Carlton Spitzer was awarded a lifetime achievement award this afternoon by the disAbility Coalition, and received a standing ovation from a crowd of friends, supporters and service providers at William Hill Manor. Mr. Spitzer has been a tireless advocate for people with disabilities, and his column, Keeping Pace, has been published in the Star Democrat since 1998. He formed the Hugh Gregory Gallagher Motivational Theatre in 2008, and has written more than 20 plays for the Theatre, working to address stigma and discrimination against people with severe disabilities.
Mr. Spitzer was Director of the Office of Public Information at the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare in the 1960s. In the 1970s, he was Vice President for Public Affairs for Borden, Inc. He has written and lectured widely on corporate social responsibility. A private pilot for over 50 years, he founded Opportunity Skyway, Inc. in the 1990s to encourage minority and disadvantaged youth to pursue careers in aviation.
Mr. Spitzer co-founded the disAbility Coalition of Talbot County with Rev. Davoid Seymour in 2004. He was a board member of the Mental Health Association of Talbot County, Character Counts!, and Talbot Mentors, Inc. He served on the Talbot County Ethics Commission. A native of Buffalo, he married Joan Patricia Smith in 1948. They have 7 children, fourteen grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.
With proclamations from the General Assembly and State Senate, Delegate Addie Eckhardt presented the awards to Mr. Spitzer, saying “You are a lightning rod – you educate and inspire so many.” Spitzer gave a brief statement in which he spoke about the privilege he had to write for 60 years about people with disabilities and the people who serve them, celebrating the power of the human spirit.
Two other awards were presented by the disAbility Coalition this afternoon – to Dana Fontenot of Elizabeth Claire Salon, as the 2012 business advocate for people with disabilities, and to Talbot Special Riders, as the 2012 organization recognized for advocating and implementing changes benefitting people with disabilities.
Dana Fontenot was nominated by Hilary Henry, for her exceptional work in providing supported employment to her daughter, Claire Henry. A developmental disability has challenged Claire to live and operate independently in the community – with the support of her employer, Dana Fontenot, Claire has maintained a job at Elizabeth Claire Salon since 2010.
Talbot Special Riders has served the community for 31 years by providing physical and emotional therapy to over 50 people each year using horses. Their work builds trust, confidence, self esteem and accomplishment to a wide variety of children and adults in need.
Others nominated for awards today by the disability Coalition include Channel Marker, Inc., Chesapeake Center, and Candace Henry of the Division of Rehabilitation Services.
The Rev. Dave Seymour, Chairman of the disAbility Coalition served as Master of Ceremonies for the event, embodying the mission of the organization – to improve life for individuals with disabilities by promoting acceptance and improving resources and services.
Rev. Seymour said “Carlton is an important advocate for those people who are disadvantaged. He will always be that. Advocacy is part of his makeup.”
Kate says
Bravo–well deserved. Congratulations, Carl
Tracey Munson, VP of Communications, CBMM says
Carlton Spitzer is a wonderful man, advocate, mentor and friend. The honors are well-deserved. Thanks for the article!