The Martha Fitzpatrick Citizen Advocate Award was presented to Don and Donna Lowry by the New York State Rehabilitation Association to honor those who have helped to assure the quality of life for individuals with all disabilities. As life-long activists, in the 1960's and 1970s, Mr. and Mrs. Lowry were vocal in promoting inclusive public education for their son, Gregg, who has Downs Syndrome. Their battles were many, including regular face-to-face negotiations with school board members, and ultimately initiating legal proceedings to enforce the right of public education for citizens of all abilities. In 1978, Mr. and Mrs. Lowry banded together with five other parents, whose children were also developmentally disabled and graduating from high school, to establish and incorporate Lifetime Assistance, Inc. In 25 years, the Lowrys have seen Lifetime Assistance grow to become the Finger Lakes region's largest developmental disability agency serving over 1,500 individuals at 40 different sites. They remain on the Lifetime Assistance Board and continue to set and define standards for community disability services. They are shown above with James Branciforte, CEO of Lifetime Assistance Inc. |
