HamaspikHamaspik GazetteGazette DecemberOct. 2010 2005. •Issue Issue No. No. 76 24 News of Hamaspik Agencies and General Health The Joys of Summer Hamaspik wraps up sunny season with range of activities Don’t you wish it could go on Briderheim coped with the signifi- swimming pool. What made the deftly accommodated. Using non- ramps into the special pool, where forever? After all, who doesn’t like cant summer heat one hot day by swim unique was the fact that electric equipment, the consumers they splashed in the cool water, endlessly balmy days, blue skies and enjoying a refreshing dip at a local wheelchair-bound consumers were were rolled down disabled-access Direct Care Workers standing by. that upbeat, hopeful atmosphere? Up north at Hamaspik of Orange Still, summer eventually winds County’s Day Hab program, con- down too, as seasons go. But as it sumers thrilled to a carnival-themed did, Hamaspik staffers ensured that afternoon at which they tried their their charges all across the agency’s hands at a number of amusing game group homes, Day Habs and other booths set up by ever-creative staff. programs maximized the season’s Other summer activities included waning days to their fullest. strolling among the shady trees of Wannamaker Briderheim resi- Warwick State Park, creating Jewish dents became “WannaBAKERS” New Year’s cards to be sent to par- one fine summer day, joked Home ents, and even visiting the famous Manager Moshe Tamber in an e-mail Sam Ash music superstore, where to the Gazette’s offices. Attached to more musically-inclined consumers the e-mail were several photos of took up various instruments for an “his boys” decked out in profession- impromptu jam session as helpful al kitchen get-ups, hats, aprons and store staff stood by. all, as they measured, mixed and The residents of the Seven baked the ingredients of what soon Springs Shvesterheim packed a became oven-fresh honey cake, then wealth of activity into their summer enjoying their personal culinary since the Gazette’s last summer- handiwork. activity report, Home Manager Mrs. The Wannamaker residents later Heilbrun tells the newsletter. These wrapped up their summer with a get- celebrations of summer included away to a Catskills bungalow several visits to regional malls, trips colony, where they spend a few days to Splashdown Water Park and Rye imbibing the fresh countryside air. Continued on Page E12 Residents at the 61st St. Signs of life: Picture-perfect Grandview IRA consumers at Six Flags Wild Safari Backpacks and bugs INSIDE A parents’ guide to back-to-school ABCs * If you’re like most parents, Backpack safety In early August, the MCGHealth • Load the heaviest books and Home Care you’re getting your kids acclimated Children’s Medical Center in items first—they need the most body House Calls — E2 to the new school year nowadays— Is your son or daughter coming Augusta, Georgia sent out a press support. A loaded backpack mustn’t new backpacks, binders, buses and home carrying too heavy a load? release noting that about 6,000 weigh more than 15 percent of a all. Somehow we survived it all as No, I don’t mean the homework. As American kids get hurt by backpacks child’s body weight. * kids. Today, however, experts note strange as it may sound, packs actu- one way or another each year. • If Junior has to lean forward to Hamaspik on that there are ways to do even the ally can be too heavy for juvenile Children’s Medical Center occupa- carry his pack, it’s too heavy. back-to-school basics right. backs. tional therapist Linda Rhodes has the • Use both shoulder straps! the Blessed Isle — E3 following suggestions for keeping Slinging the pack over one shoulder your kid from becoming a backpack may be more convenient when dash- * statistic: ing out the door to make the bus— HAMASPIK GAZETTE Non Profit Org. • Get a backpack that doesn’t but it puts too much strain on one Public Health and Published and © Copyright Sep. 2010 by: US Postage weigh much in the first place. side of the back and upper body, PAID HAMASPIK 58 Rt. 59 Suite 1 Monsey NY 10952 • A backpack with a padded which can lead to more problems. Policy — E8, E9 PTEX GROUP Telephone: (845) 503-0212 / Fax (845) 503-1212 back will keep those sharp-tipped • Straps should be snug but not pencils or pokey-cornered rulers too tight. * from quite literally stabbing your kid • If a backpack has a waist What’s Happening In in the back. Shoulder straps should strap, use it to help better support the be padded too. load. Your Health — E12 • The right backpack should cover no more than three-quarters of Continued on Page E12 the length of your child’s back. Three Years of Life Hamaspik mourns passing of 61st St. Briderheim consumer Alter Wagschal, 21 Alter Wagschal packed at least their son and sibling. They did he had arrived, there was a side to two lifetimes into his 21 years. everything they could. Days turned Alter that would not surrender, that Born a healthy, precocious child, into weeks, then months and eventu- illness could never touch. His soul young Alter grew up in ally years. shone through on many an occasion Williamsburg in wide-eyed wonder At 18, Alter was joyously and and his mind would not infrequently of his illustrious ancestors, extolling lovingly embraced by the 61st St. burst into functional flame. their praises even as a young boy of Briderheim, where he became a resi- Staffers witnessed these precious seven. Then tragedy struck. dent shortly over three years ago. moments mostly through Alter’s A major surgical procedure to Home Manager David Mizrahi ever-witty spontaneity, displays of remove a brain tumor went wrong, points out that on the Hebrew calen- bracing cognition that defied stereo- leaving the little boy permanently dar, his day of arrival and day of types and kept his Direct Care brain-damaged, his pleasant person- departure were one and the same. Workers ever alert. “He had a sense ality and probing mind forever We don’t know G-d’s reckonings, he of humor,” recalls Mizrahi. No mat- scarred. Things would never be the says, but Alter clearly was sent to us ter how difficult it was, everyone felt same. for a reason. good working with him, he adds. His stalwart father, the respected For three years, Alter would live “We were able to connect with him.” Lantzhuter Ruv (Yiddish for rabbi of a better life, and arguably his third An employee at Hamaspik of Williamsburg’s Lantzhut Synagogue life. Though he had endured over 11 Kings County’s Day Hab program, community), as well as doting moth- years of agonizing, body-wracking which Alter had begun attending two er and loving family, rallied around results of his condition by the time months ago, once compared Alter to honey, saying how “sweet” he was. Despite his burdensome bodily A group home grieves: The 61st St. Briderheim restraints, Alter kept his soul aloft by regularly engaging in religious stud- father and mother arrived. There Day Hab staffers. “They did amaz- A Consumer’s Voice ies. He knew the name of every was little more they could do, they ing things for him,” he says. “A lot book in the Mishnah and could con- said. Surrounding Alter’s bed, the of credit goes to them too.” Hamaspik of Kings County staffer stantly be found bedecked with Wagschals, Hamaspik staff members Word of Alter’s passing quickly headphones, imbibing recorded and Hatzalah volunteers—all the rippled across the OPWDD commu- speaks up for consumer who cannot Torah study classes. family the young man had ever nity, generating genuine grief in * known—solemnly intoned Nishmas many quarters. “We were surprised Indefatigable Hamaspik of bols for such common phrases like In the wee post-midnight hours Kol Chai: “the soul of every life and saddened to learn of your loss,” Kings County MSC Julie “I want,” “juice” and “please.” of Sunday morning, August 15, shall bless Your name.” Then they wrote OPWDD leaders Dr. Ann Bergmann is a real trouper. She’s “It’s a way for her to get her Mizrahi got an ominous call from stepped back. Troy, Ph.D., Dr. Jill Pettinger, Ph.D., weathered more than her fair share wants and needs across,” Bergmann the IRA’s overnight staff. * and Kathy Keating in a letter to of personal adversity—which is explains. Something was happening, they After the funeral, sitting at home 61st’s staff. “You have all worked exactly what’s behind an ever- And indeed it was, facilitating said. Come quick. during the traditional Shivah mourn- so hard, and with such dedication, to cheerful countenance and an inde- enhanced communication from the Mizrahi showed up shortly. The ing period, a father repeatedly give Alter a good quality of life... structible drive to obliterate adver- get-go. “The communication board staff nurse was already on the scene, expressed gratitude for everything a Thank you for your devoted care, sity in the lives of others. was a success!!!” Bergmann as were members of Hatzalah, the group home, and its manager, did for and your welcoming spirit.” So when a young adult con- beamed in a follow-up e-mail to the community volunteer-ambulance a son who became one of their own. Alter Yitzchok Wagschal will be sumer, a severely autistic and non- Gazette. “The individual recog- corps. Alter had suffered a wither- For their part, Hamaspik’s staff most remembered for his smile and verbal student attending Boston’s nized it right away and asked for ing heart attack.