Disability
Ian Inspires Passion In Schools
It was after attending Holmes High School in Covington, graduating from Northern Kentucky University with a bachelor’s degree in radio and television, and working at ESPN that Ian Smith, founder and CEO of Skool Aid, realized he wasn’t following his passion. So, he took a part time job substitute teaching and began pursuing a master’s degree in special education. But, it turned out that wasn’t his thing either. Music (and fun), now THAT was Ian’s THING!
Ian developed a program he called Movement in Music, a class that incorporates the rhythmic sounds of Ian’s drum with physical fitness games to teach kids about good sportsmanship, teamwork, and other life skills. It was an idea that caught on. Soon he was being hired by schools from Pleasant Ridge to Kenton County. “Then I began thinking, if I am building relationships with all these districts, why not help other teaching artists have an opportunity too to pass along their passions to students?,” Ian told me.
Some five years later, his organization that he named Skool Aid includes 25 teachers presenting 28 different programs to area schools, mostly for afterschool programming. Skool-Aid is also contracted by LADD, Inc.’s Cincinnati ReelAbilities Film Festival to present ReelEducation in area schools, teaching children about appreciating and understanding differences.
Along the way Ian reconnected with a childhood friend, Jake Counts, who recently retired from professional wheelchair basketball. Together they began talking to classes and entire schools about disabilities and adaptive sports. Then they began incorporating a fun game of Jake’s sport into their program.They gathered parts to build wheelchairs so they could teach kids about wheelchair basketball, and then realized, Cincinnati offered no opportunities for young people who use wheelchairs to actually play and compete in the sport.
Ian and Jake began working with the Cincinnati Recreation Commission to create a team for adults called the Cincinnati Royals, and organized the Cincinnati Dragons team for children 14 and under(under the umbrella of the Greater Cincinnati Adaptive Sports Club). They are in the process of expanding to also have a junior varsity team.
In Ian’s Words
“One reason I am really passionate about this work because it is an opportunity to empower other teachers to work with kids, develop a class teaching what they are good at, and do that they are on earth to do. If I can supplement their income by their teaching kids their passion, then these educators are also influencing kids to identify their passion
Jake and my presentations open the eyes of kids who might not have anyone in their lives who has a disability. By seeing and getting to know Jake and how he is just like them in many ways, they come to realize that they can have commonalities with anyone who is different from themselves.”
Help Cincinnati Be More Welcoming!
Kathleen Cail and Nestor Melnyk need your help in making our downtown and Over-the-Rhine a more livable, welcoming community for everyone. If you live, work or frequent that area, this volunteer opportunity will only be a few hours commitment but will have a very important impact not only to the vibrancy of the region, but also to those who want to enjoy time together.
Kathleen and Nestor received a grant from People’s Liberty for their project, called Access Cincinnati. The goal is to create an online resource providing accessibility information on restaurants and bars to families with strollers, veterans, seniors, and individuals with mobility issues. Having that information easily available will allow people to make decisions where they will be spending time and spending money enjoying our great city.
There are over 250 establishments to survey, which is how you can help!
Their ACCESS Cincinnati Launch Party is Tuesday, August 31, 2016, at 6pm, at People’s Liberty, 1805 Elm St. (on the corner of W. Elder, across from Findley Market). There you will learn more, meet other great people, receive your ACCESS Cincinnati cards and a list of 4 to 6 establishments to survey.
Can’t make the Launch Party? You can still volunteer! Just register here.
What you need to know (provided by Kathleen):
Q: How long will the survey take do complete?
A: Probably 10 minutes maximum. There are only about 12 questions/observations which you will be asked to answer/make, for each bar/restaurant on your list. Every question is multiple choice.
Q: Do I have to eat or drink in these places?
A: No. Only if you want to. Some places you can just walk right in. Others will have a Host/Hostess and you can just let them know who you are and what you are doing. DCI & OTR Chamber have been informed of this and should have informed their members.
Q: Where will this information be stored?
A: We will post this on our mobile website, accesscincinnati.org (which is under construction now).
Q: Are we the accessibility police?
A: No. There are no accessibility police. We are looking at whether a place is visitable? Is there a level entrance (including a stepped entrance where a portable ramp is provided), are there accessible bathrooms, and can I move around easily inside the venue? No tape measures needed!
Q: What if I can’t make the Launch Party, but still want to complete the surveys, what do I do?
A: Call or email me and I will provide you everything you need. 513.604.2070, kcail@mac.com
April Kerley Shares Paralympic Lessons
For two weeks every four years, I sit in front of the television in awe at the athleticism, grace, unrelenting determination, courage, fear, and triumph of the human spirit. I am inspired and touched by their stories of all that they overcame on the journey, of their sacrifices, and their passion. For some, they will leave with medals. For all of them, it will be an experience they will carry with them the rest of their life.
photo credit: Chris Glass, People’s Liberty Fellow
April Kerley, marketing director for Simply Money – a registered investment advisor and media company, knows this very well. When she is not talking finances, or speaking before large audiences, a likely place you will find her is in a pool. April learned how to swim when she was six, and quickly excelled from local clubs, to the high school team, and as an NCAA Division I swimmer while at Xavier University. That path ultimately led her to becoming a member of the World Champion team and to Beijing, China in 2008 where she competed in the 2008 Paralympic Games. April has held a total of nine Para American, two Para Pan-American, and one Para World Record in her long swimming career.
The sport will always be a part of who she is, but so too will the life lessons it has given her. She shares those lessons through talks and volunteer work with organizations such as the ReelAbilities Film Festival and LADD – Living Arrangements for the Developmentally Disabled. (we met during my work for them).
Leading up to the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games the U.S. Department of State and Paralympic Games are featuring Paralympians #WithoutLimits. The Human Rights Campaign is an effort to bring awareness to equal opportunity employment for disabled professionals. April is among those featured.
What better time to learn more about her? Please continue reading.
Lisa: You have talked about working through your own misperceptions of paralympics, and that impact on you. Can you talk to us about that?
April: When I first heard about the Paralympics in 2005, I thought it was geared toward people who use wheelchairs. I didn’t think I would be able to relate. Now Paralympics is my platform to remind me to recognize potential for greatness in everyone. Adaptive sports are not about disability. They are about showcasing abilities. No matter what you have going on in your life, you can excel at something. A lot of times, it is seeing people who have disabilities playing sports that is a transformative moment when spectators say, ‘If they can do it, I can too.’
Lisa: Where did your interest for swimming come from?
April: I began swimming when I was six years old because my mom just wanted my brother and me to learn how to swim and be safe around water. For whatever reason, we just gravitated to water. Both my brother and I went into competitive swimming.
Lisa: What role did your parents play in your success?
April: My parents were very insightful about they chose to raise us. They made the conscious choice to allow me to struggle a little to learn how to do things for myself because they knew I needed to learn how to adapt. I had my typical struggles and tantrums but they taught me to be the best of myself. As a result, I have learned that I can do things, just sometimes differently. Those adaptations are seamless to me today, they are not an obstacle. Rarely do I say something is difficult.
Lisa: What do you say to others about trying and learning in life?
April: Doing that is really just part of who I am. I am of the mentality that you just do it, and learn from the process. There may be a misconception that I have not failed. Of course I have. I did not make the 2012 or 2016 paralympics teams. Often athletes who have gone on to the Olympics or Super Bowls have quit at their peak. I challenged myself. I asked myself, ‘How do I know if that was my peak unless I push past it?’ If you quit at the top, you will never know if you could have gone further. I experimented in a way that most do not dare to do. In hindsight, 2008 was my best year but I would not have known if I had not continued.
No one wants to lose but you learn more from losing than you do from winning. You gain something in a different way.
Lisa: How much do you swim these days?
April: I spent a whole decade at the Paralympic level and I will be a lifelong competitor. It will always be a part of me. I swim six or seven days a week still, twice a day.
For Jeff Stone, It Is More Than A Job
I’d like to introduce you to Jeff Stone, a direct care professional for Stepping Stones, a Cincinnati nonprofit whose mission is mission is to increase independence, improve lives and promote inclusion for children and adults with disabilities. Jeff began working at Stepping Stones as a summer camp counselor in 2012, and quickly added more responsibilities before joining their team as a full-time direct care professional at in 2014.
Each year the organization honors one of its employees who exemplifies its mission, and Jeff was this year’s recipient.
These are some of things his co-workers had to say about him.
“One only has to work with him for one day and you’ll see the care he puts into his second family at Stepping Stones.”
“This job is so much more than a job to him. His passion is inspiring and I love working with him.”
“He is one of the most selfless, compassionate and dedicated staff I’ve ever had the privilege to work with.”
Let’s get to know more about him.
Lisa: Please tell us about your job, what you do as a direct care professional, how long you have been at Stepping Stones, and what you enjoy most about your job?
Jeff: I have been with Stepping Stones for about four years. I started as a unit counselor at Camp Given in 2012 and have worked several Saturday Kids Clubs and Young Adult Clubs throughout the Fall and Winter. This is my third year at our UCP Campus as a direct care professional. One of the best things about being a DCP is understanding how rewarding it is to be in this field. At Stepping Stones we help individuals find pathways to independence. We offer several activities here for the participants such as, Art, Recreation, Continuing Knowledge, Technology (Computer Lab), Sensory, Life Skills, and Employment Exploration for those who are interested in finding a job some day. I also offer assistance with personal care (feeding, toileting).
I love my job because every day is different and I learn something new. There are many amazing people here, staff and participants and I have made some great friends. I love seeing the participants every day and having fun. I love making them laugh and making their day better. And I especially love making a difference in people’s lives.
Lisa: Tell us about Fred (pictured with you) and your relationship with him.
Jeff: I would have to say that Fred is one of my best friends. He is such a funny person and is loved by so many. We always have a great time together every day because we make each other laugh. Fred is extremely smart and always cares about the other participants. He is always wanting to help me throughout the day and even letting me know if I miss something. He is very observant. Another thing I admire about Fred is his patience. Even when I am having a rough day, he understands and is always trying to make me feel better. If I need him to wait for a little bit, he will and not complain about it. Being with Fred for quite some time, I’ve noticed that he loves art. He will sit and paint if I give him a canvas using several different colors. Fred also loves nature, especially birds. I can relate that to him because my mom was a birdwatcher and has shared with me her experiences and knowledge of birding. I can show him a picture of a Cardinal and he will know what that is. Fred even just finished painting his very own birdhouse not too long ago. I know for a fact though that one of Fred’s favorite things to do is laugh because you can always hear it no matter where you are in the building.
Lisa: How have you grown as a person as a result of the people whom you work with?
Jeff: The people I work with bring a whole new view on those with disabilities. A long time ago where I didn’t understand someone having a disability, I would try and avoid them because I had no idea how to approach them. My parents had to tell me that they were “special” because they also did not know how else to explain it to me when I was that young. Today, I can tell anybody that individuals with disabilities are people just like us. Maybe some of them might need our assistance in doing some things but they have rights too and should never be denied doing something they enjoy. I honestly feel like a whole new person due to my job and also feel like a better person too. I have a lot more patience, I understand situations and views better, and respect those other people who work with individuals with disabilities.
Lisa: What is a piece of advice or words of wisdom that you have received that has stuck with you?
Jeff: One of the most important things that has stuck with me is “CCF” or Campers Come First. In this case now it is “PCF” or Participants Come First. We should always try to help them first and not think about ourselves, even when we are doing something we don’t want to do. If we are watching a movie, a staff member should not pick something that they want to see only because they like it. The staff and participants should communicate and agree on what movie to watch. If a staff member has a rough day and they just do not feel like being there one day, they can do several things to calm them down (take deep breaths, take a 5 minute break, exercise after work). Staff should always remember that they should make sure the participants have a good day because it’s for them. We assist them, make friends, and should work to know them better every day.
Lisa: Who is someone who has been an influence in your life and how?
Jeff: I have met so many people and have made so many friends here at Stepping Stones. There have been several people who been an influence in my life but someone who has always stood by me no matter what is Amanda Kay. She was my boss back when I was a part of summer camp and is my boss now here at Stepping Stones/UCP. Amanda has a love for the people she works with and has helped me get to where I am today. She messaged me out of the blue asking if I wanted to interview for a job at the adult program in Norwood because I was recommended by several people. I’m really glad I did and got a job here. I can definitely call her a fantastic boss, a role model for others, and a friend.
Lisa: Outside of work, what are some of your simple pleasures?
Jeff: I love the city of Cincinnati even though my heart will always be in Cleveland (GO CAVS!!). I love going out with friends downtown and Newport, going to concerts, bowling, going Reds, Bengals, Cavs, Indians, and Browns games, kayaking, hiking seeing movies, checking out new breweries, playing basketball and football, and just being with my family. I just enjoy living life and having fun with those who I am close to.
Susan Brownknight Is A Changemaker
In my shared quotes, I have talked a lot of how, to bring out the best in others, to give them wings that will raise them to their greatest potential, you need to focus on their strengths. You need to believe in them enough to be able to step back and allow them to grow through experience. You need to lead with integrity and resolve. You need to have passion for your cause.
Susan Brownknight, executive director of Living Arrangements for the Developmentally Disabled (LADD), is one of those leaders and I am one of the fortunate ones who has been given wings while working with her.
Susan first hired me as the contracted role of director of communications and media for the 2015 Cincinnati ReelAbilities Film Festival. (Then, she was director of development and public relations for LADD, the managing organization of ReelAbilities.) I was charged with the developing and implementing a vast communication plan that would raise the relatively unknown event into a massive success that would catapult it into one of the region’s gem attractions. That campaign (with help from lots of volunteers, partners and staff) was a massive success and will always be one I look back on with huge pride.
In a recommendation afterwards, Susan said of me, “Lisa was a key reason why we were so successful, selling out the majority of our events and creating an organic “buzz” that proved invaluable.”
BUT, I have to say, I was able to achieve what I did because of the leadership for which I was working. Susan has all those leadership skills I described above and more. She believes in people and their abilities. She gives them wings. She is also a real pioneer, an organizer, an energizer and a doer.
LADD is a Cincinnati nonprofit organization that is recognized as a leader in helping adults who experience a developmental disability to live independently and reach their aspirations. They do that through housing, education and other support services to more than 500 individuals and their families.
I believe wholeheartedly in their mission. Wanting to help people see and reach for their greatest potential is our shared passion.
And, while circumstances caused me to not be able to serve in my role with the next upcoming Film Festival, I am thrilled to be back working with Susan and the team of LADD to tell the organization’s story.
Please take a few minutes and learn more about Susan, and where her inspiration for leadership comes from.
Lisa: Prior to joining LADD, your resume includes having worked at the Cincinnati Nature Center (in development and marketing) and for the Sierra Club. Why did you shift your focus into the disability field?
Susan: Really, in all of my jobs, my focus has always been on people and communities. While at the Nature Center, I really wanted to return to more direct connections. I have always felt I was called to do that. At LADD, what I do is on that same theme of giving voices to individuals and communities. There is so much work needed to be done around affordable housing, giving people a voice, and equal opportunities. LADD touches on all of the issues I have grappled with.
When you have an opportunity to work with incredible people, you have so much gratitude on a daily basis. The employees at LADD are truly exceptional people and as I have matured, I value them more. They challenge me and I hope they say I challenge them to be their best.
Lisa: You volunteered for the Homeless Coalition years back. What lessons did you learn from that experience?
Susan: There are so many people who have unbelievable tragedy in their lives who are inspired by love. I moved to Over-the-Rhine in 1997 and volunteered at Drop Inn Center. A month into volunteer time, Buddy Grey (a tireless advocate for those who are homeless) was murdered. I was thrown into the deep end. Buddy was such a force. Andy Hutzel was my boss and I took a lot of guidance from him. At such a young age himself, despite his devastating loss, all Andy cared about was supporting those around him.
I was still in college at the time. I had so much anger, fear and frustration; and I had a boss who could have gone a lot of ways but chose to focus on those who worked with him. I joined their staff in 1999 for a few years, lived in OTR for many years, and was a board member longer than that. I learned so much from that whole experience.
Lisa: You are one of the most encouraging, energizing people I have ever met. Where did that come from?
Susan: For a good portion of career, I struggled with people who are mean. They have been a source of immense confusion because I truly love people inside and out.
One of reasons is that I grew up with a group of friends from first grade who, to this day, are my great supporters. We have all remained so tight. They are incredible and they buffered me from negativity early on. We are all strong women who love and are there for each other unconditionally. It has been a process in life to realize that not everyone is that supportive and kind. I give them all credit, and blame, for me failing to understand how anyone can go to a place of fear and anger. I have developed a skill set to facilitate effectively when I do interact with people who have gone to that place.
Lisa: What are some of your goals as the new leader for LADD?
Susan: It is a cultural shift for communities to respect difference. People need to recognize that society has played a role in defining disability. Stairs disable someone in a wheelchair. A person in a wheelchair should not be defined by disability because their built environment is not for them. People on the autism spectrum process things differently. Why can’t we take advantage of the unique perspective a person brings? There is so much opportunity to focus on ability vs. disability. We are not there yet, but moving in the right direction.
On Susan’s email signature, she reminds us of one of her favorite Nelson Mandela quotes. “Vision without action is only a dream. Action without vision is merely passing time. But vision with action can change the world.”
And that is how Susan is going to get things done.
