Gale Vanator is one busy lady. When she’s not working at Noa Noa or spending time with friends, she’s busy serving as president of a local self-advocacy group. The group is comprised of people living with disabilities who advocate for themselves. They hold meetings, attend national conferences and work with local politicians to help advance their causes. Gale also said the group is very active in holding fundraisers that not only help the self-advocacy group but also benefit others. A bingo fundraiser will be held April 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus to raise money. The group also sells candy bars, holds bake sales and does car washes to raise money. “We’re going to give some to the tornado victims,” said Vanator of giving money raised from the April bingo event to those in Southern Indiana. A big target for the group’s fundraising efforts is the homeless. They were able to get the city of Warsaw to repair some sidewalks so they could be better used for those who often walk and use their wheelchairs along them. The self-advocacy group is currently at 25 members. But Vanator and Cardinal Services Community Relations Manager Michelle Boxell both said they are always looking for new members. Everyone is welcome to join the group and attend meetings. Family and friends of those living with disabilities are encouraged to attend the meetings. They often have guest speakers and are eyeing new Warsaw Mayor Dr. Joe Thallemer as their next guest. Thallemer visited the group as a city councilman. They also are open to have other speakers come in. The meetings take place at the CCI workshop on the campus of Cardinal Services in Warsaw from 6 to 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. When the advocates aren’t raising money for others, they are sending Gale, as president, to the statehouse to speak with legislators or to state and national conferences. Gale has talked to State Senator Ryan Mishler on several occasions about what her and her group would like to see. The main things are transportation, independent living and career links. All three involve maintaining a certain level of funding for organizations like Cardinal Services. Without those three things, Gale and others like her wouldn’t have chances to thrive in the communities they live in. Self-advocacy groups like the one in Warsaw aren’t beholden to places like Cardinal. Cardinal Services does provide support and community living manager Steve Elder will attend meetings from time to time, but the group elects its own officials, keeps its own finances and decides what it wants to do.
As for Gale, if all that wasn’t enough, she is also a participant in bocce ball at the Special Olympics both locally and in Indianapolis. She was also one of 10 self-advocacy group members to be selected to have funds raised for them so they could attend a national conference in Minneapolis, Minn. Aug. 30-Sept. 2. By connecting with Cardinal Services on Facebook and “liking” their page or visiting cardinalservices.org, those interested can find ways to donate to help get Gale to the national conference or get more information on the advocacy group in general. Gale’s natural leadership allowed her to be elected as president to the group that is about 8 years old. In her position as president, she can voice concerns and ideas. And Gale hopes to use that voice to speak for those living with a disability and to speak to those who may be sitting on the fence about becoming involved. Gale said her group is also always looking for sponsors. They’ve been able to get the likes of Tower Bank, Paragon Medical and Wilile 103.5. But they’re looking for more. Gale helps out at the annual Duck Race and whenever Cardinal has a booth at a show or festival, most likely you’ll find Gale there and ready to talk about the advocacy group. Gale is as much a fabric of the Warsaw community as anyone else. And her ability to be a part of community has allowed her to grow and be confident. “I’ve always had a voice,” said Gale in an interview Thursday afternoon. “I think it’s important that they speak for themselves,” said Boxell. “And I think it’s time that (people not living with a disability) teach ourselves to listen.”
