Happy New Year!

Wow, who would have imagined we'd get this far with the project by the end of 2010?!  Check it out!



South view, 10-8-2010



South view, 11-9-2010

 

South view, 12-30-2010



North view, 9-29-2010

  


North View, 11-3-2010

North View, 12-30-2010



North view (closer in), 12-30-2010

View from Existing Parking Lot, 9-28-2010

View from Existing Parking Lot, 11-3-2010

View from Existing Parking Lot, 12-30-2010

New Entrance, 11-3-2010

New Entrance, 12-30-2010

Go Buckeyes!

Although she loves football, it’s not always easy being a fan. When most of us tune in on a Saturday to catch our favorite college team play, we usually gear up in green and white, or maze and blue. But Elizabeth, a client at Moravian West, stands out. She is a fan that proudly sports scarlet and gray. Born and raised in Ohio, she will proudly tell you she’s a Buckeye fan, and has been all her life.

Despite being such a die-hard fan, Elizabeth had never been to a game. Of course she wanted to and often spoke about it to Moravian West Residential Program Manager, Beth W. One of the impressive things about Special Tree’s residential staff is their passion for taking client’s interests to heart. This was the case when Beth surprised Elizabeth with tickets to the OSU vs. Penn State game. Just as impressive were the RSTs who traded in their Spartan gear for, gulp, the forbidden colors of the Buckeye to travel to Columbus, Ohio with Elizabeth for her first Ohio State football game.

It was an early morning and a long trip, but Elizabeth will enthusiastically tell you it was worth it. Walking into Ohio Stadium was a dream come true. Dressed in her OSU best, she cheered on her team to a victory of 38 to 14 against Penn State. A victory that she’s still smiling about.

Now when Elizabeth tunes in to watch the Buckeyes play in the Allstate Sugar Bowl, she’ll watch the game from a different perspective. She can now tell her fellow viewers that she’s stood among thousands of screaming fans as the Buckeyes stormed the field and personally felt the excitement of a victory. Go Buckeyes!

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays everyone!

View from the South End

 

Construction of the Northwest side of the roof



Workers shingle the roof above the front entrance

 


Same view, a little further away

 

A view from the old parking lot

A look down the hallway, client rooms to the right and left

Inside the lobby area looking North



Wayne County Festival of Lights

By Jessica Bahny

Activities Team

NeuroCare Center              

It’s that time of year again! Nothing welcomes the season like some great holiday lights! Each year we plan to take our clients to the Wayne County Festival of Lights at Hines Park, and the past few years, it seems as though the floods have kept us out! That hasn’t been the case this year. Each Thursday night this month, we are planning outings to see the lights. On the 2nd, my coworker Kari took Clay G., and Gardy B. to the festival. They both enjoyed it. Last Thursday, I took Brian O’K and Gaylor F. What a blast it was! We bundled up, cranked up the holiday tunes, sang at the top of our lungs, and beheld the greatest spectacle of lights since Chevy Chase lit up his house in “National Lampoon’s”! We saw a spinning dreidel, Santa playing basketball with his elves, and the newest exhibit- some really colorful dinosaurs. The clients were so excited, and I think we all felt like kids again. I left NCC that night feeling very fulfilled, and grateful to bring a little holiday cheer. I’m still smiling thinking about it!

Good Weather Keeps us Moving Right Along

Concrete for the last section of the interior floor is being poured this week, a big “check mark” on the to-do list! Underground work continues for water, sewer, plumbing, electrical, and the like. The boardwalks along the nature trail over the wetlands came out beautifully last week, and crews continue to work on that and other campus amenities in tandem with the building construction. The fishing pond has been carved out and this week multiple deliveries of clay arrive which will line the bottom. Infrastructure for the lighting along the new drive off Hannan Road has also begun. Looks like good weather – good news for the team!



View from South End (Week 7)



Boardwalk over wetlands in nature trail




Boardwalk over wetlands in nature trail




Path near pond areas



Drive off of Hannan Road to new entrance for campus.

Snow? No problem!

Wow! This week we saw our first real snow, not to mention a dip in the temperature. We have to hand it to the Douglas construction team, for they persevered despite weather. Plumbing and electrical work continues. We've also started to see the roof take shape, even as far as the shingles on one section. Getting the roof up will obviously be an important milestone as the winter weather worsens. Meanwhile, the IT staff are busy mapping out network and internet connections. The new building will include a Family and Visitor Business Center with wireless access.

Keep warm :)



A snowy view from the South End (Week 12)

 

View from inside the hallway



First look at the new PT gym



Out of the Chair and Into the Air

Earlier this month a group of clients from the Cottage and Webster Court ventured down to Tennessee for a trip filled with shopping, museums and sightseeing. Taken in by the beauty of the Smokey Mountains, clients Ed, Joe and Mark expressed interest in seeing things from a bird’s eye view. In the spirit of Living the Science of Caring, our staff inquired if it were possible to get the clients, two of whom were in wheelchairs, aboard for a helicopter tour ride.

It was an act of true teamwork as staff members Devin and Melissa lifted Ed and Joe, one by one, into the helicopter. Inside, RST Tonya pulled them through and helped maneuver them into the seats. Without a chest strap in the helicopter to keep Ed upright, Tonya held him up with her arms through the entire ride so he could see out the window. The dedication it took to get everyone into the helicopter was remarkable, but it couldn’t compare to the eight minutes and sixteen seconds they spent taking in the amazing view of the city and the Smokey Mountains.

When they landed and went to get their souvenir pictures the scenic tours staff confessed they had never seen a group so devoted to what they do. Tonya proudly responded, “That’s because we Live the Science of Caring.”

They certainly do!

Windows are going in!

Windows and interior walls are starting to make it all seem so real! Very exciting to get the windows installed and framing begun on the "inside" of the building. Excavators are working to install a water main in what will be the new staff parking lot; what a big project. The parking lots are taking shape as well as curbs are being installed.

Our construction hard hats are also off to our clients and therapy staff. What a great job you've done keeping your sense of humor while work is being done around the therapy area. Thanks for being such good sports!

An early view of the new entrance

Curb Installation



Water Main work in the new staff parking area



One wing of the new building taking shape

Raise the Roof

This week we saw a giant crane come through to set our roof trusses in place. Now we're busy constructing the roof. Plumbers and electricians are continuing work underground. Masons have begun prep work for the walls which will house the oxygen panels. The new building will include advanced in-wall respiratory hook-ups in 27 rooms. Great work everyone.

View from the South End (Week 10).

Trusses are set in place.

Workers begin to construct the roof.

The Divas

When you hear of a diva, it’s easy to envision a sassy fashionista who takes a liking to shopping, makeovers and the latest Hollywood gossip. This is true of some of the world’s most famous divas, and is also the case for Special Tree’s all women, client peer group. Appropriately named…. You guessed it, The Divas.

But this month The Divas took a break from their usual pampering and fashion filled agenda. They rolled up their sleeves and put their manicured hands to work creating holiday gifts at Special Tree’s Wabash Ceramics Studio. When the afternoon of paint and clay was over the girls felt better than after a day at the spa. After all, they had spent time in good company, were up to date on the latest, and had some holiday gifts for their friends and family in hand.

So what’s next for The Divas, who meet monthly? Probably back to catching up over tea and fashion. At least until they want to raise eyebrows again. After all, isn’t being a diva about making everyone wonder what you’ll do next?

Happy Thanksgiving

Despite the holiday, the construction didn't suffer from the tryptophan effect. Happy Thanksgiving!

The Nature Trail is paved by our hardworking crew.

Eastern view of the Nature Trail.

Another great shot of the trail.

Taking Shape

Things are taking shape! Work has begun on framing interior walls and masonry work is being done to prepare for constructing the entrance. Things are coming along for the nature trail, we're laying stone in preparation of pavement.  



One of the three wings.

 

The Nature Trail's base is set with stone in preparation of pavement.

 

A view from the North End (Week 8).



Special Tree Named Among Best Places to Work in Michigan

Special Tree is thrilled to be named one of the Top Workplaces in Michigan by the Detroit Free Press and was among 105 Michigan-based companies and organizations that were honored at a celebration breakfast held at Laurel Park Manor on November 11, 2010. “You’re an example of what’s right in Michigan’s workplaces,” said speaker Paul Anger, Detroit Free Press Editor and Publisher. CEO Joe Richert attended the breakfast with 16 other staff from all areas of the company.

The competition recognizes the most progressive companies in Michigan based on employee opinions about company leadership, career opportunities, workplace, flexibility, compensation and benefits. The survey included responses from over 42,000 employees at 1,000 Michigan public, private, and non-profit organizations.

"We owe this honor to our talented employees, both for making our company great and also for recognizing Special Tree," said Joe. Special Tree made the list thanks to employees' feedback on the survey. At Special Tree, it’s a top priority to create a work environment that inspires passion and enthusiasm so that we can continue our mission to help our clients shine through every phase of their recovery. Special Tree takes considerable heart that our employees believe in our mission and leadership enough to make us a Top Workplace in Michigan.

“Our employees’ great work makes Special Tree a great workplace,” he said. “I’m honored to work with a group of people who share a passion and commitment to make a difference in the lives of our clients.”

Check out Special Tree's ad and company profile in a special Top Workplaces section of the Detroit Free Press in their Sunday, November 14th issue this weekend.

We Have Walls!!

It’s been about a month since our groundbreaking on 9/29 and the official kick-off of the NeuroCare Campus Expansion project. It’s hard to believe how much has been happening in that time. Nearly all of the underground work has been completed such as plumbing, electrical, foundation and concrete work. They will be digging a large pit on the north side of Chase in front of Heavlin to allow the boring machine to bore under the road. The contractors and the Special Tree facilities maintenance team are taking every precaution to make sure this is barricaded and remains safe for anyone who may come across this. Barricade fence was installed around the hole by the contractor, but Special Tree’s maintenance team, led by Mark Blevins, are adding another small section for extra protection. Thanks, Mark and crew! The Douglas Team continues to frame the nature trail bridges and they also began framing WALLS this week near the existing building’s therapy area. With all the work that has been done so far, it just feels extra exciting to see walls going up!

From the South End (Week 2)

From the South End (Week 6)



From the North End (Week 1)



From the North End (Week 6)



View from old parking lot (Week 1)



 

View from old parking lot (Week 6)



Boring to go under Chase Road

Overview from the North



View of what will be the entrance area to new building
(looking East, existing therapy wing in background)





Bird's Eye View (looking North)




Bird's Eye View (Looking West, Heavlin in Background)