MCBDD Celebrates Milestones, Community Engagement, and Personal Growth in April Newsletter

The Madison County Board of Developmental Disabilities (MCBDD) continues to highlight personal accomplishments, community events, and inspiring stories in the April 2025 edition of The Madison Express, offering a well-rounded look at the people and programs shaping the organization.

​Celebrating Life and Service
​The newsletter invites the community to a Celebration of Life on Thursday, April 24 at 6 p.m. at the MCBDD Central Office. This annual gathering honors the memory of those who have impacted the community and the agency through their presence and service.

Also featured is a new monthly spotlight recognizing staff members' years of service with MCBDD. This month’s honorees include:

• Josh Bierbaugh – 6 years
• Keith Hatem – 27 years
• Gretchen Peters – 26 years

Empowering Individuals Through Achievement
Among the month’s highlights is Misty Grimmett, who recently earned her Adult First Aid/CPR/AED Certification through the American Red Cross. With support from her Independent Provider and the MCBDD Health Services team, Misty completed both online and in-person training, fulfilling a long-held goal to support others in emergency situations.

Additionally, Grace Adult Programming (GAP) celebrated its five-year anniversary of providing day services to individuals with developmental disabilities. The MCBDD extended congratulations to William Smith and his staff for their continued impact.

Community Connection Through Fun and Advocacy
In celebration of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, MCBDD hosted a community bowling event at Madison Lanes, bringing together individuals served by the board, their families, and staff for a day of connection and celebration.

Looking ahead, the Autism Awareness Volleyball Game will return on Thursday, April 17 at 6 p.m. at London High School, featuring a friendly match between the Madison County Tigers Special Olympians and local first responders.

Meanwhile, advocacy and ice cream come together at Small Town Scoops for the next TAG (The Advocacy Group) meeting on Tuesday, April 29 at 4:30 p.m., where attendees will receive a free ice cream cone following the session.

Personal Reflections: “What’s Holding You Back?”
The newsletter includes a personal essay by Susie Taylor, reflecting on how grief and self-doubt can hold people back from pursuing their goals. Through her own experience of growth after loss, Susie invites readers to consider their own turning points and to move forward with patience and self-compassion.

Celebrating Friendly Competition
Sixteen MCBDD staff members participated in the annual March Madness Bracket Challenge. Congratulations were extended to Jeff Gates (1st), LeeAnn Robertson (2nd), and Bobbie Sollars (3rd) for their winning predictions during the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.

The April edition of The Madison Express captures the heart of MCBDD’s mission: fostering empowerment, inclusion, and connection through education, service, and community involvement.

For more information or to view the full newsletter, visit www.themcbdd.com or follow MCBDD on Facebook.

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