I've felt many different emotions this week, but all of them are accompanied by hope. I appreciate your continued kindness and caring toward my family and me. I've said it many times these past few weeks (and probably months and years, too), but I still mean it from the bottom of my heart: we are grateful for our village. Thank you for being a part of it.
I was sad to miss the National Federation of Families conference this year but delighted to experience it through the eyes of Coreaner Price and Jacquelynn Taylor. Please take a few minutes to listen to them share their thoughts about the conference. I was touched by their sincerity, openness and commitment to standing side by side with families. I think you will be too.
And speaking of sharing thoughts, please share your thoughts on what kinds of school-based mental health support you want for your child and family by responding to this survey from the National Center for School Mental Health.
I am delighted to share with you that we have rescheduled our Community Partnership Celebration for January 23 from 5 - 7:30 p.m. at BRAVO! Italian Restaurant and Bar. We hope to see all of you there. If you bought tickets for the original Celebration scheduled for November 7, we will automatically transfer those to the January date. Please share the word. We have lots to celebrate together!
My heart hurts that the world has lost a true disability rights champion. Lois Curtis was institutionalized in Georgia and took her battle to live in the community to the United States Supreme Court—and won in 1999. She died last week. Lois never gave up or stopped being positive. She lived a meaningful life in the community.
Because Lois never gave up, mental health systems across the country changed, and thousands of people now have the opportunity to live and work in the community. You can read more about the trail she blazed and the person she was in our Resource section this week.
Next week we will explore in more depth what Lois's courage means for the state of Mississippi as it responds to a lawsuit that could undo many of the gains she brought about. May we all work together to honor her life and continue down the trail that she blazed. Let's make it shine bright for all the people currently on it and for all those who may follow.