If you have been reading, watching, or consuming news of any kind on social media, you are likely to be aware that disability services advocacy is rapidly becoming more important than ever.
Trips to the Capitol are critical as elected officials are tasked with cutting budgets without knowledge or complex understanding of how cuts could dramatically affect care for the disabled. And people here in Minnesota and across the country are scrambling to be heard.
In times like this it is important to remember the role of advocacy and how having a few loud voices willing to advocate for others is a benefit to ALL. Sadly, we lost an incredible advocate back in April, and we want to take a moment to honor the work she did over the past 37 years.
Pam Gonnella was born in July of 1951, and during her 73 years on earth she found success in all areas of her life. Pam attended and graduated from the University of Minnesota, the University of Chicago, and William Mitchell College of Law. She was a wife and a mother to three children. When her daughter Sarah suffered severe brain damage at the age of five, Pam was suddenly an advocate in addition to a lawyer, a wife, and a mother.
Her husband Joe Gonnella remembers not knowing anything about disabilities when their daughter was injured after a viral infection. But they had a neighbor with a child with disabilities who told them the first thing they needed to do was apply for medical assistance, and the second was to contact ARC Suburban, now known as ARC of Minnesota. Together they scrambled, found their footing, and started on their lifelong journey of advocacy.
Pam left her job and for 25 years took care of Sarah at home, with help from two trusted PCAs who worked with Sarah for 19 and 24 years each. She made sure Sarah always had friends and access to activities like the Girl Scouts. Their church, Advent United Methodist, was a tremendous support to the family, and along with community and family, Pam and Joe made a great life for Sarah. In 2013 Pam and Joe made the hard decision to find a new home for their daughter. Joe had retired, and they realized a licensed residential group home was the best next step as they were aging, and the timing felt right. It was then that they found our Diane Road home and together felt great relief knowing they had found a safe and caring place for their child to thrive.
Throughout Sarah’s life Pam became a steadfast advocate, often going to the Capitol to introduce legislators to the people their bills were affecting. She was on the Board of ARC Suburban (now ARC Minnesota), as well as on the Board at Living Well. And she was part of the 5% Campaign while she was acting chair of The Best Life Alliance. Pam’s advocacy was recognized by several awards, including Hero of The Arc from The Arc of Minnesota and the Tip of the Spear from MOHR.
Up until her own health was impacted by Alzheimer’s she fought the good fight, always a voice of reason in in legislative decision rooms.
Beth Tollefson, Senior Director of Program Service, says, “Pam Gonnella was a woman who demonstrated great compassion, advocacy, and strength. She was a staunch advocate for those with no voice and for caregivers in Minnesota and across the country. She provided heartfelt and compelling testimony at Capitol hearings during her time as the chair of the Best Life Alliance and chairing our Public Policy committee at Living Well. Pam partnered with us during the ARRM Days at the Capitol, speaking at the rally, meeting with legislators, and leading the charge to enhance wages for DSPs. Pam was such a caring and dedicated mom. She was always so kind to others and will be missed.” Her momma bear energy was contagious and lit a fire under all who knew her to learn more about the plight of those supporting people with disabilities in a system that was and remains hard to navigate.
Joe Gonnella says of his wife’s passing, “We got a sympathy card from a long-time friend that said Pam will stay in her heart as a fierce but gentle warrior against injustice. I can’t say it much better than that.”
In a circle-of-life moment not to be missed, Joe and Pamela’s son Luke and his wife welcomed their second baby just yesterday. And their other son, Mark and his wife are also expecting a baby. It is kind of how it goes. Loss is hard, but when you leave a legacy of kindness, it somehow soothes the pain.
Rest in peace, Pam. Your advocacy and your legacy made a difference in this world.