Breakfast held to celebrate developmental disabilities awareness month

Awards were presented to seven individuals at the Developmental Disabilities Awareness Breakfast held March 4, at Hopewell School. The winners were from left are: Lucas McCoy, individual achievement; Wendy McMorrow, support professional; Ryan Quinlan, individual achievement; Dr. Charles Fornara, partner of the year; Kecia Buxton, volunteer; Cameron Tidrick, distinguished service; and Charles Brenden Hall, youth volunteer. Beacon photo by Josie Sellers

COSHOCTON – Doctors told Jami Hammersley and her husband that their daughter Aubrey would not walk or talk and have little to no cognitive ability, but the Hopewell preschooler has proved them wrong.

“When she was 2 ½ she started preschool and went in a stroller,” Jami said. “Now she gets on and off the bus herself and sometimes gets in trouble at school for running in the hallways. She can walk, her vocabulary is improving and she can problem solve. We couldn’t be prouder of her.”

Jami shared her daughter’s story at a breakfast held March 4 at Hopewell School to celebrate developmental disabilities awareness month.

“I can’t put into words how grateful we are for everyone here,” Jami said. “You’ve become like family and next year is going to be bittersweet when she moves on to kindergarten. We thank each and every one of you from the bottom of our hearts.”

Ryan Quinlan also shared his story during the breakfast. Through the school to work program, Quinlan has been able to get not just one, but two jobs.

“My favorite part of them is the paycheck, but I also like the nice people and what I do,” he said.

Quinlan’s favorite task to do at work is shred.

“I’ve been told I’m the best and fastest,” he said.

Dr. Charles Fornara, one of Quinlan’s employers, has enjoyed having him work at his Optics Plus Vision Center on Main Street.

“Ryan is easy to work with, is trustworthy, upbeat and adds a lot to the practice,” Fornara said.

Next to step up to the podium was Coshocton County Commissioner Dane Shryock.

“We (the commissioners) are honored to be here today,” he said. “This is one of our favorite morning events to attend and we really believe in this program.”

Shryock presented the Coshocton County Board of Developmental Disabilities with a proclamation declaring March 2015 Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.

“Take the time to get to know someone with a developmental disability and what they have to offer,” Shryock said while reading the proclamation to attendees.

Several people who do just that were honored with awards presented by Steve Oster, county board superintendent.

The volunteer award went to Kecia Buxton, the parent of a Hopewell preschooler. Oster said her nominator described her as someone who works full time, but is still very active in the school’s parent teacher organization and is always looking for ways to volunteer her time.

Charles Brenden Hall was the recipient of the youth volunteer award. He can be counted on to volunteer his time at the Raise Your Voice Freedom Fest and built picnic tables for Hopewell’s pavilion to help him earn his Eagle Scout award.

The support professional award was presented to Wendy McMorrow who is the house manager for homes for the developmentally disabled in Coshocton and West Lafayette. Oster said McMorrow’s nominator described her as loving her work and the individuals she works for.

Cameron Tidrick thought he was coming to the breakfast to help with technical issues but the information technology program employee was actually being honored with the distinguished service award.

“He makes sure a broken computer or printer does not delay clients from receiving services in a timely manner,” Oster read from his nomination letter.

The partner of the year award went to Dr. Charles Fornara and his staff for their willingness to work with Quinlan, who received an individual achievement award for his success at his jobs. Lucas McCoy, who is wheelchair-bound, also received an individual achievement award for a shed business he started in Mount Vernon.

“We are very proud of all of the individuals we serve,” Oster said.

josie@coshoctoncountybeacon.com

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