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Advocacy Center News |
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The Advocacy Center is delighted to announce its Advocacy Award Recipients for 2008. The awards will be presented at the Advocacy Center’s biannual Advocacy Award Ceremony. This event, which will be held on October 17, 2008 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. is always a celebratory evening during which we pause to reflect on the good work of the people being honored. This year, the honorees are: Professional Advocate – Martha Kegel Martha was nominated for her work in obtaining 3,000 permanent supportive housing vouchers for people with disabilities affected by Hurricanes Rita and Katrina, and her other work relating to the crisis in homelessness among people with disabilities after the storms. Martha is an attorney and the Executive Director of UNITY of Greater New Orleans, a collaborative of 60 agencies providing housing and services to end and prevent homelessness in New Orleans and Jefferson Parishes. Martha was advocating for homeless people with disabilities long before Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, but in the wake of the hurricanes, she truly began to move mountains. Her work, which seemed almost impossibly ambitions when she started, is well on the way to creating permanent solutions for many homeless people. Hers is a truly inspiring example for everyone who works for social justice. Volunteer Advocate – Craig Pate Craig was nominated for his work with the Thibodaux Lion’s Club Summer Camp for Boys and Girls with Mental and/or Physical Challenges. Although Craig and his wife do not have a child with a disability themselves, Craig is revered in his community as someone who cares for the young boys and girls with disabilities under his charge as if they were his own children. Craig has spent many a Father’s Day in Leesville, Louisiana as Senior Counselor at the summer camp. Professionally, Craig is a physical therapist, who works with mentally and physically challenged folks who live in group homes in the Thibodaux area. He often visits group homes to determine if any adaptive equipment is needed to aid in independence. Craig’s volunteerism extends beyond the world of disability, as he and his wife, Shelley, are active volunteers in many community activities. Craig Pate is a model for all who aspire to lead a meaningful life. Advocacy Team – Wayne Thomas and William Jackson Wayne Thomas was born in New Orleans and had never left the city prior to Hurricane Katrina. He is a charming man who could often be encountered riding his wheelchair, as if it were his automobile, through the streets of New Orleans. He has been dealt many obstacles in life, but, in his own words: “If I had the chance to be born under different circumstances, I would still choose the life I’ve had”. The other member of this advocacy dream team is Mr. William Jackson. Also born and raised in New Orleans, Mr. Jackson met Mr. Thomas when he became his personal care attendant. As Mr. Thomas puts it: “If anyone ever deserves recognition for good work, Mr. Jackson is the one. I can’t imagine my life without him and his family. He is one dude who is serious about his job. “ The weekend before Katrina hit N.O., Mr. Jackson came to Mr. Thomas, wanting him to evacuate with Jackson and his family. Thomas didn’t want to, but Mr. Jackson won the battle and likely saved Mr. Thomas’ life. Mr. Jackson stayed with Mr. Thomas during three hospitalizations in Houston until they were finally all able to come back to N.O. The relationship between these two extraordinary men now continues back where it all started. Self Advocate – Gary Acosta, Jr. Gary Acosta, Jr. was diagnosed with a disability when he was four years of age. He lost his natural family supports at an early age and then, to make matters worse, he lost his foster parents. Having no other options, Gary was institutionalized at Ruston Developmental Center. Gary never quite “took” to institutional life. He began to ask about his rights. When told that he had the right to live in the community with supports, Gary could think of nothing else. He was excited by the possibility that he would one day be more independent. Not only that, he told other residents at Ruston that they, too, might one day leave the institution. But there was a catch 22. When Gary applied for a Waiver slot so that he might live in the community with supports, he was told that he was not disabled enough for the Waiver. Gary’s response: “Well then you owe me back pay for keeping me locked up for eight years for nothing”. Gary got his Waiver. Gary now has his own apartment, is working, and is as feisty as ever. He once told his advocate, Barbara Washington: “I want to be a better man but I want the chance to be a real man and that includes my freedom to fail.” There are other former residents of Ruston who have left and now have their own homes because Gary gave them the courage to make a change. Gary Acosta has an amazing spirit. He has overcome trials and tribulations to become a true disability all star. Family Advocate – Joanne Chavez Joanne Chavez has been a tireless advocate for her children’s needs throughout their lives. She has a son, David, who has autism, and a daughter, Kristen, who also has a disability that requires accommodations in the school setting. Over the years, Ms. Chavez has fought for appropriate assistive technology for her son, and appropriate educational services for both her children. Prior to Katrina, the Chavez family lived in St.Bernard Parish. At that time, every meeting with the school system became a battle and every issue took on epic proportions. The school system thought that David was doing well enough that he did not need the extra supports his parents were seeking; Ms. Chavez responded that his was only because she spent countless hours with him every night re-teaching him, and helping him with is homework. At that point, the late Lee Ann Vaught, the children’s legal advocate, entered the picture. She helped all the parties to recognize common ground and goals. Later, when the family relocated to Ascension Parish after the storm, Joanne and Lee worked together to get the new school system to build a program for David based on the groundwork laid in St. Bernard. By that time, Joanne Chavez had learned a great deal about being an effective advocate, and she was able to take the lead in advocating for David’s needs. By 2007, Joanne was going it alone. In December of 2007, she reported to Lee that she had “put on my Lee Ann hat” and made the right compromises so that everyone – her, her daughter, the school system – could come out the winner. Joanne, through her own trials and tribulations and through mentoring by a master advocate for kids, has become a true disability all star. |
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The Protection and Advocacy System for Louisiana ~ Serving People with Disabilities and Senior Citizens Advocacy Center |
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