We’re stepping behind the curtain today as we kick off our new Meet the Boards series. Patrick Hughes of Glenside is our first interview. In my e-mail Q&A with Patrick, we learn about his background, how he came to The Arc, and why it’s important to him.

Patrick describes how Ed Sickles, also an Arc board member, inspired him to join the organization. We have an interview with Ed in the hopper, so look for that soon too.

And just one more note before we get to the interview: We like to maintain authenticity when we do interviews, so we didn’t edit or delete anything Patrick wrote. Now that that’s taken care of, meet Patrick!

JK: Tell us a little about yourself.

PH: My name is Patrick Hughes. I’m 33/male from Glenside, Pa. I live with my 2 parents and 2 brothers. I have a sister who is married and a brother who is married also and lives in the Glenside area. I have 3 nephews and 4 nieces who are so cute.

I am a huge sports fan who likes to do sports stats and I know a lot of sports bits and information. I also like to do bowling, fishing, listening to music, and watch American Idol. I am very good with directions and maps.

I am the president of a club called the Abington Aktion club. I work as a dishwasher at Sunrise Assisted living in Dresher, Pa.

JK: How did you get involved with The Arc and its board?

PH: I got involved with Arc from Ed Sickles, who was a teacher of mines at Hatboro-Horsham High school in Horsham, and at Abington Senior High School in Abington. I wanted to see what Arc was, and Ed had asked me to be on to board for Arc.

JK: Why are you dedicated to the developmentally disabled in the community?

PH: I am dedicated to the developmentally disabled in the community because I know a lot of people who are disabled and they always need help in any way.

JK: What are your biggest concerns for the developmentally disabled right now?

PH: My biggest concerns for the developmentally disabled is for more people in the states to understand what the disabled people go through every day, and how they live and work in a real enviroment under pressure sometimes.

JK: Besides the work The Arc is doing, are you doing anything else personally to help the disabled?

PH: I am helping the disabled in any way possible.

JK: What can readers do to help out?

PH: I think that readers should look at ARC and see what programs are available in their communities and help out in any way possible.