Guest guest Posted February 9, 2007 Report Share Posted February 9, 2007 I thought we could use some celebrating here! On Tuesday, Aubrie went to work with me. My organization, The Family Support Network, along with the Arc of IL, and the Autism Society of IL, held a press conference at the state capitol. After the event, we helped deliver info packets to all the legislators. Aubrie took along her own brochure and told each legislator (or their secretary), " I want to live on my own and do all the things my brother will do. I don't want to live in an institution. Let's help all people with disabilities to do what they want. " IL has more state institutions for the developmentally disabled than nearly any other state. We're ranked 47th or something. We're trying to get increased funding for disability services that support individuals (kids and adults) in their homes, whether it's with family, room-mates, or independently. I was so proud of her! She made eye contact, shook hands, and spoke clearly and confidently. She got to speak with 2 legislators. And she got a tour of the Governor's office and even got to sit in his desk! I'll attempt to send her brochure and a link to photos. I'm not sure if I can make either go through to the list. We'll see! Michele W Aubrie's mom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 2007 Report Share Posted February 9, 2007 Way to go girls! I can just picture the impact Aubrie made on the people she spoke with. -- Kim Certified HANDLE Screener and Intern Mom to Dylan 10 CHaRGE, Kayla 16, Tyler 18 and wife to Roy who makes all things possible in our lives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 2007 Report Share Posted February 9, 2007 Way to go Aubrie! > > I thought we could use some celebrating here! On Tuesday, Aubrie went to > work with me. My organization, The Family Support Network, along with the > Arc of IL, and the Autism Society of IL, held a press conference at the > state capitol. After the event, we helped deliver info packets to all the > legislators. Aubrie took along her own brochure and told each legislator > (or their secretary), " I want to live on my own and do all the things my > brother will do. I don't want to live in an institution. Let's help all > people with disabilities to do what they want. " > > IL has more state institutions for the developmentally disabled than > nearly > any other state. We're ranked 47th or something. We're trying to get > increased funding for disability services that support individuals (kids > and > adults) in their homes, whether it's with family, room-mates, or > independently. > > I was so proud of her! She made eye contact, shook hands, and spoke > clearly > and confidently. She got to speak with 2 legislators. And she got a tour > of the Governor's office and even got to sit in his desk! > > I'll attempt to send her brochure and a link to photos. I'm not sure if I > can make either go through to the list. We'll see! > > Michele W > Aubrie's mom > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 2007 Report Share Posted February 9, 2007 I hope that we can make a difference. If Aubrie can speak up and be out there as a voice for others, it would be so amazing. She's a kid who can talk and interact and isn't busy just trying to survive. She can speak for those who can't. And I can speak for all the parents who don't have the energy to do it for themselves. We are fortunate to be able to speak up. And we do so on behalf of those who can't for whatever reasons. She totally " gets it " and wants what is best and right for everyone - not just herself. Her teacher spent a lot of time on Luther King Jr and the issues he stood for. The text of Aubrie's brochure came from our conversations about the issues in IL. She completely related to MLK. She said, " Luther King said everyone should be equal, not separate. They're not doing a very good job! " I have been talking about my job since I began. Layering on top of that an intense unit of diversity, discrimination, equality, etc was very powerful for her this year. Later she asked me what comes after junior. I finally understood that she was wondering what to call herself and she strives to be " Luther King III " for people with disabilities. So many people with CHARGE and other disabilities are so busy just trying to cope with their lives that they can't begin to speak up. We try to be sure the legislators always understand that we are just the tip of the iceberg - that we speak for thousands. Michele W Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 2007 Report Share Posted February 9, 2007 Michele, The brochure is just great, and I love the pics of Aubrie advocating for herself! Good for you for encouraging her to develop those self-advocacy skills so early in her life. I think it's really admirable of both you and Aubrie to know that you have the ability and circumstances to help others who may not be able to advocate for themselves, for whatever reason. High fives to both of you girls! , mom to (5) http://kauffmanlak.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- Don't pick lemons. See all the new 2007 cars at Yahoo! Autos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 2007 Report Share Posted February 9, 2007 - Thanks! I just wish the brochure wasn't such a big file so that I could send it to you guys with the photos and formatting. Michele _____ From: CHARGE [mailto:CHARGE ] On Behalf Of Kauffman Sent: Friday, February 09, 2007 1:22 PM To: CHARGE Subject: Re: Good news for a change Michele, The brochure is just great, and I love the pics of Aubrie advocating for herself! Good for you for encouraging her to develop those self-advocacy skills so early in her life. I think it's really admirable of both you and Aubrie to know that you have the ability and circumstances to help others who may not be able to advocate for themselves, for whatever reason. High fives to both of you girls! , mom to (5) http://kauffmanlak. <http://kauffmanlak.blogspot.com/> blogspot.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 10, 2007 Report Share Posted February 10, 2007 ok im coming to meet you soemhow lol > > - > > Thanks! I just wish the brochure wasn't such a big file so that I could > send it to you guys with the photos and formatting. > > Michele > > _____ > > From: CHARGE <CHARGE%40yahoogroups.com> [mailto: > CHARGE <CHARGE%40yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of > Kauffman > Sent: Friday, February 09, 2007 1:22 PM > To: CHARGE <CHARGE%40yahoogroups.com> > Subject: Re: Good news for a change > > Michele, > > The brochure is just great, and I love the pics of Aubrie advocating for > herself! Good for you for encouraging her to develop those self-advocacy > skills so early in her life. I think it's really admirable of both you and > Aubrie to know that you have the ability and circumstances to help others > who may not be able to advocate for themselves, for whatever reason. High > fives to both of you girls! > > , mom to (5) > http://kauffmanlak. <http://kauffmanlak.blogspot.com/> blogspot.com/ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 10, 2007 Report Share Posted February 10, 2007 Michele - How proud you must be of her. That is wonderful. Interesting (but scary) statistics about IL. Jody Jody - mom to Ethan (ChARGE) and --------------------------------- Need Mail bonding? Go to the Yahoo! Mail Q & A for great tips from Yahoo! Answers users. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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