“There are no guarantees in life, except that everyone faces struggles. This is how we learn (and grow). Some face struggles from the moment they are born. They are the most special of all people, requiring the most care and compassion and reminding us that love is the sole purpose of life.”– Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
These are our Hidden Angels – teaching all of us life’s most valuable lessons.
Hidden Angel Foundation Conducts Nationwide Workshops on Multi-Sensory Enriched Environments
Pembroke-Pines, FL, May 22, 2007 – The Hidden Angel Foundation begins its summer series of workshops on multi-sensory environments (MSE) taking place across the USA and Canada. The workshops have attracted participants from as far as Brazil and the Philippines. “We are really excited that our training programs are gaining international recognition. This is an excellent indication that the MSE concept is growing around the world” comments Sandra Fornes, Executive Director.
Two Internationally recognized pioneers of multi-sensory environments will be the workshop facilitators, Ad Verheul from the Netherlands, and Linda Messbauer, from New York. Mr. Verheul is considered by many the “founding father” of multi-sensory environments (called Snoezelen in Europe) and has worked at developing MSE’s in the Netherlands and throughout Europe for over 30 years. In 1974 Ad Verheul and his colleague Jan Hulsegge introduced the idea of MSE. When they started and invented this special activity for people with profound cognitive impairment, it became a great success in a short time! “We never thought that such a simple idea would wake worldwide interest,” says Mr. Verheul. Ms. Messbauer is an Occupational Therapist with extensive experience working in the field of Developmental Disabilities. In 1992, Linda established the first MSE in the United States and, since, has participated in research on the efficacy of the MSE approach to recreational therapy and education.
The course is designed for people interested in MSE and its use with different populations: occupational, recreational and physical therapist, psychologists, speech / language therapists, parents, caregivers, teachers, master of social workers are all included in the mix.
A multi-sensory environment is a safe (non-threatening) space designed with two goals in mind: to promote intellectual activity and to encourage relaxation. This environment produces either a calming effect on individuals prone to frustration or stimulates passive individuals who appear withdrawn. These individuals rarely, if ever, experience the world as the majority of us do. Limitations of movement, vision, hearing, cognitive ability, constrained space, behavioral difficulties, perception issues, pain, and other problems create obstacles to their everyday sensory experience. MSE takes an individual on a journey through “sensory pathways” stimulating the primary senses of touch, taste, sight, sound, smell and proproception. Built to promote learning and social interaction, a myriad of lighting effects, shapes, textures, aromas, soft music and colors are strategically placed in a room to stimulate the senses and to enhance neurological, cognitive development, mobility and self-choice, leading to advancements in education and therapy.
Time spent in a multi-sensory room has been shown to increase concentration, focused attention, increase alertness, calmness, and heightened awareness, even with the most severely cognitive impaired. For those with self-injurious behaviors, the gentle stimulation has a soothing effect and helps relieve agitation, aggression and promotes relaxation. Additionally, children with perceptual difficulties appear to gain pleasure from the visual, auditory, and tactile experiences.
“We continue to develop MSEs across the country” said Sandra Fornes, co-founder. “While just about every school in Europe supports a MSE there are less than 200 facilities in the United States. Our Foundation is working diligently to increase these numbers.” The Hidden Angel Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation whose mission is to enrich the lives, health, and social well-being of individuals with cognitive, emotional, and/or physical impairments through the development and support of programs centered on multi- sensory environments (MSE). HAF has awarded grants and MSE services to programs for individuals with disabilities throughout the United States.
For further information on the Hidden Angel Foundation and MSE contact:
Sandra Fornes
P.O. Box 822886
Pembroke Pines, FL 33082
phone: 305-458-9335
email: sfornes@cdhaf.org
website: www.cdhaf.org
Hidden Angel Foundation Completes Multi Sensory Environment at St. John’s Nursing Center, Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
Pembroke Pines, FL, October 24, 2006 – The Hidden Angel Foundation has just completed the design and construction of a Multi Sensory Environment (MSE) at St. John’s Nursing Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. A MSE room is a dedicated facility designed to heighten awareness, promote intellectual activity, and encourage relaxation. A myriad of light effects, shapes, textures, aromas, soft music and colors are strategically place in a room to stimulate the six senses of touch, taste, sight, sound, smell and kinetics (movement). The controlled sensory input heightens drive and motivation, and promotes self-choice, well-being, social interaction, and learning.
“This room will be used to serve all our patients and clients with cognitive and physical disabilities, affording them the opportunity to develop new skills and become more involved with their environment; we expect great results,” said Allyson Schultz, the Recreation Director of St. John’s Nursing Center. “We feel fortunate that St. John’s Nursing Center will play an important part in improving the health and quality of life of our patients and clients.”
The custom-built facility will be opened in a special dedication ceremony November 6, 2006.
MSE facilities have been found to aide in neurotransmission, maximizing a person’s potential to focus, learn and relax. MSE also instills calmness in agitated individuals or those with self-injurious behaviors. Most importantly, it’s enjoyable. Imagine being in a darkened room relaxing on a foam mat or a vibroacoustic chair absorbing a sea of color and lights rotating across the walls. As soothing music plays you are attracted by the various pieces of MS equipment that are lit up inviting you to touch and interact with them. Giant glowing bubble tubes in one corner changes colors with the tap of a button. A moving kaleidoscope of images is projected around the room. A fan light in another corner pulses with color to the beat music or a child’s voice. Draped over the vibroacoustic chair are thousands of twinkling fiber optic strands of multiple colors to be touched, handled and consumed by the eyes. The effect is both relaxing and stimulating at the same time.
After several years of research, interest, and activities in the area of multi sensory environments, the Hidden Angel Foundation (HAF) was established in honor of Christopher Fornes who had Sanfilippo Syndrome causing progressive neurological regression. “We experienced first hand how multi sensory stimulation enriched and extended his life,” said W.B. (Bud) Kirchner, Foundation co-founder. “Christopher was a very special and courageous individual who taught us all the true meaning of life and love. This is why we always thought of Chris, and people like him, as Hidden Angels.”
Even children and adults with the severe cognitive impairment appear happier while in a sensory room; they tend to vocalize more, stay on task, have less pain, and stress levels drop dramatically. These individuals rarely, if ever, experience the world as the majority of us do. Limitations of movement, vision, hearing, cognitive ability, constrained space, behavioral difficulties, perception issues, pain, and other problems create obstacles to their enjoyment of life. MSE opens a new world for individuals with cognitive, emotional and/or physical impairments providing new ways of encouraging learning, motor, neurological and cognitive development, language, and social interaction skills moving each person toward the highest functional level.
“We continue to develop and promote MSE across the country for use in schools, adult day care facilities, rehabilitation centers, parks, and other places important to individuals with special needs.,” said Sandra Fornes, co-founder and Executive Director of the Foundation. “While just about every school in Europe supports a MSE (known as Snoezelen in Europe) there are less than 200 facilities in the United States. Our Foundation is working diligently to increase these numbers.”
The Hidden Angel Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation, whose mission is to enrich the lives, health, and social well-being of individuals with cognitive, emotional, and/or physical impairments through the design, development and support of programs centered on multi sensory environments (MSE). Theories in MSE demonstrate new approaches to advance education, therapy, recreation and inclusion of special needs populations. HAF makes an immediate, positive impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities through its community partners that in conjunction with HAF, are creating MSE in communities across North America. HAF has awarded grants and MSE services to programs for individuals with disabilities throughout North America.
For further information on the Hidden Angel Foundation and MSE contact:
Sandra Fornes
P.O. Box 822886
Pembroke Pines, FL 33082
phone: 305-458-9335
email: sfornes@cdhaf.org
website: www.cdhaf.org
Or
Allyson Schultz
St. John’s Nursing Center
3075 N.W. 35th Avenue
Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33311
phone: 954-739-6233 ext 1210
Hidden Angel Foundation Granted Advance Tax-Exempt Status as a Charitable Organization
Pembroke Pines, FL, August 28, 2006 – The Hidden Angel Foundation has been granted advance tax-exempt status. This designation as a tax-exempt charitable organization means donors to the Foundation will be eligible to deduct their donations from their income tax. The Hidden Angel Foundation was established to enhance the lives of individuals with cognitive, emotional, and/or physical disabilities through the design, development and support of programs centered on multi sensory environments (MSE). It seeks to have MSE become an important practice in education, therapy, recreation, and inclusion throughout North America.
“This is an important milestone in the growth of the Foundation as a force for reaching thousands of individuals with multi sensory environments” said Sandra Fornes, co-founder and Executive Director of the Foundation. “We are very grateful to the many people have already been kind enough to contribute without any benefit to their tax status. Now we are able to make donations tax deductible, it is another way we can say thank-you for helping the work of the Foundation.”
After several years of research, interest, and activities in the area of multi sensory environments, the Foundation was established in honor of Christopher Fornes who had Sanfilippo Syndrome causing progressive neurological regression. “We experienced first hand how multi sensory stimulation enriched and extended his life,” said W.B. (Bud) Kirchner, Foundation co-founder. “Christopher was a very special and courageous individual who taught us all the true meaning of life and love. This is why we always thought of Chris, and children like him, as Hidden Angels”.
Some of the Foundations recent activities include the design, construction and implementation of a highly-evolved MSE at Lake Asbury Junior High School, Middleburg, Florida. The school serves children with various disabilities that will benefit from MSE. Earlier this year HAF was instrumental in the design and equipment of a MSE therapy room for the popular TV series, “Extreme Makeover Home Editions”. The Foundation has also donated MSE equipment to Hospital Rivier-des-Prairies in Montreal, Miami United Cerebral Palsy, Hondu, Texas Elementary School, San Antonio’s Jewel C. Wietzel Special Needs School.
“We continue to develop and promote MSE across the country for use in schools, adult day care facilities, rehabilitation centers, parks, and other places important to individuals with special needs,” said Fornes. “While just about every school in Europe supports a MSE (known as Snoezelen in Europe) there are less than 200 facilities in the United States. Our Foundation is working diligently to increase these numbers.”
About MSE
A multi sensory environment (MSE) is a dedicated room designed to heighten awareness, promote intellectual activity, and encourage relaxation. Built to promote self-choice, well-being, social interaction, and learning, a myriad of light effects, shapes, textures, aromas, soft music and colors are strategically place in a room to stimulate the six senses of touch, taste, sight, sound, smell and kinetics (movement). The controlled sensory input heightens drive and motivation, aiding in neurotransmission, maximizing a person’s potential to focus and learn. MSE instills calmness in agitated individuals or those with self-injurious behaviors. Most importantly, it’s enjoyable. Both children and adults with the most severely cognitive impairment appear happier while in a sensory room; they tend to vocalize more, stay on task, and stress levels drop dramatically. MSE can open up a whole new world for individuals with cognitive, emotional and/or physical impairments providing new ways of encouraging learning, motor, neurological and cognitive development, language, and social interaction skills, moving each person toward the highest functional level.
About HAF
The Hidden Angel Foundation (HAF) is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation whose mission is to enrich the lives, health, and social well-being of individuals with cognitive, emotional, and/or physical impairments through the design, development and support of programs centered on multi sensory environments (MSE). Theories in MSE demonstrate new approaches to advance education, therapy, recreation and inclusion of special needs populations. HAF makes an immediate, positive impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities through its community partners that, in conjunction with HAF, are creating MSE in communities across the United States and Canada. HAF has awarded grants and MSE services to programs for individuals with disabilities through the United States and Canada.
For further information on the Hidden Angel Foundation and MSE contact:
Sandra Fornes
P.O. Box 822886
Pembroke Pines, FL 33082
phone: 305-458-9335
email: sfornes@cdhaf.org
website: www.cdhaf.org
Hidden Angel Foundation Completes Multi Sensory Environment at Lake Asbury Junior High School, Green Cove Spring, FL
Pembroke Pines, FL, August 22, 2006 – The first day of school can be full of surprises, but when back-to-school time rolled around again this year, some students at Lake Asbury Junior High School, Green Cove Spring-Middleburg, Florida were in for a multi sensory surprise that could help them get more from life. The Hidden Angel Foundation has completed the design and construction of a Multi Sensory Environment (MSE) just in time for the new school year. A MSE room is a dedicated facility designed to heighten awareness, promote intellectual activity, and encourage relaxation. A myriad of light effects, shapes, textures, aromas, soft music and colors are strategically place in a room to stimulate the six senses of touch, taste, sight, sound, smell and kinetics (movement). The controlled sensory input heightens drive and motivation, and promotes self-choice, well-being, social interaction, and learning.
“This room will be used to serve students with learning disabilities of all areas, affording them the opportunity to learn, develop new skills and become more involved with their environment; we expect fantastic results,” said Ed Paulk, Principal of Lake Asbury Junior High. “We feel fortunate that our school will play an important part in improving the health and quality of life of our students.”
The custom-built facility will be opened in a special dedication ceremony September 5, 2006. MSE facilities have been found to aide in neurotransmission, maximizing a person’s potential to focus and learn. MSE also instills calmness in agitated individuals or those with self-injurious behaviors. Most importantly, it’s enjoyable. Imagine being in a darkened room relaxing on a foam mat, waterbed, or a vibroacoustic chair absorbing a sea of color and lights rotating across the walls. As soothing music plays you are attracted by the various pieces of multi sensory equipment that are lit up inviting you to touch and interact with them. Giant glowing bubble tubes in one corner change colors with the tap of a button. A moving kaleidoscope of images is projected around the room. A mirror ball hangs overhead and redirects a beam of alternating colored lights. A fan light in another corner pulses with color to the beat of music or a child’s voice. Draped over the waterbed and vibroacoustic chair are thousands of twinkling fiber optic strands of multiple colors to be touched, handled and consumed by the eyes. The effect is both relaxing and stimulating at the same time.
Both children and adults with the severe cognitive impairment appear happier while in a sensory room; they tend to vocalize more, stay on task, and stress levels drop dramatically. These individuals rarely, if ever, experience the world as the majority of us do. Limitations of movement, vision, hearing, cognitive ability, constrained space, behavioral difficulties, perception issues, pain, and other problems create obstacles to their enjoyment of life. MSE opens a new world for individuals with cognitive, emotional and/or physical impairments providing new ways of encouraging learning, motor, neurological and cognitive development, language, and social interaction skills, moving each person toward the highest functional level.
After several years of research, interest, and activities in the area of multi sensory environments, the Hidden Angel Foundation (HAF) was established in honor of Christopher Fornes, who had Sanfilippo Syndrome causing progressive neurological regression. “We experienced first hand how multi sensory stimulation enriched and extended his life,” said W.B. (Bud) Kirchner, Foundation co-founder. “Christopher was a very special and courageous individual who taught us all the true meaning of life and love. This is why we always thought of Chris, and children like him, as Hidden Angels”.
“We continue to develop and promote MSE across the country for use in schools, adult day care facilities, rehabilitation centers, parks, and other places important to individuals with special needs,” said Sandra Fornes, co-founder and Executive Director of the Foundation. “While just about every school in Europe supports a MSE (known as Snoezelen in Europe) there are less than 200 facilities in the United States. Our Foundation is working diligently to increase these numbers.”
The Hidden Angel Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation whose mission is to enrich the lives, health, and social well-being of individuals with cognitive, emotional, and/or physical impairments through the design, development and support of programs centered on multi sensory environments (MSE). Theories in MSE demonstrate new approaches to advance education, therapy, recreation and inclusion of special needs populations. HAF makes an immediate, positive impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities through its community partners that, in conjunction with HAF, are creating MSE in communities across the United States and Canada. HAF has awarded grants and MSE services to programs for individuals with disabilities throughout the United States and Canada.
For further information on the Hidden Angel Foundation and MSE contact:
Sandra Fornes
P.O. Box 822886
Pembroke Pines, FL 33082
phone: 305-458-9335
email: sfornes@cdhaf.org
website: www.cdhaf.org
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