Mary O'Neill and Randy Jay surprised with recognition

A carefully orchestrated surprise recognition was conducted before the Franklin Commission on Disability meeting on Thursday, August 7. The meeting was held at the Peter L Brunnelli Community Center (Central Park Terrace).

Mary O'Neill, was taken by surprise with the gathering of more than the Commission members and with the presentations of proclamations by State Rep Jeff Roy and Town Administrator Jamie Hellen.

Among the many things Mary is known for it is her inspiration and persistence that produced the "Kindness Matters" signs seen around town.

Mary was recognized for 14 years leading the Commission

Randy was recognized for 8 years serving as Clerk.

Some photos of the event can be found in the album -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/7UgtTdLxSvgHy7KF8

Recap of the formal meeting that followed will be available in a day or so

(audio not share worthy quality)

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, August 7, 2025 ??

Library & Senior Center events

Thursday, August 7

7:00pm 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node Meeting (First Universalist Society of Franklin)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->        

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

**  Town Meetings today   **

Franklin Commission on Persons with Disabilities Meeting

Thursday, August 7 Time: 4:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08072025-1843

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, August 7 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/459?fileID=5437 

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What's happening today in Franklin? 

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

Rise up Saturday, July 19 at 10 AM

Rise up Saturday, July 19

Learn more about Rise Up and sign up for email updates here: https://alirheaume.com/rise-up

Shared from ->   https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AjZStDzCE/

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This one-hour social meet-up is intended to be a safe space for:

• individuals navigating life with disability to meet others they can relate with
• community partners to learn more about the population and share resources
• support persons to meet other support persons

For additional information about this event, please visit ->  https://alirheaume.com/rise-up

Navigating life with disability? Check out the Rise Up group meeting Saturday at 10 AM to see if it is for you

Ali Rheaume to present session virtually on Disability Awareness - Aug 27, 2025

Via Ali Rheaume

Ali Rheaume to present session virtually
on Disability Awareness - Aug 27, 2025

I'll be presenting this and highly encourage attending to learn more about:

• handicap parking
• handicap restroom stalls
• supporting people who navigate disability
• socializing with people navigating disability

Register free: https://biama.org/event/guest-lecture-series-disability-awareness-virtual/

Shared from ->   https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ZtTduj8Ax/

Great Resource - Part 2: Sherlock Center listing for MASS

Earlier this week, we shared some of our Rhode Island-based titles of adapted literature for students with complex disabilities in recognition of Deafblind Awareness Week.

Today, we’re sharing some titles for our neighbors in Massachusetts:

• Massachusetts Famous People

Great resource to find adapted versions of popular
literature for students with complex disabilities

• Massachusetts Famous Places

• Massachusetts Famous Places 2

• Massachusetts Important Dates and Events

• Massachusetts Popular Foods

Check them out at https://bit.ly/Mass-lit or view all of our adapted literature offerings at https://bit.ly/adaptedliterature.

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/16pvwTTDvC/

Visit the website for more info on the Sherlock Center -> https://sherlockcenter.ric.edu/

*Yes, there is a family relationship to this Sherlock Center. Paul was my father's brother.

The earlier listing shared can be found here -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/06/great-resource-to-find-adapted-versions.html

Great resource to find adapted versions of popular literature for students with complex disabilities

via Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities / RI College

Over 400 adapted versions of popular literature for students with complex disabilities are organized in a searchable database on our website; it’s our most-visited page every month!

In recognition of Deafblind Awareness Week, we’re highlighting a few of our Rhode Island-related titles:

Great resource to find adapted versions of popular
literature for students with complex disabilities

• Things Made in Rhode Island

• Rhode Island Beaches

• Rhode Island Famous People

• Rhode Island Famous Places

• Rhode Island Foods

• Rhode Island History

Check them out at https://bit.ly/RI-lit or view all of our adapted literature offerings at https://bit.ly/adaptedliterature.

Stay tuned, Massachusetts friends; we haven’t forgotten you!

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/1NopNYufN5/

Visit the website for more info on the Sherlock Center -> https://sherlockcenter.ric.edu/

*Yes, there is a family relationship to this Sherlock Center. Paul was my father's brother.

I can’t go everywhere my daughter goes – and it’s heartbreaking | Well actually | The Guardian

"We met K when she was a week old. We were foster parents and not expecting a call about a newborn. Despite becoming her mom with just 12 hours’ notice – we adopted her the next year – my early months with her felt so natural.

I had been disabled for six years. While on a hike, I developed dysautonomia, which is secondary to a genetic connective tissue disorder called hEDS [hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome]. I experience a great deal of daily pain and can’t stand for more than a minute or sit upright unsupported for more than five.

As a result, I spend most of my day reclined. Her high need for physical contact in infancy fit my need to rest all day. She didn’t need a mom who could pace. She needed a mom who didn’t get bored lying on the sofa. We were a perfect match.

After a few months with K, we started to make plans. The first was a trip to a small island called Lummi off the coast of Washington state. We flew out of Oakland; a friend drove us to the airport and helped us check the bags. David pushed me in my wheelchair, and I carried K on my lap. Once in the air, we learned the hard way that air pressure changes can contribute to diaper blowouts, but the flight was, generally, fine."

For some disabled or chronically ill people, leaving the house isn’t possible at all. But for others, the barriers are structural. Composite: The Guardian/Getty Images

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continue reading the article online -> https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2025/apr/15/parenting-disability-wheelchair 

Rise Up meeting on Saturday, Feb 15 feaures "special discussion about disability awareness & advocacy"

Hi all,

Rise Up is this Saturday and we will have a special discussion about disability awareness & advocacy!

Date: Saturday, February 15th

Time: 10:00 AM  -11:00 AM

Location: Franklin United Methodist Church, 82 West Central Street, Franklin (Parking and ramp/door on the left side)

Agenda: 

- open social time

- introductions

- presentation/discussion about disability awareness & advocacy

- announcements

- wrap up

See you Saturday!

--------------

This one-hour social meet-up is intended to be a safe space for:

• individuals navigating life with disability to meet others they can relate with
• community partners to learn more about the population and share resources
• support persons to meet other support persons

For additional information about this event, please visit ->  https://alirheaume.com/rise-up

Rise Up meeting on Saturday, Feb 15 feaures "special discussion about disability awareness & advocacy"

Rise Up this Saturday 🌄, January 18, 2025 at 10 AM

Hi all,

Rise Up is this Saturday and I'm excited to see you!

Date: January 18

Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Location: Franklin United Methodist Church, 82 West Central Street, Franklin (Parking and ramp/door on the left side)

Agenda: Open social time and group conversation

See you in a few days!

--------------

This one-hour social meet-up is intended to be a safe space for:

• individuals navigating life with disability to meet others they can relate with
• community partners to learn more about the population and share resources
• support persons to meet other support persons

For additional information about this event, please visit ->  https://alirheaume.com/rise-up

Navigating life with disability? Check out the Rise Up group meeting Saturday at 10 AM to see if it is for you

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, January 2, 2025 ???

Thursday, January 2

• Fiber Art Installation Franklin Public Library

7:00pm 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node Meeting (First Universalist Society Franklin)

**   Town Meetings today   **

CSFC Subcommittee Meeting (Master Plan Subcmte) (virtual meeting)

Event Date:  Thursday, January 2, 2025 - 6:00pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/csfc_subcommittee_agenda_-_january_2nd_2025.pdf

Franklin Commission on Persons with Disabilities (Central Park Terrace)

Event Date:  Thursday, January 2, 2025 - 7:00pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/agenda_-_01-02-2025_-_franklin_disability_commission_meeting.pdf

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting  (virtual meeting)

Event Date:  Thursday, January 2, 2025 - 7:30pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/1.2.25_zba_agenda_0.pdf

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Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/upcoming

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, November 7, 2024 ???

Thursday, November 7

7am Fiber Art Installation (Franklin Public Library)

8am Franklin Downtown Partnership General Meeting (Dean college)

9am Fallen Hero: Lawrence J. Clark (Veterans Walkway, Franklin Town Common)

4pm Artsy Afternoons (Franklin Public Library)

5pm Board Game Night (Pete's Nerd Emporium)

5pm Barefoot Ballet (Franklin Public Library)

6:3pm Knife Skills with Chef Tom (Franklin Public Library)

7pm Musical Bingo: Dean POM Team vs Teddy Gallagher's (Teddy Gallagher's Pub)

7pm 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node Meeting (FUSF) 

7pm LGBTQ Monthly meeting (Franklin TV and Radio Studio) 

9pm David Weber (live music) (3 Restaurant)

**   Town Meetings today   **

Commission on Persons with Disabilities agenda (Central Park Terrace)

Event Date:  Thursday, November 7, 2024 - 7:00pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/events/agenda_-_11-07-24_-_franklin_disability_commission_meeting.pdf

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Meeting  (remote meeting)

Event Date:  Thursday, November 7, 2024 - 7:30pm

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/11.7.24_zba_agenda.pdf

What's happening today in Franklin? 

---------------

Why are there multiple calendars?

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/upcoming

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

Rise Up this Saturday, October 19 at 10 AM

Hi friends!

I'm so excited for Rise Up this Saturday! We will be joined by Waypoint Adventure , an organization that provides opportunities for adaptive recreational opportunities such as kayaking, hiking, rock climbing, and more!

Date: Saturday, October 19th

Time: 10am-11am

Location: Franklin United Methodist Church, 82 West Central St, Franklin, MA (parking/ramp/entrance on left side)

Agenda: 

- Open social time

- Group discussion and activity with Waypoint

- More open social time

- Wrap up/end

**Please help keep this a fragrance-free environment.

I look forward to seeing you on Saturday!! :)

Ali Rheaume

---------------

This one-hour social meet-up is intended to be a safe space for:

• individuals navigating life with disability to meet others they can relate with
• community partners to learn more about the population and share resources
• support persons to meet other support persons

For additional information about this event, please visit ->  https://alirheaume.com/rise-up

Navigating life with disability? Check out the Rise Up group meeting Saturday at 10 AM to see if it is for you

Rise Up this Saturday !!! Sep 21, 2024 at 10 AM

Hi friends!

I'm excited to see you this Saturday for our next Rise Up gathering!! 

- Date: September 21st

- Time: 10 AM

- Location: Franklin United Methodist Church, 82 West Central St, Franklin, MA (parking and ramp/entrance on left side)

Agenda: 

- Open social time

- Group social time and clay craft (if you choose to)

- Announcements & Wrap-up

*Please help us maintain a fragrance-free environment for allergy reasons (no perfume, cologne, etc.)

It would be fantastic if you could share this with your networks, as anyone 18+ is welcome to attend - disability or not!

See you then!

Ali Rheaume

--------------

This one-hour social meet-up is intended to be a safe space for:

• individuals navigating life with disability to meet others they can relate with
• community partners to learn more about the population and share resources
• support persons to meet other support persons

For additional information about this event, please visit ->   https://alirheaume.com/rise-up

Navigating life with disability? Check out the Rise Up group meeting Saturday at 10 AM to see if it is for you