Achievements by and for Citizens with Disabilities Recognized

Hunt Valley, Md. (October 21, 2009) - At the 19th Annual Baltimore County Commission on Disabilities Awards Ceremony, County Executive Jim Smith recognized 13 individuals, businesses and organizations for their achievements and contributions by and for citizens with disabilities.

“Day after day, I witness examples of what can be done when people help other people – supporting the reality that healthy communities thrive because they have people who care, who get involved and who what out for the needs of their neighbors,” said Smith.

The awards ceremony is administered by the Baltimore County Commission on Disabilities. The commission promotes attitudes and behaviors to respect and value people with disabilities and ensures that programs, buildings and services in Baltimore County are open equally to all persons, regardless of their perceived disabilities. 

“I thank the Commission on Disabilities for their important work on behalf of people with disabilities and how much they contribute to our quality of life in Baltimore County,” said Baltimore County Council Chair Joseph Bartenfelder. 

Additionally, the commission provides resources and referrals to those who need services not only from Baltimore County, but also from programs offered by the state and federal government. 

2009 Commission on Disabilities Award Recipients

Christine Bianco
Franklin Elementary School
Education Advocate of the Year

Christine Bianco has been the guidance counselor at Franklin Elementary School for the past 15 years. She was the driving force behind the school’s First Disability Awareness day, entitled “Celebrating Differences.”  Speakers from over 15 organizations were utilized during the celebration, capped off with a performance by the Maryland Raven’s Wheelchair Basketball Team. A video of the celebration was made and aired on the Education Channel, which allowed other schools to benefit from the experience. However, Christine’s dedication does not stop at a one day celebration. As advisor for the Student Council, she supervised several projects during the year, including Holiday Baskets at Thanksgiving and Christmas, Pennies for Leukemia, and Kids Helping Hopkins. Her supervisors and peers have described her as a dedicated, warm, caring individual who exudes compassion for others. Christine works actively at Franklin Elementary School to promote a positive, accepting atmosphere for the benefit not only of students with disabilities, but of all students.           

Cody Mulligan
Student of the Year

“What can I say about Cody…in all my years of teaching, he is the most remarkable student I have ever encountered,” are the words used to begin one of the five nominations Cody received as the Student of the Year. Cody has grown from a student just learning to read and write in Braille, to being the youngest student in Baltimore County to use an electronic BrailleNote to complete assignments. In physical education class, Cody is an active participant in all activities. He visits the first grade class to talk to students about reading and writing in Braille. Outside of school, Cody has learned to navigate and use a cane for travel. He continues to ride his 4-wheeler, play baseball, explore the woods around his house, and do all the things boys like to do. In the words of his former principal, “Cody is an inspiration to us all. There has not been one moment where he has not played to the fullest, studied to the fullest, enjoyed life to the fullest.  That is, by far, the best gift a student can give to his principal, his teachers, and his classmates!”

Linda Starner
Teacher of the Year Award

Linda Starner has been a teacher of students with visual impairments, as well as an orientation and mobility instructor, for over 33 years. Her work with students ranges from securing needed visual materials to preparing Braille documents for use in the classroom.  In addition, she is a certified Orientation and Mobility instructor, teaching students throughout Baltimore County on how to properly and safely navigate independently. However, Linda’s work is not restricted to students, as she constantly works with teachers, parents, and community members to help them understand and address the needs of individuals who are blind or visually impaired. She is also active in statewide activities, serving as: the past president of the Maryland/DC chapter of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired; a representative on the School Coordinating Council for the Maryland School for the Blind; and, a representative on the Maryland State Steering Committee for Programs for the visually impaired.  Linda is an outstanding educator, and students, teachers, and parents are very fortunate to have her as a teacher and role model.

Harry Keene
Stevenson University
Employee of the Year Award

Harry Keene grew up in foster homes and group homes. While he now receives residential supports from Emerge, Inc., and job training and supports from Chimes, Inc., he takes great pride in the fact that he lives and works in fully integrated settings. Harry has his own apartment, and works full time in the kitchen at Stevenson University. He has become a part of the Stevenson University family, where he is a model of efficiency and hard work. Harry’s nominator describes him as a “man on the move,” proud of what he has accomplished. When not working, he often visits his friends at Chimes, spreading his positive attitude about life to clients and staff. He readily thanks those who have helped him on his journey. He often says, “I have a good life.” Those who work with him would agree Harry is certainly on the move!

Henry Sanfilippo
Division of Rehabilitation Services
Employee Advocate Award

Henry Sanfilippo has always been a highly productive rehabilitation counselor and extremely committed to his clients. During the course of his 30-year career with the State of Maryland, Henry has established himself as the technical specialist for persons with acquired brain injury. He embodies the best qualities of rehabilitation specialists – the wisdom of experience, and the willingness to implement newly developed strategies in vocational rehabilitation. Henry quickly establishes rapport and earns the trust of new clients, and outlines his strategy for achieving employment. Then, most importantly, he follows up to assure success. As a result of Henry’s optimism and direct intervention with employers, many clients have begun working or continue to maintain their jobs subsequent to their acquired brain injuries. Accordingly, the Division of Rehabilitation Services liaisons consistently refer new clients with acquired brain injury to him.

Target – Cockeysville, Md.
Deborah Gardiner and Jason Silk
Employer of the Year Award

According to its web site, “Target is committed to recruiting members with different backgrounds and distinct experiences, so that the make-up of company stores reflects that of its community.”  At the Cockeysville store, this is not just a philosophical statement, but a daily practice.  Deborah Gardiner and Jason Silk live by the creed that Target wants all of its employees to be successful, and they provide not only job training, but personal mentoring for those employees who need it. Deborah and Jason emphasize the skills of Target’s employees with disabilities, not their challenges, and welcome job coaches to work alongside clients to reduce the stress and anxiety of holding a job.  The Cockeysville Target store is an exemplary employer, welcoming job applicants at all levels of ability, and promoting an atmosphere that says to its employees that they are part of a family of co-workers who care about them. 

The Honorable Martin O’Malley
Governor of Maryland
Elected Official of the Year Award

Governor O’Malley has displayed, time and time again, his strong support for individuals with disabilities, and for the agencies and organizations that provide the services they require to succeed in the community. His support culminated in his signing of Executive Order 01.01.2008.01 in January of 2008.  This Order set the stage for the closing of Rosewood Center, the oldest institution for individuals with disabilities in Maryland. As noted in his Executive Order, “This Administration seeks to ensure that all individuals with developmental disabilities are included in all aspects of community living and seeks to continue Maryland’s ongoing efforts to increase community placement options for residents of the State’s mental health and developmental disabilities facilities.” By closing Rosewood Center, he has assured that people with disabilities will live in the least restrictive, and most humane, environment, thus enabling them to reach their maximum potential.

James and Carol McBride
Family Support  Award

In 1986, the McBrides became foster parents to a four-year-old boy with severe medical and physical disabilities, which included the need for a feeding tube. Through intense preparation, they educated themselves in all aspects of his disabilities, and eventually he achieved a level of independence totally unexpected, including learning to feed himself. Pleased with his success, in 2000 Jim and Carole brought another young man into the family. He had a variety of disabilities as well, but in the McBrides hands, he also flourished. Finally, in 2002, a third youngster came into the McBride’s home. He too had severe disabilities, but, under Jim and Carol’s loving caring and nurturance, he gradually learned to take care of himself. Through their selflessness, the McBrides have given three young men an opportunity to thrive in their community. As Carol has said, we must “look beyond the disability to see the true person who needs, and can give, love.”

WBFF Fox45
Media Award

Locally owned and headquartered in Baltimore County since 1971, WBFF Fox45 has served the disability community in ways too numerous to mention. It has been home to the Muscular Dystrophy Telethon for over two decades, and regularly partners with local agencies that provide services to individuals with disabilities to highlight their programs and services. It also sponsors numerous long-term programs such as Champions of Courage and Partners in Education, and provides Public Service Announcement spots for local non-profit organizations as part of its regular programming. This year, WBFF, along with our Master of Ceremonies, Ms. Kathleen Cairns, did an in-depth story on the Baltimore Saints Special Hockey League, which highlighted the success of this innovative program for individuals with disabilities. WBFF Fox45 not only serves its community well, but also makes a special effort to affirm the impact of programs that serve individuals with disabilities.

Rosemary Easley
Volunteer of the Year Award

The benefits of gardening in reducing stress are well-known. The simple act of turning the soil, planting a seed, and nurturing a plant is a pastime enjoyed by millions. For individuals who experience the anger and frustration of mental illness, gardening is the perfect outlet. Rosemary Easley has been bringing the joy of gardening to the clients of Mosaic for several years. She understands the emotions surrounding mental illness, and communicates that understanding through the touch and smell of the gardening experience. Rosemary’s class is one of the favorite activities at the Mosaic Rehabilitation Program, helping clients relieve the anxiety that accompanies mental illness. Rosemary is a wonderful volunteer who shares her time and talents with individuals who truly appreciate her. Mosiac considers it an honor to have Rosemary as a volunteer.

The Men of Calvert Hall
Neighbor of the Year Award

The Men of Calvert Hall, made up of fathers of Calvert Hall High School students, truly embrace the philosophy of “services to others.”  For the past ten years, the Men have worked with Gallagher Services, an agency which provides services to individuals with developmental disabilities, in taking on a number of tasks. This year, the Men, along with a number of their sons (and daughters!) painted the Gribbin Center, which houses Gallagher Services’ day programs. Last year, they worked on two of the agencies Alternative Living Units. In past years, the Men have helped to renovate group homes, the greenhouse, and the gazebos and pavilions on the grounds of Gallagher Services. The Men have created a history of volunteering and community service, while providing positive role models for the students of Calvert Hall. This award is certainly long overdue for this highly motivated and community-minded service group.

Michelle Hart
Disability Advocate Award

Michelle Hart is the proud mother of three children, two of whom have disabilities. In addition to being a strong advocate for her children, she is constantly working in partnership with others to bring awareness and positive change to the lives of all individuals with disabilities. Michelle serves on numerous committees which address issues related to disabilities, as well as spending countless hours and personal resources to bring a parent’s perspective to disability organizations. This year alone, Michelle has served on the Board of the Arc of Baltimore, the Maryland Respite Care Committee, the Baltimore County Special Education Citizens’ Advisory Committee and the Local Interagency Coordinating Council. She also works with administrators from the Baltimore County Public Schools and the Maryland State Department of Education. In her spare time, Michelle went to Annapolis to support the closure of Rosewood Center and to testify at DDA budget hearings. Michelle is a strong and effective advocate who recognizes the value of supporting not only her own children, but those living throughout the County and the state.

Jim and Teresa Zinkhan
The Baltimore Saints Hockey League
Special Chairperson’s Award

By starting the Baltimore Saints Special Hockey League, Jim and Teresa Zinkhan initiated a positive sports experience that allows people with developmental disabilities to shine! Not only do the participants get the joy of participating in this exciting sport, they also receive an extra session of PT, OT, social skills, interaction with peers, and a host of other interpersonal activities, as they skate their way to independence.

Jim and Teresa have no special needs children of their own, so the Baltimore Saints is truly an altruistic labor of love. They seek grant money to operate the program, sponsor a “Saints” web site, do extensive media relations work, and even planned and executed a trip to the Disabled Hockey Festival in New York.

Jim and Teresa have put their time, money, hard work, and a lot of love into the Baltimore Saints Hockey League, and asked for little in return, except maybe a smile and a hug!