DISABILITY COUNCIL CITES PRIEST FOR WORK

Leemon Priest never thought someone would give him an award for simply doing his job. But is job is his just reward.

"I was totally surprised when they called my name," said Priest, a volunteer with the SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence. Priest was named Volunteer of the Year of the 1995 Region IX Council on Developmental Disability.

The alliance serves Cape Girardeau, Perry, Bollinger, Scott, New Madrid, Mississippi and Pemiscot counties.

Priest said he never thought there was anything extraordinary about answering the phone, filing reports or just pitching in to do what needs to be done.

The alliance's executive director, Miki Gudermuth, is no stranger to Priest's relentless pursuit of helping others overcome mental and physical barriers. The two struck up a friendship in 1984 and have been working toward a common goal.

"It's taken us 10 years to finally get a center," Gudermuth said. "People like Leemon Priest made it happen. Because of his willingness to help out here, others have the ability to go out and assist people who need us."

Priest, who was diagnosed with encephalitis when he was 3 months old, decided early he would not be limited to "four walls and self-pity."

"Part of what I do is show others that you don't have to stare at four walls and begin feeling like there is no hope for a better life," Priest said.

He experiences pain every day, but he isn't as aware of it when he is working.

"Deciding that you're going to work toward an independent lifestyle is the first big step," he said.

Priest has made several attempts to use his office skills in the business world.

"Once they see you in a wheelchair or walking with a cane, there seems to be an attitude that just doesn't go away," Priest said. "I may not walk like other people, but I've got a brain."

The alliance provides training for people with disabilities to enable them to define their needs. In addition, the organization educates legislators on a local, state and national level on issues people with disabilities must confront.

The alliance's goal: foster an open, barrier-free society for all people regardless of their type of disability.

One of the alliance's activities is implementing and enforcing parking for the handicapped downtown. The organization held the first Disability Talent and Resource Fair at West Park Mall and co-sponsored the first Southeast Missouri wheelchair basketball game with the Noon Optimists.