May 29th, 2008
Donation Opportunity for ISB Members
Dear ISB Members and Friends,
Many of you know our friend and colleague, Bob Kurz, proprietor of Bob’s House of Basses, principal bass of the National Philharmonic and long time supporter of the ISB. Bob is calling upon his fellow bassists to join him in a revolutionary advocacy effort to help handicapped children with cerebral palsy.
Many of you might know that Bob and Anna’s oldest son, Sixten, is severely handicapped and suffers from cerebral palsy. Sixten is profoundly retarded, and unable to walk, talk or even eat. He receives his nutrition via a feeding tube. Sixten’s physical condition is getting worse due to advancing scoliosis (a 55 degree curve in his spine), resulting in painful deformities to his hips and legs.
Bob and Anna have worked tirelessly to provide the kind of care for Sixten that will help him achieve his best potential in life. Five years ago they discovered a multidisciplinary educational methodology originating in Hungary called Conductive Education (CE). After a short introduction to CE in Budapest during the summer of 2004, Sixten was noticeably stronger, more confident and happier. Sadly though, this particular method is not available in America’s public schools for special-needs children.
For the past three years Bob and Anna have been fighting for the inclusion of Conductive Education in public school curriculums. Now their efforts may actually start paying off. The superintendent of the Prince George’s County (Maryland) Public Schools, Dr. John Deasy, has granted approval for a Conductive Education pilot program to be implemented starting in August, 2008. This would be an historic event for handicapped children attending America’s public schools.
Unfortunately, due to an all-too-common educational budget crisis in their local school system, Bob and Anna must raise the funds themselves to hire a certified Conductive Education Teacher and launch the pilot program. They are hopeful that their efforts will spark a broader acceptance of Conductive Education nationwide and help children everywhere.
Won’t you please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to help pay for a full time teacher’s salary and implement this historical program? Please feel free to call Bob at the shop if you have any questions about this program (1-888-289-9877).
Every donation, large and small, will help!
Go to www.sixtensfoundation.org, or mail your contribution, payable to:
Sixten’s Foundation
c/o Robert Kurz
PO Box 420
Glenn Dale, MD. 20769
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