DIGITAL MAGAZINE VOL. 2
A MESSAGE FROM MORGAN'S DAD
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A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT / CEO
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FLUTTERING INTO WONDERLAND
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SPORTS CORNER
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CHRISTMAS IN JULY SALE
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MAKE A SPLASH ON YOUR SPECIAL DAY
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BECOME A MORGAN'S ADVOCATE
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REACHING BEYOND MORGAN'S WONDERLAND
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ADVENTURES AT MORGAN'S WONDERLAND CAMP
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MEET THE MAC CARE MODEL™
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SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH
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ULTRA-ACCESSIBLE™
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THE MAC GRAND OPENING
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Gold
HEAR TS
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RDS WA
Jennifer Dantzler 2021 Wall of Fame Recipient
Tammy Martin 2021 Excellence in Caregiving Recipient
View Past Recipients & Nominate an Individual 5
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Fluttering Into
Morgan's Wonderland The newest goodwill ambassadors for unique Morgan’s Wonderland – the Friendship Fairies debuted Thursday, July 7, and emphasize how important and easy is to make new friends. Attired in eye-catching costumes, three Friendship Fairies – “Shimmer,” “Sparkle” and “Sunny” – will move throughout the world’s first theme park designed for those with special needs in mind and built for everyone’s enjoyment. They’re scheduled to appear from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursdays during the park’s summer season as well as every other Tuesday through Aug. 14.
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“We decided to add the Friendship Fairies to our popular corps of goodwill ambassadors because
we’re all about inclusion – bringing together those with and without special needs for fun and a better understanding of one another,” said Matthew Cassi, entertainment manager. “Friendship is a tremendously valuable benefit of inclusion. The Friendship Fairies will show that it’s not only OK but also very rewarding to interact with people of different backgrounds and abilities.” As part of their duties, the Friendship Fairies will greet Morgan’s Wonderland guests, hand out friendship stickers, pose with guests for selfie photos and show by example how easy it can be to make new friends, Cassi explained. Sometimes they’ll also appear with other goodwill
ambassadors – costumed character Joy, the park’s butterfly mascot, and the Wonder Squad, four young superheroes who’ve not allowed their special needs to limit being active and having fun. “At times, the Friendship Fairies also will be accompanied by the ‘Queen Fairy,’” Cassi said, “and we’re in the process of creating two additional Fairies – a younger fairy named ‘Star’ and a teen fairy named ‘Sprite.’ All in all, we believe our entire corps of goodwill ambassadors will help park guests have more fun and make even more great memories.”
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REGISTER TODAY
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HOW TO BE A MORGAN'S ADVOCATE Donate monthly to Morgan's Inclusion Initiative Commit to living an inclusive lifestyle Share/promote our mission of inclusion
BENEFITS OF BEING A MORGAN'S ADVOCATE Morgan's Advocate pin Exclusive events and offers Be the first to receive updates Facebook Group
BECOME A MORGAN'S ADVOCATE 13
Beyond Morgan's Wonderland TAKING THE MISSION OF INCLUSION TO NEW HEIGHTS We've been busy meeting friends near and far this month! Joy the Butterfly went to say hello up in Stone Oak, and we even got our CEO Brent to join the Outreach Team for a visit with our neighbors at the Army Residence Community. We took Club Morgan on the road up to Morgan's Wonderland Camp for a splashin' good time in the pool and wandering river!
Meanwhile, inside the Park, we welcomed Packs 537 and 155 for Inclusion Training with Kurt and Sharon. And our Friday programs just keep rockin' and rollin' with lots of fun for all at Coffee and Conversation, and meaningful respite for Caregivers at our Memory Matters Meetup classes in partnership with Wellmed, UT Health, and the Alzheimer's Association.
Keep checking the website for more fun this summer!
We'd love to see you! 14
Kurt leading Inclusion Training.
Spreading joy with Joy The Butterfly!
A splashin' good time at Club Morgan!
Dr. Brent Fields speaking with the community.
Homemade bracelets by Jessica at Coffee & Conversation.
Tattoo Fun at Coffee & Conversation.
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[She] is in so much pain, she cannot wear a shoe... June 2022 A Review of Morgan's Wonderland Camp from Shawn Dickens of Pediatric Pain Warriors.
I cannot begin to put into words how full my heart is after spending the past week at Morgan's Wonderland Camp.
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I wanted to pass along my sincere thanks to the entire staff. While I knew what to expect as far as activities after looking at your web site, I had no idea how much every one of your employees that I encountered would add to the experience. I was totally blown away by the love each and every one of them showed. I witnessed many occasions where our warriors were scared to do things that they had never been able to do before and the staff jumped in and gently pushed them to get the full experience.
We had a 10 year old that then did the course four was recently diagnosed more times in a row with with Complex Regional a huge grin on her face. Pain Syndrome and is in My daughter who is now so much pain that she 22 and is a US Pain cannot wear a shoe, but Volunteer has never been she was able to scale the able to zip line due to rock wall. We had a CRPS in her left foot. She teenager that had never was able to experience been able to ride a bike the thrill for the first time. before, who could not get There were so many the smile off her face as stories like this that if I she did laps around the kept going, I would be bike relay race. Another writing this for a week! family whose older With my sincere gratitude, children are camp Shawn Dickens counselors at a local US Pain Foundation, camp every year have a Board of Directors Chairperson younger child that didn't think he would ever be able to go to camp. Mom said he broke down in tears when she told him he was going to camp and he was all smiles the entire time we were there. A girl who was terrified halfway through the 1st path of the ropes course that was convinced by the counselors to push To learn more about Morgan's Wonderland Camp and to become a partner camp, visit us online. through the fear and
...but she was able to scale the rock wall 17
Meet The MAC Care Model™ The MAC Care Model™ is a collectiveimpact model that brings service providers together, where collaboration will be at the heart of our success. The framework is designed to provide most of the services needed for individuals with special needs, based on 4 anchors: Navigation Community Support Services Medical Home Therapy Home Services will be offered based on the needs of client (MAC Member). Service may consist of community organizations, all coordinated through a customized navigation platform and tracking system called The MAC Navigation System. The uniqueness of The MAC Care Model is that it is designed around addressing Social Determinants of Health.
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Social Determinants of Health The services available at The MAC through its affiliated organizations focus on the CDC’s Social Determinants of Health (SDoH), which are conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play that affect a wide range of health and quality-of liferisks and outcomes. Studies have shown that up to 70% of an individual’s health status depends on SDoH and behavioral factors. The MAC’s approach looks at the individual and family holistically and strives to keep them healthy and equipped with tools for achieving a better quality of life.
Neighborhood & Built Environments Address quality of housing, access to transportation, healthy foods, technology and internet access, and neighborhood safety.
Economic Stability Address poverty, childcare, respite care services, employment, food security, and housing stability.
Education Access & Quality
Address early childhood education and development, completion and access to education, educational enrichment, language, and literacy.
Social & Emotional Health
Address community, civic participation, positive interactions within their family, community and workplace, and legal literacy.
Healthcare Access & Quality
Address access to healthcare, primary care, specialty care, health insurance coverage, health literacy, and establishment of medical home.
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Ultra-Accessible™ means that everyone has the same opportunity to be included and participate intentionally in their community. An Ultra-Accessible™ community should provide environments for people of all abilities where they are set up for mobility, access, and success. Furthermore, Ultra-Accessible™ environments should include adaptations and accommodations which blend in seamlessly to the surroundings and never attract unnecessary attention to their use or existence. To be Ultra-Accessible™ requires intentional design strategies by understanding the needs of individuals with disabilities and the barriers that hinder them from participating in their community to their maximum potential.
DOORWAYS
ADA requires doorways to be 36 inches to accommodate wheelchairs. The MAC will have doorways of 42 inches to ensure all wheelchairs can navigate through with ample room.
SOUND ABSORBING FLOORS All floors at The MAC will be sound absorbing. This will decrease distractions and create a more acoustic atmosphere when in meetings. In addition, the floors will be easier to walk on and be more resilient to everyday wear and tear.
Once these barriers are identified, careful consideration must be given to the programming and design of new facilities to remove those obstacles and barriers for as many people as possible. With the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, a minimum set of standards was established to define accessibility. Not only does UltraAccessibility™ go above and beyond the ADA standards, but it is also committed to furthering Ultra-Accessible™ and Universal Design concepts in all Morgan’s Wonderlandrelated projects. Additionally, Morgan’s Inclusion Initiative encourages the community to consider the Ultra-Accessible™ model at the inception of all future developments.
FAMILY RESTROOMS WITH ADULT CHANGING STATION AND SHOWERS
QUIET ROOMS
SOUND REDUCING WALL PANELS
MOTHER'S NURING LOUNGE
Every floor will have family restrooms with adult changing stations and showers to help with safer transfers, comfortable positioning, and a secure space for caregivers to aid individuals with special needs.
The MAC will be equipped with strategically sound absorbing panels to reduce unwanted sound, reduce stress and increased privacy when meeting with Navigators and MACers.
PINK NOISE
Will be used to help those with special needs not be disturbed or harmed by outside noises. This will help when meeting with Navigators and MACers to ensure privacy and reduce distracting sounds.
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The MAC has designed three Quiet Rooms which individuals can use to stim or retreat when feeling overstimulated. These Quiet Rooms will be located on the first floor, with each room having its own theme; De-escalation, Sensory, and Entertainment.
There will be three lactation rooms to provide a quiet and private space for nursing mothers to either pump or breastfeed during their visit to The MAC.
SERVICE ANIMAL AREA BRAILLE FOR SIGNAGE
All signage at The MAC will include braille for low vision visitors.
The outdoor courtyard at The MAC will include a service animal area which will include a grassy area, waste bags and a place to dispose of waste.
Inclusion Starts Here
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