Gov. Ralph DLG Torres proclaimed March 2021 as Developmental Disabilities Month yesterday afternoon with the theme \u201cDisable the Label\u201d at the Governor\u2019s Office on Capital Hill.<\/p>\n
Separately, the CNMI Disability Network Partners held an award ceremony at the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan\u2019s Hibiscus Hall yesterday to recognize what it calls the 2021 \u201cChampions of Equal Opportunity.\u201d In all, DNP recognized 28 advocates under different categories.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis year, after overcoming many challenges such as COVID-19, the council and its partners would like to celebrate some outstanding individuals who truly embody what advocacy is all about. Today we honor the community members who dedicate their lives to helping and improving the lives of people with developmental disabilities,\u201d said Pamela C. Sablan, executive director of the CNMI Council on Developmental Disabilities.<\/p>\n
One of the awardees, Ronnie Calvo and his wife Lora Calvo, were presented with the Rota Family Advocate of the Year award.<\/p>\n
Speaking later with Saipan Tribune, Ronnie Calvo, who said he himself is a parent of a child with a disability, said, \u201cWe should all recognize an individual\u2019s ability and grant equal access because we are all equal. \u2026The theme \u2018Disable the Label\u2019 is very important, and can help change the mindset of our society.\u201d<\/p>\n
UCEDD director Jennifer-Eilleen Castro also discussed the importance of this year\u2019s theme \u201cDisable the Label,\u201d highlighting the importance of disabling the stereotypes that are often associated with people who have disabilities.<\/p>\n
In her example, Castro said a person with autism may say, \u201cJust because I have autism doesn\u2019t automatically presume that you are better at math than I am. Just because I\u2019m a female doesn\u2019t mean you are better at planning than I am. I\u2019m not a girl, I\u2019m not a boy, I\u2019m a human being.\u201d<\/p>\n
First lady Diann T. Torres, who gave welcoming remarks at the event, said, \u201cEach and every one of us here have our strengths and weaknesses, and I stand by the slogan \u2018Disable the Label,\u2019 because in today\u2019s society, we are all fighting for equal opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n
The ceremony was led by master of ceremony Susan Satur, executive director of the Center for Living Independently in the CNMI and CNMI Council on Developmental Disabilities board member.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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