Community Clicks

It’s not just on the battlefield that veterans displayed courage.

Dan Breslin, left, and son Peter.

Disabled veterans often show fortitude in their rehabilitative activities, especially with an innovative treatment program called “Waves for the Brave.” Sponsored by the VA Boston Healthcare System, the popular effort teaches veterans to surf as a part of their extensive rehabilitation programs. About 25 disabled veterans and 50 volunteers participated in the July 2011 program at Nantasket Beach in Hull, Mass. There will be three surfing activities this July-September.

Dan Breslin, a Compuware partner sales engineer in Waltham, Mass., and his 17-year-old son, Peter, have volunteered with the program for the past two summers.

“My son and I took up surfing about five years ago and were delighted to learn of this program where we could use our surfing skills to work with disabled veterans,” Breslin said. “The veterans we worked with were all ages covering a wide array of injuries from stress disorders to amputees, paraplegics and quadriplegics.”

This past summer Breslin and his son joined other volunteers in working with Wayne, a quadriplegic.

“When he tumbled off the board, we’d panic,” Breslin said. “He didn’t. He knew he could float in his life vest and resurface and we’d be there to stabilize him and hoist him back on the board. He was not a small guy and I must confess, this was an exhausting endeavor. Yet it was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had, all the more so because I got to do this with my son.”

Surfing with incapacitating disabilities requires “a lot of courage from the vets and a lot of support from us,” said Randi Woodrow, amputee rehabilitation coordinator for VA Boston Healthcare System. “Depending on the level of disability, we can have up to eight volunteers with one patient.”

She added: “The veterans love it. It increases their self-confidence and gives them bragging rights with their friends. It carries over into their daily lives with the confidence that ‘If I can do this, I can do anything.’”

Woodrow values the Breslins’ service as volunteers.

“It’s just so nice to have private citizens from the community help out, those who are not VA employees,” she said. “It’s good to have the community support.”

For Breslin, the experience was rewarding.

“On the most basic level, it was incredibly satisfying for me to take something I’ve enjoyed so much and be able to share it with this amazing group of deserving vets,” he said. “The Waves for the Brave event enabled both Peter and me to gain a greater appreciation for the challenges faced by vets as well as the wonderful work the Veterans Administration does to assist and rehabilitate injured vets.”

Asked whether they plan on participating again this summer, Breslin said: “Yes, definitely this summer and probably every summer for the near future.”

Identify the real geeks. At top left, it's Larry Parrott, vice-president for innovation. In dark coat, it's Chief Technology Officer Paul Czarnik. The students are from Marcus Garvey Academy in Detroit.

Get your geek on!

Compuware experts distributed geek glasses to 210 students at Detroit’s Marcus Garvey Academy March 23, and helped the kids see the exciting possibilities of careers in technology.

Chief Technology Officer Paul Czarnik, Vice President of Innovation Larry Parrott, and Software Developer Jesse Dorsey presented the case that with effort students could become innovative programmers.

“In the industry, there is a shortage of technical skills, which will get worse as time goes on,” said Czarnik. “We need to reach out to kids as young as possible to get them interested in the field. We’re trying to get kids to focus on math, technology and science so they can get great jobs.”

Czarnik encouraged students to become programmers by explaining that it is “the most fun.” He added:

“You can make as much money as possible, so get good at math and English. It’s not about a job but a career.”

Parrott stressed that innovation is important in everything.

“I want kids to leave with a new respect for this subject because innovation will change the world,” he said. “It’s changing our industry, and our CEO Bob Paul says it’s the most important thing we do.”

Parrott engaged the students with many questions and particularly liked how one young man defined the difference between creativity and innovation.

The student said: “Creativity is what you think up. Innovation is what you do.” As a reward, Parrott gave him some stress toys to keep him relaxed and able to come up with good ideas.

Software developer Dorsey, who is also a video game entrepreneur, engaged the students by asking them to help him develop a video game.

“It was sweet how he made the video game,” said Anthony Dyson, 13. “I would like to do it myself one day.”

Dorsey, a college student, impressed the kids by telling them that he started learning about programming when he was 10.

“You can learn programming now,” he said. “Everything is free and on the Internet.”

“But have you ever failed?” one student asked.

“Like Michael Jordan said: ‘The only time you don’t win is when you quit,’” Dorsey said.

Assistant principal Craig McKee appreciated Compuware’s visit to the school.

“The kids need the exposure,” he said. “They want to see how the things they are learning relate to the real world. Most of the time they think programmers are on the other side of the world. Now they see them in their own backyard.”

Led by Chief Administrative Officer Denise Starr, Compuware has been a longtime partner with the middle school.

“Compuware has been very good to us,” McKee added. “You’ve donated gloves, hats, belts and uniforms. We’re also looking forward to seeing more of the world of technology with our visit to Compuware headquarters May 18.”

Sounds like the kids are on their way to becoming true geeks.

More than 200 years ago, Benjamin Franklin said, “When the well is dry, we learn the worth of water.”

The wisdom of his words still hold true today.

Just ask Rodney Delli-Gatti of Compuware’s Atlanta office.

An account manager with the company’s professional services division, Delli-Gatti is “on the case” with metro Atlanta’s controversial water supply, which is being diminished through drought. He and his wife, Dionne, are active members of the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper organization, an environmental advocacy nonprofit with more than 5,000 members. The organization is dedicated to protecting and restoring the Chattahoochee River Basin – a source of drinking water for 3.5 million people in greater Atlanta.

“We participate and represent the organization at various educational and fundraising events,” Delli-Gatti said. “These range from black tie dinners, community outreach events, film festivals, concerts, silent auctions and, oddly enough, ribbon- cuttings at sewage facilities.”

They are also planning to participate in the “Sweep the Hooch Cleanup” on April 14. The Delli-Gattis have encouraged friends to help them and, other members of the organization, pick up trash at 18 sites along the 48-mile stretch of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Last year 3.3 tons of trash was pulled out of the area.

Asked why he has invited friends to help with the cleanup, Delli-Gatti said:”The river serves as a place for drinking water, agriculture, recreation and power for the Atlanta metropolitan area. So it is important to keep our waterways clean so that future generations can enjoy the river on a daily basis.”

Preparing children to appreciate and take care of the river is a special concern for the Delli-Gattis.

He has donated funds to support the organization’s floating classroom, on which thousands of students each year learn about water quality and lake ecology through hands-on activities aboard the 40-foot catamaran. The custom-built boat includes a glass bottom viewing well and holds up to 49 passengers. Last year, nearly 4,000 students and teachers participated.

“I personally have enjoyed donating to the floating classroom, as it gives local children, including inner-city kids, an opportunity to experience the beauty and importance of our rivers and lakes. Hopefully one of them will become a riverkeeper!”

Sally Bethea, executive director of the organization, values the support from the Delli-Gattis.

“They clearly believe in our mission to protect the river, which supplies drinking water to businesses and families in metro Atlanta and many other communities,” she said. “Through roles on special committees, to volunteer projects, events and member recruitment, Rodney and Dionne have shown their commitment to protecting the vital natural resources that sustain all of us.”

Knowing the value of water, Benjamin Franklin would be proud of the Delli-Gattis’ environmental advocacy now and for future generations.