It is Time for Action As we have all watched the news across the country over the past several weeks, the social injustice that continues to take place in our country can no longer be denied. It is wrong, it is heart breaking, it is frustrating, and it is terrifying. For anyone in America to…
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In honor of Jackie Robinson and Carl Erskine
Jackie and Jimmy – my two best buddies – live out a simple truth that we are all equal and that the dignity of the individual is paramount in a healthy world. – Carl Erskine Very powerful words from a smart, accomplished, kind, and generous man. We know him as Carl Erskine, friend of The…
An Open Thank You Letter to My Mom
“I realized when you look at your mother, you are looking at the purest love you will ever know.” Mitch Albom Dear Mom, With my recent job change in the field of disability, I have found myself pondering more intensely your journey as a mother to a son who happens to have a disability. Your…
Imagine – A Gift of Grace
Sometimes it is the people who no one imagines anything of who do the things that no one can imagine. The movie The Imitation Game shares the story of mathematician Alan Turing, who works to break the German’s enigma code with help from fellow mathematicians. Turning is portrayed as an individual who may be on…
Ned’s Sister
By Kate Barrow, “Ned’s Sister” There is a long running joke among my friends and family that started when I was a kindergartner in Charlottesville, VA. My younger brother was in the pre-k class for children with special needs at the same school, and on occasion some of the fifth graders would help out in…
Advice from Someone Who was Bullied
On July 26, I went to the Bullying Conference, sponsored by the Children’s Coalition of Indiana. They talked about the kids in the school and how they are getting bullied in the school, in the cafeteria. I look around me and I know what it is like to be bullied. And it is not fun. The…
Helping Marilyn Achieve Her Dream to “Get Out of Here”
The best part of my job as Director of The Arc Master Trust is working with our trust beneficiaries to get not only basic necessities, but also the nice extras that we all want in life. Best of all, sometimes we help people change their lives and achieve their dreams. In October of 2010, I met with…
Remembering Our Pioneers, and Thanks to You Pioneers of the Future
As we approach Memorial Day, it is important to remember those who have given so much to bring the developmental disabilities movement to this point. It came home so powerfully this week. I was privileged to be the speaker for Down Syndrome Indiana’s fourth Tuesday family session at St. Luke’s UMC in Indianapolis. And into this meeting…
In Difficult Times, Remembering a Founder’s Words
Many years ago, during one of our more trying days at the Indiana General Assembly, I made the trip to Rushville to speak at the Rush County Arc annual dinner. I must admit on that day I was weary, feeling the weight of the people who did not believe in what we were trying to…