Support group forms for local special needs families
Founder of Putter's Support Group, Emily Bentivegna, and her daughter, Amelia, running at the Norwich Family YMCA. (Submitted photo)
NORWICH – A support group for special needs families will hold its first meeting on Sunday, January 20 in an effort to open dialogue and acquaint people with available resources in the community.
Putter's Support Group was formed by Norwich resident Emily Bentivegna, with support from Family Resource Network, Springbrook, and Souther Tier Connect. Bentivegna said one of her daughters, Amelia, has battled medical issues her whole life, including blindness.
But that hasn't stopped Amelia, who in 2016 completed both the Norwich Family YMCA's Turkey Trot and Boilermakers' annual Utica National Kids' Run at just nine-years-old.
"This whole thing started because I am so engrossed in [Amelia] and the community and having her involved in so many things," said Bentivegna. "Because I have her [participating] in so much, I want to be able to help other people see what resources are available to them, because either they don't know or haven't been told."
Putter's Support Group is named after Amelia, who earned the nicknamed Putter as a young child when she wouldn't crawl but would rather putter around, said Bentivegna.
Its first meeting will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. on Jan. 20 at cvfree Methodist Church in Norwich, focusing on the importance of emergency preparedness for special needs families. It's free to attend, refreshments will be provided, and childcare by Family Resource Network will also be available for free at the venue.
The first meeting will cover how a special needs family can best prepare for a fire, power outage, car accident, and other emergency situations. The meeting will include a powerpoint presentation and information on how to contact local emergency responders and NYSEG to notify them that there is an individual with special needs in the family.
"These are things that you wouldn't really think of or know," said Bentivegna. "So that's our focus for this meeting, and to just meet everybody, kind of show them what we're talking about."
Putter's Support Group will meet from 2 p.m. to 4 on the third Sunday of every month, with the exception of March when its meeting will take place on March 24. Each meeting will cover a different topic and include guest speakers, as well as information pertaining to resources available in the area.
"Some people don't really think that some things are an option. Nobody would ever think that a blind kid would be running or swimming, completely on their own, or doing tap dance. And it's all possible," said Bentivegna. "You just have to be able to reach out to and talk to these different people."
More information on Putter's Support Group can be found on its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/224970251764980 or by searching Putter's Group. Bentivegna said it is a private group, but people can private message her to be added. You can also email puttersgroup@gmail.com for more information.
Participants in the support group will be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement, Bentivegna said. Interested families can contact their medicaid service coordinator to see if they are eligible for gift cards for gas from Family Resource Network to ease the transportation costs of attending the meetings.
If you would like to donate to support Putter's Support Group, visit www.familyrn.org/you_can_help/donate.html and mention the donation is for Putter's Group in the notes section.
cvfree Methodist Church is located at 4299 State Highway 23 in Norwich.
Putter's Support Group was formed by Norwich resident Emily Bentivegna, with support from Family Resource Network, Springbrook, and Souther Tier Connect. Bentivegna said one of her daughters, Amelia, has battled medical issues her whole life, including blindness.
But that hasn't stopped Amelia, who in 2016 completed both the Norwich Family YMCA's Turkey Trot and Boilermakers' annual Utica National Kids' Run at just nine-years-old.
"This whole thing started because I am so engrossed in [Amelia] and the community and having her involved in so many things," said Bentivegna. "Because I have her [participating] in so much, I want to be able to help other people see what resources are available to them, because either they don't know or haven't been told."
Putter's Support Group is named after Amelia, who earned the nicknamed Putter as a young child when she wouldn't crawl but would rather putter around, said Bentivegna.
Its first meeting will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. on Jan. 20 at cvfree Methodist Church in Norwich, focusing on the importance of emergency preparedness for special needs families. It's free to attend, refreshments will be provided, and childcare by Family Resource Network will also be available for free at the venue.
The first meeting will cover how a special needs family can best prepare for a fire, power outage, car accident, and other emergency situations. The meeting will include a powerpoint presentation and information on how to contact local emergency responders and NYSEG to notify them that there is an individual with special needs in the family.
"These are things that you wouldn't really think of or know," said Bentivegna. "So that's our focus for this meeting, and to just meet everybody, kind of show them what we're talking about."
Putter's Support Group will meet from 2 p.m. to 4 on the third Sunday of every month, with the exception of March when its meeting will take place on March 24. Each meeting will cover a different topic and include guest speakers, as well as information pertaining to resources available in the area.
"Some people don't really think that some things are an option. Nobody would ever think that a blind kid would be running or swimming, completely on their own, or doing tap dance. And it's all possible," said Bentivegna. "You just have to be able to reach out to and talk to these different people."
More information on Putter's Support Group can be found on its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/224970251764980 or by searching Putter's Group. Bentivegna said it is a private group, but people can private message her to be added. You can also email puttersgroup@gmail.com for more information.
Participants in the support group will be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement, Bentivegna said. Interested families can contact their medicaid service coordinator to see if they are eligible for gift cards for gas from Family Resource Network to ease the transportation costs of attending the meetings.
If you would like to donate to support Putter's Support Group, visit www.familyrn.org/you_can_help/donate.html and mention the donation is for Putter's Group in the notes section.
cvfree Methodist Church is located at 4299 State Highway 23 in Norwich.
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