Video: Arc Picnic Held at Ballard Park

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TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) — Their goal was to make people aware that people with intellectual and development disabilities want to live an independent and productive life.

And on Saturday at Tupelo’s Ballard Park, dozens of people with disabilities enjoyed a day of fun activities sponsored by the the Arc of Mississippi, which is an affiliate of the Arc of the United States, which is the largest grassroots advocacy organization for citizens of all ages with cognitive, intellectual, and developmental disabilities, and their families.

Emily Word became paralyzed from the chest down when she was 19 years old. She now is an independent living specialist.

“I’ve been an independent living specialist for five years and just hope to continue to bring awareness about being independent and and bringing awareness about people with disabilities and to be courteous and kind to them, ” Word said.

Arc says one in every 10 families in America has a member with an intellectual and developmental disability and there are more than 7.5 million people in the U.S. who have a cognitive disability, which is a condition, not a disease.

Arc is dedicated to ensuring people with disabilities have the support they need to live an ordinary and decent American life.

Categories: Local News

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