ORDER-2022-37 : Appointment of Judy Bushee, 157 Linwood Ave, to the Commission on Disability for a three-year term; said term to end on the last day of February 2024.

Transcript (~10 min @ 14:44)

Speakers identified by voice; unnamed voices are numbered within this recording. Auto-caption text — verify against the video.

▶ 14:48 Maya Jamaleddine: Next, we have order 2022 dash 37 appointment of Judy, which he 157 Linwood app to the commission on disability for a 3 years term set term to end on the last day of February 2024.

▶ 15:07 Speaker 3: And hello.

▶ 15:16 Speaker 3: Hi, I'll set Madam chair. Yes, we are set that was suspended.

▶ 15:19 Paul Brodeur: very good thank you again uh for considering another outstanding nominee as you know the commission on disability got started fairly recently and like with several of our boards of commissioners tremendous interest and energy in really being able to make a difference and miss bushy as you can see from her statement of interest uh really is an outstanding candidate is she is a person who is herself living with a disability but also works in occupational therapy where she sees folks you know in a professional capacity kind of from all walks of life and that come as they are and recognizes the multitude of challenges that folks across the spectrum of disability uh really encounter in the day-to-day life um and obviously your own experience um perhaps the most important uh when we think about what you know the direction we want to go in and whose voices should be at the table uh miss miss bush's qualifications and her life experience uh certainly bring her to the top of the list i think you'll enjoy your conversation with her and i offer uh her name and denomination with my highest recommendation thank you mr mayor

▶ 16:49 Speaker 5: Is there any questions do you need to ask me, or would you like me to introduce myself?

▶ 16:54 Speaker 6: Why don't you start Judy and then we can take it from there.

▶ 16:59 Speaker 5: Hey, I am a lifelong member of Melrose. I've lived here my whole life. I've had a disability since birth. So, I know what it's like, I also, as the mayor has said to you worked in various areas of people with disabilities. So. They are able to come to me and talk to me with their concerns, because when I worked in a nursing homes or rehab. Having a disability, they'll approach me on different issues that they have and how I deal with them. And, you know, a lot of times people would say. you know what why would you do this and i said because i want to prove to people that just because you have a disability doesn't mean that you have to just stay home or you can't help people and make a difference in the world and that's why i chose the profession i chose and it's been really amazing to see the difference you can make with just encouragement and information to give them information and point them in the right direction to go

▶ 18:13 Speaker 5: to be independent. I love to help people. I love to lift people up. I'd rather lift people up than break them down. I really am proud of myself when I can see the end result of a product. You know, when I work with a patient, just as an example, with a total knee or a total hip replacement, to see them start is, you know, being able to get washed and dressed by a bed, you know, then work their way to get to the bathroom and then to be able to get washed and dressed independently and then to go home and to take the skills that they learned from what I taught them and apply them to a home situation. I think it makes a big difference and to allow those with disabilities to know that they're no different than you are and not to be afraid to speak up if if you have concerns or if you have needs to be met that aren't being met to speak up. That's all I have to say. Does anybody have any questions for me?

▶ 19:15 Maya Jamaleddine: Yes, we do. I just wanna tell you, thank you so much. Your words mean so much to me personally and it definitely brings hope and joy to my heart. So thank you so much.

▶ 19:38 Cory Thomas: are very welcome thank you we have uh counselor thomas thank you mr mayor thank you again for such a great candidate um hi judy hi corey how you doing good how are you good um i'm sorry

▶ 19:51 Cory Thomas: i'm sorry i'm getting a little emotional um judy and i have known each other um

▶ 19:59 Cory Thomas: since kindergarten we we've known each other since we were five um we went to kindergarten We started together at the Washington School. We grew up in the same neighborhood. We live in the same street now. Absolutely. The last time I saw Judy, I stopped by her house to say hi for five minutes and I wound up staying for over an hour. I'm such a big fan of Judy and her families. The Bushy family has been a long time Melrose family. They have such a lengthy history in Melrose of community service and involvement. Her late father who's dearly missed by so many was a Melrose fireman. Judy would be a great candidate based on her occupational therapy background. She'd be a great candidate based on her strength and her hard work.

▶ 20:45 Speaker 5: Thank you. Thank you very much. And her determination.

▶ 20:48 Cory Thomas: I grew up with Judy. I still see Judy. I see her walking the track down at Pine Banks. I see her driving her car. You know, she went to every class that every everyone else in elementary school and middle school in high school.

▶ 21:14 Speaker 5: It's okay, Corey, you're a good guy. I'm just very proud of you, Judy. I'm extraordinarily proud to know your Corey. Honest to God, you're a good friend.

▶ 21:28 Speaker 5: Well, you're a great candidate. I'm very happy that you're doing this. Thank you very much. I appreciate that.

▶ 21:38 Maya Jamaleddine: Well, thank you both. It's very unexpected and I appreciate your emotions. Corey. That's right. Awesome. He's a phenomenal person. Corey Thomas.

▶ 21:44 Speaker 5: Like I said, I've known him since he was 5. we've known each other since we were 5 and, you know, it's funny is the previous woman talked about bullying and Corey was 1 of my biggest 1 of the, my strongest memories is he's been a friend of mine forever. and he never ever didn't include me there wasn't a time that i went in school throughout a hallway that he didn't have a smiling and hello to say how you doing and you know it's just he make it just seeing him here makes me more comfortable it's an honor to know him that's very kind of you

▶ 22:22 Maya Jamaleddine: that's very kind thank you we have yeah and thank you corey and uh we have next um non-voting member, Councillor McNabb.

▶ 22:38 Jeff McNaught: Thank you, Chair Maladine. I'll be very brief. I can't follow what Corey said very well, but I just want to say, Mayor Broder, this is your finest appointment yet. Judy is tough. She's smart. She's kind and full of joy and probably the biggest Boston sports fan out there,

▶ 23:00 Speaker 5: if you're-

▶ 23:04 Jeff McNaught: Yeah, and I may be a little biased. Judy's also my cousin, but just wanted to say congrats, Judy. And thank you.

▶ 23:11 Speaker 5: I appreciate that. I appreciate your compliments too. Honest to God. Later doesn't mean and doesn't know that. So I appreciate your compliments.

▶ 23:24 Maya Jamaleddine: Thank you.

▶ 23:29 Robb Stewart: And, uh, I'm sorry, difficult to follow up on on all those. Uh, I'm. Very, very proud to, um, make a motion to recommend you, uh, for, uh, to the full council.

▶ 23:44 Maya Jamaleddine: Thank you again, we have a motion made by counselor Stewart, um, and seconded by, uh, vice chair.

▶ 23:57 Speaker 1: Mr. Clerk? Chair Jamaleddine? Yes. Vice Chair Migliorelli? Yes. Councillor Eccles? Yes. Councillor Stewart? Yes. Councillor Thomas? Yes. President Cinella? Yes.

▶ 24:18 Maya Jamaleddine: We have six yes. Thank you. Yes. Congratulations. Thank you very much. I'm honoured. Thank you. You're very welcome.

▶ 24:23 Maya Jamaleddine: Thank you for putting your name forward and for all the service and now it's before the full console in the following in the next meeting of the full console.