|
I asked everyone to please let me know what they wanted me to say. The first request I received was “to embrace everyone”! The reason we all came here was to talk about how great the system is, right? We all share a common bond. Treated equally, fairly, without discrimination with dignity and respect! We all face is a “STRUGGLE” that we should NOT have to endure! When we arrived here on the first day we all had different hopes and different expectations. We learned about Disability History, People First Language, Building Community, Inclusion, so many dreaded “Regulations” and so much more. Every topic was “riveting”, informative and inspirational! The exercise on Person Centered Planning caused me to closely reexamine my own values and priorities. There is a LOT wrong with the “System” and it needs to be fixed! The system does not VALUE diversity. it is adversarial, ineffective, grossly inadequate, unequal, and almost criminal! Education is the Foundation we all depend on. Our System has failed all of us! Services are only provided to those who know how to get them! Change and growth are never easy even in people who have common goals! With every NEW CHOICE we are given and every NEW ACTION we take, we CREATE the system that others will use tomorrow! We have the knowledge and thus the power to make them do the things they didn’t want to do!
“Those who have the ability to take action have the responsibility to take action.” Thomas Jefferson, The Declaration of Independence. We have a real opportunity now to make meaningful change. Friends are like angels, they help us fly when we forget we have wings. Thank you again for the opportunity I have been given to share my thoughts with you. I am going to miss each and every one of you.
I asked everyone to please let me know what they wanted me to say.
|
