“Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.” Martin Luther King
Today our hearts are hurting with the grief and pain being experienced across our country. The death of George Floyd along with other recent incidents of racial injustice which have occurred across our country are a sad reminder that racism is still deeply rooted within the fabric of our society. Although less visual, the coronavirus and ensuing economic downturn which have disproportionately impacted people of color are further reminders of the inequalities that exist in America today.
Our mission at Exceptional Lives is to equip families who have children with disabilities with the information they need about available resources and benefits so that they can advocate for the supports their child needs to thrive. Racism is a public health issue as racism has erected barriers which make it difficult for families to access resources and benefits. The school to prison pipeline is very real. Today over 30% of those incarcerated have a significant cognitive disability.
Exceptional Lives stands in solidarity against the historical and current violence against black, brown, and indigenous people and any others who are suffering from harassment and discrimination. We embrace and welcome ALL to our community. If you need help, we are here for you.
Anne Punzak Marcus, CEO, on behalf of the Exceptional Lives team
