Much has happened over the past year!

We're excited about the changes and growth,

and hope 2011 will be an even better year

as we continue to meet the needs in our community.

Please check out our new site:

www.one4alldisabilities.org

April 2009 marked our second year hosting Rylee's Rally. Significant growth after the first year necessitated a site change for 2009. With a bit of apprehension, we relocated to a larger venue. Our first concern was the additional financial needs, but we also found ourselves wondering, "Can we get enough vendors and families to show up?"
Once again our community astonished and humbled us with their overwhelming support.
The Veteran's Memorial Field House became the perfect venue-accessible parking, double the space for vendors, and plenty of open areas for eating, fun, activities, and our special guests.
Rylee's Rally once again exceeded all expectations as we welcomed seventy-three vendors and over eight hundred people from the tri-state area.
Families received information on area vendors, state agencies, financial resources, medical and
mobility equipment, therapies, recreational activities, and other areas of interest. Vendors were able to answer questions and personally meet the children they serve. Yearly, we are impressed by our participating vendors and their commitment to providing family centered, individualized care.

Rylee's Rally 2010 is just around the corner. As we plan this year, our hope is to include even more tri-state vendors; offering more resources to families caring for a special needs/chronic care loved one.

Imagine the poss'abilities' for families if they could just focus on what's important-loving their child!

2009 marked our second year hosting Rylee's Rally

in the tri-state (OH, KY, WV) area.
Each year we are amazed by the outstanding support

of our participating vendors and community sponsors.

Our success is only possible because of the continued encouragement

and involvement of those involved.
To all those who helped this year-
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for allowing these children

to touch your heart, as they and their families teach us all

that they are not defined by a diagnosis.

Rylee's Rally Committee

Photos in above slideshow provided by Kathy Morgan Photography

2009 Vendors

Shriners Hospitals for Children, Lexington * Ronald McDonald House * Holzer Clinic * Special Lamb Program, Cabell County * Kanawha County Special Division, Soap Box Derby * Family Medical Supply * Adaptive Star * Mountaincraft Cabinet Corporation, Crib Beds * Super Duper * Make A Wish Foundation of Southern WV * WV Schools for the Deaf & Blind * United Brokerage Services, Inc. * Preston Books * Nationwide Children's Hospital * Maxim Healthcare Services * Parent Partners in Education * Alexis Davis Crew * WVDHHR Bureau for Behavioral Health & Health Facilities * WV Developmental Disabilities Council * March of Dimes * Mainstream Services, Inc. * Down Syndrome Network of WV, Inc. * Marshall University Speech Department * MU Early Education Center * Developmental Therapy Center * Right from the Start/Family Option Providers * River Valley Child Development Services * Lawrence County Board of MRDD * First Steps, KY Early Intervention * United Way of the River Cities * Payless Shoe Source * Hanger Prosthetics & Orthopedics, Inc. * Children with Special Health Care Needs * Autism Training Center * Huntington City Mission, Project HOPE * Automated Health Systems, Inc. * Carelink * Progressive Elevators, Inc. * ReUzIt Medical * FAST, Legal Aid of WV * Childhood Cancer Network * Petland * Discovery Toys * Music Therapy Services, LLC * Family Connection * Highlawn Baptist Church * Tangible Alternatives * Goodwill Family Services * ResCare, Huntington * Mountain State Center for Indepedent Living * Northwestern Mutual Financial Network * PAIS, Inc. * Southwestern Mature Worker Program * Mt. State Parent, Child, Adolescent Network * WV Division of Rehabilitation Services * Flaghouse, Inc. * Starlight Behavioral Health Services * Cabell County 911 * Abilitations * Milestones Physical Therapy * Headline Books * Lighthouse Advertising * Huntington YMCA * Hospice of Huntington * Cabell Huntington Hospital * Life Scan One Touch, Johnson & Johnson * Now I Lay Me Photography * Healthy Life Market * ADHD School Solutions Center * CARES Program * University Pediatrics * Access & Mobility Products

Our venue rental fee was provided in full by

Family Medical Supply of Wheeling, WV

Special thanks to those who helped us make the day fun for the entire family:

Pet Palace

Marshall University Thundering Herd & Marco

Mrs. West Virginia, Gretchen Pingley

'Captain' Greg Goode, Sr.

Joni Pappas, Music Therapy Services

River Valley Child Development Services

Holzer and Benny the Bear

Headline Books

Petland

Linda Hamilton, Sensors City-LEGO Grant

Tangible Alternatives and Flaghouse-Snoezelen Room

Disney Store, Huntington Mall

Aaron's Products and Kathy Morgan-Souvenir photos

Cooper Family

HealthNet

With great appreciation, we thank

Carrie Cline and WSAZ

Gina Long and WOWK

Laura Wilcox and The Herald-Dispatch

Joe Lemley and Aaron's Products

for taking care of all our media this year.

Thanks for letting everyone know what we were up to!

Once again, we were able to feed all

our families, vendors, and volunteers for free.

This would not be possible without

Forth's Foods

Black Diamond

Pepsi

Heiner's Bakery

S.S. Logan's

RyleeBugGroupies

Slash Family

Thanks for all the great food!

Thanks to Don Ewanus and Mr. Mack

at the Veteran's Memorial Field House.

Appreciate you answering all our questions (sometimes twice)

and for your constant encouragement!

Door prizes provided by many of this year's vendors and the following:

The Countdown Begins!

We are less than two weeks away from

our second annual Rylee's Rally!

Everyone's working to ensure another great year

for our families, vendors, and volunteers.

Parent, family member, friend, or medical professional-

come join us!
Information, services, financial resources,

activities, fun, and food-

we have something for everyone.

Come for ten minutes, or spend the entire day with us.

2009 Rylee's Rally Participating Vendors/Agencies:

(updated April 13th)
Abilitations
Access & Mobility Products
Adaptive Star
ADHD School Solution Center
CARES Program
Autism Training Center
Autism Services Center
Automated Health Systems, Inc.
Cabell Huntington Hospital
Carelink
Children with Special Health Care Needs
Columbus Children's Hospital, Nationwide Children's Hospital

Developmental Therapy Center
Discovery Toys
Down Syndrome Network of WV, Inc.

Family Connection

Family Medical Supply
FAST, Legal Aid of WV

First Steps, KY Early Intervention

Flaghouse, Inc.
Goodwill Family Services
Huntington City Mission, Project Hope
Lawrence Co. Board of MRDD
LifeScan One Touch, Johnson & Johnson Company
Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics, Inc.
Headline Books
Healthy Life Market
Highlawn Baptist Church
Holzer Clinic

Hospice of Huntington
Kanawha County Special Div., Soap Box Derby
Make A Wish Foundation of Southern West Virginia
Mainstream Services, Inc.
March of Dimes
Marshall University Early Education Center
Maxim Healthcare Services
Milestones Physical Therapy
Mountaincraft Cabinet Corporation
Mountain State Parent, Child, and Adolescent Network
Mountain State Centers for Independent Living
Music Therapy Services, LLC
Northwestern Mutual Financial Network
Now I Lay Me Photography
PAIS, Inc.

Parent Partners in Education
Payless Shoe Source
Preston Books
Progressive Elevators, Inc.
ResCare, Huntington Agency
ReUzIt Medical
Right from the Start
Family Options Providers
River Valley Child Development Services
Ronald McDonald House
Shriners Hospitals for Children, Lexington
Southwestern Mature Worker Program
Special Lamb Program, Cabell County
Starlight Behavioral Health Services
Tangible Alternatives
United Brokerage Services, Inc.
United Way of the River Cities
WVDHHR Bureau for Behavioral Health & Health Facilities
WV Developmental Disabilities Council
WV Division of Rehabilitation Services
WV Schools for the Deaf & Blind

Rylee’s Rally now offers an online site to help each family

find the services and programs they need.

By accessing the site, families can be redirected to

vendor/agency websites with one click of the mouse!
www.kreammofthecrop.blogspot.com
We hope this will offer families year round support.

Click on the ice cream cone in the column to the left.

Our date is fast approaching!

Rylee's Rally is just three weeks away!
The Rylee's Rally Committee is excited to offer a bigger venue, more vendors from our tri-state area (OH, KY, WV), and activities all day for the entire family. We also have a few 'tricks up our sleeves' for those in attendance.

April begins our media 'blitz!' Tune into your favorite Clear Channel stations and The DAWG, watch for articles in the Herald-Dispatch, Tri-State Family Magazine, and other local print media. Don't forget to watch your evening news too-WSAZ and WOWK. Carrie Cline and Gina Long do a great job keeping everyone up to date. Aaron's Products once again partnered with Rylee's Rally-so we are blanketing the tri-state with brochures, save the date cards, and posters.

Families, vendors, and providers are welcome to request brochures or posters.
Area vendor who would like to attend? Our space is filling up fast-get your registration form and fee in (see link on the right for a downloadable pdf file) now!
Business who would like to donate a door prize for our families, give us a call. We'll give you an idea that fits your company and your budget! No gift is too small.

You can reach us at (304) 691-1393, Rylee's Rally.

Below you will see a list of our current 2009 Rylee's Rally Vendors.
We are adding more daily, so check back often for an updated list.


Abilitations, Adaptive Equipment/Technology, Access & Mobility, Autism Services Center, Care Link, Cabell County 911, Children with Special Healthcare Needs (CSHCN), Columbus Children’s Hospital, Crib Beds, Family Advocate FAST, Legal Aid of WV, Family Connections, Family Medical Supply, Flaghouse Snoezelen Room, First Steps/KY Early Intervention, Goodwill, Hanger Prosthetics, Healthy Life Market, Help Me Grow, OH Birth to Three, Holzer Clinic, Hospice of Huntington, Huntington City Mission, Make-A-Wish, Mainstream Services, March of Dimes, Drema McNeal (author), Milestones Physical Therapy, Mountain State Centers for Independent Living, Mountain State Parents Children and Adolescent Networks (MSPCAN), Music Therapy Services LLP, MU Early Education Center, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, Now I Lay Me Photograpy, PAIS, Inc., Parent Partners in Education, Payless Shoe Store, Physicians Choice-Kids Link, Preston Books, Progressive Elevators, Inc., ReUzit Medical, Shriners Hospital for Children, Starlight Behavioral Health Services, Tangible Alternatives, United Brokerage Services, Inc., United Way of the River Cities, Valley Health, WV Developmental Disability Council, WV DHHR-DD Division, WV Division of Rehabilitation Service, Challenger League Baseball, Down Syndrome Network

February

Rylee's Rally has hit the ground running! We've already invited a little over one hundred vendors/agencies in the tri-state area. The office girls have kept the phone and fax lines busy.
Our second year hosting Rylee's Rally is a huge shift from last year. While we had great turn out and support in 2008, it was an uphill climb-explaining the event purpose, calls-calls-calls-and follow up calls, personal meetings with area offices, mass faxes and emails, planning on a very small budget, etc. We didn't have a true head count until about a week before the event.
This year we are encouraged, and frankly pleasantly overwhelmed, by the early response of our vendors and agencies. The masses are clamoring to be involved. We cannot say enough what a blessing it is to have such positive feedback and continued support within our Huntington and tri-state community.
Families in the area should know there are many programs, services, and agencies in the area-ready, waiting, and willing to help them give the best possible care to their child.
We have 20,000 sq. feet of space this year at the Veteran's Memorial Field House. In addition to the indoor space, we will also have the field located next to Field House. As mentioned earlier, one of our 2008 vendors-Family Medical Supply in Wheeling-donated the entire rental fee. Vendors are being asked to once again pay a small fee ($30) which covers set up/tear down of their table and skirting. Stipends are available this year for small non-profits who would like to attend, but may not have the funds available. Aaron's Products, WSAZ, WOWK, and the Herald-Dispatch will again be taking care of all our advertising with 'in-kind' donations. These special people donate their time and abilities, and enable us to reach many families in the tri-state area. Each year Shriner's Hospital provides bags for families to cram full of information and some national vendors will provide catalogs showcasing special needs equipment, therapy tools, and sensory toys. Antioch Missionary Baptist's Special Needs Nursery in Ona, WV hosts a 'Quiet Room' giving the kids-or their parents!-down time. They offer space for diaper or clothing changes, timeout from the hustle and bustle, a nap, or quiet activity. Tangible Alternatives will partner this year with national vendor, FlagHouse, offering a 'Snoezelen Room.' The room will provide a controlled multi sensory space for children to explore and enjoy.
We are pleased to say that we will once again feed all our families, thanks to generous donations from our Proctorville support team. Many area companies are already donating door prizes for families and parents-'Date Night Packages' including dinner and one night hotel accommodations at Pullman Plaza, 'Movie Night' for the entire family, massage certificates for caregivers, spa packages for mom, therapy/sensory items, and many more. We also plan to have special appearances throughout the day-local athletic teams, mascots/characters, and others. Activities will be sponsored by area companies-crafts and games to name a few.

Everything is offered free to our attending families!

There is no way possible we could put on an event like this, without the full support and involvement of everyone in our community. While our space is filling quickly, remember-there is still time for you to be involved. Vendors are welcome to call to request additional information or a registration form. For every one's convenience, you can download a registration form and/or brochures from this page. Click on the links to the right. We still need additional activities for the families. Would your company like to sponsor an inflatable rental, or magic show? Your family or business like to donate a door prize-WalMart or gas gift card, package for parents or the entire family? Have a team at work interested in donating their time and talents-and smile-as a volunteer the day of Rylee's Rally?

Give us a call any time and let us know how you'd like to be involved! (304)691-1393

Sam, Mason, Marci, and Madi Osburn

Meet one of our families

Marci Osburn is a wife and mother, and a practitioner in West Virginia's Birth to Three, early intervention program. Last year she donated her time and talents to Rylee's Rally-helping us set up and taking care of last minute needs...all with a smile and energy that put us all to shame! The Osburn family are a wonderful example of so many of the families in our area. Though work and family keep them busy, they always have time to turn around and help other families in need. We asked Marci to share her unique perspective since she is a practitioner, special needs parent, and volunteers each year at Rylee's Rally.
"I feel like Rylee's Rally is a fantastic resource for families who are just beginning their journey and for those who've been doing this awhile. Fresh ideas and contact information are available to help each family with their individual needs. As a volunteer last year, I really enjoyed meeting vendors and connecting with families, all while learning community resource information for my own family. As a Birth to Three practitioner my families rely not just on my educational and work experience, but my personal knowledge of services and providers. I'm excited about Rylee's Rally 2009 as it will once again offer much needed resources and information for my family and those I serve."

Imagine the Poss'abilities' if we link each family to the wonderful providers and vendors in their area, enabling them to give their child the care they need and deserve.

Rylee's Rally 2009...not defined by a diagnosis.

The next Rylee's Rally Committee Meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 2nd at 11am John Marshall side of Cabell Huntington Hospital, 3rd Floor, University Pediatrics

January

Well, January is here and we begin our flurry of mailings, meetings, and phone calls! We all spent the holidays relaxing and spending time with our friends and family. The rest made us anxious to begin final preparations for Rylee's Rally 2009.

As mentioned in a previous post, we have a new venue this year-Huntington's Veteran's Memorial Field House. The space will offer plenty of parking for vendors and families, and around 20,000 square feet of space. The Field House is also graciously allowing us use of their large kitchen, so that we can once again feed everyone for free. The Rylee's Rally Committee is also very excited to say that the facility rental has been paid for, in full, by one of last year's vendors. We were once again amazed and thankful for the continued support of our community. There is absolutely no way we could do an event like this-without the full support and encouragement from our community and state agencies/vendors, friends, and family.

Last year we offered families information and services from fifty-seven vendors. In just four hours, we greeted around five hundred people. Our goal for 2009? To double all our numbers.
We want at least 100 vendors/agencies in attendance, and we want to meet the special needs families in the area! We met many people from Ohio and Kentucky who need services for their family, so an additional goal is to branch out into the full tri-state area.

On Monday, we will have our first committee planning meeting for the year. After the meeting we should have a finalized mailing/contact list for Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia. Then, we begin calling vendors and agencies, mailing brochures and fliers, and asking for financial support and 'in-kind' donations.

Until April, we hope that you all will begin to use the link to the right, "Tri-State Area, WV/OH/KY." The link will connect you to all our attending vendors from last year. This user friendly format is kept up to date by one of the organizing mothers. For any needs you may have for your own child, or if as a vendor/agency you are trying to locate a particular service for a client - you will find this to be a wonderful resource.

Please mark your calendars now-

Saturday, April 18th, 2009

10am-2pm

Veteran's Memorial Field House

Huntington, WV

If you would like to be a vendor, volunteer,

can help us with your donation of time or financial support,...

or just want more information-

please feel free to contact us:

ryleesrally@yahoo.com

(304) 691-1393

spe·cial–adjective

1.of a distinct or particular kind or character

2.being a particular one; particular, individual, or certain

3.pertaining or peculiar to a particular person, thing, instance, etc.;

distinctive; unique: the special features of a plan.

4.having a specific or particular function, purpose, etc.

5.distinguished or different from what is ordinary or usual

6.extraordinary; exceptional, as in amount or degree

7.being such in an exceptional degree; particularly value

The families represented at Rylee's Rally each year are special-not because of their child's diagnosis...but because of their strength, grace, and the extraordinary love they show everyday.
We hope you will once again 'Rally with Us' as we prove our children, our families,...are not defined by a diagnosis.

The Rylee's Rally Committee, 2009

Rylee's Rally site is up and running!

The Rylee's Rally Committee is excited to offer this online source of information.
When your child is given a special needs/chronic care diagnosis it can be confusing and overwhelming to say the least. As a parent it can be a daunting task-accessing state programs, finding financial resources-ensuring your child gets the best care possible.
As parents of special needs children, we know firsthand that your children are so much more than a diagnosis...each child is a precious, individual that deserves every opportunity to grow and learn. Our hope is that this website will allow you to get one step closer to achieving that goal.
Please access the links to the right to get information specific to your state.
And let us know if you-as a vendor, medical professional, or family-would like to add a link.

Save the date now!

Rylee's Rally 2009
Saturday, April 18th
10am to 2pm

* Free Admission *

Veteran's Memorial Field House
2590 5th Avenue
Huntington, WV

March 2008

Well, our first annual Rylee’s Rally went off without a hitch. Okay, so there was the incident with the elevator breaking down...but the weather was perfect, parking worked out well, and we had a great turn out!
We had fifty-seven vendors and agencies who participated, in addition to nearly 500 people in attendance seeking information and resources.
Over and over we heard from the families, “I wish we’d had this years ago...Everyone is so helpful...I had no idea I could access this much for my child.” Many parents stopped us throughout the day, tears in their eyes, thankful for a day devoted to getting their child the services they deserve and need.
Vendors called weeks after, letting us know how they were still helping families and also networking with other agencies and vendors in the community-providing the best care possible for our families.
We hope you will take a few minutes to look over the newsletter, hear how the day impacted lives, and our plans for next year’s Rylee’s Rally. What an awesome privilege and opportunity to help families in our community. The day reminds us all that we each can make a difference.
These precious children are not defined by a diagnosis...but rather by who they are to those who love them.

Thank you to all our vendors who made this day possible.
2008 Vendors

ADHD Center--Astra Zeneca--Autism Services Center--Autism Training Center--Automated Health Services--Birth to Three, River Valley Child Development Center--Cabell County 911--Cabell Huntington Hospital, Pediatrics/PICU, Home Health, Pediatric Oncology--Camp Barnabas--CARES--Children with Special Health Care Needs--Dreamer Design--Enfamil/Mead Johnson--Family Connections--Family Medical Supply--Hanger Prosthetics and Orthopedics--Healthy Life Market--Help Me Grow, Ohio Birth to Three--Holizer Clinics, Ohio--Home Health Care Supplies--Hospice of Huntington--Huntington City Mission--JCESOM Class of 2008, Woodmen of the World, WV--Kansas City Life--KidsLink/Physician's Choice--Make A Wish--Mainstream Services--March of Dimes--Maxim Healthcare Services--Milestones Physical Therapy--Missing Pieces Photography--Mountain State Centers for Independent Living--Mountain State Parents and Children/Adolescent Network--Music Therapy Services, LLP--Novo Nordisk--PAIRS--Parent Partners in Education--Progressive Elevators, Inc.--ResCare, Inc. Huntington Agency--Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic--Region 2 Family Network--River Cities Therapeutic Riding Center--Shriner's Hospital for Children--SkyHigh--Starlight Behavioral Health--Squeeze-n-Brush--Tangible Alternatives--Toys R Us--United Health Professionals--United Way of the River Cities--University Pediatrics--Valley Health Systems--Wee Care, Birth to Three--WV Aging & Disability Resource Center--WVDHHR, DD Division--WV Division of Rehabilitation Services--WIC Programs, Cabell County