Home and Family:

Tom Bush, 66, lives in Oro Valley, Ariz., with his wife, Tina. The Bushes raised four children and have three grandchildren. (The oldest child, Michael, died in an accident 18 years ago.)

Professional and Community Achievements:

Bush graduated from Rutgers University with an engineering degree in 1964. He launched into a 30-year career with the state of New Jersey, retiring in 1993 as director of the Office of Disabilities Management. Prior to his retirement, he managed the implementation of the provisions of the then newly enacted Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) within New Jersey state government.

From New Jersey, Bush moved to Arizona and began a 10-year career at MDA National Headquarters, where he developed, operated and managed MDA’s national Web site, www.mda.org. He served on the Oro Valley task force that created the community’s award-winning accessible transportation service, Coyote Run, and was a founding member and served on the board of directors of Linkages, a Tucson-based organization dedicated to assisting people with disabilities in finding employment. In addition, he was a commissioner on the City of Tucson Disability Issues Commission, vice president of the Architectural Barriers League, a member of the University of Arizona ADA Assessment Team, and a member of the statewide planning committee for Arizona’s assistive technology grant program.

Personal History:

In 1949, Bush received a diagnosis of muscular dystrophy; the diagnosis was genetically confirmed in 1996 as spinal muscular atrophy. He uses a power wheelchair and drives a specially adapted van for mobility.

MDA Leadership:

Bush has long been a leader with MDA. He served on the Tucson MDA Task Force on Public Awareness and worked with the MDA National Task Force on Public Awareness. He also has made several appearances on the national broadcast of the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon.

As recipient of MDA’s 2009 Robert Ross National Personal Achievement Award, Bush continues his tradition of service to MDA, representing the Association at various events.

His selection for the award was announced on the 2008 Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon.

Words to Live by:

Bush says his personal and professional success represents hope and the fact that “there is life after a diagnosis of neuromuscular disease.”

Don’t let physical limitations hold you back, Bush advises. “I’m not saying you should be in denial, or ignore real limitations but, like everybody else, you need to take risks in life and extend yourself to the fullest. There are so many opportunities now for people who are living with a neuromuscular disease to really make positive, productive contributions to society.”