Category Archives: Awesome Advocate
Spread the Word to End the Word with the Scouts
Heiman Elementary in Evans, Colorado
On May 1st at Heiman Elementary in Evans, Colorado Nick joined a Scout Troop to share his Spread the Word to End the Word presentation!
Spread the Word to End the Word is a national campaign to encourage people to pledge to stop using the word “retard.” Nick believes in inclusivity and respect for people of all abilities and this presentation is one he loves to give, especially to young people, to show them the impact their words can have.
Nick even participated in the Scout’s pledge, salute and all (with just a little assistance from Job Coach Liz Laney.)
The Scouts were a respectful and fun group, and Nick loved showing them a new way to communicate. The Scouts enjoyed learning to use Nick’s Speech device, and they loved checking out his first book, Helping in Action.
Nick would like to personally thank Rochelle Chapparo for inviting us to the Scout’s meeting, and helping make the event so memorable and fun! Nick would also like to thank the other parents and all of the Scouts and their siblings who attended for their enthusiasm and engagement in Nick’s presentation.
Nick saw some old friends and made some new ones, and is happy to report that the Scouts signed the pledge to end the use of the r-word!
For more information on the Spread the Word to End the Word Campaign, check out their website.
To schedule Nick for a visit to your classroom or event, please contact us via email or on his Facebook.
One of the Awesome-est Advocates: Samantha Strong
Last March, we had the opportunity to connect with an amazingly kind and dedicated representative from Prentke Romich, Nick’s speech device .
Samantha Strong met some of the AiA team in Fort Collins (all the way from Lafayette) at Starry Night coffee shop.
Not only did she buy us drinks, but she spent her afternoon sharing funny stories and learning all about Awesome in Action, Co. Nick says Samantha has a great laugh, and works well with his speech device. We love her patient and flexible demeanor, and her philanthropic nature.
With and impending large presentation at a school in Merino, Co, we reached out to Samantha once again for help in early April. Samantha enthusiastically stepped in to run our speech device station during 2 separate workshops at this all day event. She brought 4 speech devices to give the students a chance to try speaking with Augmentative Communication, and guided them in the use of the equipment. During our break, she even printed out new guides for the students, as the materials we had did not match with her newer technology. In addition to this, she invited Speech Language Pathologists from the neighboring school district to learn about the technology as she taught the students….talk about efficiency! Nick says “Samantha is warm-hearted because she helps students.”
Clearly, Samantha has gone above and beyond her role as a representative for her company. She offered assistance to us in our time of need, but also spends much of her free time helping out her community. Samantha has organized a story time at her local library in which the children hear stories read on an assistive speech device. Samantha is a great asset to the Awesome in Action community, as well as any other that is lucky enough to have her!
Awesome in Action, Co 