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I am constantly amazed at the artistic creativity in the ornaments we receive. Check out the latest additions here and in the Festival of Trees - Ornaments gallery.
These are absolutely genius ornaments by Carla Dunham and Jen McPhie
Festive, bright, adorable ornaments by Tana Nelson
Super cute, and creative ornaments by SanDee Wake
Charming and detailed ornaments by Linda Farris
I am fortunate enough to have been appointed to the Wyoming Governor's Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities. I was appointed as a family member. You see, my brother, JR, has Down Syndrome. The Council spent the last 2 days in Rawlins, WY working on various issues to make lives better for those with disabilities. I always leave those meetings, so energized, so full of hope for the future.
One topic we discussed and will continue to revisit is that of the waiting list. There are approximately 222 children on the state waiting list for waiver services. Basically what this means is that when a child is born with a disability, the family has to wait 2 1/2 years to get waiver services.
Now..... open your mind, put yourself in someone else's shoes, and imagine for a minute that all your hopes and dreams of having a typical child are no longer. Doctors have told you, your child is "different", "special". You grieve - you cry, you yell, you scream...you take a deep breath....determination sets in. This is your child and this child is much more than the disability. This child is full of poss-"abilities" (possibilities) - positive abilities. You realize that no matter what, you can get through this, you will do everything in your power to get the best medical care, education and therapies for this child. You will fight to the ends of the earth....you will help others understand, accept and rejoice in abilities of this child.
Now that hope, direction and determination have set in, you research, network, read, listen, talk and find out there are services available to help you and your child. There are family services, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Play Therapy, assistance with special equipment your child may need, assistance with modifications to your home....and when your child gets older there are vocational and independent living assistance. Wow - you're not alone! There are so many resources out there!
But, wait....there's more....you must apply for these services, you must get on the waiting list, you are number 223......your child will wait at least 2 1/2 years to get these services. You know that your child must get services quickly, the earlier services begin, the better your child's life will be, the better parent you will be. You try to find other options, but private paying for such services would cost you thousands of dollars each month. You try to utilize your health insurance, but everywhere you turn there are road blocks to getting physical therapy and speech therapy approved, they will not cover in home modifications, play therapy, family counseling, etc. You feel hopeless, weak, beaten down.
Wyoming is one of the least populated states, with one of the longest waiting lists for services. This makes no sense. You can't move to Wyoming from another state and get services, you must be a Wyoming resident. Many of the families who need services, live in rural remote areas, and those services are difficult to access in the first place. I'm talking about families who live in Wyoming, make their home here, are part of our communities....and these people must wait 2 1/2 years to get help for their children.
Open your mind and think about what it would be like to be the parent of a child with a disability. Realize that our communities are better off when we support each other, when we are proactive and put people first. Open your mind to those who are different, I find those are the people I learn the most from.
If you live in Wyoming, I urge you to consider writing a letter to the Governor to support reducing the children's waiver waiting list . (thank you)
Here are the newest ornaments we have received for our tree that will be auctioned off at the "Festival of Trees" in Worland, WY. Be sure to look on the right hand side of my blog and click on the "Festival of Trees" photo album (or follow the underlined link) to see all of the ornaments that will be featured on our tree!
By Roxanne Pedersen
By Jay Gifford
Scrapbookers, stampers and fabric artists from our Worland classes, were kind enough to join us in making ornaments for the "Festival of Trees" in Worland, WY.
Rocky Mountain Framing and Gallery purchased a tree that we will decorate with handmade, one of a kind ornaments. The tree will be auctioned off in December at the "Festival of Trees". The proceeds help local community organizations that really make a difference in Worland.
If you would like to make an ornament and join our cause, please contact hsimoni@bresnan.net or send your ornament to Rocky Mountain Framing and Gallery-1600 Big Horn Avenue-Worland, WY 82401. We need the ornaments by Dec 1st. Thank you!
I am constantly amazed by these two talented artists. My Mom - Terry Cook, and her hubby Dan Cook.
My mom owns Rocky Mountain Framing and Gallery in Worland, WY. As if that doesn't showcase her talents enough, she designs and sandblasts images on glass and various other surfaces, as well as designs and creates gorgeous stained glass windows.
Here is her latest masterpiece that she created for their home. The triangular shaped window is located near the top of the vaulted ceiling. The sunlight pouring through this is incredible.
You can usually find Dan riding horses and roping, or creating one of a kind metal art sculptures. And, just to break out of the box, he recently designed and created this custom, tv stand using various woods, antlers, metal and copper.
These two bring out the best in each other, and I'm so lucky to get to soak up their artistic energy and let it inspire me! I'm sure it will inspire you too.
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