As shared by Joan Plotkin

I’ve always been outspoken. Back when I was a little girl growing up in California people would bully me. My mom always advocated for me, and I learned to speak up for myself.

Sometimes it feels that people with developmental disabilities are looked at like we’re a bother. Or worse, that we don’t exist. Well, we do exist. We want the same good life as everyone else. It’s important to speak out.

I moved to Maryland to be closer to my sister Marilyn. For 21 years Jubilee’s been helping me out. A while back I served as president of Jubilee’s Client Council. That made me the voice of the clients to Jubilee leadership.

Just this past year I graduated from The Arc’s Partners in Policymaking class. It’s a big deal. I attended classes all year and did a project on helping people deal with bullies.

Now I’m officially an advocate! I tell our legislators don’t forget people with disabilities. The disability community needs the budget money. Funding disability services helps people like me have our own place to live and do things we like. My weekly art and fitness classes are a big part of my life. It’s important we have nice places to live and people helping us who are kind. I have that with Jubilee.

After I talked with the officials in Annapolis, I felt good inside. I knew I did something important to help people.