A Special Friend
Tribute by Kammie Barfield

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My personal relationship with Roland Johnson was a superb one. As a person with a disability, Roland was a great inspiration to me. He understood what people with disabilities were trying to do for themselves. He gave me hope in whatever I decided to do for the group of SELF-ADVOCATES BECOMING EMPOWERED and People First of Ruston. He lived a good life for all people with disabilities to look up to now and forever!

Roland spoke very strongly about standing up for yourself and demanding due respect as a person and not allowing "normal" people to dominate us. I believe that he would have liked to see the institutions closed today and put people in group homes where they can learn more about independence and what it is like to have a Family and JOBS now!

I wish he could have seen that we are closing institutions today!

-- Kammie Barfield, Secretary
Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered

May 23, 1996