This CPD Legacy Story was written by Erica Lundahl, the mother of three sons- Dillon, Ryder, and Hunter. Erica and her family participate in the TOP Sports activities throughout the year.

Dillon Lundahl

My son, Dillon, uses a walker. But thanks to the TOP Sports program, that doesn’t stop him from playing the same team sports his brothers and friends play!

The TOP Sports program gives kids who aren’t able to play in regular sports activities because of a disability, a chance to play using modified equipment.  TOP Sports makes  sure that children with disabilities can participate in all of the sports and fun activities that other kids do, just by making a few adaptations. Not only do they have modified equipment, but they have lots of volunteers who come to assist the children who need help to play.

Dillon loves being involved with other kids in walkers, wheelchairs, etc. like him! He loves bowling, baseball, and especially basketball! Our whole family enjoys going and cheering him on. He calls his grandpa and tells his friends when he has games and invites them all to come and watch him.

The Lundahl family

TOP Sports doesn’t just benefit Dillon; his two brothers get the chance to volunteer and help the other kids who come to play.  This is a great way for them to learn how to serve others and to think about others before themselves.

Heidi Hill is a participant at the Developmental Skills Laboratory (DSL), an adult day program of the CPD. Heidi loves to type and each month she shares the fun activities that are going on at DSL.

Willow Park Zoo peacock

All of us went to Willow Park Zoo.  As we walked ’round and looked at animals, Heidi’s two eyes looked sharp-right, then upward.  Just ahead of Heidi was a peacock with the longest tail Heidi had ever seen!  Heidi and friends saw other animals, besides that one.

All of us made heart-shaped wreaths for Mother’s Day.  We all told our mothers how much they’re loved and cared for.  We also had a program for our special mothers and made yummy treats for them.  We baked one whole day!  We made treats for them to munch on, and really enjoy.

We went to see this flick about the pirates’ band, and watched this neat flick.  We all munched on one bucket of buttery, yummy popcorn!

We also went by bus and van, down to Logan Lanes to bowl.  Then, we went by bus and van to the library to check out and return books.

We had lots of fun in May!  I can’t wait to tell you about our trip to Hill Airforce Base on June 1st!  We literally ate our lunch under an airplane!!  No kiddin’!  More on that next month!

Summer is here and there are thousands of recreational spots to go explore across this country.  To help those who are age 62 or citizens with permanent disabilities more easily access them, the National Park Service is offering a free lifetime pass to all national parks and recreation areas.

The Access passes provide admission to, and use of, federal recreation sites that charge entrance or standard amenity fees. Pass users also receive a 50% discount on some amenity fees for activities like camping and launching a boat. They are available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents of the United States age 62 or more or who have permanent disabilities regardless of age.

The “Senior” and “Access” versions of the America the Beautiful Pass – the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass – are good for a lifetime. The Access pass is free and the Senior pass is just $10. There is a $10 processing fee to receive either pass by the mail.

 To get your Senior pass through the mail just submit a completed application, proof of residency and age, and $20. The fee covers the cost of the pass and a document processing fee. You can print out an application online.  Once the application package is received and the documentation verified, the pass will be mailed to you.

Take this wonderful opportunity to explore and experience the beautiful parks and scenery in this land of ours.

March was a great month here at the DSL worksite!  We had lots of activities!

        We went kite flying at one field on campus. 

We also went by bus to the theater to have yummy, buttery popcorn while we all listened to and watched the movie “The Lorax.”  After that, we thanked those guys for inviting my bus buds to come down and see this flick.

My buds and I traveled by bus to an ice cream shop to have one lick of ice cream.

We went to the Logan Herald Journal and saw how their paper gets printed and put together.  When we got there, we got to see how these giant presses run.  After all of us had gone ahead, we thanked those guys for letting us come to the building.  Then we got loaded on the bus and van to run back here to DSL.

We grabbed what we needed, loaded up and buckled in, on our way home.  We are always very diligent about buckling up tight and low, preferably before we go!

We are excited to do things in April, and are excited that the weather is warming up!

The number of children with autism has continued to grow for the past 15 years.  Utah’s rate appears to be higher than the national average that is 1 in 111.  The number of children identified with autism in Utah doubled from 2002 to 2008.  About two children per day were born with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in 2008. (Salt Lake Tribune, May 2011)

“It is our life,” states Laura Anderson, President-elect of the parent-run Autism Council of Utah and mother of a son with autism.  “If you think autism isn’t going to touch you somehow in your life, you are sadly mistaken. It’s in our communities. It’s in our schools. It will be in our workplaces.”

With autism becoming such a wide-spread disorder and touching so many lives in Utah, the Autism Council of Utah and RC Willey stores have joined up to sponsor Autism Awareness Night at the Utes Gymnastics Meet on March 9, 2012.  Free tickets are available at RC Willey stores or you can contact Laura Anderson for additional tickets at lauanderson@comcast.net or call 801-936-1810.

Throughout the meet there will be information and videos shown about autism.  All families and friends of autism are invited to attend and support these efforts to raise the awareness of autism and other ASD conditions.