The Water of Change is Flowing

Dear Beloved Blog Readers,

I am so happy to be writing you and I have so much to tell you.

I was one of the people who testified at the Vermont State Budget Hearings on February 15th and then again as part of the Vermont Care Partners on the 25th for their press conference at the Vermont Statehouse in the hectic Cedar Creek Room.

What we are interested in, is fixing an agreement that has been broken. The state is not funding things that it’s obligated to run. I know there was an agreement made when the state closed down the Brandon Training School and committed itself to the task of creating centers that support people with disabilities to access their communities.

I have grown up in this era as someone who relies on the services these centers provide. I am therefore an imbedded reporter.

Now that I attend the State Standing Program Committee on Developmental Services I see how hard people work to make things happen with not very much money. And those people have to make tough decisions that result in the people who work with me, a highly intelligent but difficult to access man, getting paid low wages.

I was astounded at the Vermont State Budget Hearings to hear how many other state programs had to get down on their knees and beg for money to adequately fund their work to make life possible and fruitful.

I have two really easy requests.

Please read my speech.

Please go see Michael Moore’s movie “Where to Invade Next?” I’m so glad I saw it. In it you see life in other countries where hot topic items like “Prison”, “Sex Education”, “Paid Vacation” and “Hitler” get handled with less focus on the money spent than the outcomes of good learning experiences and happy, well-adjusted people. But, you know what?  In the end, that costs less too.

I hope some of you are happily returned from vacation.

I trust others of you are planning yours.

Hope your dreams are moving you upward.

Fondly,

Mark

The Utter Advocate for a Good Life for All

My Big Epiphany About My Rights

Dear Beloved Blog Readers,

I am really excited about a topic that came up at the most recent State Program Standing Committee for Developmental Services. Oh, it’s big, so please sit down.

I am not my own guardian and I want to change this.

I have as many rights in this predicament as a convicted prisoner in jail. Please picture what this must feel like. It kind of doesn’t make sense to many of you who have only met my mind.

I do have a body that doesn’t always follow good directions. So I’d need to practice using Supported Decision Making skills and using my typed words versus my often misleading vocal words would be mandatory.

Roy Gerstenberger

I want to thank Roy Gerstenberger, our new Director of Developmental Disabilities for the State of Vermont, for putting this idea in my head.

Barbara Prine, a lawyer from Vermont Legal Aid described how she works with her clients and their guardians to slowly shift the power of autonomy into the hands of the formerly guarded one. I know Green Mountain Self Advocates will cheer my process on.

Joyfully send good energy my way and I’ll let you know where I am on this in a few months.

On a different note, I want to celebrate the fact that the groundhog did not see its shadow, so spring will come soon. After we get some joyful snowstorms, of course.

I hope you’re getting plenty of rest this winter.

I also hope you keep writing your thoughts to me at utterlymark@yahoo.com

Oh, keep smelling the flowers in your heart's dooryard.

Fondly,

Mark

The Kindly Mover of Personal Change

The Happiness Recipe

Dear Beloved Blog Readers,

I am so happy about the great feedback I’ve been getting about my blog. I really have not much experience in getting feedback as it is still new for me to be sharing my thoughts. I would like to invite you to tell me anything that resonates with you today. Please email it to utterlymark@yahoo.com. Or comment on our “I am in here.” Facebook page.

On with today’s blog-

Yesterday the Bridging Program and I met at our new location; Studio 3 Dance Studio in Colchester, Vermont. I am totally in tune with these kids and yesterday they needed a Pep Talk.

So I wrote this:

“I am so happy to be with you and would like to open our time together with a word with you about Happiness.  We need to always be working to create it in our lives and the way we do that really starts with accepting Where You Are and Who You are With and holding that with Gratitude and Hope for Good Things to Happen.

I then asked for a discussion about it that Emily assisted with example-filled definitions and lively questions. It was hope creating.

I think everyone needs this Pep Talk and I totally suggest you take it into your morning meditation. If you don’t have a meditation just look to having a way to really thank the life you have and move it forward into more and more of what you want.

I am thinking about the changes I want to make in my life. They are huge. I easily will get there. I will find the humility, the courage and the strength. These are all good friends of mine. Please join me in this endeavor with your friends.

On another note, I want to tell you that the big world of goodness starts in the dooryard of your heart. Please take time to hang out there with your flowers.

Oh, my fine friends, be well.

On to the great fine, fun of our lives.

Fondly,

Mark

The Good Real Man of His Life