Dearborn Commission on Disability Concerns

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Sonya Tishler has been a Dearborn resident since 1975, is married and the mother of six, grandmother of eight and great grandmother of one. After graduating from high school Sonya has worked at many jobs; banking, confidential secretary at a major truck line an others.  She is presently employed at St. Alphonsus Church as the Parish Secretary, which has probably been the most fulfilling.

Sonya and her husband, Tom are the parents of a 25 year old daughter, Claire, who is severely mentally and multiply impaired and is attending Howe School in Dearborn. Over the years Sonya has been involved with PTA, cake decorating and painting.

Her continuing education is in day to day caregiving and learning every day what her daughter's disabilities create for her in daily living. Finding out two years ago after a serious injury to her daughter's leg and ankle that the disabilities were taking on another challenge. That challenge was also to both Sonya and her husband for three months of twelve hour shifts at a nursing home for rehabilitation of Claire's injuries, at the one and only nursing home that would even accept a younger person which involved a 15 mile trip each way from home for each parent.

Being honored with the appointment to the Commission on Disability Concerns has brought to reality Sonya's chance to bring what she has learned through this past 25 years the chance to work with the other Commissioners to make a difference in the lives of all disabled people. She is the vice-chair of the commission and the chair of the Access Committee.

Educating the public sector is probably the most important challenge yet since so many people are still indifferent to those who are challenged in any way.  "If what I have lived and learned is not used to help others as long as I can, then I will have thrown away a great education in life."

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