2007—2008 Disability Leadership Institute

Our 2007-2008 Participants

We had a wonderful group of individuals at the DLI this past year. Their dedication and hard work were inspiring. They came together as a group and formed quite a bond, collaborating effectively as a team. In June they successfully finished their first year and received their advocacy pins. Congratuations to them all! The group is currently working on their second year projects. They will come together as a group once again in December to present their projects.

What the 2007-2008 participants are saying about their experience in the Disability Leadership Institute:

  • “Participating in the Disability Leadership Program gave me an even greater desire to be a advocate for the Developmentally Disabled Community.”
  • “The Disabilty Leadership Program is a program I would highly recommend to anyone wanting to learn more about what it means to be disabled in Maine.”
  • “It refired the spark in me to become an advocate again. The program helped me learn more about who I am and not to be ashamed of my disability.”
  • “I went from being a quiet person at the start to someone who wanted his voice to be heard at the end. In the end the program did more for me than I could have imaged. 1 year later I now am serving on advisory board for asperger’s syndrome and helping start a mentoring program with a new and close friend. It made me want to go out and help after siting on the sidelines for so many years.”
  • “This progam is all about change and the change comes from more than helping others it also is about helping you with the changes going on in your life. Your eyes are opened to the world around you and in your community. It also helps you meet new and interesting people. I had the great honor of serving with twelve of the best people I could have imanged and a staff that was full of knowledge and great laughter. I’ll never look at someone starting up a computer again after seeing julia have so much trouble with it. She always kept us in stiches with her computer.”
  • “For me the DLI changed my whole perspective. I learned so much about advocating for my children as well as others. I wanted to learn as much as I could about my rights, my childrens rights, laws, and as much information as possible and the DLI provided it to me. Being a part of the DLI has also helped me overcome my insecurities and give me hope that there is help and I have the power to advocate for my children and advocate for other individuals with disabilities.”