Personal Achievement Award honoree remembered for fighting spirit

Nancy Manns of East Amherst has been posthumously named recipient of the 2008 Robert Ross Muscular Dystrophy Association's Personal Achievement Award for MDA's Western New York Chapter.

Initiated in 1992, the national awards program recognizes the accomplishments and community service of people with disabilities caused by any of the neuromuscular diseases in MDA's program.

Last year, the awards were renamed in honor of Robert Ross, MDA's longtime chief executive, who died in June 2006.

Mrs. Manns was diagnosed with ALS in 2004 and never allowed her diagnosis to deter her spirit and determination. She had been employed as a travel agent at Teal Travel Services for 10 years and continued to do so as her disease progressed, adapting as needed to her changing circumstances.

When she found that curbs in a parking lot near her workplace were not accessible for those with disabilities, Mrs. Manns fought to have this changed. In spite of the physical challenges that her diagnosis imposed, she remained actively involved with family and friends and continued to travel.

In her fight to increase awareness about ALS, Mrs. Manns and her husband, Richard, appeared on the local Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon several times. It was important to Mrs. Manns that as many people as possible be aware of this disorder and to raise funds for ALS research.

Along with a local physical therapist also diagnosed with ALS and her family, Mrs. Manns spearheaded a walk to raise funds for MDA/ALS research, which was held in June 2007. Mrs. Manns and those involved in the walk were able to present a check for the walk proceeds in September on the MDA Telethon. The event will continue this year. Mrs. Manns and her family were recognized by the Western New York MDA office in December 2007 for their outstanding efforts on behalf of ALS awareness.

"Mrs. Manns lived life to the fullest and accomplished a great deal during the time that she valiantly fought ALS. She did so with great personal dignity and was a true inspiration and source of strength to all who knew her," the organization stated.

Mrs. Manns passed away on Feb. 5, 2008.

"The accomplishments of individuals like Mrs. Manns underscore that people with disabilities make valuable contributions to their communities. She really embodied the spirit of the Personal Achievement Award, and we are extremely proud to name her as the recipient of this award," the organization added.

Each of MDA's 150-plus chapters selects a local achievement award recipient from local nominees.