A torchbearer is “a person who leads or inspires others in working toward a valued goal,” says the Oxford Dictionary of English, and on December 1, 2016, the Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities chose 6 individuals to honor with its 2016 Torchbearer Awards.
At its Leadership Celebration held at the Mississippi Arts Center in Jackson, the Coalition presented Torchbearer Awards to: Susan Buttross, M.D., retiring chief of the Division of Child Development and Behavioral Pediatrics at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and a medical leader and advocate for children with disabilities; Nicole Nichols, the mother of a young daughter with type-1 diabetes, and a vocal advocate for all people with type-1 diabetes; Michaela Thompson, parent of a young son with autism, who along with another Torchbearer Awardee, Deputy Brandi DeMoll, helped organize and promote a pilot-training in Pike County for law enforcement and first responders; and Antonio Wright, a wheelchair user, coach and mentor who founded Metro Area Community and Empowerment to promote athletic activities for wheel-chair users.
“Many people are working diligently in our state to improve life for people with disabilities and, really, for all Mississippians. We chose a few to honor this year knowing that they were inspired by and helped inspire other torchbearers,” said Pam Dollar, executive director of the Coalition.
The organization’s board surprised Dollar, with a Torchbearer Award. Dollar has a 25 year old son who has autism. “Pam has been a passionate advocate for children and adults alike. She works relentlessly to create a culture of respect and success for all people with disabilities,” said board chair Jayne Buttross. Dollar has been affiliated with the Coalition and has been an advocate for more than 20 years.
The Coalition, founded in 1989, is a nonprofit state-wide cross-disability organization that works collaboratively to expand opportunities and enhance the quality of life for Mississippians with disabilities. For more information call 601-969-0601.
pictured (left to right: Nicole Nichols, Susan Buttross, M.D., Brandi DeMoll, Antonio Wright, Pam Dollar)