KAP Profile - Ryan W (Student)

On the eve of the 3rd half marathon in Paducah (how did that get here so soon after the 2nd one?) let's take a minute to meet Ryan W, an energetic guy who is always ready to share the latest news and his perspective regarding WKU sports of all types.

Introduction by KAP:  Ryan is currently a WKU upperclassman and has been nominated as WKU's biggest fan.  Ryan is studying Exercise Science and is very involved with WKU sports.  His spirit and commitment to embracing every positive aspect of college makes him someone people seek to be around.  Ryan is also a strong advocate for the autism community.  He has given presentations at several schools about his experiences and has even made a video about ASD (autism spectrum disorders) and attending college.  Ryan is a true Hilltopper and we are proud to have him in our KAP family!

Q:  What year are you at WKU and what is your major?

Ryan W:  I am a senior at WKU and my major is Exercise Science.

Q:  Where are you from?

Ryan W:  Louisville, Kentucky

Q:  Why did you select WKU?

Ryan W:  I selected WKU because it's a decent-sized campus but with a huge university feel where I can be far from parents without leaving the state of Kentucky, and I can have that chance of showing that I can live on my own.

Q:  What are your biggest challenges with college?

Ryan W:  Juggling real life with your classes because, in a way, it's simulating what your life is going to be like after graduation - juggling your career and family - and it's preparing you.

Q:  What does KAP provide for you?

Ryan W:  KAP provides a lot of support for me here at WKU, not only with study help, but also around the social area, which can be my weakness at times.  KAP makes sure I'm keeping up with my schooling so I won't fall behind in my academic progress.

Q:  What do you want to do with your education after you graduate from WKU?

Ryan W:  With education completed here at WKU, I first want to vacation for enduring so many years of college work, but then pursue my career as an athletic trainer for a university team or professional sport.

Q:  What are your hobbies and favorite things to do?

Ryan W:  I currently play lacrosse for the sports club here at Western and have for the last three years.  I'm also interested in volleyball.

Q:  What do you want potential supporters of KAP to know?

Ryan W:  KAP is an amazing place with great people here, even despite our attitudes at times.  Whenever someone asks me how I am becoming successful here at WKU, I immediately tell them that KAP helps me every day.

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MAKDAP Fund-Raising Update - 5th Hurdle Cleared - Thank You!

Greetings good people.  A quick post - which is in no way a reflection of the enthusiasm associated with the topic - to let you know that we have eclipsed the $15,000 mark.  Thank you very much!  So, you know the drill by now....that gets us to the point of another $500 check of mine hitting tomorrow's mail.  We are really getting into range of meeting our $25K goal and I thank you for every dollar contributed.  We will continue the active effort to raise awareness and funds until we turn each one of those dollars into two courtesy of WKU's matching funds.

Short week of rest before we're breaking down our bodies once again on Saturday 5/11 while cloaked in MADKAP shirts moving as rapidly as possible through another 13.1 mile course offered by the roads of Paducah, KY.  Send positive energy our way and scholarship funds MADKAP's way...and maybe an ibuprofen or three.  Keep an eye out for another KAP profile on a student named Ryan - and not my Ryan....yet - before we get to Paducah.  Thank you again!

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KAP Profile - Sarah (Leadership)

Greetings MADKAP loyalists.  Time again to introduce yet another face of KAP.  And it's an important one in terms of KAP's college program....it's the KAP College Program Manager, Sarah.  Sarah is the manager, coach, trainer, and referee of activities that include a couple of soccer games worth of KAP college students.  Daily study tables, reviews of academic progress, dinners and gatherings, class schedules, mentor support, communicating with parents....she does everything but vacuum.  Which, of course, is a bit of an exaggeration.  She does that too if needed.  But she does it all with a smile that reflects her genuine joy in working with the students.  And she's unquestionably mportant to KAP's college students.  Students like my son.  Let's put the spotlight on Sarah for a moment.

Q:  Will you share some of your background with us?  What led to your involvement with KAP and how long have you been part of the organization?

Sarah:  I grew up in Owensboro, Kentucky and graduated from Apollo High School.  During high school, I was a peer tutor and this is where I found my passion for working with special needs students.  I went on to attend WKU for both my Bachelor's and my Master's degrees.  During my college career, I worked at the Kelly Autism Program and Migrant Head Start.

I got connected with KAP during my junior year of college.  I was in a behavior management class and worked with a young man who had autism.  He was part of KAP so I began volunteering there.  Then, after my class, I had the opportunity to continue working with this young man and to become part of the KAP family.

Currently I am the Program Manager for KAP's college program.  I have been in this position for the past several years.  I love the college students and consider it an honor that we get to do life together!

Q:  What are the most common challenges for KAP college students and how does KAP help address them?

Sarah:  Each of the participants of KAP are individuals and with this brings specific challenges and strengths for each person.  I think KAP addresses these needs on many levels.  We look at the whole person and the participants learn to problem solve issues in their lives.  We also provide a place for them to be and belong.  I have to credit our staff with the welcoming environment they have created for our participants.  KAP staff is invested in the participants and this shows on a daily basis.

Q:  What aspects of KAP's plans for the next few years energize you the most?

Sarah:  I am seeing our college program continue to grow as we try to address the needs of this population.  We were able to expand our program and hire another full-time staff member to help me run the Circle of Support.  It excites me to continue to work with such deserving people from across the United States!

Q:  What do you like to do when you're not working and being involved with KAP, and what are some of your favorite things?

Sarah:  When I am not involved with KAP, I love to travel with my husband and friends.  I also enjoy kayaking and spending time outdoors.

Q:  What does additional financial support and scholarship funding enable for KAP?

Sarah:  Additional financial support will allow KAP to serve more individuals with autism at the college level.  It will also provide support for those who are already a part of the KAP family.  This support can help to ensure that our participants receive the support that they need.

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Cinco de 'hio - Flying Pig 1/2 Marathon - 5/5/2013

Ohio played host to MADKAP racing this morning for the 15th annual Flying Pig Marathon & Half Marathon in The Queen City, Cincinnati.  Kentucky got in on the action as well with a majority of the first 5K being run on two bridges over the Ohio River and in Kentucky.  A 6:30AM EDT start allowed us to find the "Finish Swine" (I didn't make that up) before the rain started, and an overcast morning in the mid-50s provided forgiving conditions throughout.  Less forgiving was the mid-course multi-mile trek to the Cincinnati Observatory.  Some of you more perceptive readers might be thinking, "Hmm, observatory...that sounds like it could possibly be uphill."  Perspicacious indeed.  Turns out the Cincinnati Observatory is "located atop the rolling hills of Mount Lookout" (I didn't make that up either).  But, in equitable fashion, the final 5K of the course included a descent of said rolling hills of Mount Lookout.

1:29:30 today for this author, and Counselor Tom brought home a 1:45:23, finding MADKAP's Flying Pig finishers narrowly and regrettably out-kicked at the line by the Scheid brothers from New Jersey who placed 1st and 4th overall.  And by out-kicked, we mean they were probably on a plane home to the Garden State by the time we finished.

Sometimes you feel like you get the relative better of a course; sometimes it gets the better of you.  Today, the latter.  There must be something to this rest and recovery between events thing that the so-called experts recommend.  Today was more challenging physically than the first week, and surely the limited time between events was a factor...which could make the six days till the Paducah 1/2 seem even shorter.  But The Quilt City awaits, and MADKAP will be on the roads yet again Saturday.

Thanks for your considerable support.  Please check-in often this week for a couple of new KAP profiles and a fund-raising update.  Thx again!

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