Essays remind luncheon attendees that it’s ok to be different

Several awards were presented at the annual Developmental Disabilities Awareness Luncheon held March 1 in the Frontier Power Community Room. Pictured from left are: Sydney McKee, youth advocate; Hollie Hendricks, distinguished service; Helen Lawrentz (representing Hopewell Industries, Inc.), volunteer of the year; Karl Murray, individual achievement; Dave Williams, support professional; Jennifer Andrews (representing Coshocton City Schools) and Scott Limburg (representing River View Local School District), partner of the year. Doug Patterson, who is not pictured, also accepted a partner of the year award for Ridgewood Local School District. Josie Sellers | Beacon

COSHOCTON – If God likes you the way you are then don’t change a thing about yourself.

The Coshocton County Board of Developmental Disabilities held a coloring and essay contest for students in kindergarten through sixth grade and the above message was one of several shared by students. Fourth through fifth graders were asked to write about what they think of when they hear the word disability or what it means to be different. Several of the essays, including Bridgett Bible’s, were read at the Developmental Disabilities Awareness Luncheon held March 1 in the Frontier Power Community Room.

Bible’s essay went on to say, “If you want to be yourself then be yourself,” she wrote. “Don’t change yourself. Trust yourself and you can be anything as long as you believe.”

She and her mother Christy were two of the guest speakers at the luncheon. Bridgett is a fifth grader now, but still has fond memories of her days at Hopewell Preschool.

“It was fun and I hope they keep doing what they do to teach children,” Bridgett said.

Her journey with the Coshocton County Board of DD actually began when she was 18 months old.

“Our local doctor was concerned that she wasn’t walking yet and she couldn’t really hold herself up well,” Christy said. “We found out she was developmentally delayed and got involved in an early intervention program. She went to preschool at Hopewell and they helped her with interacting with other children and prepared her to transition to Keene. I’m happy to say today she is a brilliant, beautiful fifth grader and we couldn’t be prouder of her. Hopewell helped get the ball rolling to get her here though and I don’t know where we’d be without them.”

Another Coshocton County Board of DD success story was delivered by Scott Balentine. He attended preschool at Hopewell and is now a student at Coshocton High School where he is in a work study program to help him gain job skills. Next year he plans to attend the Coshocton County Career Center. Balentine also is a golfer, enjoys playing his guitar and plays basketball for the Hopewell Indians.

“We have two really great (basketball) teams,” he said. “If you come watch us play you will be in for a nice surprise. We really need a bigger gym. We have lots of people come watch us and don’t have enough seats for everyone. Maybe we can work together to make this happen.”

The last person attendees heard from was Karl Murray who found employee in the community through Jeff Drennen Dealerships.

“I’m pretty quick at all the work I do and my favorite part of the job is hanging out with the guys,” he said. “If I’m not there everyone wants to know where I’m at. I’m definitely the fastest detailer they have.”

Taking the podium with Murray was his boss Steve Gentile.

“Karl brightens up everybody’s day,” Gentile said. “We enjoy having him down there.”

Steve Oster, superintendent of the board, thanked all of them for sharing their stories.

“They were all inspiring and show what people with disabilities can do,” he said.

Oster also had the pleasure of announcing the winners of several awards and surprising the honorees.

Volunteer of the year went to Hopewell Industries Incorporated for going above and beyond for their clients.

“We really have a tremendous team that makes things happened day in and day out,” said Mary Thompson-Hufford, from Hopewell Industries Inc.

The youth advocate award went to Sydney McKee, a student at the Coshocton County Career Center who has volunteered to help set up and decorate for different activities. Her nominator said she was a dependable person who worked well with others.

Support professional of the year went to RHDD’s Dave Williams and the transportation directors from the Coshocton, River View and Ridgewood school systems received the partner of the year awards.

“I just got told (by our superintendent) that I had to come down here and I’m so glad I did get to come listen to everyone and spend time here this afternoon,” said Doug Patterson, building, grounds and transportation supervisor for Ridgewood Local School District.

Scott Limburg, director of transportation and food services for River View Local School District said he appreciates his bus drivers and aids that help with Hopewell. Jennifer Andrews, transportation supervisor for Coshocton City Schools, said she enjoys getting to fill in on Coshocton’s routes.

The distinguished service award was presented to Hollie Hendricks from Opportunities for Ohioans with disabilities. Her role is to help people with disabilities find employment.

“I’ve done a lot of things in life, but this job is the most rewarding,” she said.

Murray got to come to the podium one more time to accept the individual achievement award. In addition to holding a job with Jeff Drennen Dealerships he also has his own place and receives very little provider support.

This annual luncheon is just one of several ways the Coshocton County Board of DD plans to celebrate 50 years of serving people with disabilities.

The organization was originally founded with the help of Betsy and Jim Gauerke who had a child with Down Syndrome. Their only options for help at the time were to send him to an out of state school or put him in a state institution. The Gauerkes chose to send their son to a school in another state run by nuns.

“He was there for a number of years and then one day we both woke up and decided if we didn’t have something in our community that could help him we should start something,” Jim said.

They didn’t have the financial resources to build a school, but they received permission from the Presbyterian Church to use their classrooms during the week. The Gauerkes were able bring their son back home and start the process of integrating people with disabilities into the community.

“People loved him,” Betsy said. “He was wonderful. We are very grateful for all the help and encouragement we had.”

Oster said every year the Coshocton County Board of DD helps around 420 people and it plans to continue to always be there.

“The system changes, but we will be there to help people with disabilities with whatever their needs are,” he said.

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