Your donations are appreciated to Break Through Inc.
Dear Friends,
It is time again for our 10/10 Team letter to invite you give your monetary “gifts” to help support Break Through Inc. and its mission. Here is what Break Through has been doing for the past several months.
It has been an interesting summer and fall as I (Ben) received an email one day inviting me to come down to San Antonio Texas to a Gala at “Morgan’s Wonderland”. I was one of five people to be honored for my work for the last 35 years. I should have not been surprised to realize that my wife (a few months before hand) had put in my name to be honored. So on the 18th of September we were at this event in San Antonio. What an honor it was to be involved with the first and only “accessible family park” for people with disabilities. I am very much honored to have my name involved with that park.
Here is the link to Morgan’s Wonderland.--- www.morganswonderland.com/
Dee and I traveled to Minot, ND as I was the “kick-off” speaker for Disability Awareness month at Minot State University. Minot State is one of the two universities that is using my book in the special education department classes. On that same trip I also had the honor to speak to 7th -12th grade students at my hometown high school in Kenmare, ND. Dee and I were also able to visit family and friends in North Dakota.
We also traveled to Illinois in October to a Transition Conference in Effingham where we had a booth. There we visited with a lot of people about coming back to speak at various venues in Illinois. It was one of the better conferences in terms of Transition and Inclusion.
One of the most fascinating things we have done this year is doing an in-service staff training at a company in Algoma, WI. It is a company that makes commercial and home mops. The company’s mission is to hire people with disabilities and help them to succeed and integrate them into the community for a fulfilling life.--- www.missionmop.org/
2011 looks like a very busy year again. We are awaiting some proposal acceptances from education and parent conferences and from schools. We are again asking you to consider a “gift” to the 10/10 team as we close out this 2010 year and proceed into 2011.
Here is a link on our website that gives you the link for online donations through “Guidestar” or our mailing address.
Here is the link for our 10-10 Team
Your donations are truly appreciated and help to educate about people with disabilities.
Have a wonderful Holiday and Christmas Season.
Sincerely,
Ben and Dee Anderson
Break Through Inc
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Using Language that Hurt Other People
The other day I received a request to write a piece on the subject of using the word "mentally retarded" that is being used by students to make fun of other people.
I would like to share with you the open letter that I sent to that individual. Let's remember that words hurt people as we face a big problem in bullying in this country. I have been bullied as a kid and realize that now as an adult I would like to be part of the solution. I hope think about my comments as you read them.
Dear Students,
It came to my attention that students across the country are using the word mentally “retarded”. I would like to plead to you that you quit using the negative word “retarded” as it is a slang word against people that have disabilities. In effect, telling anyone that they are retarded is bullying and not acceptable conduct.
The word describes someone that has a low IQ or does not do things at the same pace as others. A person like me that was born with cerebral palsy finds it a very hurtful word because it wrongly describes people. I believe that all people have gifts and talents in their own way. We all have disabilities even though they might not be visible. You too might have a hidden disability and it would be hurtful to you if someone found it out about you and began using that term of “retarded”.
As of October 5th 2010 our President signed “Rosa’s Law” into effect which requires that all Federal Documents must use the word “intellectual disability” in lieu of “mentally retarded”.
I hope this helps you not to use that negative word. Thank you.
Your friend,
Ben D. Anderson
I would like to share with you the open letter that I sent to that individual. Let's remember that words hurt people as we face a big problem in bullying in this country. I have been bullied as a kid and realize that now as an adult I would like to be part of the solution. I hope think about my comments as you read them.
Dear Students,
It came to my attention that students across the country are using the word mentally “retarded”. I would like to plead to you that you quit using the negative word “retarded” as it is a slang word against people that have disabilities. In effect, telling anyone that they are retarded is bullying and not acceptable conduct.
The word describes someone that has a low IQ or does not do things at the same pace as others. A person like me that was born with cerebral palsy finds it a very hurtful word because it wrongly describes people. I believe that all people have gifts and talents in their own way. We all have disabilities even though they might not be visible. You too might have a hidden disability and it would be hurtful to you if someone found it out about you and began using that term of “retarded”.
As of October 5th 2010 our President signed “Rosa’s Law” into effect which requires that all Federal Documents must use the word “intellectual disability” in lieu of “mentally retarded”.
I hope this helps you not to use that negative word. Thank you.
Your friend,
Ben D. Anderson
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
SURPRISED BY AN EMAIL!
I got up one morning and my wife received an email which she forwarded to me. I was surprised by what it read. I was one of the honorees for the Walk of Fame award in San Antonio, Texas at Morgan's Wonderland and we were invited to come down.
Dee and I took a flight and on the 18th of September 2010 and we attended a Gala called "Free to Soar" . What a wonderful night it was. Not only to receive that award but to see the excitement in the room of 400 people. There were five of us that received this award for their positive involvement with people with disability whether they had a disability or were a friend, parent, teacher or anyone who put a positive influence on that person or gave of themselves to give a positive outlook about people with disabilities.
One nice part of the evening was when everyone stood up to honor Morgan who became 17 years old and got to sing "Happy Birthday" to her. Morgan's Wonderland is named for this lovely young lady. Named by her parents who founded the park which opened in April 2010. It is the first of its kind accessible family park in the world.
After the wonderful dinner Dee and I took a walk in the park to look at the "Walk of Fame" pathway where there was one of the first lighted stepping stones that had all five of the honorees names on it. It changes colors and has a butterfly logo in the middle. So pretty. I can now say that my name is in lights, i.e. "Ben Anderson"
You can go to my website at www.bendanderson.com to see some photos and links.
Dee and I took a flight and on the 18th of September 2010 and we attended a Gala called "Free to Soar" . What a wonderful night it was. Not only to receive that award but to see the excitement in the room of 400 people. There were five of us that received this award for their positive involvement with people with disability whether they had a disability or were a friend, parent, teacher or anyone who put a positive influence on that person or gave of themselves to give a positive outlook about people with disabilities.
One nice part of the evening was when everyone stood up to honor Morgan who became 17 years old and got to sing "Happy Birthday" to her. Morgan's Wonderland is named for this lovely young lady. Named by her parents who founded the park which opened in April 2010. It is the first of its kind accessible family park in the world.
After the wonderful dinner Dee and I took a walk in the park to look at the "Walk of Fame" pathway where there was one of the first lighted stepping stones that had all five of the honorees names on it. It changes colors and has a butterfly logo in the middle. So pretty. I can now say that my name is in lights, i.e. "Ben Anderson"
You can go to my website at www.bendanderson.com to see some photos and links.
Monday, September 13, 2010
On the road again!
5 months ago I told you about a totally accessible park in Texas called "Morgan's Wonderland". This Saturday night ( September 18th 2010) Dee and I will be at the park for a "black tie" banquet. It is called the "Free to Soar" Gala which is a fundraiser for the park and it also will honor five people who have in someway contributed to advocating and supporting people with disabilities. Their names will be put within some lighted walking path stones on the "Walk of Fame" around the park.
Without me knowing about this event my wife Dee submitted my name as a possible honoree because of my over 30 years of advocating and speaking around the country to educators and families in support of people with disabilities. Well. lo and behold. about a week ago Dee received an email from the general manager of the park inviting us to San Antonio to attend this $100. per person Gala.
We will be flying off to San Antonio. I felt very honored to be the first of many that will be named in the coming years on this "Walk of Fame".
If any one is in the area you are invited to attend. You can read about it online at www.morganswonderland.com
We will put up some photos when we get back home.
Without me knowing about this event my wife Dee submitted my name as a possible honoree because of my over 30 years of advocating and speaking around the country to educators and families in support of people with disabilities. Well. lo and behold. about a week ago Dee received an email from the general manager of the park inviting us to San Antonio to attend this $100. per person Gala.
We will be flying off to San Antonio. I felt very honored to be the first of many that will be named in the coming years on this "Walk of Fame".
If any one is in the area you are invited to attend. You can read about it online at www.morganswonderland.com
We will put up some photos when we get back home.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Join the 10/10 Team to support persons with disabilites
This spring Dee and I are looking for a full schedule as we are leaving Wednesday to the Association for Education of Young Children Conference in Indianapolis. From there we will be going to my Rehab Council meeting (meets 4 times a year) which will be held in Oconomowoc. I am also speaking at the SDAEYC conference in Watertown, South Dakota followed by two full days at the ECE conference held at UW-Stout in Menomonie. First week of May I give a keynote presentation at the “Pathfinders of North Dakota” state conference. My sister was one of the parents that started the organization in the 1980’s.
Break Through is a non-profit organization that seeks to educate people about persons with disabilities. We are seeking donations to help to be able to continue to travel and fulfill the educational workshops that we provide. We have made it easier for you to make a donation online by going to this link on our website and belong to our support team called the 10/10 Team
Visit our website at http://www.bendanderson.com/ and click on the 10/10 Team link in the middle of the page.
Please help us in Break Through’s Mission:
"Our mission is one of rehabilitation education and advocacy for and about people with disabilities to encourage and enlighten the public about people with disabilities in that they are people first and have rights and needs and that they also have gifts and talents to bring to the community."
Thank you for any support you can give.
Break Through is a non-profit organization that seeks to educate people about persons with disabilities. We are seeking donations to help to be able to continue to travel and fulfill the educational workshops that we provide. We have made it easier for you to make a donation online by going to this link on our website and belong to our support team called the 10/10 Team
Visit our website at http://www.bendanderson.com/ and click on the 10/10 Team link in the middle of the page.
Please help us in Break Through’s Mission:
"Our mission is one of rehabilitation education and advocacy for and about people with disabilities to encourage and enlighten the public about people with disabilities in that they are people first and have rights and needs and that they also have gifts and talents to bring to the community."
Thank you for any support you can give.
Monday, March 22, 2010
INCLUSION ALSO MEANS HEALTHCARE !
Dee and I got back from Texas the beginning of March after about 4 weeks away from home speaking at differnent conferences. We had a great time. We met a lot of interesting folks fighting for advocacy, inclusion and education for children. "Morgan's Wonderland" ( a family park for inclusion of people with disabilities) was interesting as I wrote in my last Blog entry. Hopefully this will not be the only park of its kind in the USA in the future. So we are getting things done for everyone to go beyond expectations in their life and enjoy life to it's fullest.
Now, last night I had the opportunity to watch the debate on health care and I know this is a very controversial subject but one of the reasons I like this bill is that it will do away "pre-existing conditions". As a disability advocate I have been in many conversations throughout the Country about the lack of understanding in this area. It was about time to "step up to the plate" and get this health care done for millions of people who could not obtain medical health benefits because of a pre-existing condition.
Dee and I will be traveling again in April to several conferences and meetings. Dee doesn't enjoy the driving but enjoys meeting people
I have been invited back to University of Wisconsin-Stout as a presenter at the Early Childhood Conference for the 3rd year. I remember as a student on that campus that this conference was a huge conference and thinking that I would love to be a speaker there and now here I am for my third time! Have a nice week.
Now, last night I had the opportunity to watch the debate on health care and I know this is a very controversial subject but one of the reasons I like this bill is that it will do away "pre-existing conditions". As a disability advocate I have been in many conversations throughout the Country about the lack of understanding in this area. It was about time to "step up to the plate" and get this health care done for millions of people who could not obtain medical health benefits because of a pre-existing condition.
Dee and I will be traveling again in April to several conferences and meetings. Dee doesn't enjoy the driving but enjoys meeting people
I have been invited back to University of Wisconsin-Stout as a presenter at the Early Childhood Conference for the 3rd year. I remember as a student on that campus that this conference was a huge conference and thinking that I would love to be a speaker there and now here I am for my third time! Have a nice week.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Texas tour
We were invited to speak in Austin, Texas at the Texas Transition conference, February 15-17th. It was an interesting conference as we met a lot of parents and professionals and my book was well received as I spoke on Tuesday the 16th.
We then we moved on to Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, Texas where I did a 15 minute chapel talk. The interesting thing about it was that Dee had a chance to speak to a young lady that had cerebral palsy and she was able to give her encouragement and she was also intrigued by my book.
On Saturday we were invited to a parent support group in San Antonio for children with autism. It was surprising to learn they are fighting hard for rights there in Texas. There were a lot of questions from these parents about how I had gone through the "system" years ago as a person with a disability. I was able to give them the assurance that their teenagers will be okay as they begin to develop their own independance.
On Sunday were were back in Seguin at Faith Lutheran Church were I did a confirmation class with the high school students. We had a very intriguing conversation about persons in their own families that struggle with disability. Both Dee and I walked away with "awe" to see how open these teenagers were to talk about their life and family members who deal with different kinds of disabilities.
On Monday we were invited to "Morgan's Wonderland" in San Antonio. You can read about that on the other post.
We are finally relaxed and were able to take a walk and a boat ride on the "Riverwalk" in San Antonio yesterday--it was sunny but only about 50 degrees.
No folks- we are not getting a suntan as it is cloudy and 39 degrees above,--- cloudy, ---rainy and possible snow today! Oh well- I thought I would get away from the Wisconsin weather but I guess there were other plans!
We will be heading up north again in a few days and stopping in Manhattan, Kansas for couple of days. We will be home soon to our warm balmy 60 degree Wisconsin Sunshine!!!!
We then we moved on to Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, Texas where I did a 15 minute chapel talk. The interesting thing about it was that Dee had a chance to speak to a young lady that had cerebral palsy and she was able to give her encouragement and she was also intrigued by my book.
On Saturday we were invited to a parent support group in San Antonio for children with autism. It was surprising to learn they are fighting hard for rights there in Texas. There were a lot of questions from these parents about how I had gone through the "system" years ago as a person with a disability. I was able to give them the assurance that their teenagers will be okay as they begin to develop their own independance.
On Sunday were were back in Seguin at Faith Lutheran Church were I did a confirmation class with the high school students. We had a very intriguing conversation about persons in their own families that struggle with disability. Both Dee and I walked away with "awe" to see how open these teenagers were to talk about their life and family members who deal with different kinds of disabilities.
On Monday we were invited to "Morgan's Wonderland" in San Antonio. You can read about that on the other post.
We are finally relaxed and were able to take a walk and a boat ride on the "Riverwalk" in San Antonio yesterday--it was sunny but only about 50 degrees.
No folks- we are not getting a suntan as it is cloudy and 39 degrees above,--- cloudy, ---rainy and possible snow today! Oh well- I thought I would get away from the Wisconsin weather but I guess there were other plans!
We will be heading up north again in a few days and stopping in Manhattan, Kansas for couple of days. We will be home soon to our warm balmy 60 degree Wisconsin Sunshine!!!!
Morgan's Wonderland- the only park of its kind in the world
Can you imagine going to a park that everybody could enjoy even if you are in a wheelchair? That person could swing, ride the train, fish and much, much more.
While we were in Texas my wife and I were invited to preview a new family park in San Antonio. We were welcomed by the staff of Morgan's Wonderland. We spent the day looking, participating and seeing other people and their families having FUN without being limited in enjoying the activities. What joy it brought to Dee and I that somebody had the vision to create a park like this. Please visit their website at Morgan's Wonderland
It is truly a "wonderful" Wonderland! Imagine seeing and hearing people with disabilities having fun at Morgan's Wonderland park. The uniqueness of this park is that it for everyone and it is FREE to those that have a disability.
Hopefully in the future we will see these parks all over the U.S.A and other countries. You will come away with a smile on your face as you realize that in that park everyone can enjoy the activities.
COME AND ENJOY!
While we were in Texas my wife and I were invited to preview a new family park in San Antonio. We were welcomed by the staff of Morgan's Wonderland. We spent the day looking, participating and seeing other people and their families having FUN without being limited in enjoying the activities. What joy it brought to Dee and I that somebody had the vision to create a park like this. Please visit their website at Morgan's Wonderland
It is truly a "wonderful" Wonderland! Imagine seeing and hearing people with disabilities having fun at Morgan's Wonderland park. The uniqueness of this park is that it for everyone and it is FREE to those that have a disability.
Hopefully in the future we will see these parks all over the U.S.A and other countries. You will come away with a smile on your face as you realize that in that park everyone can enjoy the activities.
COME AND ENJOY!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Long Time Friendship
In the summer of 1976 this small town North Dakota boy moved to the big city. It was part of a gospel team for 8 weeks at Augustana Lutheran Church downtown Minneapolis where I met my supervisor, Dr. William E. Berg.
Today my wife went to the post office and we received a letter from Dr. Berg. He is now 99 years old. Dr. Berg and I have been in touch by mail ever sinse. That is true friendship.
I hope you can experience friendships like I have that will be life long and meaningful as the friendship I have with Dr. Berg.
Dr. Berg, like I said is 99 years old, and in his Christmas letter to me he wrote that he is publishing his eighth book on his 100th birthday in May 2010 and we pray God for that achievement and for good health to him.
Today my wife went to the post office and we received a letter from Dr. Berg. He is now 99 years old. Dr. Berg and I have been in touch by mail ever sinse. That is true friendship.
I hope you can experience friendships like I have that will be life long and meaningful as the friendship I have with Dr. Berg.
Dr. Berg, like I said is 99 years old, and in his Christmas letter to me he wrote that he is publishing his eighth book on his 100th birthday in May 2010 and we pray God for that achievement and for good health to him.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
An Interesting and sad week in Haiti
After we look at the headlines of what went on in Haiti I can't stop and think that it is incredible damage and death that happened. My hope and my prayers go out to each one of the families that are grieving their loss.
What an excitement when I heard last night that there was another life that was saved from under the rubble after 10 days from the earthquake and people are still be found alive. That is amazing.
For the survivors it is about time to step up and get those resources to the survivors so that they can get back to some sort of civilized life.
One of the resources that Dee and I are aware of is that I received an email from a gentleman by the name of Keoke King this past week that provides wheelchairs for Haiti that are made for rough terrain. His website is at www.whirlwindwheelchair.org
Our thoughts and prayers are with Haiti and everyone involved in helping them.
What an excitement when I heard last night that there was another life that was saved from under the rubble after 10 days from the earthquake and people are still be found alive. That is amazing.
For the survivors it is about time to step up and get those resources to the survivors so that they can get back to some sort of civilized life.
One of the resources that Dee and I are aware of is that I received an email from a gentleman by the name of Keoke King this past week that provides wheelchairs for Haiti that are made for rough terrain. His website is at www.whirlwindwheelchair.org
Our thoughts and prayers are with Haiti and everyone involved in helping them.
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