PARTNERS IN POLICYMAKING

A lot of times with individuals that have an intellectual disability or a developmental disability...is we continue to create these paths of their life that are segregating and isolating, and I wanted to be apart of something different.

Soccer ball. It's about that big? Put your arms out like a soccer ball. Yeah, I think it's about that big.

I started out as an advocate, and I went from there... and took Partners in Policymaking. And then went from... Partners in Policymaking into this very vision. We volunteer at pretty much anywhere I feel like we can interact with. And engage with the public that might give them some new training or new skill we can build into their lives. But, more importantly, so they get to share their gifts and their talents to help other people. And to know that they're capable of helping other people. Because most of what their lives have always looked like is somebody helping them.

Anybody that's looking to become a better advocate. Partners. You have to take Partners in Policymaking.

And then she was like: Partners! You have to do Partners.

Partners in Policymaking is a nine-month disability, advocacy and leadership academy. It's offered in several states. Several nations. It really creates an intentional learning space for parents, self advocates and allied professionals... ...to consider how we think about disability... what are our policies, practices, our mindsets that we have about this? It's not so much about improving or changing a person with a developmental disability, but considering......whether our supports really respect the independence and dignity of those individuals.

2So, I came to Partners with the perspective of......What can I soak up that is going to make the world a better place for my kid? And I left very different. I left with the idea that it is not about my kid. She's going to have her challenges, but this is not about my kid. This is about.....a group of people who are forgotten. If you give people self worth, then look what can happen. Don't judge us by the cover of the book. Don't put us in a box.

Nothing about us, without us. I think we tend to think of disability rights as special rights for people who have limitations. We think about the Americans with Disabilities Act. But, disability rights are just a manifestation of our civil rights, and at a global level, our human rights.

I really feel we've kind of hit a tipping point here in Oklahoma. Where we're speaking about people with disabilities differently. We're considering how our laws and policies impact that. These are 66,000 Oklahomans. We're not talking about a rarity. Disability is actually the largest minority group in the United States. So we have to help parents help their kids plan for that...

There was this moment in Partners when I wasn't that far in......when I realized that I was part of my kid's disability. I was the one introducing him to the world by his limitations. He can't do that because he has a brain injury. Sorry he skips a lot. He has a brain injury. I was really diagnosing my child with a bad reputation. And if I want him to be a valued, included adult in community...I can't go around labeling him like that all the time. I can't keep pointing out how he's special and different. Because then people will eventually believe me.

You begin fixing your lunch, and you finish fixing your lunch. OK?

My son, Jeremy, who is now 15, was diagnosed at the age of 3......with autism. We didn't know what autism was. I, my husband, and he also has a big sister. So, we had to do a lot of research. Getting that diagnosis is kind of a feeling of despair. Our family began to kind of live a lonely journey.

Are you getting some strawberries? Strawberries. Get some strawberries out.

When I filled out my application for Partners and they accepted me, I didn't know what to expect. But, I quickly on the first month, I quickly started to realize this was more... I was gathering all of this information in one month. One weekend. It was turning into...information went to inspiration. Every month I remember coming home and telling my husband and telling my friends......and telling my colleagues that...every month I feel butterflies. And anticipation......and hope in my heart. Every month of what to expect, and what to learn. And realizing every month it was changing my life.

When I went to Partners, I think my son was maybe 6. Now, he's getting ready to be 16. So, wow. They've been a big part of his journey. Whether they know it or not.