I survived three separate tumor operation. I was the second known case of castleman's on Long Island, New York. I spent my pre teen's in Long Island children's hospital cancer floor I saw kids younger than me clinging to life 10 months after my tumor operation I was hit by a car riding my bike across the street. I flat lined on the table in Nassau County medical Center, I was in a coma for two and half weeks, I suffered 64 seizures a day. Doctors suggested that my parents pull the plug. I woke up for the coma, to learn I shattered my right leg Tib/fiibula in 26 places as well as had blood clot surgery in that same leg. At night I would wake to the sound of babies crying and begging for a higher power to take away their pain. Only to hear the crying stop and replaced with the sound of machines flat lining. I had thyroid cancer at twenty six years old, as well as cardiac ablation at thirty. It was a wake-up call for me to get healthy.
I started a DDPYOGA practice to help heal my body, as a result my mind would follow. I became a certified instructor, and started teaching at foster homes on Long Island in order to pay it forward Abbott House. Donating yoga mats, as well as a toy drive for Abbott House, through Medwell Spa on Longisland.
I carried the trauma from my youth with me for a very long time, teaching at these homes has taken away that trauma. I devote my free time to helping them anyway possible. However, I am only one person. They need more help. So this year I'm going to run my 6th Tough Mudder for the Abbott House, with every training run, every yoga session every moment will be to help my students/friends at the Abbott house.
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Playground Proposal
NEEDS STATEMENT
Each year, Abbott House provides care to nearly 2,500 children, including support for children in foster care and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Abbott House is unique because the children and youth we serve are an exceptionally high-risk group. We support traumatized children who need intensive support services to regain control of their lives. At Abbott House, we believe passionately that every child we serve can heal and thrive if they are given the environment to do so. For this reason, Abbott House is passionate about providing the best facilities possible for its youth, which includes a playground where every child can enjoy the joy of play and time outside.
However, our current playground is unfortunately in a state of dangerous disrepair. Originally installed in the 1990s and made of mostly wood, the playground has succumbed to the elements and is now completely unstable, with rotted, weathered and splintered wood, rusted metal, moldy vandalized (graffiti) plastic, broken playground elements, missing fencing, and uneven, unsafe ground cover that could cause children to trip and fall. In short, over time, the playground has become so severely compromised that it is now unusable, which denies hundreds of children who visit our Irvington campus each year the chance to play outside.
For the many programs that operate out of our Irvington campus, the lack of a playground means they have to forego outdoor activities as part of their program. Even though our Irvington campus is the hub of so much activity for children and youth, we no longer have an outdoor play space that is safe to use. A new playground would add vibrancy to our grounds and invite many of our programs to integrate more outdoor time into their scheduled activities." Abbott House PlayGround Propsal
Abbott House needs your help to allow us to purchase and install a new, state-of-the-art playground and matting that will serve our Irvington campus for years to come. We intend to install a proper drainage system that will remove excess water on the soil surface and allow water to flow away quickly, preventing puddles and mud. Also, because the playground area is near a sharp ground decline, we will replace the fencing on the west side of the playground to ensure safety.
The playground is part of our initiative to provide trauma informed care throughout every aspect of the organization, including how our physical environment plays a role. A new, exciting playground will enable us to provide varied opportunities that can provide relief from stressors, elevate anxiety, provide fun and socialization opportunities, etc.
WHO WILL USE THE PLAYGROUND
During the course of a year, more than 500 children are expected to use the playground. About 55 children and adolescents visit Abbott House’s Irvington headquarters for programs and meetings each day. Immigrant children in our Transitional Resources for Children’s program would use the playground daily and the other children would use the playground during, prior or after their visits for meetings/therapies and other special events and activities. Siblings would also use the playground while they wait.
These children have not grown up in safe and stable families or neighborhoods. Their opportunities for outdoor play and physical activities in a safe environment have been severely limited. Most come to us malnourished and/or traumatized.
