I went to Knox Middle School......

Hi everyone, it's Michael here.  Welcome back to my blog.  On Friday I got to go with Mrs. Jane to Knox Middle School.  She was going to give presentations on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome to some of the students there.

I want to thank everyone at Knox Middle School for inviting Mrs. Jane, and thanks to Mrs. Jane for taking me.  I learned a lot about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS for short).

Here's Coach Pauley holding me and one of the demonstration babies Mrs. Jane used for her presentation.  Coach is a great guy, and fun to hang out with, but I know he understands the importance in learning about things like FAS.

Here I am sitting in class watching Mrs. Jane.  She did three different classes today.
  

Here I am sitting with a bottle of Vodka.  Mrs. Jane uses this in the FAS presentation, not to drink!!  


Mrs. Jane told us all about FAS and it's effects on unborn children.  It is sad, because this is something that can be completely prevented.  Mr. Rob said if you wanted to know lots more about FAS or FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) to check out the downloads page on the Arc of Rowan's website.  


Thanks for checking in today, and I'll be posting more later.  
--Michael

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

(Note:  FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) is an umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects can include physical, behavioral, mental and/ or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications. It is identified by abnormal facial features, central nervous system problems and slowness of growth, and occurs when pregnant women drink alcohol and pass the alcohol along to their unborn babies through the blood stream. FASD can cause physical and mental disabilities of varying levels of severity (including intellectual disability). It is often a hidden disability that is not easily recognizable, making it difficult to provide affected individuals and their families the supports they desperately need.

FASD covers other terms such as: FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome), ARND (Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder), ARBD (Alcohol-Related Birth Defects) and FAE (Fetal Alcohol Effects). FAS is the most identifiable and serious disability under the FASD umbrella, although it only accounts for approximately 25% of all alcohol-related effects. FAE is a term often used to describe someone whose condition does not meet the full criteria for an FAS diagnosis.

The prevalence of FASD is not known. CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention) studies have documented FASD prevalence rates ranging from 2 to 15 cases per 10,000 live births. Other prenatal alcohol-related conditions are believed to occur approximately 3 times as often as FASD.)

Children with FASD can have serious lifelong disabilities other than intellectual disabilities, such as learning disabilities and serious behavioral problems. The good news is FASD is not hereditary and only occurs if a woman drinks alcohol during her pregnancy. In other words, FASD is 100% preventable.

For more information or to schedule a presentation for your class, group, or organization.  Contact The Arc of Rowan's offices @ 704 637-1521 or find us on the web at www.thearcofrowan.org  


Thanks -- Mr. Rob.

Spread the Word to End The Word.......

Hi there everyone.  It's Michael here.  I'm sorry I haven't been posting very much, but Mr. Rob has kept me busy the last couple of months making sure I keep up with my school work.  Major UGH!  


Anyway the last few days I've gotten to go with Mrs. Jane to Knox Middle School for some Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Presentations, and to a meeting with the Rowan Brain Injury Support Group.  I will tell you more about those events in the next couple of days.  I just wanted to explain the new blog look that Mr. Rob helped me with.  


On March 7, 2012, there will be events all over the United States, even here in Rowan County, North Carolina raising awareness about the movement to end using the r-word.  I will tell you more in the next few days.  Be sure to check out Spread the Word to End the Word and read all about it!

Here I am modeling a t-shirt that was presented to Mrs. Jane by the Adult Compensatory Class at RCCC.  


Thanks for checking in today and I will be posting some fun things over the next few days.   --Michael

Another Meeting......

Hi there everyone, it's Michael here.  I hope you have been having a good week.  Last night Mr. Rob took me to a big meeting.  We all got to sit in big comfortable chairs, around some really big tables.  We ate supper, and then all the talking started.  You know, adults sure do talk a lot especially when you feed them first!

Here is a picture of some of the adults eating supper. They didn't  have any cookies for me.  You know how much I love cookies.

I got to sit between Dr. Lyn and Mr. Rob.  They sure did a lot of talking about bylaws (what in the world is a bylaw?), lots and lots of numbers, and just about everything else.  Mr. Rob told me this was the Strategic Planning Meeting for The Arc of Rowan County.  It was where the board members get together to look at the past year, and plan the up-coming year.  

Here is a picture from the back of the room, so you can see how big it is and  how many people where there. Well everyone have a good week and we'll post more later. --Michael

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Mr. Rob here -- The annual Strategic Planning Meeting of The Arc of Rowan County is indeed an important meeting.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved for their support and dedication, and look forward to yet another banner year for our agency.  Look for us on the web at:        www.thearcofrowan.org

Thanks, 

Mr. Rob

Christmas Lights at Charlotte Motor Speedway

Hey there everyone, it's Michael.  I hope everyone had a great Holiday.  I know I sure had fun.  If you remember, I went with the Rowan Brain Injury Support Group to look at Christmas Lights at Charlotte Motor Speedway.  Well the pictures Mrs. Jane took did not do so good.  But Ms. Nadine sent some pictures that did much better, so I asked Mr. Rob to post a few here for you.

Here is a picture of me with the group who when to see the lights. They are a fun group.  Also, there are pictures of the tree they decorated at the Festival of Trees at the speedway.  That was fun too!!  Below are some more pictures.

Many thanks to Ms. Nadine for the pictures.  

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Mr. Rob here with some information about the Rowan Brain Injury Support Group.

They meet the fourth Thursday of each month.   If the meeting is near a holiday, then the group meets a week earlier.   

                                   Location:  Easter Seals Offices, 620 W. Innes St. Salisbury, NC

                                   Contact:  Nadine Cherry, 680-622-7732  email:  NCherry@ctc.net

                                   Mailing Address:  410 W. Garden Street, Landis, NC  28088

Here is the web address for the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina:  www.bianc.net  

Thanks!

Mr. Rob

Fun with the Summit Civitans.......

Hey there everyone, it's Michael here.  I hope everyone has been enjoying their Holiday this week.  As I posted before I have been hanging out with Mrs. Jane the last couple of weeks.  Last week I got to go the a meeting of the Summit Civitan Club of Salisbury.  It was lots of fun.  Mrs. Jane sent Mr. Rob some pictures and I finally got him to post them for me.  (He does all the computer stuff that's fun, I just get to use the computer for homework...ugh!)

In the pictures above, I am beside the Summit Civitan Club banners.  They were neat to look at.  But then, I got to help bring the meeting to order.......



Look at the neat little hammer.  I learned it is called a "gavel" and  you get to bang the bell with it to bring the meeting to order.  I wanted to play with the gavel some, but those ladies wouldn't let me for some reason.            

Soon it was time to eat.  I got a plate full of yummy Spaghetti.  It was good, but the best part was to come.  It was you guessed.....cookies!!!   YAY!!!!.................

........................................I love cookies.  And while I got to eat some, I didn't get to take the whole plate home.  I had to share them with all the Civitan members that were there.  But I did have a really good time. 

I also got to go see the lights at Charlotte Motor Speedway, but Mr. Rob said the pictures Mrs. Jane took didn't come out at all.  I went with the Brain Injury Support Group, and got to ride in the van.  I was raining really hard that night, and I got wet.  UGH!  I still had a great time though.  I'll be posting more later so be sure to check back.  -- Micheal--

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Mr. Rob here -- To learn more about the Summit Civitan Club and the work they do, you can contact Jane Jackman at The Arc of Rowan County's offices.  Use the following link to go to their website for contact information:  http://www.thearcofrowan.org/

Thanks, Mr. Rob



Holiday Wishes........

Hey there everyone, Michael here.  I've just got to tell you that Mr. Rob and Mrs. Trisha came home from work yesterday and said it was the first day of the holiday break for them.  I don't think I've ever seen adults that happy about anything.  It was kinda funny.  I just wanted to make a short post this morning to wish everyone a very Happy Holiday season, and to thank everyone who takes time from their busy day to read my blog. 

Mr. Rob wanted me to make sure to tell everyone to be safe if you are travelling during the Holidays.  He really wanted me to make sure I told you to be sure NOT to text and drive.  He found this cartoon online that shows even Santa can't text and drive.  I will be posting more next week.  So everyone take care, have fun, and stay safe.  --Michael--

  +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Mr. Rob here -- On behalf of the Board of Directors and Staff of The Arc of Rowan County, I want to wish everyone a very Happy Holiday.  Please stay safe. 

Be sure to check out our Agency's website at:  http://www.thearcofrowan.org/ 

Another Christmas Party.....

Hey everyone it's Michael here. 

This week I got to go with Mrs. Jane to a Christmas party with some of her friends who are members of The Rowan County Brain Injury Support Group.  It was a blast! Below are some pictures.  Mr. Rob will tell you more about this great group of people and what they do below.

One of the first things I noticed when I got there was the yummy goodies.  I couldn't wait to get me some cookies.  You know how much I love cookies.

Well I did find me some cookies.  I found a whole pack of Chocolate Chip cookies that I thought could just be all mine!!  Well, I was told I had to share them.  Now for those of you who do not know what share means, it means you have to give away your Chocolate Chip cookies and be happy about it!!

At least there were some fun games to play. 

We all played a game call "Dirty Santa."  I am not exactly sure what the rules were, but it was fun.  I got to check out the presents and even open one!

There was lots of food, presents, and fun at this party.  I sure did enjoy myself, and I was sure to tell the great people there a "Thank-you" for inviting me.  If fact, The Rowan Brain Injury Support Group has invited me to go in the van to see Christmas Lights.  I am so excited!  I will be sure to post and tell everyone all about it.  Have a great week! 

---Michael---

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Mr. Rob here with some information about the Rowan County Brain Injury Support Group.  They meet the fourth Thursday of each month.  If the meeting date is near a holiday, the group meets a week earlier.

                        Location:  Easter Seal Office, 620 W. Innes St., Salisbury, NC. 

                       Contact:  Nadine Cherry, 680-622-7732, email: NCherry@ctc.net

                       Mailing address:  410 W. Garden Street, Landis, NC  28088

Here is the web address for the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina: www.bianc.net

Thanks!

Mr. Rob