THE MAYOR’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES 24TH ANNUAL RECOGNITION
RECEPTION By Melissa Fortson
The Mayor’s Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities
presented awards at its 24th Annual Recognition Reception, held
November 29, 2005, at the Adventure Science Center in Nashville.
Awards were given in several categories
and recognized individuals, agencies,
businesses, and organizations that have
made significant contributions to the
disability community.
Also recognized were artists whose work
was featured in Creative Expressions XI.
This annual exhibit, which features work in
a variety of mediums by artists with a wide
range of ages and abilities, is jointly sponsored by the Vanderbilt
Kennedy Center and the Mayor’s Advisory Committee for People with
Disabilities. The exhibit provides artists with disabilities an audience
for their creativity and an opportunity for inclusion in the art
community.
Speaking on behalf of the
Mayor’s Advisory Committee,
Chair Brenda Dillon praised
the winners, saying, “You are
what makes Nashville such a
wonderful place to call
home.” Breaking Ground
extends its congratulations to
the recognized artists and
award recipients, three of
whom are profiled below.
BERNIE SHEAHAN
As a recipient of the
Media/Communications Award,
freelance journalist Bernie Sheahan was recognized for
communicating positively the activities and issues related to
disability and using “People First” language to create and promote
positive images of people with disabilities. In May 2005, the
Nashville Scene published “A Beautiful Mind’s Uncertain Future,” Ms.
Sheahan’s account of her experience of bipolar disorder and the
impact of the loss of TennCare coverage on people with severe and
persistent mental illness (SPMI).
“I always knew I'd ‘tell my story’; I had to,” says Ms. Sheahan. “Not
just for the catharsis, but for the help I knew it could give others who
struggle in silence. Mental illness is still a silent killer. We used to
whisper about cancer, and it's hard to imagine that now; we have
ribbons and wristbands and all manner of fundraisers. We walk, run,
bike and eat to raise awareness and make money to fight cancer.
Every celebrity you know will join the cause to fight that disease, and
rightly so–cancer seems to touch everyone. But so does mental
illness. We just don't talk about it. And it's incurable.
“God bless Liz Garrigan (Nashville Scene editor) for giving me that
much space and that much freedom. The result was overwhelming;
dozens of e-mails and phone calls thanking me and the Scene for
bringing mental illness into the light. People still tell me how much it
meant to them, for themselves or a sister or husband–to understand
bipolar disorder or to know someone else shares their struggles. I'm
so grateful. I know people who've found hope in my story, and that's
the best part of it for me.”
MATTHEW DAVID
DRUMRIGHT
Matthew Drumright exhibited
five pieces in Creative
Expressions XI. A 22-year-old
Brentwood native, Mr.
Drumright started taking
photographs when he was
ten and holds two jobs in
order to support himself and
his photography. A 2005
recipient of VSA Arts of
Tennessee’s Professional
Artist Award, Mr. Drumright has
also displayed his work in the S. Dillon Ripley Center at the
Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C..
Breaking Ground recently spoke with Mr. Drumright about
his artwork.
BG: How do you feel when you see your photographs in an exhibit?
MD: I feel good and proud. I hope my pictures make people smile.
BG: I heard that you decided to follow your dream of becoming a
photographer when you were in high school. What do you like about
digital photography?
MD: I like to see how the pictures look right away. I don't have to
pay so much for film and can take the picture over right away if I
don't like how the picture looks.
BG: How do you choose your subjects?
MD: I just take picture of things I like. My family, friends, nature and
sports. Sometimes someone will ask me to take a picture of
something special.
BG: Do you have any advice for artists with disabilities?
MD: Don't let people say you can't be an artist. Follow your
dreams. Roselyn Carter said, "Have confidence in your abilities
and have the strength to follow through." That is me. My
parents and family help me and believe in me.
DREW BENNETT
A starter for the Tennessee Titans, wide receiver Drew Bennett
was applauded for his efforts off the field. Mr. Bennett devotes
his charitable efforts to programs that serve individuals with
disabilities and started his own foundation called “The Drew
Crew” to encourage others to support these organizations. Mr.
Bennett also serves on the board of United Cerebral Palsy of
Middle Tennessee. For these efforts, Mr. Bennett was recognized
as someone who uses his talents and creativity to promote
awareness of disability issues.
“I have seen my brother
deal with cerebral palsy
and he has been a
great source of strength
for me. As someone in
the spotlight, I have a
chance to lend a public
voice to those who deal
with cerebral palsy and I
want to take full
advantage of that
platform. It obviously
means a great
deal to me to help in
whatever way I can. This
award is nice in that it
brings more attention to the cause
and lets people know that they too can
make a difference in the causes that matter to them."
2005 AWARD RECIPIENTS
Agency/Organization Nashville Convention and Visitors’ Bureau
Artist/Performer/Athlete Drew Bennett
Educator Mary Ann Armbrister
Employer Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center
Entertainment Regal Cinema Hollywood 27
Tennessee Performing Arts Center
Family Skye Solomon
Health Care Provider Adriana Bialostovsky, MD
Legislative Advocate Gordon Bonnyman
Media/Communications Joe Dubin – WKRN
Bernie Sheahan
Mack West Children’s Award Grace Walker Goad
Professional Award Sam Adams
Martha Lafferty
Trey Pointer Young Citizen Award Lericko Scruggs
Volunteers Jackie Beasley
Richard Buck
Dennis Campbell
Pat Galvin
Daniel (“Dany”) Gonzales
Gwendolyn A. Pace
Joyce Weingartner
Jo Andrews Award Andrea Cooper
Since its inception in 1976, the Mayor’s Advisory Committee for People with
Disabilities has promoted public education and awareness, advocated for persons
with disabilities and their family members, and coordinated local activities to bring
about positive outcomes in the disability arena. For more information about the
Committee and its activities, contact the Metro Nashville ADA Compliance Division at
615-862-8774 or ADA@nashville.gov .
VANDERBILT KENNEDY CENTER
2005 RECOGNIZED ARTISTS
Anne Ambrose
Laura Brookhart
Matthew David Drumright
Grace Walker Goad
Daniel Hepburn
Geraldine Kuttab
Katherine Prats
Bernadette Resha
Delsenia Sales
Thaddaeus N. Tekell
Since 1994, the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center
has sponsored exhibits of art by and about
people with disabilities in order to
demonstrate the diverse talents of
individuals with disabilities. For more
information on Creative Expressions, or to
suggest a future exhibit, contact Elise
McMillan at 615-343-2540 or
elise.mcmillan@vanderbilt.edu .