Grace Palmateer

I am writing to ask you to protect New Hampshire's citizens Disability Rights by making the Section 504 protections law in our state. Disability Rights is not an us or them issue, realistically everyone will experience some sort of disability within their lifetime. Many people as they age, but it can be at anytime. I often say we are all just a stop sign away from a disability. For me I was a hard working, health focused person - walking 3.5 miles a day, eating "super foods" & using natural products in my home. I woke up one day having trouble walking & I was diagnosed with Lymphoma that had created a tumor squishing my spine. I was lucky, it was a difficult process - but the tumor was successfully removed, chemotherapy worked on the Lymphoma & I can do everything I did prior to my diagnosis (although more awkwardly). Being temporarily unable to walk showed me how important it is to provide access to education, employment, health care & public services to everyone. I believe most people with disabilities want to be contributing, valuable members of their communities which the right accommodations can allow them to be. Furthermore the majority of them did nothing to create their disability, so who would we be if we prevent them from being the best they can be? As I know from experience tomorrow it may be you that seeks options to allow you to live a full life. Thank you for your time please pass HB1593, Grace Palmateer