HOF 2008 Nominees » Disability Activist
Nominees will have demonstrated a clear and strong message of activism toward systemic change in support of greater equality, independence and respect for persons living with SCI.
Marca Bristo
Marca Bristo As president and chief executive officer of Access Living, Ms. Bristo is a nationally recognized leader in the disability rights movement. In 1979, she helped to found Access Living, Chicago's only non-residential independent living program for people with disabilities. Access Living's mission is to foster independent living skills, public education and advocacy for people with disabilities. Bristo directed the agency through its initial period of affiliation with the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and into full corporate autonomy in 1987.
Marc Buoniconti
As a catalyst to the start of The Miami Project in 1985, and as President and Co-Founder of both organizations, Marc has helped reach millions of people with his message of hope for those suffering from SCI. He has also moved many to donate to the cause and helped fund significant research towards a cure for paralysis.
Kimberly Catoe
She has written to legislation numerous times and has told her story to school health classes and to others to get them involved in the fight for the disabled. She has made fighting for the rights of the disabled a top priority in her life.
Stephen G. Janick III
Stephen's dedication to the disability community saw the entire movement for the rights of people with disabilities come of age from its infancy during the 1970's until where we are in the new millennium. He dedicated his life to ascertaining ALL people with disabilities--regardless of severity or nature--have the same opportunities for employment and living in the community as people without a disability.
Sherman Gillums, Jr.
Sherman, a C-6/7 quadriplegic and Marine veteran, worked for PVA in 2004 as a veterans' claims prosecutor. From 2004 to 2007, he advocated on behalf of paralyzed veterans at the San Diego Regional Office and Board of Veteran Appeals, winning a total of $1.9 million in total VA claims for catastrophically injured veterans and survivors. In 2007, he became Cal-Diego PVA’s vice president, where he worked tirelessly as the chapter’s hospital liaison, engaging in site visits and clinical appeals at the San Diego VA Medical Center, thereby contributing to the facility’s reputation as the benchmark for spinal cord injury/disease care.
Michael Manganiello
Michael was the co-founder of the Christopher Reeve Foundation in 1996 along with Christopher and Dana Reeve. He established the Foundation's Washington office and its advocacy program. He co-developed the idea of the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Act as well as spearheaded the advocacy portion of Working2Walk. His commitment to our issues in Washington, DC is unparalleled.
Terence J. Moakley
Has devoted his entire working life to advocating for the civil rights of people with disabilities - an involvement that continues in his retirement. Has focused on transportation in particular, because the ability to get around is key to pursuing an education or securing employment - 3 important areas to enhancing quality of life and fostering independence.
Paul Spiers
Paul is a neuropsychologist who was educated at McGill and Clark Universities, as well as the University of Paris, Dr. Spiers conducts research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, teaches at the Boston University School of Medicine, and has a private practice examining clients and testifying in court as an expert witness in probate, civil and criminal cases.
John Benjamin Tatum DD PhD
Rev. Dr. Tatum, is a person with multiple disabilities, and he gives of himself to help others. He provides free counseling and education to anyone that comes, including disability education if needed for the individual.