Congratulations to this year’s ‘Life without Limits People Who Care’ Honorees. We are happy to announce the following winners of this award:
T. Desmond Brown, MD, Nikki and Stephen Puzzo, Community Boating Center, Inc. and Newton North High School, Theatre Ink: Adam Brown Director and Nathan Persampieri, Student.
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Dr. T. Desmond Brown
Dr. Desmond Brown, a member of UCP’s Board of Directors, is currently the Director of Pediatric Orthopedics at Boston Medical Center and volunteer member of Health Volunteers Overseas.
Since 2005, Dr. Brown has traveled by himself to Siem Reap, Cambodia, a poverty stricken city but rich in culture, where he volunteers three weeks a year at the Ankor Hospital for Children. Dr. Brown has provided endless hours of free surgery, caring for patients and families while building relationships with members of the Siem Reap community.
Dr. Brown says to us…“It’s been a good investment of my time”. We believe that Desmond’s selflessness and expertise has brought ‘Life without Limits’ to the hundreds of lives he has touched.
Nikki and Stephen Puzzo
Loving parents, professionals, entrepreneurs and very importantly advocates for individuals with disabilities, honorees Nikki and Stephen Puzzo joined the UCP family in 2010. They have two beautiful daughters Chloe age, 10 and Stella age 8, Stella having cerebral palsy. Over the years, the Puzzo family raised over $12,000.00 for our organization at past ‘Life without Limits Walk and Roll’ events. Nikki created the non-profit Stepping Stones for Stella, whose mission is to provide children with disabilities the freedom to access the great outdoors through the use of all-terrain wheelchair “Buggies”, allowing access to all types of outdoor environments including sand and snow. To date, over 350 Buggies have been donated to children throughout the country. Nikki’s latest venture is creating a line of accessible clothing. “Be Free” zip-on clothing are rehab and recovery pants created for children and adults made to accommodate casts, braces and other medical devices for lower extremities.
It is our pleasure to celebrate and honor Nikki and Stephen for their commitment to living ‘Life without Limits’.
For more information about Stepping Stones for Stella and befree zipOns™ clothing please visit:
Community Boating Center, Inc.
Community Boating, Inc. lives by its mission to enable “Sailing for All”, offering sailing and other water sports to people of all ages, abilities and resources in the greater Boston area. In conjunction with the Department of Conservation and Recreation, CBI promotes an accessible and welcoming environment that encourages learning, volunteerism and community spirit. It enriches the lives of individuals through the spirit of boating, creating opportunities to overcome adversity while building self-confidence, new skill-sets and a sense of teamwork.
Community Boating is a place with the word disability turns into ability…where all are one sharing life and the sea sets you free.
UCP of MetroBoston welcomes and congratulates Community Boating, Inc. for its commitment in supporting individuals with disabilities and celebrating ‘Life without Limits for people with disabilities’.
Newton North High School Theatre Ink
Adam Brown & Nathan Persampieri
Adam Brown is the Director of Theatre Ink at Newton North High School as well as the Director of last year’s production of Fiddler on the Roof. His vision in casting a person with a disability in a major role in a show demonstrates the commitment by NNHS to embrace full inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of school life. He was able to integrate Nathan’s disability into the performance rather than hide it and Nathan behind the scenes. Nathan Persampieri has a love of theater and has been involved with Theatre Ink for the past few years. Fiddler was his break out role. Nathan embodies Life without Limits for people with disabilities and we hope that Fiddler was the start of a long career and maybe a Tony Award down the road!
Adam and Nathan, UCP recognizes you for educating the public by showing them that people with disabilities can truly be center stage!