)OSEVELT
lRM SPRINGS STITUTE FOR REHABILITATION

A publication of the Roosevelt Institute ond the Roosevelt Worm Springs Development Fund Inc. for friends of the Roosevelt Institute Volume 15, Number 3 WINTER 2001

Gumbert Led U.S. Squad Brings Home Gold

RWSIR Camp Supervisor Part Of Paralympic Champions

by Sybil Dennis

Without a doubt, it was her "proudest moment. "
That's how the Roosevelt Institute's Wendy Gumbert described her feelings while remembering the USA Quad Rugby Team she helped lead to victory in the 2000 Paralympics as they received their gold medals in Sydney this past October.
"The whole Australian experience was amazing, overwhelming and bigger than anything I've ever been involved with," the USA assistant coach reflected recently. "As we heard our national anthem played, it really drove home the fact we were there representing our country and it really made us all feel proud ... especially proud to be Americans."
There was ample justification for that pride. Her team had faced a tough, uphill battle in capturing the Gold. The Americans, who trained in Warm Springs, opened the competition on Oct. 25 with a 42-27 win over Switzerland, what Gumbert described as a "strong, solid game."
They followed that the next day with an exciting, come-from-behind 29-27 win over host Australia. "We had our game plan ready and we were very aggressive," Gumbert said. "We were down by five at one point, but we rallied to tie it up in the third quarter. It was really inspiring to watch our guys' determination to win."
Continuing pool play, a 54-29 rout of Sweden earned Team USA first place in its half of the bracket and propelled the Americans to a 40-35 victory over Canada in the semifinals Oct. 28, and a clutch 32-31 gold medal win over Australia in their championship rematch Oct. 29.
"The noise at the games was absolutely deafening," Gumbert said . "As

2000 Pnralympic Gold Medal Wi1111i11g USA Q11nd R11gby Ten111 inn photo tnkw earlier this yenr nt the Roosevelt 111stit11te .. RWSlR's Wendy G11111bert, n11 nssistn11t conch with the A111ericn11 ten111, is 011 the bnck row, third from left.

a result, non-verbal communica tions like hand signals were essential. None of the players had ever performed in front of crowds anywhere near the size of those in Sydney. Even practicing with loud music blaring from speakers didn' t really prepare them for what they experienced."
Although expected to win, "none of the USA players took victory for granted." According to Gumbert, there was tremendous cohesiveness, allowing things to develop strategica lly exactly the way they hoped.
"It was very exciting to be a part of the Paralympic experience - from the beginning in December of 1999 when we selected the team, to watching them bond and begin to build toward the actual games," she said.
When asked if she would do it all over again, Gumbert's answer was an emphatic yes. "I definitely want to have a coaching role in track or quad rugby for the 2004 Paralympics," she added. Whether that role is quad rugby or track, another wheelchair sport for which she has

considerable expertise, remains to be seen. In the meantime, what is certain is
her continued importance to the Roosevelt Institute as supervisor of the Roosevelt Sports Training Program and Camp Dream, responsibilities she enthusiastically tackles each and every day. Now in her third year at the Roosevelt Institute, Gumbert is a Texas native and graduate of Southwest Texas State University.
About Quad Rugby
Very much ocontact sport, quad rugby was started in Canada in the late 1970s as on alternative to wheelchair basketball for quadriplegics who didn't possess the arm strength necessary to shoot obasketball from ositting position of court level. Eventually, it evolved into osport with goal lines, more along the lines of outdoor rugby. It is now the fastest growing wheelchair sport in the world.

2
Senators To Have Key Roles In 2001 Georgia Hall Society Ball by Sybil Dennis

United States Senator Max Cleland of Georgia will serve as honorary chair for the 2001 Georgia Hall Society Ball. "We are honored that Senator Cleland has graciously agreed to help us with this venture," Roosevelt Institute Special Projects Manager Cherie Tripp stated recently. "He has been an influential advocate for people with disabilities for a long time."
In addition, because of the success of last year's GHS Ball, which raised more than $86,000 for the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation, State Senator Dan Lee and his wife Susan have also agreed to host the event as co-chairs for the second consecutive year. "And we're delighted Susan and Dan are going to serve again," Tripp added. "We had a lot of fun last year and we are really looking forward to an exciting evening on January 27, 2001."
A "Southern Safari" theme has been
Georgia Hall Society Ball At A Glance ...
When: January 27, 2001, 6:30pm
Where: RWSIR's Historic Georgia Hall
Who: Roosevelt Institute Supporters
For More Information: 706.655.5670

State Senntor& Mrs. Dn11 Lee
chosen, promising to bring an exotic flavor to historic Georgia Hall, the setting each year for the ball. It's an annual event reminiscent of elaborate birthday festivities held in the 1930s in honor of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who founded The Institute as a polio treatment center. Nowadays, the Roosevelt Institute provides medical and vocational rehabilitation services for people with all kinds of disabilities.
The tradition of FDR's birthday celebrations, which raised funds to find a cure for polio, was revived 13 years ago to raise funds for improving existing facilities and to augment the services provided. Proceeds from the balls in recent years have helped to build a state-of-the-art sports training complex for disabled athletes and comprehensive therapeutic recreation programs.
Corporate sponsorship chairs for the 2001 event are Mr. and Mrs. Allen Owen of

Phenix City, Ala. The evening will begin with a cocktail reception at 6:30, followed by delectable dining and dancing to one of the area's top bands. Asilent auction and a live bid auction will feature an array of fine furs, dazzling jewelry, original works of art, sports memorabilia, travel packages to foreign destinations and short trips closer to home.
"The auctions are always fun and have been very popular with the guests in years past," Tripp observed. "And there will be plenty of tempting items for sale again this year."
SAFAR!
~ ~
~ ~
~ ~ ~
0
{/').
For more information about the Georgia Hall Society Ball, contact Ms. Tripp at the RWSIR Development Office, 706-655-5670.

3

Looking Forward To The Warm Springs Reunion
Hundreds Of Polio Survivors Expected To Return

For seven straight years, former Savannah Judge Frank Cheatham and his wife Becky have been making a five-hour trek across Georgia every spring to Warm Springs as a result of his role on the Franklin D. Roosevelt Warm Springs Memorial Advisory Committee.
Like so much about this village (pop. 408) at the base of Pine Mountain, the committee's yearly ga thering is tied to FDR's legacy and held at the same time as the annual commemoration of his death, April 12 (1945).
This coming April that journey will have even more significance for the 77year-old former state legislator and superior court magistrate "good health and The Good Lord willing," as he will be headed to a rather unique reunion of surviving polio patients, who along with FDR put Warm Springs on the international map in the 1930s, 40s and 50s. The Warm Springs Reunion is set for April 11-14 at the Roosevelt Institute, originally founded in 1927 as FDR's Warm Springs Foundation.
"It's going to be really nice to see people who you shared so much with so many years ago," he sa id recently. "I contracted
Warm Springs Reunion At A Glance ...
When: April 11-14, 2001
Where: The Roosevelt Institute
Who: Polio Survivors (RWSIR Alumni)
For More Information: 706.655.5236/5233

polio when I was only 21 months old and I first went to Warm Springs in 1933 at the age of nine. I returned for treatment for five straight summers, each June through September. It was a cyclical time in my life when I was undergoing surgery, recovery periods and treatment every year and it always made me late starting back to school in Savannah. I was always playing catchup."
One of Cheatham's friends during those Warm Springs years and his roommate for a time was Billy Prenosil of Spring Lake, N.J. The judge remembers him as a frequent occupant of wha t in those days was called "the iron lung," a device sometimes needed to assist "polios" with breathing problems. Now deceased, Prenosil eventually died as a result of pneumonia complicated by his "other illness."
Another childhood friend who Cheatham remembers was a little girl from Ohio. "I remember her first name was Miriam and I think her last name was something like Rhoder or Rhoden, but I've obviously never seen or talked to her since those days in Warm Springs," he mused. "I've often wondered what happened to her and so many others." Now he will get a chance to find out in what should be a weekend of history, nostalgia and lots of emotion.
Cheatham also remembers shaking hands with "the President," who made himself a very visible part of the Warm Springs landscape during his 41 visits to Meriwether County between 1924 and 1945. "I saw him several times during my five years there," he recalled. "He would come by the hospital to say hello. I ca n remember him driving by and waving in that convertible they had specially made with the hand controls. Once at an amateur performance on campus, I even saw

/11dge Frn11k Cheatha111
him pull up his pants legs so we could see his braces as a way of saying, 'See, you can do anything and be anything you want, even with a disease like polio.' "
That's what created what Cheatham and others from that era have termed "The Roosevelt Spirit" or, more recently, "The Spirit of Warm Springs." According to him, it was a place of shared struggles, multiple operations and constant therapy, but most of all a place of individual progress and fulfillment unlike any other available at that time, and it took its lead directly from FDR. "It was a spirit of 'I'm going to lick this thing no matter what I have to endure' and it prepared us all for the life we would lead after we left Warm Springs," Cheatham said.
In all, Cheatham underwent 11 major, polio-related operations for such things as heel-cord lengthening and hip fusion, and a lifetime of overcoming preconceived notions about his disability. A 1946 graduate of the University Georgia, where he was Senior Class President, he went on to a Law Degree, the state legislature from 1953-60 and the State Superior Court, where he was approved by then Governor Jimmy Carter in March of 1972.
Efforts to reach as many of the Roosevelt polio survivors for the reunion as possible are ongoing. Already, over 400 have been contacted. Former patients and / or their families are asked to contact Carolyn Moreland, director of continuing education at the Roosevelt Institute, at 706/655-5233 or e-mail her at cmmoreland@dhr.state.ga.us. What's needed are names and current addresses plus the approximate time they were patients.

4
VRU Work Sites Recognized At Partnership Celebration

by Martin Harmon

Awards were the order of business at the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation Oct. 23, as 83 different businesses, departments and organizations were recognized for their individual contributions to RWSIR's Vocational Rehabilitation Unit Work Site Partnership Program.
Keynote speaker Tracy Millette of Goody Prod11cts, 111c. and VRU Director Jeff Ro11lston pro11dly display one of lite 83 Work Site Partners/tip Awards.
There were 150 reservations for the Work Site Partnership Celebration at historic Georgia Hall, including the hosts of 51 off-campus Roosevelt Institute student work sites, four Prowork Contract Providers and 28 on-campus work managers.
Held in conjunction with National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) and with the theme "Ability You Can Bank On," the dinner was termed a big success by Roosevelt Institute VRU Director Jeff Roulston, who praised the work of Vocational Coordinator Martha McManus as chair of the organizing committee.

Members of lite VRU's Work Site Partners/tip Celebration Pla1111ing Co111111ittee enjoy agro11p pltoto following a very s11ccessf11l evening.
Following a welcome from RWSIR Executive Director Frank Ruzycki and dinner, guests were treated to a specially produced Work Site Slide Show and featured comments by Tracy Millette, human resources manager at Goody Products, Inc.
That preceded the awards, which were gold, engraved plates, suitable
RWSlR Exec11tive Director Frank R11zycki presents a Work Site Partners/tip Celebration Award to Goodwill l11d11stries.
for display on individual stands and expected to be seen throughout the local area at the individual work sites.
"This is our way of saying thank you for the outstanding participation we've had the past year in our student

work site program," Roulston said when

the last award was presented and the

I

final photo taken. "There's no way we

could provide the work experience so

necessary for our students without the

continued community involvement of

people like these and for that we are

truly indebted."

The VRU's Work Site Partnership

Celebration has been a regular feature of

the Roosevelt Institute's yearly calendar

since the 1970s. Anyone desiring infor-

mation on how to take part in the work

site program should call 706/655-5022.

Celebration cltairperson Martita McMa1111s and tlte VRU's Debbie Henthornesltare aligltter 1110111eut wltile ltosting lite reception line at ltistoric Georgia Hall.

Roosevelt Hall Restoration Nearing Completion

by Sybil Dennis

The long-awaited renovation of Roosevelt Hall is nearing completion. According to Joe Cali, the Roosevelt Institute's director of facility services, the target date for completion is Jan. 15, 2001.
"We're hoping to keep the project on schedule over these final weeks," Cali said recently, while explaining that the interior of the 47-year-old building was entirely gutted before extensive modifications could begin.
While updating the facility to meet state-of-the-art standards, preservation of the historic building's architectural integrity was also carefully considered, according to Cali, and approval was sought from the National Historic Society before any alterations, such as the height of the entrance canopy, were undertaken.
Roosevelt Hall houses the Institute's patient therapy department plus a 400-seat auditorium, treatment rooms, offices and reception areas. The installation of new pie-

ture windows along three exterior walls in the therapy treatment area will introduce plenty of natural light, providing a pleasant, airy ambience. "We are really looking forward to working in the new surroundings," stated Jon Darby, the Institute's director of therapy services. In fact, therapists were invited to provide input in the design process.
Patients will be protected from the elements with enclosed corridors and a breezeway between their hospital rooms and the therapy treatment area. Previously, covered walkways had kept patients dry, but the new arrangement will also keep them out of the summer heat and winter chill.
Other features of the major renovation project include:
Fire sprinklers and electrical wiring upgrades, meeting stringent safety standards.
Anew heating and air-conditioning system designed to maintain comfortable temperatures.
The raised outdoor canopy from seven feet, six inches to 12 feet, accommodating wheelchair vans.
Access for video feeds to the internet. "While we are building
for today, we have also thought about what might be needed in the future and

planned accordingly," Cali emphasized. The $2.7 million project (total cost) was
funded partially through an allocation by the Georgia Legislature and by private donations in generous response to a campaign for matching funds. The contract for the project was awarded to Daniels Construction of LaGrange.

6

RWSIR Featured In Rehab Management

The Roosevelt

Warm Springs Institute

for Rehabilitation was

the featured facility in

the October/ November

issue of Rehab

Management magazine.

The four-page article

by Peter Pesavento

addressed RWSIR's his-

RWSIRDirector Frn11k R11zycki and PTof the Year

tory, capabilities and pre- Kathy Smith grace Rehab

sent challenges; its roots Mn11nge111e11t cover.

in aquatic therapy;

and the international cooperation it

now shares through such things as

the Euro-American Platform for

Rehabilitation Services.

Top State Officials Are Honorary Chairs
Both Governor Roy Barnes and Senator Max Cleland will represent the Roosevelt Institute at major events this year. While Governor Barnes will be honorary chairman for the Roosevelt Cup in June, Senator Cleland will serve as honorary chairman of the 13th annual Georgia Hall Society Ball Jan. 27 at historic Georgia Hall.

The Spirit of Warm Springs
Editor Martin Harmon
Staff Writer Sybil Dennis
Art Direction Image By Design
The Spirit of Wa rm Springs is published three times a year by the Public Relations Department of the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation, Post Office Box 1000,
WarmSprings, Georgia 31830-0268.
II you would like this publication in an alternative format, or if you receive a duplicate copy, please contact the Public Relations
Department al theabove address or call 706-655-5668.

Third Roosevelt Cup Set For June 5-9
The third Roosevelt International Cup is scheduled for June 5-9 at RWSIR's Center for Therapeutic Recreation & Camp Dream. Featuring competition among over 150 of the world's top disabled athletes in wheelchair basketball, track and tennis, the Roosevelt International Cup is expected to again bring together the national teams of Great Britain, Mexico, Canada, Japan, Australia, Germany, The Netherlands and the USA. For more information, call 706/ 655-5720 or 5730.
Mrs. Harrell Commits Another Gift Annuity
For the second time in less than a year, Annie Laura Harrell of Griffin, Ga. has committed a $50,000 gift annuity to the Roosevelt Institute. Along with her husband, Mrs. Harrell has now contributed gift annuities totaling over $200,000 for RWSIR. Reflecting on the latest gift, RWSIR Development Director Tripp Penn said, "Mrs. Harrell continues to leave a legacy for all of our patients and students, and we remain very grateful for her constant generosity."
Attorney General Visits During Torch Relay
Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act, U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno took part in the national ADA Torch Relay with a special appearance at the Roosevelt Institute this past July. Despite temperatures that
neared 100 degrees, a crowd of over 1,000 people heard Ms. Reno speak in the historic RWSIR Janet Renojoins Do1111n McNeilly i11 Quadrangle.
delivering Spirit of ADA Torch.

200 Roosevelt Staffers Take Part In "Staffletics"
For the first time in over a decade, the Roosevelt Institute observed "Staffletics" the week of Nov. 13-17 with approximately 200 staffers competing on 10 different teams in such things as volleyball, tennis, bowling, swimming, basketball free throw shooting, billiards and table tennis. Led by captains Gary Corday of the Vocational Rehabilitation Unit and James Brinson, director of maintenance, the winning team was the Red Jackets.
Strategic Plan Unveiled For Next Five Years
The Roosevelt Institute unveiled its Strategic Plan for 2001-2005 on Oct. 5 under the heading "Owning Our Future." In honor of the unveiling, the entire staff was invited to a special celebration in the Quadrangle and given the opportunity to sign a new Declaration of Commitment.
RWSIR staffers line 11pOct. 5 tosign new Strategic Pinn Declaration of Co111111it111ent.
1st Roosevelt Run/Walk Held November 18
Despite cold, rainy weather, over 125 people took part in the first Roosevelt Run / Walk on Saturday, Nov. 18. Overall male and female award winners in the SK competition were Glen Sigman (19:09) and Jayne Bryan (22:26). Organized by RWSIR's Vocational Rehabilitation Unit, all proceeds went to the Resident Benefit Fund.

7

Brain Injury Day Program Individual Success

When program manager Carlton

Brooks discusses the two-year-old Brain

Injury Day Program at the Roosevelt Warm

Springs Institute for Rehabilitation, he does

so in terms of Rome to Waycross. In other

~~~-' .,.
~~"~ (~- ...
,:\ ..' '. -~-' ..\""Ill '!!..l., 'r -\': .
Carlton Brooks

words, an 80-county area of over half the state of Georgia that is home to a growing list of individual success stories from this innovative approach to brain injury treatment.
RWSIR's Brain

Injury Day Program is providing a variety of

rehabilitation services to individuals with

brain injuries in order to promote their inde-

pendence in the home, community and

workplace. That means an intensive, system-

atic, full-day treatment program for young

and middle-aged adults with brain injuries.

"We're not content to limit our efforts

to the important tasks of helping patients

walk, communicate and attend to their self-

care needs," Brooks said. "While these are essential blocks of rehabilitation, our ultimate goal is to help the individuals become independent in the home and community by re-establishing satisfying relationships with family and friends, and becoming productive again, whether in school or within the work force."
Now in its third year of operation, the Roosevelt Institute Brain Injury Day Program has four components - home independence, work re-entry, school reentry and transitional.
According to Brooks, each component is just what the name implies. The home independence component is designed to aid clients in becoming independent in the community as well as at home. The work re-entry component helps the client become productive through either gainful employment or volunteer work. The school reentry component focuses on facilitating the client's return to school by providing appropriate therapies and working with

school personnel to identify and address whatever special needs the client may have upon their return to the classroom. And the transitional component deals with clients who may not initially meet criteria for the others and needs selected therapies during a period of evaluation.
Some of the activities used by each component include (but are not limited to) cognitive therapy, adjustment group therapy, community re-entry work, leisure and recreational development, job shop training, physical conditioning, interpersonal and social skills work, family education, study skills efforts, individual counseling, disability education, academic training and work skills development.
The average length of stay in the program is generally two to three months, the approximate waiting time for entries is two to three weeks and the days the program meets are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Housing is also available. For more information, call 706 / 655-5297.

Charitable Gifts That Benefit You

by John O'Kane, CFRE
Senior VP, Coxe Curry & Assoc.

When we think of giving to charity, we often think of how the gift will benefit a charity like the Roosevelt Institute. But do we also recognize how some charitable gifts can benefit us as much or more? Here are three examples:
Highly Appreciated Stock A good way to make a year-end gift is
to give one of your highly appreciated stocks rather than just a cash gift. Generally, you can deduct the total gain since you purchased the stock. By doing so you get a charitable deduction for the entire gain and avoid paying capital gains taxes. You must own the stock for a minimum amount of time. The transfer can be as easy as a phone

call from your broker to the broker handling the lnstitute's account.
Gift Annuities Everybody likes to earn as much as
possible from their investments. Now the RWSIR Development Fund has established a way for donors to earn a generous return and receive a tax deduction. Generally the older the donor, the larger the tax deduction and the greater benefit to the donor. The combination of the tax deduction and the annual interest can often be larger than interest yielded from other investments.
Your Will The Pharaohs tried but you still can't
take it with you. After providing for your

loved ones, you may wish to remember your favorite charity in your will and get a generous tax break in the process.
It doesn't take much for an estate to add up and be subject to federal excise taxes. Advanced planning of your will and its disbursements can minimize your taxes and maximize your ability to leave your hard-earned money to whom you wish.
To pursue any of these three options, contact Tripp Penn, director of development, at 706/655-5667. The Roosevelt Warm Springs Development Fund cannot engage in rendering legal or tax advice. Please contact your professional advisors regarding the benefits of the charitable gifts mentioned here.

ROOSEVELT

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

WARM SPRINGS

INSTITUTE FOR

REHABILITATION

Roosevelt WarmSprings Development Fund, Inc.



Board of Directors

j. Brnce Williams, fr. Clwirman

Stephen A. Melton Vice Chainnan

Leonard R. Meadows Chairman Emeritns

Edgar. Chapnwn, fr. Treasurer

Donna R. McNeilly Secretary

Daniel W. Brinks

Rep. Carl Von Epps

The Georgia Division of Rehabilitation Services administers and conducts all programs and activities in accord ance 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 excl ud ed from the benefits or be subject to discrimination und er any program or activity.

David L. Foy, D.D.S. /. Harper Gaston, MD. F. Stuart Gnlley, Ph.D.
jimmy Hill Charles H. Hood William 8. /ones

Accredited by: Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities

D. Gail1es L.1111ier j. Smith L.n11ier, II Se11ator Daniel W. Lee A11drew foe Morrow, D. V.M.

fudge James W. Oxendine

Zebe Y.C. Schmitt

Rep. jimmy Skipper

8 OHR
Post Office Box 1000 Warm Springs, Georgia 31830-0268
www.rooseveltrehab.org

Erik Vo11k
Frank C. Ruzycki Executive Director
Tripp Penn Director of Development

BULK RATE

U.S. Postage

PAID Columbus, GA
Permit #99

l