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Developmental Disabilities Awareness event reminds people they are alike
Stories of people who like to play basketball, make jewelry, go camping and other activities abounded during a Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month event held at Quadco Rehabilitation Center in Stryker March 3.
Speaking to the crowd that filled the center’s multi-purpose room, Bruce Abell, Executive Director of Quadco and Superintendent of the Williams County Board of Developmental Disabilities,  said that the theme of this year’s statewide awareness campaign is “Just Like You.”
“What that means is we all want to live the same kind of lives,” Mr. Abell said. “We all want a nice place to live. We all want to keep learning new things and become better people. We all like working at different places and doing different jobs.”
“We want to play and have fun. For instance, we like to go to movies. A lot of people like basketball. A lot of people like to go to the ‘Y,’” he pointed out.
Shown in the photo above Mr. Abell introduces Williams County Commissioner Brian Davis to the crowd as Mr. Davis presents a proclamation designating March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month to Quadco worker Steve Kimpel. The proclamation signed by the Williams County Commissioners and read at the event by Commissioner Davis, states that an understanding of these kinds of similarities is best achieved when individuals with developmental disabilities are included in the participation of community activities and valued for their individual contributions.
The proclamation encourages citizens to support opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities “so that we all may enjoy the benefits in our society when our lives are shared living, learning, working and playing together.”
In the photo below, Mr. Abell presents Quadco worker Jerry Spencer with a sticker showing the theme of the event, “Just Like You.” Everyone who attended the celebration received a sticker to wear.
Bill Priest, Director of Marketing at Quadco, presented a program about the things individuals at Quadco like to do that are like other people in the community. He pointed out people who said they like to go bowling, play basketball or cheer on their favorite team or NASCAR driver. He noted that there are people who enjoy going to the movies, who have favorite restaurants they like to visit, who play computer games, buy and sell items on eBay, do crossword puzzles or go shopping.
He told about one person who joined a karate school, advanced through a number of the levels and was singled out as a student of the month.
Mr. Priest pointed out another person who wanted to clean the side of a road he traveled each day. So he contacted the Ohio Department of Transportation, was accepted in the “Adopt-A-Highway” program and regularly cares for a two-mile stretch of a state route.
He also shared the story of a person who joined with other young people from his church when they formed a mime group and for 14 years has been traveling to area churches and community events to perform.
“Watching and playing sports, making jewelry and gifts for friends and family, going to good places to eat, traveling to interesting places, listening to music or making some of your own, cleaning up the highway or doing volunteer work to make the world a better place…what does that sound like? It sounds like what everyone else does or should do, doesn’t it?” Mr. Priest asked.
“So during this Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, may our communities see that there’s so much more we have in common, so much more we have to offer each other, so much more our lives can be enriched when we enjoy each other’s company, living, learning, working and playing…just like you,” Mr. Priest concluded.
 Music brings Christmas cheer at Quadco Christmas party
There were plenty of songs of the season that brought lots of Christmas cheer during the annual Quadco Christmas Party on December 10 held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Defiance.
Tara Murphy set a festive tone for the day as she led off the party with several beautiful clarinet solos.
 The Napoleon Jazz Choir (shown in the photo below) took the stage next with their selections of holiday music, followed by the “Sensations,” the show choir from Tinora High School (shown to the immediate right). There were some sing-along songs and then the “Varsity Blues” Jazz Ensemble from Defiance High School (shown at the top of the page) wrapped up the morning with a fine performance.
Quadco staff members served a delicious lunch with turkey and the trimmings was served to everyone these, and after the meal, the activity moved to the dance floor for the music played by Tim Fraker, the DJ from SoundWaves.
Souvenir photos were taken for those who wanted a memento of the party and there was a display from Quadco’s own Brush Creek Candles for those who might want to take home some great smelling candles or get some great gifts for the people on their Christmas list.
Two tables were filled with food brought by the folks who attended the party, and a Christmas tree was set up in front and many hats, scarves mittens and gloves were hung on it. The food and the cold weather attire was all donated afterwards to the Richland Place PATH Center in Defiance.
Thanks to everyone who helped make the party the success it was and to the Defiance Knights of Columbus for their donation toward the party!
Public tours Defiance Center at open house
 Members of the public were greeted warmly as they got the chance to see what goes on at Quadco’s Defiance Center.
On open house was held on March 6 at the center located in the Kroger Plaza at 1838 East Second Street in Defiance. Participants worked on craft projects and escorted interested persons through the building to show the various program areas.
Many family members in particular took advantage of the open house to walk through and see some of the items made by their son or daughter, brother, sister or cousin.
A number of people commented on the new vibrant wall colorings and decorations that have made a real impact in the kitchen area, giving it into more of a comfortable Tuscany décor reminiscent of old Italy.
They learned about the cooking classes, as well as other daily life skills that are covered for those who come to the center.
Others enjoyed the video room, sensory room or the large program area decorated with bulletin boards full of projects that they have created. There were also photos of places the participants at the center have visited, such as the Fort Wayne Science Center, Whitehouse Butterfly House, Sherwood Buffalo Ranch, Burkholder Apple Orchard, Grand Rapids Canal Boat, Fort Wayne Zoo, DeBrand’s Chocolates, Padrone’s Pizza, the old time popcorn museum and firefighter’s museum to name a few.
 Copies of activity calendars for participants at the center that show trips to the mall, the library, the Defiance YMCA, area parks and more were also distributed at the open house.
Participants also have the opportunity to work up to two hours a day as long as work is available. Examples of the work being done were shown to those who stopped by.
New flyers about the program were made available and a display of the new Brush Creek Candles was set up to show everyone the latest product manufactured by workers at Quadco’s Northwest Products division.
Individuals who may have an interest in attending the center and their families are always welcome to set up a tour and see the center for themselves. Just call Sharon von Seggern at 1-800-569-3907 to set up a tour of the center.
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