Rootstown native Adam Moss was one of the featured speakers at this years’ Developmental Disabilities & Awareness Day, the kickoff event of DD awareness month in Ohio. The theme of this year’s event was, “What are you waiting for?” which was held on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 at the Ohio Statehouse and Riffe Center in Columbus.

 

Adam, the son of Ken and Lynn Moss, is a 2012 Rootstown High School graduate who is currently a second-year student enrolled in the Transitions Options Postsecondary Settings (TOPS) Program at the Ohio State University (OSU). As part of the TOPS program, Adam is a student employee at the Woody Hayes Athletic Complex and audits classes at OSU. In his free time, he enjoys attending OSU sporting events and making new friends. He is supported in his participation in the TOPS grogram through enrollment on a Home and Community-Based Services waiver administered and partially funded by the Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities (PCBDD).

 

Attendees listening to Adam’s speech heard that he did not wait to pursue his goal. Adam’s presentation identified the many people and programs that have helped him to reach his dream of attending The Ohio State University. In addition to his own hard work, he spoke about the extraordinary efforts of his parents, the Early Intervention Program at Happy Day School, Rootstown Schools and the PCBDD whose supports enabled him to reach his goal of being an Ohio State Buckeye.

 

 

 

 

 

Snow was not in shortage this year for our athletes to participate in Nordic and Downhill Skiing events at Brandywine Ski Resort on 2/5/14 and 2/6/14.  Time trials were held on the 5th, with all of the events occurring on the 6th. The athletes enjoyed a dinner and dance on Wednesday evening and breakfast on Thursday prior to the competitions.

 

 

 

• Kathy (#62) - Nordic skiing 500m race: 4th place and 1K: 3rd place
• Donald (#56) - Nordic skiing 500m race: 4th place and 1K: 2nd place
• Joe (#105) - Downhill Skiing: 1st place

 

 

 

 

Team Portage DD raised about $1,400.00 for Special Olympics Ohio by taking the plunge on 2/22/14. Congratulations to Gail, Joe, Pam, Erika and Donald!

 

 

 

 

A journey to self-awareness started with a four-hour road trip marked with laughs, road construction, singing oldies and passing our destination. Finally we arrived at Ohio Self-determination Association or OSDA’s Project STIR training. About 30 people of varying ability from all over Ohio and their support person came together to receive intensive training to become advocates.