The VOICE of Encouragement
Tim Boyd has worked tirelessly over the past several years to increase awareness and understanding of mental health conditions through his community involvement and presentations.
He is a RESPECT Institute Speaker and Facilitator. This program provides an avenue by which he gives hope, educates and empowers others. Tim is passionate about telling his story and understands the importance of fighting stigma surrounding mental illness and other disabilities. He provides insight into life with bi-polar disorder and major depression. Each time he shares his story, it is an opportunity for others to know they are not alone and not to be afraid to seek help.
Tim lives in Nevada and also volunteers at the Nevada Regional Medical Center, serving his third consecutive term as auxiliary president. He is actively involved with fundraising to purchase needed equipment for the hospital. He currently works in the administration department of On My Own, Inc., a center for independent living. He continues to be an active volunteer and advocate for mental illness and other disabilities.
BUILDING Community Support
Garrett Lawrence has always made an impact wherever he goes. These past few years that impact has been felt in ever widening spheres.
Garrett lives in Hannibal and has been involved with Special Olympics since his high school years, where he first began to participate as an athlete and became a Global Messenger. He attended the 2006 USA National Games in Iowa and was named Missouri’s athlete of the year. He maintains his CPR and First Aid Certifications so he can continue to coach athletes. Garrett has been a Jaycee for many years and is active in raising funds for the community. He belongs to the POPS Club (Participants of Public Service), Aktion Club (Kiwanis organization) and served as president of the Board of NEILS, the area independent living center. He also takes advantage of opportunities to develop his advocacy offered in the Hannibal area and is interested in mentoring high school students to learn more self-determination skills.
Currently, Garrett works for the Missouri Department of Mental Health and serves as co-chair of the Real Voices, Real Choices Conference Planning Committee. He continues to take advantage of opportunities to develop his advocacy skills and dreams of being part of a community that recognizes the abilities of each person and uses those abilities to strengthen the community.
MOTIVATING Others on their Road to Recovery
Bobette Figler is a role model for people who are struggling with alcohol and drug addictions. She is open about her addiction experiences and passionate about helping others.
She lives in the St. Louis area and has been a volunteer with the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (NCADA) for many years. She is also an active volunteer and advocate in local efforts, forums and organizations that help those who suffer from Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Myasthenia Gravis (MG), having spent years as a board member for Paraquad, an advocacy organization for the physically disabled. She has coordinated the St. Louis area foundation for MG for the past 25 years. In addition, Bobette has served on the Governors Council on Disability and is an active volunteer with Canines for Mobility.
Currently, Bobette works with the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse in St. Louis where she is incredibly effective in assessing and motivating people to address their addiction and move towards wellness. She continues to be a committed community activist for healthcare and disability issues.