Inclusion In Action | Digital Magazine | Vol. 5

A Message From Morgan's Dad

"Inclusion City, USA"

OurmissionatMorgan’sInclusionInitiativefocusesondoingwhateverwecanto createamore-inclusive,andkinder,friendlierworldforchildrenandadultsofall abilities.OurpassionforthiscausealsoextendsbeyondWonderland,Texas, homeofuniqueventureslikeMorgan’sWonderlandandtheMulti-Assistance CenteratMorgan’sWonderland,orTheMAC.Thus,we’rehugesupportersof “InclusionCity,USA,”SanAntonio’scollectiveefforttobeaccessible,friendly,and welcomingtocitizensandvisitorsalike.

Inthesummerwe’llhaveanotheropportunitytocelebrateinclusionand friendshipinthecommunitywiththededicationofInclusionCirclenearSan AntonioCityHall.Aplaquewillbeunveiledthatcallsattentiontoourcity’s supportofinclusion,anditwillmarkthesuccessfulcompletionof“CityHallfor All”improvementsthatmakeSanAntonio’sseatofgovernmenteasily accessibletoeveryone.Wideandgently-slopingrampsnowmakeiteasierto accesstheofficesofthemayor,CityCouncilmembersandcitydepartments.

AlsoindowntownSanAntonio,BexarCountyhasinstalleddrop-offandpick-up lanesclosetothecountycourthousesoindividualswithspecialneedsreporting forjurydutyortransactingotherbusinessdon’thavetonegotiateasignificant distancefromthecounty’sparkinggarage.Suchajourneybecomesmuchmore difficultininclementweather.(photoonleft)

Similarly,plansareintheworksatSanAntonioInternationalAirporttoadddropoffandpick-uplanesfortravelersaspartofanupcomingmajorexpansion.The airportalreadyhasinstalledadultchangingtablesinsomerestroomstohelp thosewithspecialneeds.

TheseactionsandmoretocomesignalSanAntonio’seagernesstotrulyliveup tothenameof“InclusionCity,USA.”Hopefullythisongoingeffortwillspreadto othercommunitiesnearandfarandwillfurtherunderscoreourstrong convictionthat,“Together,weAREmakingadifference!”

Sincerely,

GordonHartman Morgan'sDad

A Letter From Our CEO The Inclusion Business

BeingfairlynewtomyroleandMorgan’sfamily(16monthsandcounting)I’m oftenaskedtodescribethebusinessoftheenterprise.Isuggestthatwe’reNOT inthepark,sports,camp,orclinic/centerbusiness…we’reintheINCLUSION businessandourvisionistocreateamoreinclusiveworld.Wedothisby sparkingculturalchangeforourfriendswithspecialneedsanddisabilities.Our variousentities(Morgan’sWonderland,Morgan’sInspirationIsland,Morgan’s WonderlandSports,Morgan’sWonderlandCamp,andTheMACatMorgan’s Wonderland)aredemonstrationsofhowculturalchangecanlookwhenyou’re consideringamoreinclusiveworld.

Sparkingthatkindofculturalchangestartswithaspiritofcuriosity.Webster suggeststhatcuriosityhastodowithone’sdesiretoknowmore;inquisitive interestinother’sconcerns;andanitchthatdrivesyoutoaskmorequestions. Forusandthisenterprise,itallstartedwiththeMorgan’sWonderlandtheme parkthatcameintoexistenceexactly13yearsagothismonth.GordonHartman, andhiswifeMaggie,daredtobecuriousandwonderifthingscouldbedone differently.Theywereinspiredbytheneedsandrightsoftheirdaughter,Morgan, andchosetotransformthatwonderintoaction.Thatcuriosityandactionorientedphilosophycontinuestoguideourworkandwe’veneverstopped wonderingwhatelsecould/shouldbedifferentandmoreinclusive.

Myheartisfullofgratitudeforallwhopartnerwithusandsupportthisjourneyof inclusion.It’sbiggerthantheMorgan’sfamilyandextendswaybeyondtheSan Antoniocitylimits.We’resohonoredtoplayaroleinwhatisbecomingaglobal movementtocreatemoreopportunitieswhereothersarecuriousabout inclusionandchoosingtomakeadifference.Ichallengeallofustobecurious andlookatlifethroughthelensofinclusion.Whatareyouseeingthat could/shouldbedifferent,better,andmoreinclusive?Together,wearemakinga differenceandIamsohappytobepartofthisjourneywithyou!

Sincerely,

Dr.BrentFields CEO,Morgan'sInclusionInitiative

Myfamilyenjoyingmydaughter,Chloe'sfirsttimeonaFerrisWheel.

NFL Alumni Association Golf Tournament Super Bowl of Golf San Antonio Qualifier

Presented by Amazon and Luxury Home Magazine

OnApril24th,Morgan’sInclusionInitiativewashonoredtobea beneficiaryofSanAntonio'sfirstNFLAlumniSuperBowlofGolf: Qualifier,presentedbyAmazonandLuxuryHomeMagazine. RepresentativesfromthelocalNFLAlumniChapter,including 30formerNFLplayers,generoussponsors,friends,andfamily, teedoffMondaymorningtosupportourchildrenwithdisabilities.

Thisremarkablecharitableeffortcametofruitionbecauseof TheHendersonFamily’sdivinedevotionofTheRobertChristopher Legacy,theyoungestmemberoftheirfamily.RobertChristopher wasdiagnosedwithCHD2MyoclonicEncephalopathyandMitochondrial Disorder.Hisrareconditionwascharacterizedbyrecurrentseizures,abnormal brainfunction,andintellectualdisability.Robertlovedmusic,hugsandkisses, “Spiderman,”“SpongeBobSquarePants,”andeverythingelectronic.Hefought courageouslythroughouthisjourneyandpassedawayonFebruary6,2015.

RobertChristophercontinuestoinspireeverymemberofTheHendersonFamily, wheretheyusetheplatformprovidedbytheirrespectiveprofessionalsacrossthe globetocarryonRobert’slegacy.

JustasGordonandMaggie’slovefortheirdaughter,Morganinspiredallthe Ultra-Accessible™andinclusivefacilitiesofMorgan’sInclusionInitiative;itisthe sameloveforRobertthatJuliHenderson,Morgan’sInclusionInitiativeBoard Member,hastoremainalife-longadvocateforourmissionofinclusion.Along withthesupportofVeronicaJaime,MissionEngagementCommitteemember, servingasthe2023NFLAlumniGolfClassicEvent&DevelopmentDirector,they spearheadedthedevelopmentandsuccessoftheAmazon&NFLAlumniGolf Classic.

OnbehalfoftheentireMorgan’sInclusionInitiativeentities,wehumblythankthe generousadvocacyandhardworkputinbyJuliHenderson&Family,Veronica Jaime,TomasandChristinaM.Martinez&theLuxuryHomeMagazineteam, Amazon,thelocalNFLAlumniChapter,theNFLAlumniAssociation,TPCSan Antonio,JWMarriottSanAntonioHillCountryResortandSpa,Tiffany&Co.,local communitypartners,andcountlessvolunteersforassistingMorgan’sInclusion Initiative’sfundraisinggoalinfundingandsustainingourmission.Ourheartsare sofull.ThankyouforhelpingspreadourMissionofInclusion.

Morgan’sInspirationIslandopenedMay5thandwearesoexcitedtosee everyonecoolingoffandenjoyingthecolorfulsplashpadslikeRainbowReef.

Will’sHangTenHarborofferssquirtingsurfboards,palmtrees,interactive spinningumbrellas,andthatched-hut-themedraintrees.

TheRiverBoatAdventureRidetwistsandturnsformorethan5minutesthrough ajunglesettingwithbirdandanimalsoundsinthebackground.

ShipwreckIslandcomescompletewithagiantdumpingwaterbucket,water cannons,anddoubleslides.

Harvey’sHideawayBayoffersagianttreehousewithclimbingmonkeys.The bayalsohasseveralinteractivewaterfeaturesandminiwatercannons.

Finally,thereisCalypsoCove,withitsmusicgardensplashpadandlargetree withrainbowcurtaineffectscomingfromthebranches.

Morgan’sWonderlandoffersseveraloptionstohelpyouplanthebestvisitto bothMorgan’sWonderlandandMorgan'sInspirationIsland,ourone-of-a-kind Ultra-Accessible™,fully-inclusiveparks.

PURCHASE SEASON PASSES TODAY!

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Fairies in the Garden

Ourgoodwillambassadors,theFriendshipFairies,hadanamazingnightoutat theSanAntonioBotanicalGardensonTuesday,March28th.Thisinclusive fundraisingeventbenefittedthe5thAnnualDownSyndromeAssociationof SouthTexasandwasnotonlyanopportunityforourFriendshipFairiestoshow offtheirrecentcostumeupgrades,buttheywerealsoabletomakenewfriends whilerepresentingMorgan'sWonderland!

Kurt Wilkinson Soars on Stage

Afterwrappingupaone-manversionof"AChristmasCarol"fortheClassic TheaterofSanAntoniothispastDecember,EntertainmentdepartmentSeasonal SupervisorKurtWilkinsonwasrecentlycastas"Max"onthemainstageofthe PublicTheatreofSanAntonio'sproductionofPajamaGame–whichranMarch 31st-April23rd.KurtisleadingthewayforSanAntonioactors,andhehopes thatasanactorwithosteogenesisimperfecta,heinspiresfutureperformerswith disabilitiestothriveaswell.

KurtgraduatedfromTexasA&MUniversity–

CorpusChristiin2019,withaBAinTheatrewith anemphasisinActingandDirectingandaBA inMediaArtswithanemphasisinMedia Studies.WeareimmenselyproudtohaveKurt asamemberoftheMorgan'sWonderland family,andevenmoreproudtoannounce thatheisthefirstprofessionalactorina wheelchairtoperformonthemainstageofthe longest-runningandmostsuccessfultheater inSanAntonio-ThePublicTheatre ofSanAntonio.

Creating Memories Inside and Outside Wonderland!

CoffeeandConversationisbackatMorgan'sWonderland,andnewfor2023is ourveryownbarista,Sel,makingdeliciousflavoredcoffeedrinks.Joinusonthe firstandthirdFridaysofeverymonthattheWharfforfishingandaspecial activityeachsession.OurfriendsfromtheFoodBankarealsoonhandwithtasty, healthysnacks.Ifyouarrivebetween9:00and9:45am,parentspay$19andkids getinfree!Participantsgetandextrahourintheparkbeforeopeningandcan stayallday.

Community-BasedInstruction(CBI)wasbusythispastSpring session!Wesaw3,000studentsandteachersfrom37 schoolsinsevendistricts.WeturnedtheentireParkinto aclassroomforstudentsfromPreKthrough5thgrade. Studentsreceivedfourlessons,thenhadtimeto exploretheParkwiththeirclassmatesandteachers. nginthefall.

Outreachisgettingbusierastheweathergets warmer,andourteamshaveafullcalendarvisiting communitygroups,schools,andFiestaevents!You neverknowwhereyoumightseeus,sobeonthe lookoutforourfabulousOutreachTeamoutand aboutinSanAntonioandbeyond!

Sponsor-A-Horse Opportunities

GetInvolvedwithourSponsor-A-Horseprogram.Horsesponsorshipsare availableforindividualsororganizationslookingtosupporttheCamp’sgrowing equineprogram.Sponsoringahorsewillpreparethemforsuccessinourequine programming,allowingthemtocontinueservingourfriendswithspecialneeds anddisabilities.Sponsorshipshelptocoverthecostoffeed,medicalcare, grooming,andmore…andofcourse,sponsorsgetsomeniceperkslikesitevisits, andridingtimewiththeirsponsoredhorse!Checkoutourhorsesavailablefor sponsorshipandsubmitaninterestformtodaybyvisiting MorgansWonderlandCamp.com/Horses.

Summer Camp Staff from Around the World

Withourthirdsummerseasonuponus,theteamatMorgan’sWonderlandCamp (MWC)isgearinguptowelcomeourseasonalsummerteamofover30staff members.Inadditiontoourstatesidestaff,wealsohavetheprivilegeofworking withinternationalstafffromallovertheglobe,somearereturningfortheir secondsummer!WithstafffromParaguay,Mexico,Scotland,Colombia,and Peru,campersandfellowstaffhavetheopportunitytolearnaboutdifferent culturesthroughthesharedexperienceofultra-accessiblecamping.

Newsweek Recognition

Withover12,000summercampsnationwide, thisrankingidentifiesthetop500campsinthe UnitedStates.NewsweekandPlant-AInsights Group("Plant-A")havepartneredto determinethe500bestsummercampsin theU.S."America'sBestSummerCamps 2023"recognizesthetopsummercamps intheUnitedStates,categorizedby state,basedonover670,000social mediareviewsand114,000camp reviewsfrom15,000Americanparents basedonUSCensusData.

Camp Kidd’s Kids Visits Morgan's Wonderland Camp

Thepopular“KiddKraddickMorningShow,”heardweekdaysonradiostations acrossthecountry,recentlybroadcastlivefromtheUltra-Accessible™, fully-inclusiveMorgan’sWonderlandCamp.

ItwaspartofKidd’sKids,anonprofitthatprovideshopeandhappinessfor familiesofchildrenwithlife-alteringorlife-threateningmedicalconditionsby creatingbeautifulmemories,liketheirannualall–expensespaidtriptoDisney World.Kidd’sKidswasfoundedin1991byKiddKraddick,whodiedin2013,butthe missioncontinuesinhismemory.

ThisyearKidd’sKidsaddedanotherfunoutingtoMorgan’sWonderlandCamp. Thegroupof130includedchildren,theirfamilies,medicalstaff,and“Kidd KraddickMorningShow”personalities.TheycametogetherfromApril27to29for funatMorgan’sWonderlandCampandMorgan’sWonderlandthemepark.

Kidd’sKidstookadvantageofafullrangeofactivitiesandfacilitiesatMorgan’s WonderlandCamp,includingstate-of-the-artziplinesthatcanaccommodate guestsrequiringventilatorsandoxygentanks,awheelchair-accessible challengecourse,horsebackriding,archery,cycling,swimming,andmore!

“IlovethatMorgan’sWonderlandCampisadaptive,”saidKiddKraddick MorningShowpersonalityKellieRasberry.“Iwastalkingtooneofthecampers,a littlegirl,andshewasblownawaywiththefactthatallthedoorwayswerefully accessible.Shedidn’tfeeldifferent.Everythingwasnormalforher.”Rasberry wentontosay,“It’simportanttoustocontinuetohonorKiddKraddickandhis visionforthischarity.”

MA

TheMACNavigationteamisfully theNavigatorsjustcelebratedth

Currently,theNavigationteamhascompleted2,122intakesand1,350 assessmentvisits,making5,491referralstoMACersandcommunity organizations.

Practice Without Pressure (PWP)

PWPisaprogramdevelopedtoworkwithindividualswithintellectualand physicaldisabilitieswhoareunabletoobtainmedical,dental,orpersonalcare servicesduetofearoftheprocedure,theuseofsedation/anesthesia,or becauseofrestraints.Providingtheseserviceswithoutrestraintsorsedationwill resultinlessriskfortheMACMemberwhileprovidingtheseserviceswithdignity andrespect.

Plansareunderwaytobuildtwodentalexamroomsandtwomedicalexam roomstoemulatewhattheMACMemberswillexperiencepriortoattendingtheir scheduledvisitswithMACers.PWPsuitespaceisscheduledtoopensummer 2023.

Teddy Bear Clinic

OnMonday,April17th,PracticeWithoutPressurehelditsfirstTeddyBearClinicat TheMAC. ItwasachanceforMACMemberstodiscoverwaystoimprovetheir socializationskills,prepareforupcomingdoctor’sappointments,andfamiliarize themselveswithsituationstheymayfindfrightening.ThephilosophyofPractice WithoutPressureistohelppeopleparticipateintheirowncarewithoutrestraint andgreatlyreducesedation.ItempowersMACMemberstohaveavoiceand controlovertheirexperiences. TofindoutmoreaboutPracticeWithoutPressure, visitourwebsiteMorgansWonderlandMAC.com

Upcoming Well Women's Clinic

TreasureYourHealth–WellWomen’sClinic,July27,2023–3:00-5:00PM Teenstoyoungadults(ages13-25yearsold)areinvitedtoattendthis upcomingworkshopfocusedonpreparingforaWellWomen’sExam, understandingwhattheproceduresinvolve,andmenstrualeducation andsupport.

Caregiver/Parentpresenceisencouragedbutnotrequired.OBGYNwillbe present.Registrationisrequired.

The MAC Phase II Construction Underway

WearethrilledtosharethatPhaseIIconstructionhasbegunatTheMACat Morgan’sWonderland.Withtheseadditionalspacesbuilt-out,wewillcontinue toexpandourscopeofservicesandsupportforourcommunitylivingwith specialneedsanddisabilities.Herearetheupdates.

Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC)

TheASCisacomponentoftheMedicalHomeservicesatTheMAC.Itwillbean 11,460sq.ft.centerdesignedtoserveourpopulationwithdisabilitiesandspecial needs.Scheduledtoopeninthewinterof2023,theASCwillincludefive operatingrooms,tenrecoveryrooms,andanembeddedimagingsuite, includingcomputerizedtomography(CT)scan,X-ray,andultrasound equipment.Plannedon-siteservicesincludesedateddentalproceduresaswell asoptometricandophthalmicexams,audiologicaltesting,phlebotomy,and othercoordinatedoutpatientsurgeriesrequiringanesthesia.Thecenterwillbe theonlyASCknowntofocusonassistingthosewithdisabilities.

Employment Center - Workforce Inclusion Network (WIN)

EmploymentisidentifiedasanEconomiccomponentoftheNon-MedicalDrivers ofHealthandispartofTheMACCareModel™.WINaimstoassistindividuals withdisabilitiesandspecialneedsinachievingjobreadinessandpursuing gainfulemploymentandeconomicstabilitybyaddressingjobtraining,job placements,jobcoaching,andmore.WINpartnersincludeUnitedHealthcare, theTexasWorkforceCommission,ProfessionalContractServicesInc.,San AntonioIndependentLivingServices,alongwithcurrentMACers,including ReachingMaximumIndependence,AlamoAreaCouncilofGovernments,The CenterforHealthCareServices,andSanAntonioLighthousefortheBlind.WINis scheduledtoopeninthefallof2023.

Some of Our Favorite Past Events!

EGGstra Special Easter

WhatanEGGcellenttimeatthisyear’s EGGstraSpecialEasterFestival.On April8th,wewere“allears”andvery “hoppy”towelcomeourguestsfora dayoffunforthewholefamily.From facepaintingtoourscavengerhunt,it wasaJOYoustime.Markyour calendars;wewilldoitagainnext yearontheSaturdaybeforeEaster.

Pickles y Sombreros

Morgan’sWonderlandSportsheldPicklesySombrerosonApril22ndand celebratedallthingspickle!Itwasabig"Dill",sinceitwasthefirstyeartobean “OfficialFiestaEvent”!Wehadpickleball, pickle-themedfood,vendors,andmusic forthewholefamily!

Wehopetoseeyounextyearfor thisFiestaEventthatraisesfunds forourmissionofinclusion.

Another Great Past Event... STRAPS Power Soccer

PowerSoccerteamsfromHouston,Dallas,andAlabamacametoSanAntonioto competeintheSTRAPSBattleoftheAlamoPowerSoccerTournamentonApril 15thand16th.TheSTRAPSScorpionshavehostedthistournamentsince2018and weareexcitedtohavehad4teamscompetingthisyear.

ThePowerSoccerseasonbeganinSeptember2022.Thisisthethirdtournament ontheroadtonationalsforourteam!

Big Things to Come ... Morgan's Wonderland to Host Special Olympics

Weareonlyafewdaysawayfromthe2023 SouthTexasSpecialOlympicsSummerState Games.Wearesoexcitedtohostthisevent andsupporttheseincredibleathletes.The gameswilltakeplaceonMay19thand20th.

Morgan’sWonderlandandMorgan’s InspirationIslandwillbeclosedonthose days,butweencouragethepublictocome outandcheerfortheparticipatingathletes.

Host Your Next Event With Us

orwithabright,funthemeparkforthebackground.Wehaveoutdoorretreat optionsatMorgan’sWonderlandCamp,oryoucanrentprofessionalspaceby thehouratTheMACatMorgan’sWonderland.

HostaninclusiveandUltra-Accessible™boardmeeting,5K,privateevent, orclubgatheringatoneofourfourentities:

•Morgan’sWonderland

•Morgan'sInspirationIsland

•Morgan’sWonderlandCamp

•Morgan’sWonderlandSports

•TheMAC(Multi-AssistanceCenteratMorgan’sWonderland)

Contactustofindouthowwecanhelpyoureventbeone-of-a-kind. Eventspacesfillupquickly,sogiveusacalltoday!

YoucanreachouttoSharaPierceat830-286-3208oremail

Inclusion@morganswonderland.com

Happy 13th Birthday!

Morgan’sWonderlandTurned13!

Ithasbeensuchajoyservingourcommunity andprovidingspaceswhereeveryoneisincluded.

Wearesoexcitedtoseewhatthefutureholds, andcannotwaittomakemorememorieswithyou.