Articles from prior issues of The Advocate

September/October, 2000

President's Message

Where did the past 12 months of my life go? It is truly hard to believe that another year has come and gone (when I was just becoming proficient at packing). In this, my final President’s message, I would like to take the time to say a special thanks to all of you for making this past year of my life special and unforgettable. This year has been a test of inner strength and endurance while trying to balance my life’s planned and unexpected events (a Prototype DDS, NADE President, the only daughter of a widow in poor health, wife of a husband that has only been home long enough to eat and sleep, mom, maw-maw, etc.). Many thanks to each NADE Committee for your dedication and hard work in moving this association forward. The Committee Chairs have each demonstrated strong leadership skills by successfully coordinating the activities of dedicated committee members and working together to accomplish our goals. Thanks to each Regional and National Training Conference Committee member for your time and effort in successfully hosting the individual conferences and providing informative sessions, opportunities for networking, and, of course, good food and fun! It was an honor for me to be able to attend most of the conferences and gather your thoughts and ideas on solutions to issues facing this association and the Disability Programs. A HUGE thank you to the NADE Board of Directors for your support and for the personal sacrifices that each of you have made in order to represent our peers, stand by the NADE Code of Ethics, and for your overall dedication to the Disability Programs and the lives we impact. My personal thanks to Sue, Marty, and Jeff for support and guidance over this past year. But most of all thanks for your friendship and for being my “sounding boards” (whether you wanted to or not!) Most importantly, I want to thank you for being a NADE member. Thank you for your support of our professional association and the dedication you have demonstrated. NADE’s foundation is that of individuals dedicated to their profession, the integrity of the Disability Programs, and the quality of service provided to lives in need. This association has a reputation for its knowledge of the Disability Programs. We possess experience and knowledge that is invaluable to SSA as we all struggle to make a very complex program “user friendly” to the public. Your membership in this association marks you as the experience and knowledge. Don’t waste it! Through NADE, your voice counts. Again, it has truly been an honor for me to serve as NADE President. My best wishes and support to Sue for this next year as……..wait, is that my pen over there? Bye!

-Terri Spurgeon