Open Letter on the Election

Good afternoon.

If you, like me, stayed up most of the night watching this consequential election, I know how you’re feeling. I hope we can stop the divisiveness and start to heal after what has been an awful 18 months. I am concerned about the fate of children’s services and worry about what will happen to the newly uninsured. I don’t know what the Supreme Court will do with our precious rights that guarantee tolerance and acceptance, not just the right to carry a gun. I will wait with all of you to discover how we interpret and advocate for our kids in a new vision for our country.

I’m not going to Canada or to Ireland, although I did find a nifty house on the West Coast of the Emerald Isle. I’m going to stay right here and see what happens to the rights and services we need to care for our children with disabilities. If I can help by raising my voice, that’s what I’ll do. If I can help any mom or dad understand their options, I promise you I’ll work hard to be of help. If I can educate anyone who wants to learn why this all matters so much, I will keep writing and speaking.

If you are happy with the election results, I stand with you with an open mind. I hope the change you are seeking is positive and supports all Americans. This is a new journey. Like all journeys, we will have some missed stops and bumps along the way. So, I’m going to take a deep breath, roll up my sleeves, and look for the path forward.

First, I have to take a nap. Remember, it’s a great day for a great day. It’s good to live in the most peaceful, inclusive country in the world. I’m grateful for the chance I’ve had to benefit from its long standing commitment to children and their futures. There’s a lot of work to do to protect our freedoms and our kids.