April 3rd was one of the most difficult times in my life, when it comes to job security, because I was told that due to grant funding, the IAMC (Illinois Association for Microboards and Cooperatives) funds were cut. It is totally unfair to people who just want to live quality lives, like myself, and people who support them to do so. On my ride to a PATH facilitation training, one that I feared would be my last, I was reminded of a song by Tim McGraw. The song is called "Live Like You Were Dying." It was then that I knew I couldn't take my personal emotions into training. It reminded me that even though I had these feelings, I had to give it my all, and pretend like we weren't losing the funding at all. Because if I didn't think positively, I would then bring my negativity into the room. After that first day of training instead of getting upset about the situation I decided to take action and have my friends and family sign the petition to reinstate this ever-so-important organization. While I was encouraging them to do so I realized the heart of why I was upset. It was not because of the money. It was because what we do as an organization is not just work to us it is life changing. This is why I need your help to educate people in Illinois why this funding and work important. So do your part if you believe people with disabilities should be able to live with freedom of choice. Please make sure you sign this petition. Also, call your local representative to the Illinois House and ask them to vote FOR Senate Bill 274. It will restore cuts to human services like the IAMC. Those who have done it already- Thank you! As Helen Keller said alone we can do so little together we can do so much!
PETITION: https://www.change.org/p/illinois-governor-illinois-state-house-illinois-state-senate-reinstate-iamc-illinois-association-of-microboards-cooperatives?recruiter=305902&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=autopublish&utm_term=des-md-no_src-reason_msg
Love,
Jessi
