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Hey all Kamisha here, I hope you all are enjoying the sunshine! We have awesome material coming your way, so stay tuned and has always keep reading!
Happy birthday to all the summer babies out there, We hope you all have a fantastic and great day!!
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YOUR IDEAS COUNT
MASS' Annual Self-Advocacy Conference
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Are you interested in receiving more information about the YOUR IDEAS COUNT Conference?
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LOCATION
Sheraton Framingham Hotel
DATE AND TIME
10/19/19
9:00am -
10/19/19
4:00pm
REGISTRATION INFORMATION COMING OUT SOON!
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About the MASS Annual Self-Advocacy Conference:
This empowering self-advocacy conference will have a variety of fun, interesting, and educational workshops! There will be exhibitor tables, beautiful artistic crafts of all kinds to buy, speakers, entertainment, raffles and more! We will also be celebrating Rainbow's 15th Anniversary!
COME MEET OLD FRIENDS, MAKE NEW FRIENDS HAVE FUN!
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Ladies and gentlemen I have exciting news to share with on Thursday May 2
nd
2019 I went Tufts University School of Dental Medicine to speak the students about my experiences in dental offices while being a person with disabilities. I presented with another speaker. I gave the students some tips and tricks on how to help their patients with disabilities have a great experience in the chair moving forward! They all loved it! I met a lot of fantastic people, who I now call my friends! My friend Haley said to me that day “I’ve been all week for your speech!” I love hearing things like that and I being able to share my stories with the world! If I share my stories with you and you only learn one thing that’s all that matters to me at the end of the day! To think that this all started from my friend Kaitlyn watching my movie “The Journey.” And building connections! Everyone wants me to come back and I enjoyed it so much I said “I would love to come back!” As a matter of fact I have another speech to present at Tufts University on Thursday October 3
rd
, I can’t wait! I am so excited!! Stay tuned for the story!
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Story of the month!
Donna Powers
Donna Powers is a Self-Advocate from the Southeast Region. I have often thought that Donna’s middle name is “SUPER” for Donna Super Powers. I say this because Donna has the uncanny ability to put thoughts into other people’s heads.
Donna uses a wheelchair for mobility. She is not able to speak. This does not stop her from expressing her views and advocating for herself and others. Although she has a computer for communication, it is not good for real time conversations. She gets her point across with facial expressions and eye gazing. She is a pro. She informs her support staff of her choices and they follow through to meet her expectations.
Donna is the Vice-President of her Kiwanis Aktion Club. She won a three person race to be chosen as VP. In this role it is her responsibility to run the meetings when the President is not available. She participates in club activities: fundraising, community service and having fun! One of the projects her club completed was funding a beach wheelchair for a local pond. This had the immediate impact of changing the opportunities for people who live in her area. She was featured in the Middleboro Gazette demonstrating the use of the chair. This is a point of pride for her.
Donna was recently asked to meet with Regional Director, Rick O’Meara and the Southeast Region Advisory Committee to talk about Self Advocacy. Naturally, if you know Donna, she didn’t go to the meeting just to give information. She came with a list of questions of her own for Mr. O’Meara. He was very gracious and answered all of her questions.
Every day Donna proves that you don’t have to have a voice to be heard!
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In Todays World!
The time has finally come! I can’t believe it, in 2020 things are changing for the better why because not only are you going to see all the presidents on currency in 2020 you will start to see women, people of color, and activists beside them and I am extremely excited about it!
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Southeast Regional Coordinator:
Gail Delgado
Email:
Gail@ma-advocates.org
Phone:
339-832-2922
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Southeast Highlights for June and July
NO AUGUST
SOUTHEAST REGIONAL MEETING!
- The June 11th meeting was held as scheduled and final preparations were done for the dance. The group voted for nominees for the Nancy Maynard Leadership and Gunner Dybward Supporter Award and results will be submitted to Conference Committee.
- On July 16th over 100 self advocates from around the region got together for their 1st Annual Dance Fundraiser with entertainment provided by MAI Band and DJ David.
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NO
RTH
EAST REGION UPDATES
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Northeast Regional Coordinator:
Bridget Crowley
Email:
Bridget@ma-advocates.org
Phone:
781-789-4274
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Northeast Highlights for July!
In July the Northeast Region welcomed DDS Regional Director, Kelly Lawless, to our monthly meeting. She talked with us about the ISP and we shared concerns and hopes around transportation and human rights. We took part in a Transition Task Force event about Self-Determination for students along with the Arc of Greater Haverhill and the Northeast Independent Living Program. We had fun leading an activity with students about communication and John Anton assisted a group exploring interviewing dos and don’ts.
- Two new members from the Northeast and one from Metro has joined the MASS Supported Decision Making Task Force at our meeting on July 27th. Welcome to Marie Hennessey, Don O’Callaghan and Austin Carr.
- In August MASS Members from the Merrimack Valley will attend a meeting about transportation needs with the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission on August 8th. At our August meeting we welcome Dr. Inger Riley of the Mass Rights for Change Project to talk with us about this project.
- We also hope to connect with members of SABE to talk more about efforts to end the Marriage Penalty.
Please click here for Fact Sheet describing the
Northeast August Regional Meeting
Northeast Self- Advocates August 14th Meeting
with special guest,
Dr. Inger Riley
of the Mass Rights for Change Project
Time:
6-8PM
Place
: HMEA, 261 N Main St, Middleton
Other topics:
Transportation; Marriage Penalty; Voting on Meeting Rules
More info: contact Bridget at 781-789-4274
or bridget@ma-advocates.org
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Central Regional Coordinator:
Sue Moriarty
Email:
Sue@ma-advocates.org
Phone:
508-209-7184
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Central Highlights for July
and August!
- Central has been enjoying the warm summer days in July! The Central Workteam held our annual cookout on Lake Quinsigamond ….the weather was perfect, the burgers and hotdogs were great, thanks to our chef James Williams! We had a pot luck, music, games and prizes, but mostly we just enjoyed visiting with each other!
- MASS and the Mass Rights for Change grant project visited Blackstone Valley self-advocates in July. Pauline also shared what Rainbow is up to and the upcoming RSG anniversary!
- In mid-July some of us attended the self-direction ice cream social at Seven Hills Foundation. It was fun to chat over ice cream with every kind of topping you could imagine!
- Pauline and James Williams trained new DDS Service Coordinators in July. We always have an active group, and we make it fun and also give out lots of information about MASS.
- Many of our friends from the REDD Group attended a movie at the Worcester Pop-up art space “Lives That Matter”. The movie was part of Worcester’s celebration of the 29th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- We also plan to welcome a couple of new members! We hope to meet DDS Acting Regional Director Lisa Saba in September!
- Happy August from Central!
Central August Regional Meeting
- Our next Central Workteam meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 13th at the Autism Resource Central on 712 Plantation St in Worcester, 6-8PM. All are welcome to join us as we discuss guardianship and human rights with Teka Harris.
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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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Metro Highlights for June - August
- On June 25th, Anne Fracht and Joe O’Connell attended the State House Hearing on Supported Decision Making. Anne testified along with other self advocates from around the state.
- Anne Fracht and Kim Plaut attend the monthly board meeting and updated the group in July. The Board is continuing their work for the future and will be making decisions regarding the conference. Announcements will be coming soon.
- Matthew Bander is hard at work gathering prizes for the Annual Conference, and the group would like others to gather gift cards and prizes for the Annual Conference outside of the Newton Area. Thank you and any questions, call Gail at 339-832-2922.
Metro August Regional Meeting
Join other self-advocates!!!!
August 15, 2019 6:00pm – 7:30PM
Beaverbrook STEP
85 Main Street, Watertown MA
“Nothing About Us Without Us!!!!”
Bring a snack to share after a short business meeting, bring your summer fun stories to share with others.
Self-advocates and the region coordinator are continuing efforts to reach out to self-advocates in the Metro Region. Anyone interested is joining the regional efforts for MASS call Gail for details.
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LEGISLATIVE TRANSPORTATION UPDATES:
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2019 Legislative Education Day Visits
2019 Every 2nd Wednesday of the month.
State House Meeting Dates
January 9
February 13
March 13
April 10
May 8
June 12
July 10
August 14
September 11
NO OCTOBER MEETING
November 13
December 11
We meet 10:00 AM on the second floor of the State House at the foot of the Grande Staircase to the right where there are wooden benches.
Please call Kamisha or Marie at the M.A.S.S office
617-624-7549 for more information.
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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!
~
Kamisha
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Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong
500 Harrison Avenue, Suite 116 | 617-624-7549
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