Improving oral health

Posted on August 7, 2014 by dlevine

From left, Antonella “Antie” Celli, assistant vice president, branch manager, Investors Bank, Pluckemin, NJ, branch; Jennifer Crohn, Matheny development officer; Steve Proctor, Matheny president; and Ada Melendez, Investors Bank vice president, director of community development, and Investors Foundation trustee.

The Investors Foundation, established in 2005 by Short Hills, NJ-based Investors Bank, exists to enrich the lives of New Jersey and New York citizens by supporting initiatives in health and human services as well as in the arts, education, youth development and affordable housing.

The foundation recently donated $5,000 to Matheny, complementing other grants from Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation, Summit Area Public Foundation and Affinity Federal Credit Union Foundation, to help Matheny acquire a new Vatech Pax-I digital panoramic x-ray machine for the Matheny Center of Medicine and Dentistry. Panoramic x-ray equipment is essential for detecting undeveloped, crowded or impacted teeth. Because these conditions and jaw deformities are more prevalent among individuals with significant disabilities, panoramic imaging is especially important in the Center of Medicine and Dentistry’s dental clinic.

Services in the dental clinic include x-rays, cleanings, treatment of cavities, extractions, restorative dentistry, oral surgery, root canals, behavior management, cancer screening and biopsies. The services are provided in partnership with the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine.

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Sneak peek at Second Chance

Posted on August 5, 2014 by dlevine

Second Chance Shop is ready for business.

“We’re ready to rock!”

With those words, Sandy Harrison of Bedminster, NJ, and Josephine Badger of Gladstone, NJ, put the finishing touches on the merchandise displays in the Second Chance Shop, the thrift shop operated at 4 Church St. in Gladstone by The Friends of Matheny, the auxiliary group that raises funds to benefit Matheny’s students and patients.

On Wednesday, August 13, bargain shoppers will get a preview of the merchandise to be featured this fall during “First Chance at Second Chance,” a one-day reopening of the store from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. According to Linda Horton, the Matheny trustee and Peapack, NJ, resident who manages Second Chance, about 19 volunteers—17 women and two men—worked “to completely fill the shop with fresh merchandise, which is now almost all priced and ready to go.” During Second Chance’s regular selling season, which begins on Tuesday, September 2, about 130 volunteers take turns as salespeople in the shop.

Badger, who retired 12 years ago as the Peapack postmaster, has been volunteering at the shop for about 10 years. “I enjoy seeing people coming in and finding all kinds of treasures,” she said. “And, it’s for a good cause.” Harrison has been volunteering at the shop for about five years. “The best time is Halloween,” she said, “but people also come in looking for items for theme parties. For example, someone was having an Oscar-watching party, and she was looking for all kinds of movie styles.” At the end of the season, everything goes on sale, and Harrison remembers some people who came in “and bought all these clothing items for $1 apiece and sent them to people in need in other countries.”

The Friends of Matheny recently presented Matheny President Steve Proctor with a check for $100,000 from the Second Chance shop’s sales last year. That money will be used in the coming year to acquire equipment, technology and other gifts that directly impact Matheny’s students and patients. Among the items funded this past year by proceeds from Second Chance were “Chill Out Chairs,” used to help with alternate positioning for Matheny students and patients; installation of a video screen/projection system for one of the patient dining rooms; and a wide variety of adaptive devices and equipment.

Josephine Badger, left, and Sandy Harrison.

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‘Dream come true’

Posted on July 31, 2014 by dlevine

The ‘Dream Come True’ exhibit.

Pearl Chiang, RN, a nurse on Matheny’s adult red zone, is also an accomplished artist. Her artwork is currently on exhibit at the Bridgewater Township, NJ, Library through August 30. Chiang became a nurse after her son was diagnosed with diabetes 13 years ago. Her art, she says, helps relieve stress and helps her find inspiration in ways she didn’t know were possible.

Chiang, who has enjoyed painting since she was a child, always starts with a pencil sketch, followed by a watercolor pencil. “Then, after the watercolor pencil,” she says, “I try to use some material such as oil paint or a special effect like embroidery or a pearl to make it come to life.” Chiang’s paintings are always colorful and often depict beautiful women. This exhibit, the third at the Bridgewater Library, also includes paintings of animals and birds. And it’s anchored by a large-scale 3D painting she calls “Mermaid.”

The library is located at 1 Vogt Drive in Bridgewater. Hours are Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

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Solutions for schools

Posted on July 29, 2014 by dlevine

Matheny physical therapist works with a student in the Roxbury Township School District.

As public school districts prepare for the coming 2014-15 school year, they are faced with enormous challenges in order to provide the best possible education for their special needs students.  Matheny’s Solutions for Schools program is designed to help districts meet these challenges.

Through the Solutions program, we offer:
• Specialized Evaluations.
• Therapy Services.
• Home-Based Services.
• Adaptive Equipment and Assistive Technology.

Matheny views public school districts as partners. Our breadth of experience and expertise educating and caring for students with developmental disabilities enables us to provide services that will benefit special needs students and families in the community.

For help or information regarding those services they are not able to provide in-house, school districts should call (908) 234-0011, ext. 220, or email cbowen@matheny.org

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Trying out adaptive equipment

Posted on July 24, 2014 by dlevine

Peapack-Gladstone resident Donna Brooten learns about an alternate positioning device from Matheny School director of curriculum Jim Hintenach.

Although virtually all Matheny students and patients are in wheelchairs, they can often benefit from spending time in adaptive tricycles, standers and other alternate positioning devices developed by our physical therapists.

At a recent meeting of Matheny’s Community Advisory Committee, some local residents had an opportunity to try out some of this equipment and learn about its benefits. They also heard about Matheny’s adaptive physical education program which enables Matheny students and patients to play adapted versions of traditional sports such as basketball and soccer.

Judy Silacci, a resident of Peapack-Gladstone, tries out a stander and learns about it from Matheny director of physical therapy Cindy LaBar.

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Versatile volunteer

Posted on July 22, 2014 by dlevine

Amy Bell with Matheny student Tasha Santiago-O’Keefe.

Shortly after her family moved from Atlanta to Peapack, NJ, in August of last year, Amy Bell noticed the Matheny sign at the intersection of Main Street and Highland Avenue.  “I looked Matheny up online,” she recalls, “contacted the Volunteer Services Department and came up for a tour.”

In September, Bell began volunteering “wherever they needed me.” That includes helping out with the Tea Time Café, a snack bar run by Matheny students for employees; assisting with the students’ sandwich shop sales; and providing assistance to the Transportation Department when students are preparing to go on special trips.

“I’ve enjoyed getting to know the staff,” she said, “and seeing what they do on a day-to-day basis. I’m amazed at what the students get to experience.” Bell’s husband works for Verizon, and the move from Atlanta was triggered by a transfer to the company’s Basking Ridge, NJ, office. So far, Bell loves living in Peapack, where she says “everyone is very welcoming.”

Matheny needs volunteers from the community during weekdays, evenings and weekends. Individuals can serve as recreation assistants, classroom aides, tutors or just friendly visitors. To get more information, call (908) 234-0011, ext. 282, or email volunteers@matheny.org.

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Generous support

Posted on July 17, 2014 by dlevine

From left, Larry Thornton, past grand knight; David E. Adams, trustee; Steve Proctor, Matheny president; Robert J. Warren, financial secretary; and Harry Vernon Smith, grand knight. Adams, Warren and Smith are residents of Bridgewater, NJ; Thornton lives in Gladstone.

The Knights of Columbus Council 5959 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Martinsville, NJ, is known for its generosity and support of nonprofit organizations and causes. On July 2, four members of Council 5959 visited Matheny to deliver a check for $1,594.80 to Steve Proctor, Matheny president. Matheny is a very grateful that we are one of the groups receiving the Knights’ support.

In addition to Matheny, the Knights aid such causes as feeding the homeless, providing coats for the needy and sending packages to men and women in uniform.

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Summer extravaganza

Posted on July 15, 2014 by dlevine

Walter Droz, Salvation Army of Morristown commanding officer, visited Matheny recently to pick up the donated items. With Droz, from left, are Rasheedah Mahali, Matheny adult resident, and Deanna Willard and Claire Torsiello, adult instructors.

Matheny’s Adult Services program hosted a Summer Extravaganza to collect items that the Salvation Army of Morristown, NJ, can use in its children’s daycare program. Intended for children from six months to four years old, the items included bubbles, sidewalk chalk, sunglasses, sunblock, flip-flops, beach towels, diapers and beach toys.

Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through a broad array of social services ranging from providing food for the hungry to helping underprivileged children. The Salvation Army of Morristown serves 17 communities in Morris County.

Adults in Matheny’s Adult Services program are encouraged to strive for life goals, continue their education and be better able to manage the challenge of community living.

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End-of-school celebration

Posted on July 10, 2014 by dlevine

Matheny student Sara Hoffman enjoyed a visit from her mother Barbara and sister Kim.

As students at the Matheny School prepared to take a break before the start of the summer program, staff members, family members and friends from the community helped them celebrate the successful ending of another school year.

Activities included several adapted physical education games, a sing-along conducted by music teacher Paul West and face painting provided by volunteers. And there was a special double-birthday celebration for volunteer Larry Thornton and student Raven Bennett.

Students presented volunteer Larry Thornton with a giant birthday card.

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Healthy hoops

Posted on July 8, 2014 by dlevine

Teaching assistant Glenn Wey and student Shane Szott.

In what has become an annual tradition, Matheny closed off its front parking lot on Friday, June 20, and converted it into several adapted basketball courts so Matheny students could compete in games designed to raise money for the American Heart Association as part of the AHA’s Hoops for Heart program. The idea was to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease among women and to encourage women to reduce their risks. The day was a success, as $370 was raised from Matheny staff members, friends and families.

Matheny’s adapted physical education program promotes fitness by modifying traditional sports such as basketball to encourage students to create their own independent movements. In addition to basketball, adapted sports include soccer, bowling, football and many others.

Lori Bertoline, regional director, youth market, American Heart Association, standing second from right, visited Matheny to thank everyone for their support and to receive the funds raised through Hoops for Heart. Also standing, from left, Matheny School curriculum supervisor Jim Hintenach, speech-language pathologist Emily Teed and physical therapy aide Meghan Hoskins. Front row, from left, Matheny students Sara Hoffman, Vraj Desai and Mary Rita Tortorello.

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