A Moment of Appreciation

Over these past few months, I have been the beneficiary of an incredible program. Jim Dejong, Director of the ADA Great Plains Center believed in a need to train the next generation of disability advocates, this in addition to his desire establish a greater working relationship with Disability Rights Iowa was the impetus for my internship position.  Everything bellow was made possible by his foresight, dedication, and willingness to provide the means for this opportunity. 

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Eight months ago, I was ripping tickets in a movie theater. A recent college graduate, feeling dejected and unsure of how to proceed, this internship presented me a path into a career I had always aspired to be a part of. I applied, never wanting anything more in my life. When I was called in for an interview, I was elated. Three hours after I left the interview, I was called and told the position was mine. I’m still unsure how I could have been so fortunate. This internship has allowed me to support myself to a degree I would have never dreamed possible, and provided me an opportunity to devote myself to becoming a better advocate. From the beginning, Mr. Dejong wished this internship to be a sampling of the many forms advocacy which take place in the state, and it has been a unique, and fast paced education. I spent a week shadowing Mr. David Mitchell, leaning from the head of Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation about all the amazing ways they bring people with disabilities closer to full, meaningful employment. I’ve written already of Mr. Mitchell’s invaluable passion and insight, and learning from the head of a multimillion dollar state program was a jolting experience for a lowly intern. I rode on a boat on the San Antonio River, attended the ADA National Symposium and learned from the leaders in Disability Rights and advocacy. I visited a prison, talked with fellow advocates, and worked and learned besides an entire community of lifelong disability advocates. It has been every bit the experience I hoped it would be.

My time with Mike Williams over at the Department of Human Rights, led me to the most meaningful experience of this internship. Staffing and learning from the delegates of the Iowa Youth Leadership Forum was a truly life changing experience, which gave me the ability to truly appreciate the unique and powerful voice central to the disabled community.  Mike is a passionate, dedicated advocate, and it’s his work which has made Iowa’s YLF one of the best in the country. On a personal level, he was incredibly generous with his time, and made every effort to include me in every aspect of his job. Beyond that, his good company, his warmth, and his endless store of affability and desire to help and befriend all around him makes him a wonderful asset to our state, and an even better man. As Mike moves on to his CAP position, the Disability Consultant post will be filled by Ms. Page Eastin. Though I’ve only met Page on a few occasions, I’ve heard from people who I trust and value that she is an incredible advocate and person. My brief encounters with her have all but confirmed those reports, and I simply cannot wait to see to what new heights she takes the YLF program.

I also must thank Heidi Smith, who works organizing several different divisions within the Department of Human Rights. It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say Heidi is perhaps the most universally adored member of the advocacy community I’ve meet. Simply mentioning her name to anyone is sure to incite a compliment for her expertise and kindness. Her incredible understanding of the disability issues, her calming, capable presence, and sheer ability to get things done is astounding. Infinitely busy, but always willing to make time for everyone and anyone, she is a part of what made my time at the Department of Human Rights so special.

I would be sorely remiss if I didn’t take the time to recognize the work of the Organization with whom I’ve spent the majority of my internship. But before I do, I think I need to expand on something that someone without a disability may not understand. My time at Disability Rights Iowa was incredible. I learned a great deal, spent time with wonderful people, and became part of a professional community. It’s that last bit that I was surprised to find so affecting. People with disabilities are rarely offered the opportunity to feel like colleagues, or professionals in any field. We often face condescension, or limited participation in our workplace. But at DRI? I was made to feel valuable, welcome, and an instant member of their professional organization. This meant I was awarded the dignity of being held to a standard, and my input given time and consideration. For a person with a disability, this can be unfortunately rare. And for that inclusion alone I owe them a great of thanks. But…I grew intensely value the work of the people here at DRI, and I can’t pass up the opportunity to introduce and thank them.

Without a great administrative staff, DRI wouldn’t be able to function, and thankfully I was able to work with an amazing collection of people. I want to thank Hope for teaching me how to operate everything from my phone to my email with a seemingly endless reservoir of patience. She’s seems to be good at every aspect of this job, and approaches it a seemingly endless store of positivity. I want to thank Katie, both for her excellent work on the DRI site (for everything she does really) as well as for being cool about me almost accidently bringing a million pound filling cabinet down onto my head. (Though I was sternly if politely banned from coming within ten feet of the cabinet ever again) I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention my long time office mate and advocate Christie, whose kindheartedness is a wonderful gift to everyone around her, and I will keep her and her husband in my thoughts and prayers. Her work on voting within the disabled population leads us ever closer to being full participants in our government and I WILL one day pay her back for all the Sushi she bought me.

I want to recognize the dedicated and essential work of Advocates, Char and Beth. It is their work that is a key part of putting a stop to abuse and neglect within the Disabled Community and their team serves as a safeguard for those often most vulnerable to mistreatment. The disabled community and I owe this group a tremendous debt of gratitude. More personally, I want to thank Char for being the perfect presentation/road trip partner. I enjoyed her company, and her willingness to dive into new and crazy situations. I’m also thankful for Beth for the inspiration both she and her sons offer our community through their work. Beth for her sheer fearlessness when she knows she is in the right, to her sons for their incredible accomplishment of independence, and the inspiration they offer to other members of the disabled community.

 Disability Rights Iowa has grown tremendously in a very short amount of time. In the past few years DRI has emerged as a leader in disability advocacy in this State. This emergence is due in no small part to Director Jane Hudson and the active, dedicated board whose work moved the organization in new and exciting directions. One of their expansions of course was to secure a fully staffed and talented accounting staff, whose professionalism and dedication enabled DRI to secure all the funding necessary to serve the people of Iowa. As DRI continues to grow, the work of financial director, Linda and head accountant Mark will become all the more essential. It is their management that has enabled DRI to grow in leaps and bounds over the last few years, and sustain its vibrant, growing legal team. Most importantly of all, they are kind enough to pay me money now and again.

  
I wish to thank DRI’s legal staff. DRI is many things, but it first and foremost it is here to address disability related legal needs. The legal staff, in part because of the great variety of legal issues that often come with disability, often ends up with many different kinds of responsibilities. Each attorney then tends to focus on a specific area. Scott focuses primarily on disability and DHS issues, and as a former marine is clearly tougher than anyone in the office by a cool mile. His beard lends an air of dignity to DRI that can’t be replicated. Nathan focuses primarily on juvenile cases and once made the mistake of actually indulging me and talking about disability theory. Poor guy didn’t know what he was getting into. Attorney Janya works for DRI doing all manner of site visits and deals with protecting the wellbeing and safety of Iowans with disabilities. She recently brought a new baby girl Aubrey into the world, and last I saw her she couldn’t look happier.  I know DRI is eager to have her back. I also can’t forget new attorney’s John and Whitney. Though I haven’t had the opportunity to work closely with either of them, I know their warmth and sheer expertise will be a great addition to the advocacy community here in Iowa. Finally, Paralegal Jean helped me learn the inner workings of DRI bureaucracy and turned me into a far more effective advocate, emphasizing at all times that no, I can’t just write “GOT STUFF DONE, MORE MONEY PLEASE?!?!” on a napkin and mail it to the US government.

Both Executive Director Jane Hudson and Head Staff Attorney Cyndy Miller have continually gone out of their way to make this experience a valuable one. Cyndy introduced me to nearly all aspects of DRI work, running me through often complex procedures, and kindly yet clearly establishing the expectations that come with this job. Cyndy is incredibly organized both in her thinking and her work, with a brain that seems continually focused on helping her clients. Her attention to detail and desire to maintain a high level of professionalism at all times is invaluable to an organization like DRI. Unfortunately, she got an Intern who was sometimes widely disorganized, inexperienced, and initially lacking in any understanding of how an office operates. I slowly learned how to make myself of use; and Cyndy was kind and obliging, but more than willing to politely inform me of when I was not going about things as they needed to be done. As the boss directly overseeing my daily work, she has given me a foundation of skills and understanding that will serve me well for years to come. I’m grateful, and I hope I contributed in some way to her work. Cyndy is a central part of what makes this place so incredibly effective and well regarded.

Finally, I’d like to thank Director of DRI, Jane Hudson. Upon Jane’s arrival she, with the help of its remaining staff, turned DRI into a thriving, widely respected organization. On my first day here, I was amazed at the interest Jane paid to the day to day workings. She is an engaged, passionate and knowledgeable Director and it was her encouragement which led to this blog, which has evolved into my favorite aspect of my work here.  Jane has consistently worked to continually improve the value of my internship, and to assist me in any way she can as I begin gaining experience. Perhaps most importantly, she pushes me to succeed and make my mark on a field I love. She fostered in me something new and altogether exciting: ambition and higher hopes for the scope of my future.  I’d be remiss if I didn’t recognize all her work, and the tremendous impact she’s had at DRI.

Every good organization is at its base a collection of passionate people. Before my time here, I was already a fan of the work of DRI, and proud to become associated with this organization upon my hiring. But, it was only as I met the people at the heart of DRI’s success that I could come to fully appreciate its work and the people who make it happen. DRI is a tremendous collaborative effort, an effort bolstered by a staff who genuinely works to serve Iowans with Disabilities. To work in the service of others, regardless of the capacity is an amazing thing. Public service, particularly to those in most need of it, speaks to the best parts of us all. Here is where I owe the greatest thank-you directly to the people of DRI:

I am a member of minority group that has been abused, mistreated, and sometimes relegated to the fringes of society for much of our history. We have been subjected continually to policies of discrimination, and we live with the lasting consequences of social and political isolation. For that reason, I see no fault in stating that we need your help, and I don’t think that it belittles our community to say as much. We need help defending the rights we worked so long to see recognized, help to combat the abuse and horrific violence of neglect. We need people with an incredible intelligence, dedication, and capacity for human kindness to supplement our own. People with Disabilities have found that support in DRI, and I have found it in everything you do. To live and to work in stewardship to others is a tremendous privilege. It is also sometimes frustrating, exhausting, and can go all too unrecognized. Please know that you are appreciated, even by those sometimes unable to express that appreciation. You defend our right to be treated as full, human beings. It is as simple and essential as that. And I don’t think I have the ability to fully articulate just how meaningful that is to me, and the countless others you have served.  It was a great pleasure to meet every one of you, and it was a privilege calling myself your colleague if only for a brief time. On behalf of myself, and all my brothers and sisters in the disabled community you have helped over the years, you have my sincere and lifelong gratitude.  Thank you so very much.