The spirit of Warm Springs, Vol. 16, no. 1 (Winter 2002)

ROOSEVELT
WARM SPRINGS INSTITUTE FOR REHABILITATION

A publication of the Roosevelt Institute and the Roosevelt Warm Springs Development Fund Inc. for friends of the Roosevelt Institute Volume 16, Number 1 WINTER 2002

Yearlong Celebration To Feature Big

Events In Summer & Fall

By Martin Harmon

The Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation just
'lft turned 75 and anniversary plans are already taking shape for a yearCELEBRATING long celebration in
75 YEARS 2002 that will feature major events in the summer and fall.
Since its founding by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the summer of 1927, the Roosevelt Institute has enjoyed a long and storied past, and established a legacy of empowering persons with disabilities to achieve personal independence.
Still leading the way to independence, RWSIR will take time this year to remember its famous past, to recognize its many success stories, and to reflect on accomplishments that now span three-quarters of a century.
With the portico of historic Georgia Hall as its symbol, the milestone year will incorporate every Institute event into its agenda, beginning with the 14th annual Georgia Hall Society Ball in January (see story next page).
The actual birth of the organization will be observed with an Incorporation Weekend geared to staff and their families

and slated for July 27 and 28. The more traditional Founders Day observances of the past will be remembered in either October or November with another slate of activities aimed at alumni. In other words, an Alumni Weekend full of special events for former patients, students, staff and RWSIR's many supporters.
With the support of the Roosevelt Warm Springs Development Fund Board of

Directors, a dedicated committee of staffers is working behind the scenes to make this milestone year as memorable as possible. Their efforts will be unveiled in the coming months through media outlets, the RWSIR website (www.rooseveltrehab.org), and both on and off-campus communications designed to spread the word about 2002 special events and promotions. For more information, call 706/ 655-5668.

Marion D11n11, a retired RWSIR staffer whostill fives iii WarmSpril1gs, and the yo11ng patient lie is shown assisting iii this 1980s photo, are jnsl twoofh11ndreds whomight retnr11 for the 75thAnniversary Afi111111i Weekend.

2

Commissioner Michael Thurmond To

Be Honorary GHS Ball Chair ByMartinHarman

In the midst

of its first year as

part of Georgia's

Department of

Labor, it's appro-

priate the

Roosevelt Warm

Michael L. Tlrnr111ond

Springs Institute

for Rehabilitation will have GDOL

Commissioner Michael Thurmond as hon-

orary chairman for the 14th annual Georgia

Hall Society Ball and Auction on the evening

of January 26.

Thurmond and his wife, Zola, will

join co-chairs Lenn and Paula Chandler in

welcoming over 400 guests to historic

Georgia Hall for a night of fun, food, enter-

tainment and fundraising. Over the past 13 years, almost $550,000
has been raised at the CHS Ball and Auction for programs and services at the Roosevelt Institute and, despite the economy's recent downturn, another excellent event is expected.
In fact, as a descendant of the nationwide Birthday Balls that were held in honor of RWSIR founder Franklin Delano Roosevelt to raise money for polio research in 1930s and '40s, the Georgia Hall Society Ball has established itself as a highlight of the West Central Georgia social calendar.
This year's theme is"ANight Among The Stars." Music will be provided by the Kid Brothers band of Atlanta; food will be

handled by Jennifer Haima's Contemporary Catering of Newnan; Carol Gliemmo of Columbus' A Party On The Green will again be in charge of decorations; and over 300 items will be up for bid during silent and live auctions, including jewelry, trips, furs, art, and memorabilia.
Thurmond, a native of Clarke County, Georgia, who has directed GDOL for three years, is a graduate of Paine College and the youngest of nine children. After serving eight years in the Georgia General Assembly, he created the innovative "Workfirst" program, which was responsible for returning over 90,000 welfare-dependent Georgia families to the workforce. On Nov. 3, 1998, he was elected Georgia Labor Commissioner.

Bert Bums of Alpharetta shows off the autographed M11ha111111ed Ali boxing glove he took home from last year's live auction at the Georgia Hall Society Ball.
2002 GEORGIA HALL SOCIETY BALL A Nigfit Among tfie Stars
Januar y 26, 2002
(For more information call 706-655-5670.)

3

Pastoral Care Can Be Part Of RWSIR's

Healing Process

By Sybil Dennis

For those who choose, pastoral care is soul that medicine, therapy or even magnet- tional Roosevelt

always available at the Roosevelt Warm

ic resonance imaging won't reach."

Chapel, which

Springs Institute for Rehabilitation as part of

Pastoral care is optional for anyone at

was also built

the healing process. Some even say that

the Institute. Priorities shift as the need aris- and maintained

while physical medicine treats the body, pas- es but the chaplain sees the greatest need in by private dona-

toral care enhances the total program by

the medical unit, where patients often are

tions and conse-

addressing needs of the spirit, a philosophy adjusting to a disability, recovering from

crated in 1939.

embraced by RWSIR founder Franklin

traumatic injury, stroke or other serious con- Patients, stu-

Roosevelt, himself.

ditions.

dents and staff

So who needs a chaplain? "People who

When asked the quintessential ques-

of all faiths still

are at a spiritual crossroads, especially here, tion: "Why did God let this happen," her

actively partici-

and who tend to have a backgr0tmd in faith," answers Jan Stewart Tolbert, the 12th

response is to encourage the questioner to think through it himself or herself. "People

pate in the ser- Tolbert is the 12th clmplain in vi.ces i.ust as then Roosevelt lnstitutehistory.

chaplain in RWSIR's 74-year history. "One of will reconcile themselves to the mysteries of President Roosevelt did whenever he was in

my roles here is to help people make sense suffering and healing," she said. "Sometimes Warm Springs so many years ago. In fact, it

out of the circumstances of their lives.

where we meet God is in the midst of suffer- was his last place of worship just three days

Pastoral care offers comfort, but more than ing. I let people tell me their story, share

before his death at the Little White House

that it cai1 touch a place deep inside one's

their grief, joy, secrets and deepest

on April 12, 1945.

heartaches, and what I try to do is accept

Avisit from the chaplain invariably still

that as if they are giving me a gift. Then it

evokes a positive response. Those who need

becomes almost mystical to take that gift

a message of faith and hope can readily find

and bring it to God."

it in Talbert's gentle ministry, no matter

Operating strictly through private fund- what their race, gender or creed.

ing, RWSIR's Pastoral Care Program relies

"Pastoral care is not about forcing one's

entirely on the generosity of donors for sup- beliefs on another person," she added. "It's

port. Private gifts have allowed the Institute about caring for people."

.,

to provide a strong pastoral presence in the

past and the RWS Development Fund is cur-

rently seeking to build a strong network of

support from churches and individuals

throughout the West Central Georgia area to

help meet budgetary needs for 2002. Long-

range plans call for endowing the program

Chaplain fan Tolbert presides overco11111111nion at Roosevelt Chapel.

at some point in the future . Sunday morning worship services are
conducted on campus in the interdenomina-

'Roosevelt -, Institute

4

5

Georgia Hall Classroom Named For

Leonard Meadows

By Martin Harmon

The Roosevelt Warm Springs Development Fw1d honored its chairman emeritus, Leonard R. "Nookie" Meadows of nearby Manchester, Ga., on Dec. 14, naming the classroom in Georgia Hall in his honor Meadows Classroom.
Acommissioned, full-color portrait of Meadows, 75, who founded and chaired the Development Fund Board of Directors from 1986-1992, now adorns the multi-purpose classroom. James Joseph Williams of Atlanta was the artist.
With his family, invited friends, Georgia Hall Society donors, RWSIR personnel and other board members in attendance, Meadow's portrait was unveiled at a noon reception.
It honors a man who has a lifetime invested in his cornrnwuty. The president of Meadows Compa11ies, which encompasses five different Manchester businesses, Meadows was a state representative from

1987-92, an 18-year member of the Manchester School Board (1962-80) and a charter member of the Manchester Certified City Task Force (1976).
In addition, he chaired hmdraising efforts for the Pine M0tmtain Regional Library, Meriwether County Health Center and Manchester Se11ior Citizens Bus. A former member of the Columbus Bank and Trust Advisory Board, he was also treasurer of the Manchester Industrial Board and a long-tin1e member of both the Meriwether Chamber of Commerce and Manchester Development Authority.
The 1979 recipient of the Manchester Commw1ity Service Award and 2001 James T. Evans Rotary Award, he is a past president of both the Manchester Kiwanis Club (twice) and Manchester Jaycees. He is a member of the Georgia State University F0tmdation Ftmd, a highly decorated member of the National Automobile Dealers

RWSIR Exerntive Director Fm11k Ruzycki a11d RWS Developme11t Fund Board Chairman Bruce Williams flank Meadows moments after the u11veili11g ofhis portrait in historic Georgia Hall.
Association, an Honorary Georgia State Trooper and a Delta Airlines Flying Colonel.
A native of Manchester and a 1944 graduate of Manchester High School, Meadows is married to the former Alexa Corley of Manchester and he has four daughters, Penny Hale, Piper Gresham and Robin Mclnvale, all of Manchester, and Ginger Stribling of Macon.

With his wife Alexn a11d granddaughters i11 tow, Leo11ard "Nookie" Meadows poses beside his Georgia Hall portrait.

"When I took this job, I quickly learned that the first and foremost person I needed to go to in this community was Leonard Meadows. Nookie responded the way he always responded whenever there was aneed."
- RWSIR Executive Director Frank Ruzycki, Dec. 14, 200 1

Mutual Admiration Typical Of RWSIR

Doctor/Patient Relationships

By sybil oennis

If a conversation with Rowena

found she no longer needed to depend on

'1 Coleman, a recent outpatient from Newnan, the wheelchair she had used while at her

J

and her Roosevelt Institute physician, Kannon Haskins, M.D., s0tmds a little like a

weakest when she first arrived in Warm Springs. "Dr. Haskins is a great motivator,"

Her energy, effort and fortitude brought her this far and I'm confident they will take her even further. She epitomizes what we are trying to accomplish and people like her

muh1al admiration society, it's because she's she remarked. "He really inspired me to get reaffirm our mission to empower individu-

convinced he provided the very best medical moving again. He not only talks, he really

als with disabilities to achieve indepen-

treatment and advice available, and he cred- listened to what I had to say. I have com-

dence. This is what we do. Hopefully, we

its her with the determination to overcome. plete confidence in him. I would recommend can continue meeting even more difficult

Either way, theirs is a doctor/ patient rela-

the Roosevelt Institute to anyone."

challenges and keep raising the bar to make

tionship fairly typical of the Roosevelt

Along with Haskins, Coleman had

life easier for people with disabilities."

Institute medical rehabilitation experience. nothing but good tl1ings to say about the

Meanwhile, the Roosevelt Institute has

other medical staff she was

always been like coming home for Haskins,

involved with, including nurs- who grew up in nearby Manchester and

es Lorine Jackson and Linda

graduated from Manchester High School.

Durham, and life is now

After earning his medical degree at the

improving for the sewing

Medical College of Georgia, he later served

machine operator of 33 years, as commander and senior physician of a

who actually helped design

U.S. Army Health Clinic in Katterback,

foundation garments before

Germany, before returning to the States and

she retired.

eventually RWSIR.

With her health improv-

RWSJRDoctor Kmmo11 Haski11s a11d New11a11 's Rowena Cole111a11 exemplify good doctor/patient rapport.

ing, she is driving her new car again and spent time on her Christmas

shopping with renewed enthusiasm. She has

Her recovery from several conditions,

also resumed her leadership role at Summer

\

including carpal turmel syndrome, has been Hill Baptist Church, where her husband of

j

a gradual process, according to Haskins,

42 years is the minister. "I will always be

who noted that lus patient's symptoms were grateful to one of our members at Summer

exacerbated by a thyroid condition that

Hill who pointed me in the direction of

severely depleted her energy level. "Once

Warm Springs and Dr. Haskins," she said.

that was diagnosed and we began corrective

According to Haskins, "When Rowena

treatment, it helped to speed recovery,"

first came to us, her disability was draining,

he said before adding, "but more than

but through treatment, therapy and lots of

anything her own willpower helped her regain strength."
As Coleman began to improve, she

encouragement, her vitality has been restored, her self-esteem has increased and she is leading a much more active lifestyle.

RSWIR's Ka1111011 Haski11s shares locnl roots wit/1ma11y of his Roosevelt /11stitute patients, i11cludi11g Richard Smith. Both are from Ma11chester.

6

Leadership Georgia Selects

Tripp Penn To 2002 Class

Tripp Penn, Director

of Development for the

Roosevelt Institute since

1997, has been named to the

2002 Class of Leadership

Georgia. Agraduate of the

University of Georgia, he

and his family reside in

Tripp Penn

LaGrange. Married to the former Megan Lahey of

Athens, they are the proud parents of a newborn baby

boy, Douglas Miller, as well as daughters, Riley, 5, and

Ham1ali, 2.

Leadership Georgia is a prestigious, 30-year-old

organiza tion of community leaders. An affiliate of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the orgaiUzation

trains and builds a network of emerging young leaders fromacross the state. Past participants include a number of influential state and national leaders, raiiging

fro m fo rmer U.S. Senator Sam Nunn to UGAAthletics Director Vince Dooley.

Approximately 60 participants, selected each

year from a pool of several hund red applicaiits, visi t five Georgia communities in an effort to learn more about in1portant issues affecting the state. This year, Penn and the rest of the class, headed by incoming president Tavia McCuean of Atlanta, wiU visit Young

Harris, Americus, St. Sinlons Island, Madison and Columbus.

RWSIR

Honors 6

Retirees

Two receptions

in the past few

months have hon-

ored a total of six

retirees at the

Honored at an Oct. 31 retirement reception oncampus wereBob Seymonr, Joyce Dm1iel andMyriam Tnrbyfield.

Roosevelt Institute. Among those aimouncing their retirementwere

recreation director Joe Lyttle (21 years), electrician

Butch O'Hara (21 years), vocational unit program

assistant Mary McDonald (30 years), case manager Bob

Seymour (20 years), employee health director Joyce

DaiUel (18 years) and vocational coordinator Myriain

Turbyfield (17 years).

Travel ai1d increased family time topped the list

of plam1ed activities for all six, who also expressed a

common theme of ap preciation to their co-workers and satisfaction with the quality service they have been a part of during their years at the Roosevelt Institute.
Voluncheers Program Off To Great Start At The Institute
Always looking fo r ways to enhance the good works of the Roosevelt Institute, RWSIR's Volunteer Services recently instituted a new program called "Vo luncheers. "
Once a month, Volunteer Services receives a list of all patients who have been discharged in the previous month and, if that patient's address falls witllin the "visitation boundary" that has been established for the program, a call is made to see if they would like a visit from the Voluncheers Teain at some agreed upon date and tinle.
"One purpose of the program is to spread cheer either by a personal visit that includes a small gift or by a telephone call or card," RWSIR Volunteer Services Director Carol Barnes said. "Another is to inquire about patient satisfaction."
In its first three months of existence, the Voluncheers Program made a total of152 contacts, including 33 personal visits and 118 cards, "a tremendous start to a great idea," according to Roosevelt Institute Executive Administrator of Prograins and Services Carolyn McKinley. For more information about the prograin, Barnes can be reached at 706/ 655-5622.
Roosevelt Run/Walk/Roll Attracts Over l 00 Nov. l 7
Already honored as Bes t New Race of the Year by Georgia Runner Magazine a year ago, the second a1mual Roosevelt Run / Walk/ Roll attracted over 100 participants on Nov. 17. Awards were presented in five major categories and each pa rticipant received a threecolor, long-sleeve, race day I-shirt. Headed up for the second straight yea r by Jayne Bryan of the RWSIR

Vocational Unit, all proceeds were to be used fo r VRU student programs.
Leadership Redwood Class Graduates l OIn December
For the third straight year, Leadershi p Redwood, a leadership development program of the Roosevelt Institute, held its aimual graduation luncheon on Dec. 13.
The RWSIR l eadership Redwood Class of 2001 included Transportation's Demus Bishop, VRU Recrea tional Therapist Rosam1a Borders, Director of Nursing Cathy Harbin, Director of Police Ben Eubanks, Transportation Dispatcher Susie Farley, CVAProgram Physical Therapist Larry Gomberg, CVANursing Manager Kerri Medders, Spiml Cord Injury Occupa tional Therapist Lea Morgan, Chaplain Jan Tolbert and VRU Employment Manager Danney Yates. The group's head coach was CVAProgram Director Jolm Abney and assistant coach was Director of Transportation aiid Housekeeping Ed Friend.
The program is designed to "reple1ush, nurture and develop" a pool of leaderslup talent to bolster organizational stability, promote staff retention and contribute to the overall employee envirolUllent.
The Spirit of Warm Springs Editor
Martin Harmon Staff Writer Sybil Dennis Art Direction
Image By Design
The Spiril of WarmSprings is published Ihree times a year by the Public Relations Department of the Roosevelt Warm Springs
Institute for Rehabilitation, Post Office Box 1000, Warm Springs, Georgia 31830-1000.
If you would like this publication in an alternative format, or if you receive a duplicate copy, please contact the Public Relations Department at the abo1e address or call 706-655-5668.

Willi IlleCTR as abackdrop, nnmerousawards werepresented at tliesecondannual Roosevelt Run/Walk/Roll.

7

FDR's Home One Of Many Local

VRU Work Sites

President Franklin D. Roosevelt cherished the time he spent at his Little White House in Warm Springs. It provided a peaceful haven, far from the rigors of Washington, D.C.
Now the most visited historic site in Georgia's Parks and Recreation system, the Little White House also provides one of many temporary work sites for vocational rehabilitation students from the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation.
"We 've been very pleased with the performance of every Institute student who has come here to learn work skills through our cooperative agreement," remarked Frankie Mewborn, site manager at the Little White House, while commenting on the efforts of Tommy Carlson, a recent vocational student assigned to the FDR home.
Carlson, a 20-year-old native of Homer, Ga., didn't have much time to pon-

der walking in the footsteps of a great man, but he did appreciate his opportunity to work on the grounds of FDR's historic house. Asked what he liked best about the work, he replied, "Everything. Everyone at the Little White House was really great to work with and I especially enjoyed being outside a lot. "
As for Carlson's performance, his work site supervisor, Chris Ward, said, "Tommy was a hard worker. He followed instructions well and had a great attitude."
Jayne Bryan, his counselor at the Roosevelt Institute, echoed those sentiments when she said, "I wish I had a hundred like him. Tommy was quiet, but he got along with everyone and showed a lot of respect."
Among the jobs Carlson covered daily were keeping the grass mowed and shrubbery clipped, as well as all pathways neat,

By Sybil Dennis

helping to

make the Little

White House

experience an

enjoyable one

for every

Warm Springs

visitor. He also took care of cleaning the

Carrying out adaily assignment at FDR's Little White House, Tommy Carlson is shown c/ea11i11g thefou11tai11.

three-tiered fountain that graces the historic

site's entrance.

Roosevelt, who initiated action to

restore jobs lost during the Depression of

the late 1920s and '30s, would undoubtedly

endorse today's work skills development

program at the Roosevelt Institute. He

would just as undoubtedly relish the idea

that his home is still helping lead the way

to personal independence for Carlson and

others like him.

RWSIRstudeut Tommy Carlson and work site manager Frankie Mewborn just outside t/1e Little White House.

CH I LD CARE I
INSTRUCT IONAL Mountain View Elementary School Jack & Jill Playschool Merryland I ursery and Preschool West Georgia Tech Center for
Child Development Wonder Years Learning Center Pride and Joy Day Care Center Mother Goose ursery Commwuty Action for
inlprovement
AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE Bishop's Chevron Johnson's Automotive Repair Meadows Ford, Inc. Fryer's Tire Center Phillip's Tire Center Johrmy's Auto ai1d Body Repair The Oil Drop

FOOD SERVIC E Manchester Middle School Manchester High School Greenville High School
ANIMAL CARE Good Shepherd Therapeutic Ctr. Pine Mountain Wild A.ninial Park
HEALTH CARE
Georgia Baptist Hospital I
ursing Home Altivista Health Care Center
STORES Lewis Jones Food Market Piggly Wiggly Maxway Wal-Mart Bill's Dollar Store Manchester Feed &Seed

Publix Supermarket Goodwill Industries Taylor-Foster, Inc. Gilson's Minit Mart Quality Auto
OTHERS Manchester Public Library FDR's Little White House Warm Springs Welcome Center Blooming Idiot Callaway Gardens Woodbury Flowers Mountain Top Inn and Resort
2001 VRU Off-Campus Work Sites

ROOSEVELT

The mission of the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institutefor Rehabilitation is to empower individuals with disabilities to achieve personal independence.

WARM SPRINGS

INSTITUTE FOR

REHABILITATION

Roosevelt Warm Spri11gs Develop111e11t F1111d, l11c. Board of Directors

). Bruce Williams, Jr. Cllair111a11

Steplle11 A. Me/1011 Vice Cllair111a11
Leo11ard R. Meadows

l

Cllair111a11 E111erit11s

Edgar. C/1np111a11, Jr. Treas11rer

Do1111a R. McNeilly Secretary

Da11iel W. Bri11ks

The Georgia Department of Labor Rehabilitation Services administers and cond ucts all progra ms and activities in accord ance with the U.S. Civil Rights Ac t, which provides that no person shall, on gr0tmds of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, be excluded from the benefits or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity.

Rep. Carl Vo11 Epps David L. Foy, D.D.S. J. Harper Gasto11, M.D. F. St11art G111/ey, Pll.D.
ji111111yHill

Accredited by: Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthca re Organizations The Commission on Accreditation of RehabiLitation Facilities

Cllarles H. Hood D. Gai11es La11ier Se11ator Da11iel W. Lee A11drew Joe Morrow, D. V.M.

j11dge James W. Oxe11di11e

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Rep. ji111111y Skipper
Erik Vo11k
Frn11k C. R11zycki Executive Director

Post Office Box 1000 Warm Springs, Georgia 31830-1000 www.rooseve ltrehab. org

Tripp Pe1111 Director of Develop111e11t

PRSRTSTD U.S. Postage
PAID Columbus, GA
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