Four Rivers celebrates Disability Awareness by putting people first

April 13--Disability Awareness Month may be over, but Four Rivers Resources Services made the most of the month by taking part in several activities.

Celebrated each March, about 19 percent of the Hoosier state's population of children and adults have a disability and Four Resources serves many of those Hoosiers in Daviess, Greene, Martin and Sullivan counties.

"It was quite a busy for us," said Sherri Tredway, development director with Four Rivers.

Started in 1991, Disability Awareness Month was led by the Indiana Governor's Council for People with Disabilities. Each year a theme is chosen for the celebration that promotes the independence, integration and inclusion for people with disabilities. The theme for this year was "I'm Not Your Inspiration" and centered around putting people first rather than his or her disability.

Tredway said Loogootee Mayor Noel Harty proclaimed March Disability Awareness Month in the city and read a special book on disabilities to children during preschool hour at the local library.

"Julie Lagree also led some activities after," said Tredway, who said Darla Wagler and the staff at the Loogootee library were helpful in co-hosting the event with Four Rivers.

Steve Sacksteder, Four Rivers executive director, read to parents and children at the Linton Public Library during its Spring Break Beach Party.

"Four Rivers Gang Self-Advocate Erica Williams assisted with distributing stickers and bookmarks to children," Tredway said, adding the Linton library had invited Four Rivers to participate in the party and present information to one of its ladies groups.

"Four Rivers Gang Self-Advocate Michelle Bovenschen also presented some information on Disability Awareness Month and the Self-Advocates group to the Lively Ladies group."

Terry Mooreland, Bovenschen and Shane Case also had the opportunity to record informational messages for WAMW radio station with DeWayne Shake.

"These commercials ran from March 23 through the end of the month on WAMW and two of the newly-acquired DLC Media stations in Rockville and Terre Haute. "They were able to share what Disability Awareness means to them personally and carried out the 'Be Good to Each Other' theme."

Peggy Queen and other self-advocates also had the chance to speak to members of the Washington Rotary Club about the Four Rivers Gang Self-Advocacy group. Speaking along with Queen were Becky McKenzie and Case.

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