Meet Kaleb, one of our CTU kids on the autism spectrum

Kaleb came to CTU at just 18 months when his mom noticed that he wasn’t as verbal as his older brother had been at that age. Kaleb was placed on a waiting list and it was some time before a spot opened up to begin speech therapy. Kaleb remained non-verbal until age three, after which he finally received a diagnosis on the autism spectrum. Kaleb has utilized a number of CTU services including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech, and Social Skills Group. At nine years old, Kaleb is now a talkative, bright and friendly kid and his mom credits the progress to their extended family of CTU therapists. Thanks to the donors, sponsors and attendees of the 2009 Tis the Season event, CTU is able to continue their good work and help more kids like Kaleb. CTU serves 400 children per year on the autism spectrum; 85% of the therapies these kids need.

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When Life Changes in an Instant

For Kenny Salvini, that life-changing moment came in February 2004 while skiing with friends. The college wrestler and wakeboarder experienced a 37-foot fall from a ski jump, resulting in a broken neck. At that instant, Kenny’s life of movement froze—Kenny was paralyzed from the neck down. Struggling to find purpose in a new life that was anything but expected, Kenny uses assistive technology to open horizons beyond his wheelchair. With voice recognition software, Kenny is able to control his environment— from turning on lights and controlling the temperature of his room to operating his laptop, where the internet can bring the world to his bedside. Kenny was kind enough to share his story with the guests of Northwest Corks & Crush in June of 2009. “Though we never think it can happen to us, tragedies strike every day that shatter lives. Having a facility in the South Sound as rich in therapeutic and technological resources as Good Samaritan allows people in situations like mine to pick up the pieces and forge new paths towards productive, independent futures. So let the paddles fly tonight because when it’s all said and done, your contributions will go towards providing the one thing we all need most—and that is hope.” With his help, we were able to raise over $102,000 to purchase cutting-edge assistive technology and equipment for the Rehabilitation Center at Good Samaritan. Thank you Kenny for giving us a bit of hope!

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All in the Family

Ida McLeary’s family sticks together. With two generations battling cancer, Ida rallied her extended family—45 members strong—to do something. Ida and her sister Gertie contacted Sumner Downtown Association who produces Come Walk With Me, an annual 5K walk to benefit breast heath programs at Good Samaritan and offered to lead the 2009 event. Bringing new ideas and tremendous enthusiasm to the cancer walk, every member of the family had a role from recruiting walkers to soliciting sponsors, from designing posters to organizing the event day volunteers. And the results were tremendous! Come Walk With Me saw nearly double the number of participants and nearly tripled the revenue raised the previous year!

Proceeds from the walk fund the work of the Breast Health Coordinator at Good Samaritan, who is a resource for patients throughout their breast cancer battle. From arming newly diagnosed patients with resources and helping them navigate the choices in physicians and treatments plans to assisting patients with post-surgical needs like providing camisoles with drainage tube and wigs at no cost, the Breast Health Coordinator provides a listening ear and compassionate counsel along the way.

Ida says, “You have to have people help you through this walk with cancer. My hope is that people hear about the services at Good Samaritan and go to this place. Good things will happen.”