Randy Lizotte shares his story to help others

VTDigger is excited to work with Vermont Care Partners to promote the much-needed services of its sixteen respective member agencies which, includes NCSS. They also understand how important it is for our elected officials to know how to support the needs of Vermonters.

This thirteen-week series is a collaboration produced by members of the Vermont Care Partners statewide network of sixteen non-profit, community-based agencies providing mental health, substance use and intellectual and developmental disability support.

Below is the thirteenth, and final, installment of the series from NCSS sharing Randy Lizotte’s story to help others and empower them to make the most of their lives.  

Randy Lizotte shares his story to help others 

Empowerment through Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Peer Support 

At the age of 9 months old the course of Randy Lizotte’s life was dramatically altered.  A car accident left him with a traumatic brain injury.   

Fast forward to today and Randy, who works at Northwestern Counseling & Support Services (NCSS) and facilitates the Next Step Self Advocates, has significantly impacted advocacy efforts and peer mentoring not only in the northwestern region but throughout Vermont.   

It was Randy’s parents that shaped his views on what is possible.  Growing up as one of 9 children in the household his parents labored over how to treat him relative to their other 8 children.  They decided to treat Randy the same.  This instilled the foundation of how Randy viewed himself and empowered him to achieve future goals for community engagement and inclusion.  

As you might imagine, Randy’s journey has been fraught with periods of self-doubt and depression.  However, resilience and a desire to see other individuals with I/DD succeed and for their voices to be heard brings him satisfaction. 

By sharing their own lived experience and practical guidance, peer mentors help people develop their own goals while creating and building fulfilling lives. In addition, empowering individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to achieve their goals for employment, inclusion, and community engagement.  Read more…

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