CASEY TIBBS
In 2001, Naval Petty Officer, Casey Tibbs lost his
leg in a motorcycle accident. Through his sheer will and
determination, Casey learned to walk using a prosthesis and
convinced the Navy to let him remain on active duty. His love of
running brought him to the 2004 Paralympic games in Athens where he
won two medals, which was followed by a tour of duty in Afghanistan.
Today, when not training for the 2008 Paralympics, Casey can be
found serving as a peer counselor for amputees returning home from
war.
COX
COMMUNICATIONS
Seventeen years
ago, Cox Communications hired a small group of participants in one
of Goodwill's new community-based programs. This program was
designed to help people with developmental disabilities find
meaningful work within their community. Cox Communications embraced
this idea by hiring a record number of 32 Goodwill trained workers.
Their generosity and willingness to include these individuals in
their company culture solidified Cox Communications as a true
advocate for people with disabilities.
CULLEN
FITZGIBBONS
Born with Down syndrome, no one ever imagined that Cullen
Fitzgibbons would one day be voted "Most Inspirational Wrestler" at
the state finals in California. Even with a record of 0-28,
Cullen never stopped believing he could win and continued to support
his teammates by arriving early to practice and serving as their
most enthusiastic cheerleader at every match. Cullen's father,
a Division I wrestler, said he never had time for the guys who
weren't winning. It took Cullen, a son who never won a match,
to teach him and the rest of the community the pure joy of
competing.
