Self-Advocacy Day brings messages, activities of inclusion and empowerment

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Brittany Glasier, a behavior specialist with Arc GLOW, paints a temporary tattoo on Tammy Cummings of Barker as part of Saturday’s 5th Annual Jonathan Doherty and Gladys Hopper Self-Advocacy Day.

The event was held at the Trolley Building at the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County.

Provided photo: About 60 people attended the conference and many toured an ambulance brought by Mercy Flight EMS. Pam Cherry of Mercy Flight gave an overview on emergency response by Mercy Flight.

Orleans County District Attorney Susan Howard also gave a presentation on safety.

Tom Rivers, Orleans Hub editor, spoke about the importance of “being seen” and encouraged the group to be active in the community.

There was also a presentation by the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State, and welcome messages by Andrew Johnston is president of Orleans County Self-Advocate All Stars, and Logan Gerling, president of the Junior Self-Advocacy All Stars.

Saturday’s event was attended by about 60 people, which was up from last year’s event, Johnston said.

Christina Fontaine of Rochester tries the fish bowl toss. There were many activities for people to connect, learn and have fun together.

The direct support professionals through the Arc’s community services program helped run many of the games and programs.

Robert Hall, who works as a direct support professional with Arc GLOW, aims at the target with the dunk tank.

Robert Hall hit the target and a bucket of water dumped on Tyler Nunnery, who is vice president  of the Self-Advocate All Stars in Orleans County.

The day self-advocacy day is dedicated in memory of Jonathan Doherty and Gladys Hopper, who both passed away in 2022.

Doherty passed away at age 38 on May 5, 2022. He was active in many groups in the community and was an Eagle Scout. He volunteered with the Bullard Park restoration, the Albion Strawberry Festival and the 4-H Fair. He was a member of the Albion Lion’s Club.

He was one of the founders of the Self-Advocacy All Stars in Orleans County and attended state-wide conferences. From those experiences he wanted to have a conference in Orleans County and worked on planning the first one just before his death.

Hopper, age 71, passed away January 6, 2022. She worked for many years for the Arc as an assembly line worker. In the early ’80s she also worked at the Orleans County Nursing Home in the laundry department. Hopper was a former member of the Board of Directors for the Orleans County Arc.

Loretta Windnagle of Holley, a junior self advocate, throws a ball at the dunk tank target, on Saturday.

Peggy Dollinger reacts after someone hit the dunk tank target and she was doused in water.