Introduction to Breakthrough

On today's episode, we talked about all things recreational therapy with Breakthrough's in-house recreational therapist: Deana Rutherford. We talked about Respite & Recreation, how recreational therapy and R&R will be impacted by the new Autism & Community Outreach center, and various activities recreational therapy offers including yoga, book club, crafts club, and more. Deana has been with Breakthrough for a little over 10 years and we are so grateful to have her!

For today's episode we discussed the June 2022 newsletter. We talked about our upcoming fundraiser with Panda Express, which is Wednesday, June 15th. Additionally, we talked about our annual Take Home the Cellar Event, new hires, 1700 Liberty Street, and new Therapeutic Services being offered at Breakthrough. 

In this month's episode, we discuss a list of celebrities who have been diagnosed with autism. There are a wide range of celebrities with autism, from actors to singers, to climate change activists, to entrepreneurs. In this episode, we talk about these celebrities and how they believe their diagnosis has contributed to where they are today.  Sources  Famous People with Autism, Elon Musk, Dan Harmon, Temple Grandin, Daryl Hannah, Satoshi Tajiri, Heather Kuzmich, Clay Marzo, Greta Thunberg

Jim Srite, member of the Autism Breakthrough of Knoxville Board, joins us as we discuss his son Eric and Jim's experience as a parent of a person with autism. 

I (Dylan Slemp) am joined by Kezia Cox and Danny Matthews as we discuss Kezia’s experiences in the workplace, Project SEARCH and why it is important for people with disabilities to have a presence in the workforce.

A short description of how this podcast will operate. Please donate to us during The Big Give on November 30 at https://www.biggiveknox.org/organizations/autism-breakthrough. Early donations begin November 23. You can RSVP to our holiday party by emailing Deana Rutherford at [email protected]. Also, you can sign up to receive our newsletter by emailing Dylan Slemp at [email protected].

Hey Friends! WE did it! YOU did it!  You walked with us, you learned with us, and you helped raise awareness for Breakthrough and more importantly adults on the autism spectrum. Today's walk and talk is a celebration.  The story will be your story. A story of a person you know and love with autism whom you want to celebrate, honor, or remember.  A testament to the small victories, and the simple joys.  A celebration of the person who, despite the odds has done some pretty cool and amazing things. A celebration of burgeoning acceptance, access and neurodiversity. A celebration of a person who loves and is loved. Call in live today to celebrate someone with autism in your life, in 2-3 minutes, you will have an opportunity to share their story, and your story. Imagine the ripple effect of that. This would not be possible without YOU.  So today, on the last day of this 21-day journey, we celebrate the amazing people we love who happen to have autism.  We celebrate you too, with each message you sent, phone call made, research continued, words of encouragement given, pearls of wisdom acquired, walk or run that you did, or other acts of kindness, support and generosity. You've helped us inspire more people to pay attention to the aging population of adults on the spectrum.   Looking forward to learning from you, -Kendrise Colebrooke

Happy Tuesday Friends, You are in for a treat today!  We will be chatting with none other than Mary Donnet Johnson as she shares her stories of raising her son, Pace. We discuss being open to different therapies at any age, working, taking time for self care and development, the books she has written for parents and advocates, how friendship in any form is essential to success, and more! Stay tuned, -Kendrise Colebrooke Listen live at 9am EST Dial: 312-626-6799    Meeting ID: 853-0939-9259 Click here to Listen on Zoom

Good Monday Morning Friends, Have you ever wondered how one affords all the services that Breakthrough and agencies similar to ours provides?  Is it all state funded? Is there private funding?  What about Social Security?  How much will I have to come out of pocket? How did this all get started? Where does TennCare fit in? What about DIDD? And my Insurance? HELP ME MAKE SENSE OF IT ALL! When thinking about long term supports these are likely some of the questions that you will have to find the answers to in order to plan effectively and be able to navigate through these systems, sometimes simultaneously.   Today we will discuss these with Pattie Hall, former administrator of the State of TN Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD) and current Board Chair of Breakthrough! Teach me sensei, -Kendrise Colebrooke Listen live at 9am EST Dial: 312-626-6799    Meeting ID: 853-0939-9259 Click here to Listen on Zoom

Previous recording of Spelling to Communicate Episode.