Patt and John Armstrong

Patt and John Armstrong seek no accolades, but, in spite of great odds, personal challenges and loss, they have steadfastly dedicated themselves to make a difference in the lives of others. This is a couple whose first son, Gary, passed away at age 16 in 1986, from the degenerative San Filippo Syndrome, but the Armstrongs remained "...dedicated soldiers, never leaving another child or person behind, caring about all people every day. They never falter in their belief that every person, no matter what the disability, deserves a life of support and value in their community," wrote Maureen and Tom Devaney, who nominated the couple, along with Audrey Coccia.

Many children in public school benefit from the battles fought by the Armstrongs for their son, and, by extension, all others. They were the plaintiffs in the lawsuit brought by the Education Law Center in the late 1970's, for the Extended School Year (ESY), as it is now called, for children with a "regression/recoupment" diagnosis. They spearheaded the change in educational services for people with severe disabilities in a federal lawsuit to begin the first Life Skills classrooms. They were among the original organizers of the Philadelphia Police and Fire Association for Handicapped Children. The list goes on.