Give people a fact or an idea and you enlighten their minds; tell them a story and you touch their souls.
~Hasidic proverb
Friday, May 29, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Freedom Quest Alton Rally ~ May 20, 2009
It was a warm and sunny afternoon when the Freedom Quest Southern Route Riders pulled into Impact Center for Independent Living for the Freedom Quest Alton Rally! Banners were waving, signs were displayed, and music played while the Freedom Quest participants greeted old friends and welcomed new ones.
The Rally moved inside for the program which included:
Cathy Contarino, Executive Director of Impact
Sarash Castle, Campaign for Real Choice/Freedom Quest '09 Planning Team
Lori F., self-advocate from Granite City
Margie W., self-advocate from Granite City
Beverly B., self-advocate from Alton
Barb W., self-advocate from Alton
Tom Hoechst, Mayor of Alton
Open Mic where self-advocates shared their stories of dreams and hope
Amy Walker, Illinois Voices Systems Change Activist/Freedom Quest '09 Planning Team member, led the participants in singing "We Are The Champions" by Queen as well as "We Will Rock You" by Queen with oringal lyrics by Amy:
WE WILL ROCK YOU!
Originally by Queen, with modified lyrics by Amy Walker
System, you are big, make a big noise, working in the state
Gonna make some big plans someday—
All that waiting list space—a big disgrace!
Making us wait all over the place.
Singing
WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!
WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!
System, you’re a big one, hard one, working in the state
Gonna make us comply someday—
All that institution space, a big disgrace,
Nine big warehouses all over the place!
Singing
WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!
WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!
System, you’re an old one, poor one,
Pleading with our eyes,
Will you give us some peace someday?
No community space, a big disgrace,
But we all have our voices, and we have a PLACE!
Singing
WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!
WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!
WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!
WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!
WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!
WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!
WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!
WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!
The Rally moved inside for the program which included:
Cathy Contarino, Executive Director of Impact
Sarash Castle, Campaign for Real Choice/Freedom Quest '09 Planning Team
Lori F., self-advocate from Granite City
Margie W., self-advocate from Granite City
Beverly B., self-advocate from Alton
Barb W., self-advocate from Alton
Tom Hoechst, Mayor of Alton
Open Mic where self-advocates shared their stories of dreams and hope
Amy Walker, Illinois Voices Systems Change Activist/Freedom Quest '09 Planning Team member, led the participants in singing "We Are The Champions" by Queen as well as "We Will Rock You" by Queen with oringal lyrics by Amy:
WE WILL ROCK YOU!
Originally by Queen, with modified lyrics by Amy Walker
System, you are big, make a big noise, working in the state
Gonna make some big plans someday—
All that waiting list space—a big disgrace!
Making us wait all over the place.
Singing
WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!
WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!
System, you’re a big one, hard one, working in the state
Gonna make us comply someday—
All that institution space, a big disgrace,
Nine big warehouses all over the place!
Singing
WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!
WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!
System, you’re an old one, poor one,
Pleading with our eyes,
Will you give us some peace someday?
No community space, a big disgrace,
But we all have our voices, and we have a PLACE!
Singing
WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!
WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!
WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!
WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!
WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!
WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!
WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!
WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!
Freedom Quest Decatur Rally ~ May 20, 2009
At 4:30 pm on May 20th, the Freedom Quest North East Route Riders arrived at Central Park in Decatur. We were greeted with cheers from a crowd of people who were waiting for us. We joined them for an out door event under beautiful skies.
Dreux Lewandowski and Molly Chapman from Macon Resources, Inc. welcomed everyone and then Brian D., self-advocate from Zion, opened the Rally with an inspiring speech.
Several people spoke from their hearts about their lives and what is important to them.
The riders were then treated with dinner at Macon Ice Cream and More before they left for Springfield.
Brian D., self-advocate from Zion, speaks in Decatur about Illinois services for people with developmental disabilities
Dreux Lewandowski and Molly Chapman from Macon Resources, Inc. welcomed everyone and then Brian D., self-advocate from Zion, opened the Rally with an inspiring speech.
Several people spoke from their hearts about their lives and what is important to them.
The riders were then treated with dinner at Macon Ice Cream and More before they left for Springfield.
Brian D., self-advocate from Zion, speaks in Decatur about Illinois services for people with developmental disabilities
Freedom Quest Pontiac Rally ~ May 20. 2009
In Pontiac, the riders were provided a nice lunch at a local church and then back outside for a wonderful Rally. The event included:
Opening by Shirley Paceley, Illinois Voices and Freedom Quest ’09 Planning Team Member
Original music—“Let’s ride to Freedom” written by Karen Donovan (who also played the guitar!) from Futures Unlimited and Nathan played the keyboards with vocals by Michael.
Brian B., self-advocate from Futures Unlimited, read a letter he had written his legislator…ten years ago and the issues are the same today. Brian said that change would come now because the self-advocates are speaking up!
Speeches by Rena, Brenda and Rudy (self-advocates) as well as an Open Mic were all inspiring.
A quiz show about the DD system of services in Illinois was next, then Lester Pritchard, Campaign for Real Choice and Freedom Quest 09 Planning Team Member, gave a speech.
The Ride for Freedom Music happened again, by popular demand
The Balloon Release release was the closing activity, capping off an awesome rally!
Opening by Shirley Paceley, Illinois Voices and Freedom Quest ’09 Planning Team Member
Original music—“Let’s ride to Freedom” written by Karen Donovan (who also played the guitar!) from Futures Unlimited and Nathan played the keyboards with vocals by Michael.
Brian B., self-advocate from Futures Unlimited, read a letter he had written his legislator…ten years ago and the issues are the same today. Brian said that change would come now because the self-advocates are speaking up!
Speeches by Rena, Brenda and Rudy (self-advocates) as well as an Open Mic were all inspiring.
A quiz show about the DD system of services in Illinois was next, then Lester Pritchard, Campaign for Real Choice and Freedom Quest 09 Planning Team Member, gave a speech.
The Ride for Freedom Music happened again, by popular demand
The Balloon Release release was the closing activity, capping off an awesome rally!
Freedom Quest Joliet Rally ~ May 19, 2009
Sonia R., self-advocate from Joliet, receives the Lighthouse award.
Freedom Quest North East riders arriving at the Joliet airport.
Freedom Quest Decatur Rally ~ May 20, 2009
John and Theresa, self-advocates from Decatur, speak about what is important to them.
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