2004 Scholarships Awarded
Maine Disability organization awards first scholarships

Shapleigh, ME – This June, the Shapleigh-based Stepping Back into Life awarded the first annual scholarships to two students with disabilities.

Formed in the spring of 2003, Stepping Back Into Life, Inc. was developed by Steven Loignon to provide support and inspiration to anyone who is physically disabled. During the summer of 2001, Steven was involved in a tragic car accident resulting in bi-lateral leg amputation. Through his experiences he has discovered the need to better inform and support individuals who are dealing with life changing events such as dismemberment. Through the www.Loignon.org website, which received over 14,000 visits in its first year, Stepping Back Into Life is one of the fastest growing resources for the recently disabled.

“The purpose of Stepping Back Into Life's scholarship program is to support people who are physically disabled,and who wish to attend college at any level.” said Mr. Loignon, President of Stepping Back into Life, while announcing the scholarships. “Our mission is to help individuals educate themselves in hopes that they will have an easier and more productive life.” Both of this year’s recipients will receive $1000, thanks to generous grant contributions from Endolite North America, Maine Artificial Limb & Orthotic, Pratt & Whitney and Alpha One. Loignon is hopeful the program will continue to expand in future years.

The first scholarship recipient, Shabnam Mohammadi, is a recent high school graduate from Fairfax, Va. who will attend Northern Virginia Community College to become an x-ray technician. Mohammadi escaped the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and came to the U.S. in 1999 with her mother and five siblings. Mohammadi, who has a 50 percent hearing loss, is a right leg amputee, as is her mother. Her goal is to help poor people and those with disabilities.

The second recipient of the Stepping Back into Life scholarship is James Ahearn who is returning to college with the goal of earning a Bachelor’s degree in business management. Ahearn is attending Seton Hill College in Greensburg, Pa. As the result of meningitis at a young age, Ahearn has no sense of smell or hearing. He has worked as a certified payroll professional for a number of years but is returning to school to advance his career. His long-term goal is to start his own business and offer job opportunities to others with disabilities.

Stepping Back Into Life, Inc. has appointed a Scholarship Committee who will review the submitted applications and select the best candidate according to the completed criteria and requirements as specified in the above application.