Jo Ann Simons’ career changed after her son Jonathan was born.
Jonathan was diagnosed with Down syndrome and heart defects. Simons realized the resources for her son were not in one place, and she would need to advocate for the rights of her son and others with disabilities.
Since Simons has not only written a book – covering issues from accessing education support to building communities and applying for adult services like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income – but she has also served as president and CEO of Cardinal Cushing Center as well as on the board of LIFE, a nonprofit in southeastern Massachusetts that provides residential and community services for adults with learning and intellectual disabilities
“I love that I get to change people’s lives. It’s not just a tagline,” Simons said. “There aren’t too many jobs where you can say you change people’s lives.”
Today, Simons is president and CEO of Northeast Arc, and she has served on the Governor’s Commission on Intellectual Disabilities since 2016.
“What I love about my job is that it’s a journey, it’s not a destination,” Simons said. “What I do every day is work on something new or do something different or challenge ourselves at being better at what we do.”
Now Simons is bringing his story to the Swampscott Tides’ Fish Tales event.
The event supports the Swampscott Tides, which has been covering the town for the past 10 months. The Swampscott Tides works to ensure readers receive accurate coverage of what’s happening in Swampscott, from School Committee meetings and the town budget to new business openings and community events.
“The richness that Swampscott is today is so much more vibrant and exciting,” Simons said. “It’s not a sleepy community that doesn’t challenge you. A young person or a young family that moves will find a lot of enthusiasm and opportunities, and I think the Swampscott Tides gives newcomers an eye into that and for oldtimers like me who’ve been here a long time, a way of recognizing the new richness and diversity of our community.”
Fish Tales will be held on March 28 at 7 p.m. at the Swampscott High School.
Tickets are now available for the Fish Tales community event, celebrating local storytelling and supporting independent journalism. Kim Carrigan will host the event, with speakers including Simons, artist Claire Donnelly, magician Anton Andresen, Boston bass player Fran Sheehan, author and attorney Robert Jauron and former METCO student Naina Alves Varela.
“They’re going to learn a little bit about my personal journey of becoming the mother of someone with Down syndrome and the effect he has on me and the world,” Simons said. “I think sharing stories is a way of furthering understanding of our experiences. In a world where there’s so much discourse and lack of understanding, the more we understand each other, I’m hopeful we will be open to others’ experiences and value them.”
For more information to buy tickets, visit swampscotttides.org/fishtales.
