August, 2004
Last year the Central Coast Center for Independent Living, in conjunction with the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation sponsored a highly successful health conference in Salinas for women with disabilities. This year we are pleased to have this conference here in Santa Cruz County on August 13th at the Green Valley Christian School, 376 S. Green Valley Rd., Watsonville. Beginning at 9:00 (registration at 8:30), there will be information tables and workshops relating to stress management, assistive technology, cancer and diabetes prevention, therapeutic horticulture and more. If you are interested in registering please call our offices at (831) 462-8720. Cost is $35.00 with scholarships available. Lunch will be provided and it promises to an interesting, informative and fun filled event.
I am very pleased to announce the arrival of a new service provider in the county. A couple of weeks ago the Deaf Counseling, Advocacy and Referral Agency (DCARA) opened a satellite office at 2045 40th Ave Suite B Capitola, CA 95010 from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 to 5:00 pm on Fridays. For more information contact Judith Gonzales via TDD at (831) 464-4358 or please use the California Relay Service 711 for voice calls. You can also check out their website at www.dcara.org to get a more comprehensive understanding of the services available. If you, or a family member, are deaf or hard of hearing, I strongly encourage you to contact Judith and use their services.
Speaking of services, Foster Andersen and Shared Adventures (www.sharedadventures.com) did it again with an absolutely blow out "Day on the Beach" on July 17th. If you were anywhere near Cowells Beach, I certainly hoped you stopped by to join the festivities. I have no idea how many volunteers gathered, some before dawn to lay out the plywood walkways and staging areas so our communities' wheelchair users could get down to the shoreline. People with all types of disabilities came from all over California and some of the neighboring states to enjoy the water sports of canoeing, kayaking, diving and surfing. I am particularly struck by the large number of surfers that participate each year and the enthusiasm they bring. Hats off to Ride a Wave (www.rideawave.org) and all the rest. I know my son loves the freedom he experiences each year riding one of the waves at Steamer Lane. The smiles on everyone's faces told me they all had a fantastic time.
If water sports weren't your thing, then the sand sculptors put on a good show and taught many of the audience some of the tricks they use. And those massages were unbelievable. There was good food in abundance - lots of fresh fruit. The live bands played wonderfully, but for my family the musically highlight was the all woman marching drum band (all right there was one guy). Their performance was so good you had to boogie a little. They reminded me a lot of the high energy Atlanta Shrine Band my father used to lead.
The beaches of this county are so beautiful, so relaxing, so invigorating I can only ask why we haven't done more to make them accessible to people with disabilities. Last time I checked there were beach wheelchairs available at the Santa Cruz Wharf Life Guard Office, Natural Bridges State Park and at the Crow's Nest Restaurant shopping center. But why hasn't there been more done to make our various beaches like Cowell's, Santa Cruz Main, Capitola and others more accessible through accessible pathways and porch-like areas. Wouldn't it be nice to enjoy the water and not just look at it. I'm sure I will hear it would cost too much and our budgets are too tight. But doesn't this sound like a really great project for some civic group. Maybe something that can be removed during the storm season so it doesn't get washed out to sea each winter. If there is such a beach accommodation in the area please let me know about it so I can get the word out. Also, If you are looking to purchase a specialized wheelchair, like a beach wheelchair, give us a call and we can help in the search.
Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer and always remember - Disability is a
random event that can occur in any life, at any moment.
- Michael Bradshaw, Central Coast Center for Independent Living