I am new to this site and wanted to let you know how much you inspired me and my whole family.  Your story in _Circle of Friends_ was a catalyst for change in our community - my brother is Tim Bartlett of Midland, Michigan.  Thank you for making courageous choices that changed our world.

Hello Judith!  From Colorado...I just want to say congratulations on your Art showing.  I hope to see it online someday soon.  I heard you speak many years ago at the Inclusion Conference in Denver and then again in Fort Collins. 

Tripped across the Inclusion website while searching for you (at least I think it is you). The website is a fantastic forum... I am well on my way to discovering its content and will start contributing soon.

 

Back to you... did you stay at the Crippled Children's Centre in Toronto in the early '60's? Do you remember singing 'The cow kicked Nellie in the belly in the barn' at the top of your lungs? And a wavering voice from the adjoining room joining in (that was me). I can't remember much else about the period... I was in recovering from a Harrington rod operation (they doctors didn't want to cast me because of pressure sores so I was on a Stryker Frame for most of the time). Other than you, the only other person I remember was a girl who was born without the outer layer of her skin. She had a horrid time because each day she had her bandages unwrapped for some kind of medical bath. I have vague memories of nice nurses, guys housed in different hall and a sign on the nurses station with a spelling mistake (don't ask me what). Anyhow if it is you, it would be really great to reconnect and catch up with each other. You made an impression then, so I am not surprised that you have been such a great advocate.

 

Get in touch when you have time... Lynda Bennett

Hi Judith: It's been so many years since I thanked you for all you've done. I particularly appreciated your connecting me with David Adler for the support worker chapter for the Housing, support and community book in 1993. I was able to pick up on the themes in the Personnel preparation in disability and community life book in 2000 (but its not as moving). Hope you are doing well in life! Julie Ann Racino

Hello Judith...steps below as i am currently imaging them...

To set up the Togetherness Foundation and to agree operating principles (diversity, leadership, welcome, kindness, compassion, solidarity, reciprocity, trust) with trustees and advisors
Big Togetherness walk in May or June - aim to bring 2010 people togehter to begin the foundation
Use collective influence to raise funds for foundation
First project will be to develop The Togetherness Walk in many towns and cities - a monthly walk led by people who are used to be left out, with invites going to people who dont recieve many (or any) invites - web will help us to accelerate this
Then set up research programme into what it takes to create togetherness
Pledge site for personal, family, street, community, institutional togetherness pledges
Then set up small grants programme to celebrate and energise the intention to create togetherness
Be brilliant at sharing stories, honouring togetherness intentions and actions
Grow membership base and flow of money via donations and grants

how does that sound? - do you have any capacity to become involved? is it in alignement with what you seek to create?

Micheline is helping me to think about this and is coming to the Festival of Togetherness in May which aims to create a place of welcome for folks who dont use words and thier families.

warm regards

Andy

Remind me your skype name. I am mikebgreencolorado.
Love,mike