Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio

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July 1, 2016

As the mother of a child with spina bifida, Lisa Followay realized that athletic opportunities for physically disabled individuals were limited. Since being physically active is both fun and essential for living a healthy lifestyle, Followay knew she had to make a change.

In 2009, she founded The Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio (ASPO). This statewide nonprofit organization promotes and provides health and wellness opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities.

According to Courtney Kurth, Outreach Director for ASPO, 150 Ohioans of all ages with physical disabilities take part in their sport programs, with programming in Cleveland, Akron, Columbus, Toledo and Youngstown.

Dream. Excel. Inspire

ASPO’s motto, “Dream. Excel. Inspire.,” summarizes the mission of the organization. Kurth explains that each word represents a different level of programming.

“Dream” is the introduction to the program, offering a variety of adaptive sport clinics and education about the importance of physical activity.

“Excel” helps athletes shine in their sport of choice through weekly practice, competitions, and ASPO’s summer camp.

“Inspire” brings in athletic ambassadors to meet and encourage atheletes with disabilities.

One of the goals of ASPO is to educate schools on how to include disabled athletes in their athletic teams. They also help these athletes by fitting them for an appropriate wheelchair, which they can use during the season.

Recently, Rogers High School student Abdul Alan, one of ASPO’s Toledo athletes, competed with his school during a track meet in early June.

Local Athletes Excel

ASPO offers a variety of local sporting opportunities, including wheelchair football, sled hockey, and wheelchair softball, which launches this summer.

Along with recreational sports, ASPO also offers competitive sport teams, such as Toledo’s sled hockey team. The group travels once a month to locations throughout the country and in Canada to compete against other adapted sled hockey teams. The team meets on the weekends at the Toledo Ice House.

Even though many of the adaptive sports use a wheelchair, ASPO athletes do not necessarily need to be in a wheelchair. Kurth says, “The biggest barrier we face is that people think ‘because I’m not in a chair, I can’t play’, but that’s not true. We have many ambulatories— those who can walk but may require a cane or assistance—who play on our teams… The chairs are used as an equalizer.”

Community support

“We couldn’t do what we do without the support of generous grants and equipment donations. The Walleye Wishing Well has helped ASPO sled hockey athletes with donations of sleds, which [along with the cost of outfitting the athlete] is approximately $1,100 new,” says Kurth.

Kurth also cites The Ability Center as another beneficial Toledo relationship for ASPO, saying “their helpful staff and knowledge of adaptive sports provides helps us reach more athletes who can benefit from our programs.”

In just a few years, ASPO has greatly changed the opportunities for disabled athletes across the state. Kurth says it best, “We provide opportunities to make dreams come true.”

For more information on
Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio you can call 330-262-1200,
email [email protected],
or visit their website at adaptivesportsohio.org.

Girl Scouts of Western Ohio receive investment from State Farm

By

Megan Henry

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June 30, 2016

Every kid should have the chance to go to to camp during the summer and State Farm is help making that happen.

Girl Scouts of Western Ohio received a $10,000 investment from State Farm for a new camp, Girl Scout Vive tu Vida Camp. At the end of June, 35 Hispanic girls and their families participated in three days of family-friendly activities ranging from archery to Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) activities. The Vive tu Vida Camp took place in Defiance at Girl Scout Camp Libbey.

The Vive tu Vida Camp is a partnership between the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio and Adelante, a Latino nonprofit whose mission is to empower Latinos and the community at-large through supportive services, education and advocacy for children and families.

"Thank you State Farm and Girl Scouts for giving these beautiful and talented young girls an opportunity to visit a campsite,” said Guisselle Mendoza, Adelante Executive Director. "We truly appreciate efforts and investment made for these young girls and their families. It goes without saying that without your support this would not have been possible. ¡Muchas gracias por su apoyo! (Thank you for your support!)”

Girl Scouts of Western Ohio, gswo.org

PRIZM invites kids and teens to color their world

By

Athena Cocoves

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June 30, 2016

We’re pretty jealous of how kids see the world. With starry eyes and imaginary friends, children paint their worlds with wonder and curiosity. To celebrate this childhood magic, PRIZM Creative Community and Way Public Library invites kids and teens through junior high age to submit works for the 2nd Annual Color My World exhibit.

This year, Color My World has four themes:
– The Perrysburg Bicentennial 200 year anniversary
– Art made from recycled materials
– Works under PRIZM’s Creative Challenge Theme, “Jubilant Journey”
– Way Public Library’s Summer Reading theme, “Get in the Game, Read.”

All artists will receive participation certificates and an invitation to the Opening Reception, from 2-4pm on August 10.

Local artists Nora Sallows and Denis Chalwick will judge the exhibit. They will award prizes to winners for each theme and different age groups.

All media types are accepted, except for culinary art or perishable items. To submit, see the application form online. Applications and artwork will be accepted at Way Public Library between July 11-23.

For more info, see myprizm.com

2016 Fireworks Guide

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Digital Media

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June 29, 2016

Friday, 7.1

Holland:
Community Homecoming Park, 7807 Angola Rd., Holland.

Saturday, 7.2

Swanton:
Swanton High School Football Field, 601 N. Main St., Swanton.

Waterville:
Independence Day Free Family Festival and Fireworks
Waterville Primary School, 457 Sycamore Ln., Waterville.

Woodville:
Trail Marker Park, 300 Cherry St.

Sunday, 7.3

Sylvania:
Centennial Terrace, 5773 Centennial Rd., Sylvania.
7pm/celebration. $5.

Maumee:
Corner of Conant St. and E. Wayne St., Downtown Maumee

Perrysburg:
Fort Meigs State Memorial, 29100 W. River Rd., Perrysburg
3pm/celebrations, 10pm/fireworks. Free

Oak Harbor:
Downtown Oak Harbor. 5pm/celebration

Monroe:
River Raisin Independence Day Festival Over Lake Erie
Sterling State Park, 2800 State Park Rd.,Monroe

Bowling Green:
BGSU Intramural Fields, 326 N. Mercer Rd., Bowling Green

Findlay:
Hancock County Fairgrounds, 1017 E. Sandusky St., Findlay

Tiffin:
Hedges-Boyer Park, 491 Coe St., Tiffin.

Monday, 7.4

Downtown Toledo:
Red, White & Kaboom, Marina District, Riverside Dr.
2pm/celebration, 10pm/fireworks

Wauseon:
Biddle Park, 1000 Biddle Park Dr., Wauseon

Put-In-Bay:
South Bass Island, downtown harbor

Port Clinton:
Water Works Park, E. Perry St. (SR 163)

Tuesday, 7.5

Whitehouse:
Founder’s Day Celebration: Village Hall, 6925 Providence St., Whitehouse

Special Olympian inspires Bikes for Kids

By

Megan Henry

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June 28, 2016

A bicycle can be the key to a child’s success, especially in the case of one local boy.

Christian Roscoe, a nine-year-old with Asperger’s Syndrome, will receive a free bicycle Tuesday afternoon at Wersell’s Bike & Ski Shop as part of the Bike for Kids program in order to continue competing in the Special Olympics.

Started by Charles E. Boyk Law Offices in 2009, Bikes for Kids is a program that gives away one bicycle every week from June 7 to August 16. With each bike giveaway, Wersell’s is donating a helmet and lock to each winner. Since the program started, Bikes for Kids has given away more than 60 bicycles to Toledo kids.

Christian’s grandmother Carol Roscoe nominated the boy after his bike broke at the end of the past school year.

“This little boy has Aspeger’s and is the smartest, kindest boy I have ever met,” Carol wrote in her nomination. “He cares about others, and is helpful in any way he can think of, taking classmates under his wing. He was very proud of his achievement in the Special Olympics this year, but his bike broke at the end of the year which makes him very sad. He would absolutely love a new bike, and he so deserves it.”

Does your child deserve a bike?

In 150 words or less, anyone can explain why a child in their life deserve a new bike. While there are no set guidelines of what makes a nominee deserving of a bike, Bikes for Kids encourages nominators to think about how the child has positively impacted his or her family, friends, community or classroom.

“We hope giving Christian a new bike will help give him the freedom of competing once again at a sport he loves,” Chuck Boyk, owner of Charles E. Boyk Law Offices, said. “Any kid that takes the time to be kind to others deserves that chance.”

For those who would either like to donate a bike, or nominate a kid who deserves a bike, visit BikesforKidsToledo.com.

3:20 pm Tuesday, June 28.

Wersell’s Bike & Ski Shop, 2860 W. Central Ave. 419-474-7412 wersellsbikeandskishop.com

Make Water the Beverage of Choice for your Kids

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Digital Media

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June 27, 2016

When it comes to keeping kids hydrated, particularly those who play sports, you can't go wrong with water. It hydrates, helps regulate body temperature, is a good source of fluoride for healthy teeth, and helps prevent urinary tract infections and constipation.

An added plus is that unlike soda pop, fruit drinks and sports drinks, water doesn’t contain any sugar or calories. Just one can of soda contains 10 to 12 teaspoons of sugar! If your child drank just one 12 ounce can every day for one year, it would add up to 60 pounds of sugar. That’s 60,000 calories.

Children should have at least 8 cups of water every day to be their best. Serve water with meals and snacks. Make water fun by adding a slice of lemon or orange. Let your child pick out a cool reusable water bottle to drink from. But most of all, set a good example by letting your kids see you drink water too.

Kohl’s commitment to Mercy Children’s Hospital is made possible through the Kohl’s Cares cause merchandise program. Through this initiative, Kohl’s sells $5 books and plush toys, where 100 percent of net profit benefits children’s health and education programs nationwide, including hospital partnerships like this one. Kohl’s has raised nearly $300 million through this merchandise program. For more information, visit www.Kohls.com/Cares.

About Mercy
Mercy is a member of Mercy Health (formerly Catholic Health Partners), the largest health system in Ohio and one of the largest non-profit systems in the country. Locally, Mercy is based in Toledo, Ohio and serves 20-counties in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan. Mercy provides comprehensive primary and critical care services to residents as well as a robust physician group, Mercy Medical Partners, Life Flight critical air transport services and Mercy College of Ohio. Please visit mercyweb.org for additional information and connect with Mercy on Facebook and Twitter @mercynwohio.