“It’s getting cold out here.” Kelsey Cottle uttered this while ringing The Salvation Army bell outside Macy’s at Sunrise Mall.  Yet her fellow bell ringers did not care--they were having the time of their lives. “Yeah, they’re having fun,” Cottle said. Meet Carl Virgin and Eulogio Lizarraga--the jubilant bell ringers. Both have cerebral palsy and are confined to wheelchairs, but they do not let it deter their efforts to give back. “It just a good time for them to get out and people to see them,” said Cottle, who is Carl’s personal attendant through S.T.E.P. (Strategy To Empower People) services. “It’s great that they get to see them so happy and that they can do this (volunteer) like e

Catalina Rodriguez of Winters was in high school when she lost her 18-month-old son to complications from cerebral palsy. Now a sophomore at Solano College, she has won several awards for her advocacy work with UCP of Sacramento and Northern California to honor her son. Rodriguez was named the 2011 Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy by the Association of Fundraising Professionals California Capital Chapter at the National Philanthropy Day Luncheon in November. In September, she was named a Local Hero by Bank of America, and in the same month, was a top 10 finalist for Most Influential College Student at the national Stay Classy Awards. This spring, she received the Youth Volunteer Award at

“These shows allow our artists to feel genuinely appreciated by people who don’t see them for what they lack, but see them for what they have," says Jessica Dore, of Studio 700 Center for the Arts. Twice a year, the artists of Studio 700 have the chance to open the doors of their studio to the community and display their work, in a public recognition of exactly who (and what) they are. Artists. “I think there’s a general climate of sympathy rather than appreciation that surrounds this population,” Dore said, “but there’s something raw and unique and wonderful about someone who isn’t ‘classically trained’ putting something down and creating art." A program of Placer ARC, Studio 700 is t

Josh Blue has refused to let cerebral palsy keep him from doing what he loves – exploding onto the stage and making people laugh. Although his disability is clearly evident, Josh uses it to his advantage and propels himself into the limelight with off-putting jokes that would make many blush. In 2006 Josh won NBC's ‘Last Comic Standing’ in part due to his ability to laugh at himself and in part to being able to make others laugh. In general, he wins the audience over by being comfortable with the person he is and the hand he was dealt (figuratively and literally) in life. Friday night’s performance at the Punch Line in Sacramento was no different; Josh got up on stage and immediately mad

I have had a very surprising past few days. I wanted to share it here because I think what I have experienced has happened to everyone at one point. The surprising part of what I'm about to share, the most shocking part of all came from the most unexpected place; the point of origin! The thing that caused me the most pain ended up surprising me the most and spun my head clean around. Being a Mom of 3 extremely active boys so close in age, I have gotten my fair share of disapproving looks. Looks that speak volumes without any sound like the, "you must need a glass of wine before bed" look, the "what are you crazy?!?!" look and so on. When you add the extra twist of having a son...the oldes

On August 28, 2009, Sacramento’s Capital Crossroads Gay Rodeo Association (SCCGRA) presented Saddle Pals, a program of the United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Sacramento, with a check for $8,000. The presentation took place at the W-Bar Ranch in Elverta, CA. Saddle Pals was selected to be the beneficiary of funds raised at by Capital Crossroads 9th Sierra Stampede Rodeo and Festival, held June 5-7, 2009. Saddle Pals is a therapeutic horsemanship program that provides services to children and adults with physical or developmental disabilities. Established in 1993, the program is accredited through the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA). For additional information Sa