Member Advisory Committee

At My Choice Wisconsin, each of our members receive personalized care services based on their own goals, desires, and abilities. To better understand the member experience and give our members the opportunity to advocate for themselves, the Member Advisory Committee was founded. These ten individuals meet monthly and are empowered to share their opinions and give a voice to all members. Their experiences provide My Choice Wisconsin with invaluable feedback that can help the organization to improve how we provide the best care for our members. Their thoughtful Tell Me Something Good posts can also be found on our News page.

Mission Statement

We are a team of members who represent the diverse age, abilities, culture and geographical areas of the My Choice Wisconsin membership who provide our unique voice to advise and consult with the organization to ensure the quality of care for all our members.

Committee Focus Areas

Member Outreach – Reaching out to our membership to listen and to provide information as well as resources
Member Education and Advocacy – Opportunities for members to learn and to develop skills to effectively advocate for themselves and others
Member Communication – Communication from the organization to the membership
Member Satisfaction – How happy or unhappy members are with the organization, their Care Teams and/or their Providers who support them
Member Rights – The rights and responsibilities to be a full partner in deciding health and long-term care services and in deciding how those services are provided

Meet the Member Advisory Committee

Duazong “Dee” says “Nyob Zoo!”** from her home in Madison. Dee has been on the My Choice Wisconsin Member Advisory Committee for 2 years and is currently the Chairman. She is also a part of the regional Dane member advisory team. Dee is proud to give a voice to those who are often over-looked, under-acknowledged, and might not have the ability to speak for themselves. Being a member of My Choice Wisconsin has given her the confidence to be independent and self-reliant. As Dee says, “they are not ‘disabilities;’ they’re merely the tip of ‘my capabilities’!”

When not advocating for her fellow members, Dee likes to scrapbook, read, and binge watch Netflix shows. She’s excited for the work that this team will be doing in the future!

**Nyob Zoo means “HELLO!” in Hmong. The NYO in “Nyob” is pronounced like the “nya” in “Tanya”. It sounds like “NYA- Awww.” The ZOO is pronounced “Zh- oong.”
Barry loves talking with people. He’s especially passionate about talking about science. His volunteer work at the Milwaukee County Public Museum for the dinosaur exhibit and the geology cart provides a convenient outlet for this passion. It also gives him the chance to test out new jokes – some that he finds in joke books but most that he makes up himself!

Being able to advocate for himself and others is a huge motivating factor to be on the Member Advisory Committee. Having a care team who listens to him has also helped Barry to become a better self-advocate. “I want to be the voice for members who cannot speak for themselves. I really want to empower other members to speak up for themselves.”
From school, to job searching, to hanging out with her fiancé Henry and volunteering at church, Savanna’s schedule keeps her busy. She’s also active with the Special Olympic’s Team Milwaukee as both an Athlete Leader and participant (bowling, volleyball, and rhythmic gymnastics).

My Choice Wisconsin’s transportation services are one of the things she finds most valuable in maintaining her freedom. In her down time, she likes to dance and get crafty by watching DIY videos. Being on the Member Advisory Committee allows Savanna to make a better life for herself and others by voicing her opinions and concerns. She also welcomes the opportunity to meet others and learn more about them and their abilities.

Savannah encourages people to vote so they can have a say in what our legislators do, “I also want to work so I can get to live on my own and get married. Disability rights are human rights!”
Nealy is a social butterfly – her volunteer work at Tricklebee Café and the Bayview Community Center and her involvement with People First Wisconsin get her out in the community making connections with others.

Self-advocacy is an important topic for Nealy; being on the Member Advisory Committee has been helpful in building her confidence to speak up for herself. She also likes learning about things like employment and voting so she can be more independent. Her hobbies include exercising, making art, and knitting.
Patrick likes his independence – he is proud to live in his own apartment in Germantown and he works as a Finishing Assistant on the production floor of Tailored Label Products. He says My Choice Wisconsin helps provide the support he needs to live his life in the community.

Patrick has a history of being a self-advocate for people with abilities and disabilities. Being a member of the My Choice Wisconsin Member Advisory Committee and the Workforce Rehabilitation Council allows him to “make things happen” and he’s most passionate about employment.

Patrick enjoys competing in the Special Olympics – his favorite sports are basketball, swimming, and bowling. He is also involved with Taekwondo and likes to work out at the fitness center near his home.
It’s easy to see why employment and transportation are two important issues to King: King works as a greeter at Home Depot and he studies hospitality at the Milwaukee Area Technical College. His My Choice Wisconsin team provides a support system for King to work and they coordinate the transportation services he needs to be a part of his community. He likes meeting new people, being social, and cheering on his favorite Milwaukee team – go Bucks! King hopes that his efforts on the Member Advisory Team make a difference in the lives of his fellow members, especially those interested in exploring the employment path.
Chad loves enjoying the great outdoors with his son and Wisconsin’s capitol provides the perfect setting to do just that: biking, fishing, kayaking, snowboarding, and working out. Chad doesn’t let his visual impairment and 2014 traumatic brain injury hold him back: “Just because you have a disability, that doesn’t mean you can’t learn new things and live your life to the fullest.”

Being part of a team that comes up with solutions is a major reason he’s on the Member Advisory Committee and the Regional Dane Member Advisory Team. Chad also appreciates the resourcefulness of his My Choice Wisconsin care team in helping him find solutions for his social, medical and mental health needs so he can live his best life.
When people first meet Arlyn, they quickly learn she has a zest for life and a passion for helping others. They’ll probably also notice her faithful canine companion, Candy Kisses, who’s never too far from her side. “I want everyone to know that they are special. I want to put joy into my life and the lives of others.”

A fixture on both the My Choice Board of Directors and the Member Advisory Committee, Arlyn is the first person to sing the praises of this organization, of which she’s been a member since the very beginning. It’s her goal to make sure that everyone who needs the Family Care program can get the support that she has had over the years and she feels blessed to be part of an organization that helps in such a big way.
Lynn’s life is full of laughter. She loves cracking jokes to make her friends laugh and playing with her cat. The Member Advisory Committee is the perfect place for her to be social, learning new things about people and sharing talents. It also gives her the opportunity to talk about topics that are important to her, like housing and transportation. Lynn is thankful for the support of My Choice Wisconsin so that she can live independently in her community.
Takeela (KiKi) is a poetry artist that advocates for individuals with disabilities. She’s also an entrepreneur; she just started the process of making a microenterprise business to sell her artwork. Knowing she has the support of her care team and that she can trust her care manager with anything has helped her get started on this journey.

The Member Advisory Committee is a great way for her to help people with disabilities know their rights so they can achieve their dreams. She’s also passionate about accessible and affordable housing and wants everyone to have the ability to live independently.