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2005 Self -Advocate of the Year Award

This award recognizes an individual who has been instrumental in creating, leading or implementing disability advocacy activities in their community or on the state or federal levels. The award recipient should be someone who lends their experience and takes the risks needed to improve the community for people with developmental disabilities and their families.

The Council is proud present this years Self-Advocate of the Year Award to:

Debra Patterson

Though Debra Patterson depends greatly on others to assist her in her daily life, she has certainly not left her own personal decision making to other people. More than that, Debra believes that we should not leave critical decision making for people with disabilities to those who do not have the first hand experience that she does.

Debra has been very active in expressing issues and needs to political leaders in order to achieve change. She has voiced her concerns at every level of government. She has spoken at county public hearings, addressed her State Representatives and Senators, and spoken with presidential candidate representatives.

Debra is an active member of the Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee in Waukesha County, People Can’t Wait of Waukesha County, People First of Waukesha County and the Adaptive Community Approach Program.

Last year Debra expressed a strong desire to advocate for better cross-county transportation from Waukesha to Milwaukee County. Knowing she must first experience the challenges involved, Debra researched, explored and ultimately traveled the transportation systems. Now armed with the understanding she needs, Debra intends to advocate for a more efficient means of transportation between counties.

Congratulations Debra, for your personal commitment and work to make your voice heard among government officials and key decision makers.