First, a note from my Mother, my biggest fan: Nan was the sunniest, funniest most loving child you can imagine. In elementary school painful ear and throat infections began to appear, and undiagnosable intestinal problems came and went. No help to be found, not even at the Mayo Clinic. Nancy continued to be the girl cheering up other people and looking out for the friendless ones at school and church. As a young woman Nancy suffered a “closed head” brain injury and broken bones in an auto accident and was gradually diagnosed with a mind numbing list of chronic, painful and debilitating illnesses. Two different pregnancies produced beautiful daughters she parented with care and devotion while employed full time. Eventually Nancy could not get to the office every day and tried to work from home, but was unable to accomplish this program. Eventually she was unable to care for her girls and lost custody. This was such a crushing blow that I doubted she would survive – but she did! She continues to live her life to her ultimate capacity, searching for paths to better health in every way possible. Has she managed to retain her loving, caring, helpful life pattern? You betcha! Even when breast cancer hit last winter she was worrying about her dad, bringing cheering gifts of homemade cookies to her caregivers and generally spreading sunshine. Her mission now is to coach others in achieving a “Healthy Life”. Has Nancy ever enjoyed “good” health? No. Has Nancy lived a Healthy Life? Yes – more than anyone I’ve ever met. We admire her efforts to share the benefits of her lifestyle with others. Just last week we were told that cousin Janet was in her last days of life, and had chosen to die at home with her siblings and hospice nurses in attendance. Nan got in her car and drove to Chicago by herself (no mean feat with that body) because even if she couldn’t help Janet, she could support the caregivers. They all report that her presence was a gift. So that’s what I have to tell you about my remarkable daughter. Thank you for the opportunity. Beverly Ekola I have had the privilege of working with Nancy Sopkowiak for over two years both as a supervisor in the Peer Mentoring Program and as an IL Specialist. Mrs. Sopkowiak has proven to be a wonderful asset to the Peer Mentoring Program at the Metropolitan Center For Independent Living as a dedicated Mentor. She has always looked for the best in people and is able to meet them at their level. She has a motivation to help others be the best that they can be without imposing or passing judgment. Her motivation has carried her through many of life’s obstacles including a traumatic Brain Injury, related complications, and depression not to mention she is a Breast Cancer Survivor. I have seen Mrs. Sopkowiak’s dedication to assisting people with disabilities strive for and achieve their goals. Whether she is teaching a class on goal setting or working one-one with a mentee; she exhibits a patience and a kindness that makes everyone believe that they can and will see their dreams come true. She is a story teller by trade and has a passion for making sure everyone around her has a chance to write their own story. She listens and takes in the entire person and it shows in the way she listens and writes from her heart. In the past few months I have seen Mrs. Sopkowiak handle life’s challenges with grace and a wonderful sense of humor; all the while never loosing track of her passion to help others succeed. She is the most determined enterprising thorough and nurturing person who sees her disability as a way learn more about the human experience and how to improve it. I am honored to know Mrs. Sopkowiak and it would be my privilege to be her Mentor throughout this next chapter in her life. Sincerely, Corbett Laubignat MS CRC Paul G. Hearne Award Selection Committee To The Selection Committee Members, I have had the opportunity to know Nancy Sopkowiak both professionally and personally for over 2 years through my work as Director of Care Coordination at AXIS Healthcare in St. Paul, Minnesota. AXIS Healthcare provides care coordination services for people with disabilities. Mrs. Sopkowiak is a tireless advocate for people with disabilities. As a person with multiple chronic health concerns and a disability she has experienced first-hand the challenges of the health care system. I have witnessed her persistent efforts to ask questions that challenge the status quo in order to improve the world for people with disabilities. Through her Health Coaching work she seeks to empower individuals with disabilities to reach for and achieve their goals for greater independence. Mrs. Sopkowiak is a regular contributor to a local publication in the Twin Cities, ACCESS Press. In a recent publication Nancy focused on the topic of Transition and Transition Services for Youth. Her report was based on her interview with a local expert in the field and provided a well rounded, informative article on the essential value of this important work for young adults with disabilities! This is just another example of Nancy’s work and advocacy. She is a gifted writer, who despite her own daily struggles with chronic pain and disability, continues to investigate ideas and opportunities so that she can share her learning through the written word. Mrs. Sopkowiak has been a member of the AXIS Member Advisory Committee/Board for several years. Through her regular attendance she consistently offers creative ideas and thoughtful feedback on how to make the health care system and community based supportive services more responsive to the needs of people with disabilities. AXIS Healthcare has benefited in its own efforts to improve care for people with disabilities through her participation. Throughout the time I have known her Mrs. Sopkowiak has demonstrated a positive outlook and sincere desire to help others. I have observed her manage several health challenges with dignity and grace, when many others might have given up. Her keen wit and sense of humor help all of those around her assume a similar outlook on life. I am honored to know Mrs. Sopkowiak and am privileged to offer this letter of support for her nomination. Sincerely, Kathy Thurston RN, BSN, MS Director of Care Coordination AXIS Healthcare St. Paul, Minnesota I am writing today to express my support for the selection of Nancy Sopkowiak as a delegate to the National Summit on Disability Policy in 2010. I have had the opportunity to meet and work with Nancy over the past year in my capacity as coordinator for the Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities. Nancy serves on our Healthcare Access and Long Term Services and Supports Policy committee. Nancy brings many talents and contributions to our committee, and I believe she would bring these same talents and contributions to the National Summit on Disability Policy. Nancy does an excellent job of keeping our committee aware of issues and events taking place in the broader disability policy community that have relevance to our work. Nancy provides succinct and informative summaries of these events and issues, and in this way she enables our committee to collaborate and participate in broader initiatives, thereby strengthening our advocacy work. Additionally, Nancy is one of our most tireless and effective spokespersons. She takes every opportunity, whether through written articles, social media, or networking opportunities, to engage other disability policy stakeholders in the work of our committee. Nancy’s involvement in our committee has strengthened our ability to understand and advocate for policies that improve the lives of Minnesotans with disabilities. I know she similarly strengthens the work of the countless other committees she is involved with, from the Board of AXIS Healthcare to the Mount Olivet Church Sunday School. As such, I highly recommend Nancy as a delegate for the National Summit on Disability Policy. Sincerely, Anni Simons Coalition Coordinator, MN Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities My friend Julian: Seven years ago I was in an accident. The trauma left me without hope. I was told I would be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life. I had gone blind twice because of complications and was fearful I may someday, be completely blind. The neurological disease I had left me unable to wear clothing due to the pain it caused. My chronic pain was over a ten plus everyday and I was on twenty-two prescriptions daily to simply ease my pain. Medical heroin was just one of the opiates I needed to take to function. This particular drug I took four times a day in addition to all the rest of my narcotics. At that point, I believed my life was over. I had contemplated suicide many times and was hospitalized because of my depression on four occasions. That is not the important part of this story. Nancy Sopkowiak is. We met in the hospital pool where I was receiving physical therapy. She introduced herself and began a friendship slowly with me. As I began to trust her, I started to let her know my struggles. She shared with me she was studying to be a life coach and spiritual coach. Nancy shared with me her personal struggles that she faced and later on, I began to call her and talk to her personally about my struggles. By Nancy sharing with me her challenges in her life, she inspired me to live. Many times during our phone conversations she transformed my tears of pain into tears of laughter and joy. She never judged me or what I was going through and listened intently to what I said and needed to express. After talking to her on the phone after a few weeks, we decided together that she would be my coach. I shared with her I wanted to walk again no matter how much pain I would endure. I wanted to wear clothing and be able to be touched again someday, even if it hurt. I wanted to start my life over and eventually become a small portion of who she is to others. I prayed for someone like her to come a long and mentor me and I was so thankful when she appeared in my life. We discussed many times her life and her accomplishments. She shared all about her TBI and how she was challenged by it. However, it did not stop her from being the leader she knows she is. I, having spinal meningitis, to the point of being temporarily blind twice and spinal fluid loss during surgery, had also been challenged with how my thought process now worked. She would not allow my excuses to be less then who I am. She would listen to me vent and then with loving kind words, asked how I could do whatever it was I wanted to do any way. After being on twenty-two prescriptions and medical heroin, I now am drug free. I can now have the simple luxury of wearing clothing. I can now let others gently touch me, even on bad days. I have faced my fear of going blind again and I am now studying to become who Nancy has been to me. I am attending school to be a therapeutic life coach. I am grateful to have Nancy in my life. She is my best friend and will always be... As I participate in Nancy’s life, she still mentors me daily. Even if we do not speak to each other daily, she is always there guiding me. I simply ask myself now - what would Nancy say and do? Please consider my friend, My coach, and the woman who kept me alive as someone who can help. She, I guarantee, will change this world and yours.
Sincerely, Jewls From my Psychologist: As a professional in the mental health field, I heartily believe Nancy is an asset to the community and to the clients she serves, not only though the gifts and skills she possess but more importantly, through her personhood.
Very truly, Diane Caspers MS, LP
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota As a writer, Nancy works hard with community members to help them tell their stories. She is a writer with many talents and our hope at Access Press is that she can continue to build on those talents as a writer and a community member. She knows the importance of communications and outreach for the disability community. That is reflected not only in her work as a contributing writer for the paper but her willingness to volunteer for and represent the newspaper at public events. She is willing to do whatever it takes to help and support the newspaper. Nancy has been battling cancer for the past several months. We are pleased to be able to welcome her back to our pages in September and look forward to continuing to work with her in the future. Sincerely, Jane McClure I have been working with She serves on a number of different committees and is a member of the board for some of those agencies and groups. She uses her talents in writing and speaking to share her thoughts and ideas with others who have a disability. She has written a number of articles which have been printed in Access Press and is currently working on a book which should be published in the coming year. I recommend her for the Courage Center Judd Jacobson Award. Jan Roberson Rehabilitation Counselor, Career MN Vocational Rehabilitation Services I would like to thank all the wonderful people who have supported me in my journey.
I have been asked to describe Nancy Sopkowiak’s life, probably because mothers know daughters longer and better than anyone else. I preface my remarks by acknowledging that Nancy IS MY HERO.
Metropolitan Center for Independent Living
From Kathy Thurston, RN, BSN, MS:
From Anni Simons, Coalition Coordinator, MN Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities:
www.mnccd.org
At any time, anyone in the world may be faced with challenges. To understand who Nancy is to me and how she helped change my life, I will need to give you a little background on myself.
Nancy is one of those rare and gifted individuals, who despite many obstacles and challenges is still able to bring laugh and a smile to any situation. She strives to challenge herself to learn and grow through her life experiences and she is dedicated to maximizing her potential. Nancy’s personal authenticity is demonstrated in her sense of life balance, her pursuit of health and wellness and her integrity. Thus in her budding enterprise as a Life Coach I think she is an excellent role model, especially for others with disabilities.
From my Editor at Access Press:
Through her writing, her volunteer work and her work as a life coach, Nancy has shown a true commitment and willingness to help others. She is compassionate, which shows through in every aspect of her work. She often draws on her own experiences and disability to work with and empathize with others. As an editor, I can say it is helpful to work with someone who has a disability and can bring an understanding of disability issues to the table.
Assistant Editor
Sending hugs,
Nancy