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On behalf of Oklahoma’s developmental disabilities community, The Arc of Oklahoma respectfully requests that the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan explicitly address Oklahomans with intellectual and developmental disabilities ages 16-64 who live in the community—in their own home or a family home—and the unpaid family caregivers who support them!

Read our full letter here

New Name, Same Great Cause

TARC is proud to announce we have become The Arc of Oklahoma, a state chapter of The Arc of the United States, the largest national community-based organization advocating for and with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD.) The Arc and its network of affiliates are dedicated to serving them and their families, across diagnoses, including Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy and other intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“Our new brand identity as The Arc of Oklahoma represents a new day for our nonprofit organization that has served Oklahomans with I/DD since 1952,” said The Arc of Oklahoma Executive Director Lisa Turner. “The new logo connects us with the work of a strong and energetic national organization and is a bright reminder that we provide opportunity for hope, growth and change for Oklahomans with I/DD and their families.”

As the state chapter, The Arc of Oklahoma has taken on The Arc’s national brand as its new face for the organization. The dynamic logo unites affiliated chapters under the banner “Achieve With Us,” a call to move forward and take the road leading to progress, inclusion and respect. The logo design reflects the energy and determination of The Arc to support and embrace people with I/DD and their families.

“It is exciting to introduce the new face of our organization to the community,” said The Arc of Oklahoma Board President Eric Newendorp. “The Arc of Oklahoma is a very important lifeline to many families with I/DD, including my own. This new identity will let everyone know that we are moving forward and making a difference every day for Oklahomans with I/DD.”

The Arc of Oklahoma joins a network of more than 600 state and local chapters across the country working tirelessly to uphold a vision that every individual and family living with I/DD has access to the information, advocacy, and skills they need to support their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.

The Arc of Oklahoma’s services will remain the same with an added emphasis on advocacy and public policy, as Oklahoma’s only statewide advocacy organization dedicated to serving individuals with I/DD. Programs also include family support, self-advocacy, grief support, residential advocacy.

The Arc of the United States was founded in 1950 by parents who believed their children with I/DD deserved more – to be included in their communities and to pursue fulfillment and happiness just like everyone else. Over its 60 year history, The Arc has continued to grow and evolve along with the changing needs and issues people with disabilities and their families face. The organization has played a pivotal role in changing the public perception of disability and has been on the frontlines advocating for legislation to improve the lives of people with I/DD in health care, education, employment, housing and more.

As part of the Tulsa Area United Way Day of Caring, TARC will be hosting the annual Carnival of Caring at LaFortune Park, 5302 S Hudson Ave in Tulsa on Friday, Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Individuals with developmental disabilities and their staff or caregiver are invited to come and enjoy a fun day of food, games, activities, arts & crafts, and music with DJ – Steve Pitts. Bring your own lawn chairs!

There will be no charge for any of these event activities. Sponsored by TARC, Matrix Service Company, and Tulsa Area United Way.

Please RSVP by Aug. 30 by calling TARC at 918-582-TARC (8272) or by email at bmaxwell@thearcok.org.

https://thearcok.org/index.php/2019-advocacy-awards-nomination-form/

Every year, TARC has the honor of recognizing those who have provided outstanding service and advocacy for Oklahomans with developmental disabilities.

Please take the time to nominate one or more individuals/organizations you believe deserve to be recognized for their efforts in helping others. Winners for the 29th Annual TARC Advocacy Awards will be honored at the awards ceremony on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at the Marriot Hotel Southern Hills in Tulsa.

There are 13 categories in which nominees can be considered for an award.

Every recipient of the award categories listed below has done something remarkable in helping TARC achieve its mission of ensuring a high quality of life for Oklahomans with developmental disabilities and their families.

Anyone can nominate advocates for an award by scrolling down and following the link to the nomination form. Nominations are due by Oct.18.

Award Categories:

• Advocate – Board Member
  Recognizes a member of the board of directors of any non-profit, community based service provider who has gone beyond the interest of his or her agency to become an advocate for all people with disabilities.
• Advocate – Case Manager
  Recognizes the OKDHS/DDS case manager who has surpassed job requirements to advocate for his or her clients.
• Advocate – Direct Care Provider
  Recognizes the direct contact staff person working for a community provider, who has gone beyond job requirements to advocate for people with disabilities.
• Advocate – Educator
  Recognizes a public school educator who has promoted the inclusion of children with disabilities in regular school settings.
• Advocate – Professional Provider
  Recognizes any professional such as a therapist or physician who advocates for people with disabilities beyond their professional responsibilities.
• Advocate – Volunteer
  Recognizes the volunteer or group of volunteers who, in a program serving people with developmental disabilities, has gone beyond the call of duty to advocate.
• Elected Official
  Recognizes an elected official who has effectively promoted better understanding and integration of people with disabilities in employment, education, and the community.
• Self-Advocate
  Recognizes the self-advocate who has spoken out for all people with disabilities.
• Media Advocate
  Recognizes the media professional who has effectively promoted better understanding and integration of people with disabilities living in the community.
• Parent Advocate
  Recognizes the parent(s) of a person with developmental disabilities who has been a voice for all people with disabilities.
• Special Achievement in Advocacy
  Recognizes the individual, business, or organization not included in other categories, which through a significant advocacy effort has improved the lives of people with disabilities.
• Catalyst of Change
  Recognizes individuals, groups or organizations that have been catalysts for significant positive change in improving the lives of Oklahomans with developmental disabilities over a long period of time.
• Shelby Hard Courage in Advocacy
  Recognizes individuals who have faced extreme challenges while still advocating for others.

https://thearcok.org/index.php/2019-advocacy-awards-nomination-form/

TARC reserves the right to withhold an award in any category in which an insufficient number of qualified nominations are submitted. A selection committee composed of prominent Oklahoma advocates in the field of developmental disabilities will make the final decision on Advocacy Award winners.

“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me” – Jim Valvano

Last month, we celebrated the Mother’s Day tradition by highlighting two amazing women – Andee and Cheryl.

For Father’s Day, we are honored to share the story of Mike and the love he has for his daughter Kenzi.

“Kenzi is a fun loving, adventurous person that has a passion for life.”

Kenzi was born with moderate to severe cerebral palsy.

She has undergone multiple hip surgeries, spinal surgery to clip nerves in her spine, surgery to place rods along both sides of her spine from her hips to her neck, and more. Because of her limited mobility, Kenzi uses a wheelchair.

Although she has used a wheelchair since birth, Kenzi’s father has taught her that she can still do anything she wants to do.

“We have always told her that we didn’t want her to be limited in what she wanted to do and that we would help her do whatever we could physically help her do.”

Mike does not let Kenzi’s diagnosis stop him from including her in the activities they love to do together. Since Kenzi is adventurous and willing to try anything, Mike has shared his love for the outdoors with her and they participate in many activities as a family.

They take a yearly snow skiing trip to an adaptive sports center in Colorado. They have taken Kenzi snowmobiling, where she is strapped to the front of her dad using Velcro straps.

Kenzi has been rafting down the Illinois River using an adaptive seat, swimming using a life jacket, and many other activities.

Kenzi also loves to go fishing with her dad regularly.

Mike helps Kenzi experience the freedom of doing activities she loves without feeling any constraints. Whether she is on the slopes snow skiing in real time, cruising through the Illinois rapids, or going on a hunting or fishing trip with her dad — Kenzi feels powerful and free.

“As Father’s Day approaches, I am thankful for Kenzi and the love that we share together and the time and adventures that we are able to enjoy as father and daughter!”

Mike is a father who proves that love has no limitations. He supports Kenzi in everything she wants to do and shows her that anything is possible. That is how every parent should be. Every child should feel as loved and supported as Kenzi does.

If you have a story like Mike and Kenzi’s, share it with us and show everyone how spreading love can be life-changing. Happy Father’s Day!

Mother’s Day was created by Anna Jarvis in 1905 and first celebrated in 1908. She wanted to honor her mother by continuing the work she started as a peace activist and to set aside a day to honor all mothers because she believed a mother is “the person who has done more for you than anyone in the world“.

To honor this Mother’s Day tradition, we want to share the stories of two incredible mothers who love their children with everything they have. Today we are highlighting Andee.

Andee Cooper’s life changed in September of 2011 when her three-year-old son, Kannon, began having his first of thousands of seizures. In a matter of weeks, Kannon was experiencing more than 110 seizures every day and tests soon diagnosed her once healthy son with epilepsy. Although many kids grow out of childhood onset epilepsy, Kannon’s hundreds of seizures per day began affecting his brain.

After two weeks at the Mayo Clinic, Kannon was diagnosed with Lennox Gastaut Syndrome, a complex, rare and severe childhood-onset form of epilepsy characterized by multiple and concurrent seizures and cognitive dysfunction typically extending into adulthood.

Immediately, Andee began a journey she never thought she would experience. She and her little boy who was already potty-trained, could count to twenty and sing the sweetest songs, were now facing a new future foreign from his first three years of life.

One of the first places Andee turned to for help was TARC. With consultation from Sherilyn Walton, TARC’s Family Support Coordinator, Andee received recommendations on school systems, therapies, sensory integration techniques and most importantly how to serve as an advocate for her son.

As Kannon started school, Andee worked with TARC to find resources so she could move to a new home in the Jenks School district with a school nurse on staff and a distinguished special education program. An on-site nurse is critical to Kannon’s care so he can receive his daily seizure medication or rescue medicine when needed. And when behavioral issues emerged, Sherilyn and Andee met with educators to find a solution.

Now a ten-year-old student in Jenks Public School’s Special Education Program, Kannon has been through more testing and has more battle wounds from seizures than one child should have to endure in a lifetime. With an IQ of 41, Kannon’s cognitive function is that of two-year-old, despite his physical appearance of a typical ten-year-old healthy boy.

“My son is often misunderstood because he looks healthy,” said Andee.

Andee has learned how to enroll in services that have helped ease the financial burden for her family, including providing services for Kannon with physical therapy; access to in-home services through a Medicaid waiver; and enrollment in SoonerCare which covers the medication Kannon needs to prevent seizures, an adaptive wheelchair, and some of her family’s monthly medical expenses. We are grateful that Andee reached out to our team at TARC and that she continues to work with us as she devotedly advocates for her son and others with disabilities.

As any parent, Andee will experience ups and downs and bumps along the way, but TARC’s Family Support Programs will be there to support Andee and Kannon long after his school years have ended.

As a single parent, an ally has been especially important for Andee and she credits Sherilyn and TARC for the progress she’s seen in her son as well as in her own professional career.

“I owe her everything—all of my positive outcomes and successes I have because of her help,” said Andee. “She has taught me how to be the voice for my child.”

While TARC did help Andee and will continue to do so, it was because of her initiative and advocacy that Kannon has the life he does today.

Andee is the mother that every child should have. She is wonderful in her advocacy and support of her child. That is how every parent should be. Every child should feel as loved as Kannon does. Thank you to all mothers out there!

If you have a story like Andee’s, share it with us and show everyone how spreading love can be life-changing.