Jul 31, 2009
Paul Martinez Wins Outstanding Youth/Young Adult Service Award
Each year, The Alliance For Citizens with Disabilities of Hillsborough County awards the Outstanding Youth/Young Adult Service Award to a young adult who exemplifies leadership by volunteering their time to make a positive impact in the lives of individuals with disabilities, enhancing the lives of persons with disabilities through commitment of time and talent, and for serving as a positive role model for other youth and young adults to make a difference in the community.
This year’s recipient of the Outstanding Youth/Young Adult Service Award is Paul Martinez.
Paul was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2007, at the age of 16. As a result of his having MS, Paul is also legally blind. After receiving assistance from the National MS Society, Paul decided he wanted to give back to the community. He wanted to educate his classmates at Alonso High School about MS and share with them the faith and hope he has in finding a cure.
Paul engaged his high school principal, who helped share Paul's mission with the entire student body. Paul also decided to start his first team for the MS Walk, Martinez's Soldiers. Paul envisions himself as a soldier against MS, who has to use the same mindset and attititude to overcome his MS and blindness on a daily basis. Paul spoke to his classmates at club meetings, and worked with others to design and sell specialty team shirts as a fundraiser. His teachers became involved as well, and even introduced him to other schools, including Stuart Magnet, where students sold lifesavers as a fundraiser “to save Paul”.
Over 100 students from Alonso High School, their teachers and parents came to the Tampa MS walk. The Junior ROTC of Alonso High School came dressed in their fatigues and led off the walk, marching the entire way. After the walk, Paul continued speaking to other groups, thanking them for their support and continuing to educate them on why getting involved in the fight against MS is so important. Paul’s team also raised over $4,000 for the National MS Society.
Paul truly is a role model, not only to youth and young adults, but to adults as well. He doesn't let disabilities like MS and blindness keep him from making his mark in the community, and his drive and determination serve as inspiration to us all.
Congratulations, Paul!