The League for People with Disabilities is committed to offering individuals the opportunity to gain independence, to increase self-sufficiency, and to improve the quality of life.

May Newsletter

My League Story, SCALE Aphasia Program: Chris D.

May is National Stroke Awareness Month!

Meet Chris: a 46 year old Maryland resident, father of 4 children, and avid fan of video games and sports. He loves playing football and basketball, making people laugh, working with his hands, and following the National Soccer League, along with other sports leagues. To those who do not know him, he epitomizes the average guy, but Chris has an outstanding story to tell - a story that is sometimes difficult for him to verbally communicate due to a devastating stroke in 2018.

It happened on a regular day, with Chris at home playing his video game. His oldest daughter was upstairs at the time. He recalls another virtual player shouting because of a raid in the game, and then everything went black. There were no obvious warning signs to alert him that his life was about to change in a major way. After passing out from a dizzy spell mid-game, Chris awoke in Franklin Square Hospital.

For Chris, someone who had worked as a sheet metal worker and industrial automation systems specialist at several high-profile local cultural institutions, losing the ability to speak and move his arm and leg had him feeling utterly lost.

Fortunately, Chris was introduced to The League's SCALE Aphasia Program in 2019 and has been attending sessions 2 days a week ever since. Chris really enjoys the art and woodworking groups at SCALE. He has learned so much from his therapists and even helps train the student interns from visiting universities.

“Yeah, now it’s not so hard. In the beginning, my arm, my leg, and my speech - that was hard.”

One of Chris's greatest remaining challenges from his stroke is his speech, but he has built a confidence in his communication strategies and strengths through SCALE over the years. When Chris is out in the community, he often shares about his stroke experience in an effort to explain his difficulties with speaking. As advice for avoiding a stroke, Chris often cautions to "watch your health," and if you do have a stroke, "come to SCALE!"

Learn More About The League's SCALE Aphasia Program

Spring Program Updates

In recognition of Autism Acceptance Month, the Youth Autism Services (YAS) team organized an event that put "neurotypical" staff members in the shoes of "neurodivergent" individuals. The YAS Program recognizes the importance of building strong relationships with families, organizations, and professionals within the autism community and aims to create a supportive and inclusive environment where every individual is valued, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential.

The League's Camping & Recreation team just finished some annual cabin and site cleanup at Camp Greentop in the Catoctin Mountains! Spring Weekend Respites have officially wrapped up and our fun-loving travelers just returned from an extended weekend in sunny Florida's Universal Studios. Traditional Summer Camp will manifest in seven memorable sessions at Camp Greentop and then Fall Weekend Respites will resume in October. We are ready for the summer fun!

Now that the weather is warming up, Meaningful Day participants are volunteering at Talmar Gardens and The Baltimore Zoo! Activities through Farring Baybrook such as Special Olympics Basketball, Music Therapy, Nature Education, and more will resume for adults excited about achieving their goals of personal and professional growth. As of May 1st, The League's Employment Services team supported 7 individuals in gaining employment through our DORS and DDA programs!

Staff and members in the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Program have been part of a national roundtable group working on a paper outlining the standards of care for people with MS in day programs. The paper will be highlighted at the upcoming meeting of The Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) 38th Annual Meeting at the Music City Center, Nashville, Tennessee. The group would also like to share it at the National Adult Medical Day Association in the future.

Volunteer Highlights

On April 29th, volunteers from BGE spent the afternoon with adults in our Medical Day Program making Earth Day crafts such as suncatchers, sustainable soaps, and snacks for our local birds and squirrels. Volunteer groups from our corporate partners and vendors make large-scale activities like these so much more fun and engaging! Check out their TikTok video for a quick recap of the day!

We are extremely grateful for our corporate partnerships and networks of connections with volunteers! If your school, company, or organization is interested in making a difference with The League, please contact Kait Wieler, Manager, Community Engagement, at kwieler@leagueforpeople.org.

Explore Volunteer Opportunities

The League's Spirit Week & Birthday Fiesta!

In preparation for The League's 97th birthday at the end of April, the Employee Culture Committee arranged for a weeklong celebration with fun wardrobe prompts that ended in a birthday fiesta on Friday, April 26th! Staff members showed off their sports gear, twin energy, decade style, pajama looks, and League pride! The birthday fiesta featured music, dancing, games, Spanish cuisine, and lots of churros! It is an absolute privilege to serve Baltimore as an #employerofchoice!

Explore Career Opportunities with The League

With each passing year, The League's family and impact grows to exceed the needs of the Baltimore community, and beyond. Since 1927, our staff members, participants, partners, volunteers, and donors have supported growth and socialization to meet people where they are and to help them reach their personal and professional goals. Together, we are able to ensure another 97 years of building community for people with disabilities...but we're going to need a bigger churro!

Help Us Celebrate 97 Years!

Grab a Beer to Support Camping & Recreation on 5/19

Spend your #Sundayfunday sipping quality IPA's and home brews to benefit The League's Camping & Recreation Programs at The Brass Tap Baltimore on 1205 W. Mt. Royal Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21217.

Sign Up for TheraFit's Wheelchair Wash on 5/21

All are welcome to attend TheraFit Rehab's Wheelchair Wash at The League on Tuesday, May 21st from 9:30AM-1:30PM. Community members and Therafit patients are encouraged to register by calling (443) 961-3071. League participants and staff members should register with Renée Dash by calling (410) 323-0500 x304.

Join Ink + Numbers for a Garden Tea Party on 5/22

On May 22nd from 9-11AM, attendees will spend a morning in The League's beautiful garden while enjoying tea and scones! Special guest Brooke Lierman will join us to greet attendees and share a bit about her journey into her current role while being a mother and the first lady to act as Comptroller of the state of Maryland!

Be festive and dress in a nice spring outfit! The League will also offer tours of our amazing facility. Registered attendees will have the chance to see all of the great work they do for the people they serve.

A Concluding Note from Our President & CEO

Dear Friends,

In our 97th year, The League is blooming with progress and meaningful activity! I'm feeling anything but prickly with the amount of triumphs that we have to celebrate because of our dedicated supporters, selfless volunteers, community partners, incredible staff members, and inspirational participants.

Speaking of triumphs, it was so much fun toasting our honorees Andy and Amy Slutkin of Silverman, Thompson, Slutkin, & White and The Rotary Club of Baltimore at Tastes, Toasts, & Triumphs on April 13th. The evening was impactful, memorable, and sparkly with some of the best drinks and desserts paired with excellent CLUB1111-inspired dance moves!

Now that the weather is getting warmer, our participants have been spending time in the onsite garden space and visiting more of our favorite outdoor partner volunteer sites with the Day Habilitation Program. There is such a positive vibe happening at The League and we encourage you to come and visit us!

There is a great opportunity to learn more about how the Adult Medical Day Program can support you and your loved one on Saturday, June 15th at our Open House!