The Story

Philip j. Rappa - norma sherry

Together Forever Changing

The Story

On Halloween Eve, 1977, Philip J. Rappa was 24 and his dreams and aspirations were forever altered. While stopped at a traffic light his car was slammed by a drunken driver, he was catapulted backward, his driver's seat broke from the impact, his grandmother's baby blanket, thankfully, absorbed the shattered glass. He felt his legs tingle and then he felt nothing...

and he knew.

He knew in that instant that nothing would ever be the same again.

As for the drunk driver that struck him, he left the scene on his own stead in the back of a police vehicle. It was his third drunk driving offense and his second of that night.

Philip, however, spent ten months in three hospitals and underwent extensive surgery in the futile effort to minimize his injuries. His assailant spent sixty days of weekends in jail. As Philip says, “It was before Mother’s were MADD and student’s SADD."

By1979, Philip could not sit idly by and watch as victim after victim became added to the roster of the wounded by the senseless, irreparable actions of drivers who drink and then get behind the wheel of a car.

When five students from his high school died at the hands of a drunken driver, he could no longer do nothing. That was the beginning of years of talking to young students, judges, lawmakers, and any group willing to hear his story…and his message was borne: “Personal Responsibility”.

In1980, Philip and his wife, Norma, wrote and produced, “Our Largest Minority: The Disabled” for NBC-TV and The National Council of Churches. In the following three years, it aired four times nationally.

Philip’s gentle sincerity, his remarkable humor, and his forthright manner touch the hearts of all who hear him. The young, tougher boys are the first to embrace him, Mother’s are brought to tears, and Father’s are inspired.

Philip Rappa speaks from the heart and all within his hearing will be forever changed.

Film and lecture presentation

“Our Largest Minority: The Disabled” has aired nationally four times in three years for NBC-TV. It was shown before the United States Congress, the United Nations, the New York State Legislature, and it is part of history in The Library of Congress.

It has won numerous awards including an Emmy-nomination, a United Nations Award, and a Clarion Award.

Philip J. Rappa is a gifted humanitarian and the recipient of numerous gubernatorial and humanitarian awards. A speaker that reaches out and touches everyone with his honesty, openness, and warmth. His sense of timing and sensitivity always results in a receptive and participating audience. Although the subject matter, at first may seem to be without humor, there is indeed laughter. Philip tells many amusing true-life stories intermixing levity with reality.

Philip discusses “Tragedy & Crisis” and “The Illusions of Safety” which encompasses Handicapped Awareness & Sensitivity (Architectural & Attitudinal Barriers facing individuals with limitations) and “Personal Responsibility” (the effects of drinking and driving).

Some Audience Comments

“I have to admit it was probably one of the most interesting 80 minutes I’ve ever spent.”

“The lecture you gave was one of the best I ever heard. Every minute was interesting and exciting.”

“I do not consider myself a religious person, however, I do consider myself a spiritual one. And this program spoke to the spirit.”

“Your program was warm, beautiful, tender, inspiring.

Organizations and comments

State Commission For The Blind:

“…the film is one of the most powerful and sensitive ventures I have ever had the good fortune to see.”

Deer Park High School:

“…In fifteen years of teaching I have never, ever witnessed a standing ovation for a classroom lecture – that is – until yesterday.”

National Multiple Sclerosis Society:

"...words seem insufficient to properly express our gratitude and appreciation of all those who had the privilege to hear you address the half-day workshop...Your presentation was an inspiration to us all."

Nassau Bar Association:

“…Your openness to educate has brought a new awareness to those of us who administer the law.”

For Scheduling and Honorarium please Contact:

The Public Relations Office Of:

Norma Sherry 904-829-9583

Email: norma@togetherforeverchanging.org or

Email: philip@togetherforeverchanging.org

Facsimile or Voice Messaging: 904-829-6007

For Philip, Personal Responsibility is more than a concept, it is a moral standard for living

To read about Philip's national, monumental, proposal to address the threat to our civil liberties, we implore you to follow this link and to become an active participant.

Links to Our Pages

The Purpose and The Vision:

Our Purpose

Our National Proposal and Vision

In Defense of our Civil Liberties

Articles by Norma Sherry

The Day Democracy Was Put On Hold by Norma Sherry

Freedom is Just Another Word for Nothing Left to Lose by Norma Sherry

Ain't Gonna Work on Maggie's Farm No More (Outsourcing American Jobs) by Norma Sherry

Bye, Bye Miss American Pie (Outsourcing American Jobs) by Norma Sherry

Dear American Worker (Outsourcing American Jobs) by Norma Sherry

Once Upon a Time in America (Not a Fable) (Outsourcing American Jobs) by Norma Sherry

I Believe (A Retrospective and a Promise) by Norma Sherry

We Can Make a Difference by Norma Sherry

What Price Glory? by Norma Sherry

Six Steps to Get The Vote Out by Norma Sherry

Not So Gay Times by Norma Sherry

...And God Said by Norma Sherry

Where, Oh Where Have All The Jobs Gone? by Norma Sherry

Never Again by Norma Sherry

A Deadly Secret by Norma Sherry

Pathology of Malpractice by Norma Sherry

Reality TV by Norma Sherry

One for the Gipper by Norma Sherry

Jobs, Jobs, Everywhere Jobs and Not a Job to Find

HIPAA and Other Assaults Upon Our Civil Liberties by Norma Sherry

Eyes Wide Shut by Norma Sherry

Skewed Vision by Norma Sherry

Sugar-Free Reflections of a Democratic Convention by Norma Sherry

Michael Badnarik: Libertarian Candidate for President by Norma Sherry

Que Sera, Sera by Norma Sherry

Suffer the Little Children by Norma Sherry

Katrina's Wrath, America's Shame by Norma Sherry

If it Were Up to Me by Norma Sherry

What Have They Done to my Song? by Norma Sherry

A Child's Dilemma by Norma Sherry

The Ride Home by Norma Sherry

Whose Life is it Anyway? by Norma Sherry

Reaping Profits for the Reaper by Norma Sherry

Genocide by Norma Sherry

Articles by Philip J. Rappa

Warning on Yawning by Philip J. Rappa

What Have We Learned Since 911? by Philip J. Rappa

Rhapsody for Democracy by Philip J. Rappa

Help Me if You Can, I'm Feeling Bad by Philip J. Rappa

In God We Trust by Philip J. Rappa

Fear and Loathing in America by Philip J. Rappa

Open Letter to the President of the United States of America by Philip J. Rappa

The House Always Wins by Philip J. Rappa

Alpha and Omega by Philip J. Rappa

Oh-Sum-Bodies-Been-Lying by Philip J. Rappa

Requiem to the Silliness I Learned in Civics Class by Philip J. Rappa

Storm and Strife by Philip J. Rappa

The Ill-Begotten: Reflections of Unconstitutional Precedence by Philip J. Rappa

High Noon in America by Philip J. Rappa

Do the Hokey Pokey by Philip J. Rappa

Articles by Others

Lawyer's Band to Save the Constitution

Raid on Patrons

Philip's Story:

Philip's Personal Story

Philip's Presentations on Personal Responsibility

A Little About Norma:

All About Outsourcing:

Businesses that Outsource

What You Can Do About Outsourcing?

Press Releases:

Front Page Story of Creator's Norma & Philip

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