TERRE HAUTE —
Susie Thompson was like a child in a toy store Wednesday as she looked through several very large, cooler-sized containers donated from the Vigo County Public Library.
Thompson, executive director of the United Cerebral Palsy of Wabash Valley, was presented Wednesday with a permanent library loan of hundreds of unique toys from Nancy Dowell, executive director of the public library.
“These are toys that are specific for children with disabilities,” Thompson said. “They are adaptive to meet the needs, be it sensory or cognitive. We are working in the five developmental domains which are social/emotional, cognitive, language, gross motor skills and fine motor skills.
“All children, whether they have a disability or not, need to develop in those areas to build one on another so that their brain can grow and they can get the most potential,” Thompson said.
The toys can be borrowed from a lending library at UCP’s office, 621 Poplar St.
Some adaptive toys include a “Georella Tool Box” which has two pegboards with gears and building shapes. “This can help a child with a muscular disorder to put things together because they can work on a firm surface,” Thompson said.
It also has colored circles. “This is cognitive development, colors and shapes and how things integrate together. It is the same concept as building, but it is something different for a kid with a disability,” Thompson said.
These toys are not inexpensive, such as a “textured carousel busy box,” at about $219. The toy increases visual attention, tactile awareness, color recognition and auditory development. The toys can be borrowed for up to 30 days.
“We have about $2,000 to $3,000 [in toys], which we take out of our materials budget,” Dowell said, “because in our opinion this is a library material. It will be circulated. It just is not coming directly from our building, but we are working through another agency. That is what libraries should do,” Dowell said.
Many parents don’t have the means to purchase many of the learning toys or know about the toys, she said. “This is a much better way to reach the clientele.”.
UCP has operated the library, located in the lower level of UCP’s building, since the 1980s, Thompson said.
Bethany Noe of Terre Haute earlier this year began using the lending library at UCP for her 10-month-old daughter, Elizabeth.
“I think it is a wonderful program. We can get toys that she can learn with and have fun with,” Noe said of her daughter. “I have let my daughter play with the toys, and she is doing way better learning wise. She is also walking. That library is just amazing,” Noe said.
Noe said she has borrowed stacking toys and blocks. Her daughter puts the blocks into different shapes on a board.
“It gives her more opportunity with different toys and gives her a hands-on of different feels of different materials” which helps with learning, Noe said.
Thompson said the library also works with therapists and teachers in the Vigo County School Corp. who have a special need for some learning toys in the library. The library now has more than 2,000 items, Thompson said.
Reporter Howard Greninger can be reached at (812) 231-4204 or howard.greninger@tribstar.com.
Local & Bistate
Related Photos
-
Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza So everyone can play: Nancy Dowell, executive director of the Vigo County Public Library, and Susie Thompson, executive director of United Cerebral Palsy of the Wabash Valley, look over the toys donated to UCP by the library Wednesday at the UCP offices. Here, Dowell holds the Textured Carousel Busy Box as she tries the High Striker held by Thompson.
-
Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Ring around fun: One of the toys donated to United Cerebral Palsy of the Wabash Valley is the Ring Around Bells which encourages listening and grasping skills while increasing eye-hand coordination.
Discussion
Library donates toys for children with disabilities
Toys available through United Cerebral Palsy of the Wabash Valley
- Local & Bistate
-
-
Ill. House approves guns plan opposed by governor
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gun owners in the only state still banning concealed weapons would win that right under a plan approved by the Illinois House on Friday, but the governor and other powerful Democrats oppose the plan because it would wipe out local gun ordinances — including Chicago's ban on assault weapons.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 24, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Thursday and Friday, based on jail records.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 23, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Wednesday and Thursday, based on jail records.
-
Relic from another age: Massive find
A mastodon that lived in the Wabash Valley thousands of years ago is making big news today.
-
Game Over: Financial tightening causes VCSC to drop St. Patrick’s from athletic schedule
St. Patrick’s School athletic teams will not have an opportunity to compete against their Vigo County School Corp. middle school counterparts next year.
-
Katelyn Newell finally at home
After nearly five months, 8-year-old Katelyn Newell finally returned home Thursday evening — with a new heart.
-
Indiana State U. Police officer honored with Artz Award
Thursday was a special day for Indiana State University Police Officer Christopher Heleine in multiple ways.
-
City Council considering three for consultant
Three different tax professionals vied Thursday for a chance to become a “financial consultant” to the Terre Haute City Council.
-
Clay County sheriff warns of bank card scam
The Clay County Sheriff’s Department has received information regarding a scam targeting residents, according to a news release from the sheriff’s department.
-
State Police seek help with Sullivan County homicide
Indiana State Police detectives from the Putnamville Post are seeking help from the public with the nearly six-month investigation into the death of 85-year-old Lowell R. Badger, a rural Sullivan County farmer.
-
Man who attacked Vigo deputy arrested
A Terre Haute man accused of attacking a Vigo County sheriff’s deputy earlier this week is facing felony charges in the Vigo County jail.
-
INDOT to bid final 641 phase
The final construction phase of the 641 bypass is scheduled to let for bids on Dec. 11, according to the Indiana Department of Transportation.
-
District office moves north
The Southwest District office of the Purdue Extension service has been moved north from Vincennes to Terre Haute.
-
Day is done…
The sun sets Thursday evening as seen from south of Terre Haute.
-
Morning update: I-5 bridge collapse caused by truck hitting span
The Washington State Patrol chief says the Interstate 5 bridge collapse into the Skagit (SKA'-jiht) River at Mount Vernon was caused by an oversize truck.
-
UPDATE: I-70 lanes in Putnam County now open
The west-bound lanes of Interstate 70 re-opened Thursday evening after being temporarily closed due to a crash near the Greencastle/Cloverdale exit.
-
22-hospital St. Vincent Health cutting jobs
INDIANAPOLIS — One of Indiana’s largest health systems says it’s cutting an undisclosed number of jobs by June 30 because of increasing economic and competitive pressure on the health care industry.
-
Update: Cleanup from overturned truck in Greene County continues
Fuel spillage from the dump truck hauling gravel that overturned this morning in Greene County at Indiana 54 and County Road 725 East near Ridgeport continues to restrict traffic to one lane.
-
17-pound bone found during Vigo flood cleanup
TERRE HAUTE — Crews cleaning up from Wabash River flooding in Vigo County came across a 17-pound bone that they believe might have come from an ancient mastodon.
-
Duke Energy gives $10K to Wabash Valley Red Cross for Vigo flood relief
Duke Energy is giving $10,000 to the Wabash Valley Red Cross chapter for flood relief from this spring’s heavy rains.
-
I-70 Frye Road overpass contract awarded; construction to begin May 28
The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced the Interstate-70 Frye Road overpass contract was awarded to Halverson Construction Co. Inc. from Springfield, Ill., for $317,166.
-
Banks of the Wabash Festival is more than just yearly entertainment
Pioneers think counterintuitively. Where others see widespread apathy, they focus on the possibility for progress. In a way, the 2013 Year of the River celebration began in the 1970s.
-
Planning session aims to better Terre Haute
It’s not yet clear what will come of it, but dozens of community leaders spent the whole day Wednesday trying to develop a plan – or collection of plans – to make Terre Haute “a better community.”
-
Education funding boost won’t benefit all schools
In the budget bill passed by the General Assembly last month, there is more money allocated for K-12 education over the next two years, but that doesn’t mean every school will get more dollars.
- Day of Action job options open
-
Park Board renames land around Memorial Stadium
Land surrounding Indiana State University’s Memorial Stadium on Terre Haute’s east side has been designated as Veterans Memorial Park, following a unanimous vote Wednesday from the Terre Haute Park Board.
-
Deputy suffers minor injury during incident
A Vigo County Sheriff’s deputy received a minor injury to his hand Tuesday night while subduing a drunken driving suspect who fled behind a North Terre Haute business.
-
Man accused of child neglect gets new trial date
An Oct. 15 trial date has been set for a Terre Haute man arrested in November for child neglect after he and his wife allegedly tied up and confined their adopted children in the family home.
-
Police find meth labs, arrest Pierson Township man
Police uncovered two active methamphetamine labs in southeastern Vigo County on Monday, leading to the arrest of a Pierson Township man.
-
New date set for attempted murder trial
A new trial date has been set for a Terre Haute woman charged with attempted murder.
- More Local & Bistate Headlines
-
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Jersey Shore Open for Business
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Today in History May 24
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
