Independent & Active in the Southwest Edition 19 | Winter 2020 LivAbility
Todd Key Team USA para-cyclist finds his freedom
The Autistic Barber C.J. Hernandez finds his superpower A Warrior’s Heart From battlefield to playing field Paralyzed Pets Wheels aren’t just for people FAR Beacons A better navigation for near or far Valley Metro is connecting you to art, music and culture destinations.
Valley Metro is connecting communities and enhancing lives by getting you to cool destinations across Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa. Get out on the Center/Main St. light rail station to check out the exhibits and events at the Mesa Arts Center.
Plan your trip at valleymetro.org. MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT & CEO
Welcome to 2020. It even sounds his family, and we occasionally ask for somebody younger, maybe strange to say. The first thing I am them to participate in some of our somebody with a similar disability reminded of is that the ADA will soon promotional campaigns. or any disability, and allow them to be 30 years old. I’m so thankful that shadow you. Let them watch what I’ve been a part of these past 30 What I saw in him was confidence. you do, see how you work, and grasp years, and I’ll be writing more about Sure, it was raw and almost humorous, how you have succeeded. Let them the upcoming anniversary and what it but it was genuine. And he’s exactly observe, absorb and learn. means to me as it draws closer. the type of person I hope does want to work for 360 in the coming years. I think it would be naïve to assume As I was thinking about what to write I’m reminded that we need to be that someday all people with about at the 11th hour–as I always cultivating and recruiting every day if disabilities will be treated just like do–one of my VPs came in to chat we want the best on our team. everybody else. People of minority about approving an expense. But with status who have been fighting this him was a young man. He was in the In the last few years, we’ve had many fight as long as we would laugh at eighth grade and was shadowing conversations about doing more at that notion. Without question, we the director, learning what he does 360 to support our youth. What can need to be encouraging tomorrow’s on a day-to-day basis. we do to make sure there are even leaders, advocates and changemakers. more improvements between the After being introduced, he reached, 30th anniversary of the ADA, and that So welcome to the next decade. It’s shook my hand and said to me, of the 40th and 50th? the decade that I want to double “Someday I want to work here.” down on the next generation. So with this opportunity to I smiled and thought to myself, communicate to those who read “dang I didn’t expect that,” but I LivAbility, I want to challenge each knew he truly meant it. and every person out there who has a disability and who has talents, skills, He’s been coming to the Sports & accomplishments, or even hobbies, Fitness Center for many years with to share. Be on the lookout. Lookout Phil Pangrazio Ability360 President & CEO
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CREATIVE NOTE The incredible drive we see in these stories isn’t just Welcome to the premiere edition of LivAbility in the roaring limited to humans with disabilities, but pets as well. From 2020s! Many of our stories this edition follow incredible New Mexico, Maxwell, a dog with degenerative myelopathy, characters consistently pushing the boundaries of what’s is as energetic and active as any other dog thanks to thought to be possible. The future is looking very bright as the work of Rescued Rollers, a nonprofit that helps pets we enter this decade with their remarkable passion and with disabilities receive the equipment they need, like determination in our minds. wheelchairs as told by our own Laura Stack.
2020 is a big year (Paralympics/Census/Election) so we We also happily welcome a new partnership between thought LivAbility would start out with a bang, too! Phoenix Rising and our power soccer program. The alliance becomes just the second of its kind in the U.S. and we In our story about Todd Key, we’re reminded that one can cannot wait to see what comes of it. reach their athletic prime at any age as the 58-year-old para-cyclist rides into 2020 as one of the highest-ranking At the beginning of 2019, our team identified a few goals, cyclists in the world. Kasey Kaler tells his story of pedaling one of them being to introduce more illustrations to pair away from addiction and riding off into total freedom. with our fantastic photos and stories. This magazine is a perfect blend of both, mixing the incredible work of A sniper’s bullet could not stop retired Navy Holly Katke’s people on our creative team (Estefania Cavazos, Loren relentless work ethic as she enters this new decade Worthington, and Summer Sorg) with other talented artists, training to compete in the 2020 Warrior Games while also i.e. Alison Baionno and Marieke Davis. We hope you enjoy working to help solve environmental issues. Read Sarah their work as much as we do. Farrell’s impressive story on how Katke balances being a veteran, an athlete, and a mother on a quest to improve We also introduce a new icon to our readers. At the end our planet’s oceans. of some stories, you will notice an icon similar to our Ability360 arrow with a cursor in the bottom right corner. Going by “The Autistic Barber,” C.J. Hernandez attributes This icon indicates the story has an accompanying video. his ability to deliver precise and detailed haircuts to his autism. Hernandez dons his disability like the cape of a *Editor’s Note: The online version of “Even Arizona has superhero as he also uses social media as a platform to Adaptive Skiing” in Edition 18 corrects an inadvertent inspire those with autism, proving one can make a career mischaracterization of who initially started the “Skiable” snow out of their passion. skiing program at the Arizona Snowbowl.
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Welcome to the newest edition of LivAbility LivAbility is a quarterly lifestyle magazine for people Schedule an with disabilities. Each edition contains articles that Advertisement promote an active, fulfilling lifestyle for every ability. [email protected] Edition 19 ISSN 2475-6474 (print) contents Winter 2020 ISSN 2475-6482 (online)
FEATURED 10 Rescued Rollers 36 Cool Career: C.J. Hernandez Providing equipment and Autism hasn’t stopped him education for paralyzed pets from finding his superpower 15 Heart of a Warrior 44 FAR Beacons: A Review Holly Katke’s journey from the Taking a look at an application that battlefield to the playing field extends traditional navigation systems Featured: 30 The Key to Freedom At age 58, Arizona10 Rescued cyclist Todd Rollers, Key is Providing equipment striving to makeand Team education USA and for get paralyzed on pets. the road to Tokyo 15 Heart of a Warrior, Holly Katke’s journey from the battlefield to the playing field. On the Cover Todd Key, para-cyclist 30 The Key to Freedom At age 58, Arizona cyclist Todd Key is Photo by striving to make Team USA and get on Lorenthe Worthington road to Tokyo
36 Cool Career: C.J. Hernandez Autism hasn’t stopped him from finding his superpower. 30 44 FAR Beacons: A Review Taking a look at an application that extends traditional navigation systems, 15 video online
36 More 03 Message from the President & CEO 04 Creative Note 20 A Documentary that Destigmatizes: A review of AZPM’s “Not Broken” 21 My Dad Matthew: A documentary that illustrates the love between a father and son, video online 22 Winter Walnut Wonder Chef Steve shares his recipe for Winter Walnut Pesto Pasta, video online 26 Power Soccer Partnership Phoenix Rising FC and Ability360 announce new collaboration 28 Moshing for Mental Health26 Using the freeing nature of rock music and dance 41 Wheelchair Athletes Worldwide Arizona-based organization delivers training and wheelchairs to Indonesia 43 Kaleo Kanahele Maclay: 2020 Paralympic Hopeful 47 A Different Point of View by Marieke Davis 47 49 360 Launches The High41 Five Monthly Giving Group 58 Recurring monthly donations benefit sports center programs, video online MORE 50 Ability360 Awarded Grant to Update Sports & Fitness Center Devin Booker and Phoenix Suns Charities award grant 03 Message from54 the PresidentThe Woman & CEO Behind the Words43 Kaleo Kanahele Maclay: 04 Creative NoteA look at Marin Sardy’s experience writing2020 “The Paralympic Edge of HopefulEvery Day: 20 A DocumentarySketches that Destigmatizes: of Schizophrenia”, video online47 A Different Point of View by Marieke Davis A review of 58AZPM’s “NotNew Broken” Horizons Disability Empowerment49 360 Launches Center The High 21 My Dad Matthew:Prescott’s first adaptive fitness center Five Monthly Giving Group A documentary that illustrates the Recurring monthly donations love between a father and son benefit sports center programs 22 Winter Walnut Wonder 50 Ability360 Awarded Grant to Chef Steve shares his recipe Update Sports & Fitness Center for Winter Walnut Pesto Pasta Devin Booker and Phoenix Suns Charities award grant 26 Power Soccer Partnership Phoenix Rising FC and Ability360 54 The Woman Behind the Words announce new collaboration A look at Marin Sardy’s experience writing “The Edge of Every Day: Sketches of Schizophrenia” 28 Moshing for Mental Health Using the freeing nature of rock music and dance 58 New Horizons Disability Empowerment Center Prescott’s first adaptive fitness center 41 Wheelchair Athletes Worldwide Arizona-based organization delivers training and wheelchairs to Indonesia Contributors
Alison Baionno Karam Gafsi
Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, Karam Gafsi is a multimedia journalist Alison came to Phoenix in 2016. with a love for all things video as well After graduating with a degree in as magazine writing. He is a graduate of Therapeutic Recreation from Temple the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass University, Alison pursued her career as a recreational Communication. Through his videos and his writing, therapist at Ability360. With a love for leisure and Gafsi strives to keep his audience not only informed, recreation, Alison enjoys hiking, painting, drawing, but entertained. and making people smile any chance she can.
Kasey Kaler Shane Crowe @kasey_kaler
Shane Crowe is a senior at Arizona Kasey Kaler is a graduate of Gonzaga State University where he double University’s Sport and Athletic majors in journalism and digital culture. Administration M.A. program and Shane was born in Phoenix, Arizona and Arizona State’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism enjoys camping, making music and pursuing creative and Mass Communication B.A. program. Kasey has projects with his friends. He hopes to one day stick to a passion for producing content for a multitude of a regular exercise schedule. platforms and sharing stories to help people view differences as an asset.
Marieke Davis Alana Minkler @alana_minkler Phoenix native Marieke Davis, a visually-impaired visual artist with Alana Minkler is a junior at the hemi-anopsia, is a summa cum laude University of Arizona studying ASU graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and minors journalism. She is from Flagstaff, Arizona in english literature, women’s & gender studies, and and has always loved writing and exploring the creative writing. She is the creator of the graphic series, outdoors. Alana is passionate about investigative “Ember Black,” in print and audio, and the recipient of and science journalism. She is also the investigative numerous awards for her semi-autobiographical series, editor and reporter at the Arizona Daily Wildcat. “Life is Blurry.”
Steve Norton Sarah Farrell @thesarahfarrell A native of Santa Ana, CA, Steve Norton has been in the hospitality industry for Sarah Farrell is a Texas native, digital the past 30 years. He attended New York’s journalist, avid hiker and tennis fanatic. prestigious Culinary Institute of America and She recently finished her master’s in sports journalism has worked as a private chef. Steve loves to share his at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass knowledge and expertise in healthy eating, including Communication at Arizona State University. menu planning, managing a food budget, and cooking with fresh ingredients. Laura Stack @LkstackLaura LivAbility is a quarterly Laura Stack is a student at the Walter publication of Ability360 Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She grew up in Buffalo, New President & CEO York and loves food, traveling and power naps. Phil Pangrazio
Publisher Loren Worthington Summer Sorg @summersword4 Editor Kasey Kaler Summer Sorg is a recent graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism Designer & Production and Mass Communication specializing in John Beaubien photography and digital journalism. She claims copy Estefanía Cavazos editing is “therapeutic” or whatever and probably needs a better hobby. The LivAbility Team Gillian Carr Shane Crowe Sarah Farrell Ambur Wilkerson Karam Gafsi Christian Guerithault
Tony Jackson Ambur Wilkerson is a 24-year-old content creator who loves storytelling. She received Summer Sorg her B.A. in English with a focus in creative Laura Stack writing from California State University, San Bernardino in 2016 and her M.A. in journalism at The University of Arizona in 2019. She’s invested in topics such as social issues, mental health, entertainment, beauty, and ADVERTISING lifestyle. To learn more about Ambur and her work, follow [email protected] her on Instagram at @theamburnicole.
5025 E Washington St. Suite 200 Phoenix, AZ 85034 (602) 256-2245 Ability360.org LivAbility Ahora en español
PDF disponible para descarga en línea gratis. ability360.org/subscribe-livability Encuentranos en ability360.org/livability Rescued Rollers Providing equipment and education for paralyzed pets by Laura Stack
10 to educate local shelters. He educates dog Maxwell, a German Shepherd and blue rescuers in Ohio on how to accommodate heeler mix, is just like any other dog. He’s got dogs in need of mobility devices and to infectious energy and a smile that would
Photo by Jesse Freidin by Photo address options beyond euthanization. melt anyone’s heart. He also works closely with local animal shelters. Every day he ventures into the backyard of his Santa Fe home waiting to hear the coyotes howl from Most of the shelters that Lizotte helps lack Arroyo Hondo Canyon, so he can howl right back. equipment. So, Lizotte sends the essentials: wheelchairs, lifting harnesses and boots to He goes on walks with his owners Becky and prevent their knuckles or the affected limbs Barry Menich, sporting rubber booties on his from scraping the floor while being held up in a hind paws and a pair of off-road wheels to wheelchair or lifting harness. help him navigate almost any terrain. Another important part of the organization is “We don’t call it his wheelchair, we call it wheelchair recycling, refurbishment and reuse. his hot rod,” Becky Menich said. Whether his clients keep his donated wheels for three His “hot rod” is adorned with a license weeks or 10 years, they agree to send them back to plate that says “Max” on it. It gives him Rescued Rollers for reuse. They have a lifetime-loaner the freedom to run around outside and program for anyone who receives donated wheels. They get much-needed exercise. can recycle the wheels back through the organization so that he can continue to refurbish and re-donate. Maxwell is named after a mathematician. His full name is “One wheelchair only helps one dog, and then it sits in Sir James Clerk Maxwell Menich somebody’s garage or basement or gets thrown away,” Lizotte Ph.D., and he has degenerative said. “I now have wheelchairs in my program that they’re myelopathy (DM). It’s a common helping 46 dogs, because we recycled.” disease among his breed, and for In the future, Lizotte said he hopes to expand Rescued Rollers to offer more resources such as access to rehabilitative equipment to loan out to his clients, and teaching more shelters and “His full name is Sir James Clerk rescues on how to accommodate animals with disabilities. Maxwell Menich Ph.D., and he has degenerative myelopathy.
Maxwell, it means weakness in his legs that may eventually lead to paralysis.
The Menichs spent thousands on medical bills, searching for any option to help improve Maxwell’s mobility. That’s when the couple, who lived in Arlington Heights, Ohio when they adopted him, found Rescued Rollers.
The Ohio-based nonprofit was founded a few years ago by John Lizotte. It began when he tried to donate his border collie’s old wheelchair through Facebook.
Lizotte immediately got a lot of feedback from others on Facebook asking if he could collect and reuse their dog’s wheelchair.
And that’s how Rescued Rollers was born.
Since then, Lizotte has donated hundreds of wheelchairs a year and has volunteered his time 11 GAME, SET, MATCH, ENABLED.
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Learn more at VantageMobility.com Friday, January 10th, 2020
Join us to support two great causes
JAAMClassic360.org For sponsorship information please reach out to the event co-chairs:
Liz Williams Meghan Fable Co-founder & Executive Director Director of Development [email protected] [email protected] LIVINGHeart of aHolly Warrior Katke’s journey from the WITHOUTbattlefield to the playing field LIMITS
by Sarah Farrell
We often try to put people in a Veteran. Mom. Researcher. The one common thread throughout box. Attach labels to them to try College graduate. Athlete. her life though has been her passion and define who they are. to serve those around her. To give True, Holly Katke is all of these things, all she can to the people and but none define her. She doesn’t fit in places that matter most. Photo by Sarah Farrell by Photo any one box. She transcends them.
15 Photos Courtesy of Holly Katke Holly of Courtesy Photos
Katke joined the Navy after high school and had a “When I was introduced to Ability360, that was my decorated 14-year career as a chief petty officer. The first time outside of the VA looking around and seeing combat medical corpsman was fluent in multiple people like me of all injuries and disabilities,” she said. languages, including Arabic. Being a woman and medic “It just motivated me.” who spoke the language made Katke an invaluable asset, and she was recruited by special operations command for a Even though she wanted to, Katke was unable to return to joint operation with the Navy SEALs. the military after her injury. So she took that energy and channeled it into her education, raising her daughter and While on that mission in Iraq, she was shot in the head by her athletic training. an enemy sniper. It was just days before she was scheduled to fly home; it was also the day before her 30th birthday. She now spends about three hours training twice a The shot resulted in a traumatic brain injury. week. She goes from the bike to powerlifting to the rowing machine all within the course of one training The injury has left Katke with partial blindness, aphasia session. Every once in a while, she’ll jump in general and paralysis on the right side of her body. Aphasia usually exercise classes as well. occurs after a stroke or brain injury. “In my mind I know what I want to say, but the words aren’t exactly coming Even on her “days off,” Katke spends time working out of my mouth,” Katke explained. “Because the bullet, it out in her home gym. stopped between my temporal and parietal lobe.” “I have my own bike and dumbbells, and everything else While it may have slowed her down, it never stopped Katke. so that I can work out at home,” Katke said. “So I work out every single day except Sundays.” Katke moved to Arizona in 2018, where she discovered the Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center and the Warrior Games. As an athlete, Katke is extremely dedicated to her training. Igniting a desire to train and compete.
16 A LONG ROAD BACK And she would say, ‘Why don’t you come and join us?’” Shortly after she was injured, Katke was flown back to the U.S. The journey was long and arduous, to a military hospital in Bethesda, but Katke applied the same level of Maryland. The bullet remained in dedication to her recovery as she had her brain for three months before in her years of military service. When the swelling went down and doctors she was well enough to be released, were able to remove it. she went home to live with her uncle in Washington. Shortly after that, Katke moved to the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital The transition back to the Pacific Polytrauma Center in Tampa, Florida Northwest was not easy for her to rehab from the injury. Little did she though. She lived in Sequim, know, the people she met there would Washington, a small town of a few remain supportive figures in her thousand people surrounded on life even to this day. one side by the towering Olympic Mountains and the Puget Sound “I was the only female on the floor on the other. The secluded town on [in Tampa],” Katke said. “And Cory the Olympic Peninsula is about a [Remsburg] and I were the only ones three-hour drive from the closest VA with that sort of head injury where hospital in Seattle. we had a traumatic brain injury.” “Holly didn’t really have a circle Remsburg was a member of the Army of friends [in Washington],” Annie Rangers when he was injured by an Remsburg said. “She didn’t have a improvised explosive device during lot of exposure to other veterans. To his 10th tour of duty. While Remsburg people that she could relate to.” was recovering, his stepmother Annie Remsburg was in Florida There weren’t any Ubers or even taxi to take care of him. cabs in the town, Katke recalled.
“[Cory] was going through his rehab The seclusion and dismal weather in at the same time that Holly was Washington added to the depression there, and they became friends,” Annie that Katke said she struggled with. Remsburg said. “In doing so, I got to know Holly, and my heart went out to Annie Remsburg remembers one her because Holly didn’t seem to have particular call with Katke while she a lot of family support. She had family was still in Washington. “She said, that was coming and going, but no ‘I’m just so depressed. I hate it here. one really seemed to stay there.” It’s cold. It’s rainy. I just don’t like my life here at all.’” Katke’s sister was one of the most constant familial figures during her Even though it would mean recovery, but she was still active leaving her family and her home in duty in the Army. She stayed for four Washington, Katke knew that she months, but then the Army wanted needed to make a change in her her to go back, Katke remembered. life. She wanted something better for her and her daughter. So Katke “So I didn’t have anyone, and Annie summoned all of her strength was there for me,” Katke said. “She and courage and made the move would bring me food, and she would to Gilbert, Arizona. talk to me. She would get me out of the VA. She would take Cory. She would make lunch or breakfast.
17 THE MOVE TO ARIZONA Holly Katke at the Ability360 Sports The move to Arizona was by no means & Fitness Center. an easy one. There were moments of panic when they first moved, Katke recalled. “What am I doing here?” she remembered thinking. “I can’t live here by myself.”
But with the support from her friends, the Remsburgs, and her immense personal strength, Katke and her daughter settled into their new life in Arizona.
Katke is now connected with veterans groups. She volunteers regularly with her daughter. She has her own house, which was donated and renovated to be ADA compliant by the Carrington Charitable Foundation.
When she moved to Arizona in 2018, Katke also ill and injured service members from every branch became very active training at the Ability360 of the military. In 2019, the games were to be Sports & Fitness Center. held in Tampa, Florida.
Training has become an extremely Katke had been making plans for a summer trip to important part of her life. Florida for months, training nearly every day on her own
and with the staff at Ability360. As the Warrior Games Sarah Farrell by Photo For Katke, working out is a private moment of escape; a approached, she got a request for help from her friends and way to help conquer the depression she said she still lives co-workers at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium that with. “When I work out, it’s about me,” she said. “Whether she could not ignore. I’m in a good mood, a bad mood or a terrible mood, it gives me time to think and process.” “I got a phone call in January,” Katke said, “They said that they were short-handed, and a lot of their staff was moving When she started working out, the whole idea out. And I’m just the type of person that if someone asked was to be able to compete in the Warrior Games, for my help, of course, I’m going to be there.” Annie Remsburg said. Without a second thought, Katke decided she wasn’t going The Warrior Games is an annual athletic competition to compete in the Warrior Games this year. She went organized by the Department of Defense for wounded, to Key West instead.
18 THE MOVE LIFE BEYOND SPORT TO ARIZONA While she was getting her B.S. in Health Sciences and Environmental The move to Arizona was by no means Science from Trident University, Katke an easy one. There were moments of worked at Mote as part of the Combat panic when they first moved, Katke Wounded Veteran Challenge for coral recalled. “What am I doing here?” restoration efforts in 2015. She stayed she remembered thinking. “I can’t on after graduating and completed an live here by myself.” internship with Mote.
But with the support from her Since then, Katke has completed her friends, the Remsburgs, and her Master of Science Degree in Health immense personal strength, Katke Sciences and Public Health, also from and her daughter settled into their Trident, and she has continued to new life in Arizona. volunteer with Mote.
Katke is now connected with veterans This year, Katke worked alongside groups. She volunteers regularly with Alex Fine, a staff chemist in the ocean her daughter. She has her own house, acidification program. Katke was which was donated and renovated to part of a study that examined how be ADA compliant by the Carrington sea urchins’ behavior changes with Charitable Foundation. ocean acidification.
“A lot of people with the combat veterans program come down to Mote every year to go diving with our field team,” Fine said. “And since Holly is everyone positive. She was Katke has certainly been through a unable to dive with them, she’s just so just overall a really great lot in life, but she doesn’t let just one enthusiastic about helping out in any person to work with.” thing define who she is. She’s guided Photos Courtesy of Alexandra Fine-Mote Marine Laboratory Fine-Mote Alexandra of Courtesy Photos way she can. And she’s found a great by her dedication to serving others. spot in the laboratory.” It’s a work ethic that is evident in every part of Katke’s life. Katke’s work ethic is one of the things that stands out most to Fine. Next year, Katke won’t have to choose between volunteering at “She’s very vocal about Mote and competing in the Warrior contributing, and always has ideas Games. She’ll continue her research and something to add with ocean acidification over the to the conversation,” Fine said. “She summer and travel to San Antonio, was definitely a team Texas to compete in the 2020 player in getting Warrior Games in September. everyone on the same page and keeping
19 MUST-SEE
2 WINTER MOVIES
Not Broken (Movie) Review A Documentary that Destigmatizes: A Review of AZPM’s “Not Broken”
In October, Arizona Public Media moments with their family and Andrea and Ricky’s storyline did not mental health reporter, Gisela Telis, friends. The documentary educates receive the same attention. hosted a free screening of AZPM’s viewers by shining a light on There were also abrupt transitions, documentary, “Not Broken,” at The the mental illnesses the stars of such as Brynn’s. First, viewers are University of Arizona’s Gallagher the documentary say they each introduced to Brynn and learn that Theater. The no-cost viewing, which have. It also featured therapists she self-harms. After venturing was shown in collaboration with and counselors who shared their through other storylines, we’re UArizona Campus Health’s Counseling knowledge about mental health. suddenly brought back to Brynn, and and Psych Services granted audience she’s packing to go to college. Oddly members access to free popcorn While the documentary does an enough, Brynn’s pursuit of higher and a beverage. Following the exceptional job of addressing mental education was never mentioned. A documentary, Telis moderated a illness and destigmatizing it by prior mention of Brynn’s interests panel with four cast members showing the seven featured people and plans would’ve been nice and from the documentary. living life and getting the necessary help and support they need, there possibly had a bigger impact on Directed by Bob Lindbergh and are some transitional flaws in the audiences with its relatability. supported by the David and Lura storytelling. Certain cast member’s Don’t let the productional flaws Lovell Foundation, “Not Broken” is an backgrounds were lacking. deter you from watching this hour-long documentary that discusses documentary, for it truly is an mental health through the lens Some of the storylines were insightful body of work. Sure, of seven young adults. even neglected, such as Andrea and Rickey’s. After audiences are filling in storyline gaps would Viewers are introduced to introduced to them, that’s all we strengthen the execution Brynn, Andrea, Gabriel, Michael, hear. By not telling their stories as of the message, but Brenda, Angel and Rickey, a cast in-depth as the others, it creates a nonetheless, “Not with varied racial backgrounds, sense of confusion. We’re led through Broken” still succeeds sexual orientations and mental a structural arc with the other cast at helping end the illness diagnoses. Of the seven, members, where at first we see them stigma surrounding Brynn, Brenda and Angel at a low point and then see them mental health, took part in the panel. progress and receive help, coinciding educating viewers with the documentary’s message that on mental illness The documentary gives us insight those who have mental illnesses and highlighting the into the cast member’s day-to-day are capable of living fulfilling lives. perseverance and resilience experiences, as well as intimate that those with mental illnesses posses. ~ Ambur Wilkerson
20 My Dad Matthew (Movie) Review
“My Dad Matthew,” a multi-award winning film, is a “I [am] not affected mentally ... some of my friends would story told from Elijah Wangeman’s perspective about his disagree,” Matthew Wangeman jokes to his class in one dad, Matthew Wangeman. scene in the documentary.
It’s a six-minute documentary that packs several Schaffer and the production company he co-founded, mighty anecdotes, including one admission from the Wild Asperagus Productions, didn’t initially plan on movie’s namesake’s son. the film confronting disability stigmas through Elijah Wangeman’s “When I was seven, I asked when perspective, however. I was going to get my chair,” Elijah Wangeman said. “’Cause Once filming started, it was clear I thought that everyone, when that the tone of the documentary they became an adult, got to would be heavily impacted by the get [sic] a wheelchair, and I relationship dynamic between Matthew wanted a wheelchair.” and Elijah Wangeman.
Matthew Wangeman is a father, “Technically, the movie was not a professor at Northern Arizona supposed to be called ‘My Dad University (NAU), holds several Matthew,’” Matthew Wangeman degrees from the University of said. “Elijah happened to be there California, Berkeley, has been a on the first day of filming and disability advocate for over three completely changed the perspective decades, and has cerebral palsy. of the [filmmakers].”
The film takes aim at the word “Elijah gives Matthew that feeling of “normal” and what Matthew being a role model and that sense and Elijah’s relationship and of normality in that family unit, even day-to-day life entail. though it’s different than other family units,” Schaffer said. The day-to-day that includes Matthew Wangeman instructing As Elijah depicts in the opening a course about disability minute of the short film, “I’m supposed studies at NAU, an honorary coach of NAU’s football team, to tell you about my dad. His name is Matthew, and he’s and a passionate advocate of affecting change in the a pretty normal dad. He’s really into technology and disability community. sports and that kind of thing, so we argue about the Yankees and the Steelers.” “My Dad Matthew” was directed by John Schaffer, a colleague of Matthew’s at NAU. Schaffer’s received a grant In short, the film is articulate and emotional in a way that that would fund films about people with disabilities, only a son can deliver. with a stipulation that the film had to shift the perception of disability. Not just any son, though, a son whose father is often judged by his physical appearance more so than his The natural fit for that? Matthew character and passion for affecting change. Wangeman and his life. You can find “My Dad Matthew” on Wild Asperagus’s Although Matthew Wangeman has a disability, YouTube channel. ~ Kasey Kaler “he lives a very normal life,” Schaffer said.
If you’re looking for some movies relating to disability this winter, we hope you take the time to check these out. Let us know if there are others we should review for our next edition. [email protected]
21 Winter
Walnut
22 Wonder by Steve Norton an opportunity to learn about new foods During this festive time of year, and enjoy time cooking and growing there’s one binding element that with those you love. brings people together: food. Try something new this winter season, and Whether it’s a family recipe passed down make this delicious pasta dish. Cook it through the generations or a new recipe for someone special in your life, or share you are trying out for the very first time, at your next get-together with family, friends and new acquaintances can friends or family. For a lower- bond over a shared meal. carb option, you can substitute the pasta with any of the fresh, Renowned poet Maya Angelou dried or frozen vegetable once wrote, “There are very few pasta or choose whole wheat times we can be more intimate as or gluten-free pasta. to share food together.” Food, especially around the holidays, can be comforting for many. A slice of turkey dripping with gravy Winter Walnut Pesto Pasta at Thanksgiving, or a warm bowl of hearty pasta on a cold Prep Time: 25 min. Cook Time: 20 min. Servings: 4 winter night. The meals we eat can help renourish our soul and change our outlook on life. Ingredients However brief the moment is, getting together with friends Pesto (can buy good quality pesto to save time) and family to share a meal can bring you closer together. Whether you are meeting a friend for a cup of coffee to catch 1/4 cup raw walnuts (plus more for garnish) up, enjoying a home-cooked dinner with your family, or out on a first date, this time spent together allows you to cultivate 1/3 cup finely grated parmesan and sustain relationships. Spending a few hours with someone 1 cup firmly packed flat-leaf parsley leaves over a shared meal can provide a safe environment in which (about 1/2 a large bunch) you can share your ups and downs, fears, joys and successes. 2 medium garlic cloves, peeled & roughly chopped After my stroke, I did not let my disability overshadow my love for food or cooking 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice or red wine vinegar up a great meal with friends and family. 1/4 teaspoon salt I learned new methods of cooking, discovered adaptive cooking tools and Pinch of ground black pepper ways to use the cooking tools I was already familiar with. 4-5 tablespoons good quality olive oil Pasta I enjoy sharing my love of food and cooking with 8 ounces rotini pasta or other others, especially 2 tablespoons olive oil during the holidays. 1 pound Brussels sprouts (16-18); dirty While whipping up end of stem & outer leaves removed, quartered lengthwise new creations in the kitchen by yourself 1 yellow bell pepper, seeds/ can be enjoyable, stem/membranes removed, cut sharing a recipe with a into bite-size strips friend, or trying a new Kalamata olives, sliced into rounds recipe together can be (optional, for serving) Photos by Estefanía Cavazos Estefanía by Photos a great experience. It’s
23 Toast walnuts in a 350-degree oven on a to cool 5 minutes, stirring the vegetables rimmed baking sheet 10-12 minutes until occasionally to avoid burning. they begin to darken; stir once or rotate the pan halfway through. Cool slightly, then Add most of the pesto and 2 tablespoons roughly chop walnuts. While walnuts toast, cooking water to the vegetables. Stir until prepare other ingredients. incorporated and pesto sauce covers the veggies. Add more water if the pesto is very If making homemade pesto, do it ahead of thick. If too much water was added, heat to a low time or first. Using a food processor, blend simmer to reduce the liquid. Add cooked pasta parmesan, parsley, toasted walnuts, garlic, to the pan and stir to combine and coat with lemon juice or vinegar, salt, and pepper until pesto. If noodles have cooled, heat the mixture nearly smooth paste forms, scraping down the over low to warm. Taste and add remaining sides of the bowl several times; drizzle in olive pesto, salt, and pepper as needed. Serve warm oil while the processor is still running until topped with additional grated parmesan, fully combined. Taste the pesto and adjust chopped walnuts, and sliced olives. seasoning. Use immediately or store a few days in the fridge. Pairs well with the light watercress salad shown on the right page. A Start boiling water for pasta great dessert to serve with this meal and cook, al dente, according is a chocolate torte. to package directions as you prepare and cook the vegetables. When draining pasta, reserve ¼ cup cooking water.
Heat a large skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium-high; when hot, add 1 tablespoon oil and heat until nearly smoking. Add peppers (they should sizzle) and spread in a single layer, cook 2 minutes undisturbed until browned; remove peppers to a bowl. Add another tablespoon of oil to the pan and allow to heat. Spread Brussels sprouts in an even layer in the pan, turning one of the cut sides down; cook for about 2 minutes undisturbed until brown on the first side; cook another 2 minutes, stirring occasionally until lightly softened when you test one. Turn off heat, add peppers back to the pan and allow the pan
24 Watercress Salad Ingredients
1/2 cup watercress leaves 3 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons white vinegar
3 tablespoons cold water
3 tablespoons fresh thyme, finely chopped
3 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped
Salt & pepper to taste
Place watercress in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk the honey, vinegar and water together. Pour over salad and toss well to combine. Season with thyme, parsley, salt and pepper, then toss the salad again.
Until our next cooking adventure, keep eating to thrive!
Chef Steve
25 Ability360 Power Soccer on the Rise Phoenix Rising FC and Ability360 announce new collaboration by Kasey Kaler Photos by Estefanía Cavazos Estefanía by Photos
Phoenix Rising Football Club and Power soccer is played by people with Ability360 was crowned national Ability360 announced an official disabilities using a custom power conference champions. partnership between the professional wheelchair specifically designed for soccer club and the Ability360 the sport. Each team is made up of “I came back to Phoenix with the Sports & Fitness Center’s adaptive four players including a goalkeeper goal of creating a winning program,” power soccer program. and played on a basketball court. Jackson said. “It’s great to be aligning Using a foot guard that extends past ourselves with a professional team Under the agreement, the Ability360 the front of the chair, players pass and that has become such a powerhouse.” power soccer team will rebrand to shoot an oversized soccer ball. the Ability360 Phoenix Rising Power Phoenix Rising General Manager Soccer Program. The team will don a “We are beyond excited,” Gus LaZear, Bobby Dulle said the club is similar crest to their counterparts and vice president and general manager excited to welcome these athletes become the first local power soccer of Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center, to the Rising brand. program to be affiliated with the said in a press release. “Community “We look forward to providing professional soccer team. partnerships such as this give our another platform to expand the reach players and fans a sense of pride that of adaptive power soccer,” he said in The partnership becomes just the can make all the difference.” second of its kind in the U.S., as a prepared statement. Louisville City FC forged a similar The team is coached by Tony For 2020, both clubs plan to host alliance with LouCity Power Jackson and also includes a activities for fans to become more Soccer in April 2019. developmental team. Last season, involved in the Rising partnership.
From left to right: John Beaubien, Phoenix Rising Head Coach Rick Schantz and Ability360 Head Coach Tony Jackson
26 27
by Ambur Wilkerson MoshingMental Healthfor Using the freeing nature of rock music and dance
28 Illustration by Estefanía Cavazos Estefanía Illustration by n early November, the second annual The idea to have the event centered And giving back to the community is Mosh for Mental Health took place at around moshing to rock music stemmed what they helped do, even offering a ITucson’s The Rock. Promoted by Motor from the freeing message the music and snare drum to be raffled off as well. Mouth Productions, the event held space eclectic dancing emits. for people to know they’re not alone When asked what she’d like to have when it comes to mental health. “With moshing and with rock and metal people take from this event, O’Meara and punk, they’re all kind of things elaborated on the importance of Attendees were encouraged to wear that kind of make you see it. They bringing mental health to light. costumes in celebratory post-Halloween [the bands] make you see their music fashion and the lineup of local bands, because they are out there and they’re “This is something that, even if you don’t ranging in genre from metal to reggae, not afraid to show who they are. They’re have a mental condition, somebody played all night. There was even a not afraid to be anything but wild and that you know and love does,” O’Meara silent auction and raffle. crazy,” Fernandez said. said. “This affects everybody, and it’s not something that we have to hide. Proceeds, including ticket sales and what “I feel like we’re breaking It’s not something that we shouldn’t was raised from the auction and raffle, be able to talk about.” went to Tu Nidito, a nonprofit in Tucson the stigma [of mental that provides emotional aide to children health] because we’re The event raised $600 for Tu Nidito. dealing with grief and hardships. The night was loud, but in the best trying to put it out there, way possible. Mosh for Mental Health’s From the event’s concept down to like punk would and like loyalty to being bold and very “in your the chosen charity to donate to, these face” did not disappoint. details were a result of the collaborative metal [music] would.” “Honestly, it’s amazing. I love watching planning efforts of Laura O’Meara Another participating group was the all these people just coming together, and Rachelle Fernandez. Arizona Hardcore Community (AZHC), all these different … characters and all managed by Kristi Davis and Jeffrey Locke. “It was kind of my idea to start the event. these different unique people coming I’ve always been in and out of mental “The AZHC is a completely local, out of the woodwork,” Fernandez said. health clinics and kind of dealing with grassroots effort,” Locke said. “It came mental health,” O’Meara said. “And I was together a few years ago when a group volunteering at a local mental health of friends who all happened to play in charity down here called Our Place local bands decided to come together Clubhouse, and it just kind of dawned as a way to support each other‘s music. on me that I know the metal scene and We also wanted to put on live shows as stuff like that and why couldn’t we throw a way of giving back to the community a show that just kind of gets rid of the and local charities.” stigma of mental health.”
29 THE KEY TO FREEDOM Ask any competitor what winning feels At age 58, like; the answers might be wide-ranging. Arizona cyclist Then ask para-cyclist Todd Key Todd Key is what winning feels like. striving to To Key, winning is a little different, His grin widens a bit more as he make Team USA surpassing the simple binary structure recalls moments that he’s stunned of victories and defeats. Winning two-legged cyclers, or the “normies” as and get on the knows no boundaries. Winning breaks he affectionately calls them, with his through barriers, stigmas and is speed as a one-legged rider. road to Tokyo devoid of any prosthesis. by Kasey Kaler “When I’m riding, there’s no one– Winning is freedom. there’s no two-legged person on a bike–that can get away Since his international cycling career from me on a downhill. Not began just seven years ago, he’s Lance Armstrong. No one.” amassed 17 national championships, a top-ten world-ranking in road “Most people are blown away cycling, and a top-15 world- when I ride away from them. They ranking on the track. never see me again,” Key said, a smirk on his face. His career, albeit brief, is one that any cyclist would be incredibly proud of, Born in Chicago, Key was just let alone a 58-year-old. seven when he fell out of a tree, resulting in a compound fracture in For Key, it’s always been about that his right hand. The tendons in his little dose of freedom. forearm and hand became infected shortly thereafter, and he lost the “Once you get on that bike, the functionality of the hand. freedom is complete,” Key said. “You Paralympic have this whole other ability of When Key returned to school, he was speed that’s just not available with teased. “I was the outlier. People with Hopeful prosthetics, even [for] runners.” disabilities didn’t go to school [in the 1960s],” he said. “The crazy bullies Key speaks about the freedom picked on people with disabilities. cycling affords him with infectious So, I learned how to punch people in energy. Grinning and candid, his the face very quickly.” eyes almost glazing over as he narrates his triumphs.
30 Photo by Loren Worthington Loren by Photo
TODD KEY Para-cycling Scottsdale, Arizona 31 Key described himself as “troubled,” and began smoking marijuana. At 15, his parents decided to send him to a private school in Wisconsin with the settlement money they had been awarded from the hospital who mistreated his injury.
“I remember coming home, and my parents had decided it was a good idea if I were to help them run insulation in the attic,” Key said. “They weren’t even like ‘you should get some knee pads’ or something. It wasn’t a finished attic either so I just had to crawl around on the beams all day [and lay insulation].”
Fiberglass insulation in the ‘70s and ‘80s was often made up of large shards of glass.
It was that first night after working that he put two and That’s when Key’s history of drug usage found him once two together, pieces of fiberglass had gotten into his knee. again. His neighbor was dealing drugs and finally Key But Key ignored the intense pain and swelling, instead caved and tried “everything,” but only one gave him that opting to not tell anyone for nearly a month. feeling of euphoria: meth.
“It got to the point that I couldn’t even bend it and the pain “I fell in love,” Key said. “I thought, ‘I can do was all the time,” Key said. this stuff every couple of weeks, I’m fine. Then I thought only once a week. Then I thought By the time he saw a doctor, he ended up being rushed to I’d only do it on the weekends, I’ll be fine. a hospital where he was told he had carcinoma in his right I’ll just do it every three or four days, I’ll be fine. leg. Doctors amputated above the knee. Maybe I’ll just do it every other day.’
Key was just 17. He spent the next 18 months being “But it’s not really the kind of stuff that you can treated with chemotherapy and was then fitted do every other day.” with a prosthetic leg. Although drug addiction consumed him, he still managed Nearly 11 years later Key applied to an engineering to excel academically. program at Arizona State University (ASU), and moved to Tempe, Arizona. At 32, he had finished his degree at ASU, switching majors from engineering to education, and graduated summa cum It was in engineering school that Key met Bruce Braley, laude. However, teaching wasn’t for him. So he found who was an avid bike rider. himself living off a disability check and credit “I never introduced him to cycling with the thought that cards, moving money around month-to-month this is what he would do forever,” Braley said. “It was just to stay afloat. His drug use continued and something else to go do. We’d hang out or go for a ride.” he had all but given up on cycling, too frustrated and busy to continue. Key had to make numerous modifications to his bike that would allow him to pedal with just his left leg and use the Until one day he found front and back brakes with his left hand, but it was his first himself broken down near taste of that freedom. Wickenburg, Arizona waiting for his girlfriend at “I quickly discovered that every time I rode to class, anyone the time to show up. who was on a bike, I would just destroy myself to go past them as fast as I could.” After two days of waiting in the But riding his bike for longer than 30 minutes would broken down become painful. Key began tinkering with his set-up once car, he had an more, working to shift his weight off the seat. He also added other functional adaptations, to the handlebars, brakes and pedals, but quickly became frustrated with the lack of solutions.
32 He was sober and making good money as a car salesman, but he had started gaining weight. He decided the best way to get back in shape was on a bike.
It brought him full-circle.
He bought a bike and started riding it to and from work every day. It seemed that a dose of freedom had found its way to Key once again. But the same frustrations with the seat and handlebars resurfaced. epiphany. He was an addict and needed help. Key and those around him began to experiment with different seating options, like an angled, custom- He started walking back padded seat. He also had a bike stem custom-made by a to Phoenix, stopping to metalworking shop that was attached to a bike store. call his sister in Birmingham, Alabama. She told him of a halfway Key borrowed an idea from a future teammate, Paralympic house there in Alabama. Cycler Allison Jones, and manufactured a carbon fiber socket that attaches to the seat post and cradles his leg. That was when Braley stepped in once The socket gave him balance and leverage when cycling. more, offering Key a couch and a few weeks to figure things out. Ultimately, he bought a plane ticket That little dose of freedom had finally to get Key to Alabama. become full freedom.
Key got sober and starting working for various car Key started racing around the country when serendipity hit. dealerships in Alabama before coming back to Arizona, A metalworker from the bike shop in Phoenix ran into Key ending up at a Porsche dealership in North Scottsdale. at a race in California in 2008.
33 Photo by Steve Cohen Steve by Photo “Same exact person who tracked down Allison Jones had energy output, like one through five,” Greta Neimanas, Key’s been talking to this guy and telling him about you [Key] cycling coach said. “And then way beyond that is ‘Zone T,’ and he said you should do this Paralympic thing.” and Todd is the only person that I’ve ever met who has consistently been able to just go straight there.” Key went home, and applied to a Team USA Paralympic cycling camp. An acceptance email came back It’s an experience that he explains is somewhat akin to to Key quickly, and he hopped on a flight with a flying. The feeling of riding his bike now that he’s figured it track and road bike. out. The feeling of freedom.
“They were testing me on that bike ride. Just pretending The love Key has for cycling is infectious and genuine. it’s natural and racing up hills,” Key said. “And I thought, ‘No, you’re not dropping me. You don’t understand what “Cycling fills that void that he was trying to you’re dealing with.’” fill with drugs,” Braley said. “It’s healthier. “So that was the beginning. Next thing you know I was His addiction to meth was replaced with an buying more bikes. Going to track nationals. Going to world addiction to cycling.” championships. Winning.”
Winning and transcending his athletic peak. Key’s chase has never been about winning–although he’s won quite a bit–it’s always been about freedom. Typically athletic performance decreases as people get older. Research has shown that a typical athlete’s peak He enters 2020 as a Paralympic hopeful in a packed C1 years are from age 26-31. category, working his way back from a broken femur that he suffered during a race in April 2019. Key’s international career began just over 10 years ago, at 49. Ever since, Key has continued to work and to improve. But if his history proves one thing, as long as he’s cycling, he’s a force to be reckoned with. “We somewhat jokingly refer to his effort level as ‘Zone T.’ Within endurance sports, there are different zones of
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35 36 C.J. HERNANDEZ
Autism Hasn’t Stopped Him by Karam Gafsi
As a child, visits to From Finding His Superpower the barber would instill fear in Carlos Joseph (C.J.) Hernandez. Hernandez would be driven to tears is not veiled under any sort of use the label of autism, whereas the by the grating wail of an electric secret identity; rather, he displays it Hernandez family embraced it; thus, razor shredding through countless prominently and proudly. they were able to find C.J. the proper locks of hair–seemingly slicing resources and education specialists scalps–as well as the signature It was during a presentation for while he was growing up. set of barber shears that might his classmates at community poke a person’s eye out. college where Hernandez revealed “Everywhere where we went, we this superpower to his peers. His found an angel that helped guide us,” Eventually, Hernandez took matters presentation was on the topic of McEvilly-Hernandez said. into his own hands and began cutting autism. Hernandez had asked the his own hair. At age 15, Hernandez class if they personally knew anyone It was his twin sister, Carly Hernandez, picked up his first razor, a moment he who had autism. After only a few who would keep an eye on her describes as life-changing. hands went up, Hernandez let his brother and help him with socializing superpower be known. when they were growing up. Hernandez, now 28, works as a barber at Jhonny’s Barbershop in “Actually, you all know someone with “We had a running joke that I was his Avondale, Arizona. As he fashions autism,” Hernandez said to his class. interpreter,” said Carly Hernandez. “I a fade for a regular client, he is “My name is Carlos Joseph Hernandez would clarify details for him if he was methodical, meticulous and locked in and I have high-functioning autism.” telling a story about school or having a razor-sharp focus. difficulties with a conversation.” According to Mary McEvilly- Hernandez calls this detailed Hernandez, his mother, Hernandez Carly Hernandez said this role she approach to haircuts a side effect was diagnosed with autism at the played has influenced her current of his “superpower.” age of three after a daycare worker career path, as she currently is noticed Hernandez had difficulties studying to be a speech therapist for However, unlike your typical comic socializing. McEvilly-Hernandez said people with autism. book hero, Hernandez’s superpower their doctors were at first hesitant to
37 “I think I could be a support for proved to be beneficial for his social photos of his latest haircuts or others like I was for my brother,” skills. “I’m starting to get better at captions regarding autism awareness. said Carly Hernandez. “C.J. was a communicating,” he said. One post reads: “Autism is a gift of life huge influence for me.” that can change the world.” At first, he was reluctant to share his McEvilly-Hernandez said she was condition with others, but as he got Carly Hernandez said she believes a little worried about Hernandez older, he began to see his autism as her brother’s social media account getting into barbering, as it would something to be proud of. can make a positive impact be a very social environment that on those with autism. might not always have the most “I’m not ashamed of it anymore,” patient of clientele, especially “Someone with autism regarding interacting with can see that they can find someone with autism. something they like to do and “My goal is to inspire others get a career out of it,” said In addition to his autism, C.J. Carly Hernandez. “It can be a Hernandez was diagnosed in the autism community and big confidence boost.” with auditory-processing issues, which can make those that support them.” According to C.J. Hernandez, his it difficult for him to Instagram posts have received communicate with others. positive feedback from parents According to him, while auditory said C.J. Hernandez about his of kids with autism. He also has processing disorder can overlap with autism. “My goal is to inspire others been asked to be a guest speaker at autism, he personally views it as a in the autism community and the same community college course separate issue entirely. those that support them.” where he first revealed his autism.
“It’s like there’s this wall,” said C.J. In addition to barbering, C.J. “That’s what my purpose is,” said Hernandez on his auditory processing Hernandez operates an Instagram C.J. Hernandez. “To show that disorder. “That’s what has been account, @cjtheautisticbarber, where anything is possible.” holding me back for years.” he posts almost daily. Currently, his account is sitting at over 1,400 However, C.J. Hernandez said followers. Many of the posts include working at the barbershop has only Photos by Estefania Cavazos Estefania by Photos
38
$100 team Mar 7&8 $50 free Agent 2202 W MEDTRONIC WAY #101 Call40 or email for more Info TEMPE, ARIZONA, 85281 (602) 386-4285 | [email protected] WHEELCHAIR ATHLETES WORLDWIDE Arizona-based organization delivers training and wheelchairs to Indonesia by Alana Minkler
After years of playing and coaching competitive Hansen, an attendee of the trip and wheelchair athletics, Peter Hughes, the director of the executive director of Southern athletics at the University of Arizona’s Disability Resource Arizona Adaptive Sports. Center, decided he wanted to give back to the sport of Donald Santoso, an Indonesian- wheelchair basketball. American who lived and studied at He founded Wheelchair Athletes Worldwide, a nonprofit, Arizona State University, reached out to which collects old sports wheelchairs and donates them to Hughes, inspiring the trip to Indonesia. developing countries. They also travel to those countries Santoso recruited over 30 and host a training camp. participants, many of whom were Wheelchair Athletes Worldwide works throughout part of Jakarta Swift, a community the year to collect equipment and has donated and wheelchair team, and helped facilitated training camps in India, Nepal, Peru, and as of lead the clinic alongside September 2019, a community of people with disabilities Bandung community members. in Bandung, Indonesia. Santosa said they loaded all The wheelchair basketball clinic took place September 9 the wheelchairs into a van and through 11 in a gymnasium in Bandung, according to Mia drove eight hours from Tucson, Photos courtesy of Mia Hansen of courtesy Photos
41 Arizona to Los Angeles International “It’s almost like you’re off-roading,” skill thrown at them. There were Airport, where they met up with Hughes said. “You feel for the other lots of sore muscles, but high spirits, Dan Altan, a founding member of people with disabilities because we’re full hearts and happy athletes at Wheelchair Athletes Worldwide and a very spoiled here in Tucson.” the end of the camp. coordinator of the trip. Hughes and Altan coached and “There was a lot of people crying Wheelchairs are a rare sight in lead beginners in wheelchair when we’re leaving, thanking Bandung. The sidewalks are often so basketball, many who had never us and hugging and taking bad that people walk on the streets. sat in a wheelchair, much less a photos,” Hughes said. wheelchair built for sports. Since the trip, participants from the “I have never seen a more camp in Bandung began the planning excited group of people than stages of hosting a three-on-three those newcomers who sat in wheelchair basketball tournament sports chairs for the first time,” and made a team that plans to Hansen said. “They quickly compete in the Asian Para Games. picked up on the American style of coaching and eagerly absorbed every drill, every
Wheelchair athletes in Bandung, Indonesia raise their hands during a basketball drill at a clinic in Sept. 2019.
42 TOKYO 2020, PARALYMPIC HOPEFULS
Kaleo Kanahele Mclay, Honolulu, Hawaii, Sitting Volleyball
Named World Super 6 Tournament Most Valuable Player and Best Setter in November 2019. Won gold at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and silver in the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. Photo by Loren Worthington Loren by Photo
43 Ability360 Vice President Larry Wanger listens to the FAR application.
FAR BEACONS: A REVIEW Taking a look at an application that extends traditional navigation systems by Shane Crowe
ollowing his usual routine, and the information necessary utilizing the Bluetooth beacons to David Furukawa, led by his for Furukawa to feel comfortable provide points of interest on the ship.” guide dog, Simon, was walking navigating the world again. F Bluetooth beacons are devices placed his then four-year-old son to school. “We knew there was going to be around the tangible world that can He had recently retired from Emory some level of post-traumatic stress communicate with one’s smartphone University and was settling in as a disorder with me getting back out on and provide them with information house dad. Their reverie was broken the street,” Furukawa said. “But what tailored to the location. For instance, as they were crossing the street. A really sealed the deal for me was we if a beacon is placed in a restaurant, car ran a stop sign. Simon pushed go on this music cruise every year it can display the menu, inform the Furukawa’s son out of danger, but the called the Rock Boat.” user about specials and provide the car still hit Furukawa and his guide restaurant’s hours of operation. dog. Furukawa sustained multiple The Rock Boat is a maritime music fractures, and Simon did not survive. festival and a shared holiday tradition “We put something like 70 beacons between Furukawa and Webb. around the ship for Dave just to see “It was one of those life-changing how it would work for 18 hours at moments,” Furukawa said. While “For me, maneuvering a cruise ship one time,” Webb said. at Grady Memorial Hospital in by myself is difficult at best without Atlanta, Furukawa was visited by having somebody guiding me along From this experiment, the duo created longtime friend Chris Webb. Webb the entire time,” Furukawa said. Foresight Augmented Reality (FAR), was determined to find a solution “So, Chris came up with the idea of a company that utilizes Bluetooth that would provide more safety technology to provide accurate
44 information about the user’s environment focusing not only Ability360 has four beacons located at different on navigation but context. points of interest throughout the campus. We asked
Photo by Estefanía Cavazos Estefanía by Photo our colleague Larry Wanger to test the beacons and “There are a lot of different applications available and give us some feedback. adaptive technology out there that provide navigation services to the visually-impaired, blind and disabled,” Wanger is the Vice President of Employment Services Furukawa said. These applications use point-to-point at Ability360 and a writer at LivAbility. He has navigation or GPS navigation. a visual impairment.
“They say turn left here, turn right here,” said Furukawa. “It’s got a lot of potential uses,” Wanger said. “[It is] hard to “But it doesn’t give you [the] context of what’s compare this versus Google Maps or something. It has a actually around you.” very different purpose, but given good directions and that sort of thing, it could be really helpful.” Webb says this context is important because people use landmarks to create mental maps of their environment. “One of the drawbacks is that it’s a very specific application,” Wanger said. “I wouldn’t know these were “We’re using our technology to give that same information here if I didn’t have the application launched and it to a visually-impaired person through audio prompts,” detected it,” he said. Webb said. “So, they can build their own mental map in their head and use their own navigation skills and their “There are other technologies that have come out in the mobility skills to get around.” past, specifically directed at low vision people where you had to have really expensive equipment and devices,” Webb and Furukawa have designed their business model Wanger said. “This is nice. It’s just there.” around making this service an affordable solution. The app itself is free and beacons, along with a subscription Furukawa and Webb have been updating and improving to the FAR networks, are priced reasonably for businesses, the app based on user feedback and are now expanding universities and governments, according to Webb. to a larger user group including those with cognitive disabilities, Furukawa told LivAbility. “What we’re finding is that really every business wants to help,” Webb said. “They all want to help the visually The FAR app is available for IOS and Android. Beacons impaired, but they don’t see a lot of them. And we have to have been installed in eight states and the UK. explain that a lot of them don’t get out because they don’t have technologies like this that will make an environment accommodating to them,” he says.
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Monthly Giving Group
Recurring monthly donations benefit sports center programs
A high-five may seem like a simple gesture, but as anyone who has played a sport can tell you, it means donations enable an organization to so much more. It means anything have consistent, predictable income. from “great job,” “we did it,” “thanks Supporting Ability360 is as for being my teammate” or “I support ”The monthly funds generated by easy as a high-five. To join you.” With this in mind, we have this group will help us maintain our the High Five Monthly started a way for our fans to give 45,000-square-foot facility and keep it in tip-top shape for our members,” Giving Group, please visit Ability360 a high-five every month ability360.org/donate today. with a recurring donation. said Gus LaZear, vice president and general manager of the Ability360 The High Five Monthly Giving Group Sports & Fitness Center. Ability360 Donation Information is a recurring donation club that has High Five Monthly Giving Group no minimum or maximum giving Ability360 is a 501(C)(3) organization. members Stuart and Trista Burns amount. Each dollar pledged helps Through contributions to Qualifying say, “My wife and I are proud to join Ability360 continue to support Charitable Organizations (formerly the High Five Monthly Giving Club over 2,700 members and their known as the Working Poor Tax because of our great experience with health and wellness goals. Credit), you can donate your Arizona the Ability360 team over the years. Tax Credit to Ability360. If you For us, meeting many of the world- “We give because we believe in what would like to consider a planned class athletes who call Ability360 Ability360 does. I see it. I live it. I estate gift to Ability360, such as a home and how adaptive sports has know the heartbeat of this place, and will or trust, life insurance policy been life-changing for them. In that’s why we give and love to be a or retirement account, please addition, the management team have monthly contributor here,” said Frank designate the gift to Ability360 in been wonderful business partners Sole, High Five Monthly Giving Group your estate/beneficiary documents as well and all of the events from member and triathlon swim coach. and/or execute a gift agreement national tournaments to local events clearly indicating your legacy wishes. According to the 2018 Global Trends are always phenomenal. The High All donation information can be in Giving Report, 45% of worldwide Five club offered us the convenience found on our website at www. donors are enrolled in a monthly of automated monthly giving, and ability360.org/donate. For more giving program. This trend seems to we will also be able to partner with
Photo by Loren Worthington Loren by Photo information, please contact Meghan be growing annually and appeals to our employer at the end of the year Fable, director of development, at many generations of donors. From for matching funds and double our [email protected]. the charity perspective, monthly impact to such a great organization.”
49 ABILITY360 AWARDED GRANT TO UPDATE SPORTS & FITNESS CENTER Devin Booker and Phoenix Suns Charities award grant
Sending a huge thank you to Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns Charities for choosing Ability360 as a recipient of the Devin Booker Starting Five grant! Big things coming to the Sports & Fitness Center! Photo courtesy of Michael Anthony/Phoenix Suns Anthony/Phoenix Michael of courtesy Photo
(From left to right): Ivan Carreno, Devin Booker, Nick Pryor, Gus LaZear, Liz Williams
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51 21st Annual D1 Wheelchair Basketball Tournament
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53 ™ (602) 386-4566 | ability360sports.org 5031 E. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85034 A Look at Marin Sardy’s THE WOMAN BEHIND THE WORDS Experience Writing “The Edge of Every Day: Sketches of Schizophrenia”
54 A Look at Marin Sardy’s Experience Writing “The Edge of Every Day: Sketches of Schizophrenia” by Ambur Wilkerson
very writer has their place. The place that they create, she is the daughter and sister of two people who have E formulate, congregate, etc. For Marin Sardy, this place lived with schizophrenia. is a coffee shop, one she coins her “usual haunt.” On a “The Edge of Every Day: Sketches of Schizophrenia,” typically sunny Southwest afternoon, Sardy invited us to published May 21, 2019, is a personal narrative in which this haunt, where she was found in a corner alongside a Sardy recounts memories and interests throughout her life, window that draped her in the desert sunshine. such as her knowledge of gymnast Svetlana Boginskaya In true writer fashion, she was typing away. She politely and her bold fashion statements as a young adult. asked for a moment to finish her last sentence. Once she Along with her personal reflections are details on typed the last few words she wanted to document from her moments with her mother, and brother, Tom, who she said memory, she set her work aside and shared with us what it were both diagnosed with schizophrenia. was like working on her latest body of work, “The Edge of Every Day: Sketches of Schizophrenia.” Sardy candidly reveals her journey through learning more about her two relatives and their struggles and discovering According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, how schizophrenia traveled throughout her family from schizophrenia’s prevalence in American adults is generation to generation. 0.25% to 0.64%, totaling about 1.5 million people. While mental illness is becoming a topic people Another part of her journey she reveals is what it was are more willing to talk about and destigmatize, like to hold onto familial bonds that she said were there is one group we must include in the conversation: challenged by mental illness. Further in the book is the group of people who live with loved ones who where readers learn about the loss of her brother, Tom, have a mental illness. who died by suicide.
Their pains and other experiences are sometimes She verbally illustrates the pain of overlooked, and sometimes they’re left in the dark when seeing her loved ones ill: it comes to being educated on mental health. Sardy’s memoir “That several years later, after doctors and medications Illustrations by Alison Baionno Illustrations by explores these themes, for and our help have achieved little, after Tom has denied his illness and turned us away and landed in the soup kitchens and homeless shelters of downtown Anchorage, I’ll know this beach is where I lost him. And that years in the future, at a beach again while on vacation in Mexico, I’ll find myself running frantically along the shore, alone, looking out past the breakers as they beat at my ankles, hollering, “Tom! Tom! Tom!” Looking for him, knowing full well that he’s nowhere near Mexico. I’ll be sobbing as I run, and for several minutes I’ll refuse to stop calling his name.”
55 Sardy’s memoir is an honest, elaborate piece of literature that highlights mental illness, shows us what schizophrenia can look like through world the ways that I have seen the perspective of an outsider not my loved ones be mistreated diagnosed with it, and navigates and misunderstood has given me living through challenges. something,” Sardy said. “Maybe a sense of peace that I don’t think I When writing so transparently, it’s could’ve had if I hadn’t.” safe to assume it’s not easy. Sardy intends to normalize topics He touched often seen as taboo, such as mental “I felt all the emotions. I felt it was on the duality illness, and homelessness, an incredibly therapeutic, but it wasn’t of the book. experience that her brother faced. therapy. Does that make sense? While it serves Adrienne Sardy, Marin’s sister, wants You know, I have gone to therapy to as a book about that to be a focal point. deal with much of the things that schizophrenia, Palmer have happened in my life,” Sardy highlights that it is a said. “And if I hadn’t done that, “I would want people to take away … how deeply humanizing her work literary memoir, and he wants I don’t think I would have been it to be seen by any who admire able to do the writing.” is toward homelessness and mental illness,” Adrienne said. literary work. His aspiration for the memoir to be recommended in The The therapeutic feeling for Sardy New Yorker attests to this. bloomed from being vocal. Sardy notes in her book how her mother refuses treatment and a “It’s meant to be creative nonfiction,” “The way that the writing was clinical diagnosis. Sardy addresses Palmer said. “She had a lot of good therapeutic, I think, was in her mother as someone with response to it as beautiful writing.” breaking the isolation that I felt schizophrenia in her memoir and in everyday life, so it’s only and in doing something so that It is indeed beautiful writing. natural to question her mother’s I could feel like now this will be Sardy stays committed to detail, reception toward the book. known and understood in the admirable unfiltered truth and vivid way that I need it to be seen and description throughout. understood,” Sardy said. “She understands that most other people in her life identify her as a For Sardy, her writing is purposeful. person who has schizophrenia, and Her way of making it seen was She wants her words to uplift. putting a microscope over what she is remarkably very okay with that. those with schizophrenia deal with I think this speaks to what kind of a “There’s people who have been and the neglect they face. Through person she is—she believes everyone through the kinds of things that I her family, she’s had the chance has their own perspective and she write about in the book. What I want to see firsthand how people with believes that I have the right to share them to take away from it is a sense schizophrenia are treated. my perspective,” Sardy said. “Her of hope and optimism,” Sardy said. response, I mean, was complementary “My feeling with schizophrenia is that mostly, which is so sweet, but also, She also wants to people with schizophrenia are largely was that ‘Okay. Now I’m going to tell bring major awareness. invisible … They’re often thought of you how I see it, and we’re good.’” as kind of not really people anymore, “I think I want to put not deserving of the same kind of Sardy also expressed gratitude for human consideration that other her mother, sharing that despite her schizophrenia on people’s people get,” Sardy said. “I have seen mother’s different perspective, had her radars as a real issue that directed at my loved ones my mother not been so supportive of her in this country that entire life. I’ve also seen people do sharing that very same perspective, wonderful things for them.” the book would’ve been less possible hasn’t been effectively to write the way she needed to. dealt with,” Sardy said. Exposing wrongdoings evoked therapeutic emotion within Sardy. Sardy’s book took years. Eight total, she calculated. Her proofreader was “But for me to be able to say that her husband, Will Palmer. I’ve seen that and to share with the
56 When asked what society can do to better support those with mental illnesses, her answer was rooted in two essential things: mental health resources and a willingness to listen to those with varying mental health conditions.
“To better support people with mental illness ... we as a society need to properly fund mental health services,” Sardy said.
“Underlying this need is, I think, an even deeper need to listen to people living with mental health conditions about their experiences, and to learn from them what services are most valuable and provide the greatest benefits to their quality of life.”
So, what’s next for the author? Well, she’s working on her second book.
“I’m not ready to talk about it in much detail, but it continues my explorations of schizophrenia and of art as well,” Sardy said.
She also plans to deconstruct society’s view on disability.
“So much of what is considered disability is difference,” Sardy said. “Much of the suffering of people who live with mental illness does not come from the illness itself, but to the way it’s received in the world.”
There’s no doubt her work will continue to open up eyes and minds.
There’s also no doubt she’ll probably produce some of this work in a quaint coffee shop.
57 NEW HORIZONS DISABILITY EMPOWERMENT CENTER Prescott’s first adaptive fitness center by Summer Sorg
Over the past few years, Andrew Bogdanov, a fitness “Ability360’s got what Prescott, Arizona has grown coordinator at New Horizons they’re doing and it’s tremendously, and with that and a main driver behind amazing, but I’m trying to growth has brought the city’s the gym, is a handcylcer, take what they’re doing, first adaptive fitness center. wheelchair-basketball player kind of partner with The new gym, known as the for the Ability360 Phoenix them, and then expand New Horizons Disability Wheelchair Suns and all- out to Northern Arizona,” Empowerment Center, opened around sports fanatic. Bogdanov said. “We’d in October 2019. like to ... branch out and He lives in Prescott but have adaptive sports It was born from one person’s commutes to Phoenix multiple everywhere passion for staying active times a week in order to for people, and created for those who use the Ability360 Sports & because not share that passion. It looks Fitness Center and to practice everyone like a standard gym, but with the basketball team. He can make that it is equipped for much hopes New Horizons will help drive down to Phoenix.” more than a standard those who are unable to make fitness center can provide. the commute regularly.
58 Tommy Schroeder, an employee at the Ability360 Sports & Fitness paralyzed from the waist down. He New Horizons, added that he hopes Center, Gus LaZear, said. got through what doctors estimated the center gives people the resources would be six weeks of therapy in just they need to stay active and maintain LaZear said Ability360 has sold two weeks and credits his “outlet” a healthy lifestyle; that there is more and donated equipment to New for helping him do so. to living with a disability than a Horizons and is in full support of lot of people expect. its growth as the only Center for “I was really motivated to get out and Independent Living in Prescott. New live life still,” he said. “I just want to have people know Horizons is close to being able to Continuing to be active helped him that there’s an opportunity for start a basketball team. people to do things and to be keep his independence. active,” Schroeder said. “We’re close,” he says. “We’ve got the “And because I fell in love with sports court and we have a few chairs.” Now … because it helped change my life Right now, the center is small, it’s all about raising money for the after my accident, I want to give consisting of a one-room gym, and an remaining chairs, which he hopes to that opportunity to other people. outdoor basketball court, but the goal do through a fundraiser in which he And so that’s why I’m doing this gym is to keep expanding. The first step of handbikes across the country. expansion is starting a New Horizons here,” Bogdanov said. wheelchair basketball team. “Getting into sports for me was a huge part of my therapy. It was my “It’d be great to have another team outlet,” Bogdanov said. to compete within Arizona,” Vice President and General Manager at Bogdanov got into a snowboarding accident in 2014 that left him Photos by Summer Sorg by Photos
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