by mmcnett | Nov 7, 2015 | Ability Connection, News, News
A little change can make a lot of sense.
Updated September 4, 2015
If you walk into any Circle K or Shell gas station in Colorado you will notice a donation canister on the counter benefiting the programs and services of Ability Connection Colorado (ACCO). Thanks to Circle K and Shell customers like you,
invaluable funds have been donated. (more…)
by mmcnett | Nov 3, 2015 | Ability Connection, News, News
ACCO’s well attended Annual Meeting was held on March 13, 2015. Employees and guests gathered together to review the impacts and outcomes of fiscal year 2013-2014 and to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of coworkers, community agencies and partners through a special annual awards presentation. Additionally, Rick Allsbrook, Market Manager for Circle K Stores, (more…)
by mmcnett | Nov 3, 2015 | Ability Connection, News, News
Creative Options Center for Early Education was selected through a winning essay to receive playground equipment and curricula valued at $16,000 from Big Toys – aPlayCore Company. We submitted a brief essay on behalf of Creative Options on the importance of outdoor play for our children which was selected from over 200 entrants. The essays were reviewed by a panel of early childhood experts based on how the entrants (early childhood centers/organizations) planned on implementing new equipment and curricula to benefit their early childhood program. Creative Options will receive five Investigation Stations and a customized sign for our outdoor play environment, a full InvestiGator Club Inquiry-Based Learning System, and the new Outdoor Creative Plan and Learning Curriculum with standards-based playground activities. President/CEO, Judy Ham, states “We are so thrilled that our early childhood centers have been selected to receive this fantastic plan equipment and curricula. We know that social/emotional development of children is paramount – and so much of that happens through their play.” We hope to use the equipment at Creative Options Five. Special thanks to BigToys, InvestiGator Club and PlayCore for making all of this possible.
by mmcnett | Nov 3, 2015 | Ability Connection, News, News
21st Annual Great Balls of Fire 9-Ball Billiards Challenge a Big Success!
Held in February 7, 2015, at the Wynkoop Brewery, last year’s 21st installment of the annual 9-ball tournament was hosted by the Colorado Professional Firefighters, Denver Firefighters Local 858 and other local area firefighters and helped raise $90,000 for children with developmental needs through the Kyle E. fisher Memorial Fund at Ability Connection Colorado. Parents, Brian & Kelli Fisher, set up the memorial fund in honor of their son, Kyle, who was born with Cerebral Palsy. Proceeds from this uplifting event help ACCO provide scholarships for therapy and early education for children who otherwise would not receive these services. It is a fitting tribute and meaningful way to share with others the spirit, courage and inspirational joy for life and learning that Kyle embraced so strongly.
Presenting sponsor, Circle K, along with 35 other sponsors provided players for the event which made up most of the 60 teams that participated. In addition to billiards play, the event also featured a silent auction, local area sports celebrities and even a couple of Bronco cheerleaders. Ability Connection Colorado would like to extend our thanks to all of the sponsors, contributors, volunteers and players who participated and made the event such a big success.
To view pictures from the event, please visit our gallery page.
by mmcnett | Oct 19, 2015 | Ability Connection, News, News
Originally published in the Summit Daily
Every year, Ned Archibald is given a blank check for one Summit County event.
It’s no wonder the Keystone Resort executive pastry chef’s desserts usually steal the show at the annual Wine in the Pines fundraiser, which will celebrate its 32nd year this Saturday, Oct. 24.
Hundreds of guests will be treated to an extravagant sensory experience as their eyes are drawn to sparkling evening gowns, their ears to an a cappella music group, their mouths to samples of wine and high-end foods and their noses to the centerpiece chocolate fountain.
“I call it the adult prom, Summit County adult prom,” founder and organizer Mike Smith said.
Plus, attendees can take pleasure in knowing their money is going to a good cause.
The event has always supported the Denver-based nonprofit Ability Connection Colorado, which will turn 70 next year. This year’s event proceeds will again go toward the organization’s employment programs.
The nonprofit’s Kelly Smith Employment Center is named for the youngest child of Wine in the Pines founders, Mike and Margaret Smith. The couple created the fundraiser in honor of Kelly, who was born with cerebral palsy, which affects muscle functions among other complications.
Mike Smith said the event has raised about $3 million over the decades through ticket sales and live and silent auctions. Organizers expect this year’s gala to net $100,000 or more for the nonprofit’s efforts.
WHAT’S NEW
This year, the Denver-based Auction Divas will be conducting the live auction, Smith said, which will include a hybrid electric vehicle.
Hudson Auto Source in Silverthorne donated a new 2014 Cadillac hybrid worth about $80,000, and FD Taylor Electric donated a garage conversion for the buyer to be able to plug in the electric vehicle at home.
Other standout auction items beyond the typical packages from local businesses include a trip for 10 people to Tuscany, a family vacation to Maui, an autographed Peyton Manning jersey, limited edition New Belgium Fat Tire bicycle and a couple dozen bottles of wine selected and signed by local celebrities.
This year’s theme is an All Star Celebration, and the event will feature the musical talents of the Denver-based 17th Avenue Allstars, the Allstars Dance Band and jazz singer Tina Naylor.
Kelly Smith, now 44, will be in attendance.
Her parents, longtime Dillon residents, started the event in the early 1980s when she was a child as a way to get involved and give back.
“We wanted to do something special with her and for her,” Mike Smith said.
PREPARE YOUR PALATE
Besides raising funds for Ability Connection Colorado, the family also wanted to promote wine in Summit County. The Smiths own Dillon Ridge Liquors, and Kelly’s older siblings are both in the wine business.
Mike Smith said he is working with almost every distributor in Colorado to provide 500 to 600 wines from around the world. Attendees also can choose from various liquors and beers from local breweries.
For food, guests will sample the finest dishes produced by the top-rated restaurants in Keystone.
“The chefs at Keystone, they try to outdo each other every year,” he said, “and then, to top it off, there’s Ned.”
Archibald said he and his seven-person staff are preparing 17 desserts including white chocolate hazelnut tartuffi, honey almond florentines and s’mores truffles. The team will spend nearly 600 hours creating the desserts and the event’s solid chocolate decorations.
Next to the chocolate fountain, he will place typical dipping items as well as three types of bacon: spicy sriracha red chili, a maple brown sugar ginger and apple wood smoked.
“Bacon is so flipping good on its own,” he said about giving in to the bacon-dessert craze a couple years ago. But, at a recent Vail Resorts company event, “everybody’s plate had chocolate with bacon on it, everybody’s!”
For more information, visit wineinthepines.org.
Written by: Alli Langley alangley@summitdaily.com
by mmcnett | Mar 20, 2015 | Infantile Scoliosis, Testimonials
Hello Heather,
I cannot thank you enough, from the bottom of my heart, for how grateful we are.
You are a special person and to get such precise information to us so quick and feeling poorly.
We have a fight on our hands but will will fight and get the best treatment for _____.
Its people like you that make this world a great place to live in.
I will keep you updated and once this has been sorted I will be looking at some point in the future to
highlight infant scoliosis in the UK. Im not sure how but have a group of parents who are up for a bit
of positive media coverage also.
If you are ever in the UK you are welcome in our home.
Love to you and Liv x
by mmcnett | Dec 5, 2014 | Infantile Scoliosis, Infantile Scoliosis Blog, Life with Mehta Casts, Our Stories, Progressive Infantile Scoliosis (PIS),
Ryan, our wonderful surprise baby, was born just 11 months after his bother. I had no complications during my pregnancy and Ryan was born to term. Ryan was always laid back and happy. Other than some reflux, he was very healthy. We did notice some differences between Ryan and his older brother. Ryan learned to sit up later than his brother and when he did, he had bad posture. He slouched, and he would plop down and lean back on his little Mickey Sofa. Sometimes he would just stop playing suddenly and lay down. I used to joke and say he was being lazy. Shortly after his 1st Birthday, I noticed the ribs on the right side of his back were sticking out. It looked like he had more muscle on that side of his back. I showed my husband and we both knew something was wrong.I got him in to see his pediatrician’s associate. He didn’t seem too concerned, but after I mentioned that Ryan’s older sister had to have surgery for her severe scoliosis at age 12, he told us to have x-rays taken. My husband took him to get his x-rays the next day at a local lab. My husband said that when they took the x-rays, Ryan was laying down; my husband held Ryan’s legs straight, while the tech pulled his arms above his head. This first x-Ray, measured Ryan’s curve at 17 degrees. That night my husband showed me the x-ray and told me that it Ryan has what’s called Infantile or Early Onset Scoliosis. I immediately started searching the internet for information. Luckily, I came across the Infantile Scoliosis Outreach program. I read all about Mehta casting and saw the success stories. I joined the Early Onset & Mehta Casting Facebook group and read through every post I could. All of the parents were so helpful. I learned that Ryan’s curve would be worse than 17 degrees since he was lying down and pulled straight for the first x-ray. I learned that he needed a Mehta as soon as possible. He was already 13 months and the best window of time to cast is between 1 and 2 years old. I had also read that parents in our area were taking their children to the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas. By the next morning, I was on the phone with Heather Hyatt Montoya. She confirmed that Ryan needed to go to the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital soon. Our pediatrician referred us to the hospital but we were told we would need to wait for 3 months until out initial appointment. With Heather’s guidance, I put together a packet and sent it to the hospital. I was thrilled when we got a call within the week and got an appointment the next month.
At Ryan’s first appointment, proper standing x-rays were taken. The standing x-ray revealed Ryan’s curve was actually 34 degrees and his RVAD was measured at 29. An RVAD over 20 generally means it will progress. We set up a casting date for October 24, 2013. I was nervous for the first casting but I knew my little guys needed this treatment. The best news was hearing that the doctor was able to get great Ryan’s curve down to 11 degrees in cast number 1. Eight months later and Ryan is now in cast #4. His curve is measuring at 8 degrees in cast. He will get his last cast on July 11, 2014.
Ryan is thriving in his cast. He can do everything another toddler his age can do except get wet. He loves playing with his brother, jumping on his trampoline, and going on walks. He is happy, healthy and his spine is growing straight. We are so blessed to have found Heather and ISOP when we did. We are sharing Ryan’s story to show that Mehta’s EDF casting works! There are still so many pediatricians who don’t screen for infantile scoliosis and so many specialists that don’t recommend casting. I have heard from countless families who were told to “wait and see” which lead to these children missing their window for early treatment. Mehta Casting should be the first option for children like Ryan.
For all the latest news and happenings at Ability Connection Colorado, please check out our all new Fall 2015 Newsletter. (more…)
Originally published in 
