Alex Adkins and best brothers ever among winners
Standing Ovation Award winners Jacob Bennett, left, and his brother Joshua, green shirt, with their mother Christy and brother Jehred.
The Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities named its Better Together Award winners at its Community Partners Pancake Breakfast to celebrate DD Awareness Month on March 28 at Tuscora Park. Those in attendance heard many stories during the presentation.
Tuscarawas County commissioners Chris Abbuhl, Greg Ress and Kristen Zemis selected the winners in a close contest.
Lori Kutcher of the New Philadelphia Schools was the winner of the Better Together Award for a direct support professional working in Tuscarawas County. Also recognized were the other nominees: Paula Lancaster, Mary Jacobs, Farrah Raines, Carie Kline, Christy Bennett, Amy Devore and Aubrey Reese.
“She loves her students, she serves unconditionally and her dedication is unwavering,” West Elementary Principal Jennifer Hall said in nominating Kutcher for working with students with behavior challenges. “Instead of acting discouraged in the face of adversity, Lori remains open to suggestions and is constantly working to find ways to help those in her care.”
Chief Jim Parrish and Capt. James Sholtz accepted the Ripple Award for the New Philadelphia Fire Department. The award is to a Tuscarawas County business or employer for contributing to the awareness that individuals with disabilities are crucial members of the workforce. Other nominees were Park Street Pizza, Dover Public Library, Carlisle Inn, Mrs. Darcie Berger and Giant Eagle.
The NPFD was nominated by Kim Cheney and Angelica Mendoza, both of Advocates for Success. AFS has two individuals working three days a week at the station, taking care of all the station’s janitorial needs.
“They always greet, encourage and support our team. The individuals that work there are valued and, most importantly, feel like they have a purpose and enjoy going to work each day,” Mendoza said.
The Standing Ovation Award went to brothers Jacob and Joshua Bennett. The award recognizes a parent, guardian, sibling or someone who has stepped into the role of family to support a loved one with a DD. The men were nominated by their mother Christy Bennett, whose youngest son Jehred was born with disabilities. Jehred spent seven months in the hospital before he was able to come home with the help of a trach breathing tube, nurses, therapists and medications.
“Needless to say, all of our lives changed. I worried this would be too much for a 9- and 10-year-old to deal with,” Christy Bennett said. “But not these boys. They were and still are the best brothers anybody could ask for. They learned how to help take care of him by learning how to suction a trach, feed him and work on therapy. They played with him and made him laugh. And when Jehred’s trach came out, his first word was brother.”
When the boys were younger, Jehred loved to watch his brothers play sports. Now that Jehred is involved in Special Olympics, his brothers love to watch him play sports. They also attend other events like drum concerts and talent shows that Jehred is involved in.
Other nominees recognized were Maria Dillon, Ashley Gibson, Christina Fowler, Jennifer Poorman and Teresa Jones.
Alex Adkins was the winner of the Diamond Award for an individual with a DD residing in Tuscarawas County for bravery and efforts to advocate for themselves, achieve their dreams and encourage others to do the same. Adkins received nominations from Kellie Rufener and Richelle Lefler.
Rufener said it has been a privilege knowing Adkins, who took her son under his wing while involved in Special Olympics Basketball.
“Alex shows patience, leadership and kindness towards other athletes,” Rufener said. “Alex is an encourager and a bucket filler. He constantly pours himself into others, whether it be friends, athletes, adults, coaches, co-workers or even referees. Alex has the ability to connect all these individuals and indeed make life better together.”
Lefler is impressed with Adkins, who has overcome a number of challenges.
“Alex refuses to be defined by his disability or life circumstances. He pushes himself and strives to be a contributing member of society,” Lefler said, noting Alex is employed, lives on his own and recently became engaged to be married. “Alex encourages others not to give up, to keep striving even in the midst of adversity.”
Chelsea Lefler of Newcomerstown was the winner out of nine submissions of an essay contest for individuals with a DD on who or what inspires them. The contest was judged by staff from the Tuscarawas County Public Library.
“I have a good life because my mom picked me,” Chelsea Lefler read from her essay. Heartbroken to be in need of foster care, Chelsea Lefler was happy to be adopted by Richelle Lefler, and Chelsea Lefler feels she now has everything she needs in life to be successful including a boyfriend.
Taking second place in the essay contest was Taylor Harding.
“If I had to choose one thing that inspires me, I would have to say that my blindness is what inspires me most,” Harding wrote, adding there are many things she can do, and she can do things that others can’t, like read Braille. “Even though I am legally blind, my senses are stronger. Blindness is my challenge and my inspiration.”
Third place went to Tyler Alleshouse, who wrote about how his father has helped him throughout his life.
TuscBDD Superintendent Nate Kamban thanked all in attendance.
“As I look out today, I see so many people who have stepped up and support people with disabilities. I’ve often heard that the true measure of a society is how they treat and support people with disabilities. If that’s the case, I put Tusc up with about any place in the world, and it’s a wonderful community, thanks to many of you,” Kamban said.