Summer 2013 Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc. Breaking Barriers Ed Bordley & Kaleb www.fidelco.org
In this Issue Summer 2013 3 Cover Story: Breaking Barriers Ed Bordley and Kaleb 5 Ask the Vet 5 3 rd Annual Ride for Independence 6 Upcoming Events FidelcoNews is the newsletter of the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc. Editor: Heidi Voight Graphic Designer: Kristine Fletcher Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc. 103 Vision Way Bloomfield, CT 06002 (860) 243-5200 Fidelco welcomes its new Director of Communications, Heidi Voight Fidelco is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization based in Bloomfield, Conn., that breeds, trains and places its own unique breed within a breed of German Shepherd Guide Dogs with men and women who are blind. Each Fidelco Guide Dog costs $45,000 and takes two years to produce. They are given to clients at no cost. Fidelco provides 24/7 client support for the entire working life of its guide dogs typically 10+ years. Fidelco relies solely on the generosity and financial support of individuals, foundations, corporations and civic organizations to help Share the Vision. Fidelco has placed more than 1,300 German Shepherd Guide Dogs throughout North America in 41 states and five Canadian provinces. Fidelco pioneered In-Community Placement in the United States a process that allows guide dog users to be trained in the communities where they live and work. Fidelco has also placed hundreds of its German Shepherd Dogs with law enforcement agencies, first responders, search and rescue, and missing child recovery organizations to help protect our fellow citizens and keep them safe. Donations to Fidelco are deductible as charitable contributions on a donor s federal income tax return. Please consult your tax advisor for specific details. 2013 All rights reserved. Reproduction or other use, in whole or in part, without written permission is prohibited. FidelcoNews Summer 2013 Do you know someone who is blind and is interested in requesting a guide dog? Contact Fidelco at 860-243-5200 or admissions@fidelco.org to request information about our guide dog application process. Donate securely at www.fidelco.org
Declaration of Independence Although historians debate the date on which all 56 co-signers of the Declaration of Independence actually affixed their individual signatures ranging from July 4th to August 2nd, 1776 there is little doubt about the final result: a declaration that freedom and independence are to be enjoyed by all in what would become the United States of America. As we celebrate our nation s independence and freedom during July, let us remember that freedom isn t free and independence is still a challenge for many. Countless brave citizens gave their all, and paid the ultimate price, so that the rest of us could enjoy our inalienable rights: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I encourage you to shake the hand of every uniformed military person you meet and thank him or her for their dedicated service. And, I ask that you pause for a moment to reflect upon the sacrifices of the many brave who were killed in action and of others who returned wounded and broken. Fidelco s mission is to provide each of its clients with increased independence in a world that presumes the ability of everyone to see; to help its clients breach the barriers to increased independence and mobility. Fidelco can only succeed with the support of a dedicated and passionate community of donors who believe in its mission. With each signed check, or online gift, Fidelco donors are declaring that independence and freedom for men and women who are blind are inalienable rights to be enjoyed by everyone! On behalf of Fidelco s clients, present and future, thank you for declaring your support of their goals and dreams. Eliot D. Russman CEO and Executive Director Freedom and Independence Aren t Free With each American flag that you see today, and every day in the future, please take a brief moment to think about others who cannot see it, the men and women who currently serve and have served in our nation s military to protect it, and the brave souls who died defending its principles for you and me. Fidelco invites you to help launch its inaugural Field of Flags tribute to be planted on Friday, July 19th at our Bloomfield, CT campus and to be installed on Sunday, July 21st at Fidelco s 3rd Annual Ride for Independence. I am honoring Lance Corporal Jeremy Z. Long, USMC who was only 18 years old when he was killed in action in Iraq on my birthday in 2006 with the purchase of 18 flags, one for each year of his all-too-short and honorable life. I did not know him but thank him every day for his sacrifice so that I may be free to write this message to you. Please join me to honor or remember a loved one, military hero or branch of service. Simply put, freedom and independence aren t free. Thank you for helping Fidelco to Share the Vision. Fidelco Guide Dog puppy Shadow To purchase a flag, visit www.fidelco.org. 2
COVER STORY Breaking Barriers Ed Bordley and his many firsts Ed Bordley has been breaking barriers all his life. From being the first black student to attend public school in Delaware s Caeser Rodney school district in 1963, to the first in his family to earn a college degree in 1979, Bordley has never let challenges stand in the way of his dreams and he credits his five Fidelco Guide Dogs with helping him achieve them. Born with sight, Bordley lost his vision in the fourth grade due to detached retinas. The diagnosis was initially devastating for the nine year old, but soon galvanized Ed s determination to succeed. They moved me back to the third grade at Maryland School for the Blind because I didn t know Braille. I was ticked! So I was determined that I would be moved back up. I learned Braille fast, became the first blind student to integrate back into my public school district, and I did really well. The budding overachiever never looked back. Ed became Vice President of his class at Caesar Rodney High in Camden-Wyoming, Delaware, where he ran on the track and field team, sang in the glee club FidelcoNews Summer 2013 and became the 1974 Delaware state wrestling champion. His academic achievements carried him all the way to prestigious Harvard University and Harvard Law School. It was a pain having to get to class with a cane, and someone told me, get a guide dog, you ll be able to sleep longer, Ed explains with a laugh. Enter Fidelco-bred Megan in 1976. It was absolutely true, because I could get to class much faster. I just let the dog do the work, and focused on my studies instead of the winding paths of Harvard Yard. 37 years and two Harvard degrees later, Bordley is partnered with his fifth Fidelco German Shepherd Guide Dog, Kaleb. He travels all over the country as an attorney with the United States Department of Justice/U.S. Marshals Service, an ability he credits to his Fidelco Guide Dogs over the years. In my career, you have to be competent and confident. The most important thing a guide dog offers is independence and a true sense of confidence when I m traveling. Donate securely at www.fidelco.org
He Saved Our Lives A close call in 2011 gave Ed an even deeper understanding of what it means to trust the dog. After choir practice, Ed and his daughter Elizabeth were walking to their Silver Springs, Maryland home when an out-of-control car suddenly careened toward them. Before they realized what was happening, Kaleb pulled Ed and Elizabeth out of the car s path. His daughter received minor injuries in the hit-and-run accident, but Ed is certain that Kaleb saved their lives that day. I m always aware of how important the dog is for protecting me from obstacles and vehicles. It s one of the reasons that the dog is so valuable. A Bright Future At 57 years old, Ed Bordley is busier than ever, enjoying a successful career, a loving family and an array of extracurricular activities. He rows the Potomac River with his dragon boat racing team, the Outta Sight Dragons. Looking to the future, he knows that Kaleb will eventually retire, but Fidelco s industry-leading client services have cemented his loyalty for life. We moved from Washington, D.C. to Maryland in 1999, and a trainer came down and helped [Fidelco Guide Dog] Gunner and me learn our new neighborhood. It was terrific, he explains. In my role, I can t miss work. Because of [Fidelco s] In-Community Placement and follow-ups, Fidelco fits perfectly into my busy lifestyle. And of course, Ed is more than a bit partial to the Fidelco German Shepherd Guide Dog. I won t have anything else! They are dignified, smart, loyal, work longer, and they look good, he says with a grin. In my career, you have to be competent and confident. The most important thing a guide dog offers is independence and a true sense of confidence when I m traveling. It s about the bond you have with your dog. You just know each other. You rely on each other. For nearly four decades, my Fidelco Guide Dogs have enabled me to work, travel, and be independent with my family and friends. I can t say enough how much I appreciate what people give to make this possible for people like me. It s about the bond you have with your dog. You just know each other. You rely on each other. Ed Bordley, a wrestling champion, was inducted into the Delaware Afro-American Sports Hall of Fame on April 14, 2006. He also competed for the United States on its 1980 Paralympic Team. The Baltimore Sun captured this image of Ed tickling the ivories in 1972. He earned a B.A. in Romance Languages from Harvard University in 1979 and a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1982. Fidelco Board Member, and former Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell presented Ed Bordley with the Loyal Shepherd Award. 4
Ask The Vet Dr. Mary Craig, DVM Fidelco Board of Directors Summer 2013 The sunny days of summer are perfect for outdoor fun, but the rising temperatures can also be dangerous for our four-legged family members! Know the signs of heat stroke Symptoms include panting, increased heart rate, lethargy, drooling, fever, vomiting and seizures. Heat stroke can cause permanent organ damage and death. Dogs at elevated risk include breeds with shorter noses like Pugs and Bulldogs, dogs that are overweight or dealing with heart or lung disease, and puppies and senior dogs. What to do If you suspect your dog is suffering from heat stroke, move him or her to a shaded, cool environment and direct a fan on your dog. Begin to cool the body by placing cool, wet towels over the back of the neck, in the armpits, and in the groin region. You may also wet the ear flaps and paws with cool water. Directing a fan on these wetted areas will help to speed evaporative cooling. Transport to the closest veterinary facility immediately. What NOT to do Do not use cold water or ice for cooling. Do not attempt to force water into your pet s mouth, but you may have fresh, cool water ready to offer should your pet be alert and show an interest in drinking. Do not leave your pet unattended for any length of time. FidelcoNews Summer 2013 Donate securely at www.fidelco.org
UPCOMING EVENTS Details available at www.fidelco.org Sunday, July 21 3 rd Annual Ride for Independence Motorcycle Fundraising Ride June 24 August 16 Dog Days of Summer Children s Program Sunday, September 29 Share the Vision Fundraising Dog Walk, Simsbury, CT Saturday, October 12 ING Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon November 4 17 Fidelco Share the Vision Online Auction Saturday, November 23 and December 7 Holiday Sale Days EVENT SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE Contact Judy Hall at 860-243-4050 Run with Team Fidelco! Fidelco is honored to have been named an Official Charity of the 2013 ING Hartford Marathon! We are seeking volunteers and runners to join Team Fidelco at this popular event on Saturday, October 12th. Choose any distance race: full marathon, half marathon, or 5K. Kids are also welcome to run any distance under one mile in the Kids K race. All registered Team Fidelco charity runners will receive a race t-shirt or singlet and will enjoy Race Day refreshments and bag storage at our Fidelco tent in Bushnell Park. Go to www.fidelco.org to register and set up your personal fundraising page. Volunteers are also needed on Race Day and for the Pre-Race Expo. For more info, contact Heidi Voight at 860-243-4800 or hvoight@fidelco.org 6
103 Vision Way Bloomfield, CT 06002 Join us! Join us for our annual fundraising event, now in its second year in beautiful Simsbury, CT! More info at www.fidelco.org Patriot Sponsor See Page 5