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Become an advocate for people with disabilities today!

Photos of campers, scholarship recipients and Mays Mission employees all helped by Mays Mission

What can we do to improve the lives of others, especially those with disabilities?

The dictionary describes an “advocate” as one who publicly supports or suggests an idea, development or way of doing something.

Here at Mays Mission, our primary goal is to aid and assist people with disabilities. Yes, putting to work those who may have difficulty finding gainful employment is one facet of our purpose yet there is so much more.

Public education regarding the abilities and capabilities of people with disabilities is of utmost importance. You see, through our various programs and direct mail, we have the opportunity to inform and educate the public throughout the country that given the opportunity, people with disabilities can become productive citizens.

Through our On-The-Job Training Program we have seen scores of people with a variety of disabilities come and go here at Mays Mission while others have chosen to stay with us. It’s heartwarming to know that some have bought their own homes, learned to drive and purchased automobiles, while some have moved on to bigger and better opportunities. Seeing people succeed and become more independent where at one time hope seemed lost is an indescribable feeling. This On-The-Job Training Program is only possible because of the kind hearts of our donors.

For over fifty years now here at Mays Mission we have had one goal: to aid and assist people with disabilities. Won’t you please join us?  Call us at 1-888-503-7955, email us at info@maysmission.org or message us on Facebook or Instagram to learn more about our programs and see how you can be an advocate for people with disabilities. We have brochures produced by individuals with disabilities we can send you free of charge to share in your community. And we accept donations through Paypal, just click the donate button here on our website. Thank you so much for your help in our mission of over 50 years of serving the disabled!

photos from our job training program for individuals with disabilities and a photo of a camp volunteer and camper from a summer camp sponsored by Mays Mission.
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Programs

Total eclipse at Mays Mission

Mays Mission employees with disabilities taking a break from work and watching the total solar eclipse

On the afternoon of April the 8th, Mays Mission employees were treated with a chance to see the solar eclipse. Here in Arkansas we were fortunate enough to be in the direct path of totality and employees took a few minutes to witness this natural phenomenon with special glasses provided to us by our local Chamber Of Commerce here in Heber Springs.

At around 1:55 PM the moon had traveled directly in front of the sun and we got to see this incredibly rare moment. It was dark enough some stars were visible in the sky and God blessed us with beautiful weather and a clear sky to experience this rare event. Such an event is rare enough there won’t be another in North America until 2044.

Thanks for supporting May Mission for the Handicapped. If you would like to help us advocate on behalf of individuals with disabilities in your community we have brochures we can provide you with free of charge. These brochures were produced by individuals with disabilities here at Mays Mission.

Mays Mission employees with disabilities taking a break from work and watching the total solar eclipse
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Programs

Planning Ahead

A former Mays Mission employee helping another individual with disabilities

It’s always a good, no – make that a great idea – to plan ahead when doing most anything. My thought in this edition though is for building or buying a home when people with disabilities and the elderly are involved – especially with arthritis. What’s described below is not consistently true, but it’s a good rule to follow.

In 1994 we decided to build a 1600 sq. ft. home. Being in a wheelchair for 23 years at that time, I knew very well what I wanted to include and what things to avoid. Obviously, stairs, steps and a wheelchair do not mix. That meant either build on a concrete slab or be prepared to build a ramp. Next, we wanted the home easy to navigate. We made all our doorways 3 feet wide. The only exceptions were linen closets, broom closets and the like. In our hallway, we added another 6 inches (42” total) so that the turning radius into any room was adequate without scuffing or tearing off trim and molding. One bathroom had a roll-in shower with a handheld shower head.     

Now, what I’ve said so far may not sound like any big deal. But what a few “able-bodied” people have commented on when they come to visit is “your home is so spacious. I don’t feel cramped at all.” “You have so much room.” Even the people who make deliveries comment on the width of the doors making it much easier to bring in furniture and appliances.

These are just a few ideas that can make life easier for those of us who have trouble getting around. Think of these when building or look for them when buying. For more ideas request our free brochure, “Making Your Home User Friendly,” by calling us at 1-888-503-7955 or email us at info@maysmission.org today. We are all aging one day at a time. Looking ahead and planning when making one of the biggest investments of our lives may be the best thing we’ve ever done!

And if you have any experience with this subject please feel free to share in the comments section. Thanks!

photos of individuals with disabilities helped by Mays Mission including employees, campers, scholarship recipients and individuals with disabilities seeking housing
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Programs

Don’t count them out!

What do these men have in common: Thomas Edison, Ludwig van Beethoven, Albert Einstein and Jim Abbott?  Before we get to that, let’s talk a little about “equality.”  Now, I am not talking about getting all excited about race or gender, but thinking more along the lines of simply being human. 

When the Pilgrims left England in pursuit of freedom, they found themselves in a new, untamed world.  Although there were many similarities to the land they left behind, there were struggles ahead to establish what they once knew as “ordinary life.”  The land needed to be cleared for homes and farming.  Trades and businesses needed to be established so the new inhabitants could carry out the chores of settling towns and cities.  The tasks ahead were monumental.  Had so many not put forth a great effort, they surely would have failed.

Now, when we think of people with disabilities, countless citizens desire to put forth the effort, yet many are not given the opportunity to prove themselves.  Countless numbers are prejudged by physical appearance, a speech impediment or something perceived as an “obviously disability.”

Did you know that Thomas Edison was thought to have a learning disability and didn’t learn to read until the age of twelve?  Beethoven became deaf at about age 26 and composed some of his greatest works thereafter.  Albert Einstein had a learning disability and did not speak until age 3. He had a very difficult time doing math in school. It was also very hard for him to express himself through writing.  Jim Abbott was born with one hand.  He was an “All America” pitcher for the University of Michigan.  Abbott was drafted into the major leagues and eventually went on to pitch a “no hitter” for the New York Yankees against the Cleveland Indians.

All these men were given an opportunity to prove themselves despite a handicap or disability.  And, that’s what we do at Mays Mission.

Now, would you go out and encourage an employer to give people with disabilities a chance?  They would appreciate it and you will feel better for giving someone the opportunity to succeed.

If you would like more information on how you can help please call 888-503-7955 or email us at info@maysmission.org today. And thank you for supporting people with disabilities!

Hiring the disabled is smart business!

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Programs

David Marrs: Superhero!

A lot of our donors know that David Marrs is an integral part of the Mays Mission Production Team and has never let his disability hold him down. But you may not know that David Marrs is also heavily involved with the Heber Springs Chamber of Commerce as a volunteer in our community.

David has been volunteering with the Chamber for several years now pitching in at local business grand openings and community events like the local fireworks extravaganza over the Fourth of July every year and big tourist attractions like the upcoming local Springfest where David assists locals and tourists alike in the attractions. David is on a first name basis with many local politicians and business owners because of his volunteering efforts.

The folks at the Chamber of Commerce have made David an ‘Ambassador’ as a representative of Mays Mission and is a past recipient of the Chamber of Commerce ‘Super Hero’ Award for his volunteering achievements. Mays Mission for the Handicapped is proud of David and his community heroics!

David meeting Arkansas Lieutenant Governor Tim Griffin at a recent Chamber of Commerce Banquet.