The New Horizons News
Volume 7, Issue 2, February, 2012
Telling Your Story
Everyone has a story – you, me, your neighbor. Not all stories are dramatic. Some are boring but that’s rare. The best love story I ever heard was between my cousin and his wife.
The most dramatic stories are the ones I’ve heard or read are from you; the people connected with the HASCI Center, either through services or the support groups.
I ask you to tell your story because it helps to fill in the gaps for people (legislators, in this case) who get wrapped up in the latest Medicaid fraud case, or the fact that the budget is busted, or that they knew someone who got paid under the table but still collected SSI. Our legislators forget the vast majority of people using “entitlement” programs are using them out of necessity and not by choice.
Your story is a reminder that there is more to the story – there are real people needing real assistance who cannot survive without it.
Tell your story. Keep it simple, if you can. If you need help writing your story, call me.
It’s my goal to hand our legislators a booklet
of people to remember when they are considering the numbers.
Canine
Angels, Spaghetti Dinner Benefit
Canine Angels is an organization that trains helper dogs for Disable Veterans. We had the pleasure of meeting some of these magnificent dogs and one of their trainers, Rick Kaplan. Rick brought 8 dogs to the Center. 2 of the helper dogs are his. His dogs are trained specifically to let him know if he is going to have a seizure (due to a brain injury). They go everywhere with Rick. The other 6 doggies are being trained for disabled vets free of charge.
Dirty Dick’s Restaurant is hosting a spaghetti dinner to benefit the Canine Angels on Saturday, February 25th from 5-8 p.m. All proceeds will go to the Canine Angels Dogs for Disabled Veterans. There will be a 50/50 drawing and other raffles. The cost is a $10 donation.
In order to get your ticket, please contact Kathy at (843) 399-2939. (Ms. Kathy is also our wonderful craft instructor. She is also the one who introduced us to Canine Angels.) No tickets will be sold at the door.
If you would like to meet Rick and his fabulous crew of helper dogs, he will be at the New Horizons Center on February 15th around 1PM. You will not believe how well behaved these doggies are.
What a wonderful way to help a veteran who has given so much to our country.
DISABILITY
ADVOCACY DAY
March 7th, 2012
Disability Advocacy Day or DAD is Wednesday, March 7th in Columbia at the State House. It is a busy, wonderful day. And, I hope you will join us this year!
This is your opportunity to talk directly to your State Representative or Senator. Last year we spoke to all but one of them. What a powerful message that sends to the politicians at the State. They are accessible. What an empowering process. They will listen.
Our Representatives and Senators can only know “what the people want” if the people actually speak to them. Are you worried about services, Medicaid, Medicare? Are you concerned about taxes, food stamps, new roads? Is the sidewalk in front of your house in need of repair? You may not always get the answer you want. But, you’ll be surprised by the amount of information our legislators can give you on local, State and Federal issues.
If you would like to attend DAD this year, please call Ellen at 843-349-7250 or e-mail at leftwich@sccoast.net. You can ride with us in the bus or you can follow in your own vehicle. We will leave from the New Horizons Center at 7AM sharp.
National Federation of the Blind, Conway Chapter
Led by LeVern Wilson, the NFB Conway Chapter will be meeting at the
New Horizons Friday of every month (with a few exceptions) from 7pm
to 9pm in the main conference room.
January meeting: Friday, January 27, 2012
Mr. Wilson says this group is for those with no vision or low
vision.
If you know someone who is visually impaired, please tell them about
this group. Family, assistants, friends are welcome to the meetings.
Horry County Disabilities and
Special Needs
Horry County Disabilities and Special Needs coordinates services for
individuals with intellectual or related disabilities, autism, or
who have
experienced a brain or spinal cord injury.
Horry County Disabilities and Special Needs is a
state-supported agency that is governed by a local DSN Board.
Additional community support is provided by local government, the
United Way, private contributions, and the Waccamaw Regional
Foundation for Disabilities and Special Needs.
Contact Information
Mailing address: 250 Victory Lane
Conway, SC 29526
Phone: (843) 347-3010
FAX: (843) 347-7308
Email: dsn@sccoast.net
