Mary Borman, a Children’s Therapy TEAM teen, was on-hand in Little Rock this week to kick-off Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. She beautifully lives out this year’s Disability Awareness Month theme “See Me for Me!” The theme was chosen to celebrate the gifts and talents of individuals with disabilities. A poster of Mary, along with posters of other accomplished Arkansans with developmental disabilities from around the state, was unveiled in Little Rock this week by Governor Asa Hutchinson.
Mary was the first female student in the state of Arkansas to pursue coursework through the University of Arkansas’ Empower Program. In addition to her studies, Mary takes seriously her role in advocating for issues impacting individuals with developmental disabilities both locally and nationally.
Mary was selected to receive one of the 2018 Champion of Change Awards at the Buddy Walk® on Washington by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). The award, one of two awards given to Self-Advocates of the Year by the NDSS, acknowledges those who advocate for positive and systematic change for the Down syndrome community.
While in Washington DC in April, Mary plans to lobby Congress and present at the 2018 Adult Summit hosted by the NDSS. The summit aims to address critical issues for adults with Down syndrome.
Mary is an avid dancer and a talented swimmer. She has qualified to compete in the Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle this summer. While Down syndrome may be the label of Mary’s diagnosis, she is so much more. At Children’s Therapy TEAM, Mary is known for her generous spirit and boundless determination.
According to the Governor’s Disability Council, the aim of Arkansas Developmental Disability Awareness Month is to raise awareness by “having people with and without disabilities share their stories about how their lives are enriched by these relationships – learning, working, and living, side by side.” Mary Borman’s story is a beautiful example of the limitations of seeing individuals only as a diagnosis, rather than through the spirit of their character and the merit of their accomplishments.
Weekly subthemes for Developmental Disability Awareness Month are as follows:
March 1-9: See Me as Your Classmate – Education
March 12-16: See Me as Your Coworker – Employment
March 19-23: See Me as Your Neighbor – Community Living
March 26-30: See Me as Your Friend