Are you currently caring for a family member or spouse? Drop by the cafe to share your insights with Jackie, Jeff, and friends.

   Several weeks ago, some Cafe friends attended a forum and expo for parents of special needs children and adults.  Listening to the parent presenters, we realized we were in the company of a unique breed of caregivers - those who had woven their personal beliefs and faith, dreams and visions of a better life for their loved ones into an amazing tapestry of possibilities, made ever stronger by their individual and collective perseverance in the face of any and all obstacles in their path.

Each one awed us with their dedication; none more so than Harvey Greenberg, father of a special needs child, longtime Special Olympics coach, certified fitness trainer and founder of HOPEFitness, a one-of-a-kind fitness gym for individuals with disabilities.

In 2006, while skeptics were busy explaining why such a gym could never be created, Harvey applied his winning forumla of hope and perseverance to use each obstacle as a stepping stone toward opening HOPEFitness, a place for social, physical, and mental comraderie that now serves hundreds of clients, individually and in groups from their residential settings.

As Executive Vice President Loraine McMillan shared videoclips of happy  HOPEFitness friends and sessions, she quietly added: "It saddens us that government agencies won't pay for exercise as an essential part of people's health needs.  Clearly, we hope that others will take up the cause for making this kind of health and fitness program reimbursable so that many, many more individuals around the country can enhance their wellness through fitness and friendship."

We couldn't agree more!  For additional insights on this unique service, please visit Harvey and Loraine at HOPEFitness  or call 877-396-HOPE (4673).

We caregivers know that EVERYONE NEEDS MORE THAN A LITTLE HOPE TO MAKE A BETTER TOMORROW FOR OUR LOVED ONES...Caringly, Jackie, Jeff & Friends