TAKING FLIGHT -- Samuel Habib sits on his father's lap behind
the controls of his grandfather's sea plane, as the two
prepare for a flight. Photo by Dan Habib.
Spotlight on 'Including Samuel'
TBAF Champions of Change
Before his son Samuel was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, photojournalist and 2008 Champion of Change honoree Dan Habib rarely thought about the inclusion of people with disabilities. Now he thinks about inclusion every day.
Shot and produced over four years, the 58-minute award-winning documentary film, Including Samuel honestly chronicles the Habib family's efforts to include Samuel in every facet of their lives. The film also features four other families with varied inclusion experiences, plus interviews with dozens of teachers, young people, parents, and disability rights experts.
Dan Habib and wife Betsy McNamara will be among four honorees presented The Bubel/Aiken Foundation Champions of Change Award at the organization's 2008 October gala in Raleigh.
Co-founded by singer Clay Aiken and Diane Bubel in 2003, TBAF serves to bridge the gap that exists between young people with special needs and the world around them by supporting communities with inclusive programs and creating awareness about the possibilities that inclusion can bring.
A slideshow of photographs and downloadable video clips are available at this media link.
My modest goal was that it would become a tool within New Hampshire to talk about inclusion in a more informed and innovative way. My secret goal was that it would serve that purpose nationally and internationally and would cross over to the mainstream.
"Including Samuel" quickly gained notoriety and national media attention after additional premieres in Boston and Washington, D.C., making Habib's secret dream a reality in less than year.
The above graphs are from Jim Fennell's excellent article for the Concord Union Leader. The complete story is available at the link.
Including Samuel has been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered, as well as Good Morning America NOW and in the Washington Post and the Boston Globe. Including Samuel is a "must see film," according to Exceptional Parent magazine.
The film won the Positive Images in Media award from TASH, an international group committed to the full inclusion of people with disabilities. The film was also screened at the Sprout Film Festival at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (NYC) and named “Best Documentary” at the Somewhat North of Boston Film Festival.
PHOTO INTERLUDE: The graphics in this collection feature TBAF and UNICEF collages, as well as Clay Aiken's philosophy for making a difference. Artists include Clayquebec1, photos by Invisible926, 1 and 5; Amazing_CA with photos by dc4clay, 2; ClayIzzaQT, 3 (from 2007 Gala); and Tasapio, 4.
TBAF Gala To Celebrate Year 5 The Foundation selects Champions of Change for their substantive efforts to extend the boundaries of the human experience to children of all abilities, in keeping with the Foundation’s mission of supporting communities with inclusive programs and creating awareness about the possibilities that inclusion can bring. As CEO of Integrated Process Solutions, Rich provides large corporations and governments with ready-for-action profit opportunities as a "return on disability." Rich, who has cerebral palsy, is Board Chairman of Lime Connect, showing real-life solutions - and real financial advantages - to hiring, working with, and providing products and services for people with disabilities. In serving children, he is an advocate of education as essential to the future economic and social success of individuals with disabilities. The five-year, $25 million CVS Caremark "All Kids Can" program supports nonprofit organizations helping children with disabilities in school, in recreation and in developing skills for successful lives, all within an inclusive environment.
TBAF Champions of Change honorees will be presented awards at the gala benefit dinner Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Marriott City Center Hotel in Raleigh. The event also will celebrate the foundation's fifth anniversary.
In addition to Habib and McNamara, TBAF Champions of Change honorees include Rich Donovan and CVS Caremark (corporate).
Rich Donovan is being recognized as a Champion of Change for applying his world-class business acumen to creating means of empowerment for people with disabilities. He was a key to Merrill Lynch’s diversity strategy.
CVS Caremark Charitable Trust is being honored as a Corporate Champion of Change for their outstanding efforts to improve the lives of children with disabilities.
The gala benefit celebration will feature a special performance by Clay Aiken, as well as dinner, plus silent and live auctions in support of the Foundation’s programs providing children with disabilities the opportunity to play, learn and grow side-by-side with their typical peers.
For more information, stay tuned to TBAF website.
Happy Labor Day Weekend, Clay Nation!
Caro
28 comments:
I am so proud of Clay for living his dream of inclusion for all children.
The Bubel/Aiken foundation is a wonderful organization and I proudly support their efforts.
Thank you for the wonderful and informative blog (and the picture interludes are always a such a treat)
When Clay Aiken said that he wanted to make a difference, he could not have imaged just what a difference he would make in so many lives. I am just so proud of him and so thankful that a young man named Clay Aiken is doing just what he set out to do.
The thing about Samuel is so inspirational. I am jealous of all those who are going to the Gala. It sounds like it is going to be a very special even.
When Parker gets old enough to know all of the amazing things that his Dad has done...he is going to be so proud of him.
What a lovely blog, Caro. The pictures of Samuel are so sweet. The BAF has come a long way since Clay Aiken and Diane Bubel first organized it. I am so proud.
I too am very proud of Clay Aiken and his efforts on behalf of the children.
I support the BAF every chance I get, my friends and I feel very fortunate to do the Wrapping For Inclusion at Christmas time, we have done this for the past 4 years, it is very rewarding to know we are doing something to help.
I loved to read your blog to see the way in which Clay Aiken's dreams of inclusion are becoming a reality. What a treat to go to the gala to witness such an event--can't attend but will be thrilling to hear all about it.
I am so proud of Clay Aiken and the work he does for children.
I bet he never dreamed how much of a difference he would be able to make.
Caro, A wonderful blog. The difference Clay Aiken said he wanted to make is helping so many around the world.
I'm so proud of our Clay.
I'm so proud of Clay Aiken and the wonderful progress being made with TBAF. Honoring Samuel is so heartwarming.
The Habib family are certainly deserving. Kudos to Clay Aiken's foundation for honoring them.
I'm proud of Clay Aiken for starting this foundation to "make a difference". He has touched many lives.
This is a very inspiring blog. I was just reading through and your blog about Samuel really touched me. So glad that he's being recognized in this event.
Clay Aiken had a goal and that is to make a difference. He has achieved this in so many ways. I'm really looking forward to this gala event.
You made me smile looking at those graphics. :) Cheers to your great blog!!! Thanks so much Caro.
((Hugs))
Wow 5 years of making a difference.
Samuel looks so cute. Love all the information you provided in your blog.
When he stepped on the stage of AI I think the Lord had a bigger brighter spotlight for Clay in mind.
Clay Aiken's foundation has focused a great deal of attention on inclusion, and rightfully so. I am so proud of Clay for all the wonderful work he and his foundation are doing. This film "Including Samuel" is very well done -- thank you for linking it here. Great blog!
You know that Clay has to be especially touched to see the award given to a kindred soul who fights so hard for inclusion. I love this story and I love Clay Aiken.
This blog says so much about Clay Aiken. I am so glad that he has had the opportunity to do so many of the things that he has dreamed of doing.
Thanks for introducing us to Samuel.
Great blog. I have nothing but admiration for this man Clay Aiken.
What a great Blog! Very inspirational. Clay Aiken's Foundation is doing a great work. Keep it up BAF!!!
I am looking forward to attending the Gala on Oct. 18th. Glad that Clay Aiken continues to make a difference in the lives of children.
~Shycon
Beautifully set up blog. I love reading about Clay Aiken's foundatin.
Caro,
Thank you for such an inspiring article and video on Samuel. I'm so proud of Clay and the difference that he has made. We are all learning from him everyday. Thanks once again for bringing these reminders.
Luv,
Sally
Caro, I am so proud Clay Aiken for all the Time and Hard Work he has put into making a difference for children with disabilities. Thank You for bringing this to all of our attention.
The story of "Samuel" is such an inspiration and the GMA trailer is wonderful.
Thanks again and have a Great Week!
Hugs,
Marlyne
I am so proud to be a Clay Aiken fan, he is so talented, and he keeps raising the bar when it comes to showcasing his talents. He not only can sing, he can act, he can dance, and he is a terrific stand up comedian. But most important is his humanitarian work, which started with the Bubel/Aiken Foundation
The Bubel/Aiken Foundation is such a worthwhile organization. God bless Clay Aiken for supporting inclusion for all children.
Thanks that Clay Aiken had the vision to start the Bubel Aiken Foundation. This is a wonderful use the donations to promote inclusion.
This blog offers so much real information. Thank you, and thanks, Clay Aiken, for caring enough to bring attention to this issue.
Can't wait to hear about all the details from this year's gala. I hope the attendees have a wonderful experience seeing Clay Aiken in person and hearing about all the efforts made by the Foundation.
"Including Samuel" is a powerful presentation. I'm pleased Clay Aiken has included them in this year's Gala.
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