Paul Harris Fellow Recognition Awards for Susan Marsh and Tom Hoy
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| Susan Marsh, Tom Hoy, and TRF Chair Jeanne MacLaren |
At the January 31, 2017 breakfast meeting of the RB Sunrise Rotary Club, Susan Marsh and Tom Hoy received Paul Harris Fellow Recognition Awards. They each had contributed $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation PolioPlus Fund. This was Susan's second Paul Harris award.
The Paul Harris Fellow recognition award acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of US$1,000 to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. It was established in 1957 to show appreciation for and encourage substantial contributions to the Rotary Foundation.
Julia Uhli Visits the RB Sunrise Rotary Club
Julia Uhli spoke at the breakfast meeting of the RB Sunrise Rotary club on Tuesday, January 31, 2017. She is a realtor, but is also an advocates for special needs children. She has been a professional ice skater, worked in television, owned a restaurant, and done a few other things in between. Her mission is to impact and improve the lives of others.
Her son, A.J., has Williams Syndrome, a genetic condition that is present at birth. It is characterized by medical problems, including cardiovascular disease, developmental delays, and learning disabilities. These often occur side by side with striking verbal abilities, a highly social personality and an affinity for music. Julia has grown up with her special needs child and knows firsthand about the limited opportunities available. Julia is heavily involved with the local special needs community in San Diego. She is an advocate for individuals and families and works on adult programs and for an independent apartment community. She is currently working with the City of Poway on the development of housing for special needs adults. (This is the same program that is one of the projects our own Sue Herndon passionately supports.)
She explained that once an adult reaches the age of 22, they are on their own, with no education, programs, or housing offered. Julia said that often after these adults reach the age of 22, they end up on their parent’s couch for 18 hours a day. They usually don't get enough exercise and combined with eating poorly end up with the additional complication of diabetes and other medical maladies.
She ended her program by answering questions about the community’s response to having housing for special needs adults so close to their neighborhoods. Julia said there is a fear from people who have not been exposed to adults in the special needs community. Special needs adults often make excellent employees for jobs involving repetitive task, but it takes having an advocate to find these jobs.
