STRIDE Mail Box STRIDE Mail Box
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Hi
I am aware that your organization is having trouble recruiting volunteers. I also hear
that you are very regimented with your
attitude toward your volunteers.
I do a lot of Volunteering. What I hear of the prevailing attitude at Stride is one that
focuses on strict rules and commitment that forgets
the personal sacrifice and dedication of those that choose to donate their time and
efforts which allows programs like Public radio and TV,
Artistic endeavors and Adaptive Programs to thrive.
All my commitments eg--VPR, VASS, Pentangle Council of the Arts, and a Mentoring program
provide me with flexibility by having a large number of volunteers that schedule
themselves in advance according to THEIR schedule (not the organization's).The
organizations also send out E-Mails listing the number of Volunteers needed, with no
demands placed on the individual volunteer. This is not (from what I've been told),
Stride's position. Stride's leadership demands strict compliance with rules such
as--volunteers having to be at Jiminy Peak each and every weekend, having to get a back up
if he or she cannot show up as demanded, along with a prevailing Gestapo attitude.
If this scenario is accurate,and given the good that is associated with Adaptive programs,
I would hope that Stride makes an effort to liberalize it's position.
If this is not accurate, my apologies.
Sincerely
John Earl from Vermont
Dear STRIDE;
I just wanted to take a few minutes to tell you all how much I appreciate you and how much my son has learned and enjoyed in only 4 short week of skiing. Michael Worobey is my son and began skiing with STRIDE this year. I first talked to folks at the Ski Expo and they almost convinced me that I should sign Michael up. When Mary Ellen called to tell me I won the ski's raffled off at the Ski Expo she too almost convinced me. It wasn't because Michael has autism that I was so reluctant. It was because for the last year and a half Michael has suffered from terrible anxiety. He has difficulty going to new places, meeting new people and can't tolerate crowds. Knowing this about him how could I subject him to going to a busy ski resort and expect him to do anything but have an anxiety attack. Finally I got up the nerve to call Denis Ferentinos just to see what the program was really about. I knew if Michael could get past his anxieties he would really love learning how to ski. I told this to Denis and he convinced me to give it a try. He explained that all volunteers were well trained, and that they would go at Michael's pace. If Michael could only tolerate a walk around the lodge then that's what they would do. The first week we arrived Michael would not go into the lodge. I thought well this is it, this isn't going to work and then here came the instructors. They came out to meet Michael where he was and slowly moved him toward Jiminy Cricket. Since that first week Michael now starts getting dressed to go early each Sunday morning (he ski's at 1:00) and now bolts through the door of the lodge each week. He has had no problems adjusting to the crowds and has loved each volunteer who has worked with him. Although Michael can't tell me how he's feeling, all I need to do is look at his smile as he ski's down the trail and I know he is having a great time. What anxiety? Thank you for convincing me to give Michael a chance and for giving of yourselves. Michael really has benefited from your love and devotion.
Thank you so much,
Robin Worobey
You all have won another believer, all will be good for both Eric and myself. I now know why so many are so decided……..thanks is hardly enough to say for what you instructors gave to the Peebles this weekend. I know the other families are grateful too but the dynamics were changing today. This has only made me want to do more for the next STRIDE Masquerade Ball.
Eric commented tonight two things…….I feel apart of STRIDE now and that he was soooooooo excited that Dennis even considered him for the race…….you do not know how many grins he had coming to the car after the conversation with Dennis…….he is up there.
You have done an excellent job in your ski program…..such wonderful people and understanding.
See you,
Pat and Eric
Dear Readers and members of the STRIDE family;
My daughter Michelle has several terrible diseases that has put her in the hospital with life threatening situations several times during the last few years. STRIDE has always been there for us and has been a great source of support for both myself, and to my family. This e-mail I received from Mary Ellen a few years ago so touched me that I saved it, it is just a small example of STRIDE that I would like to share.
Subject: For Michelle
Date: Mon, 03 Feb 1997 07:56:15 -0500
From: Mary Ellen Snelson <stride@Capital.Net>
Organization: S.T.R.I.D.E.
To: REDMAX1@prodigy.net
Larry,
On Sunday at 12:30 on the mountain, about a dozen of us ski pro's went to the top of the triple and had a special prayer and healing circle for Michelle. We sent her all our love, and energy to help her through this tough time. We held hands and several of us said a few words on her behalf. Then we all went our own way, skiing a run for her. From all of us, it's a helpless feeling to not be able to do anything...but this was what we could do. I hope she felt it!
Best wishes to all,
Mare
Today is February 17, 1999, Michelle is in the hospital again. Every time this happens and I feel helpless I turn on my computer and read this e-mail and it helps the sadness and pain and that helpless feeling feel a little less overwhelming. All I can say is "Thank you STRIDE, for all that you do and all that you stand for and that I am proud to be a part of the STRIDE family".
Sincerely,
Larry Gagnon
This story is from my buddy Sean Fitzgerald: (Hi Sean)
I ski for fun. Mom is cool. She takes me skiing on Sunday. I ski on
red skis. I am scared of the lift. Larry and Kristen help me. The
skis go up on the lift. I make a V with my feet to stop. Skiing makes
me hungry. After I eat my lunch, Kristen plays video games with me.
Mom takes the skis back. My teachers make me better. Skiing is
great.
Dear STRIDE,
My granddaughter, Elena Del Peral, has been attending your wonderful ski program for two years. (Last year she was unable to participate because she had surgery for seizures). This summer, however, she went camping, and announced to her parents that she was going again on September 17th. How can we ever thank you for running a program that is contributing so much to Elena's physical development (she has cerebral palsy) and providing her with such incredible self-esteem? I would like to send a donation but do not know your address. My daughter and son-in-law are looking it up for me but I would like to have it as soon as possible. We are so very grateful to your outstanding organization.
Mary A. Loomba
This is long but here are my thoughts:
The depth of appreciation and gratitude we have as a family for all the different sports and recreation outlets that STRIDE has organized can't be measured. We started out with Amy's class skiing in Project Stride. Never in our wildest dreams would we have thought of Amy being able to downhill ski OR that she would become the "sports jock" of our family! As parents we have always encouraged Amy to try new things and not limit her experiences because of her
disabilities. You have to constantly walk a fine line on letting her do things with or without adaptations while keeping an eye out for her safety.
Of course there are things that she will never master.... like being a NYS licensed driver of a motor vehicle. Her participation in STRIDE has been in essence a revelation. It has opened our eyes to think of many new possibilities ... it's funny to suddenly realize that your disabled daughter is doing something that you don't even do!
I love to see the reaction of the general public seeing our kids involved in life. I had often seen disabled very young kids or old folks but the teens/young adults were nonexistent in public. I always thought that it must be because your teen and young adult years are really full of social interactions and events. STRIDE has enabled these teens to bond and form their own social group while at the same time making new friends with people outside of STRIDE -- from the bowling alley staff to the Little League buddies and their parents to the ski nuts at Jiminy Peak. You definitely get the ripple effect with STRIDE -- it touches so many lives.
It's great as a parent to meet other parents that you can talk to honestly about the ups and downs--the realities of having a disabled person in your family. You don't have to explain, justify, or apologize for your feelings -- you're free to just share and even form some of your own phenomenal friendships. Plus you're able to interact and acknowledge THEIR children for the individuals who they are and not as a single block of "the disabled". None of us would have chosen to be a parent of a special needs child; we just see ourselves as the parent of Amy or Jonathan or Lisa or Kevin, etc. They are just our precious children who like any other parent wants the best for them--happiness, health, and success. In STRIDE our children get all that. Happiness is easy -- surrounded by many friends and family at fun events. Better health is gained by staying active (or becoming more active) and success is achieved by meeting personal goals and just being able to do it -- to paraphrase Nike.
I love the fact that STRIDE is all volunteer. It truly touches my heart to know that there are so many people who are involved in STRIDE who don't even have a kid as a participant. It gives us hope that our children can be seen as the wonderful human beings they are and not seen for just their disabilities. We love our kids because they are our family and STRIDE volunteers love them because they are part of the STRIDE family.
Of course there are some "super" volunteers who give an extraordinary part of their lives to STRIDE. They amaze me. But I hope that the people who can "only" do this small part or that for an hour or two a season don't think that their contribution is anything less than the mega timers. I've learned that ANY = contribution is valuable beyond words.
Being a parent I've long known that there's not much out there for our daughter especially as far as sports was concerned. Most of the time we have had to "make" our own program. Even with this knowledge I was totally blown away by finding out where all these kids come from – the distances traveled to participate in STRIDE. Last year we had a mom from Williamstown, Mass. bringing her son to our bowling program in East Greenbush, NY! Now that's not the next town or city or even the next county. That's the next state!!
The longer I am with STRIDE, the more and more I see the phenomenal changes in the kids. Amy has been in the bowling program since the beginning. The first year her ball went down soooooo slow. You can't even imagine how slow. I wish I had a video of those days. The ball would finally get to the pins and because it was the lightest ball (6 lbs.), it sometimes would hit the
pins and bounce back -- not knocking down any! I would have to run for that reset button so we didn't have a ball stuck in the middle of the alley. Now her ball is much faster and heavier and she often scores over that magical 100 mark.
Bowling was the first place where over time she has changed from being a clinger (my Siamese twin) to functioning independently as the terrific teen that she is.... out with her friends.... truly enjoying herself. I don't even sit in the scoring area anymore and have to remind myself to cheer for her every now and then so she knows I am paying attention. It's the first thing she has ever done on her own.
Most of the kids have now mastered the reset button -- using it appropriately. Others have succeeded in the hard task of staying focused and seated -- waiting for your turn to bowl. All excel in cheering on their teammates. Each and every parent could tell you how their child has improved through the STRIDE programs. And for some parents it has been their own educational experience. Seeing their child blossom in unforeseen areas. Realizing that you can encourage and challenge your kid in amazing ways. Letting go to give them independence! The only down side to STRIDE has been finding room for all the trophies the athletes bring home! : )
What STRIDE means to me: Friendships made, Fun times, A sense of normalcy, Opportunities given, Compassion, Respite, Challenges, Educational, Desperately needed, Can never repay!
Kathi Jonas, Parent
Larry,
Thank you so much for forwarding the great photos. I have never seen
such joy on Sean's face as you bring out in your ski lessons. Thank
you.
Bob Welsh (Grandfather)
Our son Zach has recently begun adaptive skiing at Jiminy with the STRIDE program and is very excited about the program and the possibility of skiing downhill unaided. Last week Jim (Morris?) tried the outriggers for him and he is feeling much more comfortable with the extra stability.
Thanks to all those involved at STRIDE for your special work. It certainly makes a difference in peoples' lives. We look forward to having Zach continue to participate in the program and see him grow in many ways.
Thanks again.
Rich and Karen Rowe
Dalton, MA
DEAR STRIDE:
I just wanted to let you all know how much the programs at STRIDE have affected my son's
life. Last summer, Matthew tried to play ping-pong and had no ability to hit the ball.
Although we haven't played since, we were at a ping pong table the other day and he was
hitting the ball over the net consistently. I attribute this to the fact that his
coordination has improved as a result of all the sports he has been doing through STRIDE
and just as importantly, his confidence in his ability to do things has soared. He is
looking forward to the fall and winter season. Thank you and all the wonderful volunteers
for the work that you do. It has had tremendous impact on all our lives.
Sincerely,
Deborah Kaback Korn
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