Award Winners
The San Diego community lost a great advocate of people with developmental disabilities when Mike DeLisa passed way in October 2000. In his 60 plus years, Mike represented people with developmental disabilities as determined, active, fun loving, caring members of the community who knew what they wanted, and were willing to take on the responsibilities that came along with it. Mike refused to allow people to treat him as less than an equal. What he had to say was important, and people came to realize that. Because of his tenacity in overcoming obstacles in his path, Mike earned the respect and admiration of the entire community in which he lived. Due to his outstanding leadership and encouragement to others with developmental disabilities, P.R.I.D.E. Inc. and San Diego People First established the "Mike DeLisa Leadership Award", which is presented at the People First Conference annually.
Recipients of the Michael DeLisa Award
- Jean Trainer (2001)
- Frederick Joe Medugno (2002)
- Paul Mansell (2004)
- Connie Capp (2005)
- Darlene Hobbs (2007)
- Cynthia Schott (2008) (Pictured)
- Teresa Priest (2009)
Do you know someone like Mike? What we are looking for is an individual with a developmental disability who is working to change the face of disability in the community. The recipient of this award should demonstrate their
ability in all they do and be a resident of San Diego County. Is there someone out there that has changed
your mind about what disability is?
For more information call Debbie Marshall at (619) 688-4236.
Michael Delisa
A poem by Michael written when he was twelve.
I am just a kid in a wheelchair. I learned to dance in my dreams, a walk in the park, the carousel how gay and romantic it seems.
At night in my prayers to my maker I try not to get to extreme, but let thy will be done. But grant me this one please don't make me to old to dream.
