People First of New Hampshire

A non-profit organization 

directed by people who have disabilities 

for the purpose of self-advocacy

New Hampshire's State Team for the Alliance for Full Participation 

identified 4 priority issues to bring to the Summit 2005 in Washington, DC

1. Creating and sustaining welcoming and inclusive communities

2. Ensuring quality education across the lifespan

3. Creating and sustaining a quality workforce

4. Ensuring access to affordable, quality healthcare

People First of New Hampshire members speak from experience about these 4 areas.

Diane Carignan ~ Bristol, New Hampshire

"I am trying to get my GED so that I can go to college."

"I want to be a Special Education teacher or a worker in the mental health field."

"I am active in a health group and talk about how to eat healthy and lose weight. We meet 2 times a week to exercise and every Monday we talk about healthy choices. When we go out for lunch we study the menus and choose healthy meals."

"I moved on to work at Burger King as a Dining Room Attendant and have been there ever since."

Donald visits friends at the Public Works Garage in Gorham.

Roberta Gallant ~ Concord, New Hampshire

"I testify for and against certain bills. I testify to improve services and I do not want our legislators to cut our money."

"At my apartment, I watch the daily news to keep up with what’s going on in the world. I also enjoy my computer."

Eliza Gifford ~ Portsmouth, New Hampshire

"I have a job at Beswick Engineering and I’m making lots of money."

"I am going on vacation in December to Orlando, Florida."

Peter Gray ~ Ashland, New Hampshire

" I like my job stacking shelves at Hannaford Brothers grocery store."

"I just moved into my own apartment for the first time and I love it."

Belinda (Bindy) Hurd ~ Plymouth, New Hampshire

"This is Tony and me before we got married. He is the love of my life."

"My highlight about my work at The Readery is seeing my co-worker, Rosemary, and, organizing the books."

Tammy Mills ~ Plainfield, New Hampshire

"I felt excited and adventurous when I voted for the first time. When I say adventurous, I mean brave, daring and willing to try strange new things."

Dan Olsen ~ Portsmouth, New Hampshire

" I work at Great Bay Services."

"I have a girlfriend. We go out to movies and out to eat."

Amber Parshley ~ Laconia, New Hampshire

"I like going to the athletic swim club. I do water aerobics so that I can lose weight."

"I like to go to church on Sundays so that I can be close to my family."

"I am a member of the Advisory Council of Littleton’s Model Community Partners-Connecting Young People to Communities and Careers."  

Gertrude "Trudy" Philbrick ~ North Sutton

"We are really excited to have the opportunity to work with Community Bridges in planning with transition in school."

Brian Ridley ~ East Ryegate, Vermont

"When I was a kid, my grandfather and my uncle worked on the farm. By the time I was in my teens, I always wanted to work on the farm."

David Stephenson ~ Whitefield, New Hampshire

"I was a Guest DJ on 95.7- The Point FM. It was the biggest day of my life. I always wanted to be a DJ because I thought it would be a lot of fun and IT WAS!"

Michael Theriault ~ Concord, New Hampshire

"I sweep at St. Peter’s church. I am the janitor there." 

"I am an outside guard at the Knights of Columbus."

"I make my own life."

Anthony Thibodeau ~ Concord, New Hampshire

"I am a blueprint technician and copy off of a large machine. I’ve had this job for 12 years."

"I get the organ in the church warmed-up on Sundays. I sing with the choir."

Frank Vinciguerra ~ Concord, New Hampshire

"I am involved at the state house by speaking up about increasing minimum wage."

"I feel strongly about speaking up to the legislators to help them know about healthcare."

"I am an inside guard with the Knights of Columbus and help them with meetings, fundraisers, and socials."

Jamie Wilson ~ Derry, New Hampshire

"I just joined the Boy Scouts and the Roundtable. I tell people how to make activities wheelchair accessible."

People First of NH Ten Year Celebration, 2002