eInsights - April 1, 2008

Talking Teens and Young Adults Blazing a New Path

Imagine a world in which teens and young adults with Spina Bifida possess the skills and confidence to manage their health care and thrive despite the challenges of their Spina Bifida. Envision a time when these same teens and young adults are autonomous and have developed a sense of themselves beyond the characteristics of their disability.

Now picture an outstanding tele-program that helps each individual achieve all of this. “Setting Your Sight on the Future: Strategies to Get What You Need and Most of What You Want,” an acclaimed tele-program created by the SBA of Cincinnati, does just that.

Funded in part by a grant from the SBA, this tele-program is comprised of (3) nine-week series and multiple one night special topic programs.

Utilizing a telephone bridge line for one hour a week, 8-12 participants across the United States build friendships from the comfort of their homes. They deepen their understanding of self-knowledge and independence, and build foundations for their futures. Guest speakers from various disciplines help to facilitate some of these discussions.

Sharon Sellet, BAAE, is the Program Coordinator and is always at the helm of each discussion. She feels the objectives to reduce isolation, facilitate learning, enhance skill development and build capacity are being met with great success in part because of the program's format.

“This is a low-tech way of building social networks for teens and young adults, especially those living in remote areas that don't have computer access,” she says.

This form of networking will continue to raise the bar for successful transitions into adulthood, helping to equip individuals to handle the world and its challenges.

For more information on the program, please contact Sharon Sellet at 513-467-9292 or ssellet@sbacincy.org.