Russell Spornberger and Bill Jackson found each other as friends eight years ago. Though they lived in the same area of Atlanta and had similar interests, it took an advocacy nonprofit to bring them together.
They shared a love for American history, and Jackson was especially enthusiastic about the military and the Civil War. The men first met over breakfast in 2012 at the Majestic Diner on Ponce de Leon Avenue.
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Credit: Picasa
Spornberger, a home inspector, had been invited to become a citizen advocate for Jackson, who lived with developmental disabilities. Citizen Advocacy of Atlanta and DeKalb introduced them, then their friendship took off.
“I would pick Bill up, and we would go on an adventure,” Spornberger said. “Most days, we would find a good place to eat, a hole-in-the-wall, then from there we’d go to a park or a museum.”
Citizen Advocacy helps bring those isolated because of their disabilities into the community by pairing them with an advocate. There are 65 ongoing relationships, with several now into their fourth decade.
Jackson, who also had Parkinson’s disease, died in June, a month before his 86th birthday. Spornberger misses him still.
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Credit: Picasa
“Their relationship was so meaningful. It added so much enrichment to Bill’s life, and gave him an opportunity to go some places,” said Judy Powell, Jackson’s primary caregiver and wife of Jackson’s cousin, Eugene Powell. “We’re just so grateful to ‘Mr. Russell’ for how he made time for Bill.”
Looking back, Spornberger is amazed that he could make such a difference in someone’s life. “I’m probably the least likely to do something like this,” he said.
In the beginning, Spornberger wondered if he would need special training, but then realized the only requirement was “just to be a human being.”
“Just open up your heart a little bit and give the gift of time,” he said. “To me, that was the key. It was just time spent doing things together. There was nothing hard about it, and it turned out to be a lot of fun for me. And I know Bill enjoyed it. We had a lot of fun.”
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Credit: Picasa
Advocates are not volunteers, stressed Executive Director Derona King. “People are intentionally matched. It starts with the person with the disability, and getting to know that person drives the work,” she said.
The disabled are often segregated from society – placed in nursing homes or day programs – and King will search for the most vulnerable and get to know them. Age is no factor; she’s recruited for babies and up to an 80 year old.
From there, their core values and interests are put in writing, and the search is on for someone in the same community who would make a good match. Rarely is an invitation to be an advocate turned down.
“People have an amazing capacity to be unselfish,” King said. “We meet people who are often in a hard place, and we say to the potential advocate, ‘Look with us through a different lens. You’ve received an invitation to walk with someone.’
“It’s not about fixing something, and certainly not about fixing someone, but aligning ourselves with someone; bearing another’s burdens.”
Board president Paula Rafferty said vulnerable people are safer when they’re around others who care for them. The friendship raises their stature in the community and changes the way others see them.
“They’re not seen as their disability, but rather seen as a friend,” King said.
Media consultant Nwandi Lawson is entering her sixth year as an advocate and friend to Laura, a decisive “go-getter” who loves dance and wants to work.
The two enjoy seeing dance performances and once took dance lessons together. Pre-COVID, they often dined at restaurants and shared family events, like birthdays. “We’ll be friends for life,” Lawson said.
Advocacy relationships ebb and flow, but most stay connected, even if it’s only in a limited way. Several of these friendships have been going for decades. However, discrimination toward the disabled hasn’t changed much during that time, King said.
“We know it’s an emotional battle,” she said, “you might not move the pendulum, but standing alongside that person is more powerful than anything else that can happen.”
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WHAT’S INSPIRING ABOUT BILL JACKSON?
From Russell Spornberger:
Jackson spent his early years in Decatur and Marietta. As a young man, he worked at both the Loews Grand and the Fox theaters in Atlanta. He loved reading, especially history, and watching old movies. And he loved America, its promise of freedom and equality for all.
He always wanted to serve in the military and was proud of his relatives who did serve. One uncle was shot down during the Korean War, and another relative served on the USS Reuben James during WWII.
Spornberger put together a YouTube video of their adventures through the years. It can be seen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLxH3MkYHUE&t=9s
MORE DETAILS ABOUT CITIZEN ADVOCACY OF ATLANTA AND DEKALB
The pandemic has limited Executive Director Derona King’s ability to go out and find new proteges. Still, many of the ongoing advocacy relationships continue their friendships through video calls.
To get involved or offer financial support: www.citizenadvocacyatlantadekalb.org/
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