MI-UCP 2023 Awards Presentation Celebrates Advocates for Disability Rights with Keynote Speaker Steph ‘The Hammer’ Roach

MI-UCP (Michigan United Cerebral Palsy) will be hosting the Mary Ann Greenawalt Annual Awards Presentation virtually on October 13 at 1 pm. Named in honor of the revered former UCP board member and prominent disability advocate, Mary Ann Greenawalt, the event will honor individuals making impactful contributions to the disability community.

This year's keynote speaker is the renowned Steph 'The Hammer' Roach, a testament to resilience, determination, and the indomitable human spirit. Battling cerebral palsy and recently defeating stage 3 Hodgkin lymphoma, Steph has transformed her passion for fitness into a beacon of inspiration. Her book, DRIVEN: How Adversity Helped Me Find My Greatest Potentials, encompasses stories that motivate and push boundaries. As Steph profoundly states, "All you have to do is be DRIVEN."

Having achieved unprecedented feats as the world's first Level 2 CrossFit trainer with cerebral palsy and the inaugural adaptive athlete endorsed by Nike (2018-2022), Steph continues to redefine perceptions and set new standards.

“I’m so excited to be part of this event!” said Roach. “All UCP chapters provide excellent resources to individuals living with cerebral palsy as well as information that can benefit the whole family, as someone with 33 years of experience living with CP it’s amazing to know that an organization like UCP can grow with the individual. The resources needed throughout life are going to evolve as the years pass by. UCP-MI and UCP as a whole gives people access to a whole community that leads with empathy.”

The MI-UCP awards will be presented to outstanding individuals from Michigan who've been exemplary in advocating for people with disabilities:

The Marion (Kit) McDonnell 'Close the Disability Divide' Award:

• Dr. Melissa Tinney, Adaptive Sports Medicine Clinic, University of Michigan.
• Travar Pettway, multifaceted author, blogger, computer programmer, YouTuber, businessman, musician, and unwavering advocate.

The Roger McCarville Community Partner Award:

• Stahl's and Szott Ford/DealsinTheD.com for their steadfast support of MI-UCP's annual hockey events.

The Richard L. Beer Volunteer Award:

• Scott Campbell, the distinguished photographer.

The Mark Lezotte “Public Policy” Award:

• Dr. Oluwaferanmi O. Okanlami, the pivotal Director of Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services, University of Michigan.

The Mike Ward “Quiet Hero” Award:

• John Sanford, the dedicated Retired Director of the Michigan Office of Recipient Rights.

MI-UCP Disability Collaboration Award:

• Dr. Heidi J. Haapala, Clinical Associate Professor, Dept. of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, U of M hospital.
• Novi High School CO Awareness Group: Students Swetha Srihari, Sri Akshara Kanuparthi, and Sanjana Ramesh from Novi High school, making strides in HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), championing cerebral palsy awareness and support for affected school-aged children.

The MI-UCP invites everyone to join in celebrating these remarkable individuals and their monumental achievements. Their stories and initiatives will undoubtedly inspire, uplift, and push forward the mission of inclusivity and disability rights.