Clipped
Wings Formalize Grant to Assist Families Traveling to World Games
"This
is my baby and I'm proud of it," said Patti Jacoby, past president of the
Clipped Wings Members at Large chapter and active flight attendant with United
Airlines.
As
the chairperson of the Special Parents' Grant for her Clipped Wings chapter,
Patti takes pride in knowing she and her counterparts are making a difference
through their grant program in getting families of the Team USA Delegation
overseas to watch their athletes compete.
Clipped
Wings was organized in Chicago by former United Airlines stewardess Jacqueline
Jos Ceaser in November of 1941. Jackie's original concept was to perpetuate airline
friendships while contributing to others who were less fortunate. For the last
60 years, the profile of Clipped Wings members has broadened from that of mothers
and homemakers to include working women (and men) with dual roles. The group
includes a large number of active flight attendants, many of which devote countless
hours to help people with developmental disabilities, while enjoying the friendship
so important to its founding ideals.
"It
was an eye-opening experience that many parents were not able to make the trip
to see their athlete compete," she said. "Our focus for the grant is
not to pay their way, but to assist them in some way to get to the World Games," she
added after explaining how many families she noticed weren't able to make the
trip to the 1997 Toronto Games.
In
1999, Patti's local chapter decided to unveil the Special Parents' Grant for
the Special Olympics World Games in North Carolina as part of their philanthropy.
Ever since then, the grant has continued and this, year Clipped Wings National
will be offering eighteen $1,000 grants for the World Games in Shanghai.
"All
we ask is that the family shows an active participation in their athlete's life
with Special Olympics," said Patti. "To give a gift without 'ties'
is to give a gift of love. I truly do feel this way about the grant: if I get
to meet the parents, great! But if I don't, I know that they will be there for
their athlete and that is what is most important."
For
more information, visit http://www.clippedwings.com
Medical
Team Treats Own "Addiction" As They Return Another Year to World Games
The
previous newsletter featured the newest "1/3" of the Team USA medical
team, but the delegation is honored to have two doctors return from the 2005
World Games to treat their own addiction to our Special Olympics athletes.
 |
| Dr.
Moore |
 |
| Dr.
Burns |
Dr.
Pat Moore and Dr. Kristina Burns both came back from Japan in 2005 with many
fond memories, but also great ideas to apply for the 2007 games. With the goal
of facilitating the preparation and maintenance of our team's health leading
to peak performance by each of our athletes, the medical team admits that trips
overseas offer several challenges.
"The
extended travel time, the significant time change and nutritional issues will
certainly keep us on alert at all times," said Dr. Burns of Kansas City,
Mo., who works at Research Medical Center. Dr. Burns is a member of Health Care
Associated Emergency Physicians and is a Board Certified Emergency Medicine Physician
in practice for the past 11 years since graduating from residency.
"With
our athletes having cultural dietary differences and being on medications that
will need a timing adjustment with our time change, it will be challenging to
stay on top of these issues as they are all housed in four or more different
locations," added Dr. Burns.
Dr.
Moore expressed interest in participating in Special Olympics on an international
level because of the positive experiences he has had on a local and state level
over the past 20 years.
"It
always seems I get so much more out of the experience than I am able to put into
it," said Dr. Moore. "Special Olympics makes you want to be a better
person. I hope I can somehow give back to the athletes a fraction of the joy
I have received from them."
Moore
is originally from Dickinson, N.D., but has lived and practiced in Grand Forks,
N.D., for the past 20 years. He is a Board Certified Family Physician, working
in Altru Health System where he sees patients in an outpatient clinic setting.
He also has a small hospital practice and periodically works in the Urgent Care
Department of the local hospital.
The
Team USA medical team will be available around the clock for any medical issues
regarding the Team USA delegation including overseeing the dispensing of medications
to all athletes, tracking the medical issues experienced by Team USA for future
reference, and providing medical directives with the understanding that hands-on
medical service will be provided by the GOC Medical Services in Shanghai. The
team will work with Heads of Delegations to determine effective medical information
flow to head and assistant coaches.
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