Page 6 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • October 16, 2013 Ramsey Rosenstein to be honored at Salute to Champions Sawyer Rosenstein Sawyer Rosenstein of Ramsey is one of several individ- uals who will be recognized at the 2013 Salute to Champi- ons on Oct. 25. Rosenstein, 19, was permanently paralyzed by a bully’s sucker punch in May 2006, but has continued to pursue — and realize — his dreams. A former professional actor who had spinal fusion in late 2008, the Ramsey High School graduate is now attending the prestigious S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communi- cations at Syracuse University, is the host/editor of “Talking Space,” and serves as a flight director at the Lower Hudson Valley Challenger Center in Rockland County. “To go from performing card tricks for a DVD to my body playing tricks on me was truly a difficult experience,” Rosenstein said. “In the same situation, many others have succumbed to the misery of that experience, and in doing so, have become unable to realize their full potential. “But I realized that there was still a whole world out there, and that one event, even an event this significant and painful, should not ruin my life.” The 15 th Annual Salute to Champions is part of the observation of National Disability Awareness Month. The event honors individuals who demonstrate a commitment to inclusion and changing attitudes. Bergen County Executive Kathleen A. Donovan and the Department of Human Services, Division on Disability Services announced that this year’s event will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at Bergen Community College’s Moses Family Meeting & Training Center in Paramus. “This (free) event recognizes unique accomplishments of individuals with disabilities and those persons in the community who perform selfless acts of assistance and advocacy on behalf of persons with disabilities,” said Don- ovan. “We are extremely fortunate to have so many individu- als from this area who demonstrate a commitment to the importance of inclusion and changing attitudes,” said Divi- sion Director Jim Thebery, M.A., CSW. “We are extremely proud of all of our champions. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of the 2013 award recipients who make a tremendous difference in the lives of so many individuals.” In 1978, Bergen County recognized the need for -- and approved the creation of -- an office on Disabilities Ser- vices, the first such county office in the State of New Jersey to serve the needs of residents with disabilities. Now in its 35 th year, the Bergen County Office on Disability Services promotes community-based independent living options and assists individuals with disabilities are assisted in reaching their full potential and realizing full involvement and/or inclusion in all aspects of everyday living. The Bergen County Division on Disability Services pro- vides such services as Meals-on-Wheels, Personal Assis- tance Services, Respite Care, Information and Referral, Caregiver Education, Post Stroke, and Disabled Adult Sup- port Groups. Call the Bergen County Division on Disability Services at (201) 336-6500 or TTY (201) 336-6505 for details.