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| By G. Michael Dobbs Managing Editor CHICOPEE - Rosa Otero doesn't have a car and isn't in the best of health. She manages, though, to make sure her nephew, who suffers from development al disabilities, gets to his job at Sunshine Village every day. She has been caring for her nephew, whom she adopted for the past 30 years. Otera was one of 16 people honored on March 27 at the fifth annual Holyoke/Chicopee Advisory Board Recognition Awards. The awards honoring families who are providing the support so a person with developmental disabilities can lead a productive life. Julie Peck, who is president of the Citizens Advisory Board, explained the Board provides advice to Robin Hartmatz, the area director the state's Department of Mental Retardation. Peck said all of the board members face the challenge of developmental disabilities in their open families. "We're the citizen's eye," she said. The Holyoke/Chicopee area includes Holyoke, Chicopee, Granby, Belchertown, Ware, South Hadley, Palmer and Monson. Those honored included: Irene Bishop and Catherine Ducomb, Carmen Davila, Deborah Krainski, Juana Lozada, Maria Martins, Leocadio and Dominga Perez, Kathy Rule, Juana Santiago, Betty and Ralph Shrewsbury and Kenneth Ryer. The recipients received a placque and citations from area legislators. The Moose Family Center and Chicopee Savings bank sponsored the event. |