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By Pat Hornbecker, Parent-advocate and President, The Arc of California Board of Directors
This Thanksgiving, my heart is full of gratitude for the love, resilience, and unity that define our community. As a mother of four — including Joseph, my extraordinary 45-year-old son who lives with a developmental disability — I understand the joy, complexity, and strength that come with supporting a loved one.
As President of the Board of Directors of The Arc of California, I am honored to stand with more than half a million Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
This year has not been easy. Threats to healthcare, education, and essential services have created real uncertainty for many families. Regressive policies and funding cuts continue to put pressure on the vital supports our loved ones rely on. These challenges are heavy, and it’s normal to feel the weight of them, but none of us are facing them alone.
To every parent, caregiver, self-advocate, and ally who shows up every day with courage: your strength fuels this movement and inspires me daily. Behind every policy debate is a family like yours and mine. Behind every statistic is a person with hopes, goals, and a future worth fighting for. Your experiences shape the work we do, and your resilience is the foundation of everything The Arc stands for.
The Arc of California remains unwavering in its commitment to protect the civil and human rights of people with disabilities. We continue to work alongside families, Regional Centers, service providers, school districts, and community partners to ensure that California’s policies expand opportunity rather than limit it. Our mission is grounded in inclusion, dignity, and full participation — values we will never compromise.
As we gather with loved ones this Thanksgiving, I hope you find moments of peace, connection, and renewed hope. Progress may take time, but together, our collective voice is powerful. When we support one another and speak out together, we move our state and our nation closer to a future where every person belongs and thrives.
From my family to yours — and especially from Joseph, who continues to teach me perseverance and joy — I wish you a warm and meaningful Thanksgiving. Thank you for being the heart of this movement. Together, we will continue forward: one step, one voice, one family at a time.
With gratitude and solidarity,
Pat Hornbecker