Return to Florida: Donna Lee

I would like to begin with a new years blessing.

It is going to be a Fantastic year, I can feel it!  As was this summer.

As you all know, my brother received my bone marrow, and as of today, his latest biopsy shows 91% of it being his own. Thank you God. The month of September I spent with my 14 month-old grandson, helping him to adjust to daycare and spending as much time as possible bonding with him. He rode his first choo choo train with "safta" (grandma in Hebrew). I was very privileged to have had that time with him.

Presently I am back in Naples, Florida and my first visit, after mom, was to Riley and his family. Riley had a tough summer, involving seizures and coughs, increasing his muscle tone, tightening them, as well as his tendons and ligaments. After not seeing him for 4 months, I noticed how much he has grown, especially taller. He seemed to have enjoyed the massage, because, as I pointed out in a previous blog, he vocalizes and sings to me.

I started out wishing us all a wonderful new year, or Shana Tova (Hebrew), filled with good health, happiness and productivity. This week I will resume my volunteer work at Naple's Equestrian Challenge, become a more active participant in Freedom Waters Foundation organization, continue dancing with my buddies from the Federation For Developmentally Disabled, at Fred's Diner, every Tuesday evening, and of course, visit Riley on a weekly basis. Being part of these activities, gives me the energy of life and fills my soul with true abundance. Thank you God.

Donna Lee
Nameste v'Shalom

New digital Parenting Specialneeds Magazine is out today.

Shared by Debby Frenkel:

Freedom Waters Foundation Friends: 

FWF Made the News in Naples tonight!  Thank you to Paul Gessler who did a great job on the story at ABC!

Enjoy and please forward and share with all your friends ----

Here's the link to the story: http://www.abc-7.com/global/story.asp?s=15637085

Here's to what we do!  Thank you all who Make it Happen! 

Debby

Today's discovery for my international readers: European Disability Forum

Shalom from the Holy Land - by Donna Lee

Shalom from the holy land. It is so good to be home, to feel the Mediterranean sun and winds on my skin, to smell the orange blossoms as I ride my bike through the orchards and fields. To hear everyone greet each other with "shalom" and/or "Chag Sameach" (happy holiday) on Shevuot, the day the 10 commandments were handed to Moses on Mount Sinai. And to dodge the cars of the  craziest drivers in the world (that is why I choose the unpaven paths!!!).

"FRIENDS! In this park we are friends, all of us - we meet, play and are friendly!"

But most of all, it fills my heart to see how this small country has such a GREAT awareness to children and adults with disabilities. Today I had the pleasure of revisiting one of the nicest parks I know of, in Ra'anana, which caters to children with special needs. 

 "This park has been made especially for our children with special needs.

Please give them the right of way, allowing them to be first."

The unique school I use to work for, Beit Issie Shapiro built a play area, in this park, with much thought and planning so that children with any type of challenge can enjoy the outdoor activities. It is also encouraged, in the many adorable signs, for ALL children to play together, follow the safety rules and to help those who are in "designer " motorized or manual wheelchairs.

 "It's fun to play together, all we need is to follow the rules."

As I explored and experienced the different apparatuses with my grandson, I thought of my friend Riley and how I would place him in or on the various swings and carousels. And how Ronan would have a BLAST with us.

 Wheelchair Carousel

The park was full of young adults riding specialized bicycles with their counselors running beside them.  Sorry, my batteries ran out, no photos (I will return and make sure to get some). They are 3-wheelers with special handle bars and velcro straps to keep the feet on the peddles. The smiles on the riders' faces were from ear to ear.  And bicycles built for two, where the riders on the back are blind. I said to myself, "why can't we have a place like this in South West Florida?!?!?!?" The wheels in my mind are turning............

Sure, this is a tiny, stress-full, crowded country, with hot tempered and emotional citizens, but the awareness of the needs of others is amazing. It makes me very proud to be part of it.

One of the many ingenious swings.

B'ahava

Nameste, 

DONNA LEE

Tuesday Night at Fred's - Guest Post by Donna Lee

Tuesday night at Fred's is the place to be.  The one and only Omar donates his time and talent, entertains us and keeps us dancing all night long. The kids adore him and wait from week to week to come to his show.

Tony, the owner and head chef, graciously opens his heart and establishment to the FFDD (Floridians for the Future of the Developmentally Disabled) members and guests, making sure all our whims and fancies are met.

I have grown to love these "kids."  I say kids because I truly feel they are my own kids. They are young adults, with full lives, activities and jobs, just like my own children.  I look forward to seeing them, chatting with them and hearing what occurred that week, how their work and lives are going. I have never enjoyed dance partners more than with these fantastic lovers of movement and song.  Ron knows every lyric of each song. Mark entertains us with his beautiful voice.  Erica dances in her wheelchair and teaches me sign  language in between sets.  Every one is an intricate part and personality, making this group very special and unique. 

Jen, who took these great photos, is our phone tec. She owns and drives her own car and  is an expert when it comes to working an Iphone.  Gloria and her husband supervise and chauffeur . Maureen is a usual, like me.  Paul is our head bar tender and comic. His smile and attitude is purely love. He makes us giggle and smile with his jokes and adorable comments, making each and everyone of us feel even more welcome .

The high point of the evening is desert with Ralph. This has become a tradition for he and I.   It is well worth the calories and is usually a contest who can eat fastest, before one finishes the others' portion. This night Paul made us a Strawberry Chocolate Ice Cream special. I could taste the whole hearted attention Paul put into it. Thanks Paul.

Fred's is one of the only dog friendly establishments in Naples. Om and I visit it, as so do many local dog lovers. 

In other words, Fred's is the hot spot of Naples. It's a special kind of place, with special owners and employees, that I have grown to appreciate and I thank you ALL. I invite one and all to come and experience a Tuesday night at Freds. 

B'ahava Nameste, 

DONNA LEE

Memorial Day Weekend Shanti Om - Guest Post by Donna Lee

Memorial day weekend, an extra long one with free time, allowing me to come over to visit my buddy Riley and family. Om recognized that we were entering Riley's community and when we reached his street, Om was half way out the window,anticipating seeing his friends.

Mom and dad informed me that Riley isn't exactly up to par, or as we say in yiddish, kvetchy. He and i found our spot on the floor and started to communicate by touch, facial expressions and sounds. What always amazes me with Riley, is how vocal he becomes while I am massaging him, and especially when we are done, feeling the results when i place his calm body back on the rug, cushioned by pillows, His lungs/diaphragm/voice open up, allowing him to vocalize much more. Today he said "om", really!!! 

Om sat beside us the entire treatment, licking Riley as often as he could. Riley grabbed Om's leg and tail, not

a flinch out of Om, just peace and quiet.. . 

Today I used the Arbonne Seasource 5-in-1 essential oil. WOWOWOW. All of the senses were stimulated by the amazing aromas,resulting in the looser muscles and relief. There is a looooooooooong list of oils in this mixture, but the most dominant are my favorites, lavender(calming), pepperment (great for the breathing and tummy), citrus. The base is made of sunflower seed oil, safflower, jojoba, hazzel and canola. So, you can imagine the effect it had on both our senses, leaving us both very "shanti om".

That inner peace didn't last too long after hearing Ronan take a dive into the pool, resulting in an explosive belly flop,and a few tears. Stacie, Riley and I sat at poolside enjoying each others company, a few moments of friendship and bliss. 

My hopes are that Riley will get over his kvetchy'ness, that he and  his family will have an enjoyable weekend. 

My heart goes out to anyone who lost a family member serving his/her country. My thanks goes out to anyone who serves to protect us. That is what this weekend is all about.

Shukaryia, toda, thanks

B'ahavaNameste, 

DONNA LEE

Wednesday at NEC - by Donna Lee

After receiving a call for help, "Leaders needed on Wednesday afternoons", of course I replied positively.

No volunteers, the kids don't ride. Its as simple as that.

It's a very tiring work afternoon, no rest, even a potty break is quickly taken and back to the ring. The riders are mostly independent and it is a pleasure to watch them tack the horses and ride with ease, some with no side walkers.

I prefer side walking because of the interaction with the riders. It is such a pleasure to be able to 

converse, laugh, joke, and listen to their hearts and words of wisdom. as a leader, you concentrate on controlling the horse. Well, it is very difficult for me to keep my big mouth shut and find myself chatting, laughing andgetting teased by the riders, especially when Ted nips at my arm, sending Vanessa into rolling

laughter. My motto is, "if I make you laugh, I am happy". Fortunately (and unfortunately) we are so understaffed on Wednesday afternoons that I am not "busted" for conversing with the participants.  

I leave the ranch exhausted but my soul is light and totally bursting with pride from all the great riders, the commaradity of the volunteers who always seem to pull it off, no matter how understaffed we are. Watching sara, our scholarship girl from the Derby Fund Raiser, tacking Dotty totally solo, watching John, our Special Olympic's champ,  prepare Ted for his lesson and our leader, Debbie, and her calmness preparing Buddy, knowing that we will manage and all the riders will have a great afternoon. 

Wishing everybody a great weekend,

B'ahava

Nameste, 

DONNA LEE

Friday evening on the Princess with Freedom Waters

The weather on Friday evening was perfect, making the waters calm and the skies beautiful from aboard the Naples Princess. This is my first time "cruising" with Freedom Waters. Knowing many of the volunteers from different venues, I felt right at home. Stacie and the gang joined us, including Grandmom Kathy.  Ronan was full of energy and excitement, charming, as always.

Riley was very comfy on mom's lap, sipping on his almond milk, interrupted by leg tremors, that were obviously painful, seen on his face and felt in the raised muscle tone. After massaging a flexing his little foot, he found some relief.

Ronan proceeded to investigate the ship, discovering the upper deck. The view was magnificent, especially when the sunset and the stars began to appear and glow. The summer breeze was comforting and the happy sounds of the group filled my heart as we were gliding on the waters with ease and breeze.

We headed back to port and our two tired boys needed to go home and be put to bed. The excitement and sea air tiredus all.  Being on board with the sailors was a pleasant first encounter for me. I am looking forward to next season and being out on the waters with Freedom Waters, watching the participantsfaces and bodies react to the pleasures of boating.

B'ahava 
Nameste, 

DONNA LEE

Derby at Noodles Wrap Up

Working side by side with Stacie, the NEC staff and volunteers at the Derby Party at Noodles Cafe, in Naples, was great fun.  We are all there for one purpose, to raise money in order to keep this wonderfully important program running so that Riley and his friends, of all ages, can continue to attend their riding sessions.

We are quite a team, as always. When we have a mission, especially the clean up (we perfected that at the wine festival), the efficiency is incredible.

Learning to use the intuit credit card swipers, attached to the ipad, was a bit complicated for my simple mind. I seriously think we were being tested, another I.Q. test, which I failed. But, selling raffle tickets was a challenge that I dove into and passed.  Everyone there was very supportive and gladly bought a ticket or more, to win an entire wheel barrel of BOOOOOOOOZE, $1000 worth. 

Stacie and I took a break and joined my good friends, Muffy and Christine, for a bite and laughs. It was so nice to have Stacie to ourselves, allowing her to relax and enjoy the derby race with us.

The patrons were dressed in their derby outfits, decked out in fancy hats, which were later judged. Scholarships were presented to three young volunteers, who have dedicated many years to the children and horses, which made us all very proud. 

It was a very exciting and fun afternoon. Everyone opened their  hearts to Naples Equestrian Challenge, allowing us to keep on working towards our mission, the riders' and horses' ability

to grow stronger together.

The fun part was getting some 20 balloons in the car, which I delivered, the next day, to Gymnastic World of Naples, so that Anthony (our red face painted shaman friend from the Koreshan's drum circle) could hand them out to his energetic gymnasts, just another way of NEC spreading  joy and happiness to children with special needs.
B'ahava  
Nameste, 

DONNA LEE

Licking Honey - Donna Lee Guest Post

When I arrived to Naples, 3 years back this April, I immediately searched for a place to help out.   Living in Israel for most of my life, it was very important to me to volunteer and give back to the community.   I am blessed with 3 beautiful children, a wonderful life and feel the need to share my good luck and energy with others who need some assistance or comfort. 

One afternoon volunteering for Naples Equestrian Challenge I  helped one mother getting her son out of the car seat and ready to mount Bailey, one of Riley's favorite horses.  And this is how I met Stacie, Riley and little Ronan, who, today, is now my biggest helper.

Below, Sunday April 17th Om and I visit Riley:

In Israel  I was fortunate to work at a very unique school for children with special needs. Its name

is Beit Izzy Shapiro and is in my hometown, Ra'anana.  This is where I studied and gained much 

knowledge and understanding about cerebral palsy, autism, down syndrome etc. But most of all,

I witnessed how it affected the parent's lives.  We often had workshops, which included a parent describing what her/his life is like, what an average day consisted of.  One mother, who's adorable little boy, was in the classroom I worked in, spoke and brought tears to all our eyes.  A religious American woman, who had 5 children, including this beautiful curly blond, big blue-eyed boy, who was lacking not hours or days of sleep, but months, described her average day . This mothers talk had a HUGE impact on my life and awareness.

I never complained about my lack of sleep again, or daily challenges with my little ones. My life was a

breeze, " I was licking honey", as we say in my country. (This phrase is very complex, here is a Jewish tradition.)

So, getting back to my buddy Riley, the first time I saw Stacie, my heart went out to her.  I approached

her, offering my assistance .  Knowing how hard it is for parents to accept, lucky enough, Stacie was

tired enough to say YES!!!!.  For me, that is an honor, because any parent who feels safe enough to 

allow me to hold and handle her most precious cargo, I feel special.

More to come.............

B'ahava

Nameste, 

DONNA LEE