Caroline......by Aunt Kellie

E.G. Plummer Invitational '08

Caroline's first "real" race (grass and hills!) Time 11:13!

Davis' time was 8:01 for the 1.1 mile course.

Wayne County Elementary boys team won first place overall with 5 finishers in the top 10!

Drew 4th - Jordan 5th - Davis 6th- Ty 7th - Tanner 9th

Dalton also had a great race with a time of 10:02!

National ANCOR Conference in D.C.

We attended the ANCOR Conference last week in D.C. in support of the Direct Support Professionals Fairness & Security Act (H.R. 1279) To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide funds to States to enable them to increase the wages paid to targeted direct support professionals in providing services to individuals with disabilities under the Medicaid Program.

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-1279

State Leadership Dinner at B.Smith's in Union Station

Meryl Streep???

The conference concluded with a march to the Capitol and a rally by Direct Support Professionals and people they support. It poured the rain, but it didn't damper their spirits, as they shared stories and discussed the importance of the work they do.

Following the rally, groups of state leaders went on Hill visits to seek support for H.R. 1279. My group visited Congressman Hal Rogers R-KY and Congressman Ben Chandler D-KY.

"Direct Support Professionals make a difference...shouldn't they also make a living?"

"Remember What You Saw"

I arrived in D.C. last Saturday night. Sunday, before our conference started, a co-worker and I went to the Holocaust Museum. I wasn't sure if it was really something I wanted to do. I knew it would probably be hard to see and take in. Well, I was right. But, one of the things I was most shocked about was how little I knew. That it was not only the Jewish people who were hated and killed. Many other groups of "imperfect", non-conforming people were also targeted. Including, people (even little children) with physical and mental disabilities. Considering the work we do, this was probably one of the most disturbing parts of the museum. I don't even know if that's okay to say. There's no way to compare or process what happened to over 9 million people.

9 million.

The conclusion of the tour was the Remembrance Room (above.)

A sign on the way out said it all, "Remember What You Saw." I know that I always will.

"You are my witnesses." Isaiah 43:10

I love a good tearjerker...

Lindsey Rose meets her Idol...