Meet Cathy Derezinski.   When she’s not busy working, she loves to garden and travel.   For Cathy, self-determination goes beyond just her work—it’s a way of life.  She believes self-determination is about sharing dreams and moving on them.  In her career, she helps everyone in their organization focus on self-determination.  Aside from that, she’s also part of a group that works in the community and does sessions on self-determination.  We’re so                                                         fortunate to have Cathy as a member of                                                           our Network!

How are you involved with self-determination? Why did you join the SD Network?

Cathy explains that she thinks that as people, we are all involved with self-determination or can be. “We can all help each other to become our best selves.  Self-determination is about sharing your dreams and then moving towards them. It is about finding trusted allies who will support you to get there,” she says.  Right now, she works with Family Care at Community Care of Central Wisconsin.  She is a resource for everyone connected to their organization around self-determination.   She helps people learn more about self-directing their supports, think about getting a job, or present at a conference. She also helps her co-workers come up with ideas for creating conditions for self-determination.  She points out that self-determination is a way of life--not just part of her work.  Cathy joined the SD Network when it was first developed because she was part of some state wide groups that were working on self-determination.

Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms self-determination?

Cathy points out that the past few years have been exciting in the face of adversity. When changes to the long-term care system were proposed, recently thousands of people with disabilities and their allies were activated.  “It was scary, but also invigorating to gather with others from across the state and make sure our voices were heard,” she says.  Cathy accompanied people to the capitol several times.  She explains that some of the were people had never spoken with their state representatives,  and they became amazing advocates for themselves and  for their peers.  She believes that the energy from this will continue to grow and we can further expand the practice of communicating with our elected officials and keep them on their toes!

What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?

Cathy believes that think our own communities are our greatest resource. She explains that there are friends, neighbors, clubs, groups, organizations that will offer what some people call ‘radical hospitality’ where we feel really welcomed and supported; then we can find our allies and spend our time doing what we love to do!

What message would you like to share with the members of the SD Network?

Cathy appreciates all that she learns from advocates every day. She knows that we all come from different places and have differences in what we think and believe, but we can support each other and learn together what self-determination means for each of us.

What are some of your hobbies?

Cathy enjoys planting a garden every summer to grow food and to create a home for birds, bees and butterflies.  She also loves to travel anywhere and meet new people.  She’s a member of a group called PINC.  PINC was born at the Self-Determination conference because they were doing some fun things and wearing pink shirts. Now, they work in the community at events or offer sessions in self-determination.  She works a lot, but “I love my work so maybe it qualifies as a hobby” she says.

 ***We love hearing the views and opinions of Network members. We need to mention that the views and opinions expressed on this site are those of the person who is sharing them. They do not necessarily reflect InControl Wisconsin or any of our supporters and funders.