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SIMPLIFYING THE JOURNEY OF RECOVERY Don Shumway
THE ABCs OF ABA New Autism Program • THE PASSION TO HEAL One Artist’s Journey
F A L L 2 0 1 1 • V O L U M E 1 1 • N U M B E R 3
HORIZONS
A N E W S L E T T E R F O R F A M I L I E S A N D F R I E N D S O F C R O T C H E D M O U N T A I N
COMPREHENSIVE CARE, INSIDE AND OUT

C R O T C H E D M O U N T A I N | H O R I Z O N S 2
Simplifying the
Journey of
Recovery
by Don Shumway
President and CEO
On the Cover:
Hospital patient Ron Nepomuceno is
provided with a portable ventilator so he
can explore Crotched Mountain’s accessible
trails—just one of many unique
opportunities available to CM patients
as part of our multilevel continuum of
care and recovery.
Thanks to Our Photographers:
Deb Bowen, Robin Boyd, Joan Crooker,
Geoff Forester, Michael Havey
THE SPECIALTY HOSPITAL at Crotched
Mountain is a very different place
today than it was even five years ago.
That’s because we focus on the changing
health care environment and respond in
ways that increase both the breadth and
depth of our services. This process is ongoing
as we work to meet emerging trends in
rehabilitation and the needs of those who
look to us for high quality, comprehensive
rehabilitative services—our patients, families
and the medical providers who refer people
to our care.
The evolution has been exciting as
we’ve expanded our post acute and multilevel
specialty care to address a wide range
of diagnoses and patient needs at every step
of the rehabilitative process. We are able to
admit patients with more complex health
care needs sooner in their recovery and
offer a path to recovery that moves patients
seamlessly through acute, sub-acute and
skilled nursing stages of rehabilitation. Most
recently we instituted a ventilator program
to serve stable adult and pediatric vent
users, and we will offer a vent weaning
program soon.
Both patients and families benefit from a
course of recovery in a single multi-specialty
setting offering physical, occupational and
cognitive therapies in an environment with
amenities not typically found on a hospital
campus. Universal hiking trails, waterfront
activities, accessible recreation, arts and more
are available to our patients at every stage of
their healing process.
But our services don’t stop there. We
are proud that after discharge from Crotched
Mountain, nearly ninety percent of our
patients are able to return to their communities.
Our patients can take advantage of an
array of community-based supports including
home care management, supportive
housing, assistive technology, accessible
recreation programs and comprehensive
outpatient services featuring a wide variety
of therapeutic specialties.
The journey of recovery from brain
injury, spinal cord injury or a medicalsurgical
procedure can take any number of
paths. At Crotched Mountain we are proud
to offer a path that is well-planned, with
smooth transitions from acute care to home
with all the supports needed to achieve
optimal independence.
Working the body and brain: patient Stephen
Weidlich and physical therapist Tara Rydant
focus on building physical stamina while honing
concentration skills.

C R O T C H E D M O U N T A I N | H O R I Z O N S 3
The ABCs of ABA
Learning is fun for five-year-old Jack who practices interactive play skills with ABA therapist
and Ready, Set, Connect! program director Perry Olson.
NO, IT’S NOT A MISSPELLING of the 70s
Swedish pop band ABBA. ABA, or
Applied Behavioral Analysis, is an
evidence-based approach to teaching young
children with autism. And despite its rather
clinical name, it’s motivational, fun and effective.
At Crotched Mountain we know the value
of fun and motivation when it comes to learning,
and are pleased to announce our new ABA-based
program, Ready, Set, Connect!, a half to full day
program for young children two to six years old
on the autism spectrum.
“Studies show that comprehensive and intensive
early interventions like ABA significantly
increase positive outcomes for children on the
autism spectrum,” says Crotched Mountain autism
educational consultant Dennis Bradley.
ABA is based on two simple concepts. First, when something
pleasurable occurs as the result of a specific behavior, we are
motivated to continue that behavior. Think dessert for eating your
carrots. Secondly, when a skill is practiced repeatedly and in
different settings, it becomes second nature. Think hitting the
brakes in your car when you see something in the road. When
these concepts are used early and often with children with autism,
This is the program
I have spent the last
five years looking for.
Jack is finally
getting the support
he needs to succeed.
Adrienne Evans,
Jack’s mom
studies show significant improvement in a number
of areas including communication, socialization,
self-care, play and motor skills.
“One thing that separates ABA from many
other modalities is its reliance on data to shape
teaching strategies,” Dennis notes. “If results
indicate a child is not learning, the therapist
analyzes the behavior to determine why and makes
systematic adjustments in the teaching approach.”
An individual assessment determines areas of
needed focus and shapes the psychological and
behavioral approaches that will best teach the
functional skills identified. “The goal is to
decrease repetitive, ritualistic or self-injurious
behaviors that interfere with learning and increase
those skills that facilitate engagement such as eye
contact and sustained attention,” says program
director Perry Olson.
A typical session might ask the child to mimic
an action initiated by the instructor such as clapping.
Every time the child successfully repeats the
action, he receives a token. The tokens can be
traded for a special activity, toy or food the child
enjoys. This activity might teach sustained attention
and interactive play skills. In ABA, similar
interventions can be repeated up to 30 hours a
week to teach a range of skills.
Programming is offered in both Concord and
Greenfield in child-friendly settings and facilitated
by ABA therapists certified by the Center for
Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) using
their highly regarded SKILLS curriculum. Children
receive individualized instruction as well as
time in small groups. Parents take part in individualized
monthly clinics to observe treatment
sessions, review strategies and analyze progress.
“When combined with Crotched Mountain’s expert knowledge
and therapeutic resources,” Dennis notes, “we believe Ready,
Set, Connect! is the most comprehensive program in the region
for children with autism.”
For more information about Ready, Set, Connect!, contact
Perry Olson, program director, at 603.547.3311, extension 1366
or email perry.olson@crotchedmountain.org

C R O T C H E D M O U N T A I N | H O R I Z O N S 4
The Passion To Heal: One Artist’s Journey
Pat Mahoney improvises on the grand piano as part of his therapeutic program.
PAT MAHONEY IS AN ARTIST. And his passion for the
arts has been instrumental in his ongoing recovery
from a brain injury. Struck by a car in October
2010 while riding his bicycle near the University of New
Hampshire campus where he was working on a masters
degree in Fine Arts, Pat’s life changed dramatically.
Severely injured, he was air lifted to Massachusetts
General Hospital where he lay in a coma for a week.
After regaining consciousness, he still wasn’t out of the
woods. “Pat had a very serious setback in January that put
him back in the ICU and reversed any progress he had
made,” recalls Anne Nelson, Pat’s girlfriend and active
partner in his rehabilitation.
“When Pat first arrived in April, he couldn’t walk by
himself,” reports Jenn Forkey, Pat’s physical therapist. “He
couldn’t climb steps and was very quiet. He didn’t communicate
during therapy. It was hard to know how he felt
about what was happening at first.”
The therapeutic team, including occupational, physical
and cognitive therapists, reviewed Pat’s progress thus
far, discussed his interests, needs and goals and designed
an integrated program to facilitate Pat’s physical and

Pat’s yoga practice with recreational therapist Sheila Urban helps
improve his balance.
cognitive recovery. Pat’s previous passion for artistic
expression became a key focus of the rehabilitation program
we designed.
Shortly after his arrival, Pat began cognitive rehabilitation
therapy. According to program coordinator, speech
and language pathologist David Hajjar, Pat was a good
candidate for the program, as he was ready to participate
in group activities.
“We focused on sustained attention and learning
compensatory strategies for memory. He made good use
of the iPad to stimulate recall, improve reading and comprehension,
take notes, and plan and schedule activities.
He also used it to research a personal scheduling system
and choose a word processing program for his writing,”
explains David. David also tapped into Pat’s creative
passions when he asked him to write a poem. “Pat was
studying poetry in his graduate program, and he hadn’t
attempted to write a poem since his accident.” Pat readily
complied and crafted a compelling and layered poem
using the campus resident chickens as metaphor (see
poem on next page).
“The cognitive rehabilitation therapy really helped
me with memory and concentration. But most important
was the diversity of therapies,” explains Pat. “The topics
and activities were less traditional, like having a grand
piano to play any time I wanted.”
Occupational therapist Dave Kontak, who worked
closely with Pat on basic life skills and other aspects of
daily living, provided variety in Pat’s day by tapping into
his many passions. “The content of rehabilitation is a
huge consideration. Music and art are Pat’s areas of motivation.
Using art to stimulate his higher cognitive functions
enriched his day and stimulated healing. Having to
remember a piano phrase and play with both hands has
profound healing implications.”
Dave, who is also a musician, introduced Pat to tube
drums, an instrument Dave designed and built. “I showed
him how to play for about five seconds, and then I gave
the paddles to him,” Dave remembers. “I expected him to
play for just a few seconds. He went at it for 30 minutes
non-stop. You do not have to tell this guy how to work.”
continued on next page
Pat improves his response time with the help of metronome-based software.

THE FACE OF PHILANTHROPY
The Perfect Donor
C R O T C H E D M O U N T A I N | H O R I Z O N S 6
AT CROTCHED MOUNTAIN, we celebrate the perfect donor—
and we have many to celebrate. Our perfect donors give
regularly but aren’t necessarily wealthy. They know each
gift, no matter what size, is vital to our mission. Our perfect donors
know and care about what we do. Many have visited our Greenfield,
New Hampshire campus, and share what they’ve learned about our
extraordinary work with friends, family and acquaintances. They are
well informed about our current programs while having a good
understanding of our future needs. They are the first donors to give
to our Annual Campaign. They have supported us for five or more
years, with many having made a small provision for Crotched
Mountain in their estate plans. They help advance our mission by
volunteering on committees or within our community.
Our perfect donors have made Crotched Mountain a charitable
priority while supporting other organizations. They have sustained
our margin of excellence by investing in our people and programs.
CMS parent Brian Donovan and Boston Bruins alumnus Rick Middleton
played in our golf tournament last July. For years, both have supported
Crotched Mountain through their gifts and service, and are instrumental in
securing resources through their work with foundations and special events.
They have afforded us the resources to transform lives by allowing
us to remain the highest quality, lowest cost provider for the most
vulnerable individuals in our region.
Our perfect donors are true philanthropists. They are our
champions. Are you among them?
continued from previous page
All the while, Jenn and Pat focused on building core
strength in the therapy pool and on balance working with
foam beams and the BAPS Board (Biomechanical Ankle
Platform System) to strengthen and condition his lower
extremities. He also participated in a regular yoga practice.
“Shortly after Pat began cognitive rehabilitation, I noticed a
rapid increase in his response time and the quality of his
attention,” recalls Jenn. “He communicated more readily, which
improved the overall effectiveness of his physical therapy.”
During the weeks before his discharge from Crotched
Mountain, Pat jogged with his brother, played tennis, climbed
the accessible trails with Anne, played the piano at a patient
photography show and gave a witty and informative presentation
to his peers in cognitive rehabilitation group.
“Patrick is back,” says Anne. “He still tires easily, but his
humor is there and his passions are the same.”
What’s next? Pat has been accepted into a cognitive rehabilitation
program near his home town in New Jersey. He will
keep working, with plans to return to school next year. We’re
confident that Pat’s willingness to work hard and his love of
the arts will continue to serve him well as he embarks on this
next chapter in his recovery.
On the Roost (excerpt)
Born on the mountainside
at the start of spring,
a fog file coated
morning time
kept us in a womb,
free of worldly worries.
It kept us free of any
knowledge of our impressive
surroundings: an outdoor coop,
space enough for our mother,
her four close friends,
and two rough-edged roosters
for protection.
—Pat Mahoney
For full text of Pat’s poem, please visit:
crotchedmountain.org/roost

C R O T C H E D M O U N T A I N | H O R I Z O N S 7
BRIEFLYnoted BRIEFLYnoted BRIEFLYnoted BRIEFLYnoted BRIEFLYnoted BRIEFLYnoted BRIEFLY
CMS student Jo-Jo Klucinec waters seedlings
in the school greenhouse.
HOSPITAL EARNS
RENEWED ACCREDITATION
Crotched Mountain Specialty Hospital
received renewed accreditation recently from
DNV Healthcare, Inc. Crotched Mountain
meets all the conditions of participation
required for hospitals by the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services of the
United States Department of Health and
Human Services. DNV Healthcare’s system
of accreditation focuses on quality management
and continuous improvement within
the organization.
ORGANIC ALL THE WAY
The Crotched Mountain Horticulture
Program received its official
State of New Hampshire Certified
Organic Permit to grow and sell
vegetables, flowers, herbs and seedlings
as Certified Organic. The Horticulture
Program provides hands on instruction
for students in plant propagation, basic
plant identification, plant care, soil
mixes, harvesting and delivery of floral
arrangements and vegetables.
EVERETT DANCE TROUPE
REINTERPRETS CM
NH Governor John Lynch presents award to CM board
member James Piet and CEO Don Shumway.
CM TRAILS EARN
ACCESSIBILITY AWARD
Governor John Lynch presented Crotched
Mountain Foundation with the 2011
Governor's Accessibility Award in recognition
of our new accessible hiking trails on
July 26th. The award also recognized CM
for going above and beyond to remove
barriers preventing people with disabilities
from participating in the mainstream of
society.
LEADERSHIP AWARD
CMS student Kaitlin Rooney busts a move with
troupe member Aaron Jungels.
Everett Dance Theater, an artist-in-residence
in the Healing Arts Program, has integrated
their experiences at CM in a new stage
production, Brain Storm. Using current neuroscience
research as inspiration, the production
is informed both by interviews with leading
brain scientists and their two-year residency
at Crotched Mountain, utilizing theater as a
therapeutic and learning tool with patients
and students.
Jon Eriquezzo (center), Director of Residential
Services at CM, was presented with
the Exemplary Leadership and Service
Award by the State Division of Children,
Youth and Families and Juvenile Justice Services
at their 18th Annual Conference. Fellow
award winners Garrett Lavalee and
Noel Sullivan share the spotlight with Jon.

OFFERING A LIFELONG ALLIANCE TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
CROTCHED
MOUNTAIN
NON PROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
MAILRITE
HORIZONS
Published by
The Office of Advancement
Editor: Robin Boyd
robin.boyd@crotchedmountain.org
Crotched Mountain Foundation
One Verney Drive
Greenfield, NH 03047
603.547.3311, ext. 1490
Please write us at the
above address if you wish to
have your name removed from
fund-raising requests supporting
Crotched Mountain.
NEW ANNUAL CAMPAIGN CHAIR
Meet Bill Monbouquette
CROTCHED MOUNTAIN Boston Red Sox Hall
of Fame pitcher, Bill Monbouquette, will
serve as the Chair of Crotched Mountain’s
Annual Campaign. For many years, Bill and his wife
Josephine have been great friends of Crotched
Mountain having supported the organization as both
volunteers and leadership donors. Crotched Mountain’s
Annual Campaign raises over $2 million a year in support of our
highly skilled and dedicated staff and transformative programs for children
and adults with disabilities.
After retiring from an 11-year major league playing career, Bill became
a beloved pitching coach for many outstanding major league pitchers.
A native of Medford, Massachusetts he lived for a time in New Boston,
New Hampshire where he came to know Crotched Mountain. Since 1972,
Bill has been supporting Crotched Mountain as both a volunteer and a
donor often visiting the children at Crotched Mountain School and the
adult patients in our Specialty Hospital. According to Bill, “Crotched
Mountain does extraordinary work for its children and adults.”
“We are delighted to have Bill Monbouquette represent our Annual
Campaign as an important member and great ambassador of the Crotched
Mountain team,” said Don Shumway, CM president and CEO.
Bill Monbouquette has been associated with major league baseball
for the past 50 years as a former player, scout and pitching coach
for the New York Yankees, New York Mets and the Toronto Blue Jays
organizations. In 1962, he threw a no-hitter, just missing a perfect
game by walking one batter against the Chicago White Sox, on his
way to a 20-game winning season in 1963. For many years, he
held the Boston Red Sox Club record for strikeouts (17) until it
was broken by three-time Cy Young Award pitcher Roger Clemens.
As a teammate of other Boston Red Sox greats, including Ted
Williams and Carl Yastrzemski, Bill was the last pitcher to pitch
against the great Satchel Paige in a regular American League game.