After retiring as director of the New Jersey Office of Disabilities Management in 1993, Bush moved to Tucson, Ariz., and began working at MDA national headquarters, where he developed, operated and managed the national Web site, and worked on a number of special projects involving the local community and the MDA National Task Force on Public Awareness. He served on an Oro Valley, Ariz., 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 persons with disabilities in finding employment. In addition, he has served as 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 the state of Arizona assistive technology grant program.

After working as a professional musician, auto mechanic, electronic technician and artist, Spencer Conway found his calling – helping people. After earning a master's degree in clinical psychology, he worked as a domestic violence treatment counselor, an at-risk youth counselor and a drug treatment counselor. For the past three years he's served as a senior vocational rehabilitation counselor with the California Department of Rehabilitation. Conway advocates for greater disability access in his community and was appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to serve on the State Rehabilitation Council. He also facilitated MDA's Santa Barbara support group for 10 years and volunteers at his local MDA office.

Scott Bennett is a software systems engineer for the Mitre Corporation in Bedford, Mass. For the past five years Bennett has co-taught a two-hour seminar on genetic disorders, and in 2007 served as a member of a panel of experts in a Harvard undergraduate course on genetic disorders. In addition, Bennett devotes time to MDA. As a child, he served as a local goodwill ambassador in the southeastern Massachusetts area, and in 2007, he was featured in a video profile on the local broadcast of the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon. He also has written several technology-themed articles for Quest, MDA’s bimonthly national magazine.

Scott MacCracken is a member-services representative at Preferred Care in Rochester, N.Y., but his dedication to helping people doesn't stop when he leaves the office for the day. A tireless advocate for people with disabilities, he organizes fundraisers in support of the Center for Disability Rights, attends demonstrations and participates in letter-writing campaigns concerning disabilities-related issues. MacCracken devotes time to MDA as well, having served on the local MDA Task Force on Public Awareness and appeared on the local broadcast of the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon. He also participates in, and recruits sponsors for, MDA fundraisers and events.

After completing her master's degree in social work in 2004, Mindy Huang counseled youth, adults and the elderly in hospitals, schools and psychiatric care facilities. In 2005 she started a consulting business, Anew Perspective Consulting, through which she works with various organizations on behalf of people with disabilities, including advising the hospitality industry on accessibility. Huang was the youngest member of the Utah Governor's Council Partners in Policymaking training course and also was chosen to be one of 50 representatives nationwide to travel to Washington, D.C., with the National Youth Leadership Network, where she spoke with senators about disability issues. A former MDA goodwill ambassador, Huang currently serves as support group facilitator for MDA's Young Adults Group in Seattle.

PAA State Recipients

Fritz Courington enjoyed working as a tool and dye maker at Ogihara America Corporation in Birmingham, Ala., but now he enjoys staying home and spending time with his daughters Sloan, 5, and Sawyer, 3, while his wife, Kim, attends her first semester of nursing school. Courington maintains a positive spirit and makes time to support MDA. He assembled a team and garnered support for an MDA "Moving for Muscles" benefit run at Oak Mountain State Park, and appeared on the local broadcast of the 2007 Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon.

Gavin Marsh attends Kenai Peninsula College, where he plans to major in either political or environmental science. He makes a point to be involved in his community, and to that end serves as a member of a community awareness group for the Kenai Peninsula. He attends local meetings and charity events, and always takes time to raise awareness about DMD. Marsh began his support of MDA when he was around 5 years old and continues to be involved in Lock-Ups, Stride & Rides, Live Ride and the Telethon.

James West, a software engineer for Summitek Instruments, has had a distinguished, 20-year career in the instrumentation and test field, and is a recognized expert in automated instrumentation and in the LabVIEW programming language. West presents at technical conferences and has won numerous awards, including a Space Act Award for significant contribution to NASA. He also has been active in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) for more than 20 years, serving as IEEE Denver Section Chair in 2000. He and his wife, Lecia, serve on the organizing committee for the MDA Augie's Quest "A Gift of Time" event.

Marissa Adinolfi graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science degree in management. She serves on the executive board of her local Italian American Youth Organization and devotes a significant amount of time to MDA, serving as a Stride & Ride team captain for four years. She particularly enjoys helping with Fill-the-Boot campaigns and maintains year-round contact with fire fighters at local and volunteer fire departments.

Chris Fosmire always has had a mind for business. He started out building cabinets in Long Island, N.Y., and then owned a business in the boat canvas industry, which he later sold. After discovering a passion for cooking and baking, and building on a family tradition of celebrating holidays with cookies, he started the Cookie Nook, an Internet-based business that sells cookies in all shapes and sizes. Fosmire sold the Cookie Nook in April and has started yet another business crafting decorative clocks, gears and all, out of exotic wood.

Kathryn Bryant has two master's degrees in Christian education and counseling, and works as a Christian counselor at Cascade Hills Church in Columbus. With insight into the challenges that face children and young adults with physical disabilities, she founded the Speak Foundation to help children and teenagers cope with serious progressive disabilities. In addition to helping others by leading an online muscular dystrophy support group and visiting local hospitals to encourage those dealing with serious illness, Bryant volunteers at her local MDA office and made an appearance on the local broadcast of the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon.

After graduating with a degree in physical therapy from Emilio Aguinaldo College in Manila, Philippines, Butch Calaycay served as a physical therapy instructor at Mariano Marcos State University in Illocos Norte, Philippines. In 2006, he moved with his wife and three children to Hawaii, where he works as an independent court interpreter for the Hawaii State Judiciary. Calaycay is the first person in U.S. history to be certified as both a Tier 4 Illocano interpreter and Tier 2 Tagalog interpreter.

Michele Mattox, who has a Bachelor of Arts in social work, worked 12 years with the Head Start child development program, and has spent the last 23 years with Child Protective Services in the Iowa Department of Health Services. Mattox also spends a great deal of time helping to support MDA, participating in events and fundraisers such as Lock-Ups and Stride & Rides. She's appeared on the local broadcast of the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon and helps with an area MDA support group.

Jerry Roy began working at the Johnson County Library in 1974, and earned a Master of Arts in library science in 1984. A library analyst, he performs institutional research, keeps statistics, and conducts demographics and management research. Roy also has contributed several articles on local history to area newspapers. He devotes time to helping MDA, such as speaking at event benefiting the Association.

Phyllis Jane Barnes is a poet and author of two published novels, But You Said You Loved Me and Black Diamonds, with a third, Andes Awakening, currently in the works. She is a devoted member of the Walnut Street Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school to primary and intermediate children, and has been a member of the Chancel Choir for 50 years. Barnes appeared on the local broadcast of the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon in 2003. She also speaks at MDA support groups, providing a voice of encouragement to those who face challenges in their daily lives.

A licensed professional counselor, Sharon Wallace-Jenkins works as a pretrial counselor for the East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney's Office. She also has started and facilitates a myositis support group, through which she offers compassion, support and resources to affected families. Wallace-Jenkins actively promotes awareness of MDA and the hope and help it offers those with muscular dystrophy and related diseases.

Don Aucoin has an intense interest in science and astronomy, and serves as a Community Special Educator on NASA Space Projects. An author and avid Star Trek fan, he participates with his wife, Sharon, in the 4th of July Parade in Bangor, and in other venues, with a Star Trek display. The two also coordinate a writing program that meets in a local bookstore to encourage writers. Aucoin is a volunteer consultant for Alpha I, an independent living center for people with disabilities. He proudly supports MDA, having participated in the Give Me Five Walk and volunteered at the local broadcast of the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon for a number of years.

David Haslup owned and ran his own kitchen design business, Charter Cabinetry and More, until 2004. He also spent many years with the local volunteer fire department and is a member of the Rotary and Elks Clubs. As a means of giving back to the community since his ALS diagnosis, Haslup set up the Dave Haslup/Lou Gehrig Athletic Scholarship Foundation under the local Community Foundation. The foundation provides financial assistance to local youth sports programs, scholarship opportunities to student athletes attending Chesapeake College in Wye Mills, Md., and funding to support ALS research.

A Michigan MDA goodwill ambassador as a child, Shawn Hass began attending MDA summer camp at age 7 and today teaches about its importance for children growing up with muscle-wasting diseases. Hass serves as president of Volunteers Assisting the Disabled (VAD), an organization whose services include hosting a summer camp in southeastern Michigan for adult campers with disabilities. Hass oversees fundraisers for the camp and serves as camp director.

After serving as a military police officer in World War II, Bill Griebel worked as a farmer and volunteered as a 4-H leader and softball coach. He’s an active member of the American Legion and VFW, and participates in clinical trials for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) research. Griebel also is active in MDA activities, participating in fundraisers and events and supporting the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon.

A former MDA goodwill ambassador (with brother, Matt) for the state of Mississippi, Blake Watson earned a degree in business administration from Mississippi State University and currently is working on completing his MBA. While at college, he served on the MSU Student Association Cabinet as co-director of an organization for students with disabilities, and as president of United Students. Watson was selected to receive the MSU Spirit of State Award for 2006-2007, is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma and Phi Kappa Phi national honor societies, and has been named a Presidential Scholar numerous times. He owns and runs his own Web design business, Three Square Web Design.

Kirsten Pollick earned a degree in political science and Soviet studies/Russian from William Smith College in Geneva, N.Y., then completed her doctorate in professional clinical psychology with an emphasis in neuropsychology at the Alliant International University – California School of Professional Psychology in Fresno, Calif. She currently works as a contractor for the U.S. Army, assisting U.S. soldiers before and after tours of duty in Iraq. Pollick also provides private counseling to MDA families. She has presented at MDA workshops and spoken at monthly support groups.

Kimball Matkins worked as the director of financial aid at York College before retiring in August 2007. He served as a church deacon and elder from 1985 through 1999, was active in teaching Bible classes and volunteered as a youth minister for 12 years. Kimball also has spoken at numerous events about cancer awareness and overcoming physical handicaps; he continues to speak at York College, youth events and various churches on faith and physical trials.

Nicole Rockwell was chosen in 2006 for the prestigious New Hampshire All-State Art Festival Program, and graduated high school that same year with high honors. Determined to pursue a career in art, she enrolled in the graphic design program at Hesser College in Manchester, N.H., where she served as vice president for the freshman class of 2011 and took an active role in the Student Government Association (SGA). Rockwell credits MDA with playing a key role in her life. She has served as a local goodwill ambassador, attended MDA summer camp and clinic, led MDA Stride & Ride events, attended the MDA summer picnic and holiday parties, and appeared on the local broadcast of the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon.

After a 22-year career in the television industry, Robert Lucero now works for Bernalillo County as a Web content administrator. He served on the Albuquerque School Board from 1995 through 1999 and was re-elected to the board in 2003; his current term runs through 2011. As a school board member, Lucero is responsible for an operational budget of more than $1 billion and has been instrumental in building two high schools, two middle schools and seven elementary schools.

As vice president of the North Carolina Electric Wheelchair Hockey Association (NCEWHA), Josh Cranfill travels the state advocating for disability sports and support for people with disabilities. For the past nine years, Cranfill also has served as a mentor and assistant coach to the Western Alamance High School varsity football team in Elon, N.C. He gives inspirational speeches, focusing on playing with heart and passion, and was recognized for his contributions with the November 2007 WFMY News 2 "2 Those Who Care" Award. With others from the wheelchair hockey association, Cranfill always takes time to visit MDA summer camp, performing demonstrations and teaching campers about the sport.

Brent Yetter is a research assistant and head of Bioinformatics in the Center for Gene Therapy at Columbus Children’s Research Institute, where he's responsible for coordinating data used to ensure all research projects are running smoothly. Yetter also dedicates time to MDA, participating in many of its programs and volunteering to help with fundraising events and support groups. He answers phones and helps out at the local Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon and also has appeared on the broadcast. Yetter speaks with families who come into the MDA clinic, sharing with them the obstacles he’s overcome in higher education, work and life.

Kim Hill graduated from Oklahoma State University with a 3.75 grade point average and currently is enjoying a successful career in politics. She's participated in various political campaigns and served as a research analyst for Ernest Istook in his 2006 gubernatorial campaign. She works hard at the legislative level to enrich the lives and better the opportunities of others. Hill also has devoted a great deal of time to MDA, participating in many of its programs, fundraising events and support groups as an ambassador and spokesperson.

Dorothy O'Brien, a medical librarian, is dedicated to raising awareness of disability issues, and currently serves on the advisory board for the Oregon Public Utility Commission’s Telecommunication Device Access Program (TDAP). In addition, she is a representative for Oregonians with speech impairments, meeting with various ALS and stroke support groups to share information about telecommunication devices. O’Brien’s service resume includes the League of Women Voters in Wyoming, the Public Library Foundation Board, and the Oregon Health Science Library Board. She works several days a week as a medical librarian at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis.

Vicky Smith and her husband, Jay, own and operate American Rehab & Mobility in Greenville, where they sell and repair durable medical equipment and daily living aids, sell van conversions and modifications, install lifts and elevators and rent accessible vans. Their business facility hosts the MDA loan closet for the Greenville area. Vicky also helps and encourages others by speaking at MDA support groups. She’s worked in various jobs to help underprivileged children, and homeless and abused women and children, and has served as regional coordinator of assistive technology in upstate South Carolina and on the Governor’s South Carolina Independent Living Council.

Deah Killion graduated with a degree in health information administration from Dakota State University in May 2008. She speaks to others about her disability and entertains her church and community with her musical talents. Killion also spends time supporting MDA, participating in Lock-Ups and planning music shows and other events to benefit the Association.

Peter Gimbel earned his master's degree in social work from the University of Houston in May 2008. While there he was able to raise disability awareness, and, as president of the Clinical Leadership Society of the University of Houston's Graduate College of Social Work, played a role in leading professional networking programs. Gimbel is a committed and active advocate for people with disabilities, doing such things as writing newspaper articles and volunteering with disability organizations. Fluent in Spanish and a world traveler despite accessibility challenges, Gimbel leads a bilingual MDA support group.

A former state and local MDA goodwill ambassador, Hans Raines has a history of going above and beyond the call of duty in promoting hope and awareness for those with muscular dystrophy and related diseases. He attends MDA fundraisers, Lock-Ups, Stride & Rides and holiday parties, but his first love is MDA summer camp, which he visits on VIP Day, meeting new campers and counselors. He also creates photo CDs from various Association outings.

Steve Smith has worked in customer service for Schneider National since 1999. He’s actively involved in giving back to his community, teaching Junior Achievement in the Green Bay, Wis., area, ushering regularly at his church, and volunteering for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Green Bay. Since his college days, Smith has actively supported MDA, raising tens of thousands of dollars through such activities as bowl-a-thons and selling Shamrocks.

Connie Doll strives to share her positive perspective with everyone she encounters and to help others whenever she can. She volunteers her time at numerous community locales and events, including the Nicolaysen Art museum and a support group for grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. She also makes time to support MDA, participating in fundraisers and events including the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon, Lock-Ups and Fill-the-Boot campaigns.