Candice Lange

UPWARD Basketball and Cheerleading 2007-2008
Hamilton Mill Christian Church!
Located off of Sardis Church Rd.
Very close to the Hamilton Mill Walmart or from Spout Springs Rd.

Help us spread the word - bring your friends!

Girls Basketball (1st - 6th grade)
Boys Basketball (K- 6th)
Cheerleading (K-6th)

Registration /Evaluation Dates:
Monday, November 12th, 6-8:30 pm *OR*
Tuesday, November13th, 6-8:30 pm

Cost
All participants - $75 per child (cash or check), due at time of
registration/evaluation. Registration ends 12/31/07.
This included the uniforms last year.

**Season Schedule Highlights:**

* Practices begin in December (there will be a Christmas Break)
* Games - January - mid-March
* One practice per week + one game per week on Saturday

Questions? Contact Dan Trenary @ dltrenary@bellsouth.net / 678 592 8813

**Coaches and helpers Needed - Please let us know if you'd like to help!**

This group was very accommodating to Corey and other mild special needs children last year. Please call them if you wonder if your child would be able and happy participating.

A Cheerleading Squad for Athletes with Special Needs!

Thunder All-Stars is now the home of a cheerleading squad for our friends with special needs. We are looking for both participants as well as volunteers to take part in this exciting journey.

· Co-ed squad for ages 8 and up

· Practice every Sunday 12:30-1:30

· Will exhibit at local cheerleading competitions

· No FEE! (there will be a charge for uniforms)

· Coached by a Recreational Therapist and Volunteers!

To register call Vicki at 770-977-9797

Please contact Angela Cremers (coach) if you have any further questions about this squad or if you are interested in private lessons/therapy. 404-502-8359

Neurology Now magazine is looking for artwork about living with a neurological condition. The submission will be published in the Nov/Dec 2007 issue and the artist will receive $100. www.neurologynow.com

People with epilepsy can submit art to Expressions of Courage contest. This is a yearly ongoing contest. More information can be found at expressionsofcourage.com.

PRYAA Special Needs INSPIRE Fall 2007 Flag Football / Cheer Program
(Modeled after the Pop Warner Challenger Program)

In Conjunction with Gwinnett County Parks & Recreation

Registration for Fall 2007 Flag Football / Cheerleading Program

Walk-In Registration
Saturday, September 1, 2007
10:00am to 12:00pm
Richard Hull Middle School

Season: Sunday, September 16th thru Sunday, November 4th
Games: September 16th thru October 28th
End-of-Season Celebration: November 4th (no game on this date)

Times: TBD

Location: TBD

Fee: $45.00 (includes Jersey, End-of-Season Certificate, and Trophy)

Equipment: All football players will be provided a flag belt and jersey. Flag belts must be returned at the end of each game. Cheerleaders will be provided a screened top.

Volunteers: If you are interested in volunteering and/or coaching in the INSPIRE Fall
Flag Football / Cheerleading program, please access pryaa.com and complete the Volunteer Registration form. Please refer to INSPIRE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS below to ensure your registration is processed for the INSPIRE program:

INSPIRE Registration Requirements
FIRST PAGE
Section II. Position Selection
- select “All Sports” at the bottom of the *Sport drop down window
- click on Special Needs in *Area of Interest window
SECOND PAGE
Section I. Sports Special Needs Questions
- select Coach if you are interested in coaching a team
- select General Volunteer to participate as an on-field Assistant.

J. Derrick Hutchens
PRYAA INSPIRE Program Director
6555 Sugarloaf Parkway, Suite 307
PMB 123
Duluth, GA 30097
678-852-6793
specialneeds@pryaa.com
www.pryaa.com

Kool Kidz Swim Club

Fall 2007 Season
For swimmers ages 5 and up who can easily swim one length of the pool (25 yards) with minimal floatation and without direct adult assistance

Practice Schedule
Thursdays, World’s Gym, Peachtree City, 3:30 to 4:30pm
Fridays, Mountain View Aquatic Center, Marietta, 6:00 to 7:00pm
Saturdays, Central Aquatic Center, Marietta, 10am-11am
Sundays, Swim Atlanta Roswell, Roswell, 5:30-6:30pm
Sundays, Swim Atlanta John’s Creek, Suwannee, 5:30 to 6:30pm

Fall season practice will begin the week of August 13, 2007 and run through the week of October 15, 2007

Intra-squad swim meet will be held:
October 27, 2007 from 1-3pm
Mountain View Aquatics Center

The focus of the program is on stroke development, improving stamina, team skill development, building self-confidence, following motor commands, and increasing fitness in preparation for bridging over to community based swim team and/or moving forward with pre-Paralympic competitions.

Swimmers will be coached by pediatric physical/occupational therapists and experienced swim professionals.

The cost for the 11-week program is:
$250 for 1 practice/week
$325 for 2 practices/week

For more information or a tryout session please contact Jen Henry at
770-597-9222 or jhenry@koolkidzpt.com

To register your child please mail registration form and payment to:
Kool Kidz Foundation
P.O. Box 680936
Marietta, GA 30068-0016

Hope all of you are having a great summer!

Are you starting to think about the kids going back to school and extracurricular activities? What are they going to do? Swim, dance, karate, soccer, basketball, softball, bowling, therapies, etc.

Have you found a great place that works well with your child with special needs? Share by making a comment below.

Corey and Ashley have started karate at Tomekichi Martial Arts near Sonic and Hebron Church in Dacula. It is a new location and the owner/instructor, Chris Hatcher, and his other instructor have been very good with both kids with assistance to Corey. They have a gym for parents to work out while the kids train and extra curricular activities such as camps and parent's night out. The classes are small and flexible.

Tomekichi Martial Arts
Chris Hatcher
752 Dacula Road, Suite C
Dacula, GA 30019
678-377-8582
www.tomekichimartialarts.com

For other sports posted previously, type in the subject such as "swimming" in the search field (upper right corner) for quick access.

Have a great school year!
Candice

Elements Swim Company

We teach adults and children with special needs. Our instructors are all leaders with swimming instructor abilities - so our lessons are very progressive and build one skill at a time until mastered. Depending upon the individual will depend on class type - we have special needs in group classes as well as private. We would need to evaluate your swimmers to determine a swim level then we can decide how we need to structure the classes. Cost for lessons is either $85 for 2 day per week (8 lessons in 4 weeks) or $185 for private (same amount of time, 2007 rates.) Our water is saline and is maintained @ 86 - 89 degrees.

We do evaluations on the 3rd Saturday of the month. Call the front desk for an appointment time. This evaluation is free if you can not make this one then there will be a 10 dollar per child fee to schedule it at a different time.

Elements Swim Company
4875 Hog Mountain Road
Flowery Branch, GA 30542
770-965-3370

info@elementsswimcompany.com
www.elementsswimcompany.com

Located at I - 985, Exit 12 (Spout Springs Road Exit), Across from Hometown Spirits

Mon - Fri 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Sat 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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North Metro Miracle League (NMML) provides inclusive adapted sports and social activities for children and adults of all abilities. They will be doing additional swim programs but the dates are TBD.

Keep watching http://www.nmml.net for the upcoming swim programs.

When you see it is available on the website please give John P. McLaughlin a call at 770-777-7044 to see what capacity they can handle.
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Swim Atlanta
4850 Sugarloaf Parkway, Suite 702, Lawrenceville, GA 30044
678/442-7946
www.swimatlanta.com

Offers year-round indoor swim lessons at pools located in Roswell, Suwanee and Lawrenceville for all ages and abilities.

Inclusive small group lessons or private lessons (charging the group rate) if individual cannot be taught in a group setting because of his/her special needs.

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Norcross YMCA
Robert D. Fowler Family YMCA
5600 West Jones Bridge Rd. Norcross, GA 30092
Adaptive Aquatics Coordinator
770-246-9622

Corey went here in Spring of 2007 and made incredible progress. He went from walking in the pool very close to mom to swimming the 25 meter special olympics race and winning first place in 3 lessons. He had a waist floatation and a spotter but no assistance and he swam with his whole body! The right program really does make a difference. Due to not being able to drive the distance anymore we are going to try out Elements listed above. I have heard good things about their program too.

A grant is available for the schools if you are in the transportation district. But it is worth trying to get the opportunity to learn to swim at your school/special needs classroom even if your not in the district. This program is highly recommended by Corey's teacher.

There are also group and individual lessons. They are very familiar with special needs concerns and safety including epilepsy and has a well trained staff for life guarding.

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If you are aware of other special need swim programs please make a comment. If you don't have all the information I will research to share it with others. Thank you.

Now that we are finding opportunities for our special needs children to socialize, what are you going to do with your free time?

Any ideas for an inexpensive date night?
Share your thoughts by clicking on Comments at the bottom of this article. Thank you!

Here are some ideas shared by others:

Scholarship Pageant
July 21-22, 2007
Gwinnett Performing Arts Center
Duluth, GA

Attention Ladies Ages 4 to 24!
Cash scholarships and prizes will be awarded!

This pageant is a great opportunity to win scholarship $$$ while supporting local charity the “Dream House for Medically Fragile Children”.

Bowling League Or Open Bowl

Who: All children with special needs and their siblings, friends, and family
There is no age limit for the bowling. They have the very young to the very old.

League Session:
Winter session: Starting January to March 3, 2007
Summer session: TBI

Open Session:
The Stars and Strikes Bowling Alley will allow bowlers to come and bowl on Saturday from 9am to 10:45am for the same $5 rate which is paid directly to the alley. Just tell them you are with Angels in the Alley. This is only for Saturday mornings at the time above.

Glowing Lights Special Needs Ministry
Presents a “Night Out” For Those With Special Needs

Please join them for a free fun night of games, music, crafts, and pizza.

Sugarloaf United Methodist Church
1795 Old Peachtree Rd
Duluth, GA 30097

Fridays 6:30pm - 8:30 pm
March 2
March 30
April 27
May 18
(School year dates. No meetings in June and July.)

Reservations and registration are required. Please contact Vicki LaRoche salvwl@aol.com or call 404-932-3953.

The ministry encourages communication/interaction between peers of the same age, or at least with a volunteer who works with each group. The program averages about 25 participants each month, with about 16-20 volunteers.

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If you know of other social groups for special needs in Gwinnett County or the northeastern Georgia area, please make a comment and include the information. I can research the program specifics if you do not have them. Thank you.

Blackshear Place Baptist Church
3428 Atlanta Hwy, Flowery Branch, GA 30542-2917
Soccer Field (Behind Building B) or Gym (if bad weather)

770-534-7058
http://www.blackshearplace.com/
For more information, contact Jenny Bretherick jbretherick@blackshearplace.com

Register at http://www.gifttool.com/registrar/ShowEventDetails?ID=216&EID=999

For boys and girls grades *Kindergarten-4 through 6th grade

Cost: $55 *4 and 5 yr olds are free

For a thorough list of Summer Camps and other services log onto Parent to Parent http://www.parenttoparentofga.org/database.htm

Click on the large blue header called Special Needs Database.

Type of Service: Click on any service and scroll down to either CAMP:DAY or CAMP:OVERNIGHT.

Disability Served: Choose disability for CAMP:DAY*

Show Info.: Choose one.
Detailed Information for all the information.
Brief Information for the company name, phone number and city.

Click on Perform Search.

*Note:
Camp:Day has 134 listings. It needs a qualifier to reduce the list and show results.

Camp:Overnight has 67 listings so you do not need to put in any qualifiers to get the list. Just select Camp:overnight and press PERFORM SEARCH.

2007 SPRING MIRACLE LEAGUE - Modified Baseball (Softball) Program

Registration Information

Registration dates: Feb.24 & March 3rd,10am-2pm
Location: Coal Mountain Community Building

League Information

Player/Parent/Coach orientation will be March 24 at 10am in the
Coal Mountain Community Building.

Spring season will be April 14 - May 19 (six Saturdays only).

The fee is $35.00 per child age 4 and up. Fee includes a jersey and a hat.
Scholarships are available!

For registration forms and further information visit www.cfcml.com

An artificial surface in the plans for the spring 2008 season.

Ms. Lange,

Thank you for inquiring about the Field of Dreams Sports Complex that is being planned for construction at Alberta Banks Park on Jim Crow Rd. in Flowery Branch. Plans include a completely rubberized ball field with the baselines, basepaths, & bases all imbedded in the rubberized surface allowing for easy access for children in wheelchairs or walkers. The complex also includes accessible dugouts, lights, spectator seating, picnic tables, concession/restroom building, drop-off area, and a completely accessible playground.

At this point we are still short $300K short of our goal to begin construction. We are soliciting donations/contributions and once all funding is in place we will be able to begin construction--hopefully not much longer.

A conceptual drawing is available.

Again, thank you for your interest & hopefully you'll be enjoying the new field in the near future!

Deborah Mockus

sgodfrey@hallcounty.org

"September 2001 marked the first TOPSoccer season at GSA Program. The Outreach Program of Soccer (TOPSoccer) is a national program that offers challenged kids the opportunity to play soccer in an organized program. The program is open to all kids with any type of physical or mental disability between the ages of 4-18."

Gwinnett Soccer Association (GSA) Clubhouse
P.O. Box 210
925 Cole Road
Lilburn, GA 30048
Directly across the street from Parkview High School

More Information:
Kathy and Leonard Bender
770-381-1600
kathy.bender@gsasoccer.com

http://www.gsasoccer.com/TOPSoccer.htm

Registration fee is $25.00 and includes the cost of the uniform. You can register online for the TOPSoccer program by clicking here and choosing TOPSoccer.

Peachtree Ridge Park Ground Breaking Ceremony
Wednesday, November 15, 2006 4:00-5:00 PM
For a picture of the master plan visit,
http://www.pryaa.com/portals/2/flyers/MasterRender10-24-06.pdf
Visit http://www.pryaa.com/Home/ThePark/tabid/147/Default.aspx for directions and shuttle information due to no parking available yet.

PEACHTREE RIDGE PARK
"Peachtree Ridge Park which is slated to open in 2007~2008 is a 155 acre park located off Wildwood Rd and Suwanee Creek Road behind Peachtree Ridge High School. The park will provide the youth recreational fields for the PRYAA Lions. It will have a regulation size football field including a concession building and cheerleading practice space. It will also include two regulation size soccer fields, a baseball and softball complex with a 225' grass ball field, a 200' grass ball field, a 150' grass ball field and a 200' Special Needs ball field.

Lake Louella which is located within the park will have a 20' shelter, fishing deck area and plenty of benches and quiet spots to enjoy the lake area. The park has a "rolling lawn area" for unstructured play, rolling, sunbathing, kite flying, views to Lake Louella, and blanket picnics. There will also be a "Wetlands Section", "Fern Valley Section" with a multi use trail areas throughout the park.

For more information about Peachtree Ridge Park, or to become a Park Sponsor please contact our Sponsorship team at executiveboard@pryaa.com"

Peachtree Ridge High School
1555 Old Peachtree Rd NW
Suwanee, GA 30024

Upward Sports national organization, visit http://www.upward.org/.

These are non-competitive sports with an evaluation to even the teams. One of the FAQs questions answers with this- "Upward has trained its church partners to implement a league that ensures that all of the registered children play. Through well established player substitution and evaluation tactics, each child is guaranteed equal playing time and in most cases, each child will play against someone of similar ability."

Find local groups conducting the sport programs by going to the above site and clicking on FAQs. Click on the red words "Find a League Near You". Upward League Finder appears and you can sort by type of sport and zip code.

30019 brought up this location along with others:

Upward Basketball/Cheerleading

Hamilton Mill Christian Church
3809 Sardis Church Rd
Buford, GA 30519-4131
Telephone: 678-714-7200
Website: http://www.hmcc.info
Brochure: http://www.hmcc.info/us/files/40475_14953.pdf
Evaluations and Registration: 11/18/2006
Practice begins: 12/3/06
Ending Date: 3/3/07
First Game: 1/6/2007

HMCC is open to children registering up to the first game.
You may also call (678) 595-0282 Dan Trenary for more details.

On-line catalogs for travel and entertainment can be found in this section and their specific product suggestions can be found under Travel and Special Needs Recreation - Travel, Sports & Events.

Click on the catalog picture to access the full line of products and services.

FODAC
This organization has created an excellent list for all types of sports organizations related to special needs. BlazeSports is included which is active in Georgia.
http://www.fodac.org/fodac/links/linksspt.htm

BlazeSports - Georgia (Georgia Blazers)

"The Blazers are the competitive teams of the BlazeSports Georgia program. The teams compete locally, regionally and nationally in swimming, wheelchair basketball, and track and field. These talented young boys and girls are winning medals, breaking national and international records, and developing into superb athletes.

The teams are supported by the BlazeSports Georgia Booster Club, composed of parents and others interested in seeing that the teams have the resources and equipment to travel and compete effectively in their sports."

For more information click on http://www.blazesports.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=6&tabid=84&tablevel=1

Easter Seals - Project ACTION

"Project ACTION (Accessible Community Transportation in Our Nation) is a congressionally created national technical assistance program authorized under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA). The foundational work of Project ACTION is in promoting cooperation between the disability community and transportation industry.

Project ACTION maintains a database of transit systems (buses, shuttles, taxis, airport service, etc.) that are accessible for people with disabilities. Using the database is as simple as typing in your destination — for work or pleasure — and seeing the transit opportunities available to you."

For free publications and on-line resources, including the The National Accessible Travelers Database (NATD), click on the Easter Seal website link:
http://projectaction.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=ESPA_free_resources&s_esLocation=FR_

====================================================
FODAC TRAVEL RESOURCES

FODAC has a good section for travel links for accessibility and other disability travel concerns. See their website for travel at http://www.fodac.org/fodac/links/linkstvl.html
====================================================

Challenge Aspen provides recreational and cultural experiences for individuals who have mental or physical "disabilities". We encourage family and friends to share in these experiences.

Challenge Aspen believes that access is the key to participation, and through participation, people with disabilities can break through barriers, unite with family and friends, and gain the self-esteem and confidence necessary to lead fulfilling, productive lives.

Working closely with Aspen Skiing Company and local outfitters the program offers a variety of daily activities such as skiing, whitewater rafting, horseback riding and fishing; Challenge Aspen also hosts a number of camps throughout the year. These camps include a mono-ski camp and a rock climbing camp for paraplegics and amputees, a ski festival for the visually impaired, and children’s art and music camps.

Challenge Aspen

Call/TTY: 970.923.0578
Fax: 970.923.7338

P.O. Box M
Aspen, CO 81612 USA
possibilities@challengeaspen.com
http://www.challengeaspen.com

This section includes travel magazines and books for people with special considerations needed for traveling.

Please include your own favorites under comments.

Patient Travel organization is dedicated to providing air transportation for families who travel for medical needs - including research. Go to www.PatientTravel.org. Gene Smelser is the contact for research travel assistance.

Please use this as place to share the items that have made your trips more comfortable and enjoyable.

AADD Film Series

Admission is free and open to the public.

For more information, please call 404-881-9777 ext. 228
or email carey@aadd.org

Read more about AADD film series at http://www.aadd.org/newsite/film.html

In 2006, they celebrated their 50th Anniversary Film Series with Stories of Triumph! such as Rain Man and What's Eating Gilbert Grape? Check out their site for the latest film series.

These venues host ongoing events and offer free or reduced tickets via Community Events at VSA arts of Georgia.

• APEX Museum
• Albany Museum of Art
• Archibald Smith Plantation Home
• Atlanta Botanical Gardens
• Atlanta College of Art
• Atlanta Cyclorama
• Atlanta History Center
• BellSouth Telephone Museum
• Booth Western Art Museum
• The Breman
• Bulloch Hall
• Carter Presidential Center
• The Contemporary
• Crawford W
• Long Museum
• DeKalb Historical Society Museum
• Fernbank Museum of Natural History
• Fernbank Science Center
• Georgia Capital Building
• Georgia Museum of Art
• Georgia Music Hall of Fame
• Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art
• Governor’s Mansion
• Hammond House Galleries
• Hapeville Depot Museum
• High Museum of Art
• Hudgens Center for the Arts
• Imagine It! CMA
• Kennesaw Civil War Museum
• Madison Morgan Cultural Center
• Margaret Mitchell House
• Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art
• Michael C
• Carlos Museum
• Monetary Museum
• Morris Museum of Art
• Museum of Arts and Sciences
• National Museum of Patriotism
• Oglethorpe University Museum of Art
• Sidney Lanier Cottage
• Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History
• Turner Field Tour & Ivan Allen Jr
• Braves Museum and Hall of Fame
• Woodrow Wilson Boyhood Home
• World of Coca Cola
• Wren’s Nest
• Zoo Atlanta

How can I get free tickets through VSA arts of Georgia?

Please share with us your personal stories of the best accommodating vacations or one-day places that were accommodating to your family with special needs. This can include but not only sensory, wheel chair, walker, behavior, etc.

To share click on comments below and write your favorite place(s). Thank you!