Matthew Otto Exercises His Right to Vote!

Matthew Otto Exercises his right to vote! Meet Matthew Otto, born August 7, 1996. He is a very charming and gregarious young man who never meets a stranger and loves to give hugs and kisses whenever he can. He has a wonderful sense of humor and likes to “mess around” with people. He is very intuitive and is quite an inspi- ration to all who meet him. Having Spina Bifida, using a wheelchair to get around, having a learning disability and needing to use a ventilator because of respiratory failure has not stopped Matthew from fully enjoying his life. He wakes up every day saying “This is the best day of my life!” He loves to go bowling, plays on the Miracle League baseball, soccer and basketball teams, and he loves to “win” every time he crosses home plate, makes a goal or drops the ball in the basket. He’s been to New York to be in the audience of the “Emeril Live” show; been to a taping of the “Wheel of Fortune” where he got to meet and speak to Pat Sajak and Vanna White; shot pool with Reggie Bush; and driven con- struction equipment like Bob the Builder. He likes being on his computer, being read to, watching the News, Weather Channel or the Food Network and talking on the phone to anyone who will listen to him. As a matter of fact, he likes talking to anyone, anywhere, and anytime anyone will listen to him! Having a serious side also, Matthew loves to sing whenever he can. He enjoys singing the National Anthem and has been asked to sing at local swim meets, Miracle League fundraisers and most recently at the American Legion High School Baseball Tournament. He’s been taught to love his country and to speak his mind to let people know what he’s thinking. That’s why it was no surprise when he told us he Matthew voting for the 1st time. wanted to register to vote as soon as he turned 18 last year. He couldn’t wait to go register and when asked why it was important for him to vote, he proudly said, “How else are they going to know what I want if I don’t tell them?” For the first election he voted in he was so excited to tell everyone that it was his first time voting! Watching him push the “cast my vote” button on that voting machine was quite an awesome experience. According to the US Department of Justice, “Voting is one of our nation’s most fundamental rights and a hallmark of our democracy. Yet for too long, many people with disabilities have been excluded from this core aspect of citizenship. People with intellectual or mental health disabilities have been prevented from voting because of prejudicial assumptions about their capabilities. People who use wheelchairs or other mobility aids, such as walkers, have been unable to enter the polling place to cast their ballot because there was no ramp...” Luckily, for Matthew and so many like him, the Constitution of the United States, it’s amendments and several federal civil rights laws have been established to prevent these forms of discrimination and maintain the fundamental right for all Americans to vote. Have you registered to vote? Your voice matters! Families Helping Families of Jefferson Phone: 504.888.9111 201 Evans Road Toll Free: 800.766.7736 Building One, Suite 100 Fax: 504.888.0246 Harahan, LA 70123 E-mail: [email protected] #ThinkABILITY is a month long social media campaign to celebrate accomplishments of individuals with disabilities. It’s being coordinated by Families Helping Families of Jefferson. Learn more about it at http://tinyurl.com/ThinkABILITY. .

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