A Call to All

Special Tree is Bringing a River Rouge Elementary School Library Back to Life for Leap Day and hopes to encourage others to make a difference on February 29th.

Children at Ann Visger Preparatory Academy in River Rouge, MI, will have something more to celebrate on Leap Day when the doors to their newly renovated media center officially open, after closing for more than a decade.

The renovation is a “Leap Day” gift from Special Tree who is on a mission to encourage the public at large to use the gift of an extra day to make a difference.  Special Tree is providing the inner-city school with new media center furniture, hundreds of new books, a student reading center, and new interior design elements as part of their LeapDay229.org initiative. The company created the LeapDay229.org website, where people post their Leap Day plans to let others know about all the big and small ways to make a difference on Leap Day.

CEO Joe Richert was inspired to create LeapDay229.org after finding an old note he’d written to himself about putting the gift of an extra day to good use. “Leap Day 229.org fits in with Special Tree’s long-standing commitment to give back to the community, so we’re using our resources to make that happen in a much bigger way,” he said. “We’re asking everyone to participate and to help spread the word.”

Before the renovation

Special Tree began the media center renovation in early January and plans are in the works for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and Leap Day celebration on February 29th. “The school embraced Special Tree from the start and have been an important part of the project team,” said CEO Joe Richert. “I’m impressed with the leadership at Ann Visger and how they’ve used their limited resources to do what they can to improve the school.”  Ann Visger Principal Joe Emery, Jr. adds, “"We are truly blessed to be associated with Special Tree,” he said. “The media center renovation is another sign of the overall rebirth of the River Rouge School District." 

Project is now in full swing!

Many of Special Tree’s clients, who are in recovery from a brain injury, are helping with the renovation through Special Tree’s vocational rehabilitation programs. Clients are refinishing the existing book shelves, are making colorful ceramic tiles for a mural in the company’s in-house art studio, and have sorted and entered the new books into a new database for the media center. “We’re very proud of our clients,” said Mr. Richert. “Recovering from a brain injury is hard work, yet our clients are finding energy to give back.”

According to Special Tree’s Community Services Director, Joe Richert, II who is overseeing the media center renovation, word of the Leap Day project at Ann Visger is spreading quickly throughout the small downriver community. “Everyone in the community is so excited about the project that community leaders are now talking about turning Leap Day into an official day of community service,” he said. “That’s the heart of what LeapDay229.org is about, showing people you care and making things happen for them in meaningful ways.”

Back on the WJLB Airwaves

Kevin with Dr. Derius & Big Dog Blast

When Kevin walks into a room everyone notices. His smooth voice and warm asking, ‘What’ss up?’ let’s everyone know he’s there.

As an on-air personality for Detroit’s WJLB FM 98, he won many metro-Detroiters over with his electrifying presence. Following a life-altering accident Kevin came to Special Tree Rehab where, no surprise, he’s doing the same.

Kevin arrived at Special Tree’s Chesley house in mid November. In just a short time he’s brought new life into the house and has made tremendous progress in his rehabilitation. Chesley  Residential Manager Kim Townsend calls Kevin “the model client.” And explains that he’s always up and ready for therapy, works hard while there, and never misses a session. She believes Kevin understands that he must work hard in order to reach his long-term goals.



Kevin & RST Haleem



Like many clients, Kevin’s long term goal is to return to work and to be at home with his family. And because of his good work, he’s well on his way. Recently, he made a guest appearance on his former time slot on WJLB.  Kevin shared insights on brain injury with his listeners and colleagues, bringing new light to his former show. Metro Detroit responded so positively that the station is welcoming him back this coming weekend. As for his goal of returning home to continue his active role as husband and father, Kevin has even more encouragement. He and his wife recently welcomed a new baby girl into the world. Kevin’s path to recovery continues until he can return to his two passions in life: radio and his family.





Bling’ing in the Holidays

A big thanks to artisans Sylvia, Kimberley and Hannah for joining the Troy Women’s Group for the holidays. For a second year in a row Rebecca Cowell’s mom, sister and niece donated supplies and their time to help the women ring (or bling) in the holidays with beautiful handmade crafts. Last year the ladies created handmade beaded Christmas trees. This year the ladies fashioned three beautiful handmade beaded crafts: a bracelet, holiday pin and a beautiful beaded icicle to hang on their trees. In the end the ladies beamed brighter than their jewelry with pride in their fine accomplishments.

Sylvia, Hannah and Kimberley join the ladies of the Troy Women's Group as they proudly show off their beaded crafts

Christmas Morning

By: Jessica Bahny
NCC Activities Assistant

Can you believe it, another year has come and gone!  I can’t believe we are welcoming 2012.  That being said, I wanted to take a few minutes to share my wonderful holiday experience here at NCC.  So many times people ask me: “doesn’t it stink working holidays?”.  Nope!  I had a great Christmas holiday here at NCC with some of my favorite people- my wonderful clients and co-workers. 

The holiday spirit was definitely in the air when I walked in on Christmas morning.  The clients and I shared our usual coffee house time- this time with my “special” coffee (It’s just coffee with cinnamon and nutmeg, but the clients love it, and I try to make it for them on special days).  We laughed out loud as we read letters that children wrote to Santa.  You could feel the excitement in the air after coffee house when it was time for me to pass out the gifts.  Now, this is my favorite part of working the holiday.  I LOVE watching the clients’ eyes light up when they open their presents.  Everyone was talking and laughing at the same time.  It was total chaos, but the best kind!  Christmas at NCC is like Christmas anywhere else- it’s filled with laughter, hugs and some tears.  After they opened their gifts, the clients sat down to a fabulous meal.  The kitchen staff really outdid themselves!  There was honey baked ham, potatoes, rolls, and a beautiful dessert selection. 

I left work that day with an amazing feeling.  I was able to be a small part of giving the clients a memorable holiday.  To all of my coworkers who also shared the holiday with the clients- please know that we all had a hand in the festivities.  As I was heading out to celebrate the day with my family I realized this: I may have passed out gifts to the clients, but they gave me something that can’t be bought.  So many of them told me how much I matter to them, and how happy they were to celebrate the holiday with me.  That’s the greatest gift of all.  And believe me, the pleasure was all mine!  I hope everyone’s holiday was wonderful.  Even though the “busy” time is over, we won’t be slowing down in activities any time soon!   I’ll be back soon, keeping you in the loop of leisure!

The Holiday Season at NCC

By Jessica Bahny

NCC Activities Assistant

Well, it’s been looking a lot like the holidays here at the NeuroCare Center.  I thought I’d update everyone about what’s been shakin’ here in the activity department.  As you can imagine, we’ve been busy, busy, busy- but always having fun!  As we do every year, we’ve been trying to go to the Wayne County Lightfest every Thursday night.  I personally went recently, with Brian O. and Bradly R.  We had so much fun!  The holiday music was cranked up, and we sang and laughed the whole way.  The lights were quite a spectacle this year- they had the usual displays, but DTE energy sponsored the new addition- blinking musical notes in a rainbow of colors.  Very cool. 

 

On December 11, my co-worker Kari and I were fortunate enough to be able to take two of our clients to the Lion’s game.  Willie B., James H., Kari and I had a rockin’ good time watching the Lions face the Minnesota Vikings.  It was a packed house at Ford Field, and oh yeah, the Lions won!!!  The staff was very gracious to our gentlemen- what a great experience!  

This past Friday was our annual Winterfest here at NCC.  We had a full day of games, crafts, food and excitement.  My leader, Amy Blevins, did a great job as always coordinating the whole thing, and all of the awesome therapists, RST’s, and everyone else working that day were so supportive in working the different stations and helping the clients get from one place to another.  It always feels so good to see all of us working together to give our clients a good day.  One more shout-out has to go to our Dietary Staff for the AWESOME food!  We had soup in bread bowls, and fantastic wrap style sandwiches.  They worked very hard, and it certainly paid off with compliments from clients, staff and guests alike.  We’re all decorated up for the season, with the Christmas tree that our clients helped decorate sitting in the dining room and our menorah lit.  I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season.  Stay tuned for more updates!  There’s always something going on!

Pay Day at Last!

There’s nothing like the feeling of getting your first paycheck, even if you have to wait until you’re 59! Client Dusanka was thrilled to get her first paycheck EVER for her vocational work in Special Tree’s Day Treatment Service’s in-house ceramics studio where she creates ceramics and keeps the studio clean and organized. “Dusanka is a hard worker and voluntarily takes on extra tasks,” said DTS Manager Kathy Gray. Dusanka has a long work history — just not for jobs she got paid to do. After immigrating from Romania, she raised three kids and helped care for her five grandchildren. Working in the studio has dramatically changed Dusanka’s outlook on her abilities adds Kathy. “Instead of saying she can’t do something, she’s now focused on what she can do to make more money!”

But Dusanka’s new job has given her more than just money -- it’s also boosted her self-confidence. In October, she bravely spoke about her work experiences to a large crowd at the Michigan Rehabilitation Conference in Grand Rapids. Dusanka, her co-worker David, and DTS staff made the trek across the state to participate in the Conference’s Micro Enterprise Mall where they sold over $500 worth of client-made ceramics at Special Tree’s product booth.

Ceramic works by Dusanka and other clients in the DTS vocational program are on display (and for sale) at the Troy Neuro Skills Center. You can also purchase ceramics by contacting the ceramics sale manager at victoriamannino@specialtree.com.

Knock, Knock... It's the Holidays!

By: Tonya Bryant, CBIS
Residential Manager
Webster Court

This year the staff at Webster Court wanted to do something fun with our clients to get them in the holiday spirit.  We decided to have a Holiday door decorating contest.  All week long we have encouraged any visitors at Webster Court to take a walk through and vote for the most creative and festive door. Tom had a box of Godiva chocolates set outside his door to share with all of those who stopped by to vote.  This afternoon we tallied up our votes and we have our winners.  In first place we have Tom, known at Webster Court as “The Mayor.”  He won a $20 gift certificate to Fanatic U. In second place we have Shanay, who a $10 gift certificate to Dots.  In third place we have Bill who took home a $5 gift certificate to Fanatic U.  Staff also decorated the office door to join in on the fun.  Everyone enjoyed this contest and we plan to make a holiday tradition at Webster Court.

Tom, "The Mayor" who's festive door was awarded 1st place

Shanay's door adorned in red and green and got her the number 2 spot 

Humble, yet festive Bill was awarded 3rd in the contest

Happy Holidays!