By Ned Olney, President and CEO of Crotched Mountain Foundation
Let us not wallow in the valley of despair. I say to you today my friends — so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”
These words were, of course, spoken by Martin Luther King Jr. as part of his iconic, timeless “I Have a Dream” speech. These sentiments ring true today as they have then they were uttered so many years ago. The message of equality spans all generations and geographies, all races, creeds, and abilities; it is evergreen.
Today, on Martin Luther King Day, I am reminded of this historic speech and how much it impacts the world of disabilities. Dr. King’s expression of hope and plea for equality resonates throughout the mission of Crotched Mountain Foundation.
Staff, families, partners, and especially our donors and supporters , we are bound by this belief, that all are created equal. That no matter the diagnosis or disability, we are all part of a common dream.
On this special day I want to thank you all for your commitment and compassion. And, of course, we thank Dr. King for words that have become the engine of the life-changing work we have devoted ourselves to for nearly a century.