February 22, 2008
This is the weekly e-mail newsletter from the Lucas County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.
Genetic defect appears to cause mental retardation
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1. Legislators invited to March Board of MR/DD meeting
Our state legislators are being invited to attend the March Board meeting, March 17. The event will be part of our commemoration of MR/DD Awareness Month. Prior to the Board meeting, legislators will be taken on a tour of Educare followed by a visit to the Hill Avenue facility. The Board meeting will begin at 5:30 at Hill. Plans for this special event are still being developed. Circle the date and join the Board for its March meeting. Remember, the location for the meeting has changed to Lott Industries on Hill.
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2. Special Olympics and Recreation brochures posted online
The new spring Special Olympics and Recreation brochures are now posted on the Board's website www.lucasmrdd.com. There is also information about the YMCA scholarship program.
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3. Lott Industries collecting old phone books
Lott Industries is collecting old telephone books. Lott sells shredded and baled paper to paper mills that use the material to produce toilet paper, paper towels, and other consumer goods. Phone books can be dropped off at any Board of MR/DD facility. By collecting and processing phone books we'll not only be helping to supply Lott employees with meaningful work opportunities but we'll also be doing something good for the earth by recycling and helping to reduce landfill waste.
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4. Genetic defect appears to cause mental retardation
Scientists in the United States have identified a genetic defect that appears to cause mental retardation and epilepsy as well as malformations of the face and hands, according to a study. The still unnamed syndrome, linked to a tiny segment of missing DNA code, accounts for one out of 330 cases of retardation of unknown origin and may affect one person out of 40 000 in the general population, said the study. The newly-identified condition occurs with the same frequency as three other syndromes related to mental retardation: Williams, Angelman and Prader-Willi.
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5. Special Olympics Spring 2008 sports
Information about upcoming Spring Special Olympics has been mailed to all who have a current medical form with our office. Attached is the brochure of Spring 2008 sports. In order to train and compete, Special Olympic athletes must have a completed Special Olympic medical form in our office. A blank medical form and an updated Fact Sheet is available on the intraweb, under the community inclusion link.
6. Free TARPS on Election Day
To encourage voters to go the the polls on March 4, TARTA will provide free service on its regular bus routes, Call-a-Ride, and TARPS. TARTA says it's a test, and, if successful, may be repeated at the November Presidential Election.
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7. Legislation improves access for Ohio Hunters with disabilities
The Ohio House Finance Committee has unanimously approved a proposal sponsored by State Representative Peter Ujvagi of Toledo to give hunters with disabilities greater access to state land. Ujvagi’s proposal creates access lanes on various lands owned by the Division of Wildlife so that individuals with mobility-impairments may shoot game from an electric-powered, all-purpose vehicle or a stationary road vehicle. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources backs Rep. Ujvagi’s proposal.
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8. Upcoming Events
The fourth annual TPS district-wide bake sale to benefit Special Olympics will be March 4 during regular lunch periods. All proceeds go to TPS Special Olympic Athletes. Sponsored by Toledo Public Schools Parent Congress.
The Ohio Statehouse Atrium will host the annual kickoff celebration of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (MRDD) Awareness Month on March 6 from 10 a.m. – noon. “When Doors Open, We Succeed,” the statewide theme for this year’s MRDD Awareness Month activities, encourages people to welcome individuals with disabilities as equal partners in their communities. The celebration of MRDD Awareness Month offers a statewide opportunity to encourage people to gain a better understanding of the nearly 80,000 individuals who are served in Ohio.
March 8 the Accessible Expressions Ohio art exhibit will be open at Toledo Botanical Garden. Opening ceremonies are 1:00 to 3:00. All of the artwork in the exhibition is created by artists with disabilities. The Lucas County Board of MR/DD is a sponsor. The opening reception is free and open to the public. RSVP to 614-241-5325 or by e-mail to info@vsao.org
A wheelchair curling clinic will be held March 8. Read the attached flyer.
A Round & Square Dance featuring live music by “Five O’Clock Rush” will be Saturday, March 8, from 7 to 11 p.m., at Hope United Methodist Church, on State Route 64, next to the Fire Station in Whitehouse. Tickets are available at the door: $7.50 for Adults and $4.00 for Children. All the proceeds benefit Sunshine Foundation, Inc. to help children and young people with developmental disabilities. For more information, please call Lindsay Graham at 419-392-6868.
The People First of Ohio Conference, March 14 – 16, will be held at the Robert's Convention Centre in Wilmington, Ohio, celebrating the theme, "Advocacy Under The Big Top." People First of Ohio spokesperson, Sadie Hunter, notes, “Our conference chairperson, and our working committees are people with disabilities who plan and make this conference come to life! Advocates will learn about issues that are so important for them to continue to advocate for themselves and others across Ohio. But this conference is not just for self-advocates, it is for everyone.” Registration is $190 for the conference, and includes all meals. Rooms are $100.00 per night, and accommodate up to four persons each. “Advocacy Under the Big Top” begins at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, March 14, and ends March 16 at 3:00 p.m. Contact Sadie Hunter at shunter@columbusrr.com for more information, or obtain a registration form by calling 1-740-397-6100 fax 740-397-6118.
The fifth multi-disciplinary conference, Gateways V ─ Make it Happen will be May 5 & 6 in Columbus. See the attached flyer.
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