RISE Advocacy had a very busy June!

RISE Advocacy spoke with DARS, North Dallas Rotary Club, TOTA, Therapy 2000, Baylor SCI, and REACH last month. This month’s presentation is for the Veteran’s Administration, if you would like a speaker to attend your function to advocate for disabilities and RISE Programs contact Stephanie Bowerman at sbowerman@riseadventures.org.

Letter from Advocacy Director

Wow! I have to say that my first month with RISE Adventures has been a busy one. There are so many great things going on now and in the months ahead. I want to give you the opportunity to email me if you have any suggestions on certain groups you would like for me to go meet with on your behalf. My email is wholt@riseadventures.org and/or feel free to call me at 972-672-3327

I’d like to go over some of the groups of people that have been a partner in our Success. 1st, as you all know Rugby has been a great program with a lot of participation. With that said, we have had some of the Rugby chairs acquire cracks from all the head on collisions. Our great friends at Iron Workers # 263 in Arlington took a Saturday to weld them back together. I would say with chairs costing around $5,000.00 a piece, we really do appreciate Julio Gonzalez and the volunteers at Iron Workers #263. Along with our newly maintained Rugby chairs we have 3 brand new ones for you all to check out. 2nd, I want you to know that with all our new equipment, trailer and vehicles they require lots of attention, organization and maintenance. That is all done from our wonderful friend we call Peanut. Why he goes by Peanut, I don’t know, but he is always Happy to keep our stuff in great shape.

This past month I have had the opportunity to go out and speak in your behalf at AIM (Amputees In Motion). This is a support group for new amputees as well as old pros. Their goal is to inspire, motivate and encourage. They help find resources in their community in Decatur, providing activities with help of trained professionals and simple fellowship. I want to thank Juanita Albino for the opportunity to speak about the great things going on at RISE Adventures.

I had the great opportunity to visit the quarterly meeting with DART Paratransit and John Killian regarding disability transportation at Bachman Lake Recreation Center. We will be looking into opportunities for transportation to our events in the future. Their buses and vans accommodate wheelchair access in the Dallas area.

I have found another great support group that meets monthly at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital called PALS (Prosthetic and Limb Deficient Support Group for Children). I met with Gary Pickle our Golf Program Director. We had the pleasure to see Drew Combs speak. Drew Combs is a below elbow congenital amputee and a kicker for the TCU football team. Drew was also the recipient of the RUDY Award this year. He certainly inspired me in that you can be anything you want to be if your heart is in it. For those of you that are interested in the monthly meetings please email us and we will get you that info as well as any other support group mentioned.

I would have to say that my month was very exciting and I could go on and on. These are a lists on groups I met with; Texas Scottish Rite Hospital, Texas Lions Camp, Candlelight Ranch, North Texas Kids, VA Hospital and City of Irving Parks & Recreation Dept.

I also want to take a moment to thank our sponsors (C & R Medical and Lift-Aids). Without these wonderful people Team RISE would not be able to provide the numerous FREE programs for you and the disability community.

Well, until next month, I will have to say you need to get your rest for we have lots of events coming up in the month of March and April. I and RISE Adventures want to help you to live a better and Adventurous life.

Go Team RISE!

RISE Appoints new Advocacy Director, Wayne Holt

Wayne Holt has been hired as the new RISE Advocacy Director. Wayne has been on the RISE Board of Directors since inception and wanted to be more involved as a full time employee to give back as a life long dream. Wayne is involved in fundraising, corporate functions, speaking engagements, and becoming more involved with the North Texas hospitals and therapeutic centers. RISE is proud to have someone of Wayne’s stature aboard! Wayne can be reached @ wholt@riseadventures.org or 972.672.3327.