Adult Recreation & Social Activities
What does Slider, Miss Ohio, Tuffy, and American Idol all have in common? Good chance most readers will struggle with this question unless they are involved in the many ways that recreational and social activities are provided for those adults with disabilities in Ashland County.
In the age of infinite ways to be entertained and renewed it is very easy for most to take for granted the simplest recreational, fun events. Cleveland Indian baseball has recently been truly painful for Tribe fans, but what if all that mattered was being at a major league game and entertained by Slider? The experience, the memory, the environment, the essence of the game truly bringing happiness to individuals is what matters.
Joanne Weber is Ashland County Board of Developmental Disabilities Events Coordinator, a position she has held for the past three years. In that time social and recreational activities for adults with disabilities have nearly tripled. This has been possible due to Joanne's leadership and vision coupled with compassionate support from county residents, businesses, and organizations.
A major activity is planned on nearly a monthly basis with a focus on the traditional themes or holidays of that period. One of the most popular events is the annual Valentine's Day Dance at the Country Club of Ashland where in 2007 former Miss Ohio Melanie Murphy and then Commissioner and now Congressional candidate Matt Miller served as guest celebrities, and the rest is history. After the dance one mother stated, "I never thought my daughter would have something like this happen to her, to have this opportunity, to have this special night."
Halloween, St. Patrick's Day, Cinco De Mayo, Super Bowl, and Christmas parties occur as the day arrives. Through the year, the clients brush up on their singing and performance skills in preparation for April's American Idol competition. Local guests serve as judges and prizes are donated from county businesses. September is highly anticipated due to the annual trips to the Indian's and Ashland University football game. Slider and AU mascot, Tuffy, make the time memorable by visiting the individuals and distributing gifts, souvenirs, and food. The generosity of county residents was warmly demonstrated just last month, when the adults stopped at Pizza Hut after the AU game. A local individual was driving by and noticed the Dale Roy bus. This caring person stopped and paid for desserts for the entire group which supplemented the food already donated by Pizza Hut.
The wide range of opportunities does not simply materialize. Weber said, "The success of this has been due to the incredible support for all the activities. When I have asked for donations and support, only one time have I been denied, and that was because the business was struggling." For the individuals who do not live with their parents, the residential facilities cooperate by providing needed transportation.
The story gets even better when you know that it is not all about receiving. As part of the special events program, the clients are asked to give back to the community that is so supportive of them. Each month adult clients volunteer at the Kroc Center to help serve food to the hungry. They also will be assisting with the Salvation Army's kettle donations.
So this finishes another chapter of the "Dale Roy Story", and demonstrates the compassion, respect, and support for those with disabilities in Ashland County-now that is something all Americans can idolize.