Chris Is Excited About Attending Lions Camp

This blog post came to us during a conversation with Chris at the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome in Boulder.

I didn’t go fishing with my housemates a couple weeks ago because I went to a Rockie’s game with Joan Handley’s group. On July 6th we’re going to a movie. Then on July 21st I am going camping for a week at the Lions Camp. It will be my last year because next year I’ll be 30.

Chris came out to greet his guest and to remind the guest
to be careful crossing the street.  

Rae Likes Her Job At King Soopers

Today’s blog post came to us in a conversation with Rae at the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome.

I work at King Soopers on Tuesdays and Thursdays bagging groceries. Both me and Gerald (Rae’s housemate) work on Thursdays. There are lots of people there, and I like it.

Donna Is Drinking More Water And Less Soda

This blog post came to us in a conversation with Donna at the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome in Boulder.

“I am drinking more water and less soda. I made up my mind to drink more water, and I have lost over 20 pounds. I had a pair of jeans and now they are plumb too big.

Donna with her husband Gerald, who looks
quite content holding Donna's hand.

Mandy's Poem: "Cupcake Thief"

Today’s blog post is a poem that Mandy wrote in a CORE/Labor Source Creative Writing Class and that she read during a performance last Friday night at the Dairy Center for the Arts in Boulder. The performance was attended by more than 250 people.

Cupcake Thief

As I walk down a busy San Francisco street, listening to the trolley go by, I find myself feeling lonely. I’m the only one on the street and I’m in a pink, electric wheelchair. It’s pretty banged up, but it still works. I wander into a gluten-free bakery. There are:

White
Strawberry
Light pink
Brown
Cherry frosting
Red velvet
Strawberry upside-down
Chocolate mousse
German chocolate
Carrot cake
Peach cobbler
Vanilla cheesecake
Bacon pancake
And zucchini pumpkin cupcakes.

I take two cupcakes (strawberry upside-down) and also take the recipe so I can make more at home.

Mandy reading poetry at the Dairy Center for the Arts performance,
attended by more than 250 people.

Rebecca Will Sign (Not Sing) In Tonight's Performance

This blog post came to us in a conversation with Rebecca at the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome. Although the residents are able to send and receive audio emails at the home, it is sometimes nice to just sit, relax, and have a chat with the residents. Here’s what Rebecca wanted us to include in the Imagine! Voices blog.

Friday (tonight) I am going to give a sign language performance (at the CORE/Labor Source performance at 7:00 PM at the Dairy Center for the Arts in Boulder. The Dairy, located at 2590 Walnut Street, is also hosting a CORE/Labor Source art show tonight with art created by Imagine! clients from 5:30 - 7:00 PM). We will be using sign language while other people sing the song.

I’m still working! On Mondays I work at Rock Bottom, and on Tuesdays I work at the Boulder Chop House on Walnut Street and also at Free Wave where I count screws, eight, eight, and four. (the number of different screws that go in the bags).

I also take a yoga class. The volunteers that teach the yoga class at our house are off for the summer but they will start back up in October. The class I take, Shannon takes me there, and I take Access A Ride home by myself after class.



Gerald's power wheelchair was not working so Rebecca volunteered
to help him get around the house.  Gerald's wife Donna provides
encouragement in the background.



Father's Day Photos With Lindsey

This blog post (photos and captions) came to us in an email from Lindsey’s mom Cindy. Lindsey receives support services from imagine!, and her family had relatives in town for Father’s Day. The photos are from last Sunday, Father’s Day. Our thanks to Lindsey and her parents, Cindy and Dwight, for sharing these photos with us.



Lindsey, front right, with her arm around her Aunt Sandy.
Sitting behind them are Lindsey's Aunt Patty on the left, and
Lindsey's mom Cindy on the right.

Cindy wrote, "Lindsey swimming with her Uncle Michael. It was so great
since it was Father's Day, no one was at the neighborhood pool and we had
it all to ourselves. Lindsey was able to relax and really enjoy the moment."

Lindsey with her Uncle Michael hanging out in the back yard.

Lindsey, in the middle, with her dad Dwight and her Aunt Sandy.

Innovations Advocacy Council Tackles Important Issues

This blog post came to us because earlier this week, John (pictured below) told me about yesterday's  Innovations Advocacy Council meeting that he’d be at. 

Some of the agenda items from yesterday's monthly meeting included a discussion on the brochure they have been working on, titled, “Decision making-how much help do I really need?” The brochure provides information on guardianship and other important areas for people served by Imagine!. Also on yesterday’s agenda were discussions related to ballot issues for the 2013 elections, and how to help people who receive services from Imagine! to reach their full potential for reading.

When I told Donna (also pictured below) that trying to keep up with all the activities that the residents at the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome participate in makes my head spin, she replied, “We don’t sit around and let ourselves become couch potatoes.”

Pictured below, from the left, are Innovations Advocacy Council members Donna, Sam Towers (Behavior Health Manager for Imagine!'s Innovations for Children department), Lana, and John.  Donna, Lana, and John are Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome residents who have been on the council since it began more than one year ago.    

From the left: Donna, Sam, Lana, and John were among the 10
 Innovations Advocacy Council members at yesterday's monthly meeting.

Donna Gets An Early Birthday Present

This blog post came to us during a visit and conversation with some of the residents at the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome.

Donna’s birthday isn’t until next Monday, the 24th, but her husband Gerald couldn't wait and gave her an early birthday present, this lovely bracelet Donna is showing off.

The bracelet on Donna's left wrist is an early birthday present
from her husband Gerald.

It took a bit of effort for Gerald to get his hand up this high but
he wanted a photo taken of his wedding ring. 



Jessica Prays For People Who Haven't Been Nice To Her

This blog post came to us today in a phone call from Jessica.

"I spent yesterday with my family for Father’s Day. We had gumbo, and I helped out a little bit making it with my stepmom and cousin. It took a couple of hours to get it done. We hung out, listened to music, talked, and ate. I watched the Yankees on TV yesterday too. They beat the Angels 6 to 5. It was a pretty good day.

Saturday I had a friend come by and make invitations to my birthday party. That was fun. It’s a good thing I’m working so I can buy some of the refreshments for my birthday party in July.

Then Saturday night I watched a TV show where they talk about God, sing, and pray. Then I said my prayers, and I even pray for people who haven’t been so nice to me.

I’m looking forward to going to the Mets/Rockies game next Thursday. I will try to get there early so I can hopefully talk with some of the players.

One more thing. Last night and Saturday night I watered the garden too."

Jessica cleaning up the garden at her group home

Cari Horseback Riding

This blog post and photo came to us in an email from Kristin Conboy, Site Supervisor at Tenino PCA. Thanks Kristin, it's sure neat to see Cari on that horse.

Cari goes horseback riding at Rocky Mountain Riding Therapy (RMRT) in Boulder. She goes every Saturday until the end of August. It is a great core work out and also great for balance. It is so fun watching her with her fantastic volunteers working with the great big horses.

Science Discovery Class Creates Liquid Labs

This blog post was sent to us in emails from Erika Alvis, CORE/Labor Source Program Coordinator, and Hannah Kinderlehrer, an instructor for the Science Discovery Class.

One of the classes Imagine!’s CORE/Labor Source department offers to Imagine! clients is a Science Discovery class. One of the projects in the class is a liquid lab. Some of the liquid lab experiments the class has performed are mixing: oil and water; oil and vinegar; oil, vinegar, and baking soda; and oil and a bubble solution. Below is just one example of an experiment Hannah sent us about creating a liquid lab.

“Lately we've been playing with baking soda and vinegar. Kids of all ages love the result of this reaction. I thought it would be fun to see what happened if we changed things up a bit. What if we used things in addition to the baking soda and vinegar? Would the results change? Specifically, could we change the amount of bubbles? My son, Aiden (age2.5), had a blast with this activity. I hope you enjoy it, too!”

How Does Adding Soap Affect the Reaction with Baking Soda & Vinegar?

Materials
• containers
• spoons
• baking soda
• vinegar
• water
• dishwashing liquid
• food coloring (optional)

The Setup - I placed our containers in a large baking dish to contain the mess and potential overflow. I also recommend covering the floor under you. If your child is anything like my son, there will be a mess. If you are concerned about the mess, take this activity outside or play in the bathtub or sink.

Into each container I added 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 tablespoon of baking soda. Aiden wanted to use green and yellow food coloring, so I also added 2 drops of green and 1 drop of yellow. To one container, I added 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid. {It is not necessary for the measurements to be exact. I'm just giving you an idea of what I did.} We stirred up each container (with separate spoons). A few bubbles formed in the container with soap. I asked Aiden if he noticed any differences in the containers. He pointed out the bubbles. I added a tablespoon of vinegar to a small plastic container. Aiden added the vinegar to the container with baking soda and water. Fun, normal, expected reaction, right? Aiden added a tablespoon of vinegar to the container with baking soda, water, and soap. The bubbles are different, rise higher, and they stay. Aiden was very pleased with this result.

Hannah, instructor for the Science Discovery class,
assists Rebecca (in pink) in creating a liquid lab.

Anthony Likes His Job At Amcon

This blog post came to us during a face to face conversation with Anthony. He takes great pride in being gainfully employed, and told us about his job at Amcon in Longmont. Anthony is a member of a work crew through Imagine!’s CORE/Labor Source supported employment program. Here is what Anthony shared with us.

“I work at Amcon every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. We are making car seat covers. We put a cloth cover over yellow and black foam so the seat is more comfortable.”

Anthony's reliability and positive attitude has made him a valued employee with CORE/Labor Source for many years. Anthony is always ready to “be on the clock” if help is needed. Even with his remarkable work ethic, he keeps things in perspective and makes sure that helping out his family is the most important thing is his life.

Anthony works hard at his jobs but enjoys his time off  too. 
This photo was taken during a vacation
in the San Juan National forest in western Colorado.

Tenino PCA Garden Yields Bountiful Harvest

This blog post consists of photos taken at Imagine!’s Tenino PCA garden. Kristin Conboy, Site Supervisor at the Tenino home, sent us these pictures over the past month to show the progress of the garden throughout the year. The photo captions will include the dates of the photos.

 Also, Kristin said “The folks who helped us get the garden set up are from the Urban Farm Company of Colorado. “They are so helpful! They helped up pick out veggies that would work for the girls to help harvest. Very cool young company!”



This is the first photo, taken May 6. Nothing showing yet
but the garden has been planted.



Mixed greens, photo taken May 17.



Cari with harvested radish, photo taken June 10.
Look at all those vegetables in the garden.

Kenny Learns A Yoga Pose

This blog post came to us from Erika Alvis, Program Coordinator for CORE/Labor Source.

This is a photo of Andrea, an Instructor with Imagine!'s CORE/Labor Source department, teaching Kenny how to do the horse posture pose in yoga class.  

John's Softball Game Photos

This blog post is a photo album taken at John’s softball game Tuesday evening. John is in a Unified Softball League through the City of Boulder's Parks and Recreation EXPAND program in which teams are comprised of people with and without developmental disabilities.

John is a resident at Imagine!'s Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome and had invited the photographer to the game in an audio email last week. Residents at that SmartHome have access to an email program that allows people with limited writing and/or typing skills to send audio emails to their friends and family.

John getting a hit.

John throws the ball to his coach Jill on this play.

John plays first base while opposing player Lou Ella, who works
in Imagine!'s Innovations department and is a volunteer for the
EXPAND program's Unified Softball League, stands on third base.

John uses perfect form getting his glove down to field this ball.
John's coach Jill, behind him, had just been instructing John to put his
glove all the way to the ground on ground balls and John
shows he knows how to play shortstop.

John and his coach Jill are pots of gold at the end of the rainbow.

John And Chantelle Play I Spy

This blog post (including the photo) came to us in an email from Chantelle yesterday afternoon. Chantelle is the Site Supervisor at Imagine!'s Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome in Boulder, where John is a resident.

While John and I are waiting for the bus to softball we play a little game called I Spy. John tells me "I spy with my little eye something on four legs and its a forest animal." He saw the deer! The deer were just hanging out in someone's backyard on Iris Street.

Note the deer lying on the ground behind John.

Dawn Wins Three Gold Medals In Special Olympics Colorado

This blog post came to us today when Dawn’s coworker, Wendy, sent us an email letting us know that Dawn won three first place medals at last weekend’s Special Olympics Colorado Summer Games and that it might make a nice story. Dawn receives support services from Imagine! and works part time in Imagine!’s Business Office. Dawn was photographed and interviewed this morning, and here is what she told us.

“I went to the Colorado Special Olympics in Grand Junction Saturday and Sunday with my boyfriend, David, and my host home provider. I won three first place medals in swimming; one for the 15 meter floatation, one for the 15 meter unassisted, and one for the 25 meter floatation. I am dedicating these medals to people who don’t have the opportunity to compete in Special Olympics.

I started Special Olympics when I was in my teens, and it was my mom who taught me to swim. Over the years, I have won 25 different medals at Special Olympics.”

Dawn with her three gold medals she won over the weekend.