This month you will receive our annual holiday fundraising letter from me, as "Editor" of The New Hampshire Challenge, Incorporated.

I had a very hard time for some reason, sitting down to pull the letter together. All of you have been so generous over the years. And, times are very hard. We at The Challenge know that.

Also, it had to happen, at the same time I was going to press with another issue of The Challenge. Then something happened. I had to do historical research on Pete Eldredge, and Jan Nisbet. These two striking individuals have moved mountains as Jan has – or kept the important mountains intact as Pete has, since they arrived in New Hampshire. I had to pull out issues of The New Hampshire Challenge going back into the 1980’s. The reason was simple. The best information available concerning the New Hampshire disability movement was in The New Hampshire Challenge. Our history, struggles, triumphs and threats were covered over twenty two years.

It was a bitter-sweet review of the high standards my bride and soul-mate Janet Krumm set for us to follow. Some early editions were the old "cut and paste" vintage, and I remembered some of the spirited conversations we had about what should go – where. I remembered long nights, when I would go to bed and Janet would carry on with the wax stick, and razor cutter to lay out the proofs.

That process is made easier now, through software and technology. However, while the lay out became easier, the hard research Janet accomplished on your behalf was always the real prize. The years have come and gone, and web sites and other newspapers have arrived and departed.

We carry on.

Jamie Stephens, Jan Larsen, Sue and Theresa from our administrative staff at Lighthouse Management, ten members of the Board of Directors and Jonathan Miller of JLM Graphics pool our talents, to bring this high quality newspaper to you packed with crucial and current information about the disability movement in NH.

And except for this Editorial, it is seldom we blow our own horn. We keep it free of political influence, we keep it centered on the developmental disability community and threats and improvements to our families. We keep it a low cost operation that is objective, centered on the news… not center on us. In short, "Disability Issues from a Family Perspective."

As political tides rise and fall, the sad fact is that the needs of people with disabilities remain constant. No one can ever take comfort in who gets elected, and no one can ever fear who gets elected. The fundamental truth remains at all times - policies can change at the whim of any new commissioner or Governor.

When times turn dark, we put the facts before you to hold them accountable.

We need your help to carry on this important work. By giving a generous tax-deductible contribution to The Challenge, you assure we will continue on your behalf. Thank you for your past help in making The New Hampshire Challenge possible. Please be generous in helping us continue.