The auditorium at Portland Community College was full by 5 PM for the 6 PM Ways and Means Committee forum.  By the time the forum began, the overflow room was overflowing.

Co-Chair Margaret Carter was absent due to illness, but 21 other members of the committee were present.

Our orange "No DD Cuts" stickers seemed to be just as numerous and obvious as the purple t-shirts - yeah for us!  We heard a full hour of testimony before anyone from the DD community spoke - that being Jeanne Farr (thanks to Bernie for being there early to sign her up, distribute stickers, etc). Following on Jeanne's heels was Bud Thoune.  Both Jeanne and Bud represented our interests very eloquently and persuasively.

Parents and self advocates were also well represented in the crowd.  I saw Arlene and Roberta from FACT; Steve, Hannah and Sherry from SAAL, and several other familiar faces.  Everyone who could get their hands on a copy of the committee's survey was filling one out.  Most of those wearing our orange stickers were new to me - a good sign that our grassroots are reaching beyond the usual suspects.

We're on a roll...so keep on rollin'!

Bill

Bill Lynch, Executive Director
Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities