The Mayor's Leadership Awards Banquet

held on October 28th, 2009 

& hosted by  Green River Mayor Hank Castillon & Rock Springs Mayor Tim Kaumo was a great success. 300 people recognized 34 individuals and businesses for their outstanding contributions to the workforce!

 2009 Awards Keynote Speaker Kate Adamson

Our keynote address was presented by Kate Adamson, author of the book Paralyzed but not Powerless. When Kate was thirty-three years old, a fitness fanatic and the epitome of health, she suffered a Pontine Stroke, resulting in Locked-In Syndrome.  She was totally paralyzed and unable to move, speak, blink or communicate. She was not able to tell anyone that she was fully conscious. No one knew if she could hear them. Her doctors had no hope for her recovery, leaving her husband to fight for her treatment. She was fully awake when a doctor performed a surgery and cut into her body.  The doctor thought she was comatose and did not give her adequate pain medication. Imagine being cut into and not being able to respond?  

Today, Kate’s left arm remains paralyzed and walking is still a major effort, but having overcome complete paralysis, Kate understands the unique challenges facing people with disabilities. She motivates public and corporate audiences to overcome their paralysis and move to their next level of accomplishment by focusing on the simple concepts and methods that created their success in the first place.  She is a powerful advocate for “Ability Awareness” and “Appreciation before Accommodation” inspiring audiences to recognize and value the creativity and personal power that overcoming a disability can create.  Kate was appointed to the University of Southern California Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy Board of Counselors. She has served as a national spokesperson for American Heart Association and American Stroke Association and is a board member of the stroke Association of Southern California.  Her story has been featured in Redbook, Prevention, and many other national magazines.   She has appeared on Larry King Live, CBS Sunday Morning News, CNN, Fox News, The O’Reilly Factor, The Abrams Report, MSNBC, and ABC

"I AM DEAD

It's not shiny or bright.

No past life goes rushing by.

No one waits for me at the end of a tunnel.

This is not like near death experiences I have heard about"

 Email RS-BLN@vcn.com