Letter from Leadership: Why I Speak Up
Nandi Isaac, GCDD Council MemberI’ve been speaking up for people with disabilities for a long time. Before I joined the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD), I was already going to meetings and helping out. I was an ambassador for the Special Olympics, and that’s where I found what I love to do – help others. My mom was an advocate too, and I’ve followed in her footsteps.
I’ve been on the Council for over 10 years and I’ve done a lot I’m proud of. I’ve worked on better transportation, helped parents get support, and encouraged people with disabilities to start their own businesses. At my day program, I’ve helped others become stronger advocates. I even went to the Capitol and stood with a friend while she gave a speech at a press conference. She did a great job!
The meetings feel like being with family. We do group activities and have good conversations. I have gone to Advocacy Days at the Capitol. I learned something every time I went there.
One thing that’s really important to me is Medicaid. A lot of people I know, including my friends, my family, and my support staff, need it. If they didn’t have it, I wouldn’t be here talking to you. Cutting Medicaid is like turning off the lights and hoping everything’s fine. It’s not. People need it to live.
I want to thank some of the people who’ve helped me along the way—like D’Arcy Robb, GCDD’s Executive Director and Lisa Newbern, GCDD’s Council Chair. I helped Lisa feel more confident, and now she’s the chair of the Council!
Now, I’m the vice president of a group called United for Change. I hope to stay involved, maybe through my church. There are a lot of people with disabilities in churches and nursing homes, and I want to help them speak up too.
I care about helping people who don’t always get heard. I’ll keep doing that even after my time on the Council is over.
To all the staff, families, and support workers…thank you for standing with us. I’ll keep using my voice to make sure everyone gets the help they need.