Disney marathoner lost his eyesight while serving in Iraq
By Mark Jenkins, Reporter
Last Updated: Sunday, January 09, 2011 2:17 PM
LAKE BUENA VISTA --
At 5:30 a.m. and 45 degrees, more than 18,000 athletes pounded the pavement for a morning marathon.
The runners ranged from professionals to amateurs, to those who can't walk and another who can't see.
While serving in Iraq, Captain Ivan Castro was nearly killed in a mortar attack that took his eyesight.
After numerous surgeries, he is now more active than most people.
"I cycle swim, I climb, I do triathlons. But the most important thing is that I can still serve," said Castro.
This was his 14th marathon.
Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Bryan ran with Castro in the Disney marathon, attached to each other by a shoe lace.
Castro has been called courageous and heroic, but today he respectfully earned the title "Goofy".
He was one of 5,000 runners that took the goofy challenge of running both the half marathon Saturday and the full marathon Sunday.
read more here
Disney marathoner lost his eyesight while serving in Iraq
Showing posts with label Walt Disney World. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Walt Disney World. Show all posts
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
120 disabled Veterans and their families are traveling to Walt Disney World in Orlando
Military Members and Veterans with Disabilities
Learn Life-Changing Skills
VA to Offer Educational Breakouts
WASHINGTON - This week more than 120 wounded military personnel,
disabled Veterans and their families are traveling to Walt Disney World
in Orlando for the 6th Annual Road to Recovery Conference. The
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is providing on-site counseling and
information about VA programs.
"VA is honored to work with our partners in the private sector and
Veterans service organizations to help America's heroes and their
families, particularly Veterans who are facing unique challenges," said
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.
The week-long event is presented by The Coalition to Salute America's
Heroes and the American Legion.
VA will have counselors on site to provide one-on-one counseling. Other
VA employees will be available to provide participants with information
about health care and financial benefits available to injured military
personnel, Veterans and family members.
Participants will attend more than 40 hours of seminars, workshops, and
panel discussion devoted to enhancing personal relationships and
providing information on benefits, services, insurance, health care,
financial support and employment opportunities. Experts from
government, the private sector and other non-profits groups will also be
on hand to offer advice and guidance on resume rewriting, career
counseling and many more topics.
Representatives from the U.S. Olympic Committee's paralympic program
will be on site to discuss the new joint VA-Paralympic program for
disabled service men and women who may be interested in representing
their country as a U.S. Paralympian.
For more information about the Road to Recovery Conference, visit
www.saluteheroes.org , or contact Jose
Llamas, VA public affairs coordinator, at (202) 461-7549
Learn Life-Changing Skills
VA to Offer Educational Breakouts
WASHINGTON - This week more than 120 wounded military personnel,
disabled Veterans and their families are traveling to Walt Disney World
in Orlando for the 6th Annual Road to Recovery Conference. The
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is providing on-site counseling and
information about VA programs.
"VA is honored to work with our partners in the private sector and
Veterans service organizations to help America's heroes and their
families, particularly Veterans who are facing unique challenges," said
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.
The week-long event is presented by The Coalition to Salute America's
Heroes and the American Legion.
VA will have counselors on site to provide one-on-one counseling. Other
VA employees will be available to provide participants with information
about health care and financial benefits available to injured military
personnel, Veterans and family members.
Participants will attend more than 40 hours of seminars, workshops, and
panel discussion devoted to enhancing personal relationships and
providing information on benefits, services, insurance, health care,
financial support and employment opportunities. Experts from
government, the private sector and other non-profits groups will also be
on hand to offer advice and guidance on resume rewriting, career
counseling and many more topics.
Representatives from the U.S. Olympic Committee's paralympic program
will be on site to discuss the new joint VA-Paralympic program for
disabled service men and women who may be interested in representing
their country as a U.S. Paralympian.
For more information about the Road to Recovery Conference, visit
www.saluteheroes.org , or contact Jose
Llamas, VA public affairs coordinator, at (202) 461-7549
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Disney to give day pass for volunteer work
Disney launching "Give a day, get a day" promotion
posted by Jason Garcia on Sep 29, 2009 8:19:33 AM
After a year in which it let guests into its theme parks for free on their birthdays, the Walt Disney Co. will hand out more free tickets in 2010 — but only after making people earn them.
Disney on Tuesday launched a new promotional campaign, “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day,” under which it will distribute 1 million one-day, one-park tickets to people who volunteer at select charities.
With the program, which succeeds the company’s “Free on Your Birthday” campaign this year, Disney is continuing its strategy of using discounts to lure vacationers amid a challenging economic climate that is expected to stretch well into next year. But it also marrying the approach with a socially conscious message.
“The thrust of this program is really about inspiring people to consider and participate in volunteerism, with the hope that that will become a way of life for them,” said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “We think, in this case, that doing good for our communities is good business.”
Beginning Jan. 1, guests will be able to sign up for volunteer work through a Disney website. People will be able to choose from service opportunities provided by HandsOn Network, a sprawling volunteer network that links volunteers with more than 70,000 non-profits around the country.
read more here
Disney launching Give a day, get a day promotion
posted by Jason Garcia on Sep 29, 2009 8:19:33 AM
After a year in which it let guests into its theme parks for free on their birthdays, the Walt Disney Co. will hand out more free tickets in 2010 — but only after making people earn them.
Disney on Tuesday launched a new promotional campaign, “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day,” under which it will distribute 1 million one-day, one-park tickets to people who volunteer at select charities.
With the program, which succeeds the company’s “Free on Your Birthday” campaign this year, Disney is continuing its strategy of using discounts to lure vacationers amid a challenging economic climate that is expected to stretch well into next year. But it also marrying the approach with a socially conscious message.
“The thrust of this program is really about inspiring people to consider and participate in volunteerism, with the hope that that will become a way of life for them,” said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “We think, in this case, that doing good for our communities is good business.”
Beginning Jan. 1, guests will be able to sign up for volunteer work through a Disney website. People will be able to choose from service opportunities provided by HandsOn Network, a sprawling volunteer network that links volunteers with more than 70,000 non-profits around the country.
read more here
Disney launching Give a day, get a day promotion
Monday, September 14, 2009
Plush gig? Not always -- costume character jobs can pack wallop
During one of my many jobs, I worked for Child World. It was a massive toy store chain and their hero was Peter Panda. Lucky me, I got the "honor" or "horror" depending on the day, for the Saugus MA store. The costume was enormous.
I was looking for a picture online of this but found a video instead.
As you can see, not easy to really move around with. During Christmas, it was terrible to wear it because of ice, snow and not being able to see. I had some wise guy friends playing jokes on me all the time. Kids were not as bad as most parents. They didn't like it if five other kids needed as much attention as their own child. They would swear at me in front of the kids because their little "darling" deserved more attention than the other kids because they spent more money there. As if that made sense. If they were already spending that much money there, they didn't need to see me inside a giant panda suit to do it. The good things are obvious but the bad, people hardly ever think of. This article may be an eye opener if you never thought how hard it is to be in costume.
I was looking for a picture online of this but found a video instead.
As you can see, not easy to really move around with. During Christmas, it was terrible to wear it because of ice, snow and not being able to see. I had some wise guy friends playing jokes on me all the time. Kids were not as bad as most parents. They didn't like it if five other kids needed as much attention as their own child. They would swear at me in front of the kids because their little "darling" deserved more attention than the other kids because they spent more money there. As if that made sense. If they were already spending that much money there, they didn't need to see me inside a giant panda suit to do it. The good things are obvious but the bad, people hardly ever think of. This article may be an eye opener if you never thought how hard it is to be in costume.
Plush gig? Not always -- costume character jobs can pack wallop
Anika Myers Palm and Walter Pacheco
Sentinel Staff Writers
September 14, 2009
They get kicked, punched, groped and cursed at during the course of their normal workdays — and that's usually just from the kids.
Workers in character costumes at theme parks, including Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld, and at restaurants in Orlando's tourist corridor, often discount the indignities and injuries associated with their jobs and uncomfortable outfits.
Costumed characters were back in the public eye after prosecutors recently found a Pennsylvania man guilty of groping a Disney employee portraying Minnie Mouse at the Magic Kingdom. He told investigators that he was just having fun and meant no harm.
This was the second time the same employee had been molested by a guest. In 2002, she was playing Mickey Mouse when, authorities say, a mentally ill man who was obsessed with Disney characters put his arm around her and made sexually suggestive movements. The man was found incompetent to stand trial and the charges — battery and lewdness — were eventually dismissed.
Although current costumed employees at area theme parks declined to share their stories, former workers, including some who played chain-saw killers and Chuck E. Cheese, shared the ups and downs behind the disguises.
read more here
Costume character jobs can pack wallop
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Third Walt Disney World employee dies in just over one month
Third Walt Disney World employee dies in just over one month
Willoughby Mariano
Sentinel Staff Writer
11:50 p.m. EDT, August 17, 2009
A Walt Disney World cast member is dead after an accident Monday evening at Hollywood Studios.
Stunt performer Anislav Varbanov, 30, was fatally injured during a rehearsal for the " Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular." He was doing a tumbling roll after 7 p.m. when he was hurt.
Disney workers dialed 911 at 7:34 p.m. to report that a cast member sustained a head injury. Varbanov was rushed to Florida Hospital Celebration Health, where he was pronounced dead at 8:53 p.m., Orange County sheriff's deputies said.
click link for more
Willoughby Mariano
Sentinel Staff Writer
11:50 p.m. EDT, August 17, 2009
A Walt Disney World cast member is dead after an accident Monday evening at Hollywood Studios.
Stunt performer Anislav Varbanov, 30, was fatally injured during a rehearsal for the " Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular." He was doing a tumbling roll after 7 p.m. when he was hurt.
Disney workers dialed 911 at 7:34 p.m. to report that a cast member sustained a head injury. Varbanov was rushed to Florida Hospital Celebration Health, where he was pronounced dead at 8:53 p.m., Orange County sheriff's deputies said.
click link for more
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tyler Perry Treats Philly Pool Kids to Disney World
Tyler Perry Treats Philly Pool Kids to Disney World
Posted by Carmen Dixon on Jul 21st 2009 2:00PM
Tyler Perry is treating the 65 day campers who were ejected from the Philadelphia-area Valley Swim Club to the vacation of a lifetime. Perry is stepping in to help heal the scars and hearts of the kids, who believe they were rejected because they were "too dark to swim." Here's what Perry had to say:
Since you all have put me in the position to be able to do something, I feel like by me doing this, we are all doing it together.
So what I did was on Aug 1st through the 3rd, I'm sending these kids to Disney World and then to a Disney water park. I want them to know that for every act of evil that a few people will throw at you, there are millions more who will do something kind for them. This is all about the kids. So, thank you for letting me do this. Thank you so much.
read more here
Tyler Perry Treats Philly Pool Kids to Disney World
Background on this story
Pool denies turning away minority kids
Philadelphia swim club says safety, not race, led to cancellation
Posted by Carmen Dixon on Jul 21st 2009 2:00PM
Tyler Perry is treating the 65 day campers who were ejected from the Philadelphia-area Valley Swim Club to the vacation of a lifetime. Perry is stepping in to help heal the scars and hearts of the kids, who believe they were rejected because they were "too dark to swim." Here's what Perry had to say:
Since you all have put me in the position to be able to do something, I feel like by me doing this, we are all doing it together.
So what I did was on Aug 1st through the 3rd, I'm sending these kids to Disney World and then to a Disney water park. I want them to know that for every act of evil that a few people will throw at you, there are millions more who will do something kind for them. This is all about the kids. So, thank you for letting me do this. Thank you so much.
read more here
Tyler Perry Treats Philly Pool Kids to Disney World
Background on this story
Pool denies turning away minority kids
Philadelphia swim club says safety, not race, led to cancellation
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Twelve hurt when 2 Disney buses crash
Twelve hurt when 2 Disney buses crash
Accident happened in front of Contemporary Resort
Susan Jacobson
Sentinel Staff Writer
5:00 PM EDT, July 16, 2009
Two Walt Disney World buses crashed this afternoon in front of the Contemporary Resort on Disney property, injuring 12 people, the Florida Highway Patrol said.
The rear-end crash happened about 2:40 p.m. when one southbound bus stopped to merge as the World Drive narrowed from three to two lanes, said Sgt. Kim Miller, an FHP spokeswoman. The second bus did not stop in time.
Fifty people were on both buses. A dozen were taken to area hospitals. Miller described their injuries as minor. Preliminary reports indicate the buses were ferrying guests from the theme parks to hotels.
click link for more
Accident happened in front of Contemporary Resort
Susan Jacobson
Sentinel Staff Writer
5:00 PM EDT, July 16, 2009
Two Walt Disney World buses crashed this afternoon in front of the Contemporary Resort on Disney property, injuring 12 people, the Florida Highway Patrol said.
The rear-end crash happened about 2:40 p.m. when one southbound bus stopped to merge as the World Drive narrowed from three to two lanes, said Sgt. Kim Miller, an FHP spokeswoman. The second bus did not stop in time.
Fifty people were on both buses. A dozen were taken to area hospitals. Miller described their injuries as minor. Preliminary reports indicate the buses were ferrying guests from the theme parks to hotels.
click link for more
Monday, December 8, 2008
Wounded vets receive warm welcome at Orlando Airport
Wounded Vets Receive Warm Welcome
ORLANDO -- Dozens of wounded veterans got a big welcome Sunday at Orlando International Airport.
Many gathered at the main terminal to welcome the 146 wounded veterans and their families who are attending the annual Road to Recovery Conference this week.
The event helps the vets learn to reintegrate into society. It also includes a job fair with top employers.
Veterans also get free tickets to Disney World, and they get to attend Disney's Very Merry Christmas party.
The event is sponsored by the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes, which is a group that provides financial aid and programs for veterans returning home.
go here for video report from News 13
Warm Welcome For Vets
Coalition to Salute America's Heroes
Orlando chapter of Nam Knights Motor Cycle club, Rolling Thunder members, Patriot Guard Riders and a host of service organizations, as well as regular people came to welcome these wounded warriors as they traveled to Orlando for a Disney vacation with their families.
Nam Knights Orlando/
The Nam Knights are Vietnam veterans, police officers, firefighters and they wanted to make sure the newer veterans are given all the appreciation they deserve. During the year they hold fund raisers, travel across Florida to escort the Traveling Wall and for other memorials, support Boots on the Ground along with a long list of other groups. Some of the members have sons serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Mears bus driver taken hostage for ride to Downtown Disney
Bus driver taken hostage at gunpoint; forced to drive to Downtown Disney
A man took a tour bus driver hostage briefly and forced her to drive to the Downtown Disney entertainment and shopping complex, authorities said Saturday.
The man, who was not identified but was described as being black, in his 20s, weighing 150 to 160 pounds, wearing black jeans, a black sweatshirt, black ball cap and having a moustache, then blended into the crowd.
click link for more
A man took a tour bus driver hostage briefly and forced her to drive to the Downtown Disney entertainment and shopping complex, authorities said Saturday.
The man, who was not identified but was described as being black, in his 20s, weighing 150 to 160 pounds, wearing black jeans, a black sweatshirt, black ball cap and having a moustache, then blended into the crowd.
click link for more
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Disney to open pediatric hospital
Officials announce details about Disney hospital
The Associated Press
Published: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 10:06 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 10:06 a.m.
ORLANDO, Fla. -
Officials at Florida Hospital in Orlando say a planned Disney-themed children's hospital will serve as a model for pediatric hospitals everywhere.
Disney Children's Hospital at Florida Hospital - the official name announced at a news conference Wednesday - will include sophisticated, interactive technology for patients, as well as pediatric physicians who specialize in advanced, minimally invasive surgery. The Walt Disney Company has supported children's hospitals in the past, but this is the first to bear the company's name.
Disney Children's Hospital administrator Marla Silliman says the facility will be on the forefront of technology and a model for patient experience.
The new hospital is expected to be open by 2010.
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080827/APN/808271136
The Associated Press
Published: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 10:06 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 10:06 a.m.
ORLANDO, Fla. -
Officials at Florida Hospital in Orlando say a planned Disney-themed children's hospital will serve as a model for pediatric hospitals everywhere.
Disney Children's Hospital at Florida Hospital - the official name announced at a news conference Wednesday - will include sophisticated, interactive technology for patients, as well as pediatric physicians who specialize in advanced, minimally invasive surgery. The Walt Disney Company has supported children's hospitals in the past, but this is the first to bear the company's name.
Disney Children's Hospital administrator Marla Silliman says the facility will be on the forefront of technology and a model for patient experience.
The new hospital is expected to be open by 2010.
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080827/APN/808271136
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