LIHU‘E — Wednesday was a special day for Alexandra McClurg as she gathered with a busload of people outside the historic County Building.
“You see your name on the banner?” one of the group said, unfurling the National Developmental Disability Awareness banner, and pointing out McClurg’s name. “It’s your birthday, and they put your name on the banner.”
Beyond McClurg’s birthday, she was the winner of this year’s theme contest with her theme of “respect others and all people with disabilities,” states a press release from the Hawai‘i State Council on Developmental Disabilities.
“I like the poster with the jigsaw puzzle, how everyone fits together,” said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami as he prepared to lead the group in singing the birthday anthem to not just
McClurg, but Amelia Kyewich-Kaneholani, a program specialist with the Hawai‘i State Council on Developmental Disabilities as well.
Kawakami also presented a proclamation to Kyewich-Kaneholani that stated March marked the 35th anniversary of National Developmental Disability Awareness Month.
The Hawai‘i State Council on Developmental Disabilities participated in the sign-waving campaign on Rice Street fronting the historic County Building in support of the 35th anniversary.
“The purpose of being here is to raise awareness for developmental disabilities such as Down syndrome, autism, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, and more,” said Kyewich-Kaneholani. “We also celebrate inclusion.”
“This year’s theme is ‘Worlds Imagined,’” she said. “Our world is changing as we move beyond the pandemic we look at how people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities are living their lives as no one would have imagined, even a decade ago. Worlds Imagined can help explore the new and ever-changing opportunities.”
Kaua‘i self-advocate McClurg is an employee with the Target store, and a worker with the Kaua‘i ‘Ohana Resource Kiosk at the Kukui Grove Center. Kyewich-Kaneholani introduced one of the Kaua‘i Special Olympic athletes who will be heading to Florida for a national competition.
Agencies and groups joining the Hawai‘i State Council on Developmental Disabilities include Easter Seals, Bayada, and the Department of Health, which is also a partner with the Kaua‘i Resilience Project in making the KORK a reality at the Kukui Grove Center.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
