Clare Davis
Kirtland Elementary School

Just wanted to thank you once again for the two great assemblies
on Tuesday!

I asked several students what they liked best and received a
variety of
answers:

"I liked all the instruments he played."

"I liked that big thing from Australia."

"I liked the songs and clapping."

"I liked that he taught us how to sign that song."

"I liked ev erything!"

From staff the comments were:

"What a great message! And he tied it into our bully prevention
program."

"I really liked his message about no matter what we look like on
the outside,
we are all the same inside....and we should be kind to everyone."

"That was a really fun assembly! I hope the kids really listened
to what he
was saying about getting along and attitude."

"I hope that he comes again!"

I really think that your message needs to be repeated over and
over again (and
that's what we try to do!) so that treating one another with
respect and
kindness is the norm in all situations.

Thanks again for a great morning!

Karen Smith
KES Social Worker

I was so honored to meet you and Donna @ the sibs conference!!.. I do love your music and the messages it conveys!!!. Your music reminds me of John Denver and Gordon Lightfoot (2 of my favorites).. Your ballads about your brother's life especially touched me, even more so, because I know him, but didn't know of his nightmares... and this has made me love and care even more for him (who I told you, is already one of my favorite people over at the Euclid AAC). My friend, Beth (who you met out in the parking lot and who took the picture of you with me) made a comment that really touched me- she said that who would have ever imagined that this same boy who was so badly abused, mistreated and so unloved by the caretakers in the institution, would grow up to be so loving... and beloved, by me, and by many. He's the miracle to have been able to rise above his hell, and become so gentle of a spirit.. I am looking forward to showing him the pictures I took of you and Donna, and the one of y ou and me.. he is going to be so excited I'm sure, and I will give him a copy of same.. I'm sure that Nancy Duns and Pat Presley will also enjoy seeing them.. (Yes, it's too bad that Nancy is going to be retiring @ the end of the year, at least in regards to her group there @ Euclid.. but I am happy for her too, and I might get to see her more on a social basis.. but then again, maybe not until I too, retire one day!!) I often say though, that one can't "re"tire, until they stop being "tired", so I got a ways to go- I am tired all the time!!... anyway, I do believe that Nancy will come back to visit her group there...

I read through your guest book and there is one from "Patti" who did her Senior
Thesis and utilized the stories from your documentary.. I am almost positive that
this my good friend Patti who also worked out of Euclid AAC for a fairly long time,
and is still based out of there- she also was the assistant in my classroom the last
year I was there.. I remember her telling me about her project, and now I realize
that it was based on your documentary (at least I am quite sure it was)!! Now, I am
going to track down her thesis and read it, and also listen to your CD's..

Take Care, Jeff!!

Sincerely,

Maureen McManus

I am genuinely excited to be able to talk to you about your work and perhaps
be able to support your efforts and vision while also using your articulate
voice and passion to support KIT mission's mission as well.
Thanks again Jeff for taking the time to visit with me at length and I look
forward to meeting you soon.

Sincerely,
Mary Shea

Mary M. Shea, Ed.D.
Vice President, Organizational Outreach
Kids Included Together

Lori

Lori Scotese
Coordinator of Life Enrichment Events
Hospice of the Western Reserve

Tami

Tamera Brown

your sense of humor and your dogged determination to advocate for those with
disabilities was much like an ole time revival for me.

Thanks so much.

Kay Melvin

Thanks again Jeff. I'll be in touch soon!

Susie

Susie Burdick
Chief Executive Officer
Hearing, Speech & Deafness Center (HSDC)

Jennifer Schneider

Development Associate

My name is Annie Carter and I am a special education teacher at Blue Angels
Elementary in Pensacola, FL. I was wondering if you would grant me the permission
to use your two songs "We Are All Family" and "Circles Expand" for a slide slow
presentation of pictures taken of my students throughout this school year? I would,
of course, cite your name and CDs as well as your website. I am a big fan of your
music and want to try to encourage my parents to look into these songs. Please let
me know ASAP. My end of the year ceremony is this coming Friday.

I would greatly appreciate your approval to use your two songs in this presentation.
My kids love your songs and it would fit perfectly into the show with my kid's
pictures.

Sincerely,
Annie Carter
Blue Angels Elementary
K-3rd Special Ed.

Thank you so much for your incredible presentations here in Seattle! I have
received so many comments from people who were moved in so many ways by your words
and your music. You touched people in two very different audiences in equally
effective ways by sharing your personal experiences and musical perspectives. The
individuals with disabilities found inspiration in your music; parents heard someone
who could empathize with the challenges they face; advocates felt the passion you
put into your work; and, program administrators found an ally and colleague they
could both relate to and learn from. You were the perfect choice for our events and
you have left a lasting impression on all who attended! Thank you!

Sincerely,

Michael Hatzenbeler
CEO
PROVAIL - "Life Opportunities for People with Disabilities"
3670 Stone Way N.
Seattle, WA 98103

P.S. I'd love to try to get you out to Gesu school
next year now that my son will be there and they
definitely need more diversity there!!!

Several have commented on the unusual instruments -- they really enjoyed that part
of the show. One lady was in my office today and told me how much she liked the
didjerydu. She said she never understood that part of the lyrics (Play your
didjerydu, Blue) in "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport" until you showed and played the
instrument. I had completely forgotten about that song and its lyric. What a
wonderful connection - I'll always think of you when I hear it!

Everyone who has called me these past few days wanted to say that you were such an
inspiration and they felt so good at the end of the evening. Thank you once again
for sharing your heart with us!

I hope you have a great holiday weekend.

Deb

Debra Molnar, BSBA
Vintage Years Club Coordinator
WRH Health System
195 Wadsworth Road
Wadsworth, OH 44281
330-334-2829

It was delightful beyond words. I got to see the sense of humor that comes out in
short spurts in the car times or church songs. I must admit though the songs about
the horse, your daughter and another poignant song, were hitting me very tenderly
for some reason. Truly, it such a lovely time to spend with you, get insight into
how you teach, and the tremendously warm spiritual messages your songs have, yes,
even the amusing ones. You do have a wonderful and creative gift that most of us
only see a little of once in a while, so it was a treat to have an uninterrupted
concert from you. Thanks for such a diverse program Jeff.

Joan Yokum

I recently read your article in the NAPVI Fall 2003 newsletter. How inspiring!

Our nine year old son was recently diagnosed with Cone Rod Dystrophy and he has lost
a tremendous amount of vision. We've joined the local support group, MPVI, and that
is where I was given a copy of the newsletter.

Yours was the first time I have read of someone who had vision and then lost it.
I've searched in chat rooms to locate someone who could possibly offer me some
insight as to what my child is going through. I need to know the questions to ask
of him, the demands to make on him and all that is now a mystery to us. He is not a
child who offers up his feelings, so it has been difficult to know when to push and
know when to let up.

I would welcome any insight you could offer on how to support Mitchell during this
difficult time. What questions we could ask of him to open up the communication
with him. Your sentence, "if only someone had said that losing vision was scary and
I had every right to feel afraid and very sad" was so powerful.

Again, Jeff, thank you so much for an awesome article and I look forward to any
assistance you could offer.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Joan Ditmar, CISR - Commercial Services Manager
Universal Insurance Services Inc. jditmar@uis-inc.com
648 Monroe Ave NW Suite 300
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Direct Dial 616-336-0115 Direct Fax 616-234-1615

Serving all your insurance needs:
Business, Health, Life, 401(k), Home, and Auto.

We just wanted to say "Thank you" for your recent presentation at the
Northeast Ohio Case Management Network conference in Cleveland, Ohio.
Your presentation, "Seeing the Patient Clearly: Lifting the Filter of
the Medical Model" was enlightening and inspiring. Participant
evaluations of your presentation were highly complimentary. Some of
the comments were:

"Physicians need to listen to Jeff Moyer and State and Federal
Government!"

"Jeff Moyer - excellent speaker - inspiring message. Lot to work
towards."

"Absolutely excellent!"

Northeast Ohio Case Management Network

www.neocmn.org

800-3NEOCMN (800-363-6266)

Thank you for your informative and inspiring presentation at the 4/21/05
NEOCMN conference. Audience survey responses were very positive and
indicated that participants would enjoy having you as a conference
speaker again.

Thank you also for the gift of the "Sounds of the Western Reserve" CD
and the gifts of your products given to Pat Turner for her Home School
group.

I look forward to working with you again, for both NEOCMN conferences
and a presentation to Guiding Eyes volunteers and graduates (perhaps in
November).

Jeanne Dregalla

ps The committee had a gift for Lisa too, but overlooked the box when
they gave me the box with your name on it. I apologize for the error.
A committee member who lives near your community, will deliver it to
your house.

Beth May
MEO/SERRC

Wow! - All we can say is, Wow! The Scouts and their families loved your
message. I personally enjoyed (and was challenged by) what you were
communicating and was particularly impressed with the way you made it easy
to look at the world from another person's perspective. After your
presentation, many parents commented on your creative and effective use of
instruments from all over the world to strengthen and give "life" to your
work. I believe that the event had a tangible impact on many lives.

Thank you and Best Wishes Always,

Rick Dayton
Cub Master Pack 329
Strongsville Ohio

I met you as a student in 2001 when you were a speaker at the Museums
and the Web conference in Boston. You were kind enough to send me a copy
of your cd "See How Far We've Come" for using in a student's project, a
presentation on Disability Culture.

A year or so later, I had occasion to use that presentation to some
medical students and it went down well. It is good for the students to
hear the message in a song - it increased disability awareness and
sensitivity of the medical students (among others) towards their future
patients with disabilities.

Apart from all that, it is good to hear Jeff's singing and a real
pleasure! I look forward to having more!

Eleanor Lisney
Research Coordinator
Long-Term Care Policy Unit
Center for Health Policy and Research
UMass Medical School
222 Maple Avenue, Chang Bldg.
Shrewsbury, MA 01545-2732
Phone: 508-856-8575
Fax: 508-856-8543
Email: eleanor.lisney@umassmed.edu

I have been gathering emails of TASH members, Partners in Policymaking grads, Parent
to Parent groups and other active individuals in the disability rights area across
the U.S., and I will be sending out an email with my Parentside website, Kids
Together and your site. That's another 2500 people, and these are all directly
interested in our message. (I'll probably send that out on Thursday)

So good luck! I hope your stuff takes off, its REALLY great! My 4 year old started
singing along to the song "Do you see me as an equal?" the first time he heard it. I
can't really say which songs I liked the best because they are all so good, and it
was certainly really cool to hear a communication device in a song in the "We're
People First.". I did not have time to hear the "Lest we forget yet" (IEP season is
arriving!) but will as soon as I can. The administration blues cracked me up too.
The long haul is very true as to how I feel as a parent.

I'm glad that we were able to connect, I think that if all the people fighting for
the same things would join force, it could make a huge difference, It seems like
there are so many people are working separately. I get criticized for it, but I
really think that people need to fight for all people's needs, and not for
disability specific. I'm not saying to ignore anyone's needs, but to see a person as
an individual and meet their needs because of what they need, not because of what
they are labeled. This does not go over very big with some of the groups, like the
autism folks, I think it benefits the government to keep people in categories
because it makes smaller forces to deal with. I don't know why so many people don't
just think of it as just common sense.

If you are ever looking for more ideas for lyrics, I live this stuff. We have
experienced the extremes in getting my son fully included with supports. We are
having a MAPS for him in June and dealing with the transition planning.

Colleen

I wanted to get back to you after our last discussion about partnering with the
American Specialty Toy Retailers Association (ASTRA) and Lekotek to establish a
cause marketing agreement using the Maxwell CD. I think the idea has a lot of merit
and will be speaking to my contacts at ASTRA to introduce the idea.

I will get back to you.

Diana

Diana Nielander
Director of Business Development
National Lekotek Center
2100 Ridge Ave.
Evanston, IL 60201
Dytna84@msn.com
847-231-6223

Michelle Sarabia http://www.geocities.com/spedusource

I THOROUGHLY enjoyed your presentation at our Partners class last Friday. You are
truly an inspiration through your own life and God has blessed you with many
wonderful gifts!

I was born with mild stiff muscle CP which my Mom didn't get a diagnosis for until I
was 6. After a battery of tests, the head doctor said it was ther opinion that it
would be best for everyone if I was placed in an institution. They even had a list
made up! At the time, it was me & my younger brother. The doctor told Mom that they
were young and could have other children. Mom said no & that they could give me
love. I'm thankful every day that she responded as she did!

God bless you and your work,

Susan Farner

Hi Jeff,
I would like to Thank You for producing "Lest We Forget, an emotionally profound account of the history of life in the institutions for Mentally Challenged individuals. I am using this documentary as part of my Senior Thesis at Capital University (Cleveland campus.) Upon research, I have concluded that this type of information is long due and uncharted. I have worked in the field on Mental Retardation for the past twenty-two years and I am truly impressed with your passion for advocating for individuals who have been isolated and neglected by society. I applaud your efforts and ask God to Bless you in your efforts.

Sincerely, Patti

Many thanks to you, Jeff, for your presentation on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2005 at our Tetelestai rehearsal. Our director had asked me to look for a speaker to address our cast that was inspirational as well as educational - and you certainly fit the bill! Your engaging manner, humble spirit, and excellent music made it a wonderful experience for all concerned. Awesome servants of the Lord such as yourself are all too rare these days!

God's Blessings,
Maureen FitzGerald, Co-Executive Director
Cleveland Performing Arts Ministries

Jeff,
It was good meeting you at the FEA conference at Ohio State University. You are an inspiration.
God bless you.
Hector Raymond

Dear Jeff,

I'd like to officially thank you, on behalf of Shadybrook, for a wonderful program last Tuesday. I've heard from more than one person that it was the best monthly presentation we've had in quite awhile. Your music is outstanding on its own, but having the chance to take part in making the music ourselves made it come alive in a very personal way. And you have some super instruments!

Here are some of the comments from the evaluations:

"Fabulous! Jeff is inspirational, a fine performer who draws a circle to include all in his program." - Barbara Douglass

"Enjoyed the interaction, room arrangements and instruments" - unknown

"Great program." - Anne Poirson

"A good participatory meeting with an appropriate focus upon peace." - Dietz Ziechmann

"It was a very moving and spiritual experience! I humbly thank him." - Annette Gydosh

"Great! Wonderful. Maybe Jeff could provide an evening event for a retreat sometime." - Linda Durnbaugh

More than one person stated the program exceeded their expectations. I'll put some of these comments on your guest book, as well.

Jeff, I know you were under the weather, so I especially appreciate your carting all your instruments over and putting on such a fine performance. I hope you're feeling better soon.

I look forward to working with you again in the future!

Warm Regards,

Beth Bracale, Administrative Coordinator
Shadybrook

Jeff your cd relates to me greatly being disabled and all it touches my heart in which other music couldn't do. It gives me the power to advocate my life's road blocks and share with others a message that disabilities may take away your physical ability but it can't touch your mind and heart. DON'T EVER GIVE UP DON'T EVER GIVE UP

Jeff I heard you speak at YLF the other day. I can't be gain to tell you how your words impacted my life hearing them from a person of your stature it
was so inspirational to me. You brought knew meaning to my life that
sociably and spiritualy aren't a dead end anymore. You opened my eyes to a whole new world and meaning for living. I am going to buy your CD "We're People First". I wish there were more people advocating like yourself. I think socialy the world would be a greater place for the disabled people of America words like hate and discrimination would be used less frequency. I had a couple questions for you. I noticed on the we're people first CD the ADA anthem wasn't on there and I really love that song do you sell singles of a track? Are you on a radio station if so which one? I would love to get a copy of your speech you gave at YLF if there's anyway I
could get an audio copy please let me know. In your speech you gave a
quote about freedom and liberty how did that quote go?

My name is Brian Fruchey and I just one of the millions lifers you touch everyday with your words keep advocating

God Bless you Jeff

“ I admire you and all the talents that you share with all. I may only be a speck in the population of the world, but you have made a large impact on me and my attitude and how I accept myself and others. You have touched my life in such a positive manner. I can only hope that you too are touched and blessed, as greatly as you have touched me and others.”

Lynette Vogel, New Ulm MN

Dear Jeff,
I couldn't believe how you had a room of 400 captivated from the very beginning. We had a range from Kindergarten to school administrators in our audience at our April 30, 2004 Awards Luncheon. The children, after sitting for two hours, were attentive during your entire performance, as were the adults. I think the audience participation was wonderful. You had them all singing along. Your songs are "from the heart" and convey a universal message of belonging and acceptance. The fact that you do this, despite what would demobilize many, sends a powerful message and is amazing. I believe your performance was the best we have ever had at this event.

Beth May
MEO/SERRC

Dear Jeff,

Wow! - All we can say is, Wow! The Scouts and their families loved your message. I personally enjoyed (and was challenged by) what you were communicating and was particularly impressed with the way you made it easy to look at the world from another person's perspective. After your presentation, many parents commented on your creative and effective use of instruments from all over the world to strengthen and give "life" to your work. I believe that the event had a tangible impact on many lives.

Thank you and Best Wishes Always,

Rick Dayton
Cub Master Pack 329
Strongsville Ohio

Dear Jeff,

I wanted to let you know that my son's class just did a performance of your "We Are People First", in front of the whole school. They were all very excited about it- singing and playing instruments are always a favorite with primary school kids. Back in February, he was recovered enough from his chemotherapy treatments to return to school, and it was around then that we received the gifts from you. I passed along the note and tape to Ryan to give to his teacher and never heard anything more about it. Then a week ago I found out that the class was working on this performance. They dedicated it to a Vice-Principal who was leaving the school, and it went great. I thought you would like to know.

Thank you for thinking of Ryan and sharing your music with all of us. - Jill
Jill C. McPhee

Biology Department
Monroe Community College
1000 East Henrietta Road
Rochester, New York 14623
(585)292-2723
jmcphee@monroecc.edu

Jeff:
I met you as a student in 2001 when you were a speaker at the Museums and the Web conference in Boston. You were kind enough to send me a copy of your cd "See How Far We've Come" for using in a student's project, a presentation on Disability Culture.

A year or so later, I had occasion to use that presentation to some medical students and it went down well. It is good for the students to hear the message in a song - it increased disability awareness and sensitivity of the medical students (among others) towards their future patients with disabilities.

Apart from all that, it is good to hear Jeff's singing and a real pleasure! I look forward to having more!

Eleanor Lisney
Research Coordinator
Long-Term Care Policy Unit
Center for Health Policy and Research
UMass Medical School
222 Maple Avenue, Chang Bldg.
Shrewsbury, MA 01545-2732
Phone: 508-856-8575
Fax: 508-856-8543
Email: eleanor.lisney@umassmed.edu

I was asked to help out with the Sara Lee Corporation Diversity Council this year by serving on the Newsletter committee. I have always felt like I had a good grasp on diversity until that day! I felt a little nervous about getting information together that should somehow be able to make an impact on people within our company. After the first few weeks, I began to realize what a huge responsibility we had jumped into. There were so many directions, so much information, so much that we could do and say wrong, and so many different things and people that deserved to be discussed. I felt overwhelmed, and worried that we would overwhelm our fellow team members with more things to read about, think about and do…so much that they would do nothing.

My youngest son, Kade, is 9 years old, and loves music. He plays the Cello in Austin Elementary School in Sulphur Springs, Texas. This is a sight to see. He came home from school one day and handed me a piece of paper stating that the school was hosting a musical program that would include all the elementary schools in our area…

I was very busy with work; very busy with brainstorming ideas for the Diversity council newsletter, school, kids, life…you have the picture.

The big day finally came, and Kade was so excited…our beautiful, smart little boy would sing and play and WOW us. I had the video camera ready, my husband had the digital camera ready, and my friend had a back up camera ready. This was a very special event, and we were prepared. The music began, the director was lead from the corner of the room, and he began feeling his way around, smiling and talking with the children. Then, Jeff Moyer and the children began to sing… “WE’RE PEOPLE FIRST”…a celebration of diversity by Jeff Moyer.” I nearly dropped the video camera!

So, a grand lesson in diversity was dropped in my lap! After the wonderful performance that night, I spoke with Jeff Moyer. WOW…I was, and still am…very WOW’ED. I want to share this experience with you because I received some of the most valuable information that I have ever had the privilege of having. Jeff is able to teach valuable life lessons through songs and activities. The way that he is able to speak to a crowd ranging in age from 2 to 100 and still effectively reach all in the room with this message is amazing.

Jeff keeps it simple, concise and to the point. It is all ELEMENTARY. All of a sudden a light came on in my head. If he can teach thousands of children to think about this, what could this message do for us in a corporate business setting? I hope that it will help us all to stop and think for a moment, think about ourselves, and those around us, and the impact that we all have on each other. Most of all, I hope that we can learn to make Diversity simple, elementary, an everyday, all the time, instinctive way of thinking and acting with people. After all, “We’re People First”. And, we should celebrate that fact.

The message that was sent through our children that night, was one of consequence, concerning many areas: self-esteem, acceptance of others, the naturalness of diversity, and positive thought and action. Thank you is not enough for the lesson that my child learned that night. He is a kind and loving child, and that night brought out a defensiveness in him to protect and love all those around him, no matter the difference. I am proud that he was a part of this program, and hope that he carries this love for others his whole life long.

Jeff, you are truly amazing and inspiring. I wish you the best in your journey.

Shonda Gibson, manager with Sara Lee Corporation, and proud mom of Kade Gibson!

Dear Jeff,

WOW! Your travel schedule is mind-boggling! You get around!
After your performance here in Sulphur Springs, TX many parents commented
that they wished more people in our community had come and that it was a
very positive experience for the children!
One fifth grade girl has really "hung unto" your music. She was trying to
copy down all the words to your songs by memory. She was thrilled when I
gave her a copy of the words and a practice tape to listen to at home. She
is new to our school this year and already she has been kind and accepting
to a new Hispanic girl on her first day of school with us.
Just last week a fifth grade boy requested "We're Different" in music class.
Your music has a "sticking" quality! I played it for all my classes as
their entrance song for music class.
After our big statewide tests are over I plan to do "How Big Is Your Circle"
with all of our fifth grade general music classes before the big talent show
at the end of the year. I think it really hits the target and will be a
great review of your message!

Thanks for coming to our school! You really made a difference in our lives!
Best wishes on all your future travels and the people whose lives you touch
with your music!

Lyna Jane Bryant

Hi Jeff,
I've always known you are talented, but after listening to Maxwell the
Dancing Dog, the first CD of yours I've heard, I am so impressed. We've
known each other a long time, since singing together during lunch time
at work, and I've always admired your work, your music performance, and
your song writing.

This work is stunning.

Just the time, effort, work, and arrangements required to produce such a
CD are enough to boggle the mind. Then there's the versatility in
rhythms, styles, songs for children to sing, songs that have a vision
for us all, not to mention playing all those instruments and singing the
harmonies. How many tracks did that take?

I love the sheer joy you put into and bring out of your music. Your work
with the children who sing with you is a delight.

These songs teach and entertain, and have lots of surprises. I'm sure
you leave them howling for more! Come on and dance with you? - I'm
there!

With all the fantastic and wonderful ideas in this recording, I can't
imagine what more you have come up with in your other CDs.

Jan

I took a class from Jeff at Kent State University (Kent, OH) several
summers ago, and it is the best class I feel I have ever taken to aid me
in making a difference in the lives of my Second Grade students! I
mention Jeff to my students year after year of what he taught me about
accepting people as they are!

Thank you, Jeff, for the wonderful difference you are making to ALL with
whom you come in contact!

Sharon E.
Cleveland, OH