MASS FLASH FEBRUARY 2020!
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Rise and shine sleepyheads and say hello to February 2020! I don’t know about you but I would love to start off the new year with a bang and I thought it would be fun to bring you along for the ride! Stay tuned because you don’t want to miss out!
Calling all February babies - that time has officially arrived, time to celebrate you once again! Always remember to be yourself no matter what happens next!
Happy Black History Month everyone, always remember to embrace everything that you are and keep fighting for what you believe in!
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Kamisha's Corner
Hourglass, by Kamisha Heriveaux
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As I watch the sand of the hourglass fall. I hear nothing but silence. Then I start to realize every grain of sand is a part of life. Even though it might not look like it, the sand holds your past, your present, and your future! You never know where the hourglass will take you at the end of the day. Wherever it is, I know you will do unbelievable things! Get ready for it! You better hold on tight because the world is not ready for you and what you have in store for it! Everything is in your reach!
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Starting today there is a new section called
Words of Encouragement!!
Every month will have some inspirational words of encouragement to motivate you and get you through it!
Today’s words of encouragement are:
“You can do anything you put your mind to!”
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Story Of The Month!
Joe Chinzi!
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Joe Chinzi is a Self-Advocate supported by SRS. He has been employed at Stop and Shop in Pembroke since 1991 for 28 years of dedicated customer service. He enjoys his job and looks forward to it.
Joe is his own guardian. He is responsible to make all the decisions in his life. He sometimes seeks guidance and support from his Dad, or people he trusts, if he has a difficult decision to make.

Joe is an Advocate for his health care. Joe understands the importance of good health. He has Diabetes. He must test his blood sugar 3 times a day. He self-administers insulin by mouth, or by injection, based on his test results. He knows the importance of communicating with his health care team in order to maintain the level of wellness he enjoys. He watches what he eats, exercises regularly, and really likes swimming. He attends open swim night every Tuesday at the YMCA in Middleboro.
Joe likes to travel. He went to Orlando, Florida supported by Search Beyond Adventures. He spent a week visiting Disney and other places. He also recently went on a trip to Italy with his Dad. It was a long flight - over 8 hours! But it was worth it to see the beautiful and historic sights. Joe said “I love traveling with my Dad." When asked where he might like to go next he is open minded. He would like to go someplace but his mind isn’t made up yet.
This year Joe turned his love of doing jigsaw puzzles into a small business. He makes the puzzles then when they are finished he frames them for sale. You may have seen his work at the MASS Conference in October. He had a table where he happily SOLD OUT! He is already at work putting pieces together to have some ready for sale at an upcoming craft/bake sale in Middleboro.
Joe attends Self Advocacy meetings once a month. He also has participated in MASS Legislative Education Day at the State house where he spoke to legislative staff about concerns for people like himself. Joe is proud to stand up for himself and for others.
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2 P/T Training Team Coordinator Jobs~Apply by Mon. Feb.24th!
P/T jobs involve supporting & coordinating self-advocate training teams in a specific region. It will require approximately 180 flexible work hours yearly. If interested click the read more link to learn more & apply to info@ma-advocates.org by 2/24.
Read more
myemail.constantcontact.com
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Words from MASS Board Member, Kim, on Voting!
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When I was young one of the things that I learned when I turned 18 is that it was the very first time that I was going to be able to vote. I was really excited because it was my first time and the President that I wanted actually won. It was wonderful. Since then, I have continued to vote not just in elections, or primary elections, but also in many different types of events around Massachusetts.
I encourage people to advocate and speak up for themselves I talk to my friends all the time about how to advocate and how important it is to vote. I know sometimes it can be hard to make a decision. Yet the hardest decision I find to make is whether or not I should vote for one or the other. Even though that is a difficult decision for me I know that I'm doing the right thing.
I know using my voice gives me the ability to make change in the world. Whether it's on paper or by vocal electronic voting help, or even by voicing my opinion on who I want to vote for, voting is a very important thing in life that happens all over the place.
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In a way people vote every day. A good example is when people vote where they want to go if they live in a home with others, or they may vote on what types of activities they want to do for fun. People vote every day they just don't realize it.
I vote every day. It might just be in my mind, yet I make my own choice whether I want to take the bus or not, or choose what I want to do when it comes to how I get to school. I vote whether I should take the bus, take the Ride, or take a taxi. It's me voting in my mind about what the best options are. It is a vote that I make on my own, it's also called a decision, but nonetheless it is still voting. Whether you were doing it yourself by making a decision, or doing it publicly, voting is something that matters.
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MARCH LEGISLATIVE EVENTS AT THE STATEHOUSE:
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Save the dates for
March 4th
and
March 18th
!
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Please Note:
There will
not
be a legislative day meeting at the Statehouse in February, but please join us at the upcoming March events!
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Wednesday, March 4th, 10:30 - 11:30AM
Come join MASS and kick off National Developmental Disabilities Month at the 42nd Annual Legislative Reception,
'
Breaking Through Bias: Advancing Opportunities, Raising Expectations
'
organized by the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council & The Arc of Massachusetts. This is an opportunity to meet and catch up on legislative priorities and other important issues.
Registration opens at 10:00AM. The program will run from 10:30AM to 11:30AM in the Great Hall, followed by visits to your legislators.
Please try to set up an appointment ahead of time to meet with your legislators, and encourage them to attend the Legislative Reception. To identify your legislators and for a link to their contact information, click or go here:
http://wheredoivotema.com/bal/MyElectionInfo.aspx
Online registration will stay open until March 2, 2020. General Registration can be found here:
https://conta.cc/2FEtiPW
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Wednesday, March 18th, 10:00AM - 12 Noon
Also in March, the Department of Developmental Services Statewide Advisory Council is hosting another Annual State House Event on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 to celebrate
'Technology Forward'
.
Take part in recognizing the accomplishments of individuals, families, providers, and community participants using technology in services.
At the event, DDS will present the annual awards for leadership, health and human services, and advocacy. Click the links below to download the nomination forms and learn more about the Dybwad, Crocker, and Ricci awards:
Please submit award nominations by 5pm on Tuesday, February 25th.
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Project GATOR!
Guardianship and Transfer of Rights (GATOR) project update: MASS researchers Kamisha Heriveaux, Cynthia Goldberg, and Derek Spear are enjoying their work with the Institute for Community Inclusion and the Self Advocacy Association of New York State (SANYS) to find out what information students and parents get about the Transfer of Rights when students turn eighteen years old. The first phase is searching what is out there and we are learning how to “scope” the existing information about this topic.
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MASS SUPPORTED
DECISION MAKING TASK FORCE!
The task force is meeting this Saturday, February 8th, at Harvard Law School in Austin Hall from 11:30AM - 3PM to prepare webinars educating others about our task force and supported decision-making. This Saturday's meeting is to learn about agreement forms used by other states to help us create a MASS supported decision-making agreement form.
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Northeast Regional Coordinator:
Bridget Crowley
Email:
Bridget@ma-advocates.org
Phone:
781-789-4274
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Happy February Everyone! This month we’ve been making plans for the coming year and lining up dates to spread self-advocacy!
In December we raised $381 to help with costs to attend the national Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE) Moving Mountains Conference in October. In January our regional elections for Treasurer and Secretary were held, we discussed registering to Vote and speaking up for transportation at the public meeting in Haverhill on January 23rd, and on January 30th we presented on Speaking Up with youth at Northern Essex Community College. We will do this presentation again on February 26th at Opportunity Works.
Also in February Donna Jay will present about the marriage penalty at the NE Arc monthly self-advocacy meeting. And we will give our Voting Rights Training at Communitas in Beverly on February 13th, and a week later on February 20th Therese L. is going to present to the Threshold Program at Lesley University about the importance of self-advocacy!
We have rights and we have a responsibility to speak up. We do make a difference! Speaking of making a difference, MaryEllen Grelle represented self-advocates in the Merrimack Valley at a Legislative Forum with over 100 people in Lawrence on Transportation. MaryEllen raised the need for longer evening bus service hours and connections between areas so everyone can go to meetings, work, and see loved ones!
Our next social event will be a Spring Fling. Stay tuned for more details and monthly updates.
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Southeast Regional Coordinator:
Gail Delgado
Email:
Gail@ma-advocates.org
Phone:
339-832-2922
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SAVE THE DATE:
FEBRUARY 13, 6pm-7:30pm at Lakeville Public Library 4 Precinct St., Lakeville, MA.
Join other self advocates in the Southeast region, express your voice, and brainstorm with others about issues in your region, community, and across the state. The southeast regional group will be discussing voting, how to do your political homework, and connect with legislators representing communities in the southeast.
OTHER NEWS:
DDS Southeast recently held their Human Rights Forum, educating your human rights officers, sexuality education, and how to help self-advocates have healthy relationships. Two self-advocates from the Foxboro Rainbow Support Group spoke to the audience of human rights coordinators and officers, Lisa Pedrotti and Tommy Pruvot.
In January our regional meeting guest speaker was Neil Stein, who shared his voting presentation that he recently put together for a Public Speaking workshop series he attended. Also in January
Southeast Board members Albert, AJ, and George started a new year of MASS Board meetings in January.
A small group of self advocates are saving their money to attend SABE National Conference October 2020 in Denver. They are getting excited to attend this conference. Check out the conference at the following link:
http://sabeconference.org/
Not involved with the southeast region yet?
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CENTRAL REGION UPDATES
Central Regional Coordinator: Sue Moriarty
Email: Sue@ma-advocates.org
Phone: 508-209-7184
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Central region started off the new year with a look at the many activities and events we did in 2019 and those we plan to do in 2020!
We attended the self-direction support group and shared what we do at MASS with parents and young adults.
We also trained 24 DDS Service Coordinators about MASS and what self-advocacy is all about.
Some of us watched and videotaped the historic passing of Nikki’s Law.
We attended the Worcester area transportation meetings and the REDD Group. The new theme for transportation advocacy is “Don’t Just Sit There!” Check out on Facebook the “Waiting For The Bus” page where you will find great news and discussions about transportation.
We look forward to guest speakers at our upcoming regional meetings, including a WRTA mobility specialist, an area legislator and ally who is interested in transportation, our DDS Regional Director, and others. We are also preparing to host tables at upcoming transition fairs. We will also be planning some activities about voting to prepare for the 2020 elections. What a busy year ahead!
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METRO REGION UPDATES
Metro Regional Coordinator:
Gail Delgado
Email:
Gail@ma-advocates.org
Phone:
339-832-2922
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SAVE THE DATE:
FEBRUARY 20, 6pm to 7:30pm at Beaverbrook STEP 85 Main Street Watertown, MA
Join other self advocates around the city of Boston, we are looking for new people that want to join us to discuss the issues facing self-advocates.
Metro will be talking about voting, doing your political homework, bills in the State House that pertain to issues like camera’s in common areas of group homes, and what will happen now that Nicky’s Law has passed!
OTHER NEWS:
Metro Region Human Rights Forum, 2019 Advocacy Through Art was well attended with over 100 people browsing art from some of the best in the region. Thank you to TILL Wave Gallery for holding the Art showing.
Jeffrey Paquette: “My painting represents the brave person that I am to face the challenges I am presented with due to my vision impairment.”
Emily Bill: “I make art to help people to get to know me and the things I am capable of doing.”
Are you interested in being a MASS Board member, reach out to Gail,
gail@ma-advocates.org
or call 339-832-2922. Let’s talk about the requirements and supports needed to be elected to the board. Metro region has one open position.
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The Rainbow Support Group of Western Massachusetts will be meeting Wednesday, February 26th, 5:30-7PM at the Western Massachusetts Training Consortium, 187 High St, Suite 303 (3rd floor), Holyoke MA. All LGBTQ+ self advocates and allies are welcome. No RSVP required.
See a hockey game with awesome self-advocates and support West Region Self Advocacy by joining us for our annual Thunderbirds Hockey Game Fundraiser on Sunday, March 8th 2020 at 3PM! Tickets are $15 for self-advocates and $20 for staff. Tickets include popcorn, a hot dog, and a soda, and a portion of all proceeds go to support West Region Self Advocacy. Please go to
http://masswrsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/here.pdf
to learn more and order tickets!
West Region Self Advocacy would like to welcome Kelly Mancini, the new adviser to Open Door Club, the Northampton, Massachusetts self advocacy group. Kelly’s enthusiasm is already infectious and we are excited to have her on our team.
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Do You Want to Be in the MASS FLASH?
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Attention Everyone!
Is there anything exciting happening in your life that you are just itching to talk about? Want to share it with the world?!
If so, great because I, Kamisha Heriveaux, am always on the look out for interesting events, your hobbies, and topics that interest you - so please don't hesitate to reach out!
I can't wait to hear from all of YOU! Have a great day and keep on reading!
~
Kamisha
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Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong
500 Harrison Avenue, Suite 116 | 617-624-7549
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