WALTHAM, Mass.—The deaths of Eunice (Kennedy) Shriver and U.S. Senator Edward M. “Ted” Kennedy struck a heavier blow with one Armenian in particular.
Leo V. Sarkisian was as close to both Massachusetts icons as anyone due to his role as executive director of the Arc of Massachusetts, an organization that furthers the goals and ideals of disabled individuals throughout the state.
The state chapter has spearheaded several successful legislative and media campaigns under Sarkisian and played a key role in the settlement of three lawsuits with state officials that have provided more than $122 million in new funding for people with developmental disabilities since 2000.
“Senator Kennedy was the leading senator on disability issues and his loss is going to be strongly felt,” said Sarkisian. “I had the opportunity to work with him on a number of issues. My first contact with him came in 1986 when he came to one of our job training sites located at a grocery store to accept an award from our national organization.”
During one of the lawsuits, Kennedy’s office remained close to Sarkisian and his staff, which resulted in a fair settlement.
Much as Sarkisian was connected with the senator, he was even closer to Shriver due to her extensive role as a steadfast and passionate champion of people with developmental disabilities.
“By focusing on abilities rather than disabilities, Eunice Shriver raised awareness of how all people deserve to live their lives as integral, contributing members of a larger community,” Sarkisian brought out.
“Having lived through the tragedy of a sister who underwent a lobotomy and was hidden behind closed doors of an institution, Mrs. Shriver became a leader of the movement to end the segregation of people with disabilities,” Sarkisian added.
Much of their association centered around the Special Olympics and the Arc’s Family-to-Family program which addresses the state’s long waiting list for community-based services. When Shriver developed a housing project with Habitat for Humanity, Sarkisian accompanied her on a site visit.
“Both will be missed by all the lives they touched, the examples they set, and the inspiration they provided in making this world a better place for the underprivileged,” Sarkisian noted.
As executive director, Sarkisian heads up 20 chapters throughout the Commonwealth, a job that’s often above the call of duty. It’s a federated organization whose mission is to enhance the lives of individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Through internships in college, his decision to enter the field became natural. Sarkisian was exposed to disabilities at a young age through his extended family.
“One of my nieces recently gave birth to her first child and he happens to have Down syndrome. I’ve been fortunate to make new friends through my work, including individuals with special needs.”
Despite the stigmas associated with “retardation” over the years, Sarkisian sees incredible progress being made.
“There’s no question about that,” he says. “Today, we see individuals with disabilities every day in our communities. Two decades ago, they were hidden. They now live in their own homes, work at jobs in all settings, and are mainstreamed in our schools. Twenty years ago, state institutions were the primary resource for adults with disabilities.”
Not all is positive, however, which makes Sarkisian’s role that much more demanding.
“Despite the progress, we do see flashes of backlash,” he concedes. “There are school officials who claim they have to spend too much on special education. This past year has been a difficult one as the economy has resulted in service cuts, especially for families.”
Sarkisian is no slouch when it comes to the Armenian community. His family is connected with St. Stephen’s Church in Watertown and he frequently attends events at ALMA, NAASR, and the ACEC.
He visited Armenia in 2001 and found it to be a stimulating experience. An older daughter through her college participated in two years of outreach activity in Armenia orphanages. The two rented an apartment there for a month and made it available to other students throughout the summer.
“My only regret is that I didn’t work Shushi into the trip since one of my grandmothers was born there,” he noted. “Although I feel very Armenian, it’s hard to be connected time-wise. I continue to educate myself through books about history and culture. With my parents, I’m inclined to speak mostly Armenian.”
Although there is no relation between himself and the late Leo Sarkisian, a prominent political activist from the Watertown area, there was a superficial connection.
“I heard him on radio a few times and he sounded great. I ran into Mel King when he was running for mayor of Boston and he thought well of Leo, too.”
Sarkisian remembers getting a call from a parent of a three-year-old with autism. The mother couldn’t afford any more speech or communication therapy for her son and the school didn’t have the funds to pay for such services. No help was rendered, which crushed Sarkisian.
“Older parents who can’t get housing is another tough area,” he says. “One family we know has been trying to get their son settled. They’re in their 70’s and aren’t sure what’s next. They’ve been told there will be something when they die but would like to get their son settled before their health worsens.”
Regarding the Armenian community and those with developmental disabilities, Sarkisian says there’s no way to track the numbers.
“I would expect there are three percent of Armenians with some type of developmental or intellectual disability,” he says. “I would expect that Armenian American parents face some of the same barriers as others do.
“As recently as seven years ago, Armenia had difficulty screening for and getting the supplements needed to prevent a specific disability, PKU. I’m sure education and services are limited there, given the economic conditions,” Sarkisian resumed.
The next decade remains pivotal for Sarkisian as the Arc pushes ahead and tries to withstand any future cutbacks. He will exercise a stronger voice to promote a better understanding of human rights.
“One day we hope the journey won’t be so difficult so that intensive advocacy won’t be necessary each step of the way,” he notes. “Each decade has reflected different challenges and with them positive achievements.”
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Leo V. Sarkisian has served as executive director of the Arc of Massachusetts since 1991. He has more than 20 years experience with the public sector and media.
Sarkisian has worked in the disabilities field since 1974 as a clinician, planner, and administrator.
The 55-year-old lives in Walpole, Mass., with his wife Mary and a 25-year-old daughter. He and his family emigrated here in 1958 from Iran and were raised in a Protestant Church while patronizing Armenian functions.
His Dad was an ARF member for more than 50 years and his mother served the ARS for more than 65 years. Both are in their early 90’s and continue to live independently. The family moved from New York City to Watertown in the late 1970’s.
Sarkisian attended and worked at Camp Haiastan and was involved with the New York “Hyortik” AYF during his younger days. He taught Sunday School for several years and worked on a number of committees
He had served as executive director of the Arc of the South Shore for seven years prior to taking state office, and spent three years as a program director at the South Norfolk County Arc.
He is a graduate of the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago. Except for two years of graduate school, he’s been a Massachusetts resident since 1972.
Tom Vartabedian
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