This has been an exciting summer for the Laurus Foundation. We have been extremely fortunate to meet some very dedicated professionals and volunteers as we expand our network of those who can help us… advance the lives of individuals with disabilities. We are proud to introduce you to our two newest Partners in Progress.

Partner Profile: Disabled Patriot Fund

The Disabled Patriot Fund is a newly formed group of area business people and local officials who have come together because of a common interest to help disabled American veterans who have fought in the War on Terrorism. As their mission statement explains, their common goal is to "provide financial relief for local U.S. military families who have been adversely affected by the War on Terror.”

Men and women who are protecting our freedom are coming home with varying levels of disabilities. The good news is that through the hard work of people like Anna Sherony, the Disabled Patriot Fund has helped many of our wounded heroes and friends of the Laurus Foundation.

In just a few short months, Anna and the Disabled Patriot Fund have:

Made an auction donation to our golf outing of an American flag that was flown over Iraq on July 4th, 2008.
Donated $2,500.00 to Yuriy and Aimee Zmysly.
Orchestrated the purchase of a brand new, accessible Town and Country van for Yuriy and Aimee worth nearly $60,000.00.
Introduced us to Sgt. Tim Kathol from St. Charles who was injured in Iraq and who is now a patient of our Partner in Progress - Dr. Turner.
Introduced us to Kenneth Carleton-Smith, a wounded warrior himself, who is now working as a volunteer for our Partner in Progress – NextSteps (last week, Kenny helped Yuriy with his workout and physical therapy).

We look forward to working with Anna and the Disabled Patriot Fund even more closely in the future.

Partner Profile: Behavioral Vision, Ltd.

Under the direction of Dr. Carrie Sypherd, O.D., Behavioral Vision is helping to restore and correct the vision of Cpl. Yuriy Zmysly. Dr. Sypherd prescribed ‘prism glasses’ to help restore his sight and strengthen the uniform movements of his eyes. Dr. Sypherd is also working with NextSteps to advise them on the proper techniques to use while training Yuriy to walk again.

As Dr. Sypherd demonstrated to us in her offices in Streamwood, walking is dependent on one’s ability to see and determine the horizon. Other factors affect one’s balance and coordination, but improving Cpl. Zmysly’s vision will give him a better sense of where he is in space as he begins to walk more and eventual walks unassisted.

Vision is also important for Cpl. Zmysly in order for him to access the latest alternative and augmentative communication devises. These devises depend heavily on one’s ability to see clearly and can lead to a greater level of independence for Yuriy. We are very pleased to have Dr. Sypherd and Behavioral Vision as a Partner in Progress.