HOIDSA - Key Persons
Alex has been a HOIDSA board member since 2017. He has attended ILlinois Central College. He is employed by Mission Mart, volunteers at TCRC Highland Center and is part of Bethel Lutheran Church's Audio/Visual and Worship committees. When not working or volunteering, he enjoys going for walks, singing, dancing, cooking and advocating for people with disabilities His goal is to be the voice for those who have Down syndrome.
Mike and his wife, Susan, live in Morton. Mike worked at the City of Peoria and held several positions in the City's Information Systems Department: computer programmer, department manager, and he retired as director of IS. In 2011, our granddaughter, Emma Sue, was born with Down syndrome. In order for Emma's mother to go back to work, Mike became Emma's babysitter. Until Emma started school, Emma and Mike went everywhere together. After starting school, Sue and Mike became proponents for Emma's inclusion into a ‘typical' kindergarten. Thanks to help from HOISDA and their advocate, Christy, Emma is now a student in a typical classroom. As a board member, Mike hopes to give back for all they've gotten form HOISDA. Mike enjoys reading, writing, and watching the Chicago Cubs and the Bears.
Sarah Mabee joined the board this year. They have 5 kids together, including Max, 11 who has Down Syndrome. Scott is a financial advisor with RW Baird and Sarah is a medical coder with OSF Healthcare. They live in Dunlap.
Trisha lives in Dunlap with her husband Omar and their three boys - Mateo, Luca, and Cruz. Trisha had a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome for Cruz when she was 11 weeks pregnant after having a genetic testing done to find out the gender early. After reaching out to HOIDSA on that hard day, she was put in contact with some amazing women that helped her to see and understand that things were going to be okay. Cruz was born in May 2018 and has been a wonderful addition to the family. He is already full of energy and seems determined to be wild just like his older brothers. Trisha has been working full time in Finance/Treasury at Caterpillar since 2015. Trisha enjoys being outside with her family, babywearing, traveling and sampling wine and beer.