Fair offers resources for people with disabilities
For the first time on Saturday, Nov. 12, more than 30 agencies, speakers, vendors and special guests will come together for a free comprehensive informational forum for the more than 10,000 people in the valley with disabilities.
The Flathead Disability Health and Wellness Fair is from noon to 5 p.m. in the gymnasium of The Wave in Whitefish.
Michaelann Lee, an exercise therapist at The Wave, was the main force in organizing the event.
“I hope every individual that has a disability comes to this event,” Lee said. “They can come and get educated about what is available in this community for them.”
As an example she cited the DREAM Program that offers summer and winter recreational opportunities for disabled people.
Along with booths featuring more than 30 agencies to answer questions, the fair has a full schedule of speakers and raffle drawings following each presentation.
The five presentations are:
Noon — State of Montana Disability Program and The Wave Adaptive Exercise Program
1 p.m. — Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana discusses the Medicare Waiver Program and other programs.
2 p.m. — Summit Independent Living Center
3 p.m. — Physical therapist and neurological specialist Tim Gibb and occupational therapist Rebecca Norton, a hand specialist.
4 p.m. — Support group panel discusses meetings and answers questions. Members represent Traumatic Brain Injury/Stroke, Men’s Group and Caregivers Group. Doug Betters and Tim Pate represent the Recreation for Physical Disabilities Club.
Some of the nonprofit agencies attending include the Dream Program, Flathead Industries, Light House, United Way, Disabled Veterans of American, Flathead County Home Health, Shepherd’s Hand Clinic, R.A.M.P. Recreation program, Human Therapy on Horseback, Special Friends, Child Development Center and Glacier Pilot Club.
Companies attending include Eagle Transit, Ride For U Taxi, Kalispell Medical Equipment, Humana Health Insurance, Professional Therapy Associates, Flathead Valley Community College, Eagle West Life Care Planning, Kalispell Regional Medical Center, North Valley Hospital, Glacier Neuroscience, Professional Therapy Associates and Handworks OT Therapists.
Lee said she and others began organizing the fair by calling vendors and agencies about six weeks ago to see if they wanted to attend.
“I don’t think I have even tapped all of them,” she said.
According to Lee, people with disabilities and income challenges will learn about sources of scholarships to take part in services such as The Wave’s Adaptive Exercise Program. It serves people who have had strokes or have neurological disabilities but are not paralyzed.
“It’s for people who have exhausted their physical therapy and occupational therapy [benefits],” she said. “We have a scholarship program so people can come here and exercise.”
Lee studied at Johns Hopkins University with Dr. John McDonald, one of the doctors who treated Christopher Reeves after he became paralyzed.
Proceeds of the raffles go toward the adaptive exercise scholarship program. People interested in attending are encouraged to register online at www.whitefishwave.com.
Lee summarizes the point of the fair.
“Life doesn’t stop with a disability,” she said.
Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.