 7 years old with Down syndrome & Jared - 5 years old) For more information about how you can get involved regarding advocating for children, please visit us at www.kidshealthcarega.org "Help The Children Now, So They Can Help Themselves Later!" The material contained in this e-mail is for general information only. It is not intended in any way to provide or offer legal advice. To obtain legal advice, please consult with your attorney or a qualified legal representative. Heidi J. Moore Wed, 18 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EDT http://www.lgtinc.org/articles/228/1/URGENT%3A-Please-Forward%3A-Call-to-Action-for-Monday--April-16-at-10%3A30am April 14, 2007   Dearest Advocates:   URGENT! Please see below a call to action regarding the latest proposal to place the Aged, Blind and Disabled populations to a managed care program.  I realize that this is late notice. Things are moving VERY quickly but we all need to get involved now!    We are asking anyone that can to come to the Capitol this Monday, April 16th at 10:30am and hand deliver your message to the necessary Senators.  The plan at this point is to meet at the front stairs of the Capitol on Washington Street side (where we had our Healthcare for Kids Rally in November) and organize from there. If you have any questions about this call to action, please contact Leanne Manning  at leanne.manning@dreamhouseforkids.org.   If you can't participate on Monday, please make your phone calls and emails!  Senators that need to hear from us including the following:   1. Jack Hill, Chair of Appropriations jack.hill@senate.ga.gov, 404-656-5038   2. Greg Goggans, Vice Chair, appropriations, Health  drgg@alltel.net  or greg.goggans@senate.ga.gov  404-463-5263   3. Tommy Williams, Appropriations, tommie.williams@senate.ga.gov or tommie@tommiewilliams.com 404-656-0089   4. Casey Cagle, Lt. Governor, go to the following website to contact him: http://ltgov.georgia.gov/00/article/0,2086,2199618_2208307_11792200,00.html   or 404- 656-5030   5. Eric Johnson, Senate 1, President Pro-Tem, eric.johnson@senate.ga.gov or ejohnson56@comcast.net 404-656-5109   6. Also please contact your individual State Senator for your own district by going to www.vote-smart.org and typing in your zip code.      7. AND Contact Governor Perdue at sperdue@gov.state.ga.us, or 404-656-1776, Fax:404-657-7332.   Thanks in advance for your support in this matter.   YOUR child's Medicaid may depend on it!  Sincerely, Heidi    --Heidi J. Moore (Proud Mother to Jacob - 7 years old with Down syndrome & Jared - 5 years old) For more information about how you can get involved regarding advocating for children, please visit us at www.kidshealthcarega.org "Help The Children Now, So They Can Help Themselves Later!" The material contained in this e-mail is for general information only. It is not intended in any way to provide or offer legal advice. To obtain legal advice, please consult with your attorney or a qualified legal representative.   -------------- Forwarded Message: -------------- From: "Leanne Manning" Subject: Please Forward: Call to Action for Monday! Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2007 14:38:19 +0000 THIS STATEMENT ISSUED BY:  Laura O. Moore Founder and CEO Dream House for Medically Fragile Children, Inc. laura.moore@dreamhouseforkids.net 770-717-7410 Leanne D. Manning Project & Advocacy Coordinator leanne.manning@dreamhouseforkids.org Heidi J. Moore heidijmoore@comcast.net 678-357-8200 Dream House Call to Action! But what can I do that  will make a difference? Meet us on the Capitol this Monday, April 16 at 10:30am! Our state leaders need to hear from you personally:  Write a letter to our state leaders with your concerns, and let's personally deliver our message! Don't balance the budget upon the health of children or elderly folks, disabled, or blind people. It is very concerning that the House Budget includes a last minute amendment that would implement a managed care program for the Aged, Blind and Disabled Medicaid population in the Atlanta region, which is said to become effective January 1, 2008. There needs to be a lot more thought and input into this option before adding into the budget at the last minute, resulting in: ·       No study data to validate how many aged, blind and disabled people this change would affect. ·       No study data to show how much money this change would actually save. ·       No chance for timely public response; and no options for those affected to learn of the impact of this decision and act in timely response. This last minute item surprised DCH, Medicaid, providers, patients, our top state leaders, and the taxpayers of Georgia, this legislation would implement managed care for the most disabled populations in our state, a model of care that has not proven to be successful across the country.  Instead, the current system which is based on disease management is the most effective for the patient and the payer.  Current state employee health coverage does not provide the same services that PeachCare offers, yet state workers who earn within the income bracket for Peach Care are not allowed to apply for Peach Care. State employees, if they meet the same criteria as non-state employees, should have health care benefits equivalent to those of Peach Care.  How can this be paid for? ·       Not by cutting Peach Care benefits; ·       Not by taking the most disabled and placing them in "managed care" which has a proven failure record for individuals that face complicated or multi-diagnosis'; Don't balance the budget upon the health of children or elderly folks, disabled, or blind people! What kind of message is conveyed by lowering the standards of health care in Georgia? What will happen to people in nursing homes? Would managed care interfere with the implementation of the MRWP/NOW waiver? How will the impact of reduced health care services affect and increase the burden placed upon schools for already overstrained special education services? If a decision is made to 'dump' the most complicated of patients on top of a system that is already ineffective and losing doctors and providers, what kind of care are any of our most vulnerable citizens going to get? Would this change really save 30-40 million dollars by putting elderly, disabled and blind people, individuals in Medicaid waivers like Katie Beckett, Children's Medical Services, into managed care?  Or, would the real cost be the lives and health wasted by lack of coordinated care? Given the complexity and needs of this vulnerable population, many who have private health insurance and hold Medicaid as secondary insurance, the cost of coordinating care would prove to be a financial burden to Medicaid. Problems with the current 'care maintenance' system have resulted in many providers opting out of Medicaid.  These families need home and community based services, requiring a robust provider network with appropriate compensation for their services. Dept. of Community Health and the House and Senate Budget offices have a lot of concerns about the ability to implement this change, and they would need an 1115 waiver to do this.  We have been advised to contact the Senate with these concerns.  The budget will go to the Senate floor by Tuesday, and then it will go to conference committee to work out the differences. Bottom line: Managed care is NOT a good service delivery model for the Age, Blind and Disabled populations and can actually cost the state taxpayers more money.  We need more time to evaluate the options before this radical approach is taken. But what can I do that  will make a difference? Meet us on the Capitol this Monday, April 16 at 10:30am! Our state leaders need to hear from you personally:  Write a letter to our state leaders with your concerns, and let's personally deliver our message! Dream House for Medically Fragile Children, Inc. provides education, skills training, and assistance with healthcare equipment acquisition and resource referrals, so that kinship, foster, and adoptive families can care for medically fragile children in their own 'dream home'. ### Heidi J. Moore Wed, 18 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EDT http://www.lgtinc.org/articles/227/1/Urgent%3A-Advocacy-Needed.-Contact-your-Legislators-TODAY%21 April 13, 2007   Dearest Advocates:   URGENT ALERT! Please Read and write and call TODAY…….   A surprising item showed up in the Fiscal Year 2008 budget when it was passed out of House Appropriations on Thursday, April 12.  It is in the Department of Community Health Budget, and the item reads as follows:  "The Department of Community Health shall implement a managed care program for the Aged, Blind and Disabled Medicaid population in the Atlanta region, effective January 1, 2008."  ($30,000,000)    This means that legislators expect that they can save 30 million dollars by putting this population (individuals in waivers, Katie Beckett, Children's Medical Services) into managed care.  They need an 1115 waiver to do this.  Dept. of Community Health and the House and Senate Budget offices have a lot of concerns about the ability to implement this change.  We have been advised to contact the Senate with these concerns.  The budget will go to the Senate floor Tuesday, and then it will go to conference committee to work out the differences.    What you can do to make a difference by Tuesday -April 17, 2007:   Please Contact the Senate leadership:   1. Jack Hill, Chair of Appropriations jack.hill@senate.ga.gov, 404-656-5038   2. Greg Goggans, Vice Chair, appropriations, Health  drgg@alltel.net  or greg.goggans@senate.ga.gov  404-463-5263   3. Tommy Williams, Appropriations, tommie.williams@senate.ga.gov or tommie@tommiewilliams.com 404-656-0089   4. Casey Cagle, Lt. Governor, go to the following website to contact him: http://ltgov.georgia.gov/00/article/0,2086,2199618_2208307_11792200,00.html   or 404- 656-5030   5. Eric Johnson, Senate 1, President Pro-Tem, eric.johnson@senate.ga.gov or ejohnson56@comcast.net 404-656-5109   6. Also please contact your individual State Senator for your own district by going to www.vote-smart.org and typing in your zip code.      Talking Points:   Many of our families are already in a healthcare network already! With the Katie Beckett Waiver children alone, 72% of those waivers use Medicaid as SECONDARY INSURANCE and already have Primary Healthcare insurance.  Why would we need to be in ANOTHER managed care situation? Managed care will probably NOT save money for individuals that have primary healthcare insurance and use their own provider networks and may end of COSTING MEDICAID MORE MONEY if coordination is not done properly. For the other Waivers (including MRWP, etc)- We are already in a managed care situation.  Our families need home and community based service which managed care companies do NOT do well. We do not want managed care to interfere with the implementation of the MRWP/NOW waiver. There needs to be a lot more thought and input into this option before putting into the budget at the last minute.   BOTTOMLINE: Managed care is NOT a good service delivery option for individuals with disabilities!   I recommend that you first call them. If you feel uncomfortable with that, send them individual emails on this matter.  Please try to not send in a distribution list (it is not as likely to be read).   Also- make your phone call/message or email personal. Explain how this personally impacts your family.   As many of you are aware, the managed care program (CMO- Care Management Organization) has had a ton of difficulties in the general Medicaid population in the last year since implementation and continues to work thru it's issues……Why would we want to be a part of this program given the complexity and needs of our children and many of us already have primarily healthcare insurance with Medicaid as secondary?   The State of Georgia needs to fiscally responsible for our tax dollars and this is NOT going to achieve that. WE ALL NEED TO HELP EDUCATE OUR LEGISLATORS ABOUT THE TRUTH AND NOT WHAT IS BEING LOBBIED BY THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY!   I have not been writing as many emails lately due to my health and my son's but I feel that this was too important for all of you to know what is really going on and be apart of the education and change in Georgia.   This is VERY serious…….Please take a moment and contact the above Senators…..YOUR child's Medicaid may depend on it!   Sincerely, Heidi   --Heidi J. Moore (Proud Mother to Jacob - 7 years old with Down syndrome & Jared - 5 years old) For more information about how you can get involved regarding advocating for children, please visit us at www.kidshealthcarega.org "Help The Children Now, So They Can Help Themselves Later!" The material contained in this e-mail is for general information only. It is not intended in any way to provide or offer legal advice. To obtain legal advice, please consult with your attorney or a qualified legal representative. Heidi J. Moore Wed, 18 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EDT http://www.lgtinc.org/articles/226/1/Articles-from-Effingham-Herald-Newspaper April 8, 2007   Dearest Advocates:   Thought you might be interested in the below articles in the Effingham Herald Newspaper. As I stated before, we need to see more articles in the media on what the real issues are and the need for additional supports for our children and adults with disabilities to succeed in life and in the community they live!   Here is the link for the third part of the series:   http://www.effinghamherald.net/display.php?id=9937   Please take a moment to thank Ralna Pearson rpearson@effinghamherald.net the reporter that wrote a three part series on the movement of moving individuals with disabilities from the institutions and into homes in the community.   Also- Many thanks to Lynnette Bragg for opening her heart and life into the media to help them better understand the needs of individuals with disabilities. Her advocacy efforts over the years is amazing and she continues to not only help her son, but thousands of others.  Lynnette started B&B Care Services in 1999. B&B provides supports for the elderly and individuals with disabilities in their homes and community. Currently, B&B is one of two Medicaid service providers that accept MRWP waiver in the Metro Atlanta area.    I personally believe in this company and what it wants to become for our children in the future.  FYI.....In late January, I accepted a part time position as Community Relations Manager to help in the growth, development and support of families in the Metro Atlanta area for B&B Care Services.   Happy Reading! Heidi --------------------------------------------------------------------- Here is the Second part of the series (that is no longer on the Effingham Heralds's website):   At home, at last   By Ralna Pearson This is the second in a series that will  examine the movement to move mentally challenged individuals  out of institutions and into homes in the community.  Lying in his recliner with a big smile on his face and  watching "Wheel of Fortune," Scott Bragg is as content as can  be."He's truly the king of his own castle, said his  mother, Lynette Bragg.His days begin with breakfast  and he'll tell you what that will be. Then he progresses into  a television marathon that mainly centers on the CBS network. It's "Good Morning America" then "Regis & Kelly" in the  morning, followed by the "Price is Right," WTOCs News at  Noon" and soap operas his caregivers got him into.In  the afternoons, it's the evening news, "Jeopardy" and the  aforementioned big wheel game show. "Used to be and  so metimes now he'll guess 'em and we couldn't figure out how  he could do it till we realized they were reruns," Bragg  laughed.He has the channel turned to see his other  favorite show, "Judge Mathis," because of all the drama that  takes place on it."He likes the excitement," said his  caregiver, Jerri Sutton. "It gets monotonous around  here; we change it to the good stuff."His grandfather  and caregiver Homer Wells added, "He likes a fuss."At  3 years old, Scott, now 32, was diagnosed with mental  retardation. "We always knew he was never like other  children," his mother said.He also suffers from autism  and five seizure disorders. Throughout his life, he has broken  several bones, so he does not walk.Bragg, a registered  nurse and advocate for those with disabilities, was confronted  with the challenge of caring for a child with n eeds her rural  Georgia community did not provide services for."We  know intense therapies can make a difference early on, where  Scott did not have the benefit of early on," she said.  However, she did have the support of a loving family  to help with Scott's care. Her parents, Shirley and Homer  Wells, kept him during the week while she and her husband had  him on the weekends."He would kinda swap back and  forth," Bragg said.Group home a new  homeIn 1984 Bragg and her father experienced some  health problems, and she was forced to place Scott in a group  home near Atlanta until they got better.For one year  while at the home, Scott would come home for 10 days and spend  three weeks at the home. His family called him every  night.While there, Scott attended school. He also  picked up some lessons outside of the curriculum. < BR>"One  thing he learned at the group home is how to fight," shared  Bragg.He returned home fighting and screaming. His  family had to re-teach him how to use his words  instead.Yet the most powerful thing he brought back  was unforgiveness.For four years, Scott did not show  any affection toward his mom, refusing even to sit beside her  because he blamed her for placing him in the  facility.Bragg said that if she and her family had  been able to get in-home support for Scott, they would not  have had to place him in the group home.Today,  however, all is well. Scott lives in his own home  right beside his parents' house. He requires care 24 hours a  day, which his grandfather provides in part. The renowned  research plant pathologist retired so that he could care for  Scott full-time.In addition, Scott has a caregiver w ho  comes every day to help care for him who is paid through  Medicaid's Mental Retardation Waiver Program. And the Braggs  provide some of his care directly or through private  care.Truly king of the castleAt  his home one afternoon Scott demonstrated that he really is  the king of his castle."If he ain't happy, ain't  nobody happy," noted Sutton, who has been caring for Scott for  six years. "What does Miss Jerri do?" Bragg asked her  son."Sleep," he innocently replied in a deep, husky  voice as everyone burst out in laughter."He's telling the  truth," Sutton answered back with a smile. Scott's  family has been active in caring for him all his life, but his  biggest cheerleader was his late younger brother,  Matthew."He was his brother's strongest advocate,"  shared Bragg.Despite being eight years younger,  Matth ew taught his brother how to talk, play and have  relationships. He even encouraged his parents to open B&B  Care Services, Inc. to help provide needed services to Scott  and others with special needs.They started the company  in 1999 and today it is in 111 Georgia counties. It provides  supports to the elderly and those with disabilities in their  homes. And if they lack a home environment, the company helps  them find one. In February 2001 two days before his  18th birthday, Matthew was killed right down the road from his  home in a car accident. Three months later, Bragg's mother  died."Scott had a double whammy there with losing both  of them within a short span of time," Bragg said. "He lost his  two strongest advocates there and the rest of us had to kick  it up a notch ... or two or three notches."Matthew's  death also spurred the Bra g gs into ad vocacy work for disabled  Georgians."We had gotten comfortable in knowing that  Matthew would make sure that Scott was cared for," Bragg said.  "And the day that (Matthew's death) happened, we realized that  we had to jack up our efforts in helping Georgia provide a  system that would support Scott."Providing for  his futureIn addition to the care they provide  now to their son, Bragg and her husband also have planned for  when Scott no longer has them to rely upon.Within the  same week Matthew was killed they met with attorneys and  established a supplemental needs trust for Scott, which allows  money and property to be placed in a trust. The Braggs  have named seven individuals to implement it. They will help  Scott make decisions about where he lives, who provides his  supports and how the resources will be used to con ti nu e his&nbs p; lifestyle, according to Bragg. Some of the trustees  are family, while others are friends. They are educators,  financial officers, nurses and social workers.Anyone  can establish a supplemental needs trust for their loved one.  Bragg strongly encourages families to consider doing  so. Likewise, she advises families to make sure their disabled  relative has a legal guardian with their best interest at  heart and not the state.She is Scott's legal guardian  and in the event of her passing, her husband or grandfather  will petition the court for guardianship to make sure that a  loved one maintains guardianship."It's very important  to protect people," Bragg advised. In the meantime,  Scott spends his days happily and freely thanks to the  sacrifices and hard work his family has put forth to make that  possible.--Heidi J. Moore (Proud Mother to Jacob - 7 years old with Down syndrome & Jared - 5 years old) For more information about how you can get involved regarding advocating for children, please visit us at www.kidshealthcarega.org "Help The Children Now, So They Can Help Themselves Later!" The material contained in this e-mail is for general information only. It is not intended in any way to provide or offer legal advice. To obtain legal advice, please consult with your attorney or a qualified legal representative. Heidi J. Moore Wed, 18 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EDT http://www.lgtinc.org/articles/224/1/NMML-Sports-Complex-Update--Advocacy-Needed March 8, 2007   Dearest Advocates:   As many of you know, I sent out an email a few days ago expressing concerns about Alpharetta City Council's continued partnership/support with North Metro Miracle League (NMML) and the construction of the Sports Court at North Park.   First of all, I want to personally thank all the families and friends that attended the City Council meeting on Monday and sent e-mails of support.  We packed the court room (estimates are over 100+)!  The Mayor even commented on receiving over 300+ at the meeting!  I think this shows the communities concern with the issues.  It was obvious from that Council meeting that more needs to be done to "help" educate our elected officials on the needs of individuals with disabilities and their families and the support of the entire community!   The city continues to talk in vague terms about a "process" that needs to be completed (citizens survey, assessment,etc) to prepare a "master plan".  Unfortunately, NMML (and the City thru Block Grants) has $47,000 to possibly lose due to the lack of support in a timely matter to support the final construction phase of the Sports Complex.    Facts:   The partnership between NMML and the city is a win/win situation. Good business decisions. In past, the City invested 10% (via Community Development Block Grants) of the cost of the Sports Complex and now is worth over $2.0 million (rate of return on investment of 900%)!  The Sports Complex has added value to the City and allowed all its citizens to benefit from this facility to date. Sports Court Delay……  If the City does not make timely decisions now, NMML will loose this opportunity for Alpharetta to have a Sports Court that everyone can benefit from? I agree that a needs assessment is a good tool because it will show how many families support additional programming opportunities for the disability community. But, unfortunately we don't have the time to wait.  Even the Alpharetta Youth Softball Association (AYSA) is in support of this proposal and sees the benefit. Our families need sports programming options. NMML goal is to provide programming that offers a variety of more appropriate challenges for children and adults with disabilities. Baseball is not a "one size fits all" answer to the multitude of challenges the NMML athletes face.  We are very appreciative of the work so far but we need to do more.  A choice of sports programming will allow parents and coaches to find the right match between a person's disability and an adapted sports program that will maximize the improvement in that persons physical, social and coping skills. The multi-use Sports Court may be used by children and adults of all ability levels but it will specifically fill the need for the disability community that is currently drastically underserved.   Action Items Needed By YOU:   A. Please take a moment if you have not already done so and send an email to Alpharetta City Council with the following message points:   + Appreciation of the City partnering with NMML and continuing that relationships in the future. It's a win/win!   +Question the Council on: What are the timeframes for completing the citizen's survey and needs assessment? (The Council still has not given us any timeframes of the process and only talked in the general terms. We need answers!)   + Overall- need for more sports programming opportunities in the community for individuals with disabilities.   + Please make your e-mail/ phone calls are personal. Explain the impact this has on your family.   The following is a link to contact information for the Alpharetta City Council and Mayor: http://www.alpharetta.ga.us/index.php?p=29.   Please copy John (jettjock@mindspring.com) (ED for NMML) or myself (heidijmoore@comcast.net) on your emails.   B.  If you are an Alpharetta Resident, please participate in the Citizens Survey when you receive it in the mail.  I received mine yesterday. Specifically, Question D9: "Do you or any member your family have a disability? And Question D10: "Do you think Alpharetta meets the needs of people with disabilities?"  THEY NEED TO HEAR FROM US!!!!   In addition, Revue and News Newspaper had an article in today's newspaper entitled "Miracle League told to wait -City Council sticks to process before giving OK to Sport Court for disabled residents". To view that article go to:   http://www.northfulton.com/1editorialbody.lasso?-token.folder=2007-03-01&-token.story=154705.112113&-token.subpub=   Also send an email to the reporter, Bob Pepalis, bob@northfulton.com thanking him for the coverage of the situation and why it is so important to the disability community.  The article did not totally represent the facts to the situation and NMML plans on writing a letter to help clarify the true issues.      (Heidi's Comments:......NMML has been communicating well with the Council on this issue, unfortunately, the Council has not done a good job communicating within itself! )   There was also an article on Page 2 of the Alpharetta Neighbor yesterday. Unfortunately, it is not on there website www.neighbornewspapers.com.  The reporter, Amber Summers did a great job explaining the concerns of the community on this issue. Please take a moment and thank them for their coverage of the situation: nfulton@neighbornewspapers.com.   Even if you don't live in Alpharetta, NMML works with families all over the Metro Atlanta area and needs your help.  Thanks in advance for your help in this matter. UNITED…. WE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!   Sincerely, Heidi   For more information on NMML go to: www.nmml.net . It truly is a wonderful organization that has helped an entire community with the acceptance of individuals with disabilities and seeing our children for their abilities NOT disabilities!   --Heidi J. Moore (Proud Mother to Jacob - 7 years old with Down syndrome & Jared - 5 years old) For more information about how you can get involved regarding advocating for children, please visit us at www.kidshealthcarega.org "Help The Children Now, So They Can Help Themselves Later!" The material contained in this e-mail is for general information only. It is not intended in any way to provide or offer legal advice. To obtain legal advice, please consult with your attorney or a qualified legal representative. Heidi J. Moore Fri, 09 Mar 2007 00:00:00 EST http://www.lgtinc.org/articles/223/1/Advocacy-and-Information March 6, 2007   Dearest Advocates:   Thought you might be interested in the below information. Only with getting involved attending events, filling out survey's, communicating our concerns…………….are we going to continue to have our voices heard for our children!  YOU are your child's #1 advocate.  Hope you find this information useful.  Sincerely, Heidi =====================================================    The following is a message from David Tolleson with the City of Roswell:   Special Populations Awareness Month in Roswell: Advocacy Opportunity:  7:30 PM, Monday, March 19th, in front of Roswell's City Council.  At that time, the Mayor will be proclaiming that April will again be Special Populations Awareness Month.  There will be a brief video presentation about the Inclusion Task Force's past successes in Roswell, including information about how far we still need to go.  We're asking to double the budget of our ADA Task Force this year and the presence of many families helps us make progress slowly, but surely.  There will be a reception with sn ack-type foods after the presentation, probably around 7:45. Due to the March date, the Task Force suggested wearing something green as a sign of solidarity (shirt/scarf/whatever).   (Heidi Comments: I realize this is a school night but it always helps for the City to see the faces of the children.  You don't have to be a resident of Roswell to show your support at this event.  The timing of this event is critical since they are going into budget season. )    Educational Seminar for Special Needs Families   SPECIAL NEEDS CONFERENCE -- Kennesaw, GA - - On Saturday, March 31 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at NorthStar Church in Acworth/ Kennesaw, Ga. This educational event is designed for parents and families of special needs children, as well as anyone interested in learning more about Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ADHD, ADD, Aspergers Syndrome, Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Non Verbal Learning Disorder and more). The conference will feature an expert physician panel, including: Amy Thornhill Pakula, MD - Dr. Pakula is a Neurodevelopmental Pediatrician and Director of Developmental Pediatric Clinics at the Marcus Institute. She specializes in early identification of, intervention for, developmental and behavioral problems in children during infancy and the pre-school years. Cobb County Schools Parent Mentors - The parent mentors can help educate on what the school system has to offer special needs children. Stephanie Pretti, OTR/L - Ms. Pretti, Occupational Therapist, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Rehabilitation Services.  Deborah Matthews McCormick, MS., NCC, LPC - Mrs. McCormick is a licensed counselor with experience in helping both children and their families. The panel will discuss the diagnosis, treatment (pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic), education and expected outcomes for children and will conduct a question and answer segment with parents and families. Online reservations are available at northstarchurch.org.  Paper registration forms may be printed online. Please contact Jeff Hardin at 678-427-5380 or Tricia Levy at 404-245-2870 for more details. There is no cost for the seminar, and childcare is available by reservation only.  NorthStar Church is located at 3413 Blue Springs Road, Kennesaw, GA 30144.  Office phone is (770) 420-9808.  Directions to NorthStar Church's campus and offices can be found at www.northstarchurch.org/directions.shtml. ================================================= The following is a message from Stephanie Moss, Part C Coordinator, Babies Can't Wait.   We need to hear from you!  The Babies Can't Wait program, Georgia's early intervention system for infants and toddlers (birth to three) with disabilities and their families, needs your input to help improve our services for Georgia's children and families.     As part of this process we are conducting an online survey of our stakeholders, including families, service providers, our own staff, and our community partners, both public and private.   Our time frame is extremely tight.  The online survey will be available only Monday, March 5, 2007 through Friday, March 16, 2007 http://s urveybcw.caresolutions.com   Because of your work on the front lines, your input and assistance is critical.  We are asking you to participate in the survey yourself as well as help get the word out and encourage others in your community - families, service providers, LICCs, school officials, child advocates, etc. - to participate.  Attached is a flyer you can email,  copy and distribute.     Please be assured that all survey responses will remain anonymous - an independent consulting firm will collect and analyze the data and provide the BCW with summary reports. Thank you in advance for your participation and your help in getting others to participate!   (Heidi's Comments: Even if your child is out of the BCW program, please take a moment to fill out this survey. BCW needs to hear from EVERYONE in order to continue to provide services to families from birth to 3 yrs old.)   ================================================= The following is a message from Susanna Mitchell with the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities:   Please visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=181193386114 to complete a brief survey on Disability Day at the Capitol 2007.  The survey will be available until Friday, March 9.    Thank you everyone who already completed the survey.  We appreciate your feedback!   ===================================================   --Heidi J. Moore (Proud Mother to Jacob - 7 years old with Down syndrome & Jared - 5 years old) For more information about how you can get involved regarding advocating for children, please visit us at www.kidshealthcarega.org "Help The Children Now, So They Can Help Themselves Later!" The material contained in this e-mail is for general information only. It is not intended in any way to provide or offer legal advice. To obtain legal advice, please consult with your attorney or a qualified legal representative. Heidi J. Moore Tue, 06 Mar 2007 00:00:00 EST http://www.lgtinc.org/articles/222/1/Advocacy-Needed-By-YOU%21 March 2, 2007   Dearest Advocates:   Earlier this week I sent an email out regarding the need for family participation at an upcoming Alpharetta City Council meeting.  I wanted to clarify the reason why we are asking to speak to the Council……   Our goal is to help educate the Council on the needs of its residents/community/tax-payers/businesses and to continue to support the partnership the City has with North Metro Miracle League (NMML). This is also includes the completion of the Sport Court in our existing Sports Complex.   The Council needs to understand us and listen to our concerns and SEE the critical mass of people being concerned about the issue.....Individuals with disabilities need access to programming in the community!   PLEASE take this opportunity to show your support and attend this meeting (see specifics below).  We plan on having the following list of speakers that represent various segments of the disability population.   Tina D'versa - Chairperson for NMML - Overview why we are here. Heidi Moore - Parent / Resident- younger children. Cindy Smith - Parent / Resident - older children. TBD - Youth Volunteers "Buddies" Maureen Wales - Adaptive PE teacher and programming. Al Nash - President of N. Fulton Chamber of Commerce Mark Johnson - Resident - wrap-up   If you can't attend this important meeting , send a e-mail message to the Mayor and City Council.  Tell them what the NMML and a completed Adapted Sports Complex means to you, your family and/or group and our community.  Following is a link to contact information http://www.alpharetta.ga.us/index.php?p=29. Please copy John (jettjock@mindspring.com)  or myself (heidijmoore@comcast.net) on your emails.   Hope to see you there. Sincerely, Heidi   ================================================   February 26, 2007   Dearest Advocates:   PLEASE READ   Unfortunately due to some political issues, funding for a Sports Court for children and adults with disabilities is at risk AND WE NEED YOUR HELP! Even if you don't live in north metro Atlanta, this should be everyone's concern.   Proper funding for programs for children and adults with disabilities is necessary.   North Metro Miracle League (www.nmml.net) is a fantastic organization that has been instrumental in helping our children participate in sports in North Atlanta (as well as many other programs not involving sports).  They have been able to secure federal funding for a Sports Court but due to some political issues from the Alpharetta City Council (ACC).NMML may not be able to build this complex.  ACC is not convinced that the land utilization for this complex is best for North Park.   This is about more than just a Sports Court, it is about an opportunity to politely educate ACC for the need of  access to adaptive programming for children and adults with disabilities in Georgia.  If ACC is not going to provide services to the community, they should support the efforts of NMML (like they have done in the past). Private / Public partnerships are wonderful ways to develop the necessary programs needed for our children. It is a win/win situation.   Alpharetta City Council needs to see our families/concerned tax payers understand, care and want fair funding opportunities and programming for our children!   Please Attend!   Details:   Alpharetta City Council Meeting Monday, March 5 at 7:30 pm Alpharetta City Hall 2 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30004 (parking is to the south of city hall building) 678-297-6000   Families and Children are welcome. (Bring your friends and neighbors. We need critical mass)   Please RSVP John McLaughlin (NMML Executive Director) at jettjock@mindspring.com or 770-777-7044 of your attendance ASAP.   Thanks for support in this very important matter. See you there!   Sincerely,   Heidi     --Heidi J. Moore (Proud Mother to Jacob - 7 years old with Down syndrome & Jared - 5 years old) For more information about how you can get involved regarding advocating for children, please visit us at www.kidshealthcarega.org "Help The Children Now, So They Can Help Themselves Later!" The material contained in this e-mail is for general information only. It is not intended in any way to provide or offer legal advice. To obtain legal advice, please consult with your attorney or a qualified legal representative. Heidi J. Moore Tue, 06 Mar 2007 00:00:00 EST http://www.lgtinc.org/articles/205/1/Healthcare-for-Kids-Rally-Update%21%21%21%21%21 November 2, 2006   Dearest Advocates:   Healthcare for Kids Rally Update   Rally Day is Here!     As many of you know........I have been very involved in the organization of the Healthcare for Kids Rally that is going to take place this Saturday, November 4, 2006 at 9:30am at Georgia State Capitol.     Please make every effort to attend this largest grassroots advocacy effort our state has ever seen.  We need to show our strength in numbers and put faces to the situation!      For more information regarding the Rally and helpful tips the day of the event, please visit us at www.kidshealthcarega.org.     Therapy Survey Results are In!     In addition to Rally preparation- our group recently conducted a therapy survey in which over 140 therapists from 57 GA counties participated.  Bottom line: the new prior authorization procedure for therapy services (implemented on September 1st) HAS had a HUGE impact on the services our children are receiving and the providers that service them!     The survey clearly shows that cuts in services and increases in bureaucratic paperwork are having a detrimental impact on the children. Georgia taxpayers need to know that their tax dollars are being wasted on paper pushing and not being spent on the very people for whom these programs are intended to help......our children.  We now have the "data" to prove that there is a REAL PROBLEM in the system that needs to be fixed ASAP!     We will be posting the press release regarding the survey later today on our website.   Media Coverage Update!   I wanted to send you a quick email letting you know that we are actively working with the media to spread the word regarding our Healthcare for Kids Rally. Here are just a example of a few of the media outlets that have or will be covering the event:   Atlanta Parent Magazine, Johns Creek Herald Newspaper, Revue and News Newspaper, National American Speech-Language Hearing Association(National publication), AJC newspaper, Mundo Hispanic Newspaper, Martha Zoller National Radio talk show on AM 550 (today), Georgia Trend Magazine and the list goes on and on......   We also continuing to work with all TV and local newspapers for the continued coverage of the Rally. Please note: that all the above references are subject to change.   I hope you can see that this is going to be a major event to bring attention to a serious issue....Healthcare for our kids must be a priority!  Hope to see you there. Arrive early, to allow you enough time to park and walk to the event. Kids are welcomed and encouraged to come! See you on Saturday. Sincerely, Heidi --Heidi J. Moore (Proud Mother to Jacob - 6 years old with Down syndrome & Jared - 5 years old) Additional information regarding the Healthcare for Kids Rally, please visit us at www.kidshealthcarega.org "Help The Children Now, So They Can Help Themselves Later!" The material contained in this e-mail is for general information only. It is not intended in any way to provide or offer legal advice. To obtain legal advice, please consult with your attorney or a qualified legal representative. Heidi J. Moore Fri, 03 Nov 2006 00:00:00 EST http://www.lgtinc.org/articles/170/1/Healthcare-for-Kids-Rally-Flyer-and-Other-Information--Please-Distribute%21 September 19, 2006   Dearest Advocates:   Please find attached the "official" flyer for our upcoming Healthcare for Kids Rally to be held on November 4th at 9:30am at Georgia State Capitol.    The time has come for us to unite our voices to be heard....HEALTHCARE must be a priority for our children! This rally is being put together for everyone that has been impacted or has a vested interest in the Medicaid system (which includes the following: parents, providers, and concerned tax paying, voting citizens of Georgia....Therefore, everyone is impacted by this issue in the State of GA!)   At the rally, we will be discussing the following issues: + Eligibility + Access to care and provider networks. + Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis & Treatment Federal Requirements. + Burdensome Application, Appeal and Claims Process.   We encourage children to attend and plan on having some entertainment for them as well. It is going to be a family friendly event! We need to put a face to the children being impacted by poor decisions.   The color theme is RED.  Please try to wear red the day of the event.    We recommend that you either car pool with other families or take Marta. There is parking available but it might be easier to come together as a group!    We currently have a wonderful volunteer group of over 40 concerned citizens wanting to make a difference and change in the direction of Medicaid!  I am amazed at how many people are actively wanting to get involved.  If you would like to volunteer (still looking for people the day of the event to help with set-up/clean-up): please send Leanne Manning (leanne_d@bellsouth.net ), my administrative assistant for the Rally, an e-mail with the following information: Name, e-mail, phone numbers, where you live, and if you are a parent, provider,etc.   Also- if you know of a organization and/or person that would like to donate to the Rally, please let us know.  North Metro Miracle League (NMML) has graciously offered to be an administrator of funds for the Rally! Please see the attached flyer for further information. Thanks in advance for your help in this matter.    This is going to be the event of the year for Healthcare in this State....... Let's show our support!   Feel free to distribute this flyer to anyone you think would like to attend and post at therapy clinic's doctor offices,etc. WE need to get the word out about this event. The more people that show up the better........   We are voting citizens and need answers to the healthcare crisis in Georgia!   UNITED... WE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!   Additional information can be found on our website: www.kidshealthcarega.org  Hope to see you there!   Sincerely, Heidi J. Moore Healthcare for Kid's Rally Coordinator   --Heidi J. Moore (Proud Mother to Jacob - 6 years old with Down syndrome & Jared - 4 years old) "Help The Children Now, So They Can Help Themselves Later!" The material contained in this e-mail is for general information only. It is not intended in any way to provide or offer legal advice. To obtain legal advice, please consult with your attorney or a qualified legal representative. Heidi J. Moore Tue, 19 Sep 2006 00:00:00 EDT http://www.lgtinc.org/articles/166/1/URGENT%3ASave-That-Date%3A-Children%26%2339%3Bs-Healthcare-Rally%21-11%7B47%7D4%7B47%7D06-at-9%3A30am September 1, 2006   Dearest Advocates:   The time has come for EVERYONE to get involved.......    We are planning a Children's Healthcare Rally at the State Capitol on Saturday, November 4th at 9:30am.  More information will be following but I wanted to make sure you SAVE THAT DATE!   We all need to speak up and have our voices heard for our children and the providers that service them.  This is an election year and we need to make sure the State understands OUR priorities must include healthcare for our children.   The Children's Healthcare Rally will involve some of the following issues:   1. Eligibility Issues for disability waivers (including the Katie Beckett Waiver). 2. Access to a viable provider network (including therapy!) 3. CMO concerns. 4. BCW Concerns. 5. Overall, administrative paperwork problems in the system!   As you can see, we will be advocating for all children with and without disabilities that require healthcare from the State.   The issue is...... all children need healthcare (which includes having service providers to perform those services!).   If you are interesting in getting involved, donating time, or money in helping make this be the most effective rally to get the lawmakers attention....please send me a BRIEF e-mail stating the following:   1. What you think you do to help the cause? 2. Contact information including: name, phone numbers, e-mail address. 3. Where you live? 4. Are you a parent, provider, friend, concerned citizen, etc?   A rally committee is being put together to help make this a successful event.  Thanks in advance for wanting to participate!   Let's show our strength in numbers....OUR VOTE COUNTS!    UNITED... WE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!   Hope to see you there! More detailed information will be following shortly.    Sincerely, Heidi   --Heidi J. Moore (Proud Mother to Jacob - 6 years old with Down syndrome & Jared - 4 years old) "Help The Children Now, So They Can Help Themselves Later!" The material contained in this e-mail is for general information only. It is not intended in any way to provide or offer legal advice. To obtain legal advice, please consult with your attorney or a qualified legal representative. Heidi J. Moore Fri, 01 Sep 2006 00:00:00 EDT http://www.lgtinc.org/articles/162/1/CNN-Headline-News-and-Our-Jacob%21 Dear Family and Friends and individuals that want to see Jacob succeed in life:   I have exciting news........I was contacted by CNN Headline News two weeks ago about them wanting to do a consumer educational story on Down syndrome! They ended up coming out to our house last week and video taping Jacob in music therapy (many thanks to Jennifer, his Music therapists for being willing to participate on such late notice), crafts with the kids and an interview with me.   Here is the detailed information on when the show will air and where you can see it on the web.  The story will air on CNN Headline News on Monday, August 21.  It will air once an hour, from 1-6pm, at around 7-8 minutes past the hour (provided there is no breaking news).  It will also be fed out to CNN affiliates (around 800-1,000) the same day.  On Tuesday, August 22, the story will appear on http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/05/26/health.minute/index.html (Health Minute segment).  I really hope we continue to see stories like this in the media.....CNN asked me what was my goal for Jacob. I said " My goals are like any other parent. For Jacob to live a happy, healthy productive life and that I hope society sees my son for his abilities, not disabilities.  It's not that Jacob can't learn, he just learns differently and at his own pace! He is an amazing boy that happens to have an extra chromosome!".   Thanks again to everyone that has been on the "Jacob Team" for many years. We are all seeing the hard work paying off in his accomplishments!   Please take a moment after the segment airs next week and thank CNN for continuing to cover issues that are important to the disability world. (CNN was fantastic to work with on this project and really tried to understand the issues associated with families that have children with Down syndrome).  Building awareness is half the battle to acceptance in society and building a brighter future for our children!   You can send a quick thank you to the following general CNN feedback website: http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form1.html?33   And here is the reporter, Judy Fortin contact info as well: http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form4b.html?21   Let's keep up the positive media for children with disabilities!    I'm so proud of Jacob and how well he did in the interview!  Hope you enjoy! Sincerely, Heidi   --Heidi J. Moore (Proud Mother to Jacob - 6 years old with Down syndrome & Jared - 4 years old) "Help The Children Now, So They Can Help Themselves Later!" The material contained in this e-mail is for general information only. It is not intended in any way to provide or offer legal advice. To obtain legal advice, please consult with your attorney or a qualified legal representative. Heidi J. Moore Mon, 14 Aug 2006 00:00:00 EDT http://www.lgtinc.org/articles/50/1/Engaging-Sport-With-Disability Climbing twisted tangles of leafless trees, the sun elongating days will soon awaken the Earth to another cycle of green. Nothing like the feeling of penetrating rays, cold tends to aggravate the area of my neck where my vertebrae are fused by plate; so I am always glad to see telltale signs of coming warmth. Outside northwesterly winds prevent temperatures from rising above freezing. This should be one of the last chills before final thawing. Soon it will be time to stay outdoors, anticipate long days of comfortable temperature, short nights. During winter I'm like a reptile seeking heat, a window to court sun, ease the shakes and pain of achy joints and atrophied muscles. I hibernate winters usually, limiting the amount of unnecessary trips into the cold, staying inside doing activities that I won't want to do during months of warm sunshine. Because I know I am limited in how long I can sit-up, I try to use the hours in chair for activity that I could not do from my laptop or bed and if the sun is out, it's outside. I have been watching the Winter Olympics unfolding in Salt Lake City, Utah. 17 days of global sport and community as Nation's rally their best athletes to game in competition with the World's elite. For a time the world unites focus to honor sport, cheering on home-town favorites striving for glory. All training pays off here; years of pushing, driving to achieve better times, longer distances, and quicker moves. Persistence and discipline has allowed them to make it this far and finally be one of the worlds best in limelight for excellence. For an athlete, the Olympics are the culminating moment of an entire career. Seeing others achieve life long dreams, moments of victory, this is what the Olympics and sport are about. We are inspired, wanting to get better in the things that we do ourselves. Chance for Gold or just participation in the games challenges athletes all over the world to challenge themselves. Though most will never make it to that pinnacle, knowing that others have and can, make what is usually unknown territory at least familiar. Someone somewhere pushed it that far and well if I keep pushing maybe one day I will too. That's the dream. We are lucky in this age of technology to be able to sit in the warm comfort of our own abodes and gather witness to the spectacle of such competition. Always inspired by athletes elite in their craft; I love seeing people consumed in the love of what they're doing, obvious passion driving their lifestyles. I think that's why so many people enjoy watching sports on TV. There are moments in Olympic unfolding captured only by tears and described only in shouts of jubilation. My personal memory of the 96 games here in Atlanta is one of the greatest national pride experiences of my life. There's nothing like going to such a large international event and having the host country be your own with chants of USA, USA echoing the arena. This Tuesday my friends from the Shepherd Fencing Team will be arriving in Seville, Spain to compete internationally with the world's best wheelchair fencers. Most of them are Paralympic athletes and fully understand the experience of competing at such a high level. Tournaments are not just about having the body conditioned for battle, athletes must also be able to mentally handle the pressure and demands, of performing in front of so many others. The hours of training and early Saturday practice come to the fore-front in test against others from around the globe. Years of persistence will take form in points and matches won, advancement to medal rounds. There's nothing like being in a frame distanced off from another competitor about to fling a sword at you in any amount of ways, with only trained instinct between you and their blow. Fencing satisfies that part of me that used to spend hours in a dojo training with other freestyle martial artists. Having had previous years of experience and a particular affection for combat, I was glad to get involved with the fencing team and again train like I once had. It allows me to push myself again to the point of exhaustion and feel the experience of physical exertion with others that have been pursuing achievement for years. I find exercise and movement have been better relief for my body than the pills that doctors prescribe for stiff joints, pain, or arthritis. Since working out and becoming stronger, my pain level has decreased a hundred fold. Before joining the fencing team, I worked out but it was never on a serious note or for any particular reason. After joining I knew there would be no way to do the sport at my level of injury without weight training. So now fencing and working out have become as regular to me as writing. Though we have disabilities we are not barred from lives active in sport. There are many things out there that people with low as well high-level disabilities can do that are not just good rehabilitation but fun to do. The Shepherd Center yearly has an adventures skill workshop that showcases sports to people of all sort, ages, types, and levels of injury. For a week or so they get together to explore opportunities in many types of different things to do. Mobility needs vary, but there are things to do for those even with no movement at all. Some degree of sport or exercise should if possible be incorporated into everybody's life. Movement and activity are important to the overall health of being. With newer and newer technologies most sports can be adapted for people of all levels and types of disabilities. With a little creative thought accessibility can always be achieved. For some there are more options, but if you don't have many, what's important is making use of the options you have. Take it from someone who can't push himself up from a lying position you do what you can.   Zen Garcia Sat, 18 Feb 2006 00:00:00 EST http://www.lgtinc.org/articles/49/1/Shepherd-Center-Recreational-Sports-Teams Shepherd Center Recreational Sports Teams A couple of weeks ago, Shepherd hosted a banquet at the Three Dollar Café in Buckhead, to honor sport and athletes with disabilities. Over dinner and conversation, Mike hufstetler, Manager of the Therapeutic Recreation Department, having seen the sports program grow from a couple of teams to many, kind of summed up the current developments with the various Shepherd sponsored teams for the course of this year. Bob Baird, full time Sports Teams Coordinator, also gave update on their dedication and growing effort to the programs which have come a long way from the 1978 single person part-time program funded out of pocket by Dr. Apple. The first sports team began in 1984 when 3 disabled track athletes wanted to compete as a team, but recognized that there were no real opportunities existing in the community for them to compete. Shepherd agreed to help and the center began to sponsor athletes not knowing things would grow to here. In the beginning those that wanted to try things found little in way of programs or other athletes. Things were in such situation that frustration was found more often than success. At present things are still in a developmental cycle, but there is fast growing interest and slowing momentum to popular appeal. Athletes exist promoting active life trying to drum up support for their activities. Hopefully soon disability sport will hit mainstream, drawing attention worldwide, especially now with such an abundance of young people having been involved with sports before injury. Currently, Shepherd has anywhere from 70-80 athletes, involved in 8 teams with 2 new possibilities coming (Sled Hockey and Hand Cycling). Supported by Shepherd's facilities, the gym offers an on site practice location for most of the teams. A weight room and pool are available to athletes for conditioning and training. Coaches are paid a stipend to help offset their efforts instead of just receiving that congratulatory pat on the back. New sports and methods of funding are being sought and explored all the time. Mike and Bob just recently returned from Salt Lake City, Utah, where they were exploring the possibility of working with the United States Paralympic Committee to ensure further growth in the direction of Disability Sports. "Having the opportunity to participate in competitive sports has allowed many of our athletes to reach a level of competition and self-fulfillment that many never thought they would be able to reach again after sustaining injuries. The self-confidence learned through competitive sports carries over into every other aspect of the real world, that value is incalculable to people," said Mike Hufstetler on the impact of sport into people's lives. Even though some of us have disabilities, the physical aspect of our lives does not have to be abandoned simply because some muscles no longer work and some things can no longer be done the same way. Quadriplegic's are limited from a lot of sports that require hand or full arm capacity, but with fencing I was able to tie the sword to my hand allowing grip. I had no idea that I would become so thoroughly entrenched in a sport or that it would have such a positive impact on my life. I worked out with weights and did range of motion before becoming involved with fencing but never to the degree I do now. I had no idea there was a class of competition specifically oriented for quadriplegic's, where other international competitors with similar injuries and circumstance to my own, train hard to compete. Even though C-Category competition (Quad Division) has not evolved enough for it to be included in the Paralympics, it is included in The World Championships. With time and exposure I feel it safe to assume that competitors will learn from dedicated coaches that there is a role to play for people with all variety of disability. We want things to do, to have choices. There are too many of us who will to endeavor, refusing to just sit around waiting for nothing. We must move and do in what ways we can. Opportunities exist, chances are out there for those that care to explore what world might have to offer. Sport even though thought predominately exercise for the body is also beneficial for developing focus, will, and discipline of mind and spirit. A person can be good at anything they spend time and attention doing. Becoming good at anything depends on making practice a way of life. Years of training make people adept at accomplishment in what they do. You do what you can with what you got, that's the bottom line. What happens from here will set precedence for countless generations of kids and athletes who will seek outlet, new challenge to measure evolvement. Our natural state is to grow, take in lessons, have fun, develop skills, and create with focus. Life lessons us to maturity and isn't that the blessing, to have even 1 second to be and do in such a miracle world. "Our athletes have been given the opportunity to travel and compete throughout the world in national and international events. Shepherd Center is committed to continuing quality sports programming for both the beginner and elite athlete" -Mike Hufstetler Teams Practice times Shepherd Sharks- swimming Mondays 6-8 Shepherd Spinners- track and field Unknown at this time Shepherd Swords- fencing Wed 6-8/Sat. 10-2 Atlanta Rolling Hawks - basketball Tues/Thurs 6-9 Shepherd Skiers - waterskiing Unknown at this time Shepherd Strikers - Power Soccer Mon/Fri 5-8 Shepherd Shooters - Rifelry Wed 5-7 Atlanta Rolling Thunder - Rugby Wed 7-10 The contact for all of the teams is 404-367-1287   Shepherd hosts Adventure Skills Workshop at Camp Aska On Lake, Martin in Alabama Activities include but are not limited to water skiing, jet skiing, ATV, Riflery, Skeet Shooting, Basketball, Archery, Quad Rugby, Tree and Wall climbing, fishing, etc… If interested please call 404-350-7375 Fees are $150 per participant $140 for assistants or Family members   Zen Garcia Sat, 18 Feb 2006 00:00:00 EST http://www.lgtinc.org/articles/15/1/-Quest-For-Gold The Atlanta Wheelchair Fencing World Cup was a special event for the United States, being only the 2nd such event held on American soil. The Shepherd Center was special host to 73 fencers from 12 different countries including France, Poland, Great Britian, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Spain, Germany, Brazil, and Italy. I give much, much thanks to Bob Baird sports team coordinator, Rebecca Washburn, and Joy Burns among others of the Shepherd therapeutic recreation department, for pulling off the event in such an awesomely organized and prepared way. They really went all out to take care of the athletes and make it simple for us to focus on the task at hand, competing at the highest level. I would especially like to thank them and Shepherd for putting forth the extra effort to guarantee that there would be a C-class (quadriplegic) category in this event, as there are not always enough competitors in this category to have a class of our own. I want to say thanks for including incentives (they waived the $250 dollar entry fee) to get other C-class fighters here from other parts of the world. They spared no expense in getting world-class equipment, armorers, judges, and sponsors to help in making this the success that it was. Thanks to Coloplast, The United States Paralympic Committee, and The Shepherd Center for sponsoring the event. I can guarantee that the athletes from here and abroad had fantastic time both in competing and in enjoying each other's company. The weather was especially kind with just a hint of fall in the air and radiant sunshine every day of the event. Hurricane Isabel spared us her wrath taking a northern route, though she did wreak havoc on the middle-eastern seaboard; causing millions of dollars worth of damage. This was my second world cup event and first time ever competing against quadriplegics from other parts of the world. Because in America there are only two quadriplegic fencers, Tony Boatright and myself, we do not usually have the luxury of fighting in C-class and regularly get stuck fighting B-class with the higher level paraplegics; and because of the way direct elimination is set-up much like tennis the number one seed fights the last place seed. So we in C-class not only have to fight B-class fencers, but we always get stuck fighting the best B-class fencers because of the structure of direct elimination. So you other quadriplegics out there, I implore you to get involved with fencing as it is a wonderful sport and we need at least 2 more quad fencers here in the United States to have our own class in national competitions. If you are a little too weak to compete in quad rugby then perhaps fencing will be your sport, I am a C-5 complete with no trace of working triceps. We also need more women fencers to get involved so that women's fencing can like quadriplegic fencing become more varied and competition friendly. It was a grand spectacle to be witness to such a huge gathering of countries and cultures as languages mixed with a dialogue of swordplay as fencers took to frames and strips to battle for points. There are 3 weapons for men and 2 weapons for women to compete in. A World Cup is much like the Paralympics minus the other sports; it was a unique look into world competition and athletes that spend their lives training to be best in the world at what they do. Disability always seems to be associated to missing or lacking something- movement, abilities, independence, however, these athletes are redefining what disability means. Anyone that was witness to this event and quality of competition would never have thought of anything as being amiss or lacking. Three weapons are fought in fencing- epee, foil, and sabre. Epee is a long thin thrusting rapier type weapon with a blunt tip at the end that depresses inward once contact is made. The way a fencer scores is by hitting their opponent anywhere above the waist, in the hand, wrist, arm, shoulder, body, or head. Epee is a first blood type weapon in that the way you score is by making contact with your opponent's body before they can reach and score on you. Also with epee both combatees can score at the same time as long as their attacks are near simultaneous. Foil is a thinner lighter type weapon with the same kind of blunt depressing tip. With foil there is a smaller bellguard (bellguard is what protects the hand in epee fencing because the hand is a legal target area and therefore needs a larger belllguard to protect it from attack) because the only legal target areas are to the midsection, shoulder, back with arm hand and head not counting as scoring options. Also in foil one must have what is called 'right of way' which basically means one must have the right of attack to score a point. It is sort of like in volleyball when a team must be serving to gain a point. Foil is similiar in that one must parry (deflect an opponent's attack) to then have 'right of way' to score on your opponent. Foil is characterized by a lot of 'off target' shots that don't count because of the limited target area. Sabre is a slashing and thrusting type weapon that has a long slender blade and is held more like a machete or a cutlass than a rapier. There is no depressing tip on the weapon as the whole length of the blade is used to score on one's opponent. In sabre one can attack any part of the body waist up with head, hand, wrist, arm, shoulder, and body being all legal target areas. Sabre is another weapon characterized by the 'right of way' aspect of fencing. These weapons are connected by wire to a scoring box that counts touches as fencers score on each other. The judge says fencers ready, then fence, so that the fencers know when to start their attacks and dialogue of swordplay. The way the tournament broke down was with men fighting epee on Friday and women fighting foil. Saturday men fought foil and women fought epee. Sunday the men fought sabre. Women do not fight sabre as it has been mentioned to me that there is simply not enough interest in the sport. I would like to congratulate my friends from the American Team - Tony Boatright, who got two silver medals in foil and epee, Curtis Lovejoy, who captured bronze in Sabre, Gerard Moreno, who also captured bronze in sabre, Scott Rodgers who captured silver in foil, and luckily myself for capturing two bronze medals in epee and foil. I give final thanks to my coach, Janusz Mylnarz, for dedicating his time to the Shepherd Team. Much thanks to all the volunteers who committed time and effort to this event and special thanks to Audra and Brock for dedicating their every Saturday morning, afternoon to aiding us in our practices. To the rest of the Shepherd staff that I did not name specifically, thanks for all of your help and for cheering us on when we were fighting fencers from other parts of the world. I would like to mention one last thing. Even though the American team walked away with 5 medals in this World Cup, I feel that in order for us to compete at the levels of the Hong Kong, Polish, French, British, and Kuwaiti Teams, we must have further corporate and private sponsorships, so that we can practice more often than we are. Those aforementioned teams live near each other and get paid to just fight and represent their countries. The Hong Kong team is fighting 6 hours a day 6 days a week. The Kuwaiti's fight two 4 hour sessions, six days a week. The Hong Kong, Kuwaiti, Polish, and French fencers are right now, the best in the world. Most of my teammates on the American Team have jobs they must work just to get by. We practice together once a week for 3 hours, with the rest of our training coming on our own. All of us would love to be able to just focus on fencing, but are not able to because of having to make a living. If it were not for Shepherd and The United States Paralympic Committee, we would not even be able to what we are doing. We already have a non-profit called Endeavor Freedom set-up to handle funding should anyone out there be kind enough to support us in our endeavor to represent our country in a way that would make us all proud. To donate a tax-deductible donation to support the American Wheelchair Fencing Team, please send checks to 39 Alexander Street, Winder, GA 30680 in the name of Endeavor Freedom. We will reply with a letter of tax documentation, returned to the address of sender. A video can be provided to large corporate sponsors that may wish to sponsor us continuously or with large lump sum. Also a DVD of this past world cup event is in the process of being made. If you have never seen wheelchair fencing, it is an incredibly exciting sport. We appreciate in advance any considerations you may have in supporting the American Team in its quest for Gold in the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece Zen Garcia Thu, 26 Jan 2006 00:00:00 EST