Rescue MCDHH

Transcript:

Hello,

It will be a short vlog and there will be two things to discuss.

1.  Yesterday, it was a GREAT event and more than 150 people attended.  Many of them had a great time.  Some legislators were surprised to see that many people who attended.

I thought it was great that we have sent a strong message to them that we were serious about the issue and we needed MCDHH.   I wanted to commend you for taking your time to go to the event and that made a big difference.

Please bear in mind that yesterday is only the beginning and there are more public hearings to discuss the budget issue.  I need you to constantly remind your representatives about your concerns so they will be mindful of it when it is time for them to make a final decision on the budget.  If you cannot attend a public hearing (s), then you can always contact your representatives through e-mail or by telephone.   I will keep you posted about the dates for public hearings shortly.

Thank you, again, and what I am so touched about the event is how the community came together as an unity and their energy was amazing and inspirational.

2.  Before I start, I was not hosting or organizing the event yesterday.  The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, the Disability Policy Consortium, and the State House, were the ones that hosted the event.   They will host it again next year.

Yesterday, you went to the event and saw what took place.  If you are satisfied, not satisfied, or feel that there are some areas that need improvement, then please share your feedback with me.  I need that information so I can pass it on to them who host it so they will make sure that they make their event a better one for you.

You may send me your feedback by e-mailing me your video link and I will post it for you or leaving a comment under my vlog.

Let me share one feedback I have about the event with you.  You know how the event divided four or five groups based on their location (North, South, West, and East) for meeting with the legislators.  I was in the group, South, because I am from Quincy.  Not all in the group were from the same town but different towns.  The group had two leaders who guided them to meet with appropriate legislators.  Ideally, if we meet with a legislator from Quincy, then the people in the group who are from Quincy should be given an opportunity to meet with the legislator first.  That way they and the legislator foster a new relationship.  After they introduce themselves and express their concerns, the rest of the group can add their personal stories to reinforce the Quincy residents’ concerns.  This ideal situation didn’t occur.  What has happened is that one leader of the group went ahead and introduced herself even though she’s not from Quincy and started to share her concerns on behalf of the Quincy residents.   This is not the best way to do it because the Quincy residents will not have an opportunity to cultivate or sustain their relationship with their own representative.   It is not only the relationship that matters, but also empowerment that allows them to take a role as a voter to voice their concerns.  That is my feedback.

Now, what’s yours?

Thank you again for coming to the event.  We have accomplished something, that is, they got our message!

Good night.