December 2, 2004

ON MICHAEL WASSER AND OTHER OUTSTANDING ACHIEVERS

Naturally there was plenty of entertainment featured during our 2004 Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon, which aired on Sept. 5-6 for 21½ hours on some 200 MDA “Love Network” stations. (Highlights will be seen in Special Florida Editions of the Telethon on participating Florida stations this month.)

But in addition to performances, interspersed throughout the Telethon were informational segments designed to increase understanding of the realities of living with neuromuscular diseases, and to bolster awareness of the abilities of affected individuals.

Some of these segments were family profiles that exposed viewers to the life struggles being waged by children and adults affected by the progressive diseases MDA is dedicated to defeating.

Other segments, such as the one featuring MDA Board of Directors Member Chris Rosa and MDA’s former Director of Online Services Tom Bush, focused on the contributions such people can make to their communities, with help from medical advances.

In that segment, Bush said that the Telethon embodied “a legacy that started with the founding of MDA so many years ago, a legacy not just of medical professionals, but of the families affected by neuromuscular diseases, who put their faces to the wind and valiantly pushed forward, overcoming obstacle after obstacle, saying we will not be denied cures and treatments.”

In that vein, MDA traditionally features a segment on each Telethon about the MDA Personal Achievement Award program.

The program, which was established in 1992, recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of adults across the United States who live with neuromuscular diseases on a daily basis.

Michael Wasser conducts a meeting in his New York City Law Department office with Senior Counsel Lisa Bova-Hiatt.

Our most recent recipient of the National Personal Achievement Award is Michael Wasser, 30, of Brooklyn, N.Y. Wasser, who has Becker muscular dystrophy, has been concerned about the rights of people with disabilities ever since he was in school. He graduated magna cum laude from Brooklyn College of the City University of New York and obtained his law degree from Brooklyn Law School.

Wasser began advocating disability rights in elementary school, when he fought to make his school stage and gym accessible, and encouraged other students with disabilities to participate in school activities.

Today he’s a tax and real estate attorney for the New York City Law Department Office, which represents New York’s mayor and other elected officials. He’s used his skills as a lawyer to advocate successfully the rights of others with disabilities who have received denials of government benefits.

The award was presented to Wasser live during the Telethon by MDA National Vice President and New York Telethon Co-Host Tony Orlando, who said, “I hope each of you watching right now will invest in the potential of people like Michael. Make a contribution. New medical advances increase the chances for these individuals to succeed -- and continuing research will help us to save lives.”

One thing is clear. Judging by the accomplishments of Michael Wasser and others who’ve been recognized by MDA’s Personal Achievement Award program, the will to make a positive difference in the community isn't limited by the presence of a major life challenge such as a progressive neuromuscular disorder.

Currently, we’re seeking nominees for the next year’s honorees in communities nationwide, including yours. Those who receive the award on the local level become eligible for consideration on the state level. State recipients will be considered on the national level.

To be eligible, nominees need first of all to be registered with MDA as having one of the diseases in MDA’s program. Appropriate candidates need to have shown excellence in areas such as community leadership, civic affairs, career accomplishment and personal goal attainment.

Likely candidates include those who’ve helped to improve services or accessibility for people with disabilities in their communities; those who’ve persisted against obstacles to attain educational or vocational goals; and other exceptional individuals from various fields.

Local and state award recipients receive certificates and may be invited to appear on locally broadcast segments of the Telethon. The national recipient will be announced on the national Telethon broadcast.

Do you know someone worthy of being recognized by MDA’s Personal Achievement Award program? Individuals or organizations may submit nominations to MDA. Nomination forms are available from local MDA offices and must be completed and submitted by Jan. 24.

To find your local MDA office, look up MDA in your phone directory or use the local office search feature here on our Web site.

At MDA, we’ll continue to offer recognition to remarkable people like Michael Wasser, while pressing forward with our mission to make their lives better through our comprehensive research and services programs.

With every best wish...

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