Testimonials:

January 23, 2007 - "Kaye Christian"

I first became aware of the wonderful people and the great work they do at NMPASI when I needed to become a notary public for my employment position. Part of the lengthy process to become a notary involved filling out an application that had a question asking “Have you ever been adjudged incompetent or been treated for mental illness?” Having to mark the “yes” box on a form with questions designed to have all “no” answers made me feel a little uncomfortable, but I certainly was not going to lie to the attorney generals office. When I followed up on the processing of my notary with a friend that works at the AG’s office, I was told I needed to call and talk to someone named Vivian. There was a problem with one of the questions on my application. I knew it could only be one question so I first called NMPASI to see if AG’s office could deny my request to become a notary because I had been treated for mental illness. I was informed that not only could they not deny me but the wording in that question was clearly against the Americans with Disabilities Act. I had a choice to either open a case against the AG’s office or, NMPASI could write a kind letter suggesting more appropriate wording. NMPASI did write that letter and now no one ever has to feel like I did when I truthfully answered that question. The wording was changed to a question that could easily be answered no. I later found out that I was the first to ever answer that question yes and they didn’t know what to do. The people at NMPASI are working hard to help protect people with disabilities in the CNMI.

Kaye Christian is a Consumer Advocate, Member of the Mental Health Planning Council at CHC, and Chairperson of the Protection and Advocacy of Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) Advisory Council at NMPASI. That position automatically sits on the NMPASI Board of Directors. She is also the President of the NAMI NMI Chapter, a non profit corporation to advocate for individuals with mental illness and work toward reducing the stigma of mental illness in the CNMI. The NAMI organization signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CGC and Public Health in October of 2005 and has provided staffing to assure the Clubhouse remains open at least 25 hours per week. Kaye has been a Clubhouse volunteer, and the organizer of Friday night activities and events since July 2005.

January 23, 2007 - Thanks for the support Kaye
Followed up by: Gregory Borja

January 23, 2007 - "M.L."

Hello, my name is M.L., I am a thirty eight year old Carolinian male with a mental illness. I have to express my appreciation for the NMPASI team as they have helped me with many things in my life to make it better.

To begin, I was looking for a job with a local gas station, but was told by the manager that I would not qualify for the job, because he thought that I might pour gasoline on my customers and light them on fire. I then called NMPASI, and immediately they appointed two advocates for visit the gas to protect my rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The two advocates visited the manager, but he was uncooperative and insisted that his customer’s safety was priority, even after my advocates informed him that it was my right not to be judged because of my disability. The advocates then met with the corporate head of the gas station and they were informed of the Americans with Disabilities Act and they agreed that the manager was out of line. They apologized and then hired me immediately and gave me two locations to choose from instead of just the location I had visited.

NMPASI has also helped me by accepting me to be an active member of the PAIMI Advisory Council as a primary consumer. I have been serving in this capacity since 1998.

If you need help, and people believe that your disability is the reason why a service, program or job will not accept you, please go to NMPASI. I know they will help you.

January 23, 2007 - "T.O."

NMPASI personnel met with a 50 year old Carolinian Male from Garapan who gave his personal testimony to NMPASI for use with this new Updated 2007 Website (www.nmpasi.com).

In 2006, Mr. T.O. was unable to get home modifications from housing to allow him to live in more comfort at his residency in Garapan, he turned to NMPASI who negotiated and mediated with housing to produce the results he needed for his home. Now, he and his family live in a more comfortable and accommodating home.

Aside from this, NMPASI personnel also invited T.O. and his family to become active members in the community by joining workshops and meetings that pertained to the matters and issues surrounding people with disabilities in the CNMI. As a result, T.O. is currently a member of a local CNMI support group called the Center for Living Independently or CLI.

December 31, 2008 - "Letter to the Editor on Saipan Tribune"

http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?newsID=86529&cat=15

Thank you

Today is a victory for parents, children and adults living with autism! Although, the road ahead is long and the obstacles we will face are not new to us, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Rep. Heinz Hofschneider and Rep. Tina Sablan for their hard work and commitment to those living with autism. A special thank you to Rep. Ralph Torres, Rep. Rosemond Santos, Rep. Ray Palacios for also publicly addressing the importance and, their support of HB 16-135. Un dungku’lu na Si Yu’us Ma’ase!

As I sat in the galley listening to Rep. Hofschneider and all who voiced their support, I could not help but relive the struggles, pain, sleepless nights, the stares of the people as they wondered what is “wrong” with my child, the gossip of society that my husband and I are unfit parents and, the stigma that this society has imposed on my daughter and her peers: That she can’t, she won’t and she will never amount to anything because she is not normal!

To go back to that time is very painful.

But today, we were given back our voice! Today we were given back a sense of hope! Today I have hope and I believe that I am not alone!

To my family, thank you for your undying support and your willingness to learn more about this disease that has afflicted many, including our very own, Maria. You give me the strength to move forward and break the barriers.

To anyone who has in one way or another touched Maria’s life, thank you for never giving up on her. Thank you for being her friend.

To the parents and adults living with autism, we will prevail! The torch we pass on will be one that is lit. We will fight to break the barriers that hold you prisoners of your community and your minds. Equal access, equal opportunity and, the right to live a life that is respected belongs to all citizens, including our children and you!

And to the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, the Council on Developmental Disabilities, and the Northern Marianas Protection and Advocacy Systems, Inc., thank you for all your support, dedication and commitment to educating and informing our community and being our partners in advocating for all children and adults with special needs.

I am forever grateful.

Marissa F. Guerrero
Dandan, Saipan