 |  |
|
by Karen Jackson, Community Relations Manager, Mosaic in Des Moines
Timing is everything. Sometimes the ideas and the visions of many different people can come together, at just the right time, and greatly impact a life. Mike Pattee's recent visit to California is proof of just that. This dream trip confirmed that with a vision and a solid plan, a dream can be turned into reality. For the past 30 years, Mike has been an avid follower of the game show "The Price Is Right." Balancing work, his love of music, attending concerts and even doing some public speaking, he still makes time every morning to watch the show.
As Mosaic staff members worked with Mike over the years, they began to develop a plan. Mike, too, had a similar plan. While watching one of the shows, a staff member saw a contestant in a wheelchair. This sparked an idea -- why not find a way for Mike to attend a taping of the show? Mike also began to think of a way to get on the show. When asked what finally made the two come together, Mike said, "I started bugging people." By putting their heads together a plan was beginning to develop which would get Mike to California to see a taping of "The Price Is Right."
To turn this dream into a reality, solid planning needed to be done. By carefully saving his money throughout the years, Mike was able to pay for his part of the trip. With the help of Mosaic, two staff members were able to accompany Mike on his journey. Staff members who work with Mike got involved in the planning of this trip as well. With their assistance, plane tickets were ordered, hotel rooms were reserved and a van equipped for a wheelchair was rented. Tickets for the show also had to be ordered. Kelly Thompson, a Mosaic staff member, secured VIP tickets. These tickets allowed Mike and guests to go through the entire studio, allowing them to see sets from other shows, run into soap opera celebrities and meet people working behind the scenes on the show.
With tickets in hand, Mike, along with Des Moines Mosaic staff members DeEtta Kromrie and Julianna Gondek, embarked on a journey that Mike had once only dreamed about. Arriving in California, Mike met up with his mom, who had flown ahead of him, and his sister. When asked about seeing his sister again, Mike said, "It was nice, I haven't seen her for six years." The remainder of the day was spent on Venice Beach and a visit at the Old Market. While at the market, Mike and company actually had a chance meeting with someone who was involved in the production of "The Price Is Right." After snapping pictures and talking with him about the show, Mike and his staff called it a day.
The next morning was an exciting one for Mike -- the big day. Everyone headed to the studio where they came upon a set that was crowded with producers, directors, and camera men. Because of the amount of people on the set, many times the audience had to look up at the monitors to see what was going on.
"The set is smaller than what it appears like on TV", explains Julianna. "And they really do have an applause sign that they show the audience." There were a few breaks during the taping where host Bob Barker came out and talked to the audience. Since people could ask questions, Mike's sister asked if he would come up and meet Mike. "Glad to meet you Michael" were five of the best words Mike had ever heard.
|  |
|
Hope Frey gave the following testimony at the Nebraska State Capitol to the Legislature's Health and Human Services Commission. Her testimony was to recommend passage of LR 65, a resolution that supports federal legislation H.R. 1264, the Direct Support Professionals Fairness and Security Act. This bill would provide temporary assistance to states to achieve pay parity between public and private direct support professionals.
Not only did Hope testify that day, she also set up appointments to meet with six state senators. She offered to serve as a consultant to the senators on any resolution or bill that might affect people with developmental disabilities.
Hope's meetings led to the recruitment of three state senators to Mosaic's Northeast Nebraska Agency Advisory Board.
"Hi. My name is Hope Frey. When I was eight, my Dad was killed in a car accident, then at age 18 my Mom died of diabetes complications. I have been a client with Mosaic for the past two years. Before Mosaic started to support me, I was unable to learn the things that kids my age know because my Dad and Mom were not able to teach me. Kids made fun of my disability at school and that made me mad and sad. I felt like the teachers did not want me to be like the other kids, because they did not let me in a class with my classmates. I had few friends at that time and now I have a lot more friends who have a disability just like I do. Mosaic has made me see a new outlook on life. Mosaic staff have taught me how to accept that I have a disability and it is OK. They have supported me to get a part-time job, become CPR and First Aid certified, get my learner's permit, manage my budget and be a responsible person. I am a member of many committees at Mosaic like the Consumer Council, Safety, Human and Legal, and the Advisory Board. That's something I didn't do before because no one ever gave me a chance to show them that I could just like any other person would. I feel like the staff at Mosaic care about people with disabilities, because they have given me a chance at doing things any other person would do in their lifetime. My life would not be the same without Mosaic staff. I never would have learned the things that I know today."
Hope has also visited Washington, D.C., where she visited with the Nebraska delegation senators and representatives.