12th Anniversary Of Berkshire Disability Pride Day And Related Events
The Berkshire Disability Pride Day committee announces the twelfth Annual Berkshire Disability Pride Day which will be held on Saturday, March 7th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Berkshire Mall in Lanesboro, MA. The event is a day of celebration and education to increase community awareness of the accomplishments of children and adults with diverse abilities. It will also showcase the variety of services and opportunities available in Berkshire County. In addition we will be celebrating the nineteenth anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act.There will be entertainment for the entire family throughout the day, agency and business booths with helpful service and product information, and an art show by area artists with disabilities. Groups performing include: The Happy Hearted Voices; pianist, Fritz Herman; vocalist, Gene Pelkey; The Berkshire Hill Music Academy; UCP Self-Advocacy Singers; Crystal Brook; Farrell School of Irish Dance; UCP Fun Club Singers; Girl Scout Troop #593; Terpsichore Dance Center and Youth Alive Step, Dance and Drumline. The Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) Health van will be located at the mall providing free blood pressure screening and health insurance enrollment.
For health insurance enrollment, please bring a Massachusetts photo I.D, or driver’s license, a birth certificate or passport and two recent pay stubs or copy of 2007 tax return. The Lions Eye Mobile will also be participating in the event. The Eye Mobile provides a vital service by facilitating the detection of eye disease, such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration, vision loss, hearing loss and high blood pressure. Local Lions Club members and professional community health volunteers will staff the Lions Eye Mobile.
Members of the Berkshire Disability Pride Day Committee are pleased to announce Melissa Butler as this year’s honorary chair. Melissa Butler is a graduate of Pittsfield High School. She has been a volunteer at United Cerebral Palsy Association of Berkshire County (UCP) for the past eight years. She has also been a UCP board member for the past two years. Melissa is an active member of the UCP Self-Advocates, a group that works to educate themselves on community resources, advocates for accessibility at work, home, school and in the community and actively works with legislators on issues such as housing, transportation and voting. Melissa states, “I am an active volunteer on these issues because I believe they are the most important and affect our lives in many ways.” Melissa is also a volunteer at Berkshire Medical Center and assists WBRK staff with special projects. Melissa is being honored for her tireless work to improve the lives of people with disabilities.
Berkshire Disability Pride Day is the brainchild of Pat Sheely, disability advocate and board member of UCP Association of Berkshire County, Sheely uses a wheelchair and is always seen accompanied by her service dog, Jamie. The event has proven to be a tribute to the willingness and ability of local human service agencies to work toward promoting the ABILITIES OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. These member agencies include: Berkshire County Arc, United Cerebral Palsy Association of Berkshire County, Inc., Ad Lib Center for Independent Living, Berkshire Family and Individual Resources, Carson Center for Traumatic Brain Injury Services of Western MA, Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts, Meridian Associates, Sullivan & Associates, Inc., Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, Department of Developmental Services (formerly DMR),Goodwill Industries and Community Resources for People with Autism/Specialized Home Care. The major sponsor of Berkshire Disability Pride Day is Berkshire Bank Foundation. Additional sponsors include Pittsfield Cooperative Bank, Berkshire Life Insurance Company, Adams Cooperative Bank, City of Pittsfield Commissioner on Disabilities. Mayor James Ruberto will be speaking at the opening ceremonies at 11:30 a.m. Berkshire Disability Pride Day is free and open to the public. Sign interpreters will be on site. Vendors, sponsors, entertainers and art exhibitors are still welcome and encouraged to participate.
The first year of the event, a logo design contest was held where a student from Kolburne School was the grand prize winner. The logo is still being used. This year, Berkshire Disability Pride Day held a poster contest depicting positive images of individuals with disabilities enjoying life. Artwork, neatness and creativity, as well as the positive images were the deciding factors. This year’s winners were: 1st place winner: Tori Trybus of Mt. Greylock Regional High School, tied for 2nd place: Alex Forgette from Taconic High School and Brianna Dinicola of Mt. Greylock Regional High School and 3rd place winner: was Christian P. of Kolburne School. The Berkshire Disability Pride Day committee congratulates the winners and all who entered the contest for their participation in this public awareness event.
In addition to this event the committee will be hosting the ninth annual Legislative Breakfast on Friday March, 27th beginning at 7:30 am with a fee of $8.50 which includes a continental breakfast. This event will he held at the ITAM Lodge in Pittsfield. Senator Downing and Representatives Bosley, Guyer, Pignatelli and Speranzo will be in attendance to address the concerns of the disabled community. Pre-registration is required. To register, please contact Chrystal Kaigle or Penny Jefferson at Berkshire County Arc. 499-4241.
