From Pam Winton

January 9

Ann and Rud,

I'm thinking of all of you now at the visitation and trying to take myself to that place now....to support you all and to honor Jay. To think of how many people's lives have been altered by him..it is a little staggering. It sometimes seems that his life journey mirrors the changes (and revolutions)in disability services...it took 5-10 years for the advocacy efforts inspired by the dysfunctional systems you all faced to make it into some kind of systems-changing legislation...and then into textbooks and teachings that led to changes in practices. And this wasn't just a local effort...it was an international movement. A story from a friend of mine who is a professor of nursing in CA illustrates the point. She was consulting and presenting in Australia on family systems with an interdisciplinary group. Apparently the Turnbulls' teachings and textbooks came up in the conversation as being some of the most inspiring information on the subject, but one person commented something to the effect, "But I heard Ann Turnbull present and she had photos of Jay. I was shocked. It turns out he really doesn't have much of a disability at all. He is in a fraternity, goes to college, and looks perfectly normal." When I thought about the obstacles overturned to reach that point and the path that you cleared for so many others, I knew that this Australian was missing a big part of the story. I also knew that you all had accomplished your goal. Jay was a person with an enviable and full life, surrounded by reliable allies And the wonder is that all of you have taken this journey with so much humour, laughter, and compassion for others. So tonight, to quote from what I think is one of Jay's favorite songs, "this little light of mine" is shining as I think of the wonder of Jay's life and what it has meant for some many people. I so wish I could be there among those many individuals who have been part of the journey.

Pam