State Personal Achievement Award Recipients

Initiated in 1992, the national awards program recognizes the accomplishments and community service of adults over 18 with disabilities related to any of the diseases in MDA’s program.

The awards were renamed in honor of Robert Ross, MDA’s longtime chief executive, who died in June 2006. Ross created the Personal Achievement Award program to educate the public that disability is no obstacle to accomplishment.

Each local MDA chapter selects a local recipient; all local recipients automatically are considered for a state award. Then, all state award recipients are considered for the national award, which is announced every year on MDA's Labor Day weekend show.

Click on any state to view a bio of its 2011 PAA recipient (ages reflect the recipient's age at the time the award was given in 2011).

U.S. Map

Brenda Austin, 62
Dermatomyositis
York, S.C.

Brenda Austin is affected by dermatomyositis (DM), a neuromuscular disease that causes weakness of shoulder and limb muscles. A retired elementary school teacher, Austin is ambulatory with the aid of a walker; occasionally she uses a manual wheelchair. Shortly after receiving her diagnosis in 2006, Austin registered with MDA and became involved with various activities. She joined an MDA support group, helping it to become a top fundraising team. Recently, she created Adopt a Station, where each member of the support group adopted his or her local fire stations, helping the fire fighters put on their annual MDA Fill the Boot fundraisers.
Sheila Bayer, 63
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Brookings, S.D.

Sheila Bayer, who received a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2007, is a constant presence at her MDA/ALS support group meetings, where she is known for her cheerful and helpful attitude. Bayer uses a power wheelchair for mobility and is losing her ability to speak. She and her husband, Lonnie, have been active with MDA for many years, participating in Shamrocks, Lock-Ups and Muscle Walks, and being featured on the Sioux Falls MDA Telethon in 2009.
Jason Peck, 33
Dermatomyositis
Memphis, Tenn.

Jason Peck is affected by dermatomyositis (DM), which causes weakness of shoulder and limb muscles. Though ambulatory, he has difficulty walking long distances. As a child, Peck was unable to play outdoors, so he spent much of his time pursuing his passion for art, developing his natural ability for drawing and painting. Now a serious student of art history, Peck has posted blogs comparing the work of old masters with prominent contemporary artists, and showing the progression of his own work from sketches to finished pieces. Two of Peck's paintings are in the HYPERLINK "http://www.mda.org/commprog/art/" MDA Art Collection. His work can be seen on his website at HYPERLINK "http://jasonsbrush.com/" jasonsbrush.com.
Barbara Adcock, 56
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Sugar Land, Texas

Prior to receiving an ALS diagnosis in 2009, Adcock was an outspoken advocate for people with autism. She also worked as a medical assistant and technical writer, and helped manage a family-owned cattle ranch. Since her diagnosis, Adcock has become active in MDA/ALS support groups and fundraising activities, including organizing a bowling tournament in Sugar Land that is slated to become an annual event. Adcock uses a power chair for mobility, and has limited use of her arms and hands. She enjoys mentoring and encouraging others with ALS and _ having played softball in college _ is an avid baseball fan.
Steven Hatch, 60
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS),
Highland, Utah

Steven Hatch has Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a disease in which the motor neurons that control voluntary muscle movements are lost. A certified annuity specialist for Humana Healthcare in Sandy, Utah, he was determined to keep working after his diagnosis in 2006. Because traveling around the state making presentations is part of his job, Humana has provided him with a wheelchair-accessible van with hand controls to help him continue working. He is consistently recognized as a top sales agent for the company. Hatch also is active in his church, participates in numerous community organizations and has volunteered for a variety of MDA fundraising events.
Silvia Hoffman, 30
Spinal muscular atrophy
Williston, Vt.

Silvia Hoffman, originally from Romania, is affected by Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). She uses a power wheelchair for mobility, and despite the difficulties of foreign travel while using a wheelchair has visited Romania and Greece. She has studied pharmacy, accounting and Web design, and is an active volunteer with MDA in Vermont. Hoffman frequently advocates on behalf of people with disabilities.
Max Larcen, 33
Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Richmond, Va.

Max Larcen's Positive Vibe Café is a unique restaurant that also serves as a training center for people with disabilities. The kitchen accommodates workers who use wheelchairs and features adjustable-height work tables. The hands-on training program has prepared more than 400 students for the food service industry. Larcen and his father/business partner have received a variety of honors for their work in improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities and have been featured in network news stories. Larcen is affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), which causes severe muscle weakness and atrophy. He uses a power chair for mobility and breathes with the help of assisted ventilation.
Amber Morse, 28
Friedreich's ataxia
Kent, Wash.

Amber Morse has Friedreich's ataxia (FA), which causes muscle weakness and loss of balance and coordination, and which can affect speech. She uses a power chair for mobility. Receiving her diagnosis when she was 14, Morse eventually became involved with MDA, turning her boundless energy to numerous fundraising activities. Though it's now more difficult for Morse to speak, she still enjoys talking to people in her capacity as a fundraiser, answering questions about her disability and explaining how the funds are spent. Morse has twice served as MDA Goodwill Ambassador for King County and in 2008 was named MDA Goodwill Ambassador for Washington.
Hans Raines, 29
Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Elkview, W.V.

Hans Raines has Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), which causes weakness and atrophy of all voluntary muscles. He uses a power wheelchair for mobility. As a child, MDA summer camp was his favorite time of year. Even after _graduating_ from camp, Raines remained actively involved, volunteering for a wide variety of duties. Over the years, he's created and maintained two MDA camp newsletters, _Summerpaloozza_ and _MDA Mountaineer Camp News._ He also created an MDA camp website that enables past and present campers and counselors to keep in touch, and share camp ideas and memories. In 1993 and 1994 Raines served as MDA Goodwill Ambassador for West Virginia.
Timothy Carey, 38
Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Appleton, Wis.

Timothy Carey's early love of science and computers never wavered throughout high school and college, culminating in a degree in computer science. Carey is a dedicated advocate for people with disabilities. Through his website, HYPERLINK "http://www.disabilityvoice.com/dvwp/" DisabilityVoice.com, he provides _a voice for the many people who feel they have no voice._ He strives to inform people with special needs about governmental issues that affect them, and regularly speaks to area college students about disability awareness. Carey is affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), which causes severe muscle weakness and atrophy. He uses a chin-controlled power chair and breathes with the help of assisted ventilation.