#04-108
May 3, 2004

Lowrys, Haigler win 2004 Rosalynn Carter Caregiving Award

Trio recognized with caregiving's most prestigious honor

WASHINGTON--Two pioneering advocates for individuals with disabilities and an architect of caregiving education are the winners of the 2004 Rosalynn Carter Caregiving Award. 

Donna and Donald Lowry and David Haigler, Ed.D., will be presented with the caregiving field's highest honor during a reception recognizing former First Lady Rosalynn Carter at the Willard Inter-continental Hotel in Washington, D.C., May 4. 

Donna and Donald Lowry of Brockport, New York are co-founders of Lifetime Assistance, Inc., an agency that provides residential, day, vocational, recreational and transportation services to persons with developmental disabilities. The agency also provides support, respite and advocacy services to their families. Motivated by the desire to create a better life for their son, who was born with Down Syndrome, in 1978 the Lowrys joined with five other parents in similar situations to establish an agency to assist young adults with developmental disabilities by giving them the tools to achieve the highest possible level of independence and satisfaction. They have overseen the growth of Lifetime Assistance from one program serving 32 people in one location to become the largest developmental disability agency in the region, serving more than 1,500 individuals and their families in more than 40 locations. Donald Lowry is currently chair of the organization's board of directors and Donna Lowry is a member of the board. 

The Lowrys have been long-time advocates for assuring quality lives in the community for individuals with disabilities, going back to the their work with school systems on behalf of their own son in the 1960s. Their advocacy efforts at the local and state level have made a positive impact on New York State's policies related to persons with disabilities in the community. 

In 2003 the Lowrys received the Lifetime Humanitarian Award in Rochester, New York and the Martha Fitzpatrick Humanitarian Award from the New York State Rehabilitation Association. During the presentation ceremony for the latter award, they were described as "pioneers, trail blazers, [and] progressive leaders…in establishing a remarkable system of supports and defining standards for community disability services of the highest level." In October 2003 the Brockport Day Treatment Center was officially named "The Lowery Center" to honor the significant contributions of the couple. 

David Haigler, Ed.D., LMSW, is deputy director of the Rosalynn Carter Institute (RCI) on the campus of Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, Ga. He has worked with the RCI since 1990. Haigler was instrumental in the development of the West Central Georgia Caregivers' Network (CARE-NET), which has now expanded to all regions in Georgia and is becoming a national model for bringing together family and professional caregivers, administrators and academicians to improve services for caregivers in their community. In the early development of CARE-NET, Haigler was the project manager for an innovative study of family and professional caregivers in the west central Georgia region, which provided in-depth information about caregivers and modeled a process for encouraging dialog between family and professional caregivers. 

During the mid 1990s, Haigler chaired a regional task force that planned and oversaw a comprehensive support and training project funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts. The centerpiece of this project was a 10-hour program for family and professional caregivers titled "Caring for You, Caring for Me: Education and Support for Caregivers." After this program was successfully demonstrated with approximately 350 caregivers in the west central Georgia region, Haigler became the lead author for a published Leader's Guide and Participant's Manual. Through distribution of the manuals and leader preparation workshops conducted by Haigler and other RCI staff, the Caring for You, Caring for Me program has brought together thousands of family and professional caregivers for education and support in various states across the country. The first edition of the manuals has sold out and a second edition is scheduled for release in the summer of 2004. 

In addition to his work at the RCI, Haigler has been a long-distance family caregiver for his father, who died from lung cancer in 1996, and he is currently involved in intensive caregiving for his 88 year old mother, spending three or four days each week in her home (160 miles away). Haigler also has a long history of work and advocacy in the mental health field, formerly serving on the board of directors of the National Mental Health Association of Georgia (six years) and the West Central Georgia Regional Board for Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse (six years, including one year as chairperson); and he is currently serving on the Georgia Governor's Advisory Council for Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse (since 1999). 

The winners of the award receive a statue crafted by sculptor Frank Eliscu, designer of the Heisman Trophy and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Winners also receive a cash award of $2,500. The honor is given annually through the RCI. 

"We are proud to recognize these three individuals, and all they add to the field of caregiving," said Ronda Talley, Ph.D., executive director of the RCI. 

The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Human Development was established in honor of Mrs. Carter, on the campus of Georgia Southwestern State University, in 1987. Through research, education and training, the RCI promotes the mental health and well-being of individuals, families and professional caregivers; encourages effective caregiving practices; builds public awareness of caregiving needs; and advances public and social policies that enhance caring communities. These goals are met by forming partnerships with professionals, groups and individuals to deliver education and training programs, research and program evaluation around care needs, and policy and advocacy efforts that promote healthy individual development and increase community caregiving. 

For more information, call (229) 928-1234 or visit www.RosalynnCarter.org.

REPORTERS/EDITORS: 

Donna and Donald Lowry are available for comment and can be reached through the offices of Lifetime Assistance, Inc., at (585) 704-3696. For more information about the Rosalynn Carter Institute or to reach David Haigler, Ed.D., call (229) 928-1234 or visit www.RosalynnCarter.org.

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