Letter from Leadership: What 12 Years Serving as a Council Member for the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities Meant to Me

For the past 12 years, I’ve been proud to serve as a council member for the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD). Looking back now, I realize just how much I have grown, and how much the council has grown too. I want to share a little bit about what it meant to me.

When I first joined, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I just knew I wanted to stand up for myself and others like me. I have a developmental disability, and I wanted my voice to be heard. The council gave me that chance. We did not just sit in meetings. We got out in the community. I traveled with the council, went to events like Advocacy Days, met with state representatives, and even went to Washington, D.C.

One of my favorite memories was visiting Washington D.C. on my birthday. I spoke in the U.S. Capitol. My sister, Alison Barkoff, came with me and spoke too. That was a big moment. I got to share my story – what I do at work, what I care about, and why programs like Medicaid matter. I wanted them to know that people with disabilities have a lot to say, and we deserve to be heard.

I’ve learned how to speak up more. I’ve learned how to be a better leader and a better advocate. I’ve fought to protect Medicaid because I know how important it is. Not just for me, but for a lot of people across Georgia.

I loved being around other people on the council. We supported each other. We celebrated birthdays. I saw friends become leaders, like Martha Haythorn, who became a part of the council. I’m really proud of her, and I’m proud to have been part of it all.

Now that my time on the council is ending, I’m feeling a mix of things. I’m grateful. I’m happy. And, yeah, I’ll miss it. But I’m not done. I’m going to keep showing up for my community. I want to meet new people with disabilities and help them become advocates too. I want to keep being involved however I can.

If you’re thinking about joining the council, my advice is simple: do it. Be ready to learn, to grow, and to speak up.

To everyone at GCDD: thank you. I love you all. I’ll never forget the past 12 years, and I hope you won’t forget me either.