Chloe Kaalund – Applied Abilities Program

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Chloe, a beautiful baby girl, was the Kaalund’s 3rd child and all appearances indicated that Chloe was a healthy baby. As Chloe grew and started to miss a few milestones her mom, Erria became concerned. Chloe’s pediatrician who was consulted continued to indicate Chloe was fine but Erria knew better. Chloe’s family continued to advocate for her and when Chloe was two she was diagnosed with Downs Syndrome.

Chloe is now 31 years old and is a client of UCP’s Applied Abilities Program in Tracy. She attends the program 3 days a week, so she has time to work out at the gym and participate in various weight lifting tournaments. You heard right…Chloe is a weight lifter and competes regularly. How does someone become a weight lifter you ask? Well when Chloe was in Jr. High School she was athletic but like many shy teens she found it difficult to participate in team sports. Her gym coach approached Chloe and Erria and asked if Chloe might be interested in an open position in the school’s weight lifting team; so began Chloe’s adventure to become a weight lifting champ.

Chloe works out under the direction of her coach, Jesse Burdick at Combat Sports Academy (CSA) in Dublin, CA. She practices her dead lifting, bench pressing and does cardio on alternate days. Coach Burdick says, “Chloe is a hard worker, but is a typical young lady who at times needs to be reminded to finish her workout repetition.“ This isn’t Coach Burdick’s first time working with an individual living with a disability. He also coaches a few individuals who compete in the Paralympics. According to Burdick he doesn’t specialize in working with people with disabilities, he just coaches anyone who is interested in the sport and treats them all the same with tough discipline and high expectations.

Chloe competes in her own weight division where she has won two WABDL (World Association Benchers & Deadlifters) trophies in both bench press and deadlift. This year under the coaching of Burdick, Chloe competed in Las Vegas where she set State and World Records in the bench press at 155.34 lbs. and 314.23 lbs. for dead lift.

Although Chloe can lift most people she knows… she is still all girl. You can tell by her pink weight belt and matching shoes. She used to use pink chalk for her hands until it became too difficult to locate…now she just toughs it out without chalk. When she’s not competing Chloe enjoys playing computer games and nights at the movies. Chloe likes participating in UCP’s Applied Abilities Program and says her favorite staff is Jane Fass. She likes going out into the community with her fellow program participants whether it’s shopping, dining out, volunteering at other non-profit agencies or going to the movies. It is UCP’s goal to provide a person centered program design specific to the needs of our clients. Whether a person wants to aspire to be a world record setting bencher or someone who wants to learn to traverse their community using public transportation UCP is here to help our clients live a Life Without Limits.

United Cerebral Palsy Appoints Lynn Hogue, Chief Executive Officer

Lynn-HogueThe Board of Directors of United Cerebral Palsy of San Joaquin, Calaveras and Amador Counties (UCPSJ) have announced the appointment of Lynn Hogue as Chief Executive Officer.  Hogue has sixteen years of nonprofit experience working for the March of Dimes, where she directed and coached division staff in the areas of fundraising, financial management, and volunteer and staff development in order to achieve optimal productivity and profitability outcomes.  .  Hogue developed objectives and strategies that ensured successful attainment of financial goals, including profitable and aggressive, sustainable year over year growth.  As a result, she increased revenue from $7.98 million in 2015 to $8.75 million at year end.

“I’m honored to be working with a staff filled with talented and caring individuals.  I am thankful for such an engaged Board and look forward to collaborating with them to help people with disabilities become integrated into the community and achieve a Life Without Limits,” stated Lynn Hogue.

Lynn has been married to her husband Doug for 24 years and they have a daughter Morgan, 15 years old.  When she isn’t hard at work she enjoys photography and cycling.

United Cerebral Palsy is a nonprofit organization that advocates for children and adults with cerebral palsy and other disabilities since 1954. It is with stability that UCP continues to further its mission and ensure that children and adults with disabilities will have every opportunity to live “Life Without Limits.  For further information on UCP and their programs contact:  Debbie Jungeblut at 209-956-0290 or visit www.ucpsj.org.