antiquity
12-07-2002, 07:46 AM
News-Sentinel photo by Michael Patrick
Tim Smith puts a primer coat of glaze on a ceramic piece of fruit at the Cerebal Palsy Center on Woodland Avenue. Smith and the center both benefit from The Milk Fund.
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Milk Fund dispenses needed lift to disabled man
Little bit extra lets him enjoy independence
By Jamie Satterfield, News-Sentinel staff writer
December 6, 2002
Whether it comes via high-tech gadgetry or a low-budget van, Tim Smith needs a little lift now and then.
Wheelchair-bound because of cerebral palsy, Smith, 37, finds independence in a hoist device installed in his Knoxville home that allows him to be lifted onto his bed or into his bathroom.
He finds joy in the lifts Cerebral Palsy Center driver Jim Clabo gives him in the agency's van, allowing Smith to take in a movie, go to the mall or see a car show.
But his unflagging optimism, Smith finds within himself.
"Mainly, I try to get out and be sociable, be with people," Smith said. "I'm a people-person."
As a young man, Smith found himself despondent when his confinement to a wheelchair kept him housebound.
"I couldn't go nowhere," Smith said. "I couldn't stand it. I had to do something."
A friend told him about the Cerebral Palsy Center on Woodland Avenue. It was a place, his friend said, where Smith could go to get help and, more importantly, to find company.
That was nearly 14 years ago. Now, Smith is a regular at the center. There he found financial help to have a lift-system installed in the home he shares with his mother.
"It got to the point mom couldn't lift me anymore," Smith said. "It made a huge difference."
Also at the center, Smith found companionship and a craft. He learned how to do woodwork and ceramics. He also met Clabo, who tries to make time each month to take Smith on weekend trips.
"I'm a big car buff," Smith said. "I like to go to car shows. Sometimes I go to the mall or to the movies."
Money is tight, so Smith has to squirrel away enough extra cash to finance his occasional outings. He has a host of medical problems and, therefore, a lot of medical bills. He also has to take care of his body through exercise and proper nutrition.
The Milk Fund helps, providing milk, orange juice and other dietary supplements Smith needs.
"I just try to do the best I can and keep myself healthy," he said. "The milk keeps my bones strong. (The Milk Fund) helps me out. Because I don't have to buy those things, I have a little spending money for my trips."
The Milk Fund also helps out the Cerebral Palsy Center.
The Milk Fund, established in 1938, provides milk, orange juice, cottage cheese and dietary supplements to the needy. At the Cerebral Palsy Center, the fund helps pay for milk and orange juice served during the center's day program as well as for individual clients, like Smith.
"Our agency helps people with cerebral palsy and similar types of disabilities to be participating members of the community," said Executive Director Robert Sexton.
Chartered since 1954, the Cerebral Palsy Center has been located on Woodland Avenue for more than two decades.
The center provides a place people with disabilities can go to socialize, learn a skill and get the help they need. The center also has an assistance program that provides funding for a variety of things, including respite care and help with personal needs. The program funds equipment to modify clients' homes so they can live independently and arranges transportation for clients.
Cerebral palsy is a disability that results from injury to the brain. Premature birth is the chief cause, but it can strike later in childhood or early adulthood as a result of injury or viral infections of the brain.
"How severe the disability is depends on what parts of the brain are involved," Sexton said. "Working with cerebral palsy (patients requires) a very individualized approach."
Like most nonprofits, the center is always scrambling for money. The Milk Fund eases the financial burden, Sexton said.
"Those are good wholesome, healthful foods," Sexton said. "Just the fact that we're able to get (money from the Milk Fund) means our agency's money can be spent on other things for our patients. Most nonprofits don't have a lot of money lying around. Most of the families and individuals we serve do not have a lot of resources either."
Jamie Satterfield may be reached at 865-342-6308 or Satterfield@knews.com.
http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/local_news/article/0,1406,KNS_347_1590860,00.html
Tim Smith puts a primer coat of glaze on a ceramic piece of fruit at the Cerebal Palsy Center on Woodland Avenue. Smith and the center both benefit from The Milk Fund.
--------------------------------------------------
Milk Fund dispenses needed lift to disabled man
Little bit extra lets him enjoy independence
By Jamie Satterfield, News-Sentinel staff writer
December 6, 2002
Whether it comes via high-tech gadgetry or a low-budget van, Tim Smith needs a little lift now and then.
Wheelchair-bound because of cerebral palsy, Smith, 37, finds independence in a hoist device installed in his Knoxville home that allows him to be lifted onto his bed or into his bathroom.
He finds joy in the lifts Cerebral Palsy Center driver Jim Clabo gives him in the agency's van, allowing Smith to take in a movie, go to the mall or see a car show.
But his unflagging optimism, Smith finds within himself.
"Mainly, I try to get out and be sociable, be with people," Smith said. "I'm a people-person."
As a young man, Smith found himself despondent when his confinement to a wheelchair kept him housebound.
"I couldn't go nowhere," Smith said. "I couldn't stand it. I had to do something."
A friend told him about the Cerebral Palsy Center on Woodland Avenue. It was a place, his friend said, where Smith could go to get help and, more importantly, to find company.
That was nearly 14 years ago. Now, Smith is a regular at the center. There he found financial help to have a lift-system installed in the home he shares with his mother.
"It got to the point mom couldn't lift me anymore," Smith said. "It made a huge difference."
Also at the center, Smith found companionship and a craft. He learned how to do woodwork and ceramics. He also met Clabo, who tries to make time each month to take Smith on weekend trips.
"I'm a big car buff," Smith said. "I like to go to car shows. Sometimes I go to the mall or to the movies."
Money is tight, so Smith has to squirrel away enough extra cash to finance his occasional outings. He has a host of medical problems and, therefore, a lot of medical bills. He also has to take care of his body through exercise and proper nutrition.
The Milk Fund helps, providing milk, orange juice and other dietary supplements Smith needs.
"I just try to do the best I can and keep myself healthy," he said. "The milk keeps my bones strong. (The Milk Fund) helps me out. Because I don't have to buy those things, I have a little spending money for my trips."
The Milk Fund also helps out the Cerebral Palsy Center.
The Milk Fund, established in 1938, provides milk, orange juice, cottage cheese and dietary supplements to the needy. At the Cerebral Palsy Center, the fund helps pay for milk and orange juice served during the center's day program as well as for individual clients, like Smith.
"Our agency helps people with cerebral palsy and similar types of disabilities to be participating members of the community," said Executive Director Robert Sexton.
Chartered since 1954, the Cerebral Palsy Center has been located on Woodland Avenue for more than two decades.
The center provides a place people with disabilities can go to socialize, learn a skill and get the help they need. The center also has an assistance program that provides funding for a variety of things, including respite care and help with personal needs. The program funds equipment to modify clients' homes so they can live independently and arranges transportation for clients.
Cerebral palsy is a disability that results from injury to the brain. Premature birth is the chief cause, but it can strike later in childhood or early adulthood as a result of injury or viral infections of the brain.
"How severe the disability is depends on what parts of the brain are involved," Sexton said. "Working with cerebral palsy (patients requires) a very individualized approach."
Like most nonprofits, the center is always scrambling for money. The Milk Fund eases the financial burden, Sexton said.
"Those are good wholesome, healthful foods," Sexton said. "Just the fact that we're able to get (money from the Milk Fund) means our agency's money can be spent on other things for our patients. Most nonprofits don't have a lot of money lying around. Most of the families and individuals we serve do not have a lot of resources either."
Jamie Satterfield may be reached at 865-342-6308 or Satterfield@knews.com.
http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/local_news/article/0,1406,KNS_347_1590860,00.html