Cerebral Palsy

Patrick McLester gazed at the sky smiling, watching as a cluster of green and yellow helium balloons launched Friday afternoon floated in the air in celebration of the Hagerstown United Cerebral Palsy Center's grand opening. It was McLester's idea to include the balloons as part of the ceremony. The 26-year-old Hagerstown man, who suffers from several disabilities, said he has built more self-respect and confidence since enrolling in the center's new College 4 Living program, which teaches its disabled students life skills through lectures and interactive trips.

For 16 years, Rose Marie Newlin, 52, spent her life in a nursing home. There, she says, it was noisy and there weren't many people her own age. That isn't the case anymore, she says, since moving into Salem East, one of two new apartments on Salem Avenue remodeled by United Cerebral Palsy of Central Maryland. "It's really quiet," she says. Newlin is one of three women with disabilities who are cohabiting at the new facilities. The 2,500-square-foot apartment includes a bedroom for each resident, a full kitchen, a dining room, a handicapped-accessible bathroom with roll-in shower, a laundry room and a large common area.

The Knights of Columbus recently presented money from its annual Tootsie Roll Drive to Villa Maria of Washington County, United Cerebral Palsy of Hagerstown and Star Community. Pictured from left are David Flynn, Arnold Eby, Melissa Mills, Francie Hickerson and Tony Datillio.

The Knights of Columbus conducted a Tootsie Roll drive in the fall in the Hagerstown area. Donations from patrons of Sam's Club and the congregation from six Catholic churches in the area amounted to more than $4,000. Donors also included those who participated in the Barnyard Olympics at Star Community in October. The money was donated to United Cerebral Palsy; Star Community; and Villa Maria.

waynesboro@herald-mail.com MCCONNELSBURG - Rebecca H. Doyle was heading home Tuesday morning after taking care of one of her cerebral palsy patients when her sport utility vehicle slid on snow-covered U.S. 522 and struck a tractor-trailer. She was pronounced dead at the scene following the head-on collision, Darryl E. Heckman, Fulton County coroner, said Wednesday. The accident occurred around 9:20 a.m. about one-quarter of a mile north of Burnt Cabins in Dublin Township, police said.

A fire was reported at the United Cerebral Palsy Center late Friday. About 20 firefighters from Funkstown, Halfway and Hagerstown responded to the fire, which was reported about 10:45 p.m., Funkstown Fire Department Lt. Chris Lundberg said. The fire was caused by an electrical failure in the sprinkler system motor, Lundberg said. Maryland Deputy State Fire Marshal Ed Ernst said there only was smoke in the building. The sprinkler system will need to be inspected before the center opens Monday, he said.

Rose Marie Newlin, 52 AUG. 28, 1956-MARCH 20, 2009 Rose Marie Newlin, 52, of Hagerstown, died Friday, March 20, 2009, at Washington County Hospital. Born Aug. 28, 1956, in Hagerstown, she was the daughter of the late Robert Henry and Gladys Sarah May Schetrompf Newlin. She was a member of United Cerebral Palsy in Hagerstown. She attended the West End Baptist Church in Hagerstown. She is survived by one sister, Cathy J. Zinn of Mont Alto, Pa.; five brothers, Roy A. Newlin of Martinsburg, W.Va.

By JENNYLYNN BROWN Staff Writer KEEDYSVILLE, Md. - In 1947, many premature babies did not survive. But Patricia Ann Fisher beat the odds, even though she also had cerebral palsy. Today, she celebrates her 50th birthday. Mabel P. Fisher, now 84, left the hospital after her daughter's birth, but Patty remained hospitalized and in an incubator. Mabel said it was one of the snowiest winters, and Patty had to have breast milk to live. Her husband, Lester, rode through "snowdrifts as deep as this kitchen" to Keedysville on horseback with Mabel's breast milk in a bottle.

Local nonprofit organizations receiving cash gifts from the Community Foundation of Washington County include: Alzheimer's Association of Western Maryland American Cancer Society American Diabetes Association American Heart Association American Red Cross Boys and Girls Club CASA Inc. Community Free Clinic Conococheague Institute Easter Seals Frostburg State University...