ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. - The theme for Anniston Army Depot's 2009 National Disability Employment Awareness and Awards Luncheon was "Expectation plus opportunity equals full participation," encouraging the more than 200 people in attendance at the Berman-Varner House to give everyone the opportunity to excel.
"Let's encourage each others' strengths. We must embrace our challenges with confidence knowing that we can accomplish anything working together," said Mariah Armstead, disability program manager.
Keynote speaker Dr. Danita Applewhite, certified professor in special education and founder of the White Apple Institute, stressed to the audience that those with disabilities are no different from anyone else.
"I have never met anybody who wasn't disabled," said Applewhite. "All of us have abilities, tremendous abilities, and all of us have things we choose not to do, for whatever reason."
Applewhite is a vocal advocate for a worldwide disabilities act - one she hopes could help every person in every country reach their potential.
"I dream the impossible dream and the impossible dream is that all of you will take this message with you - that you are beautiful, that you are wonderful and that we all have different levels of dis-ability," she said.
Applewhite said she had, as an educator, always been compassionate of those whose disabilities gave them additional challenges to overcome, but she didn't fully appreciate those hurdles until she lost the use of her legs following two accidents, the latest of which left her wheelchair-bound.
"I'm not any more disabled than any of you in this room. I have just learned how to adapt differently," said Applewhite.
Recognition given
Morey Gaddy was named Anniston Army Depot's Disabled Employee of the Year during the luncheon. The honor includes a certificate and Special Act award.
Both of Gaddy's parents worked at the depot, so he was familiar with the installation when he joined the depot's workforce in 2004 as a contract specialist.
Born with congenital cataracts, Gaddy has always been visually impaired, but that has never slowed him down. He has always led an active life and even played football for three years in high school.
"I've been this way my entire life, so I've never known anything else," he said, "My parents taught me from an early age that I could do anything I wanted to do, I just might have to do it a different way."
Gaddy has done just that, adapting to his surroundings, including the paperwork-intensive world of the Directorate of Contracting. Braille helps him to read certain things and he uses computer technology to handle e-mail and the digital versions of paperwork.
This is the second time Gaddy has been a recipient of this award. He said it reinforces to him how much his work is appreciated.
"I am grateful to have received this award," said Gaddy.
"I appreciate the recognition and I appreciate the opportunity," said Gaddy.
Also nominated for Disabled Employee of the Year this year were Michael Romero, who works in the Shoe Shop, which is part of the Operations Management Support Division of the Directorate of Mission Plans and Operations, and Timothy Morgan, who works in the Printing Plant in the Directorate of Information Management.
Johnathan Purser with Directorate of Engineering and Quality was also recognized at the luncheon. Purser was one of two award winners for 2008, but was away for training during the award ceremony.
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