Approximately 350 people took part in the 21st annual Meyer Foundation for Disabilities’ Walk and Roll for Disabilities, which was held March 2 at the Oak View Mall.
The event, which raises money for recreational activities at UNMC’s Munroe-Meyer Institute for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, raised more than $42,000, said Mary McHale, president of the Meyer Foundation.
“The event is always special,” said Mary McHale, president of the foundation. “Besides helping raise funds, it’s a chance to raise awareness, to be visible – but also to be together, to gather as a community to celebrate our families, our friendships and the people and organizations that support us.”
See a photo album from the event.
Hayden Sommer and his parents, Heidi and Mark, were the honorary family advocates for the event. Hayden’s mother, Heidi Sommer, said it was a huge honor to be recognized.
“True inclusion is really important to our family,” Heidi Sommer said. “These events allow people see that we’re just trying to lead a regular life like everyone else, though we might need extra support. Listening to people’s stories, seeing how much extra care it might take to get out in the public — it’s good for people to be aware and then be involved.”
Ethan Falk was named honorary self-advocate for the event, which his mother, Kim Falk, called an honor.
“MMI Adult Recreation Therapy is an amazing program that Ethan enjoys and looks forward to,” she said. “The activities, time with his peers and a caring recreation therapy staff make this an incredible social outgoing for all participants.”
The Sommer and Falk families was joined by 40 other teams and various individual participants, and as usual, MMI was out in force to support and participate in the event.
“We are so thankful for Munroe-Meyer Institute,” Sommer said. “We do things as a family, but as far as events that he can go to without us, MMI is it.
“Hayden’s been going to MMI recreational therapy and other programs since he was very little. Transitioning to adulthood, I’m so thankful that we got in touch with MMI and they could get to know him prior to adult activities. But now, because they know him, they just welcome him in. He’s not verbal, so having people that he trusts and that understand and help him is everything.”
The Meyer Foundation funding fully supports MMI recreational therapy’s Thursday night social activities clubs, as well as supporting a cooking club and other programs.
Carly De Bruin, associate director of the MMI Department of Recreational Therapy, said relationships are at the core of the department’s mission.
“Many of our adult participants have been with us for a long time,” she said. “As we work to provide opportunities for them to socialize and enjoy themselves, we also value the friendships that grow, both between participants and between the participants and the faculty and staff.”
