September 2006 Edition - Access Press

September 10, 2006

Inside ■ Miss Unattainable 2006— p. 3 ■ Ghanaian Man Wins Award— p. 7 ■ MCIL 25th Anniversary Celebration— p. 9-10

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“Every moment in planning

saves three or four in execution.”

– Crawford Greenwalt

Page 2 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Mpls. MN Permit No. 4766

Volume 18, Number 9

Minnesota’s Disability

Community Newspaper

September 10, 2006

Access Denied At Univ. of Houston Student With Disability Sues Over Professor’s Right To Refuse Accommodation

by Scott Jaschik

D

isputes over accommodations for students with disabilities have become commonplace. Institutions, students and lawyers fight over whether students are in fact eligible, what changes they are entitled to and plenty more.

But a lawsuit filed recently against the University of Houston involves a student with an undisputed disability who says he was turned down by a professor, without explanation, for his requests for

accommodations. Not only is the suit challenging the treatment of the student, but the litigation is demanding that the university abandon a policy in which professors have wide leeway to decide whether to comply with requests from students with disabilities.

“This policy allows professors complete discretion, and that’s illegal,” said Ernest Saadiq Morris, a lawyer for the Texas Civil Rights Project who is handling the case. It’s

as if, Morris said, a public university announced that it was going to let individual professors decide whether to follow laws that bar discrimination on the basis of race or gender.

“They are trying to delegate the undelegatable,” said Morris. “This case shows a resistance at some universities to viewing discrimination against people with disabilities as what we have accepted as unfair or illegal practice.”

Officials from the university

said that they could not comment directly on litigation, but confirmed that the policies cited in the lawsuit remain in effect. Dona G. Hamilton, general counsel for the university, said, “The welfare of our students is a primary concern at the University of Houston. We take such complaints very seriously, and we are committed to resolving any problems that we may find.”

The plaintiff in the case is Gary Bradford, who was starting his senior year at Houston

Still Parking In The Public Lot: Comedian Rises From St. Paul Roots To National Prominence

by Tim Benjamin Josh Blue, who recently won NBC’s talent-contest show, “Last Comic Standing,” was in town last month as part of his nationwide tour. Access Press editor Tim Benjamin and Rick Cardenas of Advocating Change Together got a chance to chat with Blue before the show.

I

was fortunate enough to meet and interview comedian Josh Blue before his appearance last month at the Acme Comedy Club. He is obviously a very successful young man: at only 27 years of age, living with cerebral palsy, Blue has prominently forged his way into a very difficult arena. And according to his Web site, he is booked up through the rest of the year, mostly at colleges and comedy clubs all over the country. And yet, I noticed he’s still humble enough to park in the public parking lot (about four spaces down from where we parked) and walk with a friend lackadaisically into the main entrance of the club in the warehouse district

of downtown Minneapolis.

We met him in the main seating area of the club and chatted while he sucked a soda through a straw without lifting it off the table. On stage, he wore the same shirt and pants he walked in wearing, along with his trade-mark bandana holding his disheveledstyle hairdo; Blue jokingly said that he wears the bandana because he always wants to be ready for a pickup game of handball.

In case you didn’t catch “Last Comic Standing” you should know that not only did you miss some very good humor, you also missed a true local; as Blue says, “My hood is St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood.” Blue attended Como Junior and Como Senior High School. One of his classmates, who was also present at the interview, noted that even back in high school, he was drawn to Blue because of his humor. “In school Josh was the class clown.” Blue quickly remarked back, “Being class clown kept me out

of trouble, the opposite of most class clowns.”

The “Last Comic Standing” isn’t Blue’s first big win; he also won the Grand Prize at the 2004 Royal Flush Comedy Competition in Las Vegas, which earned him $10,000 and was nominated for “Best Diversity Event of 2006.”

Comedy is not Blue’s only talent; he played soccer for the United States Paralympic team, and he participated in the 2004 Paralympic Games that took place in Athens, Greece.

Blue’s humor is aimed at how he perceives life and how life perceives him as a “victim of cerebral palsy.” His genius is that he has found a new way to make us laugh at life and our abilities, and laugh at the stereotypical image of people with disabilities. I can’t put a

Josh Blue name on his style of humor; others have labeled it “spastic and engaging.” I think it’s just really fun stuff, without quite as much of the vulgarity and sexual innuendo as your standard nightclub fare. Don’t get me wrong—Blue’s show is probably not appropriate for really young kids, but it’s not total X-rated either. The guy is just funny!

After high school, Blue went off to Evergreen State College in Olympia, WashingComedian - cont. on p. 14

in the fall of 2005, when the disputed actions took place.

As a result of a genetic impairment, Bradford was born without arms and his hands are attached at his shoulders.

He also has rickets, seizures and immune deficiencies and uses a wheelchair for mobility. When he enrolled at Houston, he registered with the university’s Center for Students With Disabilities, which both verified his disability and approved a set of recommendations to help him succeed academically. Those recommendations included obtaining notes from classmates and instructors.

With professors generally cooperating, Bradford was proceeding until he enrolled in a required social sciences writing course last fall. According to the lawsuit, the instructor and teaching assistants turned down—without explanation—Bradford’s requests for accommodations such as providing him with notes of class lectures and discussions and copies of slides used in class sessions. What is striking, according to Bradford’s lawyer, is that the instructors apparently had the right under the university’s policy to do so (even if that is against the law).

The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) requires colleges to make “reasonable accommodations” to students with disabilities, provided that the students present evidence of the disability and that the accommodations requested do not distort the nature of the academic work. The University of Houston’s policies on students with disabilities have much in common with other institutions’ policies. But they suggest in several places that faculty members get to decide whether to make any accommodations. There are references to faculty members

There are references [in the university’s policies] to faculty members being “encouraged” t o make reasonable changes and language such as “if the faculty member agrees to provide academic accommodations.” This language, the lawsuit charges, gives professors the right to ignore the law… being “encouraged” to make reasonable changes and language such as “if the faculty member agrees to provide academic accommodations.”

This language, the lawsuit charges, gives professors the right to ignore the law, as the suit says happened in Bradford’s case.

Richard Allegra, associate executive director of the Association on Higher Education and Disability, said that he did not know the details of the Houston case, but that he was surprised that colleges would have policies letting any one player effectively veto accommodations for a student with a disability.

Developing a plan for such a student, Allegra said, is a question of finding “balance” between academic goals, the desires of students and faculty members, and the nature of student abilities. Faculty members need to be “a part of the process and a part of the team,” he said. But there needs to be “a total team,” in which someone—typically a dean or director—makes sure that the law is being followed.

One of the issues in the Houston case is the claim by Bradford that he was never given explanations for why Access Denied - cont. on p. 14

September 10, 2006

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his month I’ve been thinking about inspiration. In preparing to interview Josh Blue (see page 1), I saw the usual press coverage about his being an inspiration to others. I asked him about being an inspiration to others with disabilities.

His answer was in part a standard answer; he didn’t start out looking to become an inspiration to anyone. He went on to say that he just did what he loved. He told me who had inspired him, mentioning a few comedians who joked about things that most of us are uncomfortable talking about or doing. Ellen DeGeneres, he said, talked about her personal life and its difficulties, but mostly she was just doing what she loved and she inspired him.

others’ courage that inspires us—having the courage to risk losing, or looking dumb or being different. Yet I also wonder why it should take courage to risk these things.

Ultimately, don’t we decide whether we lost something or are smart and capable or are different in a way to be proud of? It’s easy to say, “Let’s be courageous,” but really, why don’t we all become a little more courageous and not be concerned with negative outcomes? One way to gain courage, I think, is to take the risk to look at new ideas, new activities, new people. William Dean Howells said, “The secret of the [person] who is universally interesting is that he is universally interested.”

This might be a stretch—from being interested in things to being courageous and inspirIt made me wonder if it isn’t ing, but I think that’s what

Tim Benjamin, Editor

Access Symbol

Closed Captioning Benefits Are Many

T

he CC symbol tells a viewer that a TV show (or videotape/DVD) includes the option to display captions. Such “closed captioning” allows persons with hearing disabilities to have access to television programming by displaying the audio portion of a program as text on the TV screen. Closed captioning provides a critical link to news, entertainment,

captions improve comprehension and fluency. Captions also help improve literacy skills.

and information for individuals who are deaf or hard-ofhearing. But as with most access technology, the benefits extend beyond the “disability community.” For individuals whose native language is not English, English-language

Closed captions can be turned on or off either through the TV’s remote control or its onscreen menu. ■ (Sources include: FCC Web site www.fcc.gov/cgb/con sumerfacts/closedcaption. html)

Access Press Co-Founder/Publisher (1990-1996) .................................................. Wm. A. Smith, Jr. Co-Founder/Publisher/Editor-in-Chief (1990-2001) ....................... Charles F. Smith Board of Directors ............................ JoAnn Cardenas Enos, Mike Chevrette, Mary Kay Kennedy, Kelly Matter, Tom Squire & Kay Willshire Editor ......................................................................................................... Tim Benjamin Editorial Assistant ......................................................................................... Bret Hesla Cartoonist ..................................................................................................... Scott Adams Production ...................................................... Ellen Houghton at Presentation Images Sales/Marketing ...................................................................................... Lance Hegland Distribution ......................................................................................... S. C. Distribution Access Press is a monthly tabloid newspaper published for persons with disabilities by Access Press, Ltd. Circulation is 11,000, distributed the 10th of each month through more than 200 locations statewide. Approximately 650 copies are mailed directly to political, business, institutional and civic leaders. Subscriptions are available for $25/yr.

Editorial submissions and news releases on topics of interest to persons with disabilities, or persons serving those with disabilities, are welcomed. We reserve the right to edit all submissions.

Paid advertising is available at rates ranging from $16 to $20.70/column inch, depending on size and frequency of run. Classified ads are $10, plus 45¢ per word over 12 words.

Advertising and editorial deadlines are the last day of the month preceding publication, except for employment ads which are due by the 25th.

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Josh is saying, too. He got interested in others who were doing what they loved, and he had the courage to know that that’s what he wanted. Mark Twain said, “I can teach anybody how to get what they want out of life. The problem is that I can’t find anybody who can tell me what they want.” And I say, the only way we can find out what we want out of life is to try new things.

After several days at the State Fair, I’ve noticed how many new ideas pop up there every year. Have you ever tried corned beef and cabbage on a stick? Me neither, but maybe your new (and better) idea could be a big seller at the fair next year. So let’s get courageous and allow ourselves to experience new things. And really, who is more courageous than you yourself?

Speaking of interesting people, Pete Feigal is back writing for us. The article that Pete submitted this month is a little different than his usual columns. He took a risk—and I sure think he is successful in the storytelling genre. In his second paragraph he talks about courage and self-esteem: “It doesn’t happen overnight, even if we are quick learners.”

Pete’s life is a lesson in courage and risk-taking: he didn’t give up when he first began to loose his skills, but tried new ideas and activities. He found new ways to be successful. He became an educator and a sought-after motivational speaker. His artwork has landed him in the Aviation Hall of Fame for his pencil drawings of vintage aircraft. He has become a talented writer.

Pete’s writing, many readers

say, “tells the truth.” You can see yourself, but in new ways, in Pete’s words. That’s what makes his writing interesting and touches our emotions. Thanks, Pete, and we’re glad you’re back and healthy.

The article, “Access Denied at University of Houston,“ highlights another problem in interpreting the ADA. Right when the cost of special education in K-12 is being looked at so critically, it seems awfully coincidental that some in academia are questioning who has the authority to enforce ADA regulations. For those who are taking the risk to start (or continue) school this month, we must have the courage to demand and protect the accommodations that support their success. ■

Letters To The Editor ...

Where’s the Respect?

As a PCA for two years, I also have a few things to say as far as working with physically disabled/ handicapped people and their families. PCAs are not mechanical beings, nor strongmen. I myself had to stop working for a client because of pulled muscles in my back.

PCAs also get ill from time to time, and we “have to” get to a client’s home, no matter what the weather or how we feel physically. I am not short; I am six inches shy of seven-feet tall, and clients think I have AMERICAN HOIST stamped into my forehead. They expect me to do the impossible. Also, clients should think about their PCAs and what they do by “dead lifting” a client two to six times a day.

911 Works for Me And another thing is, the PCA offices that hire PCAs should take into consideration their former work history. I have done physical labor since I started working while in high school, and it has taken its toll on my back, arms and legs.

And my back told me in its own way, “Enough is enough.”

I got paid more for working at the tire shop than working as a PCA.

With all due respect to the Diedrichsens (Telephone Access: Is TTY Still Needed?: July 10, 2006), the following statement is at least partially incorrect:

And some clients have no respect for the PCA; they leave notes and want them to meet the client at an office building somewhere. PCAs don’t get paid for gas, let alone to play “taxi driver.” I am not a plumber, an electrician, nor am I a construction worker. I am a PCA.

I have used VOIP for at least a year and have always had 911 access. When I initially got VOIP, the customer had to configure it; from then on 911 works. The FCC now requires these VOIP services to provide 911 access: www.fcc.gov/ cgb/consumerfacts/voip911. html

Name withheld by request.

Thank you for a great publication!

“Internet (VOIP and video relay) phone services do not have the capacity to connect with 911; you must know your local 10-digit emergency number to connect.”

Sincerely, Anna-lee Aton

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September 10, 2006

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To “Miss Unattainable 2006” Does It Pay To From A Guy With A Disability In A Motorcycle Shirt Hobnob With Politicians?

by Pete Feigal

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f you think I look bad, you oughta see the other guy!

The guy I was before I got MS. He was a little taller, had some different skills, he could reach the peanut butter jar on the top shelf. He would lift heavy stuff to impress the Girls, break stuff to look tough. But trust me, you wouldn’t have liked him as much as me. He was a little shortsighted, a little selfish, a great guy, don’t get me wrong. But not the hunk a burnin’ love that I am now! As you probably guessed, my disability is not my MS, it’s my winning personality. (I usually don’t talk about myself in the 3rd person, but I get a little ‘looney tunes’ when I meet someone like you.)

Guy: “I’m sleepy.” Translation: “I’m sleepy.”

Guy: “Nice Dress.” Translation: “Nice cleavage.”

Guy: “Would you like to go out for dinner?” Translation: “Let’s have sex.”

Guy: “I love you.” Translation: “Let’s have sex.”

Guy: “Nice Bike.” Translation: “Let’s sell the house, sell the car, sell the kids, sell my, er...your mother into indentured servitude on a farm in Mississippi so I can buy that new Harley.”

Guy: “I’m all for women’s rights.”

Translation: “Women were put on this earth to cook, clean, bear children and pose for Maxim Magazine.”

But I don’t need to be buzzed or have you buzzed to give me the courage or self-esteem to say to you what I want to say to you. That didn’t happen overnight, cause I’m a slow learner.

But I understand myself better now.

I do have some walls, but they hold up the roof. I’ve been beat on, but never beat. I may have a “handicap” but I don’t live anymore in “handicaptivity.” Some things are tough, but a life without difficulties is like sleep without dreams. And anyway, catastrophe has gotten a bad rap.

It’s those hard moments that give me the insights that are most important. Nothing wrong with happiness, but I need the light and the dark.

Thanks for looking at me, not down at my chair. I’m sure that guys sometimes don’t always look in your eyes, they talk to your chest. Sometimes people talk to the chair, and I wanta go “Hey, over here! Here I Am!” The demons do come out at night, but so do the muses. My To get it out of the way: the eyes might be failing from the chair is a hassle sometimes, MS, but I see things clearer but I’m fantastic in it, I’m a than I ever did before. Clear ballet dancer, I’m Baryshnikov enough to want to see you, talk in this chair! It may sound con- with you, spend precious time tradictory, but it’s how I physi- with you. Sometimes I have a cally move with grace through hard time standing, but with the world. There may be metal each person I love, with each in the chair, but there’s steel in person who loves me, the my soul. (God, That’s Dra- “weight” gets lifted bit by bit. matic. And Corny!)

I may have a “handicap sticker,” but I look at it as a I know as a Guy, I have my kind of “chick magnet:” I can own unique vocabulary, and go anyplace, anytime, busy or sometimes it seems as if I need crowded and park right outa translator. But usually it’s side the door! Able-bodied pretty simple: guys don’t stand a chance!

Guy: “I’m hungry.” Translation: “I’m hungry.”

by Michael Cohn

W Pete Feigal I’ve learned to live in the moment, but also understand that one great thing about a committed relationship is that there’s time. Everything doesn’t have to be decided right now, there’s another day, another chance to get it right.

Some guys are looking for procreators, some for recreators.

I’d be happy with a passionate hand-holding. But don’t get me wrong, I have all the sexual energy of a fierce jungle beast.

(God, that’s dramatic!) I may see you as a sexual object, but I promise you that’s not all that I’ll see you as. I’m still me, I’m fiercer and more fearless than I’ve ever been.

hen most people think of hobnobbing with politicians, they’re think high priced, formal fundraisers.

More often than not, however, hobnobbing with politicians consists of working on campaigns, attending house parties and/or lobbying for an important issue.

Hobnobbing is for everyone—or should be. People from all walks of life, all ethnic groups and people with all forms of disabilities and abilities stand to gain by getting involved in the political process and getting to know their governmental representatives at all levels. And getting to know them not just inside but also outside of the political arena.

As a person who uses a walker and has a speech impediment, I have found that most politicians will take the time to listen to what I have to say. Why is that important? Because in order for things to be changed in the disability community, Please see me! People some- we need to speak out. Yes, we times don’t see me. They don’t take the time to learn my name.

My name’s not “Wheelchair,” Umm...that’s no good...I”ll or “MS,” or “BiPolar.” My definitely make it more name’s “Motorcycles,” and exciting...no, umm...I’ll defi“Shakespeare,” and “Travel,” nitely make it more...Oh, and “Love” and “Culver’s God...here she comes...

Milkshakes.” Those are my names. And many more.

“Uhhh...Hi!...Cool Harley sticker on your chair!

Please, please see beyond the Uhh...Nice Dress!” ■ wheelchair or the walker or the cane or the limp or the Pete Feigal has just been voted braces or the burns or the scars into Minnesota’s Aviation Hall or the stutter or the shyness or of Fame, one of three artists in the sadness. I’m here. I’m right MAHF’s history. The honor here. I’ve never left—OK was in recognition of the aviamaybe stepped out for a while, tion art he started doing after but I’m back and I’m as pas- getting MS, and the work he sionate and real as a person does with high school kids, ofcan be. I may make your life ten using his art as part of the harder, but I’ll definitely make story of how sometimes curses it more interesting. can be gifts. Feigal can be reached at PFeigal@aol. com.

Left to Right: Mike Honda and Mike Cohn do have a ways to go, but things are beginning to change. And they’re changing because we are speaking out—and being heard—more and more.

Many average Joes or JoAnnes with disabilities are getting involved with volunteering for a candidate’s campaign. As they do, they have the opportunity to get to really know the candidate at a personal level. For example, when working on a campaign, you will probably meet the candidate’s family and get to know the “real person” behind the political face.

It’s easy to talk to politicians.

During the past year, as I have worked on both a governor candidate’s campaign and a US Congress candidate’s campaign, I have met with senators from other states who were in Minnesota working to promote a candidate with whom I have been working. At one neighbor’s house party, five candidates showed up, including Mike Honda, a senator from California and the Co-Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). Mike and I had never met before, but we talked at length about some concerns that I had regarding an e-mail I had received earlier in the day.

The e-mail addressed the issue of the DNC excluding people with disabilities from having

an input in the caucus process.

Mike told me that this issue was important and not to worry because the DNC would do the right thing. He was correct, the DNC later voted down the proposal to exclude people with disabilities. This conversation was very important to me, but what was more important to me was that Mike and I could talk about issues other than politics and disabilities. Mike asked me what kind of work I do other than work on campaigns. I told him that I was a consultant for disability issues, and I found out that he was a teacher before he got into politics.

By getting to know politicians as real people, who have families, jobs, pets and who go on vacations, you learn their position on many issues that might not otherwise come to light. By discussing these various issues you can help guide the decision-making process for your community, state and possibly the country.

Politicians are real people; they need input from everyone to make the best decisions and to guide the political process in the right direction. So it really does pay to hobnob. ■ Michael Cohn is the chair of the MN DFL State Disability Caucus.

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September 10, 2006

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People With Disabilities Face Unique Grief, Loss Issues

by Jo Lambert

I

t is not generally understood or addressed by our society that people with disabilities experience more grief and loss on an almost daily basis than the general public.

Much of the grief and loss for the person with a disability is the same as that for the person without a disability. However, the person with a disability has the added dynamic of a daily reminder—the disability itself.

Unfortunately, professional caregivers both public and private are not educated to understand the grieving process in general and are less aware of the particular needs of the individual with a disability.

Mental health professionals in the field of grief and loss recommend that caregivers become educated in how grief

affects the life of a person with a disability. Indeed, the accumulation of losses can become a serious health concern for someone with a disability.

These losses are not necessarily due to a death; they can stem from other issues as well: health, location, jobs, aging process, change in a caregiver (affecting ones sense of security) and change in ones general health (often demanding new compensations). So many losses can lead to frustration for the person with a disability.

If the person with the disability is unable to express why they are feeling depressed or stressed, the problem may well go unchecked or not addressed.

Providers both private and public often do not show sensitivity toward people with disabili-

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ties unless the person is able to express the loss. It takes a lot of energy to be able to express how you are feeling. Add in the daily frustrations for the person with a disability and it is doubly hard. Even when people with a disability may want to

and grief is a natural part of the healing process. The reasons for grief are many, such as the loss of a loved one, the loss of health, and the letting go of a long time dream. Dealing with a significant loss can be one of the most difficult times in a person’s life.

“Indeed, the accumulation of losses can become a serious health concern for someone with a disability.”

Different Kinds of Loss Feelings of loss are very personal and only you know what is significant to you. People commonly associate certain losses with strong feelings of grief.

These can include: death of a partner, death of a roommate, death of a parent or child, death of a sibling, death of a relative, death of a colleague/classmate, loss of a close friend, serious illness of a loved one, relationship breakup. Subtle or less obvious losses can also cause strong feelings of grief, even thought those around you may not know the extent of your feelings. Some examples include: loss of health through illness, death of a pet, move to a new home, loss of a physical ability, leaving home, loss of mental ability, change of job, graduation, loss of financial security.

talk about what’s bothering them, the caregiver might not want to hear the person’s thoughts or feelings, because they are unable to change the situation, or they are not aware of the different areas of grief and loss that are part of the daily life of their client.

Although there is general information available on grief and loss from many Web sites, information pertaining to the added concerns for a person with a disability is not as readily available. I found Kathy Sherer’s work to be very helpful and have included her study as part of this article. As follows:

•

How Long Does Grief Last?

The length of the grief process is different for everyone. There is no predictable schedule for grief. Although it can be quite painful at times, the grief pro-

“. . . it is normal for significant dates, holidays or other reminders to trigger feelings related to the loss. ”

cess cannot be rushed. It is important to be patient with yourself as you experience the feelSudden versus ings and your unique reactions Predictable Loss to the loss. With time and supSudden or shocking losses— port, things generally do get Loss is an inevitable part of life, due to events like crimes, acci- better. However, it is normal for significant dates, holidays or other reminders to trigger feelings related to the loss. Taking care of yourself, seeking support, and acknowledging Celebrating 33 Yrs Of RENTAL • SALES your feelings during these times SERVICE • REPAIR are ways that can help you cope.

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dents, or suicide—can be traumatic. There is no way to prepare. They can challenge your sense of security and confidence in the predictability of life. You may experience symptoms such as sleep disturbance, nightmares, distressing thoughts, social isolation, or severe anxiety. Predictable losses—like those due to terminal illness— sometimes allow more time to prepare for the loss. However, they create two layers of grief: the grief related to the anticipation of the loss and the grief related to the final loss.

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group, be patient with yourself, engage in social activities, eat good foods, take time to relax, listen to music, let yourself feel grief, Each one of us has an individual style of coping with painful times. The list above may help you generate ideas or create a list of your own about how to manage your feelings of grief. You may want to experiment with these ideas or. Talking to friends who have dealt with loss in the past can help you generate new ways of coping. Only you know what coping skills will fit best with your personality and lifestyle. One way to examine your own style of coping is to recall the ways you’ve dealt with painful times in the past. It’s important to note that some ways of coping with grief are helpful, like talking to others, writing in a journal, and so forth. Others may be hurtful or destructive to the healing process, like substance abuse or isolation. Healthy coping skills are important in resolving a loss. They cannot take away your feelings of loss. They can, however, help you move forward in the healing process.

How Can You Support Others Who Are Grieving?

Be a good listener. Just sit with them. Ask about their loss. Make telephone calls. Let them feel sad. Do not minimize grief. Ask about their feelings. Share your feelings. Remember the loss.

Acknowledge the pain. Be available when you can. Talk about your own losses.

Grief reactions When experiencing grief it is common to feel: like you are going crazy, unable to focus or concentrate, irritable or angry (at the deceased, oneself, others, higher power) , frustrated or misunderstood, anxious, nervous, or fearful, like you want to escape, guilt or remorse, ambivalence, numbness,

People who are grieving often feel isolated or lonely in their grief. Soon after the loss, social activities and support from others may decrease. As the shock of the loss fades, there is a tendency on the part of the griever to feel more pain and sadness.

Well-meaning friends may avoid discussing the subject due to their own discomfort with grief or their fear of “making the perHow can you cope with grief? son feel bad.” They may “not Talk to family or friends, read know what to say.” poetry or books, exercise, seek spiritual support, join a support Grief/Loss - cont. on p. 5

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September 10, 2006

5

Breaking The Cycle For Disabled Homeless Veterans

by Clarence Schadegg

I

n 1975, six years after returning from the Vietnam War, veteran Stephen Eisenreich still didn’t know how he could fit in. “For a time,” said Eisenreich, “I didn’t blend back into society.

I found a place off to the side where I could exist and where people left me alone.”

Eisenreich stated that “fortyeight percent of the homeless

disabled veteran population is made up of Vietnam War veterans. The stories we hear, from the Vietnam War to the present war veterans, are eerily similar. The soldiers came home, and they couldn’t find a way to fit back into society. So they got married, got divorced, got married, and got divorced.

Eventually, they found a place to hole up and drink or use drugs.” No veteran should go

through this; the cycle needs their lives back together.” This to be broken. two-year period of transitional housing includes intensive supIt takes some disabled veter- portive services to help veterans many years to figure out ans find and keep employment, what kind of niche they can retrain in life skills, develop or carve out for themselves. regain budgeting skills and Eisenreich is now a social learn good self healthcare pracworker with the St. Cloud Vet- tices. erans Administration Medical Center. His job—and his vi- According to Eisenreich, the sion—is to help fellow veter- time usually provided for a supportive transition to go back to work or to find a permanent living arrangement is not enough for disabled veterans to return to a normal life for themselves. And this is especially true for somebody with mental illness and/or a physical disability. It will take significantly more support for them to be rehabilitated and/ or recover from a mental and/ or physical disability, find and keep a job as well as to find affordable housing. Unfortunately, in many situations, regardless of whether the veterans are ready or not, they will still be discharged. That’s one of the reasons why Eisenreich feels it is necessary for him to visit homeless veterans under bridges or whatever unsafe place that they may be living.

These veterans are extremely vulnerable. They are easily drawn back to their dysfunctional friends and to the streets.

If they haven’t managed to get permanent housing, or a good six to eighteen months of tranans find permanent jobs, hous- sitional housing lined up, their ing and support. “My dream homelessness too easily bewas to be able to create more comes a cycle. The struggle is transitional housing in St. to break out of this cycle.

Cloud so that people coming out of programs like ours could How can this “cycle” of vultransition into housing and nerability, homelessness, have up to two years to get chemical dependency, depres-

sion, danger and isolation be broken? Eisenreich pointed out that this cycle wasn’t something that appeared in veterans overnight. Eisenreich says, “It may take [veterans] years to find their way to us; to get the help they need.” Chemical dependency and mental health issues develop over a long period of time; it will likewise take a long time to treat them.

With long-term support, veterans will be better able to build a solid foundation of employment, health care and housing. Recovery for a disabled veteran would certainly include access to therapy, which allows veterans to openly and without restriction discuss what may have caused their battlefield injury or disability.

Eisenreich also expressed concern for the safe travel of homeless disabled people as they move between where they live (shelters, transitional housing, cardboard boxes or under bridges) and where they receive support services (work sites and county social and welfare programs). Eisenreich’s determination is to get disabled homeless veterans off the streets and out of dangerous places once and for all.

“There are predators out there that [target] homeless people.”

It takes a community of vigilant people to stop the unlawful attacks on homeless veterans, most of whom are vulnerable because of disability.

Helping them get involved with a process that supports a dignified life, like the two-year transitional program Eisen-

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GRIEF/LOSS

- Cont. from p. 4 People who are grieving are likely to fluctuate between wanting some time to themselves and wanting closeness with others. They may want someone to talk to about their feelings.

Showing concern and thoughtfulness about a friend shows that you care. It’s better to feel nervous and awkward sitting with a grieving friend than to not sit there at all. ■ [Taken from: Life After Loss

by Kathy Sherer, Ph.D. (From the University of Texas, Counseling and Mental Health Center). Updated in 2005:]

Diamond Hill Townhomes We are currently accepting applications for our waiting list at Diamond Hill Townhomes, a great property located near the Minneapolis International Airport.

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reich described above, is the tinue to enjoy life in a nice decent thing to do. After all, house, good food, health care these same veterans helped to and regular employment. ■ make it possible for us to con-

Here’s How You Can Help • Contact Stephen Eisenreich, Social Worker and Homeless Veterans Program Coordinator for the St. Cloud area. 320267-0376, or 320-255-6480, X6158; or e-mail stephen.eisenreich@med.va.gov.

• Contact Steve Moynihan, Chief of Volunteer Services at the Minneapolis Veterans Hospital. 612-467-2050, e-mail: steve.moynihan@va.gov.

• Contact Dr. Greg Owen of Wilder Research, a part of the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation. In October, 2006, Wilder research will carry out another survey to determine the number of homeless disabled veterans throughout Minnesota. 651-647-4600; greg@wilder.org.

6

September 10, 2006

News At A Glance . . .

Brain Injury Association of Minnesota To Expand Multicultural Outreach

HCMC Sees Increase In Diving-Related Injuries: Lower Water Levels In Lakes May Be The Cause Members of the Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) trauma staff are alarmed at the number of people injured as a result of diving into local lakes this summer, prompting them to wonder if lower water levels are to blame.

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, ethnic minorities in Minnesota, particularly African Americans and Native Americans, sustain more brain injuries than any other ethnic community. Navigating life after brain injury can be especially difficult for ethnic minorities because of culture and language barriers. To address these needs, the Brain Injury Association of Minnesota (BIAM) will increase its culturally appropriate support services over the next three years, funded in part by a Patient Link grant awarded by the Medtronic Foundation.

“So far this summer HCMC has treated twice as many divingrelated injuries in their trauma unit than in previous years,â€? according to trauma nurse Paula Chambers. “A person might not think there’s a problem because it’s the same dock they’ve been diving off for years. But with lake levels so low, even familiar swimming areas can be risky,â€? says Chambers. “Whether or not The three-year grant will help support BIAM’s efforts to the injuries we’re seeing are the result of low water levels, a safety provide direct, ongoing individualized support for Minnesotans affected by brain injury in the African American, Somali, reminder about diving is always needed ‌â€?

Hmong, Native American and Latino communities. In addition to BIAM’s ongoing Multicultural Program support efforts, the Settlement Makes Washington D.C. new Patient Link grant from the Medtronic Foundation will Parking Meters More Accessible enable the Association to provide the following in 2007: A coalition of organizations announced last month the settle- •Free trainings to community corrections providers; ment of a groundbreaking lawsuit against the District of Co- •Prevention curriculum to culturally specific/multicultural clinlumbia that will require the District to make its 17,000 parking ics and childcare providers; meters more accessible to individuals with disabilities. This •Information and education to culturally specific/multicultural lawsuit, brought by a group including United Spinal Associa- organizations in greater Minnesota; tion, The Equal Rights Center (ERC), attorneys from the •Complimentary consultations at culturally specific/ Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban multicultural organizations.

Affairs and Morrison & Foerster, LLP, has also spurred the DC City Council’s passage of legislation that restores the ability of Find Out Where You Vote And persons with disabilities to use their out-of-state parking perSee Your Sample Ballot mits in the district.

Until this new legislation and settlement, the vehicles of persons with disabilities have been ticketed at expired meters if they did not display a special district parking placard, even if those meters were inaccessible, and even if the vehicles displayed a valid parking placard from another state. The district has been the only jurisdiction in the U.S. not to recognize parking placards issued by other jurisdictions.

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If you live in Hennepin County, you can find your polling place and see what your sample ballot looks like on the Hennepin County Web site, www.hennepin.us.

For your polling place, look in the right-hand column on the home page under â&#x20AC;&#x153;Online servicesâ&#x20AC;?â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x153;Where to vote/polling place finder.â&#x20AC;? To see your sample ballot, also look under â&#x20AC;&#x153;Online servicesâ&#x20AC;?â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x153;Primary sample ballots.â&#x20AC;? Taking a look at your ballot ahead of time is a good ideaâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;it speeds up the process once youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in the voting booth. (How many times have you gotten to the part of a ballot with the slate of people you know nothing about?) If you see races youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not familiar with, you can seek out more informationâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;for example, in your local newspaperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s votersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; guideâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;before you go to vote.

How To Register To Vote On Election Day Most Minnesotans will be able to register to vote on Election Day at their polling place. To register to vote, you must be: â&#x20AC;˘A United States citizen. â&#x20AC;˘A resident of Minnesota at least 20 days before Election Day. â&#x20AC;˘At least 18 years old by Election Day. If you are currently registered to vote, you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to register again UNLESS you have: â&#x20AC;˘Moved to a different address. â&#x20AC;˘Changed your name. â&#x20AC;˘Not voted during the last four years. â&#x20AC;˘Just returned from military duty and last registered to vote where you were deployed.

To register to vote on Election Day at your polling place, you must provide election judges with proper identification, such as: â&#x20AC;˘A Minnesota driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s license, learnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s permit, state identification card (ID) or tribal ID card that has your current address (or the receipt for renewal or change of license or ID). â&#x20AC;˘A â&#x20AC;&#x153;notice of late registrationâ&#x20AC;? from your city clerk, if you pre-registered to vote but didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make the deadline.

If your ID doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have your current address, bring one of the following documents, even if it has your previous address: â&#x20AC;˘Minnesota driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s license, state ID or tribal ID â&#x20AC;˘U.S. passport â&#x20AC;˘U.S. military ID â&#x20AC;˘Student ID from a Minnesota college â&#x20AC;˘A bill for electric, water, gas, telephone, cable TV, sewer or trash pickup that has your name and current address, with a due date within 30 days of the election.

If you have none of these, another registered voter living in your precinct can come with you and vouch for your residency. For more voting information, contact your local city clerk.

Arc Greater Twin Cities Set To Assist Transition-age Students and Parents

The Hennepin Web site includes other information on elections United Health Foundation has awarded a grant to Arc Greater and voting. You also can call your local city clerk or the Twin Cities to support information and training for people with Hennepin County Elections Divisionâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;612-348-5151. intellectual and developmental disabilities and their parents.

The grant will focus particularly on assistance to families of young adults making the transition from school to adult life. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Families of young adults with disabilities face many major issues at the time of transition, and more and more families are turning to Arc for help in finding resources and navigating the service system,â&#x20AC;? said Marianne Reich, chief program officer for Arc Greater Twin Cities. â&#x2013;

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September 10, 2006

7

Personal Empowerment Not Enough: Courage Award Winner Seeks Social Change In His West African Homeland

by Karen Quammen

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mmanuel Ofosu Yeboah of Ghana was recently presented with the 2006 National Courage Award. Since 1980, Courage Center has presented the National Courage Award to recipients who have made a significant contribution to the health, welfare and rehabilitation of people with disabilities.

streets. Of the 20 million of his country, Yeboah decided people in Ghana, two million to ride across Ghana on a bicycle he received from the people have disabilities.

Challenged Athletes FoundaYeboah is well on his way in tion. He had mastered pedalaccomplishing his mission to ing with only one leg and unchange the destiny of individu- dertook his important journey, als with disabilities in Ghana which was documented in forever. He is the subject of a newspapers and on the radio. documentary film, Emman- By the time he reached his uelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gift (narrated by Oprah destination, he was a hero.

Winfrey), and has dedicated his life to changing the per- In 2003, he was given a brand ception and treatment of new life when he was evalupeople with disabilities. ated and fit for a prosthetic Against the odds, he is open- leg. The next year, he particiing minds, hearts and doors pated in a ceremony at the and creating social and politi- Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s palace in Kibi, Ghana, cal change throughout his where he awarded educational country.

Yeboah was born with a severely deformed right leg. Individuals who have a disability in Ghana, West Africa, are often poisoned or left to die by their families. Those who are not poisoned or left for dead are often hidden away or spend their lives begging on the In 2002, to gain the attention

scholarships to children with disabilities and presented sports wheelchairs to athletes with disabilities.

His goals today include building a state of the art sports academy for athletes with and without disabilities, employing people with disabilites, organizing a team of athletes with disabilities to represent Ghana in the 2008 Paralympics Games in Beijing and eventually running for a seat in Parliament.

Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah accepting the Courage Award at the August gala.

The Courage Center Gala also The Jay and Rose Phillips included the presentation of Awards. These awards honor people with disabilities who have achieved success in their chosen careers and help to create awareness about the benefits of hiring people with disabilities. The 2006 Phillips Awards winners were Timothy Helseth, Loan Servicing Supervisor with Wells Fargo, Lynnette Lijewski, Relocation Medtronic employees volunteered to support the banquet. Service Planner with the MinPictured from left to right: Front Rowâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Diane Kessler, Sa- nesota Department of Human Services, Rebecca Noble, Rerah Iman, Heidi Kader, Patty Brill, Paula Swanson, tail Supervisor with Cabelaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Karen Quammen, Rose Becker, Dayna Wolf, Gretchen Ebert Back Rowâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Gregg Petersen, Deb Petersen, Gor- Scott Rickford, Financial Advisor with Oakridge Financial don Radney, Roland Diederich, Marlene Gravlin and Paul Van Winkel, Public Service Assistant at the Save the Date!

Hennepin County LibraryRidgedale.

Medtronic employees from the internal employee resource group ABLED (Awareness Benefiting Leadership and Employees about Disabilities) dedicated their time and energy as volunteers to assist in making the Courage Center Gala, which took place at Medtronic World Headquarters in Fridley, a huge success.

The 500-plus attendees enjoyed dinner and a silent auction, as well as music from the group â&#x20AC;&#x153;Up with People,â&#x20AC;? on August 26. All proceeds from the evening went to support the mission of Courage Centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sports and Recreation programs. â&#x2013;

The Minnesota State Council on Disability

2006 Annual Awards Luncheon in Honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month Thursday, October 19, 11:30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1:30 Radisson Hotel Roseville

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Featuring Keynote speaker John Kemp, a nationally recognized disability advocate.

Nomination are now open for all awards go to: www.disability.state.mn.us or call 651-296-3478 Minnesota State Council on Disability 7th 121 East Place Suite 107, St. Paul, MN 55101 651-296-6785 V/TTY or 1-800-945-8913 V/TTY

Roland Diederich, Medtronic ABLED Co-Chair and Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah

Computerized Desktop publishing: Advertiments Brochures Catalogs Flyers Logos Newsletters Newspapers and more!

Ellen Houghton â&#x20AC;˘ 952-404-9981 presentationimages@mn.rr.com

8

September 10, 2006

Home Access Answers

Living Independently

A Bar, Is A Bar, Is A Bar . . . Or Is It?

Caregiver’s Corner

by Lisa Schmidtke

by Jane Hampton Dear Jane, We need to install grab bars in our shower. What do we need to be aware of?

Art P., Elk River, Minn.

You could install plywood between the shower unit and wall studs, or solid wood blocking between the wall studs. If you install a grab bar onto an existing wall without providing the adequate support, the grab bar will not hold properly. You could suffer great harm in the event you are relying on the grab bar for support and it pulls out of the wall.

Dear Art, Before beginning a grab bar installation, it is important to know what type of shower you have. The type of shower determines the installation method and products needed to have successful results.

The easiest way to install proper support for the bar is to Grab bars need to be sturdy open the wall, either from the enough to support your weight. shower side of the wall or, if State building codes and fed- possible, through the back side eral accessibility guidelines for of the shower from the adjapublic buildings require grab cent room. This approach will bars be installed to support a require some patch and repair minimum of 250 pounds. In work to the wall after the supmost cases, additional wood port has been installed. or structural material needs to be added to the shower walls. If you have a molded fiberglass shower, installation of grab bars is more of a challenge. Most prefabricated units use a thin fiberglass wall material that is not strong enough to support a grab bar. The issue of concern is the space between the fiberglass shower wall and stud wall. There is a product we have used called “The Solid Mount” that attaches to the wall stud, filling the hollow space, sealing the hole and leaving a mounting surface to which a standard grab bar can be safely attached. If this is your situation, it is best to rely on a professional

A picture is worth…

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C

aregivers are heroes If a caregiver can’t leave their Cities area caregiver support installer who has previous exof the elderly and dis- dependent to attend a support groups and caregiver educaperience working with fiberabled; they tirelessly group, they should “go vir- tion and training seminars. glass. It is important to have the proper tools to ensure the work to help those limited in tual.” The Empowering Check out their Twin Cities shower wall does not “crack” mobility. They may be a Caregivers Web site contains calendar of events for spouse, neighbor, profes- resources, message boards, caregivers. One of their memor become damaged. sional, parent, son or daugh- newsletters and other support ber organizations, DARTS, There are a variety of grab ter. Their “real job” may be a tools to help provide assis- created CaregiverMN.org, bars on the market, with vari- banker, doctor, construction tance and education to where you’ll learn about mulous diameters, clearances to worker or teacher. But one caregivers. They even have a tiple resources for family the wall, lengths, shapes and thing they have in common is special section on alternative caregivers, including one-tofinishes. Choose a 1¼ inch to an unconditional desire to care healing. one support and workplace 1½ inch diameter bar (which- for another human being, to resources for Twin Cities area ever fits your hand size best) allow them to live their life For a more tactical approach, caregivers and some culturthat when mounted on the wall with dignity. I’d ally specific provides a clearance no greater like to devote information than 1½ inches. If the clear- this column to for Spanishance to the wall is greater than my dad.

Caregiver MN: www.caregivermn.org/HomePage.asp speaking and 1½ inches, there is a safety Hmong famCareLinkUSA: www.carelinkusa.com/Default.asp concern; if you loose your bal- The National ily caregivers.

DARTS: www.darts1.org ance, your arm could slide Alliance for Eldercare Partners:www.eldercarepartners.org/ DARTS probetween the wall and grab bar, C a r e g i v i n g , vides careindex.htm getting “wedged” and possi- www.caregiving. giver support Empowering org, estimates bly breaking. groups, educaCaregivers: www.care-givers.com/ that one-quarter tion sessions, Family Means: www.familymeans.org/ Grab bars don’t have to look of U.S. house- Prairie Adult Care:www.prairieadultcare.com/support. volunteer re“institutional.” There are a holds are dispite care, inhtml variety of finishes, decorative rectly caring for The Well Spouse formation and flanges and screw cover plates a adult with a Foundation: www.wellspouse.org/support.html assistance, and available. Grab bars also come disability withcare manage#minnesota in various colors to match your out compensament to more décor, as well as brass, antique tion. Middle-aged Americans, Family Means provides respite than 1,000 seniors and their brass, chrome and bronze. known as the “sandwich gen- care and support groups. Their families annually.

Some of the higher-end plumb- eration,” often go from raising other services include credit ing showrooms carry these their children to caring for their counseling, employee assis- Caregivers, help is near! Stay more decorative finishes and spouse or parent. 30-40% of tance and youth and family in touch with your local and cover plates. In addition, some working adults are managing development. The Well national organizations, learn manufacturers offer a “non- a career with the added com- Spouse Foundation has a sup- about their resources both slip” grip surface, which is pre- mitment of caring for an adult. port group that meets the 2nd online and in-person and, most ferred.

“Sandwiched” between the re- and 4 th Thursday of every importantly, know that you are sponsibilities of caring for their month. Prairie Adult Care in heroes. ■ Though at first glance grab children and their parents, ca- Eden Prairie has partnered with bars by different manufactur- reers may suffer due to illness, Emerald Crest in Shakopee to Lisa Schmidtke is the Presiers appear to be comparable, leaves of absence and loss of offer a support group specifi- dent and Founder of Housecally addressing the challenges calls Network. Their Web site, the quality varies. Here are productivity. of caring for someone with www.housecalls-network. some questions to ask yourself Where can caregivers memory loss and another for com, contains a directory of when choosing between a less go for support?

Parkinson’s. As a bonus, they resources that can help the expensive grab bar and a higher The answer may be online. offer free respite care in the growing population of seniors, quality grab bar: CARELINKUSA® is a tool for day center. people with disabilities and their caregivers live indepen• Does the grab bar support health care professionals and the user’s weight, or is a consumers seeking informa- The society-wide shift from dently. House-calls Network stronger grab bar needed? tion and referrals to facilities skilled nursing-home care to also sells aids for daily living Some grab bars are designed such as nursing homes and as- community-based services has and adaptive clothing to only meet minimum code sisted-living environments in opened up opportunities for requirements and may not be and around Minnesota. With nonprofits to bridge the gap Lisa Schmidtke can be reached able to support the weight of this valuable tool, you can between caregivers and health by e-mail at lisa@housecallssearch for providers based on care providers. Eldercare Part- network.com or by phone at a heavier person.

• If a stainless steel grab bar is location and/or services pro- ners unites five of the most 952-221-0722. Housecalls selected, will the materials vided. CARELINKUSA® is a respected nonprofit organiza- Network does not endorse any eventually rust (especially in community service provided tions in the Minneapolis-St. particular provider. They asa shower situation)? Grab by Care Providers of Minne- Paul metropolitan area. They sume no responsibility for bars that are made of 3 or 4 sota, a nonprofit trade asso- offer caregivers coaching and transactions between the readseries metals (stainless) ciation for providers of long- counseling, geriatric assess- ers of this article and listed Bars - cont. on p. 14 ments, Web site lists of Twin organizations. term health care.

Resource Contact Information

September 10, 2006

9

The Metropolitan Center for Independent Living is celebrating 25 years of serving people with disabilities. We have met challenges over the L I years, added programs as C M s e demands have grown t a r b e y l r e a and worked with C s r e v i tion n a r consumers in n b h t A e l e 25 eeting and06C fulfilling their desire 06 0 2 , al M 25th , 20 r 25 u e n to lead productive, b n r to A c e b O , Octo sday e s self-determined n poli 5413 ed a e W n Min is, MN 5 y on: i n t o a t lives. We will be br era nneapol ed Canop e h l S e R i c BC ts by evard, Mrs with the our n A i r n o l o o celebrating f r P al Bou t h e D o o Sal able .m. s u ) p e – o u l 7 b F l i r a m – ai o ail str nea Join ., Ro h bar av ships Av ip Fund Indu g – P a r k m 0 .

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Reflections

by David Hancox, Executive Director

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n June 16, 1983, Walt Siebert, former MCIL Executive Director from 1981-1986, arrived at his office to find a Plymouth Volarè waiting for him.

Someone had driven their Volarè through the wall of the Center.

The Volarè nameplate found its resting spot on the center of Walt’s desk.

What a way to start your day, huh. And, as Walt shared the story at a recent luncheon held to acknowledge the accomplishments and contributions of all the previous MCIL executive directors, I couldn’t help but think it was a bit, well, fitting that “Volarè,” according to my thesaurus, can mean “volatile, volatility or volcanic activity.” I think these can all, at one time or another, describe the role of Centers for Independent Living and MCIL in particular. And, “volarè” can certainly describe the role that these past executive directors have played in the creation and evolution of MCIL Walt Siebert (1981-

1986): Walt is currently working with Courage Center coordinating their large donor program. Walt has a long history within the metro area disability community and counts among his accomplishments the fact that he was the first executive director of MCIL. In response to my question, Walt answered that he believes his greatest accomplishments as executive director included creating credibility among metro area foundations and philanthropic organizations, and the creation of only the second wheelchair repair coop in the country. The first co-op was a creation the first CIL in Berkeley. Walt also shared that, “I loved it…even when it meant working 18-hour days!”

Mary O’Hara Anderson (1986-1991): No one can really speak about independent living in Minnesota and not mention Mary. She traveled to the IL wilderness of California to learn from the master, Ed Roberts. The lessons learned and the messages she returned with to Minnesota created the catalyst that led to the very creation of the MCIL. (She was also one of the decision makers who hired Walt.) Mary’s

ability to reach across the legislative aisle and into the governor’s office helped to establish the first legislatively mandated financial support for Minnesota CILs—easily one of her greatest accomplishments. Mary continues her efforts today, assisting seniors in their many critical issues as property manager for several 55-and-older residences in the Twin Cities.

John Walsh (19911997): Many of you remember John as a leader in the metro mobility debacle in the mid 1990’s.

(Remember when Governor Carlson called out the national guard to drive the vans?) John and others are credited with organizing many of the public demonstrations and presentations to the Met Council that resulted in some of the permanent changes. He also established the 1-800 line for consumers to call and leave anonymous messages about their personal experiences with “metro mo.” John can also be credited with starting the Ramp Program at MCIL, which has served thousands of people over the years. John is now working in sales for a local manufacturer of packaging technology

and travels the globe representing his product. John credits the success of the “metro mo” action when he David Hancox states, “…MCIL understood the core issues” that were at stake and was able to articulate them clearly.

I am humbled by these three incredible leaders. The metro area community of people with disabilities, their families, friends, colleagues and others have benefited greatly from their vision, hard work and tenacity.

MCIL is the strong voice and effective community participant you see today because of the significant contributions made by these individuals. Thank you Walt, Mary and John for helping to make us who we are.

MCIL will be hosting a series of events over the next year to celebrate with you our success of serving the community for the past 25 years. I hope you will look to future copies of the Access Press and MCIL’s newsletter, Independently Speaking for updates and details. Remember, this is your CIL, and we really want to celebrate its success with you!

■

10

September 10, 2006

The Metropolitan Center for Independent Living is celebrating 25 years!

MN Residents Fortunate To Have MACIL

by Cindy Tarshish, with contributions from Steve Thovson and Cara Ruff

P

eople with disabilities living in Minnebased training to all of the community human sota certainly have a great wealth of resource professionals and numerous busiresources both in the Twin Cities and ness leaders to enhance their knowledge of also in Greater Minnesota. One such resource disability issues and employment guidelines is their local Center for Independent Living. • MCIL in St. Paul coordinates the Disability Minnesota, home of mosquitoes, frozen lakes Linkage Line services in the metropolitan and the best state fair food, also boasts eight area and in the northern areas of the state.

Centers for Independent Living. These centers This disability related helpline was instruare located in Hibbing, St. Cloud, East Grand mental in assisting individuals with issues Forks, St. Paul, Rochester, Mankato, Marshall related to Medicare Part D this past year. and Moorhead. · Freedom Resource Center in Moorhead was instrumental in organizing Waking the SleepAll CILs nationally and in Minnesota offer a ing Giant, a collaborative effort of 50 local wide variety of programs and services intended nonprofit organizations responding to Medto promote independent living. All Minnesota icaid budget cuts.

CILs are consumer-controlled, community • CILNM in Hibbing has built and continues to based, cross disability, nonresidential and prihost a “virtual CIL” and provides consumers vate nonprofit agencies. Centers collectively with internet access to the four core services. offer four core services, and the Minnesota • Options in East Grand Forks has long been a centers are no exception. The four core sersponsor of outdoor recreation activities, provices are: Advocacy, both individual and sysviding adapted sportsmanship activities and tems, Independent Living Skills, Information working with a local refuge area to ensure and Referral, and Peer Counseling. that all walking paths are accessible.

and Jerry Kueuger, St. Cloud, to create a collective voice statewide for independent living services provided by the CILs. MACIL became a 501(c)(3) in the mid 1990s. MACIL members Steve Thovson, John Walsh and Jay Johnson were instrumental in writing the first federally-required statewide network plan for CILs as part of the state plan for IL services establishing a base funding of $500,000 state and federal IL dollars for each CIL. At the time the plan started, funding was at 30% of that goal, and today it is at 70% of that goal.

MACIL’s first official lobbyist was David Hancox, working as an independent contractor. Hancox now is the Executive Director for the CIL in St. Paul. Cara Ruff, St. Cloud, is currently serving as the President of MACIL. She states, “MACIL continues to grow our individual CIL’s with responsiveness to our individual regions, and to strive towards the implementation of a statewide network of CILs that will adequately cover the entire state of Minnesota. This past year, MACIL has been In addition to the four core services, each CIL The eight Centers for Independent Living com- active in building new partnerships with DEED prides itself on providing new and innovative prise the Minnesota Association of Centers for and the SILC and looks forward to continuing programs and services, some of these include Independent Living (MACIL). MACIL formed to build on these collaborations.” ■ the following: in the early 1990s by Steve Thovson, Marshall • SMILES in Mankato has offered for the past ten years a summer softball recreation proThe Minnesota Association of Centers gram to youth with disabilities ages 8-12.

They are part of the Miracle League Baseball for Independent Living (MACIL) Program, a national organization that builds is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is accessible baseball fields. to advocate for the independent living needs of • SWCIL in Marshall in partnership with the people with disabilities who are citizens of the state Office of Cultural Diversity at Southwest Minnesota State University hosts an annual of Minnesota, to develop new resources, identify and workshop on creating community awareness provide access to existing resources which provide the of disability and cultural diversity issues services needed by persons with disabilities so that they • SEMCIL in Rochester enrolled with MN may live independently in the situation and commuHealth Care Programs at DHS as a PCA nity of their choice.

Choice provider as well as working with First Homes on two initiatives to help with accesMACIL 519 2nd St. N., Saint Cloud, MN 56303 sible housing. * See box at right for Center's 320-529-9000 • www.macil.org • ILICIL in St. Cloud provided community location number on above map.

Minnesota CILs SEMCIL (#1 on map*) – Vicki Dalle Molle 2720 N Broadway, Rochester, MN 55906 V/TTY: 507-285-1815 or 888-460-1815 Fax: 507-288-8070 SMILES (#2*) – Alan Augustine 709 South Front St, Mankato, MN 56001 V/TTY: 507-345-7139, Toll Free: 1-888-676-6498, Fax: 507-345-8429 SWCIL (#3*) – Steve Thovson 109 S. 5th Street, Suite 700, Marshall, MN 56258 V/TTY: 507-532-2221, Fax: 507-5322222Email: steve@swcil.com MCIL (#4*) – David Hancox 1600 University Ave., W Suite 16, St. Paul, MN 55104-3834 Voice: 651-646-8342, Fax: 651-603-2006, TTY: 651-603-2001 Independent Lifestyles (#5*) – Cara Ruff 519 2nd Street North, St. Cloud, MN 56303 V/TTY: 320-529-9000, Fax: 320-529-0747 Freedom (#6*) – Nate Aalgaard 2701 9th Avenue SW, Fargo ND 58103 V/TTY: 701-478-0459, Fax: 701-478-0510 1-800-450-0459 Options (#7*) – Randy Sorensen 318 3rd St N.W E Grand Forks, MN 56721 V/TTY: 218-773-6100, Fax: 218-773-7119 CILNM (#8*) – Kim Tyler 1101 East 37th Street Mesabi Mall, Suite 25, Hibbing, MN 55746 V/TTY: 218-262-6675, Fax: 218-262-6677 * See numbered map in box on left

From Then To Now . . .

The Independent Living Movement

by Cindy Tarshish

Ed Roberts Photo by Lydia Gans

A

s Joseph P. Shapiro writes in his book, No Pity, “The disability rights movement was born the day Roberts arrived on the Berkeley Campus.” Shapiro could not have been closer to the truth as Ed Roberts’s life unfolded, and he became the father of the independent living movement.

had an uphill battle with the University of California – Berkeley in admitting him to the school and providing accessible housing, which pre ADA was very seldom available. It was not until the Director of Student Health, Dr. Henry Bruyn, suggested he reside on the third floor of the University’s Cowell Hospital that he was finally admitted to the University. Roberts and Ed Roberts’s mission in life was changed his iron lung quickly made it their own private dramatically in 1953 when he contracted po- dorm. lio at the age of fourteen. Roberts went from playing quarterback on the football team to Soon word spread and by 1967 twelve students spending eighteen hours-a-day in an eight with severe disabilities resided on the third hundred pound iron lung. His prognosis of floor of the hospital. These students, caught up living an independent life, including second- in the political upheaval on campus, referred to ary education, a wife, children and a job was themselves as the “Rolling Quads.” These not at all good. Roberts himself believed this young students were the driving force behind prognosis until he realized the power of a the idea of independent living on campus and strong and educated mind. in the city of Berkeley. Eventually the Rolling Quads tired of living in a hospital and the At first Roberts was embarrassed by his image it projected and decided to move out “crippled” body and choose to be educated at into the community; the freedom and indepenhome, avoiding public outings. Eventually he dence this allowed was irresistible. was able to accept his disability and re-emerge into society fighting. Although Roberts had Roberts and the Rolling Quads were called battles to fight, he was refused his high school upon by Jean Wirth, Roberts’s counselor at diploma, as he had not completed the drivers’ San Mateo Community College, to help replieducation and gym requirements. He became cate her peer mentoring program for high-risk stronger with each victory. Roberts literally minority college dropouts to students with

disabilities. Wirth’s College Readiness Program was so successful she was invited to Washington to replicate the program nationally. Wirth again called upon Roberts to assist in writing provisions into the program to include students with disabilities as one of the minorities. It is important to note that these provisions specified that the program for disabled students be run by disabled students whenever possible. This little known provision assured that the Rolling Quads proposal would be at the top of the list, which is was, with $81,000 from the Department of Health, Education and Welfare and $2,000 from the University awarded to them. By the fall of 1970, the Physically Disabled Students Program or PDSP was open for business.

The PDSP hired disabled counselors to find accessible housing, maintained a list of attendants, set up their own wheelchair workshop and developed an advocacy department to help students with all the “red tape” associated with living independently. The PDSP was very successful in assisting the students with disabilities on campus; however the staff were inundated with requests for assistance from disabled people who were not students. Since the staff seldom turned anyone away, they were in over

their heads. Roberts, John Hessler (the first student to move into the Crowell Hospital with Roberts) and the rest of the PDSP leaders regrouped and decided to create a similar program for nonstudents who were disabled. As stated in No Pity, “the idea for the Center for Independent Living was born.”

The first Center for Independent Living (CIL) was incorporated in 1972 and was run on a shoestring budget; a donated Volkswagen was actually the transportation program. Roberts ran the CIL in 1974 for 1 ½ years and in 1975 was appointed the Director of State Department of Rehabilitation in California by thengovernor Jerry Brown. Roberts was able to reshape the focus of Rehabilitation to that of independent living and not just job placements.

The independent living movement and the hundreds of Centers for Independent Living owe Ed Roberts and the Rolling Quads a great deal of gratitude for their unending fight for independence for people with disabilities. ■ For more information on the history of the independent living movement, please refer to Joseph P. Shapiro’s book, No Pity, published

by Three Rivers Press, NY copyright 1993.

September 10, 2006

11

Disability Or Ability? Two Minnesotans With Dyslexa

by James J. Bauer

E

dyslexia who are making a Instead of enrolling in a college to study flying as a condifference. ventional student would, Lyle Lyle would be the perfect ex- designed his own approach. ample of the statement “think With a smile and a wink, Lyle outside the box;” Lyle has states that he became a pilot by never been “in the box.” Lyle “just hanging around the airdescribes his high school ex- port.” This statement is in huperience as “hitting his head mor but far from the truth. against a wall” to obtain barely Lyle became a pilot through passing grades. In 1970, his own hard work and tenacshortly after graduation and ity. Armed with the knowlholding three jobs, Lyle was edge that dyslexics are fully diagnosed as being dyslexic. capable of learning (they just Not to let the simple diagnosis learn differently), Lyle moved stand in his way, Lyle left his forward with his plan. He atthree jobs for one: selling cook- tended flight school with a ware. When this job failed to hands-on approach; he learned “pan out,” Lyle decided to directly from the other pilots pursue his lifelong dream of while in the cockpit and attended every flight school he being a pilot. could develop a relationship with. Lyle eventually obtained his pilot’s license and became An Evaluation is Empowering a corporate pilot. He then yslexia is specifically mentioned in the Americans with launched his own charter busiDisabilities Act; individuals with dyslexia are entitled ness and has flown such wellto reasonable accommodation. However, if you do not under- known individuals as Paul stand the nature of your disability, you will not be able to Wellstone and Norm Coleman. advocate for yourself. Any evaluation done by a well-trained caring professional today can be more than a diagnosis; it can Approximately three years ago be an opportunity for empowerment. Finding your preferred Lyle lost his left leg due to a learning style should be part of any good evaluation. serious infection. No longer

ven though dyslexia was first identified in the late 1800s, we are just starting to learn how it has impacted our society in a positive manner. Much to some people’s surprise, our history is filled with individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the world who were dyslexic: Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Woodrow Wilson and Walt Disney just to name a few.

Since my own disclosure of my struggle with dyslexia and the publications of my two books on this topic, I have met hundreds of individuals who are dyslexic. In this article I wish to introduce you to just two of the many Minnesotans with

D

Who to contact: UMBIDA (Upper Midwest Branch of the International Dyslexia Association) Web site: www.interdys.org; 651450-7589. An eight-week adult support group is starting Sept. 14th in St. Paul.

able to fly but still able to spread his wings, Lyle has now launched embarked upon a new career: day trading. His personal philosophy is, “You have to work hard to get it, but

you have to work harder to keep it.” Among his survival skills are an incredible sense of humor, high energy, motivation and a wife who is supportive. ❖❖❖❖❖ Jane is a registered nurse (RN) living and working in northern Minnesota. She was identified as having dyslexia later in life, which in retrospect allowed her to make sense of many of the struggles that she had in the past. Jane states that she cannot remember anything she learned in high school, with the exception of typing and a few art classes.

Shortly after graduating from high school, Jane joined the convent with the dream of becoming a nurse. She was confused when her convent classmates were allowed to attend college while she was delegated to manual labor. When she confronted her superiors, she was told that testing showed she had an IQ of 60 and was not “college material.” With Jane’s persistence, she was allowed to enter school to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN). Even though Jane did very well in her LPN training, she was told by the indi-

viduals in authority that she “could not expect to advance beyond this point” because of her low IQ scores.

Jane worked for a number of years as an LPN. However, having the tenacity and motivation present in many dyslexics, she was eventually allowed to attend college once again.

This time she became an RN, graduating in the higher percentile of her class. She went on to work as an RN in Utah and Minnesota, and even held a management position. Today she works as an RN in a day surgical hospital.

❖❖❖❖❖

While Lyle and Jane certainly are unique individuals, they are not unusual when it comes to the dyslexics being successful.

The theme of having a goal and working diligently towards it is common among dyslexics. The ability to anticipate what is going to happen next (intuition), In 1992 Jane was diagnosed as along with a well-tuned sense being dyslexic. Does a diag- of humor, also appear essential nosis of dyslexia set someone for success. like Jane back? No, on the contrary. It shines light on the What should you do if you past and, because of this new think you are dyslexic? Get knowledge, it allows a person evaluated and find out. When to advocate for their own I present people with this opneeds. When asked what her tion, all too often their response personal survival skills are, is, “What if they find out that I Jane immediately answers “a am really stupid.” My immesense of humor.” She also iden- diate response is, “If you were tifies the ability to be “intui- really stupid, we would not be tive.” This ability often leaves having this conversation?” ■ her co-workers asking, “How did you know that was going James J. Bauer M.A. OTR/L is a person with dyslexia. to happen?”

12

September 10, 2006

The Story Of My Swimmingly Successful Summer

by Nancy Sopkowiak Dear Access, Did you ever set a goal and run into so many obstacles that you thought about quitting?

I’ve got a story like that, too. It all started in 2001 when my health took a major dive. My colitis, fibromyalgia, and arthritis became very painful. I got so weak that I couldn’t take care of myself or my kids, which was pretty depressing.

Although the doctors advised putting me in a nursing home, my parents refused to give up on me and cared for me at home. My mom, despite her own arthritis pain, drove me to physical therapy and cheered me on. Thanks to my parents, I gradually got better.

That summer we went to my parents’ lake home. Our family has a fun tradition of swimming across Red Cedar Lake.

I joined in but only swam about ten yards. I have been trying to get across ever since. I made it a bit over halfway in 2005.

This year I set a goal to swim all the way; I started training in May. Murphy’s Law (whatever can go wrong, will) became my training theme. First I caught a nasty flu bug, which hung on

for weeks. Unfortunately, the Abbott pool has some silly rule against swimming when you are contagious. A couple of weeks later I had a hair dying crisis. I was using a new kind of dye, and my hair wasn’t coming out the right color. At one point I looked like Bozo— my hair was bright orange. I finally called my hairdresser, who helped me to fix it. The bad news was that I injured my neck from all the effort, which slowed me down again. They should make hair dying an Olympic event.

In July I was well enough to start training again. The first day back at the pool I could swim one lap. I talked to my swim coach, who told me that swimming 33 laps is equal to ½ mile. Since I was planning the swim for August 19th, it wasn’t looking good. I decided to give it my best shot anyway. Knowing I was coming from behind, I went looking for help. My friends had some great tips.

They suggested I float on my back sometimes to rest, vary my swim strokes and visualize myself at the finish line. The quote I used for inspiration was from Abe Lincoln, “Whatever you are, be a good one.”

My husband came up with the most helpful idea. He suggested that I wear swim fins.

At first I wondered if using flippers would be cheating, but we decided not. I like to think of them as an assistive device.

I tried the fins at the pool, but my ankles got really sore. The swim coach explained that I should use shorter fins, which would be easier on my ankles.

I went searching for flippers, and finally found a pair that worked.

On July 29th, with three weeks to go, I went to the lake for the weekend. Our family was doing the annual swim that day. I figured I wasn’t strong enough to get across yet, but could I do a practice run. I jumped in the water first and got a head start with my aunt Lynne. In past years I was the last one to start

and spent a lot of effort trying to catch up. I liked being in the front much better, because we got to rest sometimes while waiting for the stragglers. I was amazed how much I was enjoying the swim. My cousins and I kept running into each other, especially doing the back stroke. We were giggling and joshing so much that it didn’t feel like hard work.

When we got about halfway across the lake, I realized I wasn’t very tried or sore. It occurred to me that I had a shot at making it that day. I weighed my options. If I pushed myself, I would most probably get an injury. However, I really wanted to keep going with my family. I decided to go for it. Towards the end my ankles were hurting from using the flippers. At one

point I thought about giving up; then I pictured myself swimming to the finish line.

Much to my surprise, I made it all the way! I was not the first; that honor went to my cousin Annika, who is eleven. My 71year-old dad came in last, so he caught some ribbing about being the old guy.

and pains from doing the swim, but I didn’t mind. Much like when I was learning to ride a bike as a kid, I felt proud of my injuries. Doing the swim taught me that I am more than my physical struggles. I also discovered that I sometimes get in my own way. When I reached the finish line I was happy, but also surprised. I had a view of myself as not being strong enough to make it. I realized that my biggest obstacle to achieving the goal wasn’t my physical limitations.

It was my beliefs. Reaching this goal has been empowering for me. If I can swim across that lake, what else can I do?

I like to celebrate when I reach a goal. I believe that celebrating our victories is the most important step. It’s my carrot on a stick for motivation. My family was wonderful about congratulating me after the swim. One of my favorite moments was when my mom kissed me on the cheek. My mother has been my lifelong Do you have a dream that you cheerleader, especially through want to pursue? I would love to hear from you: NancyLife this last bout of difficulties.

Coach@msn.com I did end up with some aches Thanks, Nancy

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September 10, 2006

13

Upcoming Events To list an event, e-mail access@accesspress.org Artful Lives Exhibit Sept 7 – Nov 24 “Artful Lives,” an exhibit of artwork created by individuals with developmental disabilities, will be on display through November 24, 2006 at the Humphrey Forum, 301 19th Ave. S., Minneapolis. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Hours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Saturdays. FFI: contact Julie Lund, 612-624-1190, or Norm Munk, 952-746-6207

Interfaith Inclusion Network Sept 19 Many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities would like to be more active in their faith community, but physical and social barriers get in the way. Come to share ideas with others and learn how to expand your congregation’s outreach. Jody Hofer Van Ness, of Eye Box Tools, will present “Tools for Involving Visual Learners.” Time: 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Location: Hennepin County District 4 Merriam Park Library, 1831 Marshall Ave., St. Paul. Cost: Candidate Forum $5 for an optional dinner. FFI: Sept 15 Residents of Hennepin County call Arc at 952-920-0855.

District 4 are invited to meet Lifetime Assistance candidates Farheen Hakeem, Planning Workshop Peter McLaughlin and Jan Nye Sept 20 on Friday, September 15, from 6:00– 7:30 p.m. at the Brian Arc’s new Lifetime Assistance Coyle Center, 420 15th Av- Program helps families comenue South, Minneapolis. Dis- bine long-term legal and fitrict 4 includes most of down- nancial planning with persontown Minneapolis, the Uni- alized support to achieve lifeversity of Minnesota, Fort long quality of life for their Snelling and the airport. It also loved one. Workshop topics contains some or all of nearly include: Special Needs Trusts, 40 Minneapolis neighbor- maintaining government benefits and developing personal hoods. plans for your family member’s Speakers: Lori There will also be an opportu- future. nity for voter registration be- Sedlezky of Arc and Arnie ginning at 5:30 p.m. Free event; Gruetzmacher, disability planno registration required. FFI: ning specialist. Time: 6:30 – call Arc Greater Twin Cities at 8:30 p.m. Location: Maple Grove Community Center, 952-920-0855.

12951 Weaver Lake Road, Maple Grove. Cost: Arc members free, nonmembers $20.

FFI and registration: Arc - 952920-0855.

Shelter (map at www.ci.stpaul. mn.us/depts/parks/user guide/images/phalen.pdf). If DeafBlind, please try to find an SSP yourself. If you can’t, send request before SeptemWalk for Wheels ber 8th and we’ll try to help.

Sept 23 FFI, registration and pledge Join Kaposia on Saturday, forms: Julie Devich, mdba@ September 23rd at Como Park visi.com. for its first annual “Walk for Wheels” and help raise money Artability 2006 for the purchase of a wheelOct 5-7 chair-accessible van. Kaposia Put on your glad rags, grab a is a nonprofit whose mission is friend or two, and head out to to advance the inclusion of People Incorporated’s Artpeople with disabilities and ability at APOLLO—our another challenges in working nual event celebrating the use and participating in their com- of creativity in the daily munities. FFI, registration and/ struggles of mental illness. or donations; www.kaposia Paintings, drawing, sculpture, .com photography and writing— some 350 entries from over 90 Deaf Awareness artists. Opening reception: 7 Pledge Walk p.m. Thursday, October 5 Sept 24 Help support Minnesota Viewing hours: Oct. 5 (6 - 8 DeafBlind Association p.m.), Oct. 6 (10:00 a.m. (MBDA) and Global Deaf 8:30 p.m.), Oct 7 (12 - 5 p.m.)

Connection (GDC) by joining Location: APOLLO Resource the pledge walk or sponsoring Center, 313 North Dale Street, a walker. MDBA provides St. Paul. FFI: 651-227-6321. educational workshops to empower DeafBlind people as a Parents, Spouses As Paid diverse cultural community. Caregivers (Info Sessions) GDC sets up schools for Deaf Oct 16, Nov 8, Dec 4 children in developing coun- These free information sestries. Both are nonprofits. sions for parents or spouses of a person with a disability exDetails: Walk from 1-5 p.m., plain Consumer Directed beginning at Lake Phalen Park Community Supports (CDCS),

VISIT US AT

which allow parent and spouses to be paid to provide care. The two-hour sessions are sponsored by Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department.

Oct. 16: 10:30 a.m. Golden Valley Library GV (952-8475475 for directions) Nov. 8: 1 p.m. Ridgedale Library, Mtka (call 952-8478800 for directions) Dec. 4: 6:30 p.m. Folwell Rec Center, Mpls (612-370-4917 for directions) FFI: 612-596-6631

All sessions 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Chanhassen Rec Ctr, 2310 Coulter Blvd. Arc members free; nonmembers $20 per session. FFI: 952-920-0855 or visit www.arcgreatertwin cities.org.

Spinal Cord Injury Workshop Oct 21 North Memorial Rehabilitation Services is sponsoring a one-day workshop for persons with spinal cord injuries, their families and interested professionals. Topics include: Living and Aging With a Spinal Cord Injury; Wheelchair and Cushion Selection; Common Upper Extremity Injuries and Care. Darcy Pohland, Channel 4 reporter and consumer, will discuss her life before, during and following her injury.

The ABCs of Guardianship October 3, 10, 17 This three-part workshop is for families who want to make an informed decision about appointing a guardian for a loved one who has an intellectual or developmental disability.

Time: 10:15 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Place: Terrace Mall, 3500 Oct. 3: Assessing the Need. France, Robbinsdale. Cost: Selecting the most appropriate $25 for consumers and family alternative members; $50 for professionals. Registration deadline is Oct. 10: Navigating the Pro- October 6 th . FFI: Twyla cess. An attorney discusses Misselhorn, 763-520-1449, or the entire process twyla.misselhorn@north memorial.com. ■ Oct. 17: Assuming the Responsibilities. Several guardians share their stories

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14

September 10, 2006

Bar Cont. from p. 8

• •

•

•

•

•

•

should not rust, grab bars made of 1 or 2 series metals can rust even though they are stainless steel.

Will a powder-coated (e.g.: white) grab bar rust?

Is it important to have a style where the screws are countersunk (recessed into the bar flange)? Some manufacturers do not recess the screws into the flange; thus they are less attractive and screws may catch on the user’s skin or snag their clothing.

Is it important for you to have the screws concealed for a more pleasing aesthetic image?

Is the flange thickness important to you? Some manufacturers offer a 12-gauge flange thickness, which is thicker than the more common 14-gauge. (Note: The lower the gauge the thicker the metal.)

Is the flange “hand pig” welded to the bar? If not done by hand, the joint is thinner and may be weaker.

Is it important to have all visible clamp or fabrication marks removed from the surface of the grab bar, or are minor imperfections acceptable?

Is a product guarantee im-

Access To Employment

Classifieds

Reach 11,000 Active, Interested Readers with Access Press Classifieds. $10 up to 12 words, 45¢/word thereafter. Must be prepaid. Mail with check to: ACCESS PRESS, 1821 University Ave W, #104S, St. Paul, MN 55104 • 651-644-2133

Employment ads are $16-$17 per col. inch. Sept 29 is the MISCELLANEOUS Lewis Park Apartments: deadline for the October 10 issue. Mail to: ACCESS Volunteer from home, help Barrier-free housing with PRESS, 1821 University Ave. #104S, St. Paul, MN 55104 others stay independent! wheelchair users in mind. SecFAX 651-644-2136 • E-mail: access@accesspress.org Store-to-Door is a nonprofit tion 8 subsidized. One- and grocery/prescription delivery two-bedroom units. For more PROJECT MANAGER CENTRAL COMMUNITY HOUSING TRUST (CCHT), a service for seniors and dis- information on availability call leading non-profit developer of high-quality affordable hous- abled individuals in the Twin 651-488-9923. St. Paul, MN. ing seeks an experienced, creative, and motivated Project Cities. We have welcome new Equal Opportunity Housing.

Manager to join our housing development team. Must have at volunteers to help serve our least two years of housing development experience. For more clients! Volunteer order tak- Oak Park Village: One bedinformation, please see the job description posted at ers call clients from their home room wheelchair-accessible www.ccht.org Please submit cover letter and resume to:- for their grocery orders days, apartments. Section 8 subsiCentral Community Housing TrustHuman Resources1625 Park nights or weekends, and input dized. Convenience St. Louis AvenueMinneapolis, MN 55404-1634; E-mail: ccht@ ccht.org; orders online. Please contact Park location. Call 952-935Fax: 612-341-4208; Central Community Housing Trust values Karen Liu, volunteer coordi- 9125 for availability informaa diverse work environment. People of color and people with nator, at 651-641-4047 or tion. Equal Opportunity Housing. disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Equal Opportu- karen@storetodoor.org nity Employer.

FOR RENT Seward Square Apartments: portant to you? Some manu- Home Access Answers. Please Holmes-Greenway Housing: We are currently accepting facturers offer a lifetime contact us: 952-925-0301, one and two bedroom wheel- applications for our waiting guarantee. www.accessibilitydesign.com, chair-accessible apartments. list for barrier-free housing, in info@accessibilitydesign.com Section 8 subsidized. Conve- Minneapolis, that is federally Finally, in regards to position nient SE Minneapolis location. subsidized. For an applicaand length, it is always best to Jane Hampton, president of Call 612-378-0331 for avail- tion, please call 612-338-2680. consult with your physician or Accessibility Design, founded ability information. Equal Equal Opportunity Housing. therapist to determine the best the company in 1992 to en- Opportunity Housing. grab bar positioning for your hance lives through design and safety needs. Good luck with project management. They your installation! ■ provide design, consultation, Cont. from p. 1 project management, and Do you have a question for product recommendation serton, to pursue a Jane and Accessibility De- vices specializing in home acdegree in writing. sign? We’ll cover all of your cess for individuals with disAfter graduating questions in future issues of abilities at all stages of life. there, a class-

We’re look i n g for f re sh f a c e s .

Come join our workforce.

At Scott County, we’re looking for people who are drawn

mate—probably a lady —asked him to move to Denver, Colorado, with her. Being the spontaneous soul he is, Blue packed his stuff and tagged along, only to find a new town to call home.

Blue said his goal Kathy for the short term is to just keep doing the standup and continue to hone and refine his act. He works with other successful comedians on timing and just how to best word the jokes. For the future, though, he hopes to get an opportunity to do a television

Sanders (ACT) and Josh sitcom or something on the big screen, especially if he can write his own parts.

Blue doesn’t think of himself as an inspiration, but he says “if people want to be inspired by me that’s great; that’s their

Access Denied -

eager to make meaningful contributions in a dynamically

his requests were being turned down. Allegra said that good policies always require faculty members who object to a request to explain why. Only when explanations are offered, he said, can others determine if the reasons were justified or offer compromises that might deal with legitimate concerns.

commitment to a diverse and talented workforce.

You’ll find the kind of career that brings you true enjoyment when you join Scott County government.

Visit www.co.scott.mn.us or call (952) 496-8598 to learn more about what we have to offer.

TTY/TTD: (952) 496-8170 EOE

Permobil Standing / Recliner Wheelchair. Never used.

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MEMORIAM: In the loving memory of Milo D. Lane, Jr. From Becky “Markie” and Terrance Franzen.

Comedian -

to the satisfaction of working in the public sector...who are

progressive environment...and who will broaden our

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The Houston suit comes at what may be a time of increased scrutiny of colleges’ compliance with the ADA. The University of Chicago and the U.S. Justice Department this month announced an agreement under which the university will make extensive improvements in its facilities to bring them in compliance with ADA. (The university maintains that it is not out of compliance, but

thing. I’m not doing what I do to be an inspiration to anyone. I’m doing what I love to do.

We should all be inspired to do what we love.” ■ Josh Blue will perform at the 2007 Self-Advocacy Conference- Lead.

Change. Empower May 18, 2007 in St. Paul. Contact Kathy at ACT for Blue conference information, 651-641-0297 or by e-mail act@selfadvocacy. org. You can also get information on the Web by going to www.selfadvocacy.org/ conference2007.htm

Cont. from p. 1

class hours. After complaints were filed, another accessible door was added, but—according to Brad-ford’s lawyer—its automatic features did not work properly so Bradford could go through it only by waiting for Although the Bradford suit fo- another student to come along cuses on academic accommo- and open it. dations, it also includes a secWhen Bradford did not receive the help he requested in the …faculty members get required class, he dropped out to decide whether to of the University of Houston. make any accommoda- Morris, his lawyer, said that Bradford’s top goal if he wins tions. the suit is to return to the university to finish his degree. ■ tion about facilities. According to the suit, Bradford had to take Reprinted from the online jourclasses in a building in which nal Inside Higher Ed, www. the only door that was acces- insidehighered.com/news/ sible for people in wheelchairs 2006/07/31/houston was generally locked during agreed to the changes following a review by federal officials.) The Justice Department is currently doing a series of other reviews of colleges and their facilities.

September 10, 2006

Accessible Performances

To Fool the Eye The following performances will be Audio Described (AD) for people who are blind or have low vision, or Interpreted in July 1 - Oct 29, 2006 American Sign Language (ASL) for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Commonweal Theatre, 206 Compiled by VSA arts of MN, 612-332-3888 or mn.vsarts.org.

Pkwy Ave. N., Lanesboro.

ASL: Sun., Sept. 24, 2:00 p.m. sr/student disc; 612-333-3010; 8:00 p.m. AD: Sat., Sept. 30, S., Mpls. AD: Sat., Sept. 30, Tix: Reduced to $10, 507-467The Last of the Boys www.theatreintheround.org 2:00 p.m. Tix: 651-224-4222, 8p.m. ASL: Sat., Oct. 7, 8p.m.

2525, 800-657-7025 or tick Aug 25 - Oct 1, 2006 TTY 651-282-3100; www.ord Tix: Disc to $13 (reg. $20, stuets@commonwealtheatre.org Jungle Theater, 2951 Lyndale A View from the Bridge way.org/services/access. asp dents/srs$2 off ), 612-340-1725; Ave. S., Mpls. AD: Thurs., Sept 8 - Oct 1, 2006 www.muperformingarts.org The Real Thing Sept. 7, 7:30 p.m. Tix: Re- Starting Gate Productions at Triple Espresso Aug 5 - Sept 24, 2006 duced to $8, 612-822-7063; Mounds Theatre, 1029 Hudson Sept 21, 2006 Lost in Yonkers Guthrie Theater, 818 - 2nd St. www.jungletheater.com Rd, St. Paul. AD and ASL: Sun., Ongoing at Music Box TheSept 23 - Nov 12, 2006 S., Mpls. ASL: Fri., Sept. 8, Sept. 24, 2p.m. Tix: Disc to atre, 1407 Nicollet Ave, Mpls. Guthrie Theater, Wurtele Thrust, 7:30 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $16; Kid-Simple $10; Reg. $18, $16 student/sr; ASL: Thurs., Sept. 21, 7:30 818 2nd St. S., Mpls. AD: Sat., reg. $22-$52; 612-377-2224, Sept 1 - 16, 2006 651-645-3503; www.starting p.m. Tix: Reduced to $25 (reg. Oct. 14, 1p.m. (sensory tour 11); TTY 612-377-6626; www. Emigrant Theater at Mixed gate.org $31.50); 612-874-9000; www. also Fri., Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m. ASL: guthrietheater.org Blood Theatre, 1501 4th St. S., tripleespresso.com Fri., Oct. 27, 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Mpls. AD: Wed., Sept. 13 and Don’t Hug Me Nov. 2, 7:30 p.m. Tix: Disc to MN Renaissance Festival Fri., Sept. 15, 8p.m., with preSept 15 - 30, 2006 The O’Conner Girls $17; reg. $22-$52; 612-377Aug 19 - Oct 1, 2006 performance tactile tours. Fargo-Moorhead Community Sept 22 - Oct 15, 2006 2224, TTY 612-377-6626; Weekends, Labor Day and ASL: TBA. Tix: $10; 612- Theatre, 333 4th St. S., Fargo. Park Square Theatre, 408 St www.guthrietheater.org Festival Fri, Sept. 29th, 20 miles 338-6131; www.emigrant AD: Sat., Sept. 23, 8:00 p.m. Peter St. (20 W. 7th Place), St. south of the Twin Cities, 3 theater.org ASL: upon request in advance. Paul. AD and ASL: Sat., Oct. Hound of the Baskervilles miles south of Shakopee off Tix: Reduced; 701-235-6778, 7, 7:30 p.m. Tix: Reduced to Sept 28 - Oct 15, 2006 Highway 169 at 145th St ASL: The Watsons Go to 877-687-7469; www.fmct.org ½ price; 651-291-7005; www. BloomingtonArtCtrGalleryPlaySigning Sat, Sept. 9, 9:00 a.m.

Birmingham…1963 parksquaretheatre.org ers at Blmngtn Ctr for the Arts to 7:00 p.m. Tix: Adult $18.95, Sept 5 - Oct 7, 2006 The Miser Schneider Theater, 1800 W. Old Senior (60+) $16.95; Child (6- Children’s Theatre Co., 2400 Sept 16 - Nov 25, 2006 Junie B. Jones and a Little Shakopee Rd. ASL: Sun., Oct. 12) $9.95; $3 off in advance at - 3rd Ave. S., Mpls. AD and Theatre de la Jeune Lune, 105 Monkey Business 15, 2p.m. Tix: $15, $12 sr/stuSuperAmerica; 800-966-8215 ASL: Fri., Sept. 29, 7:30 p.m. N. 1st St., Mpls. AD: Sun., Oct. Sept 22 - Oct 26, 2006 dent; 952-563-8587; www.bloom or info@renaissancefest.com (school audiences Wed., Oct. 1, 7:00 p.m. ASL: TBA. Tix: Stages Theatre Co., 1111 Main ingtonartcenter.com 4, 10:30 a.m.). Tix: Mention Disc to $13; reg. $20; Ticket- St, Hopkins ASL: Sun., Oct. The Big Friendly Giant VSA Offer for $13 tickets; Works 612-333-6200 or 612- 8, 2:00 p.m. and Wed., Oct. Yellowman Aug 22 - Oct 29, 2006 reg disc is $20; 612-874-0400; 332-3968; www.jeunelune. org 11, 1:00 a.m. Tix: $14, $11 Sept 28 - Oct 29, 2006 Children’s Theatre Co., 2400 www.childrenstheatre.org children/srs; 952-979-1111; Mixed Blood Theatre per- 3rd Ave. S., Mpls. AD and Tea at Five www.stagestheatre.org forms at the Guthrie’s Dowling ASL: Wed., Oct. 25, 10:30 Foxfire Sept 19 - Oct 1, 2006 Studio, 818 - 2nd St. S., Mpls. a.m. Fri., Oct. 27, 7:30 p.m.

Sept 8 - Oct 1, 2006 Touring show at Ordway CenFilipino Hearts ASL, AD, Captions: Fri., Oct. Tix: Mention the VSA Offer Theatre in the Round Players, ter for the Performing Arts Sept 23 - Oct 8, 2006 6, 7:30 p.m. Tix: Reduced by for $13 tickets; regular dis- 245 Cedar Ave., Mpls. AD: Main Hall, 345 Washington, Mu Performing Arts at Southern $5, 612-338-6131 or boxoffice count is $20; 612-874-0400; Sun., Oct. 1, 2p.m. Tix: $20, St. Paul. ASL: Fri., Sept. 29, Theater, 1420 Washington Ave. @mixedblood.com, or Guthrie www.childrenstheatre.org

612-377-2224, TTY 612-3776626; www.mixedblood.com or www.guthrietheater.org .

Roger Maris on Stage Oct 5 - 8, 2006 Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre, 333 4th St. S., Fargo.

AD: Sat., Oct. 7, 8p.m. ASL: upon request in advance. Tix: Disc to $12.50; 701-235-6778, 877-687-7469; www.fmct.org The Master and Margarita Oct 5 - 14, 2006 U of M Theatre outdoors in the West Bank Arts Quarter, 330 - 21st Ave. S., Mpls. ASL: Sat. Oct. 14, 8:00 p.m. Tix: Free; FMI: 612-624-2345 or http://theatre.umn.edu Wellstone Oct 7 - Nov 5, 2006 Great American History Theatre, 30 E. 10th St., St. Paul.

AD: Sun., Oct. 15, 2:00 p.m.

ASL: TBA; Tix: Reduced to $15; 651-292-4323; www. historytheatre.com Seventy Scenes of Halloween Oct 13 - 28, 2006 Walking Shadow Theatre Company at Old Arizona Studio, 2821 Nicollet Ave. S., Mpls. ASL: Fri., Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $7 (reg. $16-14), 612-375-0300; www. walkingshadowcompany.org/

The US Business Leadership Network presents the

9th Annual National Conference October 4-6, 2006 Minneapolis Marriott City Center, Minneapolis, MN

CAREER FAIR

Career Development for the 21st Century: Students with Disabilities

Conference Highlights Hundreds of attendees are expected from BLN chapters nationwide, as well as leaders and professionals from corporations, small businesses, universities, service providers, and the workforce development community.

Nationally recognized speakers for the conference include: • The Honorable Bob Dole – Legendary National Politician & War Hero • Stedman Graham – New York Times best-selling author • Emmanuel Yeboah – 2005 recipient of ESPY Arthur Ashe Courage Award and the 2005 Nike Casey Martin Award • John D. Kemp – 2006 recipient of the Henry B. Betts Award, and widely regarded as America’s highest honor for disability leadership and service • John H. Hager – Assistant Secretary, U. S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services • Dr. W. Roy Grizzard – Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Dept of Labor • Andy Imparato – President, American Association of People with Disabilities

Wednesday, October 4, 2006

High School & Transition Students Morning Session: 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

College/University Students & Recent Graduates Afternoon Session: 1:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.

Registration is required.

Register by September 27th at: www.mnbln.org/career

The conference agenda highlights some of the exceptional work that BLN’s, corporations and organizations are doing in this area plus addressing many real issues that businesses are facing.

‘The premier business conference on the employment, inclusion and innovation of the workplace for people with disabilities’ Katherine McCary, Vice President - Accessing Community Talent, SunTrust Banks, Inc.

INCLUSION: The Time Is Now

•

www.usbln.com

15

16

September 10, 2006 SAVE THE DATE!

Charlie Smith Community Awards Banquet

Established in 1991 Nurses z Live-ins z Home Health Aides z Personal Care Assistants z Serving Adults & Children with Long Term Needs z PCA CHOICE Option z

Friday, November 3, 2006 At the Como Lake Pavilion Black Bear Crossings 1360 N Lexington Pkwy, St. Paul, MN 55104

$40.00 per person

Also a Provider for: UCare & Axis

FFI: JoAnn Enos at 612-834-9209

IN HOME

PERSONAL CARE

763-546-1000

THE FRIENDS OF ACCESS PRESS Thanks to the following sponsors for supporting Access Press this year.

----------------------------------------- BASIC SPONSOR ---------------------------------------Hans Anderson Steve Anderson Anonymous (3) Dorothy Balen Robert Barr Martha Bigalk Roberta Blomster Mary Bodnar Wendy Brower Carl & Kathie Bryngelson Carlyn Bryngelson Denise Cady Daniel Casar Jon & Anne Casey Mary Collins LeAnne Dahl Leroy deBoom Dawn Doering Helmuth Droher Jesse Ellingworth Mary Frank-Wawokiyawin Robert Geldert Candace & David Gislason Florentine Goulet, O.S.B. James Grimm Dorothy Hass Pamela & Cullen Hamilton Marjorie Hammargren Cary Hampel Dennis Hardy Ellie Heller Lois Hietala David Hopkins Shannon Hunter Dale Janiszeski Beth Jensen Melvin Jerry Karen Jothen Luci Kennedy Karen Kolodziejcvyk Barbara Larson Sister Jo Lambert Rudolph Lauermann Sean Leary Jennifer Lenzen Deboom Leroy Richard (Bud) Lord Colleen McGovern Barbara Mack Melody Martin Ardis Meyer Vicki Daile Molle Patricia Moore Kathy Moran Valerie Oas Rosaasen Ordean Donn Poll Paul/Peggy Revering Kim Rezek Brian Roger Annemarie Smisson Gerald Smith Pat Scott Virginia Schwartzbauer John Sherman Joseph Taylor Sara Tesch Anne Velasco Katie Voss Gary Wenish Nancy Wise Katherine Zehringer The Arc of Cass County Jordan New Life Family Support Center MN Clipping Service Native American Rainbow Network Northeast Residence, Inc ------------------------------- FRIEND SPONSOR ($35 and above) --------------------------Lisa Adami Lynda Adams Paul Althoff Mary Andresen Anonymous (2) Kathy Ball Rick & Tanya Benjamin Vicki & Fred Benjamin Janet Berndt Patrick Bilbrey Susan Blaylock Maynard Bostrom Anita Boucher Rogers Brian Susan Bulger Denise Cady Rick Cardenas Daniel Casar Mary Choinier Cheryl & Thomas Corcoran Stephanie Cunningham Yoshiko Dart Teresa Dock Neil Doughty Barbara Droher Melvin & Georgia Duncan Jesse Ellingworth Will & Mary Englund Jo Ann & Steven Erbes Lee Ann Erickson Nancy Eustis Daniel Fischer Tom & Mimi Fogarty Sean and Jeanne Fogarty Betsy Frederick Carla Friese Claudia Fuglie Robert Gilbert Marge Goldberg Molly Gordon Nadine Groven Judith Haaversen Eric Hall Craig Dunn & Candy Hart Ellie Heller Michael Hicks Cary Hempel Anne Henry MJ Jellison Judy Hunt Jim Jasper Cindy & Greg Johnson Karen Jothen Barb Kane Mary Kay Kennedy Corbin Sherwood Kidder Marie Wolff & Eric Kloos Anna Kook Eugene Kook Ann Kranz Richard & Patricia Krause Dawn Kreutz Gari Krogseng Linda Larson Susan Lasoff Steven Laux Gayle Lea Lorene Leikind Donna Liveringhouse Thomas McCoy Connie & John Marty Kelly Matter Robert & Ardis Meyer Sara & Gary Meyer Kristi Michaelson Steven Miles Twyla Misselhorn Jeff Molnar Kathy Moran Liz Morque David & Judona Musselman Joe & Maureen Musselman Lee Ohnesonge Cliff Ollila Mark & Mary Payette Mark Olson William & Joen Overby Julee Peterson Vail Place Linda Paulson Richard Peterson Debra Piekarski Margery Pilhofer Robert J. Geldert & Roberta Pinkosh Julee Quarve-Peterson Loren Rahn Kelly Rathcke Susan Reyes Brian Rogers Ann Roscoe James Ross Patricia Rydeen Arthur Sauter Suzanne Severson Sue Singer John Skaalen Diane Sprague John Stewart Cathleen Urbain Gary & LeAnn Taylor William & Sara Trautz Candace Warne Don & Joanne Westergard C. L. Wiehle Rachel Wilcox James Wilkinson David Wood Access to Employment All Home Caring Arc Southeastern Minnesota Axis Healthcare Blue Sky Designs Inc Concordia University–Project Exceptional

------------------------------ FRIEND SPONSOR Continued ($35 and above) -----------------------Equity Services of St. Paul Freedom of Speech, Inc. Kaposia, Inc. MBW Company MRC MRCI - Worksource Midwest Special Services MN Diversified Industries. Inc National Multiple Sclerosis Society National Results Council New Dimensions Health Care Occupational Development Center Rehab Unit–Albert Lea Med. Center Resource, Inc. Rise Services Store to Door Thrivent Financial for Lutherans United Cerebral Palsy of MN, Inc. ---------------------------------- BRONZE SPONSOR ($75 and above) ---------------------Sue Abderholden Stephen Alarik Anonymous Jeff Bangsberg Scott Bjerkesett Sandi Lane & Monte Blair J.A. & Mary Blanchard Robert & Ann Brick Wendy Brower Steven Burrill Scott Cady Cathy or Bill Carlson Janice Chevrette Chernah Coblentz Stephanie Cunningham Dean Doering Donn Feigal Thomas & Mary Fogarty David & Candace Gislason M. Therese Gockenberg Carol Fury Kathleen Hagen Craig Dunn & Candace Hart Luther Granquist & Anita Schermer Roger A. Hoffman Skip & Ellen Houghton Jim Jasper Dianna Krogstad Carol & David Larson Gregory Larson Chris Meyer Linda Leicht Richard J & Kelly J Matter Donna McNamara & Paul Monroe Paul Mueller William O’Dowd & George Zilligen Ann & Manley Olson Terri Ricci Scott Rostron Mark Sherman Patricia Siebert Barb Smith Bridget & Diane Smith John Smith Jan & Don Snook Erica Stern Eric & Caroline Stevens Quinn Tierney Peter Vaill Joani Werner Linda Wolford Jerry Wood Brain Injury Assn of MN The College of St. Catherine Community Involvement Prog. Dept. of Occupat’l Therapy-U of M Equity Services of St. Paul Freedom Health Care, Inc. Jay & Rose Phillips Family Foundation KAL Marketing Lifeworks Services Lupus Company Marketing by Design MN Work Incentives Connection Merrick, Inc. New Dimension Health No Place Like Home Pat Siebert, MN Dis. Law Ctr. MN Diversified Industries TSE, Inc. US Bancorp Foundation --------------------------------- SILVER SPONSOR ($150 and above) ----------------------Dr. Yuonne Rb Banks Jaime Becker Scott Beers Michael Bjerkesett Lou Burdick Robert Buuck Mike & Jan Chevrette Robert Gregory Doris & John Groven Lori Guzman Ron Holstrom Anne Lewandowski Ronna Linroth Michelle Malinoff Karen Moore Jim & Cindy Musselman Donna McNamara Chris Meyer John & Shelia Meyer Patricia Rogers, Ph.D. Dean Doering & Lisa Scribner Kevin & Kathy Sullivan Kathy & Paul West Julie Wegscheid & William Lipkin Arc Hennepin-Carver Chrestomathy, Inc Freedom Health Care Housing Link MNDACA MN Independent Living Services MN Rehab Association MN Work Incentive Connection National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of MN PACER - Paula Goldberg Rehabilitation Services ServeMinnesota!

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