With Labor Day, another summer has come to an end. It was full of promising events for the disabled population as always. Not only was the YAI Central Park Challenge the besttttti in years but, as usual, YAI -as far as the disability population is concerned- is still united as a family, with marriage penalty laws, employment, etc.

August 19 was also the anniversary of me being with my partner, Anthony Huiett. Terry and I first met on August 19th, 1997 at the YAI day habilitation program at East Tremont Ave in the Bronx. The moment we met, we instantaneously hit it off. He stood by me through me during my roughest times with my family, the neighborhoods I’ve lived in, and the jobs I've had. He is the one partner I am still in love with 30 years later-and- we are planning on getting married and living together by the end of this year.

On Sept 23 I started a new self-advocacy job through YAI. I will be working with advocacy groups from the 5 boroughs and different region groups at other agencies. I will be speaking at YAI residences and group homes, finding out how new staff should be treating the people supported by the agency and getting proper training and skills, and showing parent and caregivers how the agencies can improve and change.

Before the year is out, I will be moving to my new apartment in East New York, Brooklyn, through the Block Institute, which is the agency where my fiancé, Anthony Huiett, is at. After 21 years of living in my own apartment in Flatbush, Brooklyn, under Job Path, I am looking forward to new beginnings - meeting new friends and, after 30 years together, finally marrying my fiancé.