Franklin County residents with developmental disabilities who want to be employed can look to many sources of support—their Franklin County DD service coordinators, providers, advocacy organizations and the state’s Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities. But it’s also important to remember how much a person can accomplish on his or her own, Franklin County DD board …
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Samantha Perry had a great year of advocacy in 2025, including winning a Franklin County DD Community Star Award in the self-advocate category. Dateline caught up with Perry—known to her friends as Sam—during a recent meeting of the Franklin County DD Self-Advocate Advisory Council. She also was recognized last fall for contributing artwork to the …
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Ask her the secret to 50 happy years of marriage, and Isabelle Laughrey will say there isn’t much of a secret. “Just love,” she said. “Love is the same in sickness and health; love is for everybody.” Laughrey and her husband, Clifford, recently celebrated their golden anniversary at a dinner party with friends, hugs, presents …
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Registration is open and winners have been announced for the 2025 Community Star Awards, an annual celebration of the Franklin County DD community and some of its most extraordinary people and partners. This year’s Star Awards takes place Wednesday, October 8, at The Boathouse at Confluence Park, 679 W. Spring St. in Columbus. The evening …
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From wages for direct-support professionals to Medicaid to supported decision-making, advocates spoke out on issues important to the disability community during Legislative Advocacy Day. “I’ve been writing lots of notes here about the issues raised,” Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo told the crowd. She and several other central Ohio legislators – Sen. Hearcel Craig, …
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Three people with deep experience in disability issues and advocacy are the newest members of the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Franklin County Commissioners appointed Rebecca Swartz, Katherine Silver Kelly and Gene Harshaw to four-year terms on the agency board. They took their seats at the January meeting, where members also elected Dean Fadel …
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As a medal-winning athlete, manufacturing worker and dedicated family man, Chad Contreras keeps busy. But he’s still finding time to learn more about the power of self-advocacy. Contreras recently took part in a three-day Project STIR Leadership Training held in Dublin. Then he attended the December gathering of the Franklin County DD Self-Advocate Advisory Council, …
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Love seems to always be in the air during spring. My husband and I will soon celebrate 42 years of marriage, and we feel so very blessed. Though I was born with cerebral palsy, I have never received Social Security benefits related to my disability. So when we got married, I didn’t have to worry …
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After being struck by a car at the age of 11, Stewart Jones suffered devastating injuries. “I was given a five percent chance of ever coming out of a coma,” he said. “I wish the doctors had been betting men, because I would have cleaned up.” Jones spent eight weeks in a coma and three …
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After more than a decade as a member of the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Marie Crawford remains crystal-clear about her mission. “First and foremost,” said Crawford, who is serving as Board President this year, “I am there for the families.” Crawford and her husband are parents to three adult sons, two of whom …
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