Turning Vision Into Reality
Reflections from our Executive Director
As the Executive Director of Magnify, I work to empower individuals with developmental disabilities to share their God-given gifts and help them unlock their full potential. Recently, I visited Tallahassee to participate in two major events that furthered this mission: the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC) Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day and Florida ARF Legislative Fly-In.
The FDDC, where I serve as chair, sponsored Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day providing a platform to celebrate the achievements of people with developmental disabilities and raise awareness of their issues. I had the honor of delivering a speech to an audience of disability advocates, families, and community leaders. During my speech, I spoke about the power of community and the importance of helping individuals with developmental disabilities share their gifts. I believe that by connecting people with disabilities to resources, support, and opportunities, we can ensure that every individual can contribute to society in meaningful and fulfilling ways. Inspiring speakers joined me and shared their personal experiences, and I highly encourage you to watch the video and to learn more from their stories. FDDC members and staff joined me in a meeting with legislators and staff from the governor’s office.
The following week, I returned to Tallahassee for the Florida ARF Legislative Fly-In, a gathering of providers and state agency representatives dedicated to discussing the needs and concerns of individuals with developmental disabilities. During this event, I heard from the state agency heads of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. I also met with several legislators in the Florida House and Senate to advocate for those we serve at Magnify. I emphasized the importance of recognizing and addressing the unique challenges faced by individuals with developmental disabilities while highlighting the incredible gifts they offer our communities. I communicated our gratitude for the commitment of the governor and the legislature to raise caregiver wages to $15/hour, but also shared that significant increases in operating costs continued to threaten us.
Throughout both visits, I made my message clear: people with developmental disabilities deserve the same opportunities as everyone else to lead fulfilling and independent lives. We must work together to break down barriers and create a more inclusive society to make this vision a reality.
Reflecting on my visits to Tallahassee, I am reminded of the incredible impact passionate advocates can have on the lives of people with developmental disabilities. My participation in these events allowed me to bring attention to the needs of our community and work towards a more equitable future for our brothers and sisters with developmental disabilities.
I extend my deepest gratitude to the FDDC members and staff, Florida ARF, and all the other organizations and individuals who participated in these important events. Your dedication to improving the lives of people with developmental disabilities genuinely inspires me, and I am proud to be part of this incredible community.
