The speed of action by the Trump Administration is overwhelming many of us. However, if we do not respond, through the Congress, courts and media, in a coordinated fashion, then programs and services that benefit people with disabilities will be dismantled. If the Trump Administration is successful in eliminating programs that benefit people with disabilities, it will take years to rebuild the infrastructure connected to them.
I would begin by drafting your own story. Describe — Who you are. What you enjoy. How you contribute to your community. What programs for people with disabilities you depend upon. How your life would change if these programs stopped. Include pictures, even videos.
When you finish, share your story with local and national tv stations and newspapers, your social media accounts, your governor, your elected representatives and senators in the state legislature and Congress, the Secretaries in President Trump’s cabinet, the associations to which you belong, and your friends and work colleagues. Encourage others with disabilities to do the same thing.
If you are a parent or a friend of a person with a disability suggest that he or she prepare their story to give to others. You could offer to help.
Next, I would join an association, if you don’t belong to one already, that works with other associations to compile big books of people’s stories.
One story is powerful. Many stories put together is more powerful.
When you give your story to others, when they are in newspapers, on TV, on social media, given to elected officials, it educates everyone and helps others understand why programs for people with disabilities assist them to live independently and participate in community life. Many of the people who read, see or hear your story will become champions to help save programs important to people with disabilities.
So let’s start writing or talking into a recorder. Together, using each individual story, we can save programs that help us thrive in our community. Strategic story telling is an effective first step ensuring things stay as they should.
Thank you.
Common Grounder
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