Posted Tuesday March 01 2016 at 10:14 pm
in News
By Sandy Alissa Novack. Published in Spaulding Rehabilitation Network's "Disability Issues".
Anna Connors was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2006. It affects her walking and balance, which can make dancing tricky, she says. For the past six years, she has been learning belly dancing and performing with the Silver Moon Gypsies at local senior centers and other venues.
Sandy Alissa Novack (SN): Do you notice any change in your mobility function and in the quality of life that is attributed to dance?
Anna Connors (AC): Absolutely! The fun quotient! Just the pure joy of dance is incredible. Generally, belly dancing's slower fluid motion is much more suitable for my condition.
SN: What is your philosophy about exercise and movement?
AC: Gypsy and I say the same thing, Use it or lose it, and keep moving! As far as dancing, or anything else I do since being diagnosed with MS, my philosophy is to be flexible - not only body-wise but also on how I approach doing something. I may not be able to do something the way I used to, so try to adapt. There is always another way to take on a task, so I am creative. Gypsy always allows me to adapt moves in our dances. One of the dancers in our performing troupe is 82 years old. She can't do fast spins and quick steps either, so we kind of pair up together and adapt those steps to work for us. It really comes together and adds some visual interest. We can ALL adapt.
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Posted Friday February 19 2016 at 6:05 pm
in News
Posted by Charlie Washburn
Nicole Agois Hurel was honored recently at the Seven Hills Foundation Winter Wonder Fest as VSA Massachusetts' Employee of the Year. There were many reasons to choose Nicole which includes:
To recognize her accomplishment as a musician and teaching artist, and her contribution to understanding that by teaching through the arts we can create opportunities for people of all abilities to learn together.
To celebrate her contributions to the International VSA Affiliate Network, and acknowledge her 11 years of service, and to appreciate her commitment to VSA Massachusetts and to making our recent affiliation with Seven Hills Foundation successful for both organizations and the people we serve.
Congratulations on a richly deserved honor and thank you for the great work Nicole.
VP and COO Charlie Washburn
Posted Wednesday February 17 2016 at 10:52 am
in News
Example of Catherine's jewelry.
Catherine Thatcher passed away in her home February 10, 2016 from complications of Idiopathic Pulmonary Lung Disease which she lived with for over 15 years.
Cathy was an active jeweler designing and producing her own artistic creations. She participated as a former member of Gateway Arts in Brookline, Artists Beyond Challenges, Artists with Disabilities Task force through Mass Rehab and VSA Massachusetts where her jewelry was sold in the Open Door Gallery. Cathy was a compelling speaker about her own experience with mental illness as a presenter for NAMI Massachusetts (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) educational program "In Our Own Voice". She was passionate about educating people about mental illness. Cathy will be remembered for her optimistic, generous personality, quick to laugh even at herself and an inspiration to all those around her of how to live with multiple challenges. In lieu of flowers please donate to NAMI Mass: www.namimass.org
Funeral from the Bell-O'Dea Funeral Home, 376 Washington St., Brookline. Funeral Mass at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 5 Linden Pl., Brookline 10:00 AM Saturday Feb. 20, 2016.
A celebration of Cathy's life and reception will take place at 1550 Beacon Street at about 11:30 to 3 following the funeral mass. Please feel free to wear any of Cathy's jewelry that you may have, bring stories and anything else you would like to share, including music.
We will miss Catherine dearly.
