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A publication of the Roosevelt Institute and the Roosevelt Warm Springs Development Fund Inc. for friends of the Roosevelt Institute Volume 14, Number 2 SPRING 2000

Huggins Named To Trust Fund by Sybil Dennis

Georgia Governor Roy Barnes has appointed Larry Huggins, the Roosevelt Institute's director of managed care and marketing, to Georgia's Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Authority.
The statewide fund is derived from a 10 percent surcharge added to all fines imposed for driving under the influence of intoxicants. "This way," Huggins explained, "those who are folmd culpable in causing traffic accidents that inflict traumatic injuries in this state are con tributing to the cost of medical care for the resulting disabilities."
One of the tasks of the authority is to ensure appropriate penalties are being invoked for the cause of such accidents through the judicial process. So far the surcharge has yielded approximately $800,000.
The Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Authority is relatively new, having been signed into law on April 4, 1998. Since the swearing-in ceremony in December, 1999, the Authority has been active, meeting on a regular basis, laying the grOlmdwork to decide how the funds will be allocated and seeking an executive director. Ameeting of representatives from other states will be held in June to address how each administers similar programs. Other states that have already enacted similar measures include Alabama, Florida, Te1messee, Virginia and New Mexico.
For Huggins, the appointment signifies a labor of love. "I feel really hon-

Rooseveft /11stit11te's Lnrry H11ggi11s with Georgia Covemor Roy Bames

ored to be serving in this capacity," he stated recently. "This is a service that will

help many brain injured and spinal cord injured people throughout our state."

Key Statistics

Spinal cord injuries primarily offed young adults,with 55% of oil spinal cord injuries occurring among young adults between the ages of 16 and 30.Also,80% of all spinal cord injuries happen to young men.Causes include: vehicular crashes (37.4%), violence (26.9%), lolls (21.5%),sports (7.1%) ond other (7.1%).

Motor vehicle accidents ore also blamed for more than 50% of all traumatic brain injuries. In 1995,it wos estimated that approximately 123,000 people with a long term disability due to brain injury were living in Georgia (based on extrapolation of notional figures).
Alcohol ploys asignificant role in vehicle collisions, with one study documenting its association os high os 72%.

2

International Post-Polio

bysybilDennis

Symposium Held At Roosevelt Institute

An international group of physicians and medical professionals, prominent in the field of post-polio syndrome, discussed issues and shared findings during a symposium hosted by the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation May 19-20.
Sponsored by the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, the International Conference on Post-Polio Syndrome featured panel discussions and presentations by leading experts, including Lauro Halstead, M.D., of the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, D.C., who originally defined post-polio syndrome.
The Roosevelt Institute's Post-Polio Clinic Director Anne Gawne, M.D., who formerly conducted a federally fw1ded research project on post-polio muscle pain, noted that one focus of the conference was the sum of research completed over the past decade while also identifying the best practices for post-polio research in the future. The theme was:

"Identifying Best Practices in Diagnosis and Care."
"We were honored to host the event at Warm Springs," Dr. Gawne said. "The medical community is aware of its historical significance as a polio trea tment facility fotmd ed by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1927."
A decade later, Roosevelt also announced the establishment of a national fow1dation for infantile paralysis and the March of Dimes was law1ched. Research funded by the foundation eventually led to the Salk vaccine in 1954 and, as vaccinations erased the threat of polio, the Georgia Warm Springs Fotmdation began to serve people with other types of disabilities. In 1974, it became a comprehensive medical and vocational rehabilitation facility, operating under the auspices of the State of Georgia, Division of Rehabilitation Services.
"I think the conference participants were favorably impressed by how the facility has evolved," Dr. Gawne

Reliving A Special Warm Springs Moment
/011ns Snlk, whodeveloped the polio vncci11e iu 1954, a11d Basil O'Co1ll/er,first president of the Marc/1 of Dimes, share a Warm Springs 1110111et1t i11 the early 1950s with Chris Cnsh, nge 4, who wnsa childlwod polio patient nt the Roosevelt /11stit11te. Still trented by RWS/Ws Dr. A1111e Gaw11e despite living i11 Florida, Ms. Cnsh re111ni11sn11 l11 stit11te volunteer.

remarked. "We have had numerous improvements made in recent years to the hospital buildings and we've also benefited from the construction of the Center for Therapeutic Recreation and Camp Dream."
RWSIR hosted a similar symposium in 1986, which resulted in a textbook entitled "Research and Clinical Aspects of the Late Effects of Poliomyelitis" published through the March of Dimes Birth Defects Fmmdation and a generous grant from the National Rehabilitation Hospital.
Polio Reunion Being
Planned For Next April
An event thnt should spnrk national interest is on the Roosevelt Institutedrawing board for this coming April, less than ayear nway.
Dr. AnneGawne, staff physician in chnrge of !renting post-polio syndromeat the Roosevelt Institute, RWSIR Deve/op111ent Fund Specinl Projects Mnnager CherieTripp, and Dr. David Foy,former pntient nnd current RWSJR bonrd member, areproceeding with plnnsfor nreunion of all surviving Wnr111 Springs Foundation polio patientsand their therapists. Thal would include patientsand therapists nt the Roosevelt Institute from thelnte 1920s, '30s, '40s nnd '50s, or before theSnlk Vaccinewns introducednnd helpederadicatepolio in the Un ited Stntes. In other words, the "young people" of the FDR Em would nil be returningfor whnt could beoneof the most nostalgicgatherings in our nation's history, 50, 60 or even 70 yenrs later.
Tentative plnns call for The Wnrm Springs Reunion to tnkeplace on April 12-14, opening with theannual FDR Commemorative at The Little White House on Thursday, Apr. 12, nnd continuing with special speakers, activities and social gatherings throughout theweekend at the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institutefor Rehabilitation ... Stay Tuned.

Warm Springs: A "Small" Part Of ADA Torch Relay Tour

3
by Martin Harmon

You've heard of being a leader

among men or a rose among thorns, well

Warm Springs will be a small town

among major cities when it comes to the

national ADA Torch Relay slated for June

11 through Aug. 2.

In fac t, the home of the Roosevelt

Warm Springs Insti tute for Rehabilitation,

population 408, is the only metropolis of

less than 100,000 (much less 1,000) on an

ADA Torch route designed to recognize

the 10th anniversary of then President

George Bush signing the American

Disabilities Act on July 26, 1990. It's sponsored by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD).

foe Lyttlen11d Mnry Dicke11s, co-clinirperso11sfor Wnr111 Spri11gs' seg111e11t of the2000 ADA Torch Relny, 1111veil n pro111otio11nl bn1111er iii prepnrntio11 for the Spirit of ADATorch Relny July 19.

Checking out the official sched ule,

Torch Relay will actually begin in Warm

than 10 minutes.

one finds cities like Houston, Dallas, San

Spring's nearby sister city of Manchester

Ultimately, the torch will arrive at the

Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt

(five miles away) at Horizons Medical

Roosevelt Institute for the final ceremony,

Lake City, Denve1~ St. Louis, Detroit,

Corporation on the morning of the 19th.

which will be held in the quadrangle

Chicago, Memphis, Philadelphia, Boston,

After stopping at Manchester's

located directly behind Georgia Hall

New York City and

Eternal Flame for

amidst the historical buildings originally

Atlanta all prepar-

that city's commem-

constructed by FDR's Warm Springs

ing to host their seg-

orative ceremony,

Fow1dation as a center for polio therapy.

ment of the torch

Manchester High

Georgia Senator Max Cleland, himself a

relay and right there

School and the Warm

former beneficiary of RWSIR's orthotic

among them, slated

Springs-Manchester

and prosthetic services, has been invited

to host it's part of

Presbyterian Church

to be the featured keynote speaker and a

the ADA Torch

for a ltmch break, the

crowd of about 1,000 is expected. A total

Relay on July 19, is

torch will be carried

of at least 75 local torch bearers will be

Warm Springs,

to a series of cere-

taking part in the Warm Springs Relay.

Georgia.

monies at Mountain

The complete ADA Tom schedule is

"We're obvious-

View Elementary

as follows: Jtme 11 Houston,

ly the only small town that was selected and I think it's an honor and a credit to

TORCH RELAY
Drivers wanted:@

School, the Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery, the Warm Springs

June 13 Dallas, June 17 San Francisco, June 19 Los Angeles, Jw1e 21 Phoenix, Jw1e 24 Salt Lake City, Jw1e 27 Denver, June 30 Topeka, July 4 St. Louis,

the strong historical

Welcome Cente1~ the

July 7 Detroit, July 9 Chicago,

connection we have of helping people

Georgia Baptist Hospital and Nursing

July 11 Memphis, July 13 Jackson,

with disabilities," Joe Lyttle, RWSIR direc-

Home, and finally Franklin D. Roosevelt's

July 15 Montgomery, July 17 Tallahassee,

tor of recrea tion services and chairman of

Little White House.

July 19 Warm Springs, July 20-21 Atlanta,

the local planning committee, stated.

Approxima tely 100 to 200 people are

July 22 Columbia, July 25-26 Washington,

The torch will arrive from

expected to be in attendance at each stop

D.C., July 28 Philadelphia, July 30 Boston,

Tallahassee, Fla., on July 18 and the local

and each ceremony will last no more

Aug. 1-2 New York City.

New Star On Roosevelt Stage
Dr. Brent Bernstein Joining Diabetic Foot Center

by Martin Harmon

Georgia's Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation will be the beneficiary of a new star this month, as Brent Bernstein, DPM, joins the RWSIR team as staff physician at the Diabetic Foot Center after a lengthy search process.
Dr. Bernstein is a graduate of Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. (1989), attended medical school at Philadelphia 's Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine (1993), finished his residency at Delaware Valley Medical Center in Langhorne, Pa. (1994), and has been a
I
I I I I I I I I I I I I I I
I
Dr. Brent Bernstein
practicing podiatrist in Plains, Pa., for the last six years.
Amember of the American Podiatric Medical Association, he is certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, and he has been a diabetic foot consultant to the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the MCN Medical Consultant Network and Synthes USA.
Currently involved in a pharmaceuticals research project and with the publica tion of a review and case study still pending, Dr. Bernstein holds staff affiliations at Penn State University, Nesbitt

Memorial Hospital in Kingston, Pa., John Heinz Institute for Rehabilitation in Scranton, Pa., Kingston General Hospital in St. Vincent, West Indies, and Geisinger Wyoming Medical Center, Mercy Hospital, Wyoming Valley Surgical Center and General Hospital, all in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
In addition, he serves as a surgical foo t and ankle consultant for the University of Madrid (Spain) Podiatry School and lists as his primary interests "the full range of foo t and ankle pathology treatments."
"After visiting Atlan ta and the Warm Springs area, I became convinced that this is a very worthwhile job at a very worthwhile place and something I really wanted to do. We had a one-day all-inclusive tour and we're anxious to get star ted the middle of this month," Bernstein said. "The rest of the staff at the Diabetic Foot Center has been very helpful in getting my transition underway and I'm really looking forward to working with them and everyone else at the Roosevelt Institute."
Bernstein joins a three year old program, which was started "to provide a comprehensive prevention approach in the reduction of lower extremity amputations and related health care costs for diabetics" throughout Georgia. In other words, a program designed to serve the "underserved."
Both inpatient and outpatient opportmtities are offered by the program, and basic services include foot screening (identify ing potential problems or nerve damage), footwear (selection or fa brication of appropriate footwear to reduce abnormal pressures), education (the prevention of further complications), treatment (through wound, skin and nail

care), and second opinion option (or evaluation of high risk cases in an attempt to prevent amputation).
For more information on RWSIR's Diabetic Foot Care program, call
706I 655-5700.
Bernstein Brief
STATUS Age 31 ,married with onechild.
EDUCATION WilkesUniversity (1986-89) Bachelor of Science, Biology Pennsylvania College (1989-93) Doctor of Podiotric Medicine Delaware VolleyMedical (1993-94) Podiotric Surgical Residency
CERTIFICATION American Boord of Podiotric Surgery American College of Foot &Ankle Surgeons
AFFILIATIONS American Podiotric Medical Association
Pennsylvania State University Geisinger Wyoming Volley Medical Ctr. Wilkes-Borre (Po.) General Hospital Mercy Hospitol (Wilkes-Borre,Po.) Community Medical Ctr. (Scranton,Po.)
Wyoming Volley Surgical Ctr. Kingston General Hospital (West Indies)
EXPERIENCE PRACTICE Podiotric Group Proctice,Plains,Po. TEACHING Temple Univ.-Wyoming Volley Heolth Core Family Practice Univ.of Madrid-Visiting Surgeon CONSULTING Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Diabetic Foot Service Medical Consultant Network - Utilization Review,Seattle,WA Synthes USA-Modular Foot Set

RWSIR Volunteer Facing 2,000 Mile Challenge

5
by Martin Harmon

James Chapman of nearby Waverly Hall, Ga., isn't afraid of a challenge. In fact, as a paraplegic since 1967, the result of a car wreck, it's obvious the 56-yearold retiree has already encountered and overcome some pretty formidable challenges along life's way.
Along-time volunteer for the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation, Chapman has one other rather unusual avocation considering his disability - cycling.
Granted, his three-wheel "bike" doesn't even look like the more familiar two-wheel versions but, make no mistake about it, this is a well-traveled vehicle and one that gets there via pedal power just like any other bike. The only difference is Chapman's pedal power is derived from a well-developed upper body that seems to belie his age and dominate the handcycle's thin frame.
Other than that, he's like any oth er well conditioned rider about to take on the grueling Bike 2000, a five-week, sixstate effort from Tallahassee, Fla., to Charlottesville, Va., between Jtu1e 2 and July 7. In fac t, he'll go just as far every day in basically the same amoun t of time as the other 1,999 cyclists who join him on the back roads of Florida, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.
"I'm confident I can hang in there with them," Chapman, a Navy veteran who's been riding for fo ur years, said recently. "But don't forget, if they get too tired to ride, they can always get off and walk (push bike). Needless to say, I won't have that option."
His participation in the event, which is being sponsored by RWSIR's Volunteer Services, follows similar 400-mile excursions across Georgia and Florida the last

few years. "I've don e Bike Georgia

three times and Bike Florida last

year, but they're both arow1d 400

miles. This is the first time I've

ever attempted one this long,"

Chapman said.

As prepara tion for Bike 2000,

Chapman was to take part in the

Myrtle Beach lOK Road Race May

13-15 and his practice routine reg-

ularly includes trips back and forth over Pine Mountain between
his home in Waverly Hall and the Roosevelt Institute in Warm

With the s11pport of theRoosL'Veft l11stit11te's Carol Bames a11d lier e11tire vo/1111/eer services departme11t, as weff ashiswife Brenda, RWSrn vo/1111teer fames Cfwp111a11 is abo11l lo embark 011 a2,000-mife adve11/11re.

Springs. "That's a 10 percent grade over

and Hinesville.

the mountain and you won't find many

Along with his wife, Brenda, who

grades s teepe1~ so it makes for a good

also doubles as an RWSIR volunteer,

practice hill, especially with part of our

Chapman is well known in Warm

route going through the mountains in

Springs as one of the Institute Clow ns

North Carolina and Virginia," he said.

(alias Speed Buggy) and he's often seen

Chapman expects to average

in the RWSIR Brace Shop, assisting in the

between 80 and 100 miles per day.

maintenance of prosthetic and orthotic

Someone will accompany him by driving

equipment. He's also been heavily

his truck and camper to designated stops

involved with another community relat-

each night. Four rest days will also be

ed project, the Take AStand Drug

interspersed among the 32-day ride.

Program, which featw-es a 21-minute skit

Striving at all times to avoid dehy-

presented to local school groups.

dration, Chapman will carry several

According to Carol Barnes, RWSIR's

wa ter bottles as well as "a camel back"

director of voltmteer services, Chapman

on his bike and attempt to keep them

is a "remarkable story." She said, "He

filled at all times. He will also have

swims, dives, water-skis and snow skis

snacks and fruit available throughout, as

despite his disability. We're extremely

well as several ex tra tires and wheels in

fond of both he and Brenda and we're

his truck "just in case." He's even plan-

really forttmate to have such energetic

ning on carrying his ham radio for perti-

people as volunteers. We're planning to

nent local information throughout the

get a group of our other volunteers

jomney.

together when the Bike 2000 passes

Among the larger towns he will be

through Eufaula, Ala., so we can go over

passing through will be Marianna, Fla.,

and cheer for James. I'm still amazed he's

Selma and Montgomery, Ala ., Americus

actually going to do it. Two thousand

and Savannah, Ga., Aiken, S.C., Winston-

miles is a long way for anyone to drive,

Salem, N.C., and Roanoke, Va. Other

much less ride a bicycle, and he will be

Georgia towns included on the ride will

pedaling by hand. It's hard to believe

be Tifton, Douglas, Vidalia

and inspirational all at the sa me time."

6
There Is Lots Going On At The R

USA/USDAF Women 's Wheelchnir Bnsketbnll Tmi11i11g Camp Quad Rugby Actio11 fromthe Divisio11 II Natio11a/ To11r11nme11f

The Center for Therapeutic Recreation and Camp Dream are busy places these days. Together, they serve as the Roosevelt Sports Training Center and, under the direction of RWSIR Camp Director Wendy Gumbert, they have hosted near constant group activity since mid-March and will continue to do so through early October. That's 140 days of almost continuous use over seven months, an average of 20 days per month.
In addition to regular activities like RWSIR's upcoming Voca tional Student Campout Jtme 9-11, the Special Olympics Sports Camp June 11-14 and the Brain Injury Associa tion of Georgia Summer Camp June 15-18, the beehive of activity surrounding Roosevelt's multi-million-dollar recrea tional facilities has a lot to do with the Paralympics later this year in Sydney, Australia. In fac t, Roosevelt Development Ftmd Chairman of the Board Bruce Williams probably said it best when he referred to Warm Springs as the "Colorado Springs of the Paralympics."
The international atmosphere is being created by 12 Paralympic training camps and five major wheelchair competitions being hosted by the Roosevelt Sports Training Center throughout the spring, summer and fall, all leading up to Sydney 2000.
It all started March 10-12 with the BlazeSports Day Introductory Track and Tennis Clinic and May 15-19 with the USPTA/PVA and USDAF Wheelchair Tennis Camp, and it has been almost non-stop ever since.
Along the way, the Canadian and Australian wheelchair track teams

Tlte Nat io11a/ Champio11 T/l\R H11rricn11es of Houslo11, Texas Dixie Wheelclwir Games Weightlifti11g Competitio11

Remaining Pre-Paralympic Events & Acti

DATES June 7-11 June 9-11 June 11-14 June 15-18 June 18-24 June 27-July l July 9-15 July 17-21 July21 -23 July 27-30 July 30-Aug. 3

EVENT OR ACTIVITY USA/USDAF Men'sWheelchairBasketball Team Training Comp Roosevelt Institute Vocational Student Compout Special Olympics Sports Comp Brain Injury Association Georgia Summer Comp BlozeSports &Lokeshore Foundation Advanced Junior Sports Comp BlozeSports Novice Junior Sports Comp Girls Outdoor Adventure Leadership Comp Clayton County Youth Adopted Recreation Comp Roosevelt Institute Vocational Student Compout Georgia Jaycees Physically Disabled Youth Comp Cobb County Adopted Recreation Comp

oosevelt Sports Training Center

have been in town fo r pre-Paralympic training camps, as was the USA Women's Wheelchair Basketball Team.
Other highbghts have included: the CanAm Qualifying Wheelchair Track Meet during which 99 Paralympic standards were reached by athletes from six different countries, the United States Quad Rugby Association Division II Na tional Championship, fea tming regional qualifying teams from eight different U.S. cities and won by the TIRR Hurricanes out of Houston, Tex.; and, most recently, the Dixie Wheelchair Games, a more regionalized wheelchair competition for disabled athletes from throughout the U.S.
Still to come will be training camps featuring the Canadian, British and USA men's wheelchair basketball teams, the Canadian and Australian women's wheelchair baske tball teams, the USA Wheelchair Rugby Team and Mexico's Pre-Paralympic Training Camp for basketball, track, swimming, weightlifting, tennis and table tennis.
There will even be one other major international competition in Warm Springs before the Paralympics, as the Roosevelt Institute will host the Roosevelt Men's Wheelchair World Basketball Challenge Aug. 21-27 and the Roosevelt Women's Wheelchair World Basketball Challenge Aug. 30-Sept. 3. Both will be held in the CTR arena with the na tional teams from Canada, Great Britain, Japan, Australia, The Netherlands, Germany, Mexico and the USA all taking part before heading to Sydney. (For more information on the Roosevelt World Basketball Challenges, call 706/655-5715 or 5732.)

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Ro1111di11g the Backstretch d11ri11g Cm1Am Q11alifi;i11g

USPTA/PVA & USDAF W/1eelc/iair Te1111is Camp

'ties At Roosevelt Sports Training Center

DATES Aug. 7-11 Aug.11 -13 Aug. 11-13 Aug. 16-22 Aug. 19-22 Aug. 21-27 Aug. 28-30 Aug. 28-30 Aug. 30-Sept. 3 Sept. 7-10 Sept. 22-0ct. 8

EVENT OR ACTIVITY Clayton County Adult Adopted Recreation Comp Edgewood Physically Disabled Youth Comp Roosevelt Institute Vocational Unit Compout Canadian Men'sWheelchair Basketball Team Training Comp British Men'sWheelchair Basketball Team Training Comp Roosevelt Men'sWheelchair World Basketball Challenge Canadian Women'sWheelchair Basketball Comp Australian Women's Wheelchair Basketball Comp Roosevelt Women'sWheelchair World Basketball Challenge USA Wheelchair Rugby Team Training Comp Mexico Pre-Poralympic Training Comp

A PhotoFinish al the Ca11Am Q11alifi;i11g Track Meet Dixie Wheelchair Games Swi111mi11g Competitio11

Saul Mendoza: Warm Springs' by Sybil Dennis World-Class Racer

Wheelchair racing is a way of life for Mexico's Saul Mendoza, who came to Warm Springs to prepare for the 1996 Paralympics in Atlanta and developed such an affection for the tranquillity of the place that he's made it his adopted home.
"If you have a mission and want to be one of the best racers iJ1 the world, this is where you have to be," he stated recently. "It was a big thrill to come to this cow1try and begin a new life here. The facilities at the Roosevelt Institute and the rural atmosphere of Warm SpriJ1gs help keep me focused. I am very happy with the way things have worked out."
Mendoza observes a rigorous daily training routine in his quest to maiJ1taiJ1 his status as a world-class athlete. He describes his routine as physically grueling, but mentally libera tiJ1g, and apparently it's all working in his favor.
Aserious contender in the track and field arena, he holds several world records and hopes to add more in th e 2000 Paralympic and Olympic events in Sydney, Australia. His ambition is well placed as he's already placed first iJ1 more than 150 events during the last fo ur years. Afew of his highlights include:
Los Angeles Marathon wiJrner fo ur years in a row.
Gold Medal wilrner il1 the 5,000 Meters iJ1 Atlanta, establishu1g a new world record.
Mexico's 1996 Athlete of the Year Award winner.
19971,500 Meter Gold Medal wilrner at the World Championship Exhibition (he was one of eight wheelchair athletes chosen to compete in this able-bodied competition). World Record Holder il1 800 Meters.

Sn11/ Meudozn

Holder of the world's fastest tilne (on road) in both the 5,000 and 10,000 Meters. Mendoza has relied on wheels
instead of feet since he was one year old and contracted polio. He took part in athletic programs for children in Mexico City and began racing when he was 15 after a track coach noticed his speed while playing wheelchair basketball and recommended the switch. Since then, his life has revolved arow1d racu1g and all

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his activities, il1cluding a high proteiJ1 diet designed by his personal physician, are calculated to build strength and endurance.
His high school years were frequently pwictuated by time off to compete in various events. "It took me longer to fll1ish beca use of that, but it was worth it," il1dicated Mendoza, who holds a degree in industrial design from Metropolitan University il1 Mexico City. His educa tion has also been enhanced by travel to many parts of the United States, Canada and more than a dozen overseas countries. "I knew that through racing I could travel and meet people from different countries. It is a privilege to experience different cultures," Mendoza said.
He's even been able to pick up key words and phrases in foreign languages wherever he goes, but despite such experiences and his many triumphs by only age 33, Warm Spril1g's world-class racer insists he's "only just begw1 ."

Meudozn takes thelend d11ri11g 400-111eter co111petitio11 nt the l~oosevelt /11stit11te's CflllA111 Q11nlifyi11g W/1eelclinir Track Meet.

Lucky To Be Alive And Making The Most Of It
Roosevelt Intern Overcoming Health Problems By Helping Others by Martin Harmon

Nobody has to tell Matt Ba rnes he's lucky to be alive. The 25-yea r-old Roosevelt lnstitute intern and former Americus, Ga., resident knows only too well just how close he came to dea th's door and how never giving up has given him a new lease on life.
Agraduate of Georgia Southwestern Uni versity, he's now on the verge of fin ishing his master's degree in rehabilitation counseling at the University of Georgia. As such, he's a success story still in the making after a freakish discovery a decade ago that rates as the classic "you just never know" worst nightmare most people never have to face.
ACanad ian native of Hali fax, Nova Scotia, where he lived fo r the first 12 yea rs of his li fe, the totally unexpected nightm are for Barnes began in 1989 while a resident of Manchester, Vt., and more specifica ll y while visiting his uncle, a physician, in West Pittston, Pa.
Like many acti ve youths at the age of14, Barnes was involved in sports of all kinds, so it wasn't that unusual for him to visit the Pittston YMCA on this particular trip for a workout. "I was into soccer, basketball and especially tennis, so I was trying to get stronger, but Ihad an accident in the weight roo m that day that changed everything," he said .
The minor mishap that beca me a major, life-th rea tening ordeal was the result of a free weight fa lling and grazing him on the back of the head, opening a small cut. At first, he didn 't even know it was bl eeding until someone else in the weight room ca lled his attention to it and suggested he have it checked .
Taking the advice, Ba rnes returned to his uncle's home and was promptly chauffeured to the Pittston emergency roo m for what turned out to be only one stitch. Hospital policy also requ ired an x-ray, however, and he's proof such preca utionary measures are there for a reason.
"Upon examining the x-ray, they discovered I had a bra in tumor," Barnes sa id ."Acouple of days later, my uncle told my parents, but they didn' t tell me for about two months. I knew something was up though because my brother was being awful nice to me all of a sudden.
"The ni ght before I finished eighth gra de, they bro ke the news. They told me they didn't

Mall Barnes
know how serious it was and that my w1cle was doing research to find the best doctor available. That ended up being Dr. Harold Hoffman, who perfo rmed the surgery at Sick Children's Hospital in Toronto, Canada," he continued.
Eleven hours of surgery on June 29, 1989, eliminated a tumor the size of a tennis ball, the kind that would have eventually proven fa tal if undetected. For two days thereafter, Barnes was showing im provement, but on the third day of recovery he took a drastic turn fo r the wo rse, suffering a stroke that led to cardiac arrest.
Most of the attending physicians, including his uncle, held out little hope fo r his recovery. "It was very close," Barnes said. "A lot of prayers pulled me th rough along with Dr. Hoffm an, who never gave up."
For a month he was in a coma and for three weeks on full life support. When he did regain consciousness, he couldn't move his right arm, couldn't ta lk and couldn't see out of his left eye. He rema ined in the hospital in Toronto fo r two more weeks and when he was fin ally moved back to Vermont, it had to be by air ambulance.
Barnes stayed in the hospital at Bennington, Vt., as an inpatient fo r four months and gradually began to regain some of his faculties, including his sight, which improved from an initial low of 2200 (legally blind). At the same time he had to re-learn how to do everything lefthanded. Jn December, he was fina lly able to start back to school, going half a day and the other half to sessions fo r speech therapy, physical

therapy and occupational therapy rehabilitation. At the sa me time, his parents fe lt cold and
isolated Vermont wasn't the idea l place for him to continue his therapy and, with that in mind, his father took a new position, moving the family south to Rome, Ga., during the summer of 1990. Eventually, they settl ed right across the street fro m a hospital in Rome, conveniently located for his therapy sessions.
They were there two yea rs, long enough for Barnes to repea t ninth grade and finish 10th before moving even farther south to Americus in 1992. Since then, Barnes has graduated fro m high school in Americus and graduated with honors from Georgia South western with a B. S. Degree in psychology. While at Geo rgia South western, he was president of the Blue Key Honor Society, very active in the Presbyterian Student Union on campus and president of the Psychology Cl ub. With a grade point average over 3.6, he was named to the Dean's and President's List several times.
In the fa ll of 1998, Barnes entered the University of Georgia to begin work on his master 's degree in rehabilitation counseling. That in turn led him to the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation, where he's currently in the midst of his second rehabilitation counseling internshi p with RWSIR's Voca tional Rehabilitation Unit.
"I guess you could say I've had a lot of personal experience which should help in my chosen field," Barnes quips. "But as far as getting thro ugh something like what l had to contend with, I just tell people to pray and not be afra id to ask for help."
Despite his physical problems, Barnes' attitude couldn't be better. "I'm really looking forward to getting my master's," he said recently. "I really li ke Warm Springs and wouldn't mind staying at Roosevelt. I think a small town is good fo r me. l've still got a lot to learn in the counseling field, but I also think I've got a lot to offer because of what I've been thro ugh. Everyone has problems, but with the right approach and attitude, people can overcome just about anything." He's living proof of that.
As previously published in theA111ericus Times Recorder.

10
Ruzycki On Euro-American Steering Committee
Frank Ruzycki, th e executive director of Georgia's Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation, is part of a six-person steering committee that recently finalized an historic interna tional agreement establishing the firs t EuroAmerican Consortium for Rehabilitation.
The committee is composed of three representatives of the European Platform for Vocational Rehabilitation (EPVR) and tluee from the State Operated Comprehensive Rehabilitation Centers (SOCRC), including Ruzycki.
The agreement includes four joint projects as a way of testing transa tlantic coopera tion, including (1) a staff exchange program between EPVR and SOCRC members, (2) a joint research project, possibly in the area of traumatic brain injuries, (3) a joint venture in the area of accreditation, and (4) joint analysis of case management systems.
"This is a grand opportunity for us to share the knowledge we ha ve gained," Ruzycki said. "It should lead to a very beneficial exchange of information and id eas between our facilities and theirs, which in turn should lead to state-of-theart practices in rehabilitation on both sides of the Atlantic."
Mrs. Harrell Donates $50,000 Gift Annuity
Annie Laura Harrell, who last year joined with her husband in committing a $100,000 gift annuity to RWSIR, has recently donated an additional $50,000 gift annuity to Roosevelt Institute in the form of her own stock. Mrs. Harrell, who makes her home in Griffin, Ga ., is a longtime supporter of the Roosevelt Institute.
Upon receiving the latest gift, RWSIR Development Director Tripp Penn said, "This is a grea t way to leave a legacy for all of our patients and students in the years to come. It will increase her income for the rest of her life and provide a significant tax deduction."

Rotary Gala Generates $25,000 For RWSIR
Continuing towards their initial pledge of $80,000, seven area Rotary Clubs recently contributed $25,000 to RWSIR's Rotary Tennis Cen ter. These included the East Columbus, Colwnbus, LaGrange, Muscogee, West Point, Meriwether and brand new Harris Cow1ty chapters.
According to Ann Henderson, the immediate past Rotary district governor, the most recent contribution was raised during a March 18 Rotary Gala, which included both live and silent auctions.
Dianne Mccurdy - Nurse Of The Year Again
Eighteen years after she was named the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation's first Nurse of the Year, Dianne McCurdy received the sa me honor again during a reception at the Institute in mid-May.
The Warm Springs resident first captured the honor in its inaugural year of 1982, which was eight years after she first came to work at the Roosevelt Institute (1974).
Since then, she has been away from the Institute for only two years (when she worked in a hospital in Newnan) but returned in 1989, giving her 26 years of accumulated service. Along the way, she has been Employee of the Month three times and Employee of the Year once.
"This is my home," she said moments after accepting the 2000 honor from RWSIR Director of Nursing Cathy Harbin. "I really missed working with rehab the two years I was away and I really missed everyone here at the Institute. It's always been a special place."
The reception and award presentation wrapped up the annual observance of Nurses' Week at the Institute. Held in the RWSIR Quadrangle under the Columbus Colonnade, the reception was attended by about 100 staff and guests.

This 'N That
RWSIR was recently host (Saturday, May 13) to the seventh annual Fishing Rodeo at Lake Dream with more than 250 local children, ages 3-15, as contestants...The Institute held its fourth annual and first overnight Support Staff Conference April 27-28 with the theme "Bloom Where You're Planted" and approximately 100 area staffers taking part. ..Student Week was held at the Center for Therapeutic Recreation the week of April 24-28 with 73 students from the Vocational Rehabilitation Unit divided into five teams competing in swinuning, weightlifting, track and karaoke...The seventh RWSIR Outpatient Clinic recently opened in Douglasville, joining outpa tient clinics in Griffin, LaGrange, Stockbridge, Newnan, Peachtree City and Warm Springs ... The entire month of April was Occupational Therapy Month at Roosevelt Institute...For the fifth straight year, Warm Springs was a spring break des tination for two weeks in March as the Roosevelt Institute once again played host to the Alterna tive Spring Break program, which places students from colleges all over the country at selected sites for constructive, work-related endeavors during their spring vacation ...With a baseball theme, select RWSIR employees were divided into nine equal teams for a day-long Strategic Planning Retreat at Georgia Hall May 5 designed to yield recommendations for the entire organization for the next four-plus years...For the ninth straight year, RWSIR's Vocational Rehabilitation Unit is hosting the Ad ult Literacy Program as an ongoing community service and plans have also been made to host a new, statewide Certified Customer Service Specialist Program through continued parh1ership with West Georgia Tech ...The next meeting of the RWSIR Development Fw1d Board of Directors will be June 9 at Georgia Hall.

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11

2000 GHS Ball Raises $84,000

With more than 350 people in attendance, the 12th armual Georgia Hall Society Ball raised more than $84,000 for the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation this past February.
Hosted by Sen. and Mrs. Daniel Lee, "A Little Night Music" included dinner, dancing and a silent auction featuring vacation packages, diamonds, furs, original works of art ar1d autographed sports memorabilia. Entertainment for the evening was provided by the Dale Mann Trio and Del Baroni and the On The Air Swing Band.
Proceeds from the Ball will be used to improve existin g services at Roosevelt Institute and to also help fUJld nex t year-'s Roosevelt International Cup, a semi-armual wheelchair sports competition held at the Roosevelt Sports Training Center.
As always, the Ball was held in historic Georgia Hall, the same place Franklin Delano Roosevelt used to stage his armual Birthday Balls in the 1930s and '40s, which raised money for a cure for polio.
For information about next year's Ball, contact Cherie Tripp at th e RWSIR Development Office, 706-655-5670.
The Spirit of Warm Springs
Editor Martin Harmon
Staff Writer Sybil Dennis
Art Direction Image By Design
The Spirit of Warm Springs is published three times a year by the Public Relations Department of the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation, Post Office Box 1000,
Warm Springs, Georgia 318300268.
If you wou ld like this publication in an alternative forma t, or if you receive a duplicate copy, please contact the Public Relfllions
Depart ment at the above add ress or call 706-655-5668.

l\eprese11tntive Vn11ce Smith with l\WSIR Executive Director Frn11k Ruzycki n11rl Georgia Hall Society President in/ Member Jim Visser nt the 2000 Georgia Hall Society Ball.
Georgin Level Members Kent Slwlibo n11rl A1111ie Laura Harrell, n recent RWSIR gift m111uity donor, sharenhappy moment nt the Georgia Hall Society Ball this past Febmnry.
RWSIR Development Fund Chnirmn11 Bruce Williams n11rl his wife, Cntl1y(ce11ter), welcome n11 e11t/111sinstic table of guests to the :12th n11111wl Georgia Hall Society Ball.

Special Thanks
To Our Corporate Sponsors
PLATINUM LEVEL Delta Airlines
GOLD LEVEL Georgia-Pacific Corporation J. Smith Lanier &Company
SILVER LEVEL AT&T Foundation Abbott, Jordan &Koon, LLC
MILLENNIUM LEVEL Blue Cross / Blue Shield
of Georgia, Inc. Bruce Williams Properties, LLC
The Coca-Cola Company Mead Corporation
Norfolk Southern Corporation Rehab Associates
Mo Thrash Consulting Wachovia Bank, N.A.
COMMUNITY LEVEL Coca-Cola Enterprises Commercial Bank & Trust Meadows Companies, Inc. Meriwether Bank & Trust Publix Super Markets &Charities Torrance Construction Company
And Our Presidential Level Members
Drs. Harper &Anne Gaston Edgar & Mary Chapman
Jim & Shirley Visser
Donna R. McNeilly Peter Roach

ROOSEVELT

Themission of theRoosevelt Warm Springs Institutefor Rehabilitation is to empowerindividuals with disabilities to achieve personal independence.

WARM SPRINGS

INSTITUTE FOR

REHABILITATION

Roosevelt Warm Springs Development Fu11d, /11c. Board of Directors

j. Bruce Williams, fr. Chaimm11

Stephen A. Melton Vice Chairman

Leonard R. Meadows Chairmaii Emeritus

Edgar E. Chapman, fr. Treasurer

Do1111a R. McNeilly Secretary

Rep. Carl Vo11 Epps

David L. Foy, D.D.S.

The Georgia Division of Rehabilitation Services administers and conducts all programs and activities in accordance with the U.S. Civil Rights Act which provides that no person shall, on grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, be excluded from the benefits or be subject to discrimination under any program or acti vity.

f. Harper Gaston, M.D. jimmy Hill
Charles H. Hood Williai11 B. jo11es D. Gaines Lanier

Accredited by: joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations The Commission on Accred itation of Rehabilitation Faci lities

j. Smith Lanier, 11 Eric K. Mmuell Andrew foe Morrow, D. V.M. judge fames W. Oxe11di11e

Zebe Y.C. Schmitt

Rep. jimmy Skipper

Hemm11 A. Vo11/10f

8 DHR
Post Office Box 1000 Warm Sp rings, Georgia 31830-0268 www.rooseve ltrehab.org

Erik Vo11k
Frank C. Ruzycki Exewtive Director
Tripp Pe1111 Directorof Developme11t

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