iPad accessibility

Karen Dakak helps student Nicholas Barros draw a shape on the iPad.

When the Mendham, NJ, Rotary Club donated two iPads to Matheny, the primary purpose was to enhance the communications ability of students who were restricted to their homes or hospital rooms due to illness. Videoconferencing technology permits children to attend class remotely, even when they are sick or avoiding contagion.

The iPads are especially valuable to Matheny students because they are less cumbersome to hold than laptop computers, can be used with inexpensive apps designed specifically for people with disabilities and offer touch screens that provide greater accessibility for those with little or no fine motor control.

When the iPads are not needed for ill students, however, they don’t sit dormant. They are used in the classroom for a variety of enriched learning experiences. One recent example was during a lesson on “perimeters.” The classroom teacher, Karen Dakak, was able to use rubber bands to help the students make different shapes on the iPad screen. “We could make as many shapes as we wanted,” she says, “and then find the perimeter of the shapes.”

This is but one example of how the Matheny School uses technology to help its students reach their highest level of academic achievement while also obtaining maximum independence.

Three different shapes on the iPad screen.

A painting by Chris Saglimbene, one of the artists profiled in Into the Light.

Into the Light, a documentary about Matheny’s Arts Access Program, has been accepted into the Montclair Film Festival and will be screened at  2 p.m. on Sunday, May 5, at the Clairidge Cinema in Montclair, NJ. In the short film, director Paul Pawlowski profiles the lives and work of three artists as they prepare for Arts Access’ 15th anniversary five years ago. The film presents a brief history of Matheny and the creation and development of Arts Access, which enables people with disabilities to create fine art, assisted by professional artist-facilitators.

The three artists featured are Chris Saglimbene, a painter; Natalia Manning, a choreographer; and Jenny Durr, a writer. They are profiled and followed in and out of the studio. The film culminates with Full Circle, the annual celebration of Arts Access. This year, Arts Access will celebrate its 20th anniversary on November 2 and has received a Challenge America Fast-Track grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to support the 20th anniversary Full Circle celebration.

Tickets to the May 5th screening can be purchased by logging onto www.montclairfilmfest.org.

From left, social worker Kelly Haldaman, Matheny student Katherine Gaudio and volunteer Uma Patla.

After last year’s rainy weather, the sunny skies were a welcome sight as participants, volunteers and spectators congregated in downtown Peapack for the 16th annual Miles for Matheny, our annual fundraiser and community event, held Sunday, April 21. Occurring less than a week after the tragic events of the Boston Marathon, there were also concerns about safety, but added police presence and other security measures put everyone at ease.

WCBS-TV traffic reporter Alex Denis kicked off both the Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk and the 5K Road Race, but, in between, she spent time visiting with Matheny students, patients and their families. “I heard about the support that families receive from Matheny,” she said, “and their surprise that their sons and daughters are able to do things such as go to a prom or go bowling or attend a sporting event.  At Matheny, there appear to be no limitations.”

In addition to the Wheelchair Walk and 5K, there were five different Cycling routes, a Kids Fun Run and The Friends of Matheny’s “Breakfast of Champions,” followed by luncheon refreshments in the park. All funds raised at Miles for Matheny will help support the Matheny Center of Medicine and Dentistry, which provides medical, dental and therapy care to Matheny’s inpatients and people with disabilities in communities throughout New Jersey. Major sponsors were: the Poses Family Foundation, title sponsor; Partlow Insurance Company; Peapack-Gladstone Bank; Porzio Bromberg & Newman, P.C.; Affinity Federal Credit Union; and WCBS-TV and WCBS Newsradio 880.

WCBS-TV's Alex Denis.

Four members of Manhattan Brass with adult medical day patient Michael Martin. From left, trumpeter Wayne du Maine, trumpeter Terry Szor, trombonist Mike Seltzer and Baroque horn player R.J. Kelley.

The award-winning Manhattan Brass quintet recently visited Matheny to entertain adult students in a special assembly. Designated as a “Critic’s Pick” by Time Out New York magazine, the quintet presented an energetic performance that had the adult dining room swinging to the sounds of jazz.

The concert was coordinated by Matheny’s music therapy program, which also makes it possible for students and patients to attend outside concerts and theatre presentations whenever possible.

From left, Doris Engel of Chester; Linda Horton; and Chris Johnson of Bedminster.

Every year, Peapack, NJ, resident Linda Horton hosts an informal event to thank all the volunteers who donate their time to help out at the Second Chance Shop, The Friends of Matheny’s thrift shop in Gladstone, NJ, that raises money to support the students and patients at Matheny. This year’s “thank you” was an afternoon tea held on Sunday, April 7, in Matheny’s Robert Schonhorn Arts Center.

Each of the volunteers was asked to wear at least one item purchased at the shop, then modeling for all of their colleagues. Steve Proctor, president of Matheny, was also at the event, wearing a tie he had bought at the Second Chance Shop. He took the opportunity to thank the volunteers for the funds they raise, which “improve the lives of our children and adults,” adding that, “I can’t think of two finer individuals than Linda Horton and her husband, Bill.” Linda Horton is a member of Matheny’s Board Trustees; Bill Horton is mayor of Peapack-Gladstone.

Teresa Radebaugh of Chester.

Andy Lash with his father Fred and sister Morgan at Miles for Matheny 2009.

Two of the top fundraisers for Miles for Matheny will be interviewed on local CBS stations this week. Justin and Morgan Lash, brother and sister of Matheny adult patient Andy Lash, will be guests on  the CBS 2 morning news this Saturday, April 20, between 9 and 10 a.m.  Andy “Flash” Lash, the fundraising team created by the Lash family, as of April 17, had raised $3,695.

Jack Levinston, a 12-year-old from Bridgewater, NJ, who is running the 5K and raising money for Miles as his bar mitzvah project, has been interviewed by WCBS Newsradio 880 anchor Wayne Cabot. That interview will probably air on 880AM on Thursday, April 18, although it could also air on April 19 or 20.  Jack’s latest fundraising tally is $2,240.  Miles for Matheny is being held this Sunday, April 21, at Liberty Park in Peapack, NJ.

Activities at Miles, in addition to the 5K, include the Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk, five different cycling routes, a Kids Fun Run and The Friends of Matheny’s “Breakfast of Champions”, plus luncheon refreshments in the park. All funds raised help support the Matheny Center of Medicine and Dentistry, which provides medical, dental and therapy care to people with disabilities in communities throughout New Jersey.

WCBS-TV and WCBS Newsradio 880 are media sponsors of the event. Other major sponsors include: the Poses Family Foundation, title sponsor; Partlow Insurance Agency; Peapack-Gladstone Bank; Porzio Bromberg & Newman P.C.; and Affinity Federal Credit Union.

On-site registration begins at 8:30 a.m., Sunday in Liberty Park.  For more information, call (908) 234-0011, ext. 260.

Jack Levinston.

Bo Geraghty on a camping trip with recreation therapist Saori Cheth.

Liz and Michael Geraghty of  Cranford, NJ, believe people with disabilities should have an opportunity “to experience all that life offers.” With that in mind, they have formed a fundraising team called “Go Bo” to raise money for Miles for Matheny, our annual community event being held Sunday, April 21, at Liberty Park in Peapack, NJ. The “Bo” is Bozena, the Geraghty’s 22-year-old daughter, who became a Matheny resident in 2009. As of April 16, the Geraghtys had raised $1,185.

Because of the security and peace of mind that Matheny has given her family, Liz Geraghty became very involved in Matheny’s activities and last year was elected president of Matheny’s auxiliary group, The Friends of Matheny. “My daughter doesn’t walk,” she says, “and she doesn’t talk. But during her first year at Matheny, the recreation department told me they wanted to take her camping, and I said, ‘You’ve got to be kidding!”

Activities at Miles for Matheny include the Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk, a 5K Run, five different Cycling routes, a Kids Fun Run and The Friends of Matheny’s “Breakfast of Champions,” plus luncheon refreshments in the park. All funds raised help support the Matheny Center of Medicine and Dentistry, which provides medical, dental and therapy care to people with disabilities in communities throughout New Jersey. Major sponsors include: the Poses Family Foundation, title sponsor; Partlow Insurance Agency; Peapack-Gladstone Bank; Porzio Bromberg & Newman, P.C.; Affinity Federal Credit Union; and WCBS-TV and WCBS Newsradio 880.

To find out how you can be part of this fun-filled and uplifting event, log onto www.milesformatheny.org or call (908) 234-0011, ext. 260. To help support Go Bo, click on Search for Participant and type in the team name.

Dr. Gary E. Eddey.

What impact will Matheny’s habilitation model have on care for persons with medically complex developmental disabilities in New Jersey? It ensures continuation of the following:

• Seamless collaboration of an interdisciplinary and/or transdisciplinary team.

• An environment that accommodates all medical and therapeutic needs while providing a maximum level of social interaction that includes educational and recreational activities and frequent community engagement.

• Conservation of public health dollars by providing a continuum of health care services that minimize expensive, unplanned acute care services and hospital readmissions.

• Assurance that healthcare students in a broad range of disciplines will receive training that instills recognition of the need to accommodate this challenging population. It also helps these students be more comfortable and competent in doing so.

(The last in a series of articles by Gary E. Eddey, MD, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Matheny, on the habilitative healthcare model.)

Ryan O'Connor participating in an adapted sport activity with physical education instructor Jim Hintenach, left, and occupational therapist Deborah Goodhart.

Last year the Immaculate Conception School in Annandale, NJ, designated Matheny as the beneficiary of its Dance-A-Thon and raised $10,000. This year, ICS has formed a fundraising team to support Miles for Matheny and has set a fundraising goal of $15,000. The effort is being coordinated by Debbie O’Connor, an Annandale resident whose nine-year-old son Ryan is a student at Matheny.

In her message to ICS families, O’Connor says, “Our team will participate in the Lu Huggins Wheelchair Walk – non-runners and families can enjoy fun and fitness walking alongside Matheny children and adults who ‘wheel’ the streets of downtown Peapack to the cheers of the local community and other supporters.”

Confirmation candidates will receive service hours for volunteering to push a Matheny student or patient, but O’Connor added that ICS students might choose to volunteer with their family to push one of the wheelchair participants. “It is an amazing experience,” she said, “that will touch your hearts.” It will be easy to spot the Immaculate Conception volunteers because O’Connor is having t-shirts made specifically for Team ICS.

In addition to the Wheelchair Walk, activities at Miles for Matheny will include a 5K Race, five different Cycling routes, a Kids Fun Run and The Friends of Matheny’s “Breakfast of Champions, followed by luncheon refreshments in the park. All funds raised will help support the Matheny Center of Medicine and Dentistry, which provides medical, dental and therapy care to people with disabilities in communities throughout New Jersey.

Major sponsors include: the Poses Family Foundation, title sponsor; Partlow Insurance Agency; Peapack-Gladstone Bank; Porzio Bromberg & Newman, P.C.; Affinity Federal Credit Union; and WCBS-TV and WCBS Newsradio 880.

To find out how you can be part of this fun and uplifting event, log onto www.milesformatheny.org or call (908) 234-0011, ext. 260. To help support Team ICS, click on Search for Participant and type in the team name.

Dr. Gary E. Eddey

By Gary E. Eddey, MD

Matheny has a long tradition of serving as a teaching site for professional students. Our facility offers the state of New Jersey a campus where professional students can learn to care effectively and efficiently for one of the most complex patient populations in the world.

Our role as an educational campus for medical students, nursing students and interns in social work and therapeutic disciplines is directly attributable to our status as a special hospital. That status has attracted affiliations with the New Jersey Medical School and with teaching institutions throughout the United States. The primary purpose of our training programs is to ensure that students entering the healthcare fields of medicine, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language, social work, psychology, recreation, chaplaincy and music therapy are prepared to understand and meet the special healthcare needs of people with complex disabilities. Matheny funds these programs because the more professionals Matheny can train to treat the developmentally disabled population, the more cost-effective and efficient treatment will become.

The training programs we provide have been the focus of several articles in professional journals, have been presented in conferences and have served as models for national healthcare training programs. Our training philosophy was also featured in a national webinar conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This wide exposure results in our programs contributing to the cost-effectiveness of healthcare for persons with disabilities, not only in New Jersey, but nationally as well.

(Fifth in a series of articles by Gary E. Eddey, MD, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, on the habilitative healthcare model).

Betty and Joe Christie of Keyport, NJ, parents of late artist Jason Christie, next to his painting “Wolverine.” At right is their niece Leslie Bergman of New York City.

The mission of Matheny’s Arts Access Program is to provide individuals with disabilities the freedom to create in the visual, literary and performing arts. Along with that freedom comes the opportunity for the artists to have their art displayed in the community. A recent example of such community exposure and support was an exhibit of visual art and written works by Arts Access artists at the MONDO Summit building in Summit, NJ.

From left, George Vanderslays and Kate Jackette of Watchung, NJ; Arts Access director Eileen Murray of Morris Plains, NJ; and Diane Revel of Bernardsville, NJ.

The exhibit was held from February 25-March 29, and a special reception to celebrate it took place from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, March 17, at the 94-year-old reconstructed brick building, which is dedicated to all kinds of art. In addition to viewing the visual art at the reception, visitors were treated to a reading of some of the literary art.