SENATOR FLANAGAN PRESENTS SENATE ACHIEVER'S AWARD TO CRISTEN MICH

During Cristen's visit to Albany, Senator Flanagan was honored to have her As his guest on his Weekly Senate Update Show

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Senator John Flanagan (2nd Senate District) recently welcomed Cristen Mich to Albany as his 2008 Senate Achiever’s Award honoree. Cristen and her family joined Senator Flanagan for the 28th Annual Senate Disabilities Awareness Day and were his guests at a special Senate session where Cristen was honored along with her fellow 2008 honorees.

Cristen was also recognized at a special ceremony at the State Capitol in Albany and presented with an Achievers’ Award and Senate Proclamation.

Diagnosed with a congenital heart defect at the age of six months, Cristen began receiving physical therapy for muscle development, constant evaluation and education. At the age of 4, following many hospitalizations for pneumonia and heart failure, she underwent successful open heart surgery that allowed her to finally begin to experience life without a weak heart and was able to stay in school.

While evaluations led to a recommendation that Cristen be placed in a program, her family disagreed and

wanted her to try an educable program. This soon proved to be the right course since Cristen actually started reading at age 5. Cristen continued to work hard to master writing and to perform the tasks that come easily to most children.

That persistence, along with the dedication of all the special education teachers and her parents, helped her achieve success. Eventually, Cristen attended the special education program at Sachem Central School District where she attended both her senior prom and went on the senior trip to Washington, D.C.

Today, she is a valuable member of the Suffolk AHRC workshop, where she is highly regarded there for her ability to learn new tasks, her level of productivity and her general good nature and friendliness. Cristen lives in an AHRC Suffolk group home in Huntington and works in a Suffolk AHRC workshop.

Cristen loves to travel and, for the past ten years, has taken an annual two-week vacation with a tour group. She also bowls every Saturday through the town programs, and attends dances at AHRC.

"Cristen is a truly special woman who has overcome, with the love and support of her family, much in her life. Her joy and love of life is infectious and I am truly honored to be able to recognize her today," stated Senator Flanagan.

The New York State Senate Achievers’ Awards are presented each year in conjunction with Senate Disability Awareness Day, an annual event sponsored by the Senate to raise public awareness of the efforts and accomplishments of citizens with physical disabilities.

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