Press

January 8, 2006 (Press Release)
Respite Care Program to Represent
Disability Community in Virginia’s Inaugural Parade
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Mary’s Family, a non-profit organization providing respite care for families with children who have special needs, has been chosen by the Inaugural Committee to represent the Commonwealth’s disability community in the Inaugural Parade on Saturday, January 14th.

Mary’s Family’s parade entry will include baby goats, service dogs, a physical therapy parachute, exercise balls, and music. Parade participants are families who benefit from respite, volunteers, community leaders and elected officials. Their ages will range from a toddler to a volunteer bringing his grandchildren. One parade participant and father of a child with disabilities is taking his test to become an American citizen on January 9th. He hopes to march in the parade as a new American citizen.

The group will also attend the Friday night Beach Boys concert.

Mary’s Family, based in Fauquier County, was founded in 2002 by Martha J. Toomey, the mother of a son who was injured by a DPT vaccination when he was 5 months old. Ms. Toomey was named the 2003 Fauquier Times-Democrat’s Citizen of the Year for her advocacy on behalf of families who have children with special needs.

Ms. Toomey states, “Colonial Williamsburg and the Inaugural Committee have both been very accommodating to our special needs. It isn’t just the wheelchair ramp that makes something handicapped accessibility. It takes a lot of planning to travel with 55 people, some of whom have a wide range of disabilities that include autism, spina bifida, cerebral palsy or seizure disorders. Their generosity of spirit will make this event a truly wonderful memory for our families.”

Mary’s Family is the only non-profit respite care provider in the Virginia Piedmont and serves families from Fredericksburg to Winchester, Falls Church to Stephens City. Governor-elect Kaine, as Chair of the Virginia Disability Commission, volunteered at the May 2003 Mary’s Family respite day. Respite, always held the 2nd Saturday of every month in various locations, has included a diverse community, including the formation of a 4-H club for children with disabilities.

Mary’s Family is a leading advocate for the disability community, and publishes a quarterly journal called Let Me Tell You, one of the few journals specifically created to give voice to families who have unique struggles. Mary’s Family also coordinates all therapeutic recreation camps for Fauquier County. It has a traveling photography exhibit that illustrates how people are more alike than different. This month’s exhibit is at the Marshall Community Center, Marshall, VA.

Ms. Toomey stated “Participating in Virginia’s Inaugural Parade is a great and historic honor. We are humbled to be chosen to represent the disability community. We hope that this year’s parade theme “The Promise of Virginia” is an indication that our elected officials intend to include the needs of all Virginians, including those with disabilities, in this year’s state budget.”

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