Individual Spotlight-- Donna Hyland

     The Berkshire County Arc Achievement award celebrates individuals who continuously strive to attain their personal goals. This year's recipient, Donna Hyland, has shown incredible growth during the past year. She has become accepting of the support offered to her in challenging situations such as the loss of two people who were close to her and the cancellation of a long awaited cruise due to the September 11th tragedy.
     She has also demonstrated increased patience and understanding when life just doesn't "go right" and has become a more active participant in resolving unpleasant situations. Donna has also become an effective self-

advocate by making her own decisions and communicating her wants and desires. Through her efforts she has participated more fully in activities such as monthly manicures, attending church and hosting "World of Products" parties. She has just returned, with two of her housemates, from an absolutely wonderful 8-day cruise to Bermuda.
     For her hard work in setting and realizing her personal goals, Berkshire County Arc was proud to present the 2002 Achievement award to Donna Hyland at the Annual Meeting.
     Congratulations, Donna. You are this issue's Spotlight Individual!

Self-Advocacy News

     On April 30, three members of the Berkshire Advocates traveled to Boston for the Mass Advocates Standing Strong rally to protest cuts to human services in the state budget and to lobby county legislators for their support in preserving funding. Julie Macchi, Madeline Bialor and Robert Hall traveled to Springfield where they boarded a bus with more than 40 other self-advocates and staff and headed for the State House. Once there, they joined hundreds of other self-advocates to demonstrate their feelings. During and after the rally, self-advocates visited various legisla

tors' offices to make their points about he budget known. In  attending this rally, Robert, Julie and Madeline ably acted as self advocates for a cause they believed in.