Re: Here's an Idea (Was: Developmental Disability Awareness Month)

February 19, 2011

Folks, here's a way to raise awareness and be positive.

If Feb is DD Awareness Month, then let's plan for next Feb. IPADD is an online

community of IL parents of those with DD. We take nominations in January from

IPADD members for communities in IL with the best awareness and participation of

those with DD and their families.

Create more than one category if you like...a category for business community

awareness, for employment, for town.

Make your nominations here. Take votes from IPADD members.

Then--crucial next point from a non-profit PR hand--we create a certificate,

send out press releases, and send out an IPADD rep in that community (plus the

kid) to the next city council meeting, etc. to present the DD Awareness Award.

After the mayor of Cicero (or wherever) gets his/her photo in the paper, and a

short article using our press release, telling of how that town is doing good

stuff. Other towns notice (especially after some of us email our mayors the

link to the article.)

What do you think? I'll work on this project, if someone will help.

-Gail

________________________________

From: Bedard <cathybedard@...>

IPADDUnite

Sent: Fri, February 18, 2011 11:17:38 PM

Subject: Re: Re: Developmental Disability Awareness Month

Ellen:

I completely agree. Many times I wondered why we had to have these " special "

days. My kids should just be a part of society without any eyes raised etc.

Until the day comes; Lord, I pray it will happen before my time ends on this

earth; I guess we need to do anything possible to promote awareness.

I have to say that when I watch the Cicero celebration, Larry Dominick does it

with great taste and no condescending attitude.. Last year he met one of the

young ladies that was attending the event. At the end of the event he came

over to her, no cameras, no press, nothing, he asked to speak to her privately.

She was working at City Hall immediately. When you walk into Cicero City Hall;

people with intellectual disabilities are working there, from the high school,

in the lobby area. Go to the mail room, the 2nd floor and many other areas,

many people with different disabilities work there. Cicero has NO

discrimination when hiring. This is a man who brought back Special Olympics,

started wheel chair basketball teams for the City, he has special programs in

the library just for children with disabilities, he has started a Special

Transportation program for Cicero Residents with Disabilities. When you walk

into the gym at his Community

Center; which is ADA accessible, he even has a elevator so that people can get

to the stage and participate in programs. The parks are being renovated for

children with disabilities; (when he gets the grant) he's is frustrated with

this one.

I have to say Larry Dominick, as controversial as he is, is the biggest Teddy

Bear I have ever met. When he met my children, his kindness overwhelmed me.

My children just about charge him whenever they see him and he could care less.

Hugs for everyone! His wife is the same too.

As I said, more towns and cities need to look to Cicero to see inclusion and

understanding at it's best.

Bedard, PLA

Ricky, andra and 's Mom

Mothers on a Mission, Inc.

6515 Stanley Avenue #4

Berwyn, IL 60402

708-217-3196

www.mothersonamission.net

www.noewait.net

" Don't judge me because as far as I know I haven't let you borrow my shoes to

walk in. "

From: ELLEN BRONFELD <egskb@...>

Subject: Re: Developmental Disability Awareness Month

IPADDUnite

Date: Saturday, February 19, 2011, 4:55 AM

Hi all:

Hate to be a " party pooper " but I don't really see the point in Developmental

Disability Awareness Month, or Autism Awareness Month or any of that...

When I read the postings this morning it really bothered me and I have thought

about it all day.

I guess I would like to live in a different world. I would like to live in a

world where we didn't have to have special days for " special " people. After

all, people with autism, and people with other intellectual disabilities are

just people. I would rather be celebrating community inclusion month...every

day of the year. Real community inclusion would not single any group out for a

special day.

I would like to live in a world where everyone is equal and we wouldn't expect

the Mayor to pat our little darlings on the head once a year and feel really

good about " recognizing " people with " special needs. "

I am sorry if I sound a little cynical, or angry or negative. Those who know

me, know that I am typically not any of those things. I just want our loved

ones to be part of the world at large; to blend in and not stand out; to not

require a special proclamation to be able to take their rightful place in the

community.

Just my opinion...

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

February 19, 2011

I like it. And I'll help, too.

The month is March, by the way, for DD Awareness. I like that one because it

encompasses all of IPADD.

Thanks Gail.

L.

From: G Mrozak

Sent: Saturday, February 19, 2011 9:22 AM

IPADDUnite

Subject: Re: Here's an Idea (Was: Developmental Disability

Awareness Month)