22 years ago, I sat at the table in those first VIP meetings, dreading being asked what I thought. Passion burned in my belly but I was afraid and I didn't yet understand the power that lay in organized, educated, and empowered people, until I started to give voice to my own story, and heard others tell their stories.
Through individual and house meetings at the Franciscan Renewal Center and other congregation, we found that the long-term care system was failing our families, including mine. My husband was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 41 years ago, and is struggling with cancer. We conducted countless house meetings and 45 research actions one summer to gain the knowledge we would need to fix a broken system.
The training for in-home caregivers was our brainchild and is now the standard for the state. In 2007, we drafted legislation for the Lifespan Respite Care Program. We took our stories to nearly every legislator that session. Our stories led to their stories. Our passion ignited their passion. The Bill passed overwhelmingly -- in one session!
Our program is now recognized as one of the best in the nation. The skills, the collaboration, most of all, the relationships that have been formed here stay with me. People ask me why I don't retire. I'm trying, but VIP is an organization that can make real change. Truly, hundreds of people have found their voice and are building those healthy communities that we set out to do 22 years ago. For me and so many others, VIP unearthed the passion that burns in my belly, helped me find my voice and exercise citizenship in the true sense of the word.