One of the strong points of working with Alternatives in Motion this school year and in the past is that they work so well with local communities. If there is a need in your community - someone needs mobility assistance, they work closely with the school to fundraise and promote events. This is a wonderful way to raise money because the schools know where the money is going and they can see it firsthand. For us here on staff at MASC/MAHS, we've always worked with the Charity of the Year in a very different way. We facilitate the process between them and the member schools. This year, something happened that allowed us a unique interaction with our Charity of the Year, Alternatives in Motion. Below is a letter I wrote to the staff of Alternatives in Motion (AIM) today...

Dear Johnny, George, Liz & Matt,

The Michigan Associations of Student Councils and Honor Societies have been working with Alternatives in Motion for over 5 years. We've had AIM be our Charity of the Year for 2 different school years and will continue to work closely as you strive to fulfill the needs of people requiring mobility assistance. While I've enjoyed getting to know the staff and your mission, I never thought I would need to call on your for a personal favor! On March 13, 2008, I had some extensive knee surgery to correct a misaligned knee cap and some other issues surrounding that. After surgery, my leg was wrapped up and put into a brace that wouldn't be removed for at least a week, and then after that, only if I was at home sitting on my couch. I was allowed to use crutches but wasn't allowed to bear any weight on my left leg for the first week. I got along alright with the crutches - I seem to have run-ins with them every 4-5 years because I won't quit playing soccer! The problem arose when I realized there would be a few things I wouldn't be able to do with crutches, and when the doctor found out that just three weeks after surgery, I would be overseeing a conference and on my feet for three to four days, for 12-15 hours each day. So I was frustrated with the lack of mobility the crutches allowed and he wanted to make sure I had a way to move around while at the conference. And, while I was released to return to work this week, March 24th, I have to keep my foot elevated. Well, I'm not exactly fond of being house-bound so I had to find a compromise to all this! I called up your office and spoke with Liz about my needs. She called me back within an hour and she had not just one but TWO chairs to get me through the next few weeks. AIM had on hand a manual chair with elevation support for my left leg and a small scooter for the conference that I can use once I regain most of my range of motion and can bend my leg again.

Matt and Liz brought the chairs out to me last week while I was escaping from home and visiting work. They showed me how to work the chairs and get around and I must say I've adapted quite well to maneuvering the manual chair... no "wheelies" yet, but watch out! Having the chair allowed me to go to the movies with my husband, Richard, this past weekend, a thank-you for him being such an amazing caretaker after my surgery, and it even gave me enough mobility to go to the gym! I did some laps in the chair (as Richard tells it, each lap got progressively slower) and was even able to do some upper body work using free weights as I sat in the chair and kept my leg elevated. I'm not one to stay house-bound too long and the chairs Alternatives in Motion provided for my temporary needs helped get me out doing what I normally do while still following doctors' orders to "sit and elevate"!

Thank you for your generosity with these chairs! What you are doing for people that have mobility restrictions is life-altering. From being confined to a place to having the freedom to live, be and do - it's an incredible experience. Even if my restriction is only temporary, it certainly gave me a chance to see the world through someone else's eyes. Thank you for your help, it is much appreciated! I know that when MASC/MAHS works with Alternatives in Motion, good things are happening for people all over Michigan - we are helping them LIVE IN MOTION!

Kadi Pojeta
MASSP Coordinator of Student Leadership Services (MASC/MAHS)