Bubble Fun

Residents of the Charles Family SmartHome in Longmont took advantage of some nice weather recently to get outside, get some fresh air, and play with bubbles. Enjoy the pics!

Imagine! - Two Stories

At the Imagine! Celebration this past Friday, a video was debuted with two stories that demonstrate the impact Imagine!’s work has on the lives of those they serve, as well as their families. Several SmartHome residents made cameo appearances. Check it out below.

Congratulations, Sandy!

Congratulations are in order for Alexander E. “Sandy” Bracken, who was appointed yesterday to the University of Colorado Quigg and Virginia S. Newton Endowed Chair in Leadership.

Sandy also happens to be the President of the Imagine! Foundation Board of Directors and has been a great supporter of Imagine!’s SmartHomes for a long time. Way to go, Sandy!

Read this article from the Boulder Daily Camera to learn more.

Check Out The Latest SmartHome Newsletter

Imagine!’s latest SmartHome newsletter is available online.

Check it out by clicking here. 

Check Out Donna's Blog

What are SmartHome sweethearts Donna and Gerald planning for Donna’s birthday? Check out Donna’s latest blog post to find out.

Anthony and Wes Play Bingo

Here’s some nice pictures showing how some simple technologies can allow some of the individuals living in our SmartHomes be more independent and take charge of some simple tasks in their lives in ways that weren’t possible before. In the photos, Charles Family SmartHome residents Wes and Anthony are playing chess. Wes is using a head switch attached to his wheelchair to operate the spinner – giving him control over his spins!

SmartHomes In The News

Imagine!’s SmartHomes project is featured in the latest edition of Apostrophe magazine, a non-profit magazine for and by people with developmental disabilities.

Check out our story by clicking here, we’re on page 32!

Thanks Apostrophe!

Wii Pictures

We have mentioned before that a group of CU Engineering students created some simple adaptive devices to help support Imagine! SmartHome residents, including a system that allows users of power wheelchairs (which are quite heavy) to use a Wii board.

Here’s a couple of pictures so you can see how the adaptation is set up.

Presentable

SmartHomes guru Greg Wellems and SmartHomes PR guy Fred Hobbs are scheduled to present at the Association of Residential Resources in Minnesota (ARRM) technology showcase and conference .

The conference’s goal is for “nationally known experts to enlighten Minnesota providers, self-advocates, families and case managers about how technology is transforming services and supports for people with disabilities.”

Have fun Greg and Fred. We know you’ll do great!

Imagine! Celebration Supports SmartHomes

The 11th Annual Imagine! Celebration and Dinner and Auction is fast approaching! The date is set for January 27, 5:30 -9:30 PM, at the Plaza Hotel Longmont. Proceeds from the event go to support Imagine!’s programs, including our SmartHomes project.

If you are interested in attending, you can order tickets online by clicking here.

Even if you can’t attend in person, you can still participate in the Imagine! Celebration’s
Live Auction through proxy bidding online. Online bids will be accepted through Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.

Click here to take part in the online bidding. 

There are some great items available in the online bidding, including:

Wine-A-Month Special Selection

You will benefit as Liquor Mart’s Fine Wine Manager personally selects one bottle of wine each month for one year for top-notch value and quality. 12 bottle total. Expires 1/31/2013.

Donor: Liquor Mart

Bountiful Barbecue

Round up your friends for a West End Tavern market style BBQ for 20 people with Colorado's best beef brisket, slab of pork ribs, whole chicken, hot links, pork shoulder, and choice of sides. Redeemable at West End Tavern or delivered to you.

Donor: Big Red F Restaurant Group

California Wine Tour

Delight in the La Bellasera luxury hotel in Paso Robles, CA where 80 world class wineries are within ten miles. Includes one room for two people for two nights, a two-day car rental, and $250 in air fare credit. Restrictions apply, and space is subject to availability. Expires 10/31/2013.

Donor: Cain Travel

Leona's Luscious Baked Bread

Enjoy a delicious, freshly baked loaf of bread each month for a year made by renowned bread maker, 1997 Colorado Mother of the Year, former Longmont Mayor, and former Imagine! Foundation President Leona Stoecker. Delivery details to be arranged with Leona.

Donor: Leona Stoecker

African Photo Safari

This unforgettable adventure starts with six days and six nights for two people at a Zulu Nyala Lodge located in South Africa’s province KwaZulu-Natal on the east coast of South Africa. Your stay will include authentic African meals and two guided photo safaris per day. You will be situated in the heart of one of South Africa’s most diverse conservation regions nestled between the great Hluhluwe, Mkuze, and St. Lucia Reserves. It is home to many animals including elephant, rhino, buffalo, and leopard. This is a birder’s paradise and for those who love plants, the trees are especially rewarding. This beautiful site was also the location for the filming of “I Dreamed of Africa." You are sure to make memories to last a lifetime!

Donor: African Eyes Travel

Spectacular Ouray

Get away for a one week stay in beautiful Ouray, Colorado. This lovely three bedroom home accommodates six people comfortably with 2200 sq. ft. and 2-1/2 baths. The home is in a very secluded area but conveniently located north of Ouray, only five minutes to the hot springs pool and downtown Ouray and less than an hour to the gondola at Telluride. You will also receive up to 10 passes to the Ouray Hot Springs Pool which is open year round. No matter the season, you will find a plethora of activities and spectacular views with winter downhill and Nordic skiing, summer hiking and biking, cascading waterfalls, 4-wheeling, and so much more in the “Switzerland of America.” Home is available select weeks after May 1, 2012; arrange time with owner.

Donor: Jay & Kathy Montgomery

Cape Cod Getaway & Whale Watch

Relax for a full week in an authentic, remodeled Cape Cod house with room for six adults and two children. You will be five minutes from the ocean with beaches sure to please kids and adults alike. Included is an unforgettable three hour whale watching boat excursion for four. Sept. - Oct. 2013.

Donors: George & Kristin Karakehian

Avalanche Suite

Celebrate an Avalanche win in style with a luxurious Club Level Suite located on center ice to see the Colorado Avalanche battle the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, March 3 at 7:00p.m. You will receive 20 tickets, four Lot A - VIP parking passes, and two Premier Lot passes located adjacent to the arena. Your Suite tickets also give you access to the VIP entrances at the Pepsi Center 1 1/2 hours prior to your event. Extensive catering menu is available, though not a part of this package.

Donor: Colorado Business Bank

Gorgeous Greek Island Villa

Enjoy a magical week at a deluxe villa on Lefkas island off the west coast of Greece. Villa sleeps eight in four bedrooms with tennis courts, a pool, and breathtaking ocean views. Cross the swing bridge to the mainland or settle in at your villa and enjoy the island's many offerings including sailing, diving, windsurfing, exploring ancient archeological sites, or simply soaking up the sun. Redeemable in 2013, and timing is flexible but needs to be confirmed with owner.

Donor: The Palmos Family

Craft Beer Bonanza

Show your love of local craft beer with a package put together especially for you by Liquor Mart with hand selected gear, group tours, and gift certificates to your favorite local breweries. From Avery Brewery you will receive two 10 oz glasses, two Avery T-shirts, and a gift certificate for a brewery tour and beer for up to 10 people. Boulder Beer will outfit you with two pint glasses, two Boulder Beer T-shirts, and $50 in gift certificates. From Left Hand Brewing Company you will receive Beer For A Year including two pint glasses, a Left Hand/Mountainsmith sixer cooler, a growler jug, and a gift certificate to visit the tasting room once a month for a year to fill your new growler or half gallon jug. From Oskar Blues you will receive two pint glasses, two Oskar Blues T-shirts, and a $50 gift card. From Twisted Pine Brewery you will receive two pint glasses, two Twisted Pine T-shirts, and a $50 gift card. Top off your tour with a gift certificate to Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery for $100 and $25 to use at Old Chicago!

Donors: Local Craft Breweries and Liquor Mart

Rowdy Round-Up

Enjoy Steamboat Springs in the summer. Spend four nights in a Steamboat Springs condo while you get ready for the experience of a lifetime cattle drive (June 1 -Oct 15, 2012) for four or a Wagon Dinner Ride for four from Saddleback Ranch. Then cheer on the real cowboys and cowgirls with four tickets to the Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo Series. Rodeo runs Friday and Saturday evenings from June 15 to August 18, 2012.

Donors: Dennis & Debra Paul

Family Reunion in Durango

Luxuriate for seven days in this beautiful Durango vacation home with six bedrooms, two lofts, and 4 ½ baths, easily accommodating up to 12 people. Every bedroom has vaulted ceilings, skylights, a small patio, and stunning views of the mountains. The kitchen features granite countertops and new appliances. Looking over the great room is a game loft with a large screen television and regulation size pool table. Expires 1/31/2013 with flexible dates arranged with owner as available.

Donors: Don Sullivan & Paige Lawrence

SmartHomes In The News

There was a very nice article in Sunday’s Longmont Times-Call. It features a story about Imagine!’s CORE/Labor Source radio broadcasting class – and Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome resident Mandy is quoted: "Life can be challenging and life can be scary, but you just have to learn that life is what it is. And you have to learn to be brave and be successful in any way you can."

Read the article here.

And check out the video that accompanied the article!

Then Again, What Do I Know?

Imagine! CEO Mark Emery has his own blog titled “Then Again, What Do I Know?” Mark recently made a blog post that highlights some important people who toured Imagine!’s SmartHomes over the past few years.

Check it out by clicking here.

Gerald Counts Inventory At Twisted Pine

We’ve told you before how Charles SmartHome resident Gerald has been working at The Twisted Pine Brewery in Boulder, helping out with inventory using his DynaVox, an assistive communication device. Keep in mind that five years ago, Gerald couldn’t even count to ten! Check out the pictures of him hard at work, and make sure to read the captions as they show the process Gerald uses to count the inventory.

Many thanks to Twisted Pine for its continued support of Gerald and many others served by Imagine!.

Gerald on the way to the work area

Gerald is instructed to record 28 cases of 12 oz. bottles into his DynaVox. Gerald chooses the 20 square using a head switch on his computer, which then puts the numbers 20-29 on his screen

Here's the 20s page

Gerald has correctly recorded 28 cases of 12 oz bottles

Gerald is instructed to record 35 large barrels of beer into his DynaVox

Gerald has recorded 35 large barrels of beer into his DynaVox

Gerald with his CORE/Labor Source Employment Specialist Richard Lowe

Gerald with Twisted Pine Brewery's Justin Tilotta

Mandy Uses Adaptive Wii Device

We have mentioned before that a group of CU Engineering students created some simple adaptive devices to help support Imagine! SmartHome residents, including a system that allows users of power wheelchairs (which are quite heavy) to use a Wii board. Here’s a fun video of Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome resident Mandy using the system.

Note that she’s getting some assistance – through using this device has shown that people who use wheelchairs for mobility don’t always have the opportunity (or reason) to shift their body from side to side – so they are using muscles they rarely use. Playing Wii games using this adaptive system encourages that kind of movement, and allows the users to build up their core strength by doing so. Good news all around!

Guess Who's Touring The SmartHomes?

Touring Imagine!’s Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome yesterday: representatives from System 7 Technology Design, a Boston-based company that designs, installs and supports technology systems utilizing the same processes that designers and architects use to create beautiful spaces. Thanks for joining us, Ashley and Aileen!

Happy Birthday Rae!

Last week, Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome resident Rae celebrated her birthday. Happy belated birthday Rae, we hope you had a great time!

US Congressman Cory Gardner Tours SmartHome

Yesterday, US Congressman Cory Gardner, who serves Colorado’s 4th District, took a tour of the Charles Family SmartHome in Longmont. Congressman Gardner demonstrated an in-depth knowledge of the system of funding and delivering services to individuals with developmental disabilities. He asked some great questions and offered his help on increasing awareness of Imagine!’s efforts to use technology to provide services in a more cost efficient and effective manner.

A highlight of the tour was when SmartHome resident Shelly demonstrated how she used her DynaVox (a computerized communications device) to access her own music and movies. Good job, Shelly!

Please enjoy photos from the tour below.

We really appreciate having you tour, Congressman Gardner!

SmartHomes guru Greg Wellems explains the SmartHomes concept to Congressman Gardner while Imagine! CEO Mark Emery looks on.




Congressman Gardner meets with SmartHome resident Toby.




Mike Bennett, on left, is Congressman Gardner's District Director.




Charles Family Site Supervisor Site Supervisor Kristen Conboy watched along with Congressman Gardren as SmartHome resident Shelly showed how she used her DynaVox (a computerized communications device) to access her own music and movies




SmartHome resident Shelly showed Congressman Gardner how she used her DynaVox (a computerized communications device) to access her own music and movies



Guess Who's Touring The SmartHomes?

Scheduled to tour the Charles Family SmartHome in Longmont today: United States Congressman Cory Gardner.

CU Engineering Class Adaptive Equipment Project Fall 2011 -- Adaptive Stroller

A group of CU Engineering students in a 2011 Fall Semester class taught by Associate Professor Melinda Piket-May worked on projects to design simple adaptive technologies that aid increased independence for some of the individuals Imagine! serves. The video below shows a project where students created an adaptive stroller.



Can’t see the video? Click here.

CU Engineering Class Adaptive Equipment Project Fall 2011 -- Reprogrammable Remote

A group of CU Engineering students in a 2011 Fall Semester class taught by Associate Professor Melinda Piket-May worked on projects to design simple adaptive technologies that aid increased independence for some of the individuals Imagine! serves. The video below shows a project where students created a reprogrammable remote.



Can’t see the video? Click here.