Disability & Voting is Natural

Kathie Snow is a dear friend of mine. We were both actively involved with advocacy issues for students with disabilities in Colorado in the early to mid-90s, and carpooled together to Denver many times. Her son, Benjamin and my Bonnie are almost the same age. They both have disabilities, but that is only one small part of who they are. Benjamin is articulate and witty. Bonnie is artistic and charming. They are both contributing, loving members of their families and communities.

Kathie owns this wonderful website, and publishes a newsletter, to which I subscribe. This month's issue includes an article about her son voting for the first time with her assistance, just as my Bonnie voted for the first time this year with mine. Bonnie and I used mail-in ballots, while they went to their polling place for early voting.

A "friend" recently accused me of using my beloved daughter in order to vote twice. That accusation hurt deeply, as my children are the most precious people in my life since I lost my husband to cancer in 2005.

This former friend is so wrong. My Bonnie, like other American citizens over age 18, has the legal right to vote and she exercised it this year. It is in her best interest to do so. We filled out her ballot together, and she signed it herself. She has an Obama bumper sticker on her lunch bag, and was very proud of her "I Voted" sticker. Please feel free to share this post (in its entirety) with interested parties, and include the link to www.disabilityisnatural.com if you do. Thank you.

~Deb Stover
AKA Bonnie's Mom