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This is the second time I’ve written to a news publication. The first submission was nearly 20 years when I invited our former state representative to my home after my son Gavin registered to vote, to help him put a face to the candidate he might vote for. Registering to vote was an important milestone for Gavin, who is significantly affected by autism and communication deficits. During that visit we shared the key issues that impacted him and our family, asking our representative for support in an election year when he was hoping for Gavin’s vote. I submitted a picture along with my letter to help our community see the “face to the vote,” a visual reminder of Gavin and other individuals like him who are eager for their voice to be heard and their vote to count. Today I am writing again to tell the story of Gavin’s best friend who came to support him on that important occasion, Jeromie Whalen. Long before becoming a teacher or earning his Ph.D., Jeromie understood how legislative advocacy could significantly impact Gavin’s access to education, employment, assistive technology, medical care, family support and quality of life. This wasn’t something he learned through academics but through life experiences, his family’s values and desire to connect in a meaningful way with others. It was Jeromie who helped Gavin create the Power Point he presented at his graduation, standing beside him to support his success. It was Gavin who stood beside Jeromie as best man when he married his wife April. It doesn’t matter how busy life gets, Jeromie always shows up. This is a common observation many will attest to. His involvement with other volunteer programs, support for veterans and passion for community connections is simply part of who he is. This is the face I hope you will see and understand how these values translate into the kind of legislator we need to represent us in Washington. Jeromie’s strong commitment to inclusion, quality education and healthcare, and commitment to preserving dignity and respect for all is part of what he will bring to Washington. I have spent my professional life advocating for and supporting individuals on the autism spectrum and their families, reaching out to legislators for their support passing legislation that would benefit my son and others. It perplexes me to think that with the dismantling of the Department of Education, risks to Medicaid and Medicare, upheaval at the CDC, and dangerous misinformation regarding causes of Autism there hasn’t been more information and communication from Congressman Richard Neal for his constituents. I expected to see him hosting in-person town halls, listening to voter concerns, updating us on what he’s doing to combat the chaos enveloping us as. Other members of Congress from neighboring districts have been doing this but not Richard Neal. Looking ahead, I am advocating for a brighter future and positive change that will begin when I cast my vote Sept. 1 for Jeromie Whalen. Carla Doyle-Florence lives in Belchertown.