Disability Action Center NW, Inc.

Volunteer Biography: Mark Troyer
By Amy Dreps, Independent Living Advocate
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Fifty years ago this past May 19th, Mrs. Troyer gave birth to a little bundle of joy. That was the last time he was a little bundle of joy. Today, Mark is 6 feet and 4 inches tall, with long hair, and is a modern-day free spirit. He spent his youth in beautiful downtown Spirit Lake, Idaho, until his family relocated to Westport, Washington.

After graduating from Ocosta High School in Westport with the class of 1973, Mark continued his education at Oregon Polytechnic where he spent several years studying the field of Civil Engineering. This training led him to a career at the Hanford Nuclear Site where, unfortunately, he had an experience with radioactive tritium.

Recently Mark completed a course at Western Washington University as a direct service provider. As a final step of his training, he completed a practicum as a Volunteer Advocate at the Coeur d’Alene office of Disability Action Center NW, Inc. Mark is a joy to have in the office and he comes to work with his dog Noel and brings biscuits to the office for some of his other lucky furry friends. But his greatest joy in this field is helping others communicate their needs, wants, and desires. Mark enthusiastically starts and completes projects that are either assigned to or dreamed up by him.

Mark’s favorite hobbies include fishing, swimming, and building kites. He has many collections at home, including one hundred unopened PEZ figures, a 1947 Dodge truck, and a 1940 Willy’s four-door car, serial number 5.

Disability Action Center NW, Inc. would like to thank Mark for his continuous commitment to, service in, and support of the Independent Living Movement, and his generous contributions to the community. <>