See Pg 11
Volume 22, Number 4
There’s a deficit problem in St. Paul that goes beyond the $5 billion budget shortfall. This deficit involves a lack of innovation in some programs, as much as any lack of funding. It’s a shortfall of efficiency and accountability in other areas, as much as any shortfall in staff or resources. Compounding the problem, there’s no deficit of red tape and regulations.
Charlie Remembered by Tim Benjamin
It’s been 10 years since my friend Charlie Smith passed away. Those of us who knew Charlie know we lost a strong advocate. Without Charlie Access Press would probably not exist. Legislatively, much of what we’re fighting for today, Charlie was involved in authoring the legislation or was there fighting to improve many of those supports already in place. Many of us knew him as a legislative leader—and many politicians knew him as a tenacious fighter or their strong ally. The amazing thing about Charlie was that he was a different friend to all of us; many knew him as a card playing, concert going, partier, and a man that wouldn’t allow his disability to stop him from anything. I knew him as a teacher, mentor, a cheerleader, and someone who wouldn’t let me down. I know all of you who knew him, miss him, as I do!
Charlie Smith 1953-2001
April 10, 2011
www.accesspress.org
More about the legislature on pages 3-5
Kriesel brings unique experience to disability, veterans’ issues First-termer Republican is from Cottage Grove
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“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” –Winston Churchill
NEWS DIGEST
by Jane McClure
State Rep. John Kriesel (R-Cottage Grove) is proud to be working with the Amputee Coalition on a bill that would ensure fairness in medical coverage for those who have lost limbs. That’s because he knows first-hand what limb loss is like. In 2006, Staff Sergeant Kriesel was near Fallujah leading a group of soldier on a mission to find improvised-explosion devices or IEDs. His Humvee struck one of the devices. Kreisler was badly injured; two of his fellow soldiers and close friends were killed. He has a memory of seeing his badly mangled legs after the explosion. After the bomb blast and catastrophic injuries, Kriesel was kept in a medically induced coma. On a metal bracelet that never leaves his wrist, he wears their names and the name of a third friend killed in Iraq. The book Still Standing, written by Kriesel and Jim Kosmo and published by Beaver’s Pond Press, describes what Kriesel went through next. He died three times on the operating table. He was kept in a medically induced coma. He was flown to Germany and then to the United States for treatment and rehabilitation. The book describes the many miracles that helped Kriesel through four hospitals, 35 surgeries and many months of rehabilitation. Still Standing describes Kriesel’s remark-
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Artists with disabilities will show off their work at the upcoming Sister Kenny Institute show and sale. Pg 11
Representative John Kriesel
Photo by Jane McClure
able story. The book is told in his own words. He was told to expect two years of rehabilitation; he was done in eight months. He was told he would be using a wheelchair for the rest of his life; now he uses a cane, crutches and occasionally a wheelchair. He met then-Sen. Norm Coleman at Walter Reed Medical Center and became an intern in his office. That got him more involved in public politics and he was recruited by the Minnesota Republican Party to run for a House seat. He was elected to the Minnesota House last fall, campaigning hard in what has traditionKriesel - p. 15
A tough legislative session is grinding on by Access Press staff
Minnesotans with disabilities, senior citizens and their advocates continue to face uncertainty about day-to-day life as the Minnesota Legislature and Gov. Mark Dayton prepare to sort out the health and human services budgets. As Access Press went to press, the two budgets were headed to conference committee. The bills, when adopted by the House and Senate late last month were met with dismay as a slew of cuts took shape. The House and Senate Health and Human Services Committees were told to find $1.6 billion in savings as part of legislative leadership’s overall work to address Minnesota’s $5-plus billion state deficit. It is a tough session all around as members of the disability community find themselves battling on many fronts. One huge dilemma are House and Senate bills that would freeze funding for special education. Deep cuts to transit funding could raise fares for services that provide transportation to people with disabilities or even eliminate services in rural areas. “Legislative leaders have repeated on many occasions since the beginning of this legislative session that protecting services for Minnesotans with disabilities is a priority for this legislature,” said Steve Larson, Minnesota Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities (MN-CCD) co-chair. “The cuts proposed in these bills will result in Minnesotans with disabilities bearing much of the brunt of balancing our state’s budget deficit - indicating significant inconsistency between what legislative leaders are saying publicly and what they are proposing through legislation.” Nick Nelson spoke at one of the many rallies held Additionally, many of the specific cuts included in the two bills are cuts to the services that allow at the state capitol this session. Photo by Jane McClure Session - p. 6
Amputees had their day at the state capitol, as they pushed for changes in insurance coverage. Meet a young lobbyist on this issue. Pg 3
Best of the Blogs shows off the talents of our Access Press Unbound writers. See a sampling of their work, then go online. Pg 3
A University of Minnesota program is offering more information on disability history. Help with this important work and contribute to a wiki. Pg 6
UCare is this issue's sponsor. Pg 16
INSIDE Regional News, pg 4 People & Places, pg 11 Events, pg. 12 Accessible Performances, pg 13 Radio Talking Book, pg. 14