What’s Happening in Your Town? featuring Saint Mary’s
“What’s Happening in Your Town” features the perspectives of people with developmental disabilities about their own experiences in their communities. The column gives them a space to freely share their own opinions and their lived experiences with others. Interested in writing an article? Send an email to Tianna Faulkner, Editor-in-Chief at .
My name is Leslie Kate Thornton. I'm from Saint Mary's, Georgia, near the Georgia/Florida state line. Beautiful coastal landscapes and a strong sense of community are all around me. Living near Florida allows me to experience the best of both states, from the charming southern hospitality of Georgia to the vibrant culture and beaches of Florida. I have always been passionate about community engagement and assisting individuals to make a positive impact. Throughout my career, I have worked with various organizations and initiatives that aim to create meaningful change. I am excited to share my experiences and insights with you. I want to inspire others to act in their communities.
One of the most significant barriers is education. Professionals think they have all the education they need to know about what I am incapable of. I have realized through my experience that it seems these professionals are trained to deal with non-disabled people, and that customization and fairness are such foreign concepts to many educators that it seems incomprehensible to them.
My goal in life goal is to let people know they are wonderfully made, loved, and have a purpose. Additionally, my goal is to ensure that everyone, regardless of physical or mental abilities, is afforded the same opportunities to live their best life. I’m passionate about people with disabilities having real lives, jobs, genuine relationships, and making real decisions. A key aspiration of mine is to introduce viable and accessible services to southeast Georgia, enriching the lives of individuals in our community. We have a rather large community of people with disabilities without access to services. I want to break the graduation-to-couch cycle. I believe that everyone deserves the chance to thrive and contribute to society in meaningful ways.
By providing accessible services in southeast Georgia, we can help individuals with disabilities to live fulfilling and independent lives, breaking the cycle of limited opportunities and dependence. As someone who represents myself and my community, I am steadfast in my commitment to fostering an environment that includes and is more supportive for individuals with disabilities. By coming together through collaboration, encouragement, and support, we can strive to build a society that is fair where everyone can achieve their full potential. With conviction, I believe southeast Georgia has the potential to become a model that includes and gives everybody access, inspiring other Georgia communities to follow suit.
Together, let's remove barriers and promote understanding to create a more welcoming and supportive environment for all individuals to thrive. While this community has many proactive individuals, raising awareness remains a significant challenge that we must address. Let's work to increase awareness and education about the needs and abilities of individuals with disabilities to assist our community to make meaningful changes that benefit everyone. Additionally, providing resources and support for individuals with disabilities can help ensure that they have equal opportunities to participate fully in community life. Together, let's work to foster a culture of acceptance and including everyone to build a stronger, more cohesive community that values and embraces all its members.
Thank you for taking the time to read about my passion for including and ensuring everyone in southeast Georgia has access. I hope to set a new standard for fairness that includes everyone in our community.