People First About Us page has photos and information about the People First Board, Staff, and Advisors.

In 2009, I was part of Student First of Washington, where I became one of the first Student First presidents. During my time as president, I took my very first trip to Olympia Washington to talk to legislators for Advocacy Days. While there, I spoke in front of 1,000 people with disabilities to learn about what kinds of changes they wanted to see from their legislators.

During the past years, I have attended disability conferences and have learned about what the disability world is all about. And I met new friends from all over the world! I have also attended community summits in Wenatchee.

Throughout this journey, I became the People First official DJ and photographer, and then for the last four years, I was the Historian.

Now, 2022. Have courage and just go for it! I became board president. And now I’m ready to accept this position to help us get back on the right path together. Think smarter, not harder. One day at a time!

When you’re having a rough day, give someone a call, go out to eat, have a good laugh, and smile it up a little bit! Give some hugs and cuddles!

Remember, don’t give up this fight!

I became involved with the disability community during the 20 years I lived in Eugene, Oregon. The group I belonged to there had twice monthly meetings, and I also traveled to Salem to talk to legislators there. I believe very strongly in taking action and educating Congress on the wishes and needs of disabled people. I like the group aspect of working together with others in the intellectual and developmental disability community. We are stronger this way, and the more people who make their voices heard, the better. We have lots of issues to solve!

My biggest desire is to see the law changed that prohibits people with disabilities from keeping their disability benefits if they marry a non-disabled person. Lots of people don’t know this, and I would like to educate others on this, as well as ultimately get that law changed.

I joined People First in 2022, and was elected as Region 2 Rep at the Convention in Ocean Shores. I look forward to being there for the disabled community and taking your thoughts and issues to the board, so that we can focus on solutions and move ahead in making our lives better.

People outside of the disability community need to know we are regular people like they are, and come from all different backgrounds, and deserve to live independent lives just as they do. We need to educate them on what services we need that will allow us to have better jobs and training that will lead to more independence.

I am a friendly and caring person, and want everyone to feel comfortable reaching out and letting me know what is on their minds. I would like to help people get better in expressing their needs, and would like to encourage others to also speak to their legislators to make real change.

I live in Clarkston, Washington with three dogs (a husky, border collie, and a Labrador) and one cat. I enjoy camping and reading.

I look forward to being the voice of Region 2. Please reach out to me and let me know your thoughts. If you email me your phone number, I'd be happy to call you. You can reach me at:

I am in my 21st year with the DSHS Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing, where I work in an office support position. I believe in giving back by volunteering with Olympia Police Department, the Community Kitchen within the Salvation Army, and Furniture Bank of Thurston County within Olympia Christian Reform Church. The reason I volunteer is because it’s an opportunity to make a difference. September 11th, the horrible attacks on our land, were a sign in my opinion to make a difference in my community. This is the other reason why I volunteer. My heart was broken and shattered because of some thugs who decided to attack our country. The terrorists attacked our country because of what we stood for and what we believed in. Freedom is the main necessity of what keeps our country strong and why so many immigrants come to this country to become citizens.

The second reason I give is because it’s given me the reminder that it’s important to give to those who are less fortunate than I am. My parents also instilled in me the importance to demonstrate GOD’s love to those who need it. I figured the best way to demonstrate GOD’s love is to volunteer my time by giving to those who need a smile, love and support.

My story starts off with me being adopted at age four. I don’t remember a lot about my birth parents. My adopted parents, Hank and Mary Doelman adopted roughly 20 siblings with 10 countries representing the Doleman family. My parents decided to adopt because they felt it was a calling from GOD. My family and I are Christians and believe in Jesus Christ. My parents owned several different farms throughout Mason and Thurston Counties throughout Washington State. They have now decided for personal reasons to only keep one farm, which is located in Thurston County.

My interests include Toastmasters, where I am currently working towards completing the Pathways Dynamic Leadership Program in Toastmasters.

I love politics, soccer, as well as track and field events. I have a strong sense of family where I have been blessed with a large family of 23 making up the Doelman Clan. Countries that represent this family are the Netherlands (Holland), United States, Bulgaria, Jamaica, Ethiopia, Taiwan, Costa Rica, Brazil, Haiti and Colombia. I count my Toastmaster club members, workmates and long time friend and mentor, Laurie, as my external family. The reason why I love politics, soccer and track is because it all started in the fourth grade. Mr. Gordon Luecke was my social studies teacher. Mr. Luecke was teaching civics during this time and I was learning about the US Government. I guess you could say that is how my interest in politics all started.

My Faith, volunteering, and interests are a simple glimpse of who I am.