New Year’s Stats

As another year closes, here are some statistics that demonstrate how Imagine!’s SmartHomes and SmartSupports continue to be viewed as the future of service delivery for some of our most vulnerable citizens: almost 200 people toured our SmartHomes, and SmartHome staff members gave 14 presentations across the country on how technology can be used to create more fulfilling lives for individuals with developmental disabilities. Here’s hoping 2013 will also be full of opportunities to spread the word and change lives for the better!

Dinner At The SmartHome

As we approach the year’s end, here’s a nice photo to remind us about the simple things that matter so much. In the photo, residents and staff members gather around the table for a meal, enjoying good conversation and great friendship.

Check Out The Latest SmartHome Newsletter

Imagine!’s latest SmartHome newsletter is available online. Check it out here.

Happy Holidays From The SmartHomes!

Happy Birthday, Loren!

Wishing the happiest of birthdays today to Charles Family SmartHome resident Loren. Make it a great one, Loren!

This Holiday Is So Raven

Imagine!'s volunteer program brings volunteer Ingrid and therapy dog Raven to the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome. You can see Raven spreading Christmas cheer as Rebecca enjoys putting her Christmas hat on Raven's head. Raven comes to the SmartHome every week and enjoys treats, hugs, and love. The residents like it too!

Presentable

Congratulations to SmartHome guru Greg Wellems, who spoke yesterday at a technology workshop sponsored by the National Academies Institute of Medicine’s Forum on Aging, Disability and Independence.

This was an incredibly prestigious gathering, and it was an honor to have Greg and our SmartHomes to be part of the discussion. Take a look at some of the members of the forum below. Heady company, indeed! Way to go, Greg!

ALAN M. JETTE, (Co-Chair), Boston University
JOHN W. ROWE, (Co-Chair), Columbia University
HENRY J. AARON, The Brookings Institution
JAMES APPLEBY, Gerontological Society of America
KELLY BUCKLAND, National Council on Independent Living 
JOE CALDWELL, National Council on Aging
MARGARET L. CAMPBELL, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
HENRY CLAYPOOL, Administration for Community Living
EILEEN M. CRIMMINS, University of Southern California
STEVEN DAWSON, Public Health Institute
PEGGYE DILWORTH-ANDERSON, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
THOMAS E. EDES, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
TERRY FULMER, Bouve College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University
NAOMI L. GERBER, Center for the Study of Chronic Illness & Disease, George Mason University
ROBERT HORNYAK, Administration for Community Living
LISA IEZZONI, Harvard Medical School
KATHY KREPCIO, John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey
NANCY LUNDEBJERG, American Geriatrics Society
RHONDA MEDOWS, United HealthCare 
LARRY MINNIX, LeadingAge 
ARI NE’EMAN, National Council on Disability
RENE SEIDEL, The SCAN Foundation
JACK W. SMITH, U.S. Department of Defense
TERRIE FOX WETLE, Brown University

Dasha’s Light

The projects created by CU Engineering students this year weren’t just limited to SmartHome residents. Check out this photo of some of the students with Dasha, who receives services from Imagine!. Dasha is showing off her new touch pad light controller, which not only allows her to turn the light on and off, but change light colors and brightness levels. A great step forward for Dasha in terms of being in control of her own environment.

Gerald’s New Communication Device

CU Engineering students pose below with a device they created for Gerald, one of our SmartHome residents. The project is a simple visual communication device. It is an interchangeable laminated picture holder that lights up with a push button controlled by Gerald. The light moves around, and starts and stops as the button is pushed. This is a simple and inexpensive way that Gerald can communicate with others – a great way to increase his communication options, which include his more complex (and costly) computerized communication device.

Batter Up!

Here’s another super-cool project created by CU Engineering students for one of our SmartHome residents. This “switch-activated Wiffle bat swinger” is just what it sounds (and looks) like – giving Toby, who lives in the Charles Family SmartHome, the chance to swing his own Wiffle bat. What a nice, simple way to participate in a fun activity and to start to get used to using technology to control his own environment. Batter up, Toby!

Disco Inferno At The SmartHomes

Check out this picture of Shelly, who lives in the Charles Family SmartHome, with a group of CU Engineering students who created a “Switch Activated Party Ball” for her. The disco ball is connected to a simple switch that Shelly can control, turning the ball on and off. Not only is this another step in providing Shelly with tools that help her control her own environment and teaching her how to use them, it is also super cool and fun! 70s party at the SmartHome soon, Shelly?

To learn more about the CU Engineering projects, click here.

Wes and Shelly At The Movies

Late last month, Shelly and Wes, who live in the Charles Family SmartHome in Longmont, went to see the movie “Breaking Dawn Part II” with their friend Paul. Big move displays make great backgrounds for photos, so check out these two cool pics!

Happy Birthday, Lana!

Wishing the happiest of birthdays to Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome resident Lana. Hope you have a great day, Lana!

Lana’s Christmas Ornament

Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome resident Lana made a lovely Christmas tree ornament at her church over the weekend. Nice work, Lana!

Anthony and Toby at Sports Authority Field

Last Friday, Charles Family SmartHome residents Anthony and Toby took a tour of Sports Authority Field at Mile High, home of the Denver Broncos! Anthony and Toby are huge fans, and they had a great time.

The only disappointment they expressed? That they didn’t get to meet any of the cheerleaders. Maybe next time, guys!

Rebecca’s Jewelry Class

Here’s a nice photo of Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome resident Rebecca showing her latest creation from her jewelry class. The class is part of Boulder’s EXPAND Program, which helps people who have disabilities improve and gain new recreation and leisure skills that enhance their overall well being and their quality of life.

The jewelry class is one of Rebecca’s favorite activities, and she’s been making jewelry at home as well as in the class. Nice work, Rebecca!

A New Volunteer For Donna And Gerald

In a recent post on the Imagine! Voices blog, Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome resident Donna shared the exciting news about a new volunteer she is going to be spending time with, a volunteer who just happens to be the younger brother of one of her good friends.

Here’s what she had to say:

Boy, do I have some exciting news. My friend Chloe, who used to volunteer and hang out with me almost every week for more than three years before she went away to college, has a younger brother who is going to start working (volunteering) with us. Hearing that made me so happy. His name is Ben. It is so cool that he will be spending time with us, and hopefully I’ll get to see Chloe more often when she's home from college too.

I was all excited when Chloe came over recently and said that her brother Ben wants to spend time with me and Gerald. I will keep you posted about this. Bye bye.

Happy Birthday, Toby!

Wishing the happiest of birthdays today to Charles Family SmartHome resident Toby. Make it a great one, Toby!

Today Is Colorado Gives Day!

Today is Colorado Gives Day, and Imagine! is participating.

Donations made online through our website today at any of the “Donate Here” buttons will be eligible for partial matching funds. (The “Donate Here” button takes you directly to the Community First Foundation site and saves all bank fees for credit card donations.) 

If you are thinking about making a gift to Imagine! before the end of the calendar year, please consider doing it online through our website today! You may also designate a particular Imagine! program (like our SmartHomes) in the “Any comments or special instructions” box if you would like. The only gifts that are ineligible are donations for which you receive something in return, such as tickets or sponsorships to our Imagine! Celebration.

Give where you live!

Guess Who’s Touring The SmartHomes?

Scheduled to tour Imagine!’s Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome today: Denise Crandall from Denver-based Marycrest Assisted Living. Denise is bringing ten Americorps volunteers with her. Enjoy the tour!

Happy Birthday, John!

Wishing the happiest of birthdays to Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome resident John. Make it a great one, John!