Journey of Hope

First, I thank Jim Noce, Rob Noce, Jens Miller & Kerri Fredrickson, Jeff & Karyn Meyer, and Jessica Oster for their contributions to my Push America fundraising total. I’m now less than $800 away. My fundraising profile link is once again at the bottom of this note. If everyone receiving this contributed $5, I’d reach my goal! As always, I appreciate everyone’s support as this summer nears.

I’m 57 days away from graduation from Mo State, 68 days away from leaving Springfield forever, 74 days away from reporting to Charlotte for crew training, 89 days away from kick-off in San Francisco, and 147 days away from arrival in Washington DC. It’s amazing how many things I have to look forward to in the next few months!

I’ve started a blog for this summer. I expect to journal in it every couple of days whenever I have internet access along the road.

My generation Y colleagues can find the blog via my facebook. Otherwise, the blog is available at: http://joherich.blogspot.com/. Thanks again for your support!

almost there

As always, I first thank David Corey, Tom & Kathy Rosskopf, and Joshua Peppers for their contributions to my Push America fund. I’m now less than $1,000 away from my fundraising goal. I’ve still got another month and half of time to fundraise, but I’m almost there. I appreciate everyone’s support and my fundraising profile link is available at the bottom of this note.

Today, we had another snow day at Mo State - the fourth of the year. It’s almost getting kinda boring staying inside all day on these snow days – fortunately, I didn’t lose power this time! Comprehensive exams are in two weeks and my research project is due in less than 30 days. I’ll finish my graduate program at Missouri State in 72 days. Than, I’m off to Charlotte for Journey of Hope crew training on June 1.

Everyone wants to know what’s next for Erich. My long-term goal has always been to continue on in academia and become a young, stud professor. The question was whether I should do that immediately after I finish my MA or wait 2-3 years before continuing on for the terminal degree.

I’ve been offered admission as a Ph.D. candidate and a teaching assistant position at the University of Oklahoma. Of the schools that I applied to, this is the most similar to the University of Missouri, where I particularly enjoyed my undergraduate experience. So, now I have about 30 days to decide if I wanna accept this or another admission offer or join the private sector for a while first. Please feel free to offer any advice to me as I create my decision tree, weigh the pros/cons, and decide where I’m headed after I finish my wonderful Journey of Hope experience this summer.

Thanks again for all of your support!

my disability research

Thank you to Lori Ebert, Nathaniel Oster, TJ Tollakson, Drew Hartley, Erle Morring, and Mandy Jones for their contributions to my Push America fund. These donations put me over $1,000 so I'm over 1/3 of the way to my fundraising goal. I'm happy to say that both of the TJ's in my life have made a contribution! Now, all I need is to get all the Mike's, Jennifer's, and Rob's I know to make a contribution...as always, my fundraising profile link is at the bottom of this note.

Last week, I started working on applying for corporate grants. I'm applying for grants with Wal-Mart, Target, McDonald's, and Lowes. If you should happen to have connections to any of these corporations, please let me know.

This week, I wanna talk about the applied research project that I'm working on as part of my MA program. I conducted a survey of 169 students at Missouri State University to determine what they know and think about the Office of Disability Services, students with disabilities, and ADA accommodations. My survey closed on Friday. I will conduct more in-depth statistical analysis, but I had some interesting initial findings:

* just over half (50.3%) of the participants have a friend or family member with a disability
* just over a quarter (27%) of the participants have a friend with a disability attending Missouri State University
* only 29% of participants accurately selected the correct number of students at Missouri State receiving ADA accommodations (about 300)
* only 27% of participants knew the location of the Office of Disability Services and 46% reported that they did not know its location
* 86% of participants agree that the Missouri State campus is accessible to people with physical disabilities
* 68% of participants agree that Missouri State is a welcoming environment for students with disabilities
* 78% of participants disagree that students receiving ADA accommodations get an unfair advantage in classes
* 81% of participants agree that ADA accommodations are fair

follow this link for complete survey results: survey monkey

I appreciate your support!

Erich's web site

how I got connected to disability issues

I first wish to thank TJ Sullivan, Clinton Thomas, George & Vicky Oster, and Barbi & Reggie Greenlaw for sponsoring my Push America fund. My fundraising total has come to $870. I've still got more work to do, but I'm making progress. A few people told me that they anticipated making a contribution in the future - the fundraising link is at the bottom of this note. My next step will be to solicit businesses and other private sponsorships.

A lot of folks ask me how I got involved with the disability community so let me tell you how it all started.

In the spring of 2004, I participated in a Push Camp through Push America. It was an alternative spring break at Wonderland Camp, a special needs summer camp at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. I helped to finish the infirmary and construct a storage shed.

The following summer I applied to be on staff at Wonderland Camp. I was offered the position of Nature Activities Director, or Nature Boy. It was a wonderful experience - I enjoyed the campers and staff. I reapplied the summer prior to returning to school to get my MA and was offered the Music Director position and had another wonderful summer.

The research project for my masters program is looking at the university community's perceptions of students with disabilities and ADA accommodations. I began this project last semester and will complete the project over the next two months. I look forward to presenting the results of my research.

This summer, I will participate in my first Push America summer journey event. I hope to continue my involvement with the disability community in the future. As always, I appreciate your support!

beginning

I wish to announce that I’ve been selected to participate in the Journey of Hope this summer. The Journey of Hope is an annual bike ride sponsored by Push America. The bike ride travels from San Francisco to Washington DC with the goal of serving and raising awareness for people with disabilities. Beginning in June, I will serve on the crew for the bike ride and have preferenced the south route as this will give me the opportunity to go through the most states that I have not yet been to.

One of my obligations in order to participate in the Journey of Hope is to raise money through sponsorship for Push America. My fundraising goal is $3,500 and I have already raised $650. My hope is that you will consider making a contribution to Push America on my behalf so that I can participate in the event this summer. Find out more information about Push America and the Journey of Hope by visiting their web site at: http://www.pushamerica.org/events/JOH/ You may visit my online fundraising profile from that site.

Sponsorships may be made one of three ways:
1) follow this link – you may use a credit card with this method
2) send a check made out to “Push America” with “Erich Hayes” in the memo to: Push America; P.O. Box 241368; Charlotte, NC 28224
3) send a check made out to “Push America” with “Erich Hayes” in the memo to me at: Erich Hayes; 650 S. National Avenue #2; Springfield, MO 65804

Push America is recognized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization so all contributions to Push America are fully tax-deductible. If everyone contributed just $15, I would reach my fundraising goal. If some of the people receiving this contributed $50, I would more than exceed my goal. I hope that you will consider making a contribution to Push America on my behalf. Please contact me at erich564@missouristate.edu or (417) 350-8233 if you have any questions and I appreciate your support!