Post by ALLISA on Aug 31, 2008 10:25:33 GMT -5
Here is a link ( and I copied the story in case link didn't work) of a yound man with DS....he has fought and succeeded in changing the name of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Retardation to Deveolpmental Disability Services .......
I have been following his story for 2 years....I think I origianlly posted it here as well ;D when he started his "mission"......
Wether or not you think the name needed to be changed....wether or not you care about the "PC-ness" of it all....you gotta be proud of him for standing up and seeing it through !!
www.eagletribune.com/punewshh/local_story_244021510.html?keyword=secondarystory
Haverhill man wins battle to rename state agency
By Mike LaBella
mlabella@eagletribune.com
HAVERHILL — For John Anton, being born with Down syndrome has meant a life of insults from students in the schools he attended, fellow employees and others he has encountered.
The 42-year-old Haverhill resident has learned to ignore those comments and not let them keep him from accomplishing his goals — most notably, his tireless effort over the last two years to see the title of the Department of Mental Retardation changed to something less insulting to those it serves.
"We're tired of being labeled mentally retarded," Anton said. "Calling it the Department of Mental Retardation was a negative and degrading title."
"It's more than just changing words — it's about changing attitudes," said Anton's mother, Janice Anton of Haverhill. "Many people like John have throughout their lives experienced ridicule, hurt and insults."
The language contained in House Bill 4610 changes the department's title to the Department of Developmental Disability Services, and was included in the state's 2009 budget which passed this summer. The name change takes effect next year.
"When it finally passed, I was overjoyed and I felt proud," John Anton said. "I had no doubts in my mind that it would pass, considering all of the hard work I and many others put into this."
Rep. Michael Costello, D-Newburyport, filed a bill early in 2007 that sought to eliminate the words mental retardation and replace them with something less derogatory. He was urged to file the bill by disability advocate Buddy Bostick of Newburyport, president of the group Advocate, Educate and Implement.
"We can't possibly know or feel what it's like when people like John hear the 'R' word," Bostick said. "The credit belongs to self-advocates like John Anton."
The timing couldn't have been better for Anton, whose dream is to do legislative work. He began an internship with Costello around the same time the bill was filed. He went to work right away seeking support from anyone who would listen.
"On the days I was working in the Statehouse, I went from room to room hoping to convince legislators to support the name change," Anton said. "I was persistent and kept going back to the offices of legislators who were not in support of the bill."
He was tireless in his efforts to see the bill get passed.
"Over the last two years, John's efforts have clearly made a difference in terms of changing the name of the department," said Adam Martignetti, Costello's chief of staff.
But Anton didn't do it alone. At the same time that he was pushing for support of the bill, other individuals and advocacy groups were working toward the same goal.
"I think John opened some minds to consider changing the department's title," Janice Anton said. "People with disabilities don't want to be identified by their disability. They want to be perceived as individuals first."
John Anton says he's not done yet. Now an intern with Rep. Tom Sannicandro, D-Ashland, he is planning to advocate for Senate Bill 2781. The bill would give those with disabilities more power to determine the level of financial support they receive from the state — as well as more power to decide what services can benefit them the most.
"John is tenacious and will be a fierce advocate for this issue," said Brian Jenkins, legislative aide to Sannicandro. "I've worked with John at the Statehouse, and you can always tell his compassion and work ethic shines through."
I have been following his story for 2 years....I think I origianlly posted it here as well ;D when he started his "mission"......
Wether or not you think the name needed to be changed....wether or not you care about the "PC-ness" of it all....you gotta be proud of him for standing up and seeing it through !!
www.eagletribune.com/punewshh/local_story_244021510.html?keyword=secondarystory
Haverhill man wins battle to rename state agency
By Mike LaBella
mlabella@eagletribune.com
HAVERHILL — For John Anton, being born with Down syndrome has meant a life of insults from students in the schools he attended, fellow employees and others he has encountered.
The 42-year-old Haverhill resident has learned to ignore those comments and not let them keep him from accomplishing his goals — most notably, his tireless effort over the last two years to see the title of the Department of Mental Retardation changed to something less insulting to those it serves.
"We're tired of being labeled mentally retarded," Anton said. "Calling it the Department of Mental Retardation was a negative and degrading title."
"It's more than just changing words — it's about changing attitudes," said Anton's mother, Janice Anton of Haverhill. "Many people like John have throughout their lives experienced ridicule, hurt and insults."
The language contained in House Bill 4610 changes the department's title to the Department of Developmental Disability Services, and was included in the state's 2009 budget which passed this summer. The name change takes effect next year.
"When it finally passed, I was overjoyed and I felt proud," John Anton said. "I had no doubts in my mind that it would pass, considering all of the hard work I and many others put into this."
Rep. Michael Costello, D-Newburyport, filed a bill early in 2007 that sought to eliminate the words mental retardation and replace them with something less derogatory. He was urged to file the bill by disability advocate Buddy Bostick of Newburyport, president of the group Advocate, Educate and Implement.
"We can't possibly know or feel what it's like when people like John hear the 'R' word," Bostick said. "The credit belongs to self-advocates like John Anton."
The timing couldn't have been better for Anton, whose dream is to do legislative work. He began an internship with Costello around the same time the bill was filed. He went to work right away seeking support from anyone who would listen.
"On the days I was working in the Statehouse, I went from room to room hoping to convince legislators to support the name change," Anton said. "I was persistent and kept going back to the offices of legislators who were not in support of the bill."
He was tireless in his efforts to see the bill get passed.
"Over the last two years, John's efforts have clearly made a difference in terms of changing the name of the department," said Adam Martignetti, Costello's chief of staff.
But Anton didn't do it alone. At the same time that he was pushing for support of the bill, other individuals and advocacy groups were working toward the same goal.
"I think John opened some minds to consider changing the department's title," Janice Anton said. "People with disabilities don't want to be identified by their disability. They want to be perceived as individuals first."
John Anton says he's not done yet. Now an intern with Rep. Tom Sannicandro, D-Ashland, he is planning to advocate for Senate Bill 2781. The bill would give those with disabilities more power to determine the level of financial support they receive from the state — as well as more power to decide what services can benefit them the most.
"John is tenacious and will be a fierce advocate for this issue," said Brian Jenkins, legislative aide to Sannicandro. "I've worked with John at the Statehouse, and you can always tell his compassion and work ethic shines through."
