October ~ November Online News, 2009 |
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Freedom
(A bit of a history lesson about essential freedom, historical leaders, famous art, and thankfulness)
Next to our logo at the top of this online news update is one of four famous Freedom paintings by Norman Rockwell. These paintings were inspired by the Four Freedoms speech given before Congress by Franklin Delano Roosevelt on January 16, 1941. Below is an excerpt of the speech.
In the future days which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms.
The first is freedom of speech and expression -- everywhere in the world.
The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way -- everywhere in the world.
The third is freedom from want, which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants -- everywhere in the world.
The fourth is freedom from fear, which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor -- anywhere in the world.
Being too old to serve in the military during World War II, Rockwell created the Four Freedom Paintings as a way to serve the country with the messages that the paintings offer. The particular painting above is titled Freedom From Want also known as Thanksgiving. It took a great deal of time for Rockwell to complete this painting as he was concerned that it would give the message of overabundance instead of freedom from want. A quote from Norman Rockwell: "I paint life as I'd like it to be".
I have admired the work of Norman Rockwell without spending much time researching the history and stories behind his paintings. Roosevelt's Freedom speech and Rockwell's Freedom paintings have just as much purpose and meaning today, if not more, than during World War II.
Consider how much we have to appreciate while others continue to live in institutions, or lose their lives during war. If it isn't in front of us, it is likely not known, or is forgotten. We shouldn't accept that not all people are free. I've been thankful to work for a board of directors who believe that their number one goal ought to be to close institutions across the world, even though our own state institution no longer exists. This is a self-less act of human kindness, righteousness and good by our self-advocates in New Hampshire. Consider doing something to help make a free world for people, not just during this holiday season, but always.
There is much more historical information to learn and share about Roosevelt's Four Freedoms and Rockwell's paintings online or at your local library. Search the internet. For starters, read about it on Wikipedia.
Janet Hunt, Executive Coordinator |
 Relationships
Young Adult Self-Advocacy Conference
Keynote Speaker ~ Keith Jones
This Successful Event Was Held November 6, 2009
A video of the day will be out soon! |
News About Our New Young Adult Sub-Committee
For People First of New Hampshire
We held our first meeting on Monday, October 26th and discussed self-advocacy, the history of People First of New Hampshire and how our organization is structured so that young people on the committee could help to expand our work for other young self-advocates. The subcommittee has about 5 members. The role of the committee will be to identify needs of young people throughout New Hampshire and plan how to address them. If you are a young-adult between the ages of 16 - 30, please consider joining us. Our next meeting is Monday, November 30th in Concord. You do not have to belong to a self-advocacy group to join the sub-committee. For more information, contact Janet at janet@peoplefirstofnh.org, or call 1-800-566-2128. |
~ We Continue Our Dedication To Our #1 Goal ~
See Our You Tube Video Of Our Candlelight Vigil In Memory Of Our Friends Who Lived At Laconia
Here are ways that you can learn and help:
Sign our online petition to close institutions! (NEW!)
See Our Slideshow of Our Friends Who Once Lived At Laconia & Have Since Died.
Our film project involving the stories of former residents of Laconia State School continues on. More details to follow. We continue to collect the action events and rallies held over the summer from other states and countries and once a DVD is produced we will let you know so that you can access your own copy for sharing with policy-makers to help in the cause to close institutions in your location. |
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Who We Are And What We Are About
People First of New Hampshire is a statewide non-profit directed by citizens who experience disability for the purpose of self-advocacy.
What is self-advocacy?
Self-Advocacy is a way in which people speak-up, voice their opinion, and take responsibility toward being equal within society. Self-advocacy is a movement for people who experience disability. In many places across the world, there are organizations called "People First" for the self-advocacy movement. The title "People First" means that labels for people are not respectful, and, that everybody should be considered PEOPLE with ability first. People First of New Hampshire started in 1992 and has 17 chapters and groups across the state. |
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Get caught-up! Read our earlier newsletters online!
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Ways To Financially Support People First of NH
There are a couple of ways in which you can support our work. You can visit our website and find our donate button at the top of the page, or, you can visit our cause on Facebook and join our challenge to raise funds for our goals. You can always send us a check to our mailing address below.
Click-on these links:
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This is what our friends from across the planet are saying about our March issue!
- "Wonderful issue! Just plain terrific." John Agosta Ph.D., Human Services Research Institute, Portland Oregon
- "Keep up the good work." Ricky Broussard, Self-Advocate, Texas
"Wonderful....all of it! From coast to coast wishing People First well!" Robin Keehn, Area 2 DD Board, Chico California
- "Thanks you so much for sending me this! You guys did a great job editing [video of The Subject Of Relationships] into a little 4-minute clip! Thanks so much for the opportunity" Angela Amado, Ph. D., Executive Director of the Human Service Research and Development Center and also a Research Associate, Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota, Minnesota
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