New Council MembersOutgoing Members
Alicia Eakins Jean Benfield
Kristin M. ErbyEd George
Julie V. SchleusenerAudrey Krebs
Paulette J. SteinhoffBarbara Ramsey
Deborah M WilliamsSarita Reddy
Anuska Ullal
Mellisa Umphenour
Colorado Developmental
Disabilities Council
Dan B. Davidson
20th Annual
Banquet
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
5:30–8:00 pm
Holiday Inn Denver East
3333 Quebec Street
Denver, Colorado 80207-2322
20th Annual
Dan B. Davidson Dinner
Wednesday
July 26, 2017
5:30Gather in Ballroom
6:00Plated Dinner
7:00Welcome and Announcements
7:10Inspiration for the Awards
7:20Dan B. Davidson Awards
8:15See You Next Year!
Tonight’s Gala is dedicated to
Priscilla Carlson
Advocate and Friend
Larry Ruiz Excellence in Inclusion
in Community
Christ Church United Methodist was nominated by Ruth Newell for their work including an individual with a disability (her son Rick) in the church community and choir. The church developed a values statement around inclusion, however putting the words to action does not always happen; it does at this church. Ruth writes that Rick has been included as part of the fabric of the congregation and is not seen as an extension of his mother. This role is significant as Rick spreads his wings of independence and experiences a welcoming place.
Natural Highs was nominated by Brett Adamek for their work including all people in a group that works on empowering teens that would not otherwise participate in traditional leadership opportunities. The group also supports those who seek to find ‘natural highs’ as an alternative to drug and alcohol abuse and members co-create the program as it grows and presents ideas to other groups. They use an achievement model on which members identify their passions and strengths and facilitators help turn those ideas to action and reality. Teens learn leadership skills through hands-on practice in real-world projects.
Sheryle Hutter was nominated by Julie Reiskin for her work in developing and implementing the advocacy training curriculum for the Colorado Cross Disability Coalition. Sheryle has developed a knowledgeable group of teachers and students can get accredited via the University College at D.U. Classes are held three times a year both online and in person. Individual projects are encouraged based on passions and a mentor is assigned to give 1:1 attention to the students as they are learning. Sheryle has a strong passion for advocacy and shares her skills as a labor of love.
Kiera Trinder was nominated by Sarita Reddy for her community connecting work at the Greeley Center for Independence, which serves 18 individuals under the Brain Injury Waiver. When the agency moved from a medical model to community engagement and close listening to who people are and their dreams, Kiera took to the change intuitively. Kiera has done exceptional work making life real for the people served by Greeley Center for Independence.
ADAPT/Dawn Russel was nominated by Josh Winkler for their efforts in trying to stop Medicaid cuts in DC via a Die-in which was held in the hallway outside Mitch McConnell's office. ADAPT was born in Denver and had an incredible success in 1978 via a demonstration in which people stopped the RTD bus system from functioning by lying down in front of the buses for almost two days. After many lawsuits and decades of meetings, ADAPT got what they wanted, a ride! It is hoped that their efforts in DC on June 22nd will also be successful. Dawn has been a relentless advocate in Denver for many years as are all other members of ADAPT.
Ellie Valdez Honeyman
Excellence in Inclusion
in Education
Ann Gillies was nominated by Theresa Burns-Fair and Susan Saulnier for her work at Colorado Mesa University. Ann has partnered with Mosaic service agency and the University. People receiving services come to talk to future educators in Ann’s classes to share their educational experiences. Another individual works consistently in Ann’s classrooms at the University. Ann’s insistence that we “give back the microphone to individuals with disabilities” to tell their OWN story, is a hallmark of her beliefs. She does not want people to hear her words, but to learn to listen to the stories from the people who have lived them.
"Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules, And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do."
Previous Dan B. Davidson Award Winners
Advocacy Denver
Avani Dilger, Natural Highs
ADAPT/Dawn Russel
Barb Yeager, Community Residential and Respite
Belly Belles, Loveland
Bill, Nancy and Stacie Baesman, advocates
Books West, Boulder
Boulder High School, peer mentors
Carrie Ann Lucas, Center for Rights of People with Disabilities
Center for Community Partnerships, Ft. Collins
Chatfield High School Football Team, Littleton
Christ Church United Methodist Church, Denver
Claire Williamson
Clarence Miller
Colorado Housing and Finance Authority
Columbine Health Systems, Ft. Collins
Community Connections, Inc., Durango
Corporation for National and Community Service
Donna Sablan, advocate
Dr. Ann Gillies, PhD.
Dr, Barry Martin, Chief Medical Officer at MCPN
Dr. Lewis Jackson, University of Northern Colorado
El Grupo VIDA, Denver
Ellie Valdez Honeyman
Erik C. Krickbaum, advocate
Gateway Management, Inc., Denver
Georgette Contos, Summit County
Gerrie Frohne, advocate
Gretchen McSwain, athletic coach
Habitat for Humanity, Roaring Fork Valley
Heidi Heissenbuttel, Sewall Child Development Center
Hunter Douglas, Broomfield
Jan Bach, community organizer
Jason Marsh, Sewall Child Development Center
Jen Bryner, educator
Jeremy Hudson, advocate
Jeremy Meyer, Denver Post Editor
Jessica Tribolet, advocate
Josh Winkler, advocate
Kappa Kappa Gamma, University of Colorado-Boulder
Katie Taliercio, self-advocacy coordinator
Kiera Trinder, advocate
Larry Ruiz
Leeanne Seaver, founder of Families for Hands and Voices
Leslie Taylor, advocate
Loco Yo, Louisville
Marcus Appleton, teacher
Mesa View Elementary School, Grand Junction
Mission Supports, Denver
Origin Martial Arts, Longmont
Patricia Stahl, educator
Phylis Fagrelius, dance teacher
Pikes Peak Community College, Colorado Springs
Ron Hutter, advocate
Senator Moe Keller, Wheat Ridge
Sheryle Hutter, advocate
Steve Kennedy, Jefferson County Schools
Sue Alton, advocate
Sukle Advertising and Design
Sylvia and Jim Panzer, teachers
Walnut Hills Community Elementary School, Centennial
Wayne Marshall, Metro State College of Denver
Wells Fargo Bank, Boulder
Wendy Schultz, advocate
Westminster Elementary School
YMCA of Boulder County