Tag: Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day Wishes

By Felisa Strickland, Board Member, The Arc of California

“What are you thankful for this year?” Have you ever been asked or thought about it and struggled with your answer? I mean, there is ALWAYS something to be thankful for, right? So, “what AM I thankful for this year?”

Many years ago, my daughter Lily was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and autism. I was digesting and adjusting to all that goes with parenting a child with disabilities, accessing services and supports and trying to find a place where we fit in. Our schools and some of our friends and family just didn’t quite get all that went into our new life with disabilities. When Lily’s father passed away, his loss left a huge hole filled with grief. Some days, it was hard to move.

I can remember times where I couldn’t think of how to answer the question, “What am I thankful for this year.” Of course there are the obvious things like waking up, having food to eat, a roof over our head, etc. … but sometimes the weight of what you’re carrying in your life can cloud your perspective and make it hard for you to see what’s right in front of you. I suppose what we are thankful for will depend on our perspective in the moment that we are asked that question.

This year I have had the unique opportunity to be a part of Caring Futures, a wonderful program created by The Arc of California. It is shining a light into the lives of parents and caregivers, providing them with resources, future planning and self-care classes and a supportive community. Teaching these classes has allowed me to meet and share experiences with so many amazing people. We all have different experiences and circumstances, but one thing in common — the need for each other. We need to connect with others going through something similar. We need to learn from each other and share our journeys in the comfort of community. It has been a remarkable first year of Caring Futures. I am grateful to be a part of such an amazing community!

All these years later and I am still digesting, transitioning and navigating the world of disability, advocating and fighting for services and supports, and most definitely still grieving the loss of Lily’s father. However, I now do it with a different perspective. I am not isolated or feeling alone, but instead I feel lifted and empowered to lift others through the comfort and strength of community. YOU are part of this community, and I am thankful you are here. Together we are stronger, and we are not alone. For that, I AM THANKFUL!

I hope this holiday season gives you many moments to be thankful for, and the opportunities to share them with those you love and care for.

Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving,

Felisa Strickland

Parent-Educator, Board Member and Proud Parent Advocate

 

Thank You

For many people Thanksgiving will look a lot different this year as the state has issued guidance for gatherings in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Without a doubt this has been a year like no other, but since I can remember Thanksgiving has always been a time to take time to remember what you are thankful for. In keeping with tradition, I want to take the time to appreciate, and be thankful for, everyone who has worked to so hard to maintain an ever changing and challenging system of system of support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout the state. It has been very difficult for some individuals with IDD, families, direct support professionals, service providers, and others to navigate the restrictions and changes to daily life. I have, and continue to be, amazed at the human spirit, the love, kindness, and generosity that people are showing one another right now. Over that last 8 months I have watched people come together and support each other in different ways, and for that I am so thankful.

I encourage everyone to take a few minutes to think about what you are thankful for. I also want to share a few things I am thankful for this year. I am thankful for the things below and so much more: 

My family who took such good care of me when I got sick, and over the months have volunteered to deliver food and personal protective equipment to people in need.

The zoom meetings hosted by various self-advocates and their willingness to share their feelings as well as support their friends as they struggle through a wide range of feelings.

The direct support professionals who are working day and night – often double shifts – to ensure that health and safety of the individuals they support.

The strength of the families that never ceases to amaze.

The innovation and creativity in micro-enterprise – a young man I know has created a business delivering fun holiday themed snacks to people at their homes. I was a lucky and thankful customer during Halloween when he dropped off the snacks in costume – made my day for sure!

The service providers who did whatever it took to adapt services to meet the needs of the people they support.

 All my colleagues who laugh at my terrible zoom jokes, share virtual happy hours with me, and work together with me on such critical and meaningful issues.

Thank you to everyone who has inspired me to see the good an appreciate the human spirit in such an uncertain time. I appreciate all of you! Happy Thanksgiving!

THANKSGIVING 2019: Gratitude for Past Accomplishments

We are less than a week away from Thanksgiving and I all I can think is “Where the heck has this year gone? And even more than that “Where has time in general gone?”. Every year as we approach Thanksgiving there are many different reminders about gratitude – literally hundreds of Facebook Memes, Instagram posts, commercials, print advertisement, and on and on – so this year I wanted to take this opportunity to write about gratitude and taking the time to recognize and appreciate progress in improving the lives of people with all types of disabilities.

Sometimes progress can feel painstakingly slow when you fight the same budget fight, run the same policy bill, encounter the same social issues, or see marginal growth in employment for people with disabilities year after year. I know there has been much progress over the last 50+ years since The Arc was established but in the interest of time and kindness to the readership I will give a few highlights from the last 40(ish) years knowing of course that there were many other accomplishments along the way.

1980s

The National Disabled Women’s Educational Equity Project was established.

The Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act authorized the UD Dept. of Justice to file civil lawsuits on behalf of residents of institutions whose rights were being violated.

The United Nations established International Year of Disabled Persons which led to the establishment of the National Organization on Disability.

The American Fair Housing Act was amended to protect people with disabilities from housing discrimination in the area of rental, sales and financing (pursuant to the Civil Rights Act of 1968). The amendment provided that reasonable modifications had to be made to existing buildings and accessibility had to be constructed into new multi-family housing units.

The Technology-related Assistance Act for Individuals with Disabilities became law in the US authorizing federal funding to facilitate access to assistive technology.

The original version of the Americans with Disabilities Act was introduced

1990s

The Americans with Disabilities Act became law and provided comprehensive civil rights protections for people with disabilities

The Hate Crimes Statistics Act of 1990 required the Attorney General to collect date on crimes committed because of the victim’s disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or ethnicity.

Robert Williams was appointed as Commissioner to the Administration of Developmental Disabilities, he was the first person with a developmental disability to be appointed to the position.

The American Association of People with Disabilities was founded.

The Work Incentives Improvement Act (Ticket to Work) became law in the US allowing people with disabilities who needed heath care benefits to work.

The Olmstead v. L.C and E.W Supreme Court decision found unjustified segregation of people with disabilities was unlawful under the ADA

2000s

The Help America Vote Act became law and required voting systems to be accessible for people with disabilities, including special assistance for blind or otherwise visually impaired voters.

The Special Olympics Sports and Empowerment Act was signed into law authorizing funding for its Health Athletes, Education, and Worldwide Expansion programs

The California Mental Health parity Act became law as a result of Prop 63 to establish a broad continuum of community-based prevention, early intervention and other services for persons with mental illness.

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 became law prohibiting insurance plans from denying coverage to a healthy person or charging a person a higher premium based solely on a genetic predisposition, it also barred employer from using the information when making hiring, firing, promotion or job placement decisions.

2010s

The 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act was signed into law and required that unedited, full-length programs shown on television with captions must also be shown on-line with captions

Rosa’s Law passed and required a change in federal statute when referring to people with intellectual disabilities (eliminated the reference to mental retardation).

The Fair, Accurate, Inclusive, and Respectful Education Act became law and required California to include contributions for people with disabilities in their textbooks and teaching of history and social studies.

The US Department of Education issued a mandate requiring schools to provide sports to children with disabilities, specifically children with disabilities that want to compete in sports for their schools can join traditional teams and officials must make reasonable modifications for them.

The Stephen Beck Jr. Achieving a Better Life Act became law creating a new Internal Revenue Service Code under Section 529 to create a tax-free savings account for qualified expenses.

When I look at the amazing contributions so many have made in the past, I can’t help but be grateful. In just the very few highlights listed above there were so many people who, though likely did not agree on everything, worked together to improve the lives, civil rights, health care, community-living options, education, employment, etc. of the lives of people with disabilities. In my gratitude I am reminded that we truly do stand on the shoulders of giants!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

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