Articles from prior issues of The Advocate

January/February 2000

President's Message

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I have to admit that I did have a somewhat unsettling feeling before retiring to bed on New Year’s Eve. The world was questioning whether or not we would have power, money, etc., and I had just finished watching an episode of the Twilight Zone in which “in the year 2000” people were able to have their bodies transformed into the shape and appearance of their choice! But as the chickens and I arose on January 1, the planes were flying, my power was on, the satellite dish was working, and, unfortunately, there was no listing in the Yellow Pages for a Transformation Specialist. In fact, as the day progressed, it seemed my biggest challenge of the New Year 2000 was how to explain to the 5-year-old grandson why 1999 plus 1 equals 2000.

In perspective, the apprehension that I had once felt was put to rest as life had not fallen apart on me and I was, as the day before, able to rise and meet the normal challenges of being a working wife, mom, and grandmother – of course not being able to look like Julia Roberts was a bummer!

As I reflect now on my own anxieties toward the dawn of a new millennium, I cannot help but wonder what it would have been like to awake in this environment that I have now grown to take for granted. There were those who awoke to life in a shelter or on the streets and even some that awoke to wonder if it would be their last day.

As we start this new millennium, I encourage you to take time to remember what the Disability Programs were intended to do and how your part in this process directly impacts someone, somewhere. With the challenges we face today such as Program changes, the increasing caseloads, salary issues, etc., it is easy for us to forget that a family somewhere is depending on us. That family is depending on us for quick answers to the unexpected challenge life has suddenly dealt them – just as a child or grandchild depends on their loved ones for answers.

In order for us to be the best resource for information about this program and truly understand how a condition is affecting someone, we must constantly strive to increase our program and medical knowledge. And where’s the best place to start? In your local NADE Chapter. Our National and Regional Conference agendas are packed with training sessions on medical and program issues. But the reality is that only about 10 percent of our membership is able to attend a National Conference. Twenty-five chapters sponsoring a Lunch and Learn session with 10 individuals attending each session will produce more trained individuals than does one session at a Regional Conference – maybe a National.

As NADE members we have agreed to promote professionalism. I encourage you to be the spark that starts a wildfire of professional growth among your own co-workers.

My resolutions (don’t get excited Bob Kanner), for this new millennium are: a) get back to the “grass roots” remembering what the Disability Programs are all about, b) give my all at being the best disability professional I can be, and c) represent my association and the public we serve to the best of my ability.

Before closing, let met remind you that the Mid-year Board Meeting will be held March 9 – 11 at the Holiday Inn at the Capital, in Washington, D.C. If you have any items you would like added to the agenda for discussion, please contact your respective Regional Director, President-elect Sue Heflin, or me.

Also, NOW is the best time for recruitment of new members. First time NADE members joining in January receive an 18 month membership for the price of 12 months – like the NADE Winter White Sale!

I hope each of you are blessed with peace and happiness throughout this new year. And, if you happen to have the phone number for the transformation specialist, please let me know.

- Terri