Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
The director of the Allendale / Barnwell Disabilities & Special Needs Board (ABDSNB) was recognized with the highest award for his field in the state.
At the South Carolina Human Service Providers Association’s annual conference held March 4-6 in North Charleston, Brent Parker received the Debbie Burton “Making a Difference” Award. The award is bestowed to an association member who provides outstanding leadership in developing and providing services for people with disabilities and special needs.
“Brent is most deserving of this recognition as a leader in the field, and a strong advocate for people with developmental disabilities for many years. Brent is a natural leader with tangible qualities of vision, diplomacy, decisiveness, and responsibility. Of greater importance, he possesses many qualities of a true leader such as: caring, respect, empathy, humility, dedication, integrity, hard work, and resiliency,” said Laura Collins with the Fairfield County Disabilities and Special Needs Board in her nomination letter.
Parker first served as executive director of the ABDSNB from 1987 to 2006. He then served in Greenville and Marlboro Counties before returning to ABDSNB in December 2014 where he’s served ever since.
“Brent has never shied away from tough challenges; he simply tackles projects with confidence and determination. Brent has always taken an active role in promoting the best possible service delivery system for people with disabilities through tireless efforts as well as a good channel of communication with legislative representatives,” continued Collins in her letter. “Brent does not hesitate to contact members of the legislative delegation when there are problems in our service delivery system and pertinent votes are in play. Brent is always willing to lend a hand or pitch-in where needed. He is the go-to person for so many SCHSPA functions including providing the invocations, always with a deep thought-provoking story, dressing up in silly costumes and leading the opening conference acts, serving as photographer, and of course is always willing to be a friend and mentor to all.”
At the conference, Parker volunteered to take photos. As the presenter was reading the criteria for the award, Parker was ready to take photos. However, a colleague said, “Brent, give me the camera.” That’s when he heard his name called as the award recipient.
“It’s very shocking and humbling. Everybody in that audience could and should be up there receiving that award,” said Parker of his colleagues from around the state.
The award, now in its 23rd year, is named in memory of Debbie Burton, a Greenwood woman who had Down’s syndrome and advocated for those with special needs.
“She happened to have Down’s syndrome but that never stopped her from living a full life,” said Elizabeth Krauss with Georgetown County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs.
When Debbie was born in 1952, doctors told her parents, Felton and Doris, that she would not live more than three years and she would never walk or talk. Debbie proved them wrong.
“For 48 years, Debbie lived life to the fullest. My parents accepted Debbie as a special gift from God as part of “His greater plan." Debbie was always included in every activity of our family. One of five children, Debbie wanted to do everything we did, an early sign of the determination she would always demonstrate,” said Debbie’s brother, Jimmy.
In the 1950s, options were limited for children like Debbie. Parents either kept them at home or placed them in an institution. There were no special education classes at the time; however, Debbie’s parents began rallying for change.
“Debbie was one of the first self-advocates for people with disabilities and special needs. Shaking hands with politicians, praying in the legislative chambers and making people aware of the needs of the state’s most vulnerable population,” said Jimmy Burton.
The Burtons launched Burton Center in 1971 to provide essential services to individuals with disabilities and special needs while also supporting their families. They started with just five children and a teacher, but have grown to serve 1,300 people in Greenwood, Abbeville, Edgefield, McCormick, Lexington, and Saluda counties.
The award is meaningful to Parker because he knew both Debbie and her father Felton.
“Let’s make a difference like she did and do everything we can with the resources we have to make their lives better,” said Parker of the clients his agency serves. “We want to be sure they’re safe, living good lives in the community, and celebrate life like we do.”
The ABDSNB currently serves approximately 275 people of all ages. Services include a day program, job training, senior adult program that helps motor skills, early intervention program focused on developmental needs of children, socialization training, behavioral support, case management to coordinate services for adults and adolescents, 15 residential homes that house clients, and supervised living programs where clients live in their own apartments but receive some assistance.
“We are with them from birth to death. We want to improve their quality of life and get supports in place so they can be safe, happy, and healthy,” said Parker.
He credits his dedicated staff “who wants to make a difference” in the lives of clients. He also said the board and community play a big role.
Anyone interested in finding out whether they or a loved one qualify for services, or anyone interested in volunteering, can contact the agency at (803) 259-7472.
