Robert Herlich reflects on 50 years of self-advocacy with Northeast Arc.
This year, Northeast Arc is celebrating 70 years of changing lives and discovering abilities. And to celebrate that anniversary we are speaking to the agency’s early leaders who helped pave the way for the work we do.
Our organization was founded by people who challenged the status quo for people with disabilities and pushed for inclusion in all facets of life.
In this episode you'll hear from Robert Herlich, who has been involved in NeArc programs for half a century, served on the Board of Directors for 14 of those years and was an early leader in the self-advocacy movement in Massachusetts. Robert played an instrumental role in removing the "R-word" from the Massachusetts agency that eventually became the Department of Developmental Services. Please note: This episode does include a few mentions of the "R-word" in the context of the renaming discussion.
[MUSIC PLAYING] Hello, and welcome to All Things Disability, a podcast from Northeast Arc. My name is Jo Ann Simons, and I'm the president and CEO of the Northeast Arc. This year, Northeast Arc is celebrating 70 years of changing lives and discovering abilities. And to celebrate that anniversary, we are speaking to agency leaders from across the decades who helped move us forward. Today, my guest is an old friend, Robert Herlich, who has been involved in our programs for half a century.
A quarter of a century?
Half a century.
Half a century.
He served on our board of directors for 14 of those years and was an early leader in the self-advocacy movement in our region.
Yep.
Robert, it's so great to have you. And I don't know if this but-- well, you do know that we both grew up in Swampscott. Did you know that?
No.
You didn't know. And we were both members of Temple Emanu-El.
Oh, that's right.
And you were bar mitzvahed there in--
There. That's right.
Many years ago. And you were the first person with a disability that I knew about because your parents were extraordinary leaders.
Yeah. They were. They were excellent.
They were excellent.
In fact, that's where I got all the knowledge, from them. And I enjoyed every minute of it.
Well, Robert, we have some big anniversaries this year, with the Northeast Arc turning 70, and you being involved with 50 of those years.
50?
50 of them.
Whoa. That's, like, 20 years short. [LAUGHS]
What's your first memory of being part of the Arc family?
Joining the Arc was a good thing for me because I met a whole bunch of new people. I loved meeting people. I love how it changed the name of disabilities. I started a self-advocacy group in 1995.
That was a long time. That was a long time. And so, well, speaking of anniversaries in 40's, let's talk about another anniversary. This is the 40th year that you have been housemates with Wayne.
Yeah.
How important is that friendship to a happy life?
Having friendship is very good. You got to have friends to have a good lifetime. And that's the way I feel. I've always felt happy. I used to get depressed in the winter and I didn't like it. So I had a happy life now.
Wow. And tell me about Wayne. Does Wayne make you happy?
Oh, me and Wayne have been together for 39 years.
Let's round that up to 40.
March 18, it will be 40.
Wow. What's the secret to a long friendship?
Just being friendly and being happy. And I don't know what else but--
Well, that's good advice. Friendly and happy. We're going to take that.
Yeah.
So you also made good friends through the Arcs recreation programs.
Yeah.
And I hear you're a good bowler.
One time, I bowled a 124. That was my highest score.
Wow. Well, that's a lot better than I've ever bowled. You were a hard worker over the years.
Yep.
Tell me about your work at Crosby's.
Crosby's, I was a bagger. I was a-- take out-- get the baskets outside in the winter. Oh, that was lovely. I loved that for seven-- I did that for seven years.
Wow. And what about the volunteer work you did at Goodwill?
Goodwill, I hung up clothes and met people. In fact, I got a picture of me with the whole crew over at that store. And I was dressed up as a Santa Claus.
You? Skinny little-- you being-- I bet you made a really good Santa, though.
Yeah. They put a really funny-- I wish I brought that picture with me so you could see it.
Well, you'll get it to me.
Yeah.
You know, I want to shift gears from happy and friendly to the importance and critical role of self advocates, because that's where you have made an incredible impact. And you were one of the founding members-- I want everybody to know-- of--
Massachusetts Standing Strong.
Mass Advocates Standing Strong. You were one of the first people to be involved. You're a founder and--
Judi Rodger was a friend of mine and she went to school with me, and she was also involved in that. And Craig Smith.
Oh, I remember Craig, and I remember Judi, because Judi was another person from Swampscott.
Yeah. She was-- me and her went to school together.
Yeah, I remember that.
[LAUGHS]
One of the first big efforts that Mass Advocates Standing Strong did-- and I don't know if you remember this-- was to change the name.
That's right. We did.
And what was the original name? Do you remember what the department was called? Well, it was called the Department of Mental Retardation. Remember that?
Yeah.
That horrible word.
And they wanted to do away with that.
And you were very impactful in making sure the change now, which is the Department of Developmental Services.
Yep.
So we don't have that r-word anymore.
Yeah.
Can you tell the people who are listening why that is-- why was it important to change the word, to eliminate the word retarded?
I think it's definitely change for a lot of things.
Certainly. It took 10 years to accomplish, so you had to have a lot of energy and commitment.
Yeah.
But was there anything about the word retarded that bothered you?
I can't remember that part back. It's so long ago.
And we don't use it anymore, which is remarkable.
Yeah. And I try not to even think about it.
That's great. So I want everybody to ponder that. We don't even like to think about that word--
Yeah.
--anymore. Well, your parents, Ben and Selma, were on the Northeast Arc board, and you carried on that tradition.
That's right.
And what did it mean to you to be on the board?
I felt it was my honor to follow my parents' in their footsteps.
Well, you have done that remarkably. And, as we were chatting earlier, I remember Selma and Ben before I got involved in the Arc. And, of course, I got involved in the Arc when my son was born with Down syndrome. But I--
Oh, wow.
Yeah.
I remember him.
You remember?
What's his name?
John.
John.
Or Jonathan. But I remember your parents years before that, making sure that you were a valued member of our community.
Yes.
You lived at home with them across from Clarke School.
Yep. Oh, yeah. I went to Clarke School for-- I don't know how many years that was. It was a long time.
But what your parents did was really revolutionary; to demand that you had the rightful place that you deserved in the community. And I just want--
I enjoyed every minute of it.
Yeah. Well, I want our listeners to understand the pioneers whose shoulders we stand upon. And Selma and Ben Herlich are those people.
Yep.
Tell me a little-- I know your brother Richard because he was a year ahead of me in school. And tell me the important role that it plays to be able to have a--
He was--
--sibling in your life.
I think Rich is a chemist, like my father.
Oh, he's a chemist like your father?
Yeah. He did some chemistry. I don't know how much of it.
So tell me, how often do you and Richard get to speak?
Almost once a week.
It's remarkable. And he lives in Virginia.
Yeah. Richmond, Virginia. And today, the weather in Richmond, Virginia is 50.
Wow. Well, we're not in Richmond because the weather here today is in the 30s.
Yeah.
Tell me--
And it's, like, 20 degrees warmer in Richmond. [CHUCKLES]
Well, you're very lucky to have him in your life.
Yeah, I love it. In fact, like I said, I went down for Christmas and saw him. I spent three whole days there for Christmas.
That's wonderful. What do you hope for the children and adults with--
Disabilities?
Disabilities?
I would say, if you're getting into the program, you're better off finding parents that will help you get--
Well, they're going to help you get into the programs of the Arc that you've benefited by.
Yeah.
Robert, it has been an incredible pleasure to catch up with you. It's been way too long.
Yeah.
And it was wonderful to speak with you and share so many of your memories.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Yeah.
About the early years. We want to thank Peabody TV for providing our wonderful recording space. And All Things Disability is made possible through the financial support of the Changing Lives Fund, which was created through a gift from Steven Rosenthal.
Oh, wow.
Yeah. To learn more about the Northeast Arc and to find past episodes of this podcast--
Yeah.
--please visit us-- and Robert-- on ne-arc.org
That's right.
[MUSIC PLAYING]