Bidabe honored at Dodgers Stadium

Retired Mobility Opportunities Via Education (MOVE) Administrator Linda Bidabe received the 2004 E.P. Maxwell/J. Schleifer Distinguished Service Award from EP (Exceptional Parent) Magazine and Major League Baseball on Aug. 6 at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles. Bidabe was escorted onto the field by U.S. Navy Rear Admiral and Worldwide Commander of all Navy SEALS (Ret.) Ray Smith, board director for EP Magazine. Smith then presented Bidabe with the award at home plate prior to the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies. Afterwards, Bidabe, daughter Tanya Fulghum and grandchildren Nathan and Lauren were seated in VIP loge box seats to enjoy the game as guests of the Dodgers.

Each year the Maxwell/Schleifer award recognizes an individual for continuing and significant contributions to the disabilities community. Since 2002, Major League Baseball has collaborated with EP Magazine reaching out to sports fans to promote awareness of the 54 million Americans with disabilities, their families and caregivers.

Bidabe was a special education teacher for the Kern County Superintendent of Schools office in Bakersfield. She created the MOVE program that teaches people with severe motor disabilities to sit, stand and walk while participating in real life activities throughout the day. Prior to MOVE, students with severe disabilities spent all day on beanbags and had no opportunities to move and enjoy a more full and abundant lifestyle in their homes, schools and communities.

In 1987, with support from then Kern County Superintendent of Schools Kelly F. Blanton, Bidabe launched a summer pilot MOVE project involving 15 children with the most severe disabilities. Using a combination of instruction and makeshift adaptive equipment, the children gained mobility. All 15 children exceeded every goal and expectation of them. By the end of the summer, an overwhelming majority of the 15 sat unassisted on regular classroom chairs for 30 minutes. After three years, 14 of the 15 took steps with assistance and two walked independently.

That success launched MOVE worldwide. Today, MOVE is used throughout the world in 26 countries, and the MOVE curriculum has been translated into nine languages.

Those in attendance at the ceremony included MOVE International Executive Director David Schreuder, Legal Counsel Grant Herndon and Board Member Jessika Cardinahl and approximately three dozen friends and former colleagues.
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