July 26, 2002
Issues concerning developmental disabilities in the media often
overshadow successful accomplishments. The topics of insufficient funding, neglect, and abuse tend to dominate headlines. A positive light has finally confronted this
negative attention and unveiled some overlooked truths about supports and services for people with developmental disabilities.
In 1999, an idea emerged. Feel Our Freedom: Communities and Connections for People with Developmental Disabilities was released July 23rd to the public. "It is my pleasure to
introduce (to the readers) some of these remarkable people", expressed Ryan, "we can all take inspiration from their accomplishments."
In Feel Our Freedom, photographer Jon Lowenstein captures the poignant and inspiring everyday rhythm in the lives of 40 adults with disabilities. Through interviews with writer
Alisa Hauser Kraft, these men and women share their stories and their feelings. Each page demonstrates how new meaning has been brought to homes, workplaces, and communities of
people living with a developmental disability.
Astounding progress has been made in recent years in the lives of many people with developmental disabilities. All of the agencies included in Feel Our Freedom offer services
and residential options to adults who have a wide range of disabilities. The agencies that agreed to be included in this book have structured their programs around the individuals
they serve and support. They encourage their clients to pursue their own goals while living as independently as possible.
High Tide Press of Homewood, IL published Feel Our Freedom. High Tide Press was founded with the mission of providing accessible, useful publications to people working in the human
service fields. They continue to provide such oriented publications concerning disabilities, psychology, leadership, and management. High Tide Press is owned in part by The Trinity Foundation of Joliet.
To order a copy of Feel Our Freedom, call Cherry Hill Bookstore toll-free at 800.469.9461. For more information on High Tide Press or The Trinity Foundation, please visit them online at Support Businesses and Trinity Foundation.