Chef Steve Harlan Chef Steve’s topic was FOOD CAN STILL BE GOOD. He prepared delicious food for us and demonstrated how food can taste the same whether it is solid or pureed foods.

Kim Nay, Administrator
Mobile Meals of Dover/New Philadelphia
Kim wanted us to know that there is help out there for caregivers who are sometimes to tired or overwhelmed to prepare meals.

Kasey Rippel, Provider Relations
Crossroads Hospice
“The Sign Says it All”

Jen Hursey, LSW
Personal & family Counseling Services
Jen’s topic was “Keeping Peace in the family”. She told us to remember that Family is another word for Team, to maintain Communication, Preserve daily activities and to Involve your friend or family member with others. She stressed the importance of self care of everyone in the family.

Salva Sedlak,
Director of Bereavement Services
Hospice of Tuscarawas County
Hospice bereavement services are open to the public. Salva said grief happens any time we’re separated from someone or something. Something she said that is true for any family who has a loved one with ALS is that grief can be saying goodbye to things we used to do.

Claude Henry
Assistive Technology Specialist from Forbes Rehab Services, Inc. works with a volunteer to demonstrate the use of the new ComLink LT and Quick Glance TM3 combination. This is the most portable compact eye tracking solution available. The ease of using eye blink communications was amazing. He demonstrated how you can even use it to turn the television on and off and how to change channels.

Cary Marsh
Cary Marsh ATP,CRTS from MOTION MOBILITY demonstrated an awesome wheelchair that does so many things he couldn’t cover them all in an hour. He talked about the equipment and services available through motion mobility. We enjoyed his presentation very much.

Mike Mossor
Mike introduced us to the Smith Medical Alarms and how they work. As their brochure says, “Smith Medical Alarms give you peace of mind. You may not use it today but if you need it, you’ll be glad you have it.

Pam Patton
Social Worker at Union Hospital gave a power point presentation about ALS, Accepting The Diagnosis. She talked about the stages of feelings after diagnosis and attitude.

Amy Whipple
Midwest Regional Director
ALS Therapy Development Institute
We have had many meetings about ways to cope. Amy’s presentation gave us a different prospective with the ALS/TDI research plan and approach to discovering a treatment for patients living with ALS today.

Sara E. Wolosiansky, M.A., CCC-SLP
Community Speech Services
Sara’s talked about methods you can use to make swallowing easier. She covered topics from thickening your food to changing the position of your head when you swallow. During the question and answer session she addressed Speech Therapy discussing how soon to start, that you should be prepared and know what you will need. She offered us the opportunity to call her is we have any questions.

Karen Braman
Practice Manager
Visiting Physicians
The objective of the Visiting Physicians Association’s is to expand the reach of the traditional medical practice and provide the many services and assessments that focus around caring for patients in the home.

Matthew D. Capots, MBA, RRT
Hill-Rom Respiratory Care
Matt demonstrated The Vest® Airway Clearance System.
“The Air Pulse Generator rapidly inflates and deflates the inflatable vest, gently compressing and releasing the chest wall, creating increased airflow within the lungs. This process moves mucus toward the larger airways where it can be cleared by coughing or suctioning.” Each person who had a loved one with ALS said they could see how this would be a great asset.

Attorney James F. Contini II
Topic Estate Planning
Attorny Contini covered some very important information. He explained everything in an easy to understand format and dispersed notebooks for everyone to take home. As he spoke it seemed that everyone learned something they should do and he generously offered to help. We appreciate his taking the time to answer so many questions.

Hospice of Tuscarawas County’s “Hospice House Wanda Croft, Chairman of the Hospice Board of Directors and Marti Massello, LSW.

Marti discussed the need for respite care for caregivers and the vast amount of services that Hospice provides. She patiently answered many questions. Wanda showed us the steps that been taken from “planning to a reality” to have a Hospice House in Tuscarawas County. It will “provide a compassionate atmosphere of peace and comfort” and “medical resources to minimize patient stress and discomfort”. It will “provide a place for loving, praying and laughing” and will also “provide the opportunity to be surrounded by family and friends”.

Dr. Kurt C. Garren, M.D.
Dr. Garren was in the emergency room in 1999 when patients came in from the Columbine High School shootings. He talked about his experiences and how he handled them. For about an hour he answered questions about handling adversity and did it in a way that made the meeting really enjoyable

Lori Dallacheisa, MOT, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist – Medi-Wise Pharmacy
Lori said instead of thinking I can’t do this anymore, think you can; you just can’t do it like you did. You have to do it in a different way. She demonstrated ways to transfer people from chairs, helping them sit up when they are lying down and how to get someone up from the floor when they fall

Ruthanne Donalson
Society For Equal Access
Topic: “Independent Living”
The Agency assists with peer support, advocacy, information and referral, independent living skills and transportation.

Lee Harris
Richards Medical
Topic: “Respiratory Support”
Lee discussed how respiratory support can give you a a better quality of life. He demonstrated the different masks for use with the Bi-Pap Machine. Lee spends a tremendous amount of time working for and with people with ALS.

Brad Stilwell
Vice President of Comfort Keepers
They provide non-medical assistance in your home. Whatever the situation, Comfort Keepers is dedicated to helping you stay safe, comfortable, and independent in your own home.

Attorney Mike Harrington
Southeastern Ohio Legal Services
Mike held a very informative question and answer session on a variety of legal matters.

Laura Williams, PT
Owner of Tuscarawas Valley
Physical Therapy
Topic: Muscle Burn -Or- Burn Out
Laura provided information that was greatly beneficial to both PALS and CALS.

Rev. Jenny Geib
Circle of Light Reiki Guild
She was assisted by Mina Plan, RN and Beverly Turner as they provided much enlightenment into the world of Reiki.

Marti Massello, LSW
Hospice
Marti presented a very positive discussion about how Hospice works and the benefits available from it. She stressed quality of life and maintaining your independence as long as possible.

Joanna Lee
Health Care Services Coordinator for the Muscular Dystrophy Association spoke about MDA/ALS.

Steve Murphy
Topic: “Staying Positive, it’s not about (luck of the Irish”)
Brother of PALS: Dennis Murphy & Maxine Rufener

Christine M. Schoenberg
LPCC – Community Mental Healthcare
Topic: “Living & Surviving With Loss
Christine talked about what the ALS diagnosis means to a person, how it changes your identity and how you view yourself. She stressed the importance of sharing and allowing others in. She stated that the whole person should be treated because “you” are not the disease.

Jessica Kinsey, MSW
Social Worker/Union Hospital
Jessica spoke about Living Wills and Healthcare Powers of Attorney. She is a very caring individual who explained in a pleasant but informative way why these issues are so important.

Rob Edwards, RRT
Richards Medical
Topic: Pressure Support for the
ALS Patient

Dee Grossman-Tasker says “I Love You” following her presentation on sign language.

Holly Plotts, RN
A Better Home Health Care, Inc.
Holly’s warm discussion gave us a clear definition of their purpose……. “Your Comfort at home is our concern.”

Cathie Hiltbrand, RN
Cathie is a major part of our “Family”. She spoke first hand about the importance of a support network.

Gail Baldwin, Director – RSVP
Gail was a beacon of light when she
spoke about preparedness.

Ruth Anne Jones
Director of Admissions & Community Relations
Oakpointe Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
Everyone enjoyed hearing Ruth Ann speak. She lights up a room just by entering it.

Alok Bhagat, MD
Neurologist
Dr. Bhagat sat amoung us and addressed questions and concerns.

Craig Walkerow, Director
Holmes, Wayne, Tuscarawas Transportation
Craig’s company provides a way into the world that a lot of people could no longer participate in.

Brad Sussman
Executive Director ALS Association of Northern Ohio
Brad was kind enough to come down early and spend time with us on radio and TV helping to raise public awareness of ALS. He certainly raises the level of enthusiasm . It was an honor and a pleasure to have him.

Gina Kilberg, Health Care Service Coordinator
Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Gina talked about the many services the MDA has avaiable for people with neuromuscular disorders.

Chris Curtiss, Coordinator
Community Support Network
Area 8 – Brain Injury Association of Ohio
Chris spoke about family members in denial. She compared similarities of cargivers of people with brain injuries and people with ALS. It was a very informative meeting with everyone participating in a round-table discussion.

Mary Ann Pica, RN
Ember Complete Care
Home Health Services
Mary Ann talked about coping. When the question and answer period came people kept her there for over an hour. She was so helpful they asked to have her back. “We will.”.

Diane Renicker
Executive Director, Society for Equal Access
Independent Living Center
Diane said the SEA’s goal is to keep people independent. They teach independent living skills, offer peer support, and short term loans of medical equipment.

Bud Fete
Dispatcher/Driver
Society for Equal Access
Bud explained the advantages of using SEA’s transportation. They have 13 vans, 3 of which are high tops. Rates vary depending on circumstances and income.

Brian Hanner
Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home
Brian talked about Exploring Ohio’s Disposition Law. There were many questions asked about many different subjects. He took the time to answer them all. Brian is such an amiable person that everyone had a good time.