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Theresa News
Spring, 2003
Established in 1992 in memory of Theresa Alessandra Russo, the Foundation is dedicated to assisting children with disabilities and their families. The Foundation strives to touch the lives of special children through its support of workshops and programs of enrichment and therapy. The Foundation supports creativity and Art for All Children by granting funds for Art / Music / Dance and Recreation programs so that children with disabilities can attain the highest level of educational, artistic, emotional, physical and intellectual achievement possible.
Officers Rev. James L. Maltese Judy Murdaugh Jackson Vincent J. Russo, Esq. Directors
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2003 Theresa Awards Lisa A. Gatti is a modern "Miracle Worker" who shares her mission in life with her beloved horses at Pal-O-Mine Equestrian. With the help of extremely dedicated staff and volunteers, she skillfully directs these beautiful creatures in becoming her "partners" in the art of teaching and training young and adult riders with disabilities. Lisa's achievements, however, go beyond equestrian accomplishments. Her gift is the value she places on every human life entrusted to her and the unlimited potential she helps each student discover in himself or herself. Under Lisa's superb leadership, all students at Pal-O-Mine not only learn how to ride horses, but how to enjoy a full life despite any physical, learning or emotional impairment. One can safely say that Lisa Gatti's philosophy is one of hope and encouragement. "Today's struggle becomes tomorrow's victory!" Lisa has earned an early place in the "Heart of Fame." Countless testimonials from her students and their families give witness not only to her high caliber knowledge and skills, but especially to her unconditional love and tireless efforts to change lives. Two special students share the following sentiments with us:
A native Long Islander, Lisa is an avid and competitive horseback rider whose college days include Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Virginia and St. Joseph's College, Patchogue, New York where she was granted a degree in Elementary and Special Education. Upon graduating, Lisa began to apply her outstanding work ethic and background at New York 's Nassau BOCES (Bureau of Cooperative Educational Services). During this time, she also brought her creative skills to the Career Development Center in Baldwin, New York where she founded a drama department and subsequently produced and directed three plays and three talent shows. In 1995, "Lisa the Leader" put her "Heart into Action" – she founded PAL-O-MINE EQUESTRIAN, Inc. She was now ready to face the obstacles that lie ahead, but she was well-prepared for the challenge. Her faith and inner strengths combined with the strong support and encouragement of family and friends made it all happen. The doors to her dream were open to receive the hundreds of students and families who would call her "A Miracle Worker." Her accomplishments do not go unrecognized on local and national levels. Lisa was chosen as the United States Team Leader for Equestrian in the 1996 and 2000 Paralympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia and Sydney, Australia. She has also served as the National Sports technical Officer for Equestrian under the auspices of the United States Cerebral Palsy Athletic Association. In 2002, Lisa was one of three nationally-invited guests to Warendorf, Germany to participate in an international certification course for coaches involved in therapeutic riding. Her credits also include an "on air" award as "An American Hero" by the CBS EARLY SHOW. On the personal side, Lisa is a proud resident of Huntington, New York, where she shares life with her devoted Carolina Wolf, Dallas. Her family is a central part of her life and includes her father, Bill, mother, Diane, sister, Lynn, brothers, Michael and Andrew, paternal grandparents whom she affectionately calls "Honey" and "Pop-Pop," and a very close aunt, Alicia. What a wonderful tribute to share the "spotlight of giving" with family. In recognition of her leadership as a "Miracle Worker" to children and adults with disabilities, the Theresa Foundation is proud to present LISA A. GATTI with the 2003 THERESA AWARD. Mary T. Schmitt Smith is a high spirited, dynamic woman with a mission. She sets a goal, gives it her all, uses every talent and skill to the max, and enthusiastically sees a project to its completion. That is the spirit behind her story of success, personally and professionally. Mary is one of those rare people born with a clear vision for her life, and she very humbly says, "I have been infinitely blessed with the gift of knowing why I am on this planet." Her primary mission is her husband, Richard, their sons, Benjamin (20) and Philip (18), and daughter Annalise (16). Her service has expanded over fifteen years as an attorney with Beier Howlett of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, where she continues to touch and deeply affect the lives of hundreds of clients and their families. In total, Mary has dedicated over twenty-one years protecting the interests of elders and persons with disabilities. As Mary and Richard started a family twenty years ago, her calling to this specialized work became clear. She enrolled in a graduate tax program at Wayne State University in Detroit to earn a Masters of Laws in Tax (LLM). During her studies over the next five years, she and Richard welcomed three children to their family. Both her sons were born with special needs. As this realization unfolded, Mary's professional and family needs dovetailed to a common focus. She completed the course work and was encouraged by her professor/advisor to write her thesis about an area with which she was familiar. With her experience in tax and estate planning, a good friend from law school who worked at the local Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC of Oakland County) began to recommend families. Typically, these families needed a special needs trust to coordinate their estate planning to maintain the child's eligibility for governmental benefits. This experience led her to write her thesis on "Estate Planning for Persons with Disabilities." Mary maintains that her thesis "has yielded incredible returns." Her work and family have helped to advance awareness of the legal protections available for persons with disabilities. During her twelve years as Board Member of ARC and her term as President, Mary helped create the Etheridge Plan, initially conceived by Torrance Etheridge, the mother of a mature son living in a group home who envisioned a "personal advocate service." Mary's dedicated efforts led to the "E-PLAN" which is provided by ARC as an "Individual Plan of Service." This plan serves not only as a protection from "cracks in the system," but also insures continued quality care and attention for a loved one with special needs who requires services and protection that family members can no longer provide. With her mission, Mary never questions how certain things just "link" up and form a human chain of events. On that note, this interview would be incomplete if we did not include what Mary calls the "Theresa Connection." Mary notes that since November, 2002, she has been working with no less than six clients, all involving special needs, all sharing the common namesake, "Theresa," – her middle name as well. It was during this time that the Theresa Foundation and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) were meeting to discuss the candidates for the 2002 "Theresa" Awards. Given the intermingling of her work and life, it does not seem likely that all this is mere coincidence. Instead, it suggests that the work of the Foundation is being carried out in diverse ways, in diverse places, as a credit to Theresa Alessandra Russo whose light still shines on us today as a reminder that we all have our own special needs. Coming from a close family of nine children (twin brothers and twin sisters), Mary was raised with the unspoken expectation of making a contribution to society. The Smith Family enjoys home life in Birmingham, Michigan, where Mary and Richard, as well as Ben and Philip, love playing golf and where Annalise sticks to soccer and basketball. In celebration of her "place on this planet," and in recognition of her enormous contribution to persons with special needs, we are very proud to present the 2003 THERESA AWARD in COMMUNITY SERVICE to Mary T. Schmitt Smith. Mattia - The Happy One! We are so pleased that 2002 Theresa Award Recipient, Kate Mewhinney, introduced us to Mattia. Over the past year, the Theresa Foundation has been helping Mattia with his supplemental needs. The Foundation receives a monthly letter from mattia's mother, updating us on how Mattia is doing. Mattia's mother has written: "I received your check that you sent me through my good friend, Kate Mewhinney. It is a tremendous help because I am alone with my son Mattia because we don't have any help from the government." We are glad that he is doing so well. The grant for Mattia has been made in honor of Kate Mewhinney who continues to be involved with Mattia on a regular basis. It is great to know that our supporters are truly making a difference, and that our outreach extends across this great country. The Theresa Foundation has a vision of the world where art and artistic expression are as important to adults as they are to children. We believe in a world where every child, regardless of ability or challenging conditions, is free to communicate through any art form available. Fore Theresa Yes, it's that time of year - time for our next Annual Theresa Golf Outing. As I glanced at last year's photos, it brought back memories of such a beautiful day and that a good time was had by all. Last year was our most successful golf fund- raiser. We are now looking forward to this year's event. Steve Silverberg has again (thank God!) volunteered to Co-Chair the event with me. We have already lined up two sponsors: Vincent J. Russo & Associates, P.C. and J.P. Morgan Chase. We welcome Chase as a first time sponsor. We look forward to seeing those who have supported us over the last seven years, and we hope to see new faces as well. It's time to brush up on that golf stroke – so you will be ready for the "sun and fun" on June 23rd at the Woodcrest Country Club. SAVE THESE DATES 2003!
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The Theresa Alessandra Russo Foundation | 250 Lido Blvd. |
Lido Beach, NY 11561 | (516) 432-0200 | Fax (516) 432-0449
angel@theresafoundation.org