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Did you know that May is National Speech-Language Hearing Month? Speech Therapy (ST) is one of three outpatient therapy services provided through our Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CORF).
Each May, National Speech-Language-Hearing Month provides an opportunity to raise awareness about communication disorders and the role of Speech Therapists in providing life-changing treatment to our clients. Speech Therapy increases the ability to communicate by helping with the articulation and fluency of speech sounds, cognitive-linguistic skills, and aural rehabilitation (treating individuals with hearing loss). Wendell Foster also provides feeding therapy for clients with swallowing disorders and difficulties with chewing. We are so thankful for our team of Speech Difference Makers at Wendell Foster who make communication accessible and achievable for all of their clients!
Keep reading to learn more about the impact of Speech Therapy on those we serve!
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Jacob's New Communication Device
Wendell Foster's Speech Therapists play a huge role in finding the best communication devices for our clients. Communication devices range in complexity, and as clients grow and change there comes the need to switch devices. This was exactly the case with our client, Jacob!
Jacob had been using a communication device since 2015, but he had outgrown his old device due to his expanded vocabulary. With guidance from his Speech Therapist, Kristy Hampton, Jacob transitioned to a new device earlier this year with more advanced words and phrases. With this device, he uses the keyboard to spell out approximations of what he wants to say. If he does not know how to spell the word he is looking for, Jacob connects other words to communicate the same intent.
| Jacob and his family. With his new communication device, he can build sentences such as "I love you, Dad!" and "I love you, Mom!" | |
This new communication device has opened up a world of possibilities for Jacob! He can build more complex sentences such as, "I love you, Mom and Dad" and "I want to eat pizza and Sprite." He can also participate in pretend play with his peers, tell his siblings when he's ready for some alone time (but not without a hug first), and advocate for himself when he's ready for new words and phrases to be added to his device. Jacob loves anything related to vehicles, and he loves it when Kristy pulls out a box of Transformers action figures during his therapy sessions. Using his device, he can request to play with different figures, like the semi-truck transformer, or the firetruck transformer.
These advances in communication for Jacob are all possible due to Kristy recognizing Jacob's need for more words in his vocabulary. Because of Kristy's dedication and Jacob's personalized therapy plan, he will continue to grow and develop his vocabulary with his new device.
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Taylor's Journey with Cochlear Implants
Taylor began receiving Speech Therapy services at Wendell Foster at 3 years old. After many tests and receiving a second opinion, she was finally diagnosed with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD). This is a rare, neurological condition that causes hearing loss due to nerve damage somewhere along the auditory nerve of the brain.
At the start of her therapy with Wendell Foster, Taylor only had 15 words in her vocabulary and was continuing to fall behind. Taylor’s Speech Therapist, Karissa Riter, was instrumental in developing a therapy plan for Taylor once she was diagnosed, which led to Taylor receiving two cochlear implants.
| Taylor and her Speech Therapist at Wendell Foster, Karissa Riter, M.S., CCC-SLP, ATP. Karissa has worked with Taylor since she was 3 years old. | |
Now at age 14, Taylor uses total communication, which means she uses her cochlear implants and spoken language along with American Sign Language, visual cues, and lip reading to help her understand and use language for communication. At school, Taylor is in mainstream middle school classes and uses a sign language interpreter along with technological resources to fill in the gaps for any language she misses. She has made A's with a couple of B's during her middle school career, and recently attended her 8th grade dance!
While Taylor has a strong work ethic and grit to succeed, the tools and resources she has received in speech therapy at Wendell Foster have been invaluable in helping reach her goals. Taylor's work with Karissa has been a true partnership from the beginning of her hearing loss journey. “We are fortunate to not only have Karissa as Taylor's therapist, but also a life-long family friend,” said Taylor’s Mom.
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Introducing Wendell Foster's...
Red, White, & Bourbon Raffle! 🦅🎆
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Calling all bourbon fans...Wendell Foster's Red, White, & Bourbon Raffle is NOW LIVE! Tickets are just $25 each with five exclusive prizes…including TWO bottles of PAPPY and other rare finds! Online ticket orders must be received on or before Monday, July 1st at 11:59 pm CST with our live Raffle Drawing taking place on Tuesday, July 2nd at 12:00 pm CST on Wendell Foster's Facebook Page.
Unleash your patriotic side, have a chance at great bourbon, and help us empower people with disabilities...just in time for the Fourth of July! Because what's more American than Bourbon?!
| *Wendell Foster employees, board members, and their immediate family members (family members living within the same home) are not eligible to participate in this raffle. Official Rules & Regulations can be found at wendellfoster.org/raffle. Kentucky Charitable Gaming License: ORG0001656. | | |
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Grand Prize:
Pappy Van Winkle 12 Year
Includes Pappy Van Winkle 12 Year with Elmer T. Lee and E.H. Taylor Single Barrel!
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Prize 2:
Pappy Van Winkle 10 Year
Includes Pappy Van Winkle 10 Year with George T. Stagg and E.H. Taylor Small Batch!
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Prize 3:
The Rarities Trio
Includes 3 bottles of rare bourbon: Woodford 15 Year, Weller 12 Year French Label, and Seagram's 1776 Premium American Whiskey with Tiffany Decanter!
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Prize 4:
Maker's Mark Founders Collection
Featuring Aaron Kizer!
Includes Maker's Mark (One of 40 Hand Painted Label of Marjorie Samuels, signed by Aaron Kizer), Maker’s Mark Founders’ Series (T. William Samuels), Maker’s Mark Founders’ Series (Marjorie Samuels (signed by Aaron Kizer and Bill Samuels)), Maker's Mark Founder's Edition (Marjorie Samuels), Maker's Mark (Gold Wax Handle, Signed by Bill Samuels Jr. and Rob Samuels), Maker's Mark (Signed by Bill Samuels Jr and Rob Samuels)!
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Prize 5:
Maker's Mark Wildcat Sports Bundle
Includes Maker's Mark 2010 John Calipari, Maker's Mark 2013 Dan Issel, Maker's Mark 2008 Joe B Hall, and Maker's Mark 2014 Mark Stoops!
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Ready...Set...Register! 🏃♀️💨
Registration Now Open for the 2025 WFHM & 5K!
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Secure your spot at the 2025 starting line for just $60!
Act fast – only the first 100 Half Marathon registrations qualify for this special offer. Only 38 spots remaining!
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There's a Division for Everyone!
Run With Us to Empower People with Disabilities 💙
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Run/Walk
Half Marathon or 5K Distance
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Duo Teams
Half Marathon or 5K Distance
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Steps Division
Half Marathon or 5K Distance
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Wendell Foster's Biggest Loser 🏋️ | |
Wendell Foster recently started the first round of Wendell Foster's Biggest Loser, an 8-week weight loss challenge for staff. Staff will weigh in each week, and winners will be chosen at the end of the challenge based on the percentage of body weight lost. Everyone is excited about the opportunity to improve their health and potentially win some cool prizes! At the beginning of the challenge on May 1st, 64 people weighed in for a total of 13,551 pounds. Our staff cares deeply for the people we serve, and we hope this challenge serves as a reminder for our staff to care for themselves as well. Participants in the challenge are working so hard, and the total weight amount just keeps shrinking. We are nearing the one-month mark of the challenge, and staff are already experiencing the benefits of improving their health! | We asked a few of our staff members to tell us why they're participating in the Biggest Loser Challenge, and how their health journey is going. Here's what they said: | |
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Annette Owens
Billing and Insurance Supervisor
Annette said her goals for the challenge are simple: she wants to physically feel better. She feels that losing weight will accomplish that goal, not only for herself, but for all who are participating! She loves that the challenge is done in a group setting, so it holds her accountable. "Let's face it, the older you get, the harder it is to take weight off. So why not start now and make some of those changes!" Annette said.
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Joy Wright
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA/L)
Joy joined the Biggest Loser challenge to feel better in her every day life. Joy wants to lose a significant amount of weight to decrease pain in her joints and increase her daily energy levels. To achieve her goals, she's being more mindful of her eating habits and is starting to ride her bike again. You've got this, Joy!
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Jennifer Salvina
Director of Behavior Services
Jennifer was ready to make some healthy changes, and the challenge pushed her to take that leap. "There are always excuses in life, so I was excited to join the challenge and have co-workers with me on this journey!" said Jennifer. Jennifer wants to lose weight to have more energy, have her clothes fit better, and participate in activities with her son. She's eating high protein foods along with fruits and veggies, and is taking time out of her day to walk and run. Jennifer is also weight-lifting 1-2 times a week!
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Stay tuned for an update on these staff members in our June Newsletter! Best wishes to all who are completing the challenge, and way to go for putting your health first! 👍 | |
Bryant's Exercise Class 🕺💃
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Bryant, a Wendell Foster resident, wanted to build on the excitement of the Biggest Loser by starting his own exercise class in the Sensory Park for both staff and residents! Each Wednesday, weather permitting, Bryant will play a workout playlist he created through the loudspeakers in the park, and will lead the class through specific movements for each song. This is such a great way to motivate others on campus to get healthy and have fun while doing it. Awesome job, Bryant! 💪 | |
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We love celebrating the successes of our clients here at Wendell Foster! You may remember the Greenwells, the Featured Family from our 2023 Forever a Difference Maker Gala & Auction. Their daughter, Nora, was diagnosed with a developmental disability called hypertonia shortly after birth. Hypertonia causes stiff muscles, which commonly leads to delays in developmental milestones. The Greenwells were referred to Wendell Foster, and hit the ground running with therapies in our Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CORF).
We are excited to bring you an update on Miss Nora: she has graduated from Physical Therapy! Her parents once feared she would never walk; now she's jumping, climbing, and playing just like any other kid. While this was a happy moment for Nora and her family, it was also bittersweet. "Wendell Foster and the support from our team (there) has been everything," Nora's mom, Lauren, told us last year. "Her therapists are like an extension of our family." After Nora's final PT session, Lauren presented flowers to Nora and her Physical Therapist, Lauren Beguin. Tears were shed, but they were happy tears in celebration of Nora's bright future ahead! Nora, we are so proud of you for your achievements in therapy, and Wendell Foster is honored to be a small part of your story. We know you will accomplish anything you set your mind to!
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Best of Owensboro Living Awards 🏆 | |
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Wendell Foster is honored to be the recipient of 3 Best of Owensboro Living Awards! We are the Platinum Winner for Best Running Race for the Wendell Foster Half Marathon & 5K, the Gold Winner for Best Charity Event for the Wendell Foster Half Marathon & 5K, and the Gold Winner for Best Place to Work. Thank you to all who voted, and most importantly, thank you to our Difference Makers who make our mission of empowering people with disabilities possible. We'd also like to thank each of our dedicated runners, the over 400 volunteers who gave 1,000+ hours of their time, and every single person who supported this year's WFHM&5K. We love this community!
Thank you, Owensboro, for being #WFDifferenceMakers! 💙
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Here at Wendell Foster, it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day hustle and bustle of changing lives, achieving milestones, and chasing dreams for our clients. But we can’t forget the people who make these dreams happen: our staff of Difference Makers.
Wendell Foster was recently named the Gold Winner for Best Place to Work in the Best of Owensboro Living Awards, and what better way to show appreciation for our incredible team than with a celebration! On Thursday, May 23rd, our staff members at Wendell Foster enjoyed a “Best Fest” lunch provided by our Rewards & Recognition Committee. They grilled burgers and chicken, and even had an apple sundae bar! Meanwhile, our staff got to pick up a “The Best Days Are Ahead” t-shirt, inspired by the Best Place to Work award. To celebrate even more, The R&R Committee also provided 20 various prizes that were up for grabs for our staff through the “Best Buckets” drawing. Take a look at some of our winners and prizes below!
We appreciate our staff and everything they do for us here at Wendell Foster! This is just a small token of appreciation for the wonderful things our employees do to make Wendell Foster the best place to work! 💙
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Congratulations to our Best Buckets Prize Winners! 🌟
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Cricut: Hailey Dieter
Pickleball Set: JaeShyne Crowe
Nintendo Switch: Sandy Hayden
GCI Rocking Chair: Courtney Vinson
Wagon Cart: Virginia Johnston
JBL Speaker: Nicole Austin
Eye Massager: Felicia Elliott
Firepit: Apryll Mitchell
Kindle: Lesley Hooks
Running Earphones: Emily Rhodes
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Ninja Blender: Cameron Tate
Patio Set: Casey Cobb
Travel Slow Cooker: Annette Owens
Knife Set: Cassy Johnson
Ninja Creami: Ashley Durham
Pots and Pans Set: Robin Ratliff
Air Fryer: Savannah Bray
Mini Fridge: Sharron Newman
Waterslide: Lacie McLaughlin
Blackstone: Kristin Kinison
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MAY your month be filled with sunshine and happiness, just like ours was! 🌤️ | |
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1. Rachel loved this butterfly display at the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden.
2. A few of our lovely ladies held a tea party, complete with pumpkin snickerdoodle cookies and tea to sip on.
3. Students from Owensboro Catholic High School's Christians in Action class stopped by campus to help residents make signs for our Spring Yard Sale.
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4. Dwayne spent a relaxing afternoon on the Owensboro Riverfront at Smother's Park.
5. Andreana was all smiles during Park Day at Yellow Creek Park. Check out her shirt- she's famous for her smile!
6. Cottage C was in for a sweet surprise when they found strawberries growing in their garden. Megan was so excited to pick her very own strawberry!
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Celebrate With Us in 2024! 🎉 | |
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About Wendell Foster
For over 75 years, our focus has been to provide children and adults with disabilities with the tools, education, therapies, and support to reach their dreams and potential.
As a leader in serving those with disabilities, we provide more than 65,000 services annually through multiple programs.
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Copyright © 2024 Wendell Foster, All rights reserved. | | | | |
