Partners In Policymaking: A Great Opportunity
In 2004, Hannah arrived on her own schedule. By that, I mean early – emergency early. Her body had drawn its own ultrasound map, slowing and then ending growth somewhere toward the end of the 2nd trimester. When she was born, we didn't know what to expect.
Over the next six months, we figured out much of the medical stuff. We moved from feeding syringe and breathing triage at three months to trach and ventilator care at six months. When Hannah became ventilator dependent, she qualified for in-home nursing care through the Oregon MFCU Medicaid waiver program. Suddenly, we had support. Nurses trained us. We became expert, one-patient RTs. And we got to raise our daughter at home with our family.
As our life stabilized (that is certainly a relative term), Janette and I wanted to give something back. Here we were, getting fantastic support that allowed us to keep our family intact and healthy; we owed someone something. Janette wanted and needed to continue to focus on Hannah; I decided to go out foraging for that something.
That's where Partners In Policymaking came in. In late 2005, I was accepted into the Partners program. I traveled down to Salem once a month and jumped into Disability Advocacy and Leadership 101 with my classmates. We listened, learned, and shared. We built skills that would help us understand and influence policies that impact people and families that experience developmental disabilities.
I graduated in September 2006. I looked for ways to use my newfound knowledge and enthusiasm back in the community. Some of my efforts faltered; some succeeded. Several continue.
In big and small ways, many in our Partners 2006 class have also found ways to contribute since graduation. Some graduates advocate for educational and community inclusion. One speaks at local schools, describing her own experience growing up in those schools. Two started and lead the popular & growing All Born In conference each year. Several serve on the board of Self-Advocates as Leaders (SAL). One graduate even serves as a State Representitive. All of us, I think, continue to develop ways to contribute.
Maybe you would like to contribute, and you are looking for a way to get started. Well, if you live in Oregon, the Oregon Partners In Policymaking program is accepting applications for the 2008 session. To learn more, click here.
The deadline for receipt of applications is November 23, so apply ASAP. If you are wondering if this is for you, don't just take my word for it; listen to what some other Partners' graduates have said:
Q: "What was your favorite aspect of Oregon Partners in Policymaking?"
Answers:
"The constant messages that our kids have rights and futures that are worth fighting for. Knowledge that we are not alone. Highlights: Kathie Snow, Michael Remus, David Pitonyak, George Braddock."
“An amazing, empowering program for advocates who wish to learn their way through legal, moral, and ethical maze the government and different programs stick us in."
"Focusing on the BIG PICTURE, or the problem instead of the symptoms. I didn’t realize how caught up I was in day-to-day and not trying to improve...."
More graduates speak.
Quick link: APPLICATION to OREGON PARTNERS IN POLICYMAKING (NOV 23rd deadline!)
Leave me a comment or email me at info@kintropy.com with any additional questions about my experience with the program, and I'll be happy to reply.
-- Dad
