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Special Message
Panhandle ILC is your "Key to Independence" a symbol of the assistance and encouragement we offer to people with disabilities. More than 40 years ago in California, a group of people living in nursing homes simply because they were disabled, refused to give up their rights. Working together, they formed the first Independent Living Center, left the nursing homes, and began advocating for themselves.
This spirit continues in Centers all across America and in Amarillo where we help fill in the gaps left by other agencies. We encourage people to become their own advocates, take risks, accept responsibility, and gain control over their own lives. It's about participating as full and equal members of the community.
The philosophy behind Independent Living is that: "Everyone, regardless of disability, should have equal access to the rights and responsibilities that each citizen has to be as active and productive a member of society as he chooses to be."
Editorial
by Carl McMillen
Panhandle ILC is fortunate to have dedicated volunteers serving on our Board of Directors. Twelve great men and women do their best to ensure effective services for consumers, promote sound financial management and most importantly, build the experience and resources necessary for future growth.
These “unsung heroes” may work behind the scenes, but they are at the forefront of the Center’s existence. They sacrifice time and energy to attend Board meetings, participate in special committees and meetings, support fundraising events, sign checks and offer guidance to PILC’s administrative staff. The Board meets annually to review the Center’s consumer activities, set Policies and Procedures, elect officers and plan for the year ahead. Without these Board members, we could not function.
Along with having a variety of disabilities, our Board members represent a broad cross-section of the community as business owners, working for state and federal agencies or allied disability organizations. We have a teacher, a refinery employee, a hospital administrator, a medical transcriptionist and a retired registered nurse. Three Board members are also parents of students with disabilities and one of these is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
Words cannot express our gratitude for the Board members who so willingly give their leadership to Panhandle Independent Living Center. We just wanted to take a few minutes to say “Thank you” for your generosity, your love and your compassion for this humanitarian mission.
