Happy Olmstead decision Day :: Who makes your Choices..?

Running late as always so this is a.. quickie..

On this, the 8th anniversary of Olmstead decision, a few very simple questions to ponder as a tiny exercise in putting the inclusive living movement into perspective:

• Who decides what clothes you are going to wear each day..?
• Who decides how you will spend your money..?
• Who decides what time you will get up in the morning..?
• Who decides when you eat throughout the day..?
• Who decides what you will eat throughout the day..?
• Who decides when you will use the restroom..?
• Who decides when you will shower and how often..?
• Who decides when you will go to bed..?
• Who decides when you are going to brush your teeth each day..?

Like I said, just a few.. Seems silly, but these were the very real kinds of questions we were asked during our peer support training and pilot project participation last year.. There's a reason we were asked them.. It was because every day across our great country, the Land of the Free, there are thousands upon thousands incarcerated in long term care centers who are not allowed, not allowed to make these very basic Life-related decisions, Choices for themselves.. The Time is Yesterday to help bump up our efforts on all fronts to get these people out of "Jail"..

Cyber hugs..

PS.. Atlanta, here we come..

So, what's everybody doing to celebrate Olmstead decision this year..?

Getting the following from a few different directions right now, Georgia Advocacy Office and disABILITY LINK, both in Decatur, Georgia.. :waving to Cheri and Linda:

Not too late to organize something to celebrate in your own community.. Marches from a point of interest to or through an institution are very popular with my friends.. If you get down to the last second, you could still get together and go out to dinner, anything, and still bring awareness to those around you..

Advocacy Tip: For next year, stop right now and put yourself an entry in your favorite calendar program, such as Yahoo!'s Calendar.. Set it to start reminding you a few months ahead of time so you can start encouraging those around you to get involved, too..

Remember, June 22, 2009, the Ten Year Anniversary of Olmstead decision, is just around the corner, too.. Hint, hint..

PS.. If you would like to volunteer, get involved with the event in Georgia, give a shout to Cheri Mitchell: 678-755-6015..

Long Road Home 2007 :: It’s a Celebration!!

Friday, June 22, 2007 :: 12:00 noon

Join activists from around the state for a Rally at the Georgia State Capitol

We will be celebrating the Olmstead Decision of 1999 and the victories won this year.

• Approval of Georgia’s Money Follows the Person application
• The passage of The Advanced Directive Bill
• The passage of the Medicaid Buy-in

After the rally, everyone is invited to March with us to the Atlanta Public Library. Endeavor Freedom will be filming people’s stories.

We all have a story to tell, share yours.

The stories will be preserved for the Georgia Disability Rights Exhibit.

What Begins As Simplicity Speaks To a Change For the World to See. Be the Change!

(Still) Speaking of Advocacy Ops: Festival of Trees..

Personal experience shouts, "Never too early to start putting together this year's entry for the local Festival of Trees.." :GRIN:

What I'm referring to is the year-end holiday "Festival of Trees" that very often can be found in any given local library branch.. This suggestion, of course, is one of those that is up to individual preference on whether or not it is appropriate for one's message..

If you don't already participate, you could start by asking your librarian 1) if they actually have a Festival of Trees each year in your library and 2) where can you sign up if they do have one..

Bear in mind this is a popular participatory opportunity for many local organizations so you may find yourself on a waiting list, maybe even for next year already.. At least you'll be in the lineup for when your turn finally presents..

The way ours here in Pickens County works, sometime in September of each year, applications are sent out to interested parties.. Based on appropriateness of message, a given number of the completed then returned applications are accepted to actually participate..

To be fair to all, spots are chosen by random drawings for position on a first in to put your tree up, first one to draw for a shot at the prime locations.. Fate has been kind here both years I did displayed a tree locally.. Front and Center by the checkout counter.. Who could ask for anything more.. :WINK:

Decoration-wise, read these fingertips :: Don't sweat it.. Repeat after me: "My tree does not have to be fancy.." That instantly takes a TON of pressure off, trust me..

The sky (and space availability) are the limit with respect to creativity in presenting your message.. Mine was very simple:

• A 5-foot tall artificial tree bought for about $3.50 after the holidays
• Tips for advocacy and self-advocacy hand-printed on circular cut unlined index cards
• Small, clear dollar store ornaments dangling on silver pipe cleaners to hang each index card
• A silvery, nylon butterfly and big bow on top
• Pretty white garland to round it out and draw it in together
• A Word or PowerPoint-generated placard for the base

Total cost comes in probably around $10.00 to $15.00 if you really scrounge around.. Places to check for decorations:

• Your attic, basement, garage, or woefully overstuffed back closet
• Your local Freecycle listserv
• Your area's CraigsList freebies and/or wanted message boards
• Thrift stores
• Dollar stores

Some nice examples that come to mind include a big tree FULL of gloves for local children.. That one was bursting by holiday's end.. Others included what I believe was the local volunteer fire department bearing all things fireman-inspired.. Some trees bore names of everyone associated with their program.. Still others gathered banners of related service chapters, charters from throughout the area..

Again, the sky's the limit on this one.. No time like the present to plant the seed with your local library if they happen to present their own Festival of Trees, too..