Exceptional Parent's Exceptional People Awards.

Everyone knows someone who is exceptional in some way. It is fitting to honor those people who, through their work with special needs organizations and associations, have influenced positive change in the lives of people with disabilities. We asked organizations who are members of our EXCEPTIONAL PARENT Subscription-Donation Family to submit names of those individuals--a person with a disability, a family, parent, teacher, or other professional--they feel deserve special recognition. We thank those groups who participated and we especially thank those EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE featured here.

-- The EP Staff

Terry and Ted Trzaska
Submitted by Pat Cashdollar
Technology Resource Center

Terry has been my mentor since 1971 when our families met to start a volunteer patterning program for our children who have brain injuries. Both of us had seven children and plenty of time and energy to devote to our two children who were not developing along "normal" paths.

Terry and I both gained experience in parent advocacy after her son, Michael, and my daughter, Nancy, led us through the special services system. In 1984, we began a private non-profit organization (which ultimately became the Technology Resource Center) to share resources for our children. Our Technology Resource Center became part of the Alliance for Technology Access (ATA).

Terry continues to be involved with a religious support group since retiring from TRC. She has helped innumerable parents, professionals, and people who have disabilities, in addition to their own family. Terry is someone who sees a need and offers a hand in the solution--a rare and beautiful individual who is exceptional in every way. Terry's husband, Ted, is an electrical engineer and has always been involved in crafting equipment for the Center. Though he has had two surgeries, Ted still teaches, guides, and instructs by his example and helping hand.

The entire Trzaska family has benefited immensely from the loving hard work and creativity of Terry and Ted. No one can match these Exceptional Parents.

Technology Resource Center Inc., 2049 Harshman Rd., Dayton, OH 45424-5023; telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail]; Web site: www.trcd.org

ATA National Office, 2175 E. San Francisco Blvd., Ste. L., San Rafael, CA 94901; telephone: [phone]; Web site: www.ATAccess.org

Karen Herrera
Submitted by Denise Hancock
Muscular Dystrophy Family Foundation

Karen Herrera, R.N., has been associated with the Muscular Dystrophy Family Foundation for the past five years. Karen is an employee of the Covered Bridge Special Education Services in Vigo County, Indiana, working with individuals who have disabilities and the local school systems. Although the Foundation is available to advocate for the medical, educational, and emotional needs of children and families in her area, we are rarely asked to do so. This is because of Karen Herrera. In her job, she focuses on the entire family unit and is a valuable resource and support person for the parents of children who have special needs.

Karen is instrumental in organizing and engaging families to participate in the Foundation's local support meeting. Her cheerful and kind attitude makes families comfortable in contacting her and resolving school issues. Karen's compassion often compels her to maintain contact with families, even after their child has passed away. Given the extent of the responsibilities that a re a part of her daily routine, this "extra mile" is not to be taken for granted. Karen Herrera definitely demonstrates the true meaning of the world "exceptional."

Muscular Dystrophy Family Foundation, 615 North Alabama St., Ste. 330, Indianapolis, IN 46204; telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone]

Dr. Gordon F. Sherman, Ph.D.
Submitted by Susan Brickley
The International Dyslexia Association
Founded in Memory of Samuel T. Orton
Formerly The Orton Dyslexia Society

Dr. Gordon F. Sherman is the director of the Dyslexia Research Lab at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and assistant professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Sherman has worked in the field of dyslexia research to build further evidence that dyslexia is a neurologically-based disability. (This research is crucial because it makes dyslexia more than a "hidden disability" but, in fact, a "real brain difference.") As president of The International Dyslexia Association, he has volunteered his time to implement public awareness initiatives and other campaigns to educate parents and teachers about the importance of early identification and intervention for people with dyslexia.

The International Dyslexia Association, 8600 La Salle Rd., Chester Bldg., Ste. 382, Baltimore, MD 21286-2044; telephone: (800) ABCD123 (222-3123); [phone]; fax: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail]; Web site: www.interdys.org.

Brenda Ross
Submitted by Cindy Olson
PARENTS, INC.

Brenda Ross is an outstanding advocate on disability issues, and has definitly been a positive influence within the state of Alaska. Brenda works endlessly--both professionally and as a special needs parent--as the director of the Special Education Parent Resource Center for the Anchorage School District, and as a volunteer. She serves as board vice president for PARENTS, Inc. (the Alaska PTI), and as board president for the Stone Soup Group (an organization devoted to pediatric medical issues). Brenda Ross definitely deserves recognition as a provider of positive support within our community, and for her role as "Exceptional" Alaska parent.

PARENTS, Inc. 4743 E. Northern Lights Blvd., Anchorage, AK 99508; telephone: [phone]

Martha Klimuk
Submitted by Anne Marie Caminiti
Parent to Parent of New York, Inc.

On behalf of the families of children with disabilities, I would like to nominate Martha Klimuk. Martha is the mother of two girls: Danielle, 22, and Nicole, 16, who has been legally blind since birth. Martha has been a source of information and strength for parents for a long time.

She was instrumental in insuring an HHVI (Hearing and Vision Impaired) evaluation unit was opened in Staten Island, New York, so parents and caregivers did not have to travel to another borough. Martha also chairs the Staten Island Federation of Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Special Education Committee with two other parents, runs a monthly support group for this organization and for parents of children with visual impairements, and is the co-chair of the Education Committee for the S. I. Retardation and Disabilities Council. At these meetings, Martha answers questions and is able to give a tremendous amount of input. Her unique way of empathizing with parents makes her an Exceptional Person!

Parent to Parent of New York, Inc., NYS Institute for Basic Research, 1050 Forest Hill Rd., Staten Island, NY 10314; telephone: [phone]

Edward and Lillian Machowski
Submitted by John R. Cocciolone
Easter Seals of Southeastern Michigan

When their daughter, Marsha, was diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy, Edward and Lillian Machowski were advised to institutionalize her. Instead, they elected to keep her at home, sending her to special school programs. After their daughter completed those school programs, Ed and Lillian approached Easter Seals about starting a day program. That idea became "Gateways," a skills-enhancement and therapy program for adults with mental and physical disabilities. It now serves over 75 clients in Southeast Michigan. Ed and Lillian are both active in the "Gateways Parents Group." Ed is also a member of Easter Seals' Board of Directors.

Easter Seal of Southeastern Michigan, Corporate Headquarters, 21700 Northwestern Hwy., Ste. 950, Southfield, MI 48075-4901; telephone: [phone]

Dr. Robert and Donna Wallerstein
Submitted by Linda Sorg
Chromosome Deletion Outreach (CDO)

CDO's families all have children who have the very rarest of chromosome disorders--oftentimes there is little information available. Dr. Robert Wallerstein is a pediatric geneticist with NYU Medical Center, New York, and Donna Wallerstein has her masters of science in genetic counseling from the University of South Carolina. We would like to thank the Wallersteins for all their help in locating case studies and articles for families that, otherwise, would have little or no information.

Chromosome Deletion Outreach, PO Box 724, Boca Raton, FL 33429-0724; telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail]

Marie Capobianco
Submitted by Dena Dutile
National MPS Society

I would like to nominate Marie because of the great courage she has shown throughout the life and death of her two children who had Sanfilippo syndrome. She has been with the National MPS (mucopolysaccharidosis) Society for over 20 years and has served as president for much of that time. As she retires from the presidency (in December 1998), I cannot think of a better way to acknowledge her retirement than by being recognized by Exceptional Parent.

National MPS Society, 7122 Main Hwy., St. Martinville, LA 70582; telephone: [phone]

Martha Haynes Ziegler
Submitted by Janet R. Vohs
Federation for Children with Special Needs

Martha Ziegler, whose daughter has autism, founded the Federation for Children with Special Needs in Boston, Massachussetts 1974, and served as its executive director for 22 years. Martha's mission to get parents to help other parents understand their rights and responsibilities under federal and state special education laws, helped launch a powerful parent advocacy movement that has since grown and matured. With Martha's leadership, what began at the Federation as one pilot project has blossomed into a national network of about 80 federally funded parent-run Parent Training and Information (PTI) centers!

Federation for Children with Special Needs, 95 Berkeley St., Ste. 104, Boston, MA 02116; telephone: [phone] (voice/TTY); fax: [phone]; e-mail: fcsninfo@.org; Web site: www.fcsn.org

Desiree Monet
Submitted by Donna Roberts
United Cerebral Palsy Association of
Greater Indiana, Inc.

Desiree Monet is the mother of Christian, a handsome 11-year-old boy with spastic cerebral palsy. Despite her initial reluctance, Desiree agreed to enroll Christian in an inclusive day camp at one of our city parks. For each of the two summers Chris has attended camp, Desiree has put together a photo scrapbook of her son. Desiree is now one of our biggest allies in convincing other parents that children with disabilities who attend school and learn with their typical peers also need the opportunity to play with their peers.

UCP Association of Greater Indiana, Inc., 615 North Alabama St., Rm. 322, Indianapolis, IN 46204-1484; telephone: [phone]