Still far to go to help mentally disabled

I am the guardian of my older sister, a woman with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD). My sister was institutionalized at the age of 2 in the 1940s; society was so different toward people with I/DD back then that I didn't even know she existed until I was a teenager.

Margaret does not speak or sign, so I relied on her records to find out about her life in the institution. It is horrifying to read what she went through and how she didn't have a single choice about any aspect of her life.

Even today, the state of Illinois does not make it easy for people with I/DD to choose their path in life. Due to a severe lack of funding, people with I/DD are waiting years for services to help them navigate their daily lives.

Empowering people with I/DD to choose where to live, where to work, and how to socialize is essential to life itself. Before, there was nothing person-centered about Margaret's life. Now, she is respected and enjoys her home in the community like anyone else.

My sister's life has changed so much for the better, but we still have so far to go. People with I/DD have hopes, dreams, and goals. Some people might need support to achieve their dreams, but fully funding services will ensure that everyone with I/DD has the chance to live a full, happy life.

Katherine Hamann

Palos Park