County Developmental Disabilities Board celebrates Leadership Day
Self-advocates share their stories of triumphs and challenges
FREMONT - On Tuesday, seven self-advocates shared stories of their triumphs and challenges living with developmental disabilities to a group of community dignitaries on Leadership Day at the Sandusky County Board of Developmental Disabilities (SCBDD). The event was sponsored by SCBDD and the Sandusky County People First Chapter and was held as part of a month-long celebration of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
This year’s theme is “Celebrating Inclusion.”
Whitney Parker hosted the event, and presentations were given by a panel that included Sarah Leeper, Deb Velliquette, Tony Meza, Jay Cullen, Rebecca Jenkins and Justin Reagan. The group kicked off Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month with a March 1 visit to the Ohio Statehouse to speak with State Sen. Bill Reinecke and State Rep. Gary Click about issues that affect their daily lives. On Leadership Day, they talked about the experience.
“We spoke with legislators in Columbus to explain our concerns and make relationships with them,” Parker said.
They were pleased with the reception they received.
“Our legislators are very open to hearing from us and helping us find solutions,” Jenkins said.
Local group working on a video project
Parker announced that the group is working on a video project that will highlight local residents with developmental disabilities.
“It’s a work in progress,” Parker said. “Our self-advocates want to inspire people with developmental disabilities to seek the services to get the life they want.”
The panel talked about a billboard campaign that encourages inclusion, and they discussed some of the challenges to independence, including transportation issues and wage discrepancies. Parker explained how her government benefits were slashed when she married, which created another obstacle to independence, and Leeper told how transportation can be a barrier to employment, which she values immensely.
“I think it’s important for people with developmental disabilities to work and support themselves and their families,” Leeper said. “I’ve been working at Goodwill since 2004, and I plan to retire from Goodwill when the time is right. It’s a great job.”
SCBDD Superintendent Sarah Zimmerman spoke at the event about the highlights of 2022 and the plans for 2023. One of last year’s accomplishments was the creation of a Youth Respite Home that creates opportunities for caregivers to have a break.
Board eyes turning School of Hope over to service center
Looking ahead, SCBDD is investigating the possibility of handing over operation of the School of Hope to North Point Educational Service Center. Keeping in step with everchanging regulations is difficult for the small school.
“We’re exploring what that would look like going into the future,” Zimmerman said.
Among the Leadership Day audience were Mayor Danny Sanchez, Sandusky County Health Commissioner Bethany Brown, Mental Health and Recovery Services Board Executive Director Mircea Handru, and Sandusky County Commissioners Charles Schwochow, Russ Zimmerman and Scott Miller. The commissioners presented a proclamation in honor of the staff and self-advocates at SCBDD.
“Everyone talks about disabilities, but I like to talk about their abilities,” Schwochow said after the event.
His words summed up the purpose of Leadership Day, which celebrated the self-advocates’ many achievements while addressing the challenges they face to embracing the life they want. It took a long time for Jenkins to find that life, but today, she is proudly employed at a Fremont FriendShip Store.
“I continually advocate for people with developmental disabilities. I hear people say negative things, and I try to educate them on our gifts,” she said. “People with developmental disabilities are capable of many things. I’m proof of that.”
Contact correspondent Sheri Trusty atsheritrusty4@gmail.com.