Delicate Dance

JARC dinner speaker says parent professional
relationship key to helping special-needs children.

RONELLE GRIER

Special to the Jewish News

I

is hard to dance when your shoes
are on the wrong feet. That's one
thing people learned June 13 at
the JARC annual meeting at the
Jewish Community Center in West
Bloomfield.
Keynote speaker Janice Fialka asked
audience members to switch their shoes
to the wrong feet to illustrate the theme
of the evening: "The Dance of
Partnership: Why Do My Feet Hurt? —

the work they do; parents do not choose
to have a child with disabilities.
"The professionals are often welcom-
ing, but the parents, at least initially, are
often angry, defensive and hostile," she
said.
"Each side comes to the dance hearing
different music; the challenge is to hear
each other's music and come up with a
new version. But, when the dance
works, it's magic."

JARC Kudos

At a board meeting before the annual
meeting, Mark Schlussel, chair of
Author
Detroit's Jewish Fund, was honored for
Janice
the Fund's generous contributions to
Fialka
JARC over the past four years. The
speaks at
the JARC Jewish Fund, started with proceeds from
the sale of Sinai Hospital to the Detroit
meeting.
Medical Center, has helped JARC imple-
ment and maintain various projects.
They include respite care, school inclu-
sion, transition homes, PCP (person-cen-
tered planning) and the Keshet program
for families with young children.
"We all have regrets about the end of
Sinai Hospital and Jewish hospitals in
general," Schlussel said, "but what we've
Strengthening the Parent/Professional
been able to do with the resources has
Relationship."
been nothing short of extraordinary. All
After the shoes were switched, she
of the Fund's contributions to JARC
compared this awkward feeling to the
have been made without debate. We rec-
feelings of most parents who have a
ognize the value of what you do to help
child with a disability.
those in need with dignity."
"We feel a sense of discomfort, as if
Jodee Fishman Raines, executive direc-
our feet aren't grounded," she said.
tor
of the Jewish Fund, said, "Two of
Farmington Hills-based JARC pro-
our
highest priorities are seniors and spe-
-
vides aid to those with disabilities.
cial children. We couldn't do our work
Fialka of Huntington Woods is a
without the excellent work of special
nationally known author and workshop
facilitator. She combines 25 years of pro- organizations like JARC."
The annual meeting included an elec-
fessional background with her personal
tion
of officers and directors. H. James
experience as the mother of a 17-year-
Zack
of Franklin is serving the final year
old son, Micah Fialka-Feldman, who has
of
his
three-year term.
developmental disabilities. She and her
Three
staff awards were presented for
husband, Rich Feldman, also have a
outstanding service and performance.
daughter, Emma Fialka-Feldman, 13.
Sherie Walker, a direct support pro-
FiaLka's talk focused on the challenges
fessional in the Shetzer Independent
that arise when professionals and parents
of children with special needs attempt to Living Services program, received the
Marilyn Sisler Memorial Award.
work together.
Brandie Whelan, supervisor of the
"We all have the same concerns, the
Berlin Transition Home in Bloomfield
welfare of the child and the family, but
Hills, was presented with the Anna
we end up stepping on each other's
Slomovitz Memorial Award, and
toes," said Fialka.
Karen Graff, receptionist at the JARC
Despite their common goal, one
office, received the Joseph Tanzman
major difference is that social workers,
Memorial Award. ❑
therapists and other professionals chose

.

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6/28
2002

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