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Cecropia Strong

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Cecropia Strong

Helping people with disabilities reach new heights!

03/07/2026

6th Annual Intercollegiate AT Hackathon!

When: Monday, March 23 - Tuesday, Mar 31

In 2021 Cecropia Strong started the first Assisted Technology Hackathon held at Tufts University. Since then it has grown, it's intercollegiate (last year with 7 universities!), and it's fun! Co-designers (folks with disabilities) think of something they'd like to do, but their disability prevents them, and the university students put their heads together and think of a solution.

Jen Buxton, Loren McMahon, and Kevin Berner are running this and sent out this email today:

Hi everyone!

We’re getting closer to the 6th Annual Intercollegiate Assistive Technology Hackathon, running this year from March 23–31, 2026! We’re really excited to kick things off and see what our Co Designers and Student Hackers create together over the week—whether it’s a quick AT/adaptive device or a solid proof of concept to build on.

Our Co Designer signup deadline is extended to March 12, 2026. If you want more details or want to share the event with someone, the website has everything (downloadable flyers, signup forms, photos from past Hackathons, stories): https://sites.google.com/view/intercollegiateathack/

If you (or someone you know!) has an idea for a weeklong AT hack and wants to be a Co Designer, the signup form is here. After you fill it out, one of us Co Chairs will reach out and help you record the 2 minute video pitch about your idea.

Please feel free to pass this along to anyone who might be interested-- flyer image below and PDF flyer attached.
And as always—reach out if you have questions or want to find a time to connect!

Cheers,
Jen, Loren & Kevin

02/21/2026

Cecropia Strong's 2nd Virtual Wine Tasting

On Tuesday, January 27 Cecropia Strong had our 2nd Annual Virtual Wine Tasting. "Virtual" meant everyone could stay home and participate on Zoom, tasting bottles sent to them by In Good Taste Wines.

In the Wines of the Americas wine tasting we were supposed to have wines from California, Argentina, and Chile, but somehow a Chardonnay from South Africa slipped in! (It was yummy!)

We had 18 couples participating (14 couples joined us last year), but there were many of our dogs and cats sharing our charcuterie. I swear my cat Gus had as much cheese as I did! (He rather fancied the aged English cheddar!)

01/22/2026

Big impact for stroke survivors 💙
Thanks to grant support from Cecropia Strong, Emerson’s stroke aphasia program continues to help patients lead fuller lives as they heal. Led by speech pathologists, this small-group class helps people recovering from stroke rebuild communication skills, regain confidence, and reconnect with others who truly understand the journey. We are proud of our rehab team for creating a space that supports healing, dignity, and quality of life for patients and families.

Cecropia Strong

01/15/2026

Merry Christmas Spaulding Rehab Hospital!

We went down last month with a very full sleigh! In addition to the chocolates, we had extra plushies, Trouble the dogs, note cards, 12 sets of women's gripper socks, 12 sets of men's grippers, and $600 worth of toys!

"I'm sorry, guys, but I can only steer one cart!" Leah Terrill exclaimed, when asked if she needed an extra cart for the huge load.

We packed everything in, and she had a gazillion bags hanging off her arms while she pushed a very stuffed cart to the elevators. And to all a good night!

(Below) Julie Hahnke holding a giraffe, Leah Terrill with a Trouble, and Margaret Tringale, the Greeter at Spaulding Rehab Hospital, with a penguin and a teddy!

01/01/2026

Windrush Farm Celebrates the Holidays and Horses

On Wednesday, December 10, Windrush Farm celebrated the holiday season with volunteers, riders, staff, and the Board of Directors. The party was held in the barn with all of the horses bedecked with Santa hats, antlers, mistletoe, and winter hats (these were knit for the horses and fit them the best!)

I was saying hello to Lowki, the horse I ride, and he nose-butted my hand (which held my full glass of wine.) It went everywhere!

Lowki arched his neck up to the ceiling with his lips pulled back and I stared, because I hadn't seen a horse do that. Then I noticed a splash of wine on his upper lip right below his nostrils! He was trying to smell it!

The rumor's out—Lowki and I enjoy a good bottle of red wine after our ride! Merry Christmas everyone!

(Below) I'm standing with Cookie (in the antlers) and Janet Nittmann (in the Santa hat), who's the CEO of Windrush.

11/11/2025

A Make-A-Wish child had a life-changing time!

We got this email from Monica, from Make-A-Wish (MAW), on Monday, October 20th (two days after the MAW event at Windrush Farm).

“Hi Janet and Julie, I cannot say thank you enough for such a wonderful event on Saturday! We are so appreciative of the time and effort you all put in to make this event such a success.

We had 12 wish families in attendance, and each one had an unbelievable experience. Our wish recipients and families deal with the unthinkable every day. Being able to spend the day at your farm with the horses brought so much joy to all of them.

Wish recipient Callan is 5-years-old and has Chronic Respiratory Failure. Callan’s mom said that Callan has been saying “Treasure” and “Paris” all day! 6 months ago, Callan wouldn’t have been able to even attend this event, so having this experience is life-changing. It truly had such an impact on our families.”

(Pictures, left to right) Callan brushing Paris. Callan and his mom appreciating their event gifts! The plush horse that Cecropia Strong bought for each of the MAW kids.

10/31/2025

On Saturday, October 28, we held a Make-A-Wish “Play With the Ponies” day at Windrush Farm in North Andover, MA. Make-A-Wish (MAW) gives each of the critically-ill children a wish. They may wish to go to Disney World, or fly in a Coast Guard helicopter, or merely build a treehouse for friends to join them.

This wasn’t a part of MAW’s wish granting, but we wanted to offer 15 MAW kids an opportunity to come and spend time with the horses. MAW supplied the kids, Windrush Farm supplied the horses, and Cecropia Strong paid for it. (The horses were glad to oblige!)

(Below) Janet Nittmann, CEO of Windrush, (second from the right) has the mike and is asking Treasure what he thinks of this. (He snorted!)

10/25/2025

Our Gala was a success! On October 8 we hosted our 5th Annual Gala and we made $26,000! That's $1,000 more than last year! And we gave out a lot of BIG checks.

Two were checks we were giving to the adaptive driving schools we're working with. Two of the three schools were set to come, but I heard from Kristen Keilty right before the Gala that she wasn't able to make it. (She was in bed with a concussion after a nasty experience with an overhead storage unit.) Sue Fasoli is on Cecropia Strong's Board and heads this program, so she stood in. (Feel better, Kristen!)

09/27/2025

Format a Talk as a Poem (if you have aphasia, you'll be thankful)

I have aphasia, and I find public speaking tough. I learned that I can't speak extemporaneously—that was a complete fail! So, I always write out what I want to say. But even still, it's hard keeping your place while trying to establish eye contact or if you have interruptions.

While I was preparing my newsletter Lindsay gave me a talk she delivered, and I was amazed that it was laid out like a poem. I asked her about it and she said she always does that. She doesn't have aphasia, but it helps her not lose her place.

If you write as prose, it's easy to loose your place if you're interrupted (or if you've compromised focus, as in aphasia). She wrote it as if it were a poem (not rhyming words!) but in that format. Pause at the end of a line, and pause a bit longer if there are more spaces between lines!

(Lindsay, you're brilliant!)

(Below) Lindsay Popperson and her son Nick play with the toy boat at The House of the Seven Gables.

09/09/2025

Bean is Back!

Bean, the Boston University's (BU) comfort therapy dog is back at BU's Aphasia Resource Center (ARC) this Fall!

Bean earned her Puppy S.T.A.R. and Canine Good Citizen certifications meaning she's fully trained now (sort of like she's got her doctorate) and she's looking forward to reuniting with the Aphasia Center folks!

Cecropia Strong is proud to be paying for Bean's time at the ARC.

(Below) Bean—short for Boston Bean—eagerly accepts adoration from Boston University students!

Address

141 Elm Street Apt 2
Marblehead, MA
01945

Opening Hours

Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17817718721

Website

https://cecropiastrong.org/

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