Goodbye 2020! What a year this has been! A 20-20 on an eye chart exam indicates perfect eyesight. I thought 2020 would be a year of clear vision. I never imagined the sadness, distrust, isolation, and destruction the world had to endure to be able to see.
Sure, there were terrific things that happened this year. It was thrilling being at Sundance and seeing people's overwhelmingly positive response after watching Crip Camp. Hearing David tell me that the life-changing movie was a moment I will never forget. Watching David mature and work diligently and realistically on his career path was another year's highlight. I got a new appreciation for my attendants' hard work for Denise and me. Thank you Taylor, Jessica, Shoshana, and most importantly, Luciana! Unquestionably, the most significant aspect of the year realized the unending and loving support Denise gave to me.
Before this year, I never imagined how quickly the world could change. With all the pandemics, hurricanes, and fires, nature continued teaching us the importance of listening to science and working diligently and quickly on climate change. On every continent, the coronavirus affects almost every part of people's lives. A shout-out of appreciation must get to hospital workers, first responders, scientists, and all people who continued working to receive what we needed to survive.
This year's presidential election caused more anxiety in me than any other election thus far. President Trump continued unveiling how rampant racism, xenophobia, classism, sexism, ableism, and disregard for science still exist in this country. The thought of four more years of the Trump administration was frightening.
Like many people I know, I have enormous hope for 2021. As the pandemic ends, we have an unprecedented opportunity to create a 'new norm.' We can create a society where healthcare-for-all, including Independent Living Services for all, is the norm. Imagine a world where everyone has food, clothing, shelter, education, and the physical and emotional support they need to survive and thrive. Visualized nations where everyone gets respected for who they are and can live up to their potential. In this new era, focusing on saving the earth from climate change must be a priority. Hoping, imagining, praying, and visualizing are not enough. Now is the time to plan and commit ourselves to act to the best of our ability to improve the 'new norm'.
I wish you and your family and friends a Happy New Year filled with good health and lots of joy.
Go! Go! Go!
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