I THINK I NEED TO TELL PEOPLE ABOUT THE THINGS I GET TO BE PART OF BECAUSE I LEARNED ABOUT ADVOCACY. I HAD THE CHANCE TO BE IN THE PARTNERS IN LEADERSHIP PROGRAM RIGHT AFTER HIGH SCHOOL. I LEARNED ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE, ALL PEOPLE, AND HOW RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES COULD BE TAKEN AWAY. I LEARNED FROM LEADERS LIKE ED ROBERTS AND JEFF STRULLY THE IMPORTANCE OF STANDING UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS AND THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS. I LEARNED ABOUT HOW BILLS ARE MADE AND HOW THE LEGISLATURE WORKS. I THEN BEGAN USING THINGS I LEARNED IN PLANNING MY ADULT LIFE. THE FIRST FEW YEARS I LIVED AT MY FAMILY HOME. BUT IN TIME I GOT READY FOR LIFE ON MY OWN. I THINK IT WAS A TIME TO TRY THINGS OUT. SOME THINGS WORKED. OTHERS NEEDED ADJUSTING. I HAD THE SUPPORT OF MY FOLKS AND MY CIRCLE OF FRIENDS. I THINK I NEEDED TO LIVE BY MYSELF AFTER A WHILE BECAUSE OF MY AUTISM. I LIKED THAT WAY OF LIFE FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

I LIKE BEING UNDER THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COUNCIL PUBLIC POLICY COMMITTEE. I HAVE BEEN IN LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY NOW FOR MANY YEARS. I LOVE GOING TO HEARINGS. ONCE I WAS INTRODUCED ON THE SENATE FLOOR BY MY LOCAL SENATOR. I WRITE LETTERS, GIVE TESTIMONY, AND GO TO RALLIES. I GOT TO GO TO A MEDICAID RALLY IN WASHINGTON TWO SUMMERS AGO. I THINK I NEED TO KEEP SUPPORTING CANDIDATES WHO BELIEVE IN KEEPING DISABILITY NEEDS AS A PRIORITY. I LIKE BEING PART OF THIS SCENE AND HOPE TO CONTINUE THIS AS A PART OF MY LIFE. THANKS FOR READING THIS. MIKE HOOVER +