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Advocates: Advocate Spotlight
Macon Bibb Citizen Advocacy paired Al and Cecil together 22 years ago. Today, their friendship continues to thrive. See below to read more about their
story as recounted by MBCA board member Lori Johnson...
Al & Cecil enjoy 22 years of mutual respect, support, and friendship. |
"Show her that picture," Cecil says, as he gestures toward a picture of himself at 30 years old in a white suit with Elvis. "You mean this one?" responds Al as he points to a German Shepherd. Cecil turns to me with mock frustration and says, "You see what I have to put up with?"
They tease and joke with each other like the old friends they are. Al will have been a citizen advocate for Cecil for 22 years in September. They've been through a lot together. As Cecil describes it, "I have a lot of respect for this man, he's done a lot for me over the years."
Cecil was born in Macon on November 24, 1950 and had a twin brother who died of respiratory problems. A few years later the doctor told his parents that he had cerebral palsy. "My parents were always there for me," Cecil says. Cecil once gave his mother a plaque that said "Greatest Mother in the World."
Growing up, Cecil had a walker and he scooted all over the house and yard, playing football and softball with his older brother, Jim. He became a huge Elvis fan, and the biggest night of his life was sitting in the 6th row of the Macon Coliseum while Elvis performed.
It was soon after Cecil's father died that Al came into his life as his citizen advocate. Later his mother was having health problems and had to go into a nursing home. Cecil also had to go into the nursing home in Snellville near his brother. "I'm a fighter not a quitter," Cecil tells me. He and Al joined forces to get him out of the nursing home. He wanted to have an independent life in which he could pursue his interests in the music industry, professional wrestling and spend time with his friends. Together with Al, "I've learned how to fight back," Cecil recounts, by writing letters, making speeches, going to conferences and protesting decisions made by others about his life.
Al says he's learned a lot from Cecil about Elvis, many other musicians, wrestling and television. He has also learned a lot about "the system" - the seemingly endless levels of bureaucracy and paperwork that impact Cecil's daily life. Most importantly, though, Al has listened to Cecil and discovered who he is. Cecil is a man who wants to live a fulfilled life as each of us.
"I could beat Al up anytime," Cecil jokes as I am leaving. Their easy camaraderie is readily apparent and their relationship reflects the kind of mutual respect and commitment that is what Citizen Advocacy is all about. |
