Monthly Archives: October 2011

It’s not just a job—it’s a family

Nancy Harriman had been living in Peapack-Gladstone, N.J., for about 10 years, while working as a part-time nurse at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston. “And then I asked myself, ‘Why am I driving so far when there’s a place … Continue reading

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Coming full circle

When Eileen Murray joined Matheny Medical Center’s Arts Access Staff in 2001, one of her first jobs was to design the invitation for the first Full Circle event. This year, her first as the Director of Arts Access, marks her … Continue reading

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Art with Soul

“People with disabilities,” says Dan Fenelon, “have exactly the same feelings as you and I. Art is a way for them to express those feelings.” Fenelon, a Madison, N.J.-based artist, is the curator for the visual arts exhibit at Full … Continue reading

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Good sports

Being disabled doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t play sports. Matheny students can use a variety of specialized equipment, such as adaptive tricycles and power wheelchairs, to participate in such sports as soccer and track and field. This fall, youngsters who attended … Continue reading

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Going ‘above and beyond’

It’s not a big deal, right—opening a hand? For a boy named Sean it is. Diagnosed with athetoid cerebral palsy at 18 months, he’s “tactile defensive”—super-sensitive to touch. But now, at Matheny, he’s been able to open his hands for … Continue reading

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Returning to a “special” place

Karen Deland started her teaching career at The Matheny School in 1979. She left a year later to teach in the Quakertown, N.J., public school system, then went to law school and then raised a family. But two years ago, … Continue reading

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Therapy Solutions

Two years ago, William Miller of Succasunna had trunk control so weak he was “falling all over the place,” says his physical therapist, Diane Tavares, MS, PT.  Now the five-year-old can play catch, throw at a target and walk the balance … Continue reading

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Easing hospital transitions

Going to the hospital is tough for all of us. It’s extra tough for Matheny students and patients because of their special needs. Now, thanks to funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a dedicated “transitional” nurse will help make … Continue reading

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Artistically able

Want to see paintings and digital art that “challenge the senses and push the boundaries of what you think of as art?” Check out the painting on this page by Arts Access artist Shaleena Tomassini at Matheny.  Madison-based artist Dan Fenelon describes the … Continue reading

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She can work anywhere, but chooses Matheny

Physical therapy is different at Matheny than in a sports medicine clinic or a nursing home. And Erin Leach should know—she’s worked in all three settings. “In a nursing home, you can improve someone’s function pretty significantly, but at Matheny, … Continue reading

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