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Inside Disability In The New Millenium — p. 4
Volume 10, Number 11
Legislative Roundtable — Page 2
SOURCES
December 10, 1999
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“We should never get too tired or too sophisticated to march.” — Martin Luther King, Sr.
RESOURCES
December 10, 1999
METRO MOBILITY Users Unhappy, Possible Violation Of Federal Law by Jeff Nygaard “Why does this always happen?” That was the plaintive question heard from an elderly patron of Metro Mobility upon being picked up late on a Saturday night, more than two hours after her scheduled pick-up time. This is not an isolated story. In dozens of interviews with advocates, employers, users, and others who have contact with the system, it became clear to ACCESS PRESS that the Twin Cities Metro Mobility system is increasingly perceived to be unreliable by its patrons.
Work Incentives Bill Passes Congress by Anita Boucher
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n November 19th, Congress passed national work incentives legislation called the “Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999.” The Act is expected to be signed by the President in early December. While this legislation represents a significant national commitment to removing policy barriers to employment of people with disabilities, it won’t change federal rules overnight. Instead, the bill opens the door to a number of changes that are expected to unfold over the next 5 to 10 years. This article attempts to summarize the highlights of the Act, based on information cur-
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rently available. Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program Establishes vouchers, called “Tickets to Work and SelfSufficiency,” which people with disabilities can use to obtain services from a public or private employment network of their choice. Employment networks will be paid by the Social Security Administration (SSA), based on their success in helping individuals secure and maintain employment. Within one year after the bill is signed by the President, SSA is required to develop regulations detailing how the “Ticket” program will work.
The program will be phased in across the country within 3 years after the regulations are published. Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel Creates a 12-member panel to advise the President, Congress and SSA on issues related to work incentives for people with disabilities. Initial members are to be appointed within 90 days after the President signs the bill. Disability Reviews Starting January 1, 2002, SSA will not conduct reviews to determine whether a person who has received benefits
Incentives - cont. on p. 7
One Bloomington resident told the story of having only one day in a two-week period on which he was able to successfully schedule his round-trip to work. Since the cab fare needed to “rescue” him was costing him almost more than his part-time job was paying, he was forced to quit his job. As he told ACCESS PRESS, “When I filled out the resignation form, there was a space for ‘Reason for quitting,’ and I put ‘Cannot get reliable transportation from Metro Mobility.’” Stories abound of users being “left out in the cold,” both literally and figuratively. One employee at the Courage Center recently stood outside the building until 7:30 pm, waiting for her 4 o’clock pickup. Another patron tried to schedule a ride to the Mall of America on a recent Saturday, but had to cancel the trip when Metro Mobility could not accommodate his request for a return trip despite his offering to return anytime between one o’clock and eight o’clock pm.
Many riders say that trip denials are particularly bad during rush hours. Kris Lyndon-Wilson of the Citizen’s League Seniors & Disability in 2030 Task Force Committee said that “We have stopped scheduling meetings at 4:30 pm, because [committee members tell us that] Metro Mobility will not be able to get people there on time.” Scott Rostron, staff member at the Minnesota State Council on Disability and Metro Mobility user, says, “If I need to get somewhere before 8 am, I don’t even bother to call Metro Mobility.” These individual anecdotes are reinforced by comments from numerous staff people who work in the community and deal with transportation issues as they affect people with disabilities. For example, one skilled nursing facility reports that they now use multiple transportation services, as they do not feel that they can fully count on Metro Mobility. A staff person in the Human Resources department at the JC Penney Regional Service Center in Bloomington told ACCESS PRESS that “We have had a couple of employees who have had to quit due to transportation, and others who are still here are having [transportation] problems.” Scott Rostron at the State Council on Disability, who gave the personal anecdote quoted above, also spoke in his capacity as a Council employee, saying, “I frequently get calls from people who can’t get to their classes, who can’t get to their jobs, or who are trying to get their work schedules changed due to problems with transportation.”
Linda Wolford, Director of Disability and Consumer Advocacy at the Courage Center, stated that “Transportation is the number one issue we hear in the advocacy department at Courage Center.” Perhaps the issue was best summed up by a staff person who is involved in transportation planning for residents of the Good Samaritan Center in Minneapolis, a high-rise residential facility with a large number of people with disabilities. As she put it, “There are some problems with really being able to plan your life.” Statistics and the Law Metro Mobility reports that their official “denial rate” the percentage of requests for rides that they cannot provide - is usually about four percent, although they acknowledge that it has been “creeping up a little bit” recently. While four percent may not seem like a high number, consider that Metro Mobility provides upwards of 80,000 rides every month during the winter. That four percent figure translates into 100 or more people being denied rides every day in the Twin Cities. Some advocates suspect that the official statistics on trip denials may understate the true extent of the problem. They point out that some unknown number of Twin Cities paratransit users have dropped out of organizations, have quit their jobs, or have stopped calling Metro Mobility entirely because they believe that it cannot meet their needs. John Tschida, Director of Public Policy and Research at the Courage Center in Golden Metro Mobility- cont. on p. 6
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December 10, 1999
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Charlie Smith Editor
The national work incentives bill finally passed last month as “The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999.” An earlier version of the bill was commonly known as the Work Incentives Improvement Act (WIIA), before changes were made in conference committee. This legislation is historic-- it
sends a message across the nation that people with disabilities have value. In a society where people put a huge emphasis on work, people with disabilities have been denied the right to participate until now. We are not just a protected class of people that need to be taken care of, we can be productive, tax paying individuals who
will contribute greatly to our of Minnesota’s work incensociety. tives bill (Medical Assistance -- Employed Persons with One thing that should be Disabilities) last year. pointed out is that disability advocates in Minnesota **** played a key role in shaping the national work incentives Our lead story on Metro bill and they also worked very Mobility includes many exhard for its passage. Rep. Jim amples that illustrate how Ramstad played a very impor- Metro Mobility is affecting tant role and has been in- people’s lives and not meetvolved in this legislation for a ing the needs of its riders. number of years. If you ever The program seems to be run get a chance, thank him for his efficiently, and the Service hard work. Center and providers work very hard to provide as many Although it will be some time rides as they can. The fact of before we see the benefits of the matter is, Metro Mobility this legislation, it will be has been under-funded since worth waiting for, and I the beginning. believe that Minnesota will be one of the first states to take ACCESS PRESS has been advantage of this bill. Advo- reporting on Metro Mobility cates have already laid the since our second issue in groundwork with the passage 1990; the problem then was
Legislative Roundtable And Training T
he Minnesota State Council on Disability will hold its annual Legislative Roundtable on January 27, 2000, from 1:30 to 3:30 PM. The Year 2000 Legislative Roundtable will include legislative training for disability advocates. Organizations
from the Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities will host the legislative training session, which will be held on January 27 from 9:30 to 11:30 AM.
in Room 5, State Office Building, 100 Constitution Avenue, St. Paul. The program will be an interactive video conference with, tentatively, six locations in Greater Minnesota: Duluth, St Cloud, The Legislative Roundtable Brainerd, Moorhead, Rochesand Training will be anchored ter, and Marshall.
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 $15/yr. Editorial submissions and news releases on topics of interest to persons with disabilities, or persons serving those with disabilities, are welcomed. Paid advertising is available at rates ranging from $14 to $18/column inch, depending on size and frequency. Classified ads are $8.00, plus 35 cents/word over 20 words. Advertising and editorial deadlines are the 30th of the month preceding publication; special scheduling available for camera-ready art. Access Press is available on tape. Call MN State Services for the Blind, 651-642-0500 or 800-652-9000. Inquiries should be directed to: ACCESS PRESS • 1821 University Ave. W. • Suite 185N • St. Paul, Minnesota 55104 • (651) 644-2133 • Fax (651) 644-2136
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Many people have gradually adapted to the system’s inadequacies, but that is beginning to change. For the first time in years, I am again hearing from riders who are fed up with not getting rides when they request them. Years ago, people packed the capitol rotunda, protesting the poor service they got from Metro Mobility. I can see those days returning, only today we may be armed with a lawsuit. Let’s hope it doesn’t get to that. In the meantime, I encourage riders to join the “Make Your Ride Count” campaign (see pg 3).
To comply with recent guidelines from the federal Department of Transportation, Metro Mobility has to be funded at a level that truly makes it comparable to mainline transit. This can only happen when the Met Council, the **** legislature and the governor understand that this is not I wish everyone a happy only the right thing to do, but holiday season and a wonlegally, it is the only thing derful New Year to all! Q they can do.
Y2K by Donna McNamara
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ith January 1, 2000, fast approaching, this will be the last article in our Y2K series. Throughout the series, we have looked at a variety of ways people can prepare for potential disruptions. Previous articles (ACCESS PRESS issues AugustNovember 1999) have inMore specific information on cluded checklists and recomGreater Minnesota locations, mendations for individual and MINNESOTA STATE and how to participate in a community preparedness. video conference will be COUNCIL available after Dec 20. Addi- One place preparations are ON DISABILITY tional infor-mation about the continually being made is in Roundtable will also appear in neighborhoods across the the January issue of ACCESS country. Minneapolis’ Seward Legislative Roundtable PRESS. neighborhood is one of several in the Twin Cities that has For general information or to an active Y2K citizen group. January 27, 2000 register for this event call the The Seward Neighborhood Council on Disability office at Group’s most recent flyer Training session from 9:30-11:30 a.m. (651) 296-6785 (V/TTY) or 1- encourages residents to take 800-945-8913 (V/TTY). personal responsibility for Roundtable from 1:30-3:30 p.m. their own well-being and to For specific information on offer assurance and assisthe Legislative Roundtable tance to neighbors. The group If your organization wants to make a call Tom Brick at (651) 296- emphasizes the importance of presentation of legislative priorities at the Roundtable, 3478 or 1-800-945-8913 (V/ people helping each other, please contact Tom Brick, 651-296-3478 immediately. TTY). especially since so much is still unknown. 121 E. 7th Place • St. Paul, MN 55101 For specific information on 651-296-6785 V/TTY the legislative training ses- Their message bears repeat1-800-945-8913 V/TTY; Fax: 651-296-5935 sion call Joel Ulland at the MS ing. Everyone who has ever E-mail: council.disability@state.mn.us Society at (612) 335-7933. Q relied on a private or government agency knows there are “gaps” in services everywhere you look. With that in mind, people can prepare to Co-Founder/Publisher (1990-1996) ................................................................... Wm. A. Smith, Jr. share expertise, skills, food, Editor/Publisher/Co-Founder ............................................................................. Charles F. Smith water, and heat with others. Cartoonist ..................................................................................................................... Scott Adams Production .......................................................................... Presentation Images, Ellen Houghton Neighbors, friends, and famEditorial Assistant .............................................................................................. Donna McNamara ily members can discuss and
ACCESS PRESS
funding, or lack of it, and lack of rides. Since that time, many promises have been made of better service and more funding. The situation, almost ten years later, is basically the same. While more funding has been allocated, it is insufficient to meet the need. The service Center and the providers can only work with the funding they get.
plan for what is needed and Y2K with little or no concern, trusting technology to solve what they have to offer. any problems it has created. Some city governments are And there is still no definitive offering limited emergency answer to the question, services to their citizens. The “What’s really going to hapcity of Minneapolis (through pen?” As Shawn Frem-stad, the Red Cross) is prepared to with St. Paul’s Y2K office open emergency shelters if says, “We don’t have any needed, but learning where way of assessing [the probthey are located could be lem] . . . the scale is so huge.” difficult if phone lines are jammed on New Year’s day. Perhaps it’s time we asked a The city’s 28 fire stations and different question–“What’s 5 police precincts will be the worst that could happen if operating as emergency infor- I don’t prepare?” If the mation centers in a crisis, so it answer to this question is wouldn’t hurt to locate the something like, “I’d be sitting fire or police station nearest in the dark in a high-rise apartment, unable to get to your home. the lobby,” then it’s time to The City of St. Paul re- finalize your back-up plan. cently mailed out a Y2K There is still time to make brochure that includes a basic preparations, to get map of “Emergency Com- answers from building manmunication Sites”— places to agement and others, and to go if you do not have phone get information about what service and need to make an the city you live in will emergency call, such as to the provide. Q police or 911. There are 73 designated sites throughout the city, including police stations, fire stations, park Please patronize buildings, and city vehicles your Access located in Super America parking lots. These sites are Press Advertisers not shelters. Like Minneapo— and tell them lis, St. Paul will only open shelters as needed, so shelter where you heard locations have not been anabout them. nounced. The vast majority of people appear to be approaching
They bring you your paper.
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Make Your Ride Count! Are you having difficulty scheduling rides with Metro Mobility? Are you not able to arrange transportation when you need it?
December 10, 1999
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IN BRIEF . . . . Performing Arts Apprenticeships
Tony and Emmy award winWe need your help to accurately document the number of trip denials now occurring within the ning director, Jack Hofsiss, in Metro Mobility transportation system. Our goal is to accurately document the current demand collaboration with VSA arts, is for Metro Mobility service. pleased to announce a pilot apprenticeship program for According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration, a trip students interested in a professional career in the performdenial occurs in any of the following situations: ing arts. The program will provide placements for up to 10 • You request a ride and don’t receive it - even after being placed on standby. Example: You place a request at 6 a.m. four days prior to a doctor’s appointment but your requested time is not available. After being placed on standby, you are also told no ride is available.
students with disabilities in professional theaters and other performing arts companies in New York City, for college and university credit during the Spring and Summer 2000. Apprenticeships may be available in directing, stage management, lighting design, set de-
sign, costume design, arts administration and more. For more information please contact VSA arts at 1-800-933-8721 or send an e-mail to apprenticeship @vsarts.org. Applications are being accepted now for Spring and Summer placements.
Interpreted Dog Obedience Classes
• You are able to schedule a ride to your requested destination but cannot get a return trip. Example: You are offered - and accept - a ride to your destination but are denied a return trip to your home when a standby ride is unavailable. Cancellation of the oneway trip should also be recorded as a denial.
Hearing and Service Dogs of 2537 25th Avenue South, Min- tance dogs. The program careMinnesota will sponsor interpreted dog obedience classes for deaf and hard-of-hearing people that use American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate.
• You are not offered a ride within one hour before or after your requested ride time. Example: You request a pick-tip time of 1:00 PM. The provider must offer you a ride time between 12 noon and 2 PM. If not, this is considered to be a trip denial - even if YOU choose The class begins on Monday to accept the ride. You have a right to receive a ride within an hour of your requested pick-up January 31, 2000 and continues for 8 weeks on Mondays, time! ending March 20. The class fee is $75. Classes will take place at
Make Your Ride Count!
Call CMIL’s hotline at 651/603-2039 Voice or 612/794-7514 TTY.
Metro Mobility Public Forums T
Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota is dedicated to helping Minnesotans who are deaf, hard-of-hearing or disabled to become more independent and self confident by pairing them with specially trained assis-
You can also sign up to speak at the time of the forums. Sign Language interpreter services will be provided at the forums and reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities will be provided if requested by Nov.16.
Forum dates & locations • Monday, Dec. 13, 10-11:30 a.m. at Courage Center, 3915 Golden Valley Road in Golden Valley. • Monday, Dec. 13, 7 to 8:30p.m. in Room 103 of the Minneapolis Convention Center, downtown Mpls. • Thursday, Dec.16, noon to 1:30 p.m. in Met Council Chambers at Mears Park Centre, 230 E Fifth St, St. Paul.
The forums are intended to receive comments from riders on how well Metro Mobility is working for them and to offer ideas for improvement. A • Sending written comments to Dave Jacobson, Metro rider’s suggestion last year Mobility Service Center, resulted in the posting of Metropolitan Council, 230 E cancellation line phone numFifth St St. Paul, MN 55101 bers at the offices of both service providers. That re- • Faxing comments to Mr. Jacobson at (651) 602-1660 duced the amount of time riders spend on the phone • Sending TTY comments to Mr. Jacobson’s attention at and freed up reservationists to handle more ride requests. (651) 221-9886 • Calling the Council’s Public Metro Mobility staff members Comment Line at (651) 602will be available at the forums 1500 to answer general questions • Sending comments to the and respond to comments. Council’s e-mail address at Riders seeking follow-up indata.center@metc.state.mn.us
Support Groups Meet he Hennepin County af- Suite 18, Edina. Support month, also at 6950 France filiate of the National groups for individuals meet Ave S, but in the lower Alliance for the Mentally Ill the 1st and 4th Monday of each conference room, at 7 p.m. Q meets the third Friday of every month at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, at 50th & Knox in South Mpls. Support Group is at 6:30 P.M., Main Meeting 7:30-9:00. For more Home Care Services information, contact Pete Available 24 hours per day Feigal, President 612-724-7547. December’s meeting on the 17th, is the Holiday party, and Specializing in the care of Children • Adults • Elderly is a wonderful chance to meet We provide Personal Care Assistants • Home Health some of the most loving Aides • Homemakers • Live-in Caregivers • Nursing people in Minnesota. Everyone is welcome! Our Rehabilitative Services include: Physical/ Occupational/Speech/Respiratory Therapies The MN Bio-Brain AssociaPCA Provider Organization tion’s weekly support and MA/Waiver/Medicare Certified information meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday 612-544-0315 or 1-800-231-0315 nights at the Bio-Brain offices, 6950 France Ave S,
fully selects homeless dogs, often from local animal shelters, and trains them during a training period that lasts sixteen weeks for Hearing Dogs and six months or more for Service Dogs. The dog, professional training and interpreting services, obedience instruction, medical care, food and supplies are given to qualified applicants at no charge.
Volunteers Needed Opportunities exist to help gram for hearing children and quired September through
cook, prepare and serve dinner their Deaf parents sponsored to families participating in the by Perspectives. A minimum formation on a specific inci- One Home Two Cultures pro- of three hours a month is redent or concern are asked to call the Metro Mobility Customer Services Department at (651) 602-1111 or (651) 2219886 TTY. Wilderness Inquiry is offering equipment are provided and canoe trips next July to the scholarships are available for Yukon Territories in Canada -- most trips. Wilderness Inquiry Other ways to participate: Riders who do not attend a a 16-day Big Salmon River trip trips are organized to be accesforum can still participate. and a 23-day Porcupine River sible to people of all abilities. Comments can be received trip. Experienced guides and For more information, contact through Jan. 3, 2000 by
he Metropolitan Council will hold public forums to hear from riders and other interested parties on how well the Metro Mobility program is serving the transportation needs of people with disabilities.
Anyone interested in testifying can register in advance by calling Dawn Hoffner at the Council at (651) 602-1447 Voice or (651) 221-9886 TTY.
neapolis, MN. Class size is limited. For information, contact John Drach at 612-729-5914 tty or 612-729-5986 voice.
May. Call 612-926-2600 (voice) or 612-926-9847 (TTY) for more information.
Adventure Travel Opportunities Wilderness Inquiry at 1313 5th Street SE, Box 84, Minneapolis, MN 55414; 612-379-3858 (voice) or 1-800-728-0719 (voice or TTY). Web site is www. wildernessinquiry.org
MCIL Classes The Metropolitan Center for Independent Living’s winter classes have been scheduled. Classes begin Jan 11 and end Jan 20. A number of classes are
being offered, including PAS Management, Communication, Human Sexuality, Introduction to Computers, Apartment Search, and others. Some
classes meet only once, others for two or more sessions. For more information, to register, or to request accommodations, call Dennis at 651-603-2018.
Winterfest 2000 Winterfest, a cross-cultural also have a hearing loss, in a sota Department of Human celebration for families with deaf and hard of hearing children, will be held from noon-5 p.m. on January 15 at the Range Center in Chisholm. Winterfest provides an opportunity for deaf and hard of hearing children to interact with adults who
setting where sign language is encouraged. Activitiesinclude games, storytelling, swimming and a potluck dinner. On hand for the festivities will be Miss Deaf Minnesota Amanda Green. The event is a collaborative effort of the Minne-
Service’s Northeast Regional Service Center for deaf and hard of hearing Minnesotans, the UpNorth Deaf Club and the Duluth Children’s Museum. It is free of charge. For more information, please contact Cindy Otto at 218-742-9159.
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December 10, 1999
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Religion And Disability
Disability Culture
Why Me?
Disability In The New Millennium
by John Schatzlein
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here are many issues we all face when presented with functional limits or loss. Recently, I have had several people come to me with the same basic question: “Why me?” Many of us have been taught that “it’s God’s will.” I have not always been sure this is an answer I can, or want to, believe.
pediatrics residency when Emily was born. I remember working in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) one night, about the time that Emily’s disability was becoming more obvious. The baby I was caring for was about Emily’s age - two months. He was in the ICU because one of his parents had shaken him to make him stop crying. Here was a beautiful, typical baby who had become severely injured at the hands of a parent. I kept asking God why I had not been given the typical baby - I would not have done this!
The following is an excerpt from an article titled “Lessons from Emily,” published by Stewardship Solutions in Goshen, Indiana. I have been able to use it to help understand “why” we may have lost a function, are going through rough times, or why Soon after this night, I was “He” let this happen to me/us. caring for Emily and was tired. She was fussing and fighting At the end of the article, the being fed. After working with authors ask us some ques- her for what felt like hours, tions. Upon reflection, these she vomited everything I had questions can help us see a gotten into her. All that time larger picture, and hopefully and effort for nothing and give us an avenue for progress. now I had to change her and Perhaps we may also reflect myself. I look her onto the on limits we may have placed changing table and, in anger on ourselves because of our and frustration, started to blaming God for our life slam her down on the table. I situation. Perhaps they can stopped myself before she hit help us continue on, knowing hard and sat down on the we are loved for who we are. floor to cuddle her and cry. Except for that flash of selfcontrol, I could have been Lessons From Emily: I was in my second year of my that abusive parent.
If you are a consumer or a provider and know health care can and must be done better, we need to hear from you.
I am not an abusive parent who did not deserve a typical child. I am not a wonderful person who could handle special problem. I am not a person who missed learning a great lesson that everyone else learned. I am a person who had a baby. God created a wonderful, even perfect world, but allowed humans choice. Through the exercising of that choice, imperfection entered the world. We are all products of that imperfection. Bad things happen. Life is not always easy and definitely is not fair. Not everything is for a reason. God has not, however, abandoned this imperfect world. God is actively working - not to correct the imperfections, but to enable us to be in relationship with God and to deal with imperfections - with God.
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Why was my child born disabled? My real question was not why, but why me? I have been told that there must have been something God wanted us to learn so God sent us Emily. I have been told that God knew we could handle extra problems, so we got Emily. I refuse to see God as a God who passes out disabilities as punishments or rewards. I do not believe there are a certain number of babies with disabilities who must be born and God selects their parents based on the parents’ needs, wishes or abilities.
The verse about God not allowing more than we can handle has bothered me at times. I now believe, however, that that verse must be interpreted with the verse in Philippians 4:13, “I can do anything through God who gives me strength.”
Religion - cont. on p. 11
HOUSING AND PERSONAL CARE SERVICES Accessible Space, Inc. (ASI) offers subsidized one and two bedroom apartments for individuals with physical disabilities. We have housing in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, St. Cloud, Brainerd, Grand Rapids, Hibbing, Austin, Marshall, Willmar, and Duluth. The apartments are fully wheelchair accessible and each building has a central laundry room, large community room, secured entry and an on-site caretaker. ASI also offers shared personal care services 24 hours a day, at most locations, for adults with a physical disability and/or traumatic brain injury who qualify for Medical Assistance. For more information call (651) 645-7271 or (800) 466-7722. For services or housing call Leigh, for employment as a personal care attendant call Al or Kellie.
by Lolly Lijewski
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have been trying to resist I remember asking my mother writing a column on the what Adrienne looked like. new millennium, but here it is. She described her as having “stick thin” arms and legs and Over the Thanksgiving holi- an opening at the base of her day, I listened again to a spine out of which came a program from the “Beyond yellowish fluid. Her head was Affliction” series, which aired larger than normal, but she on National Public Radio was a very peaceful child. I about a year and a half ago. It believe my mother and father was on pre-natal testing, a wanted all of us to know her topic that both fascinates and to the extent that we could. terrifies me. It’s a topic that raises questions I have dealt After having four non diswith all of my life because of abled children, along came my my family’s history. We have brother Tom. He was born a joke that, “there was no with Retinitis Pigmentosa, RP lifeguard at the gene pool the for short, a progressive, geday we were born.” I had netic eye disease which been thinking about doing a causes the cells on the retina series of articles for this of the eye to die. Usually, RP column on genetic engineer- doesn’t show up until an ing for a long time now, and individual is in their late 20s or the radio broadcast gave me early 30s, but Tom has a more the kick I needed to get severe form of the disease, started. which exhibits at birth. He was a big, adventurous baby It is often the case that who got his first pair of disability culture is more glasses, the thick pop bottle intimately and thoroughly kind, at nine months. My experienced when individuals mother tied them on his head with disabilities share their with a ribbon. From the own stories. In sharing my beginning he wanted to try family’s story here, I hope to things, and though my parprovoke some dialogue about ents didn’t have experience these issues within our local raising a disabled child, they disability community. decided they had to let him try — and make mistakes — just All through my childhood, I like any other child would. remember my mother telling Tom was born in the early 50s us stories about my oldest when special education was sister. I come from a family of just being conceived. The nine, eight of whom are living. educational systems were only My oldest sister, Adrienne beginning to try main-streamElizabeth Lijewski was born in ing disabled children. 1938. She had spina-bifida, a genetic condition that can After Tom came another bring about several disabili- brother, non disabled, and ties, including paralysis, cog- then I was born. I have the nitive impairments and more. same eye disease Tom does At the time she was born and we were both misdiagthere were no medical options nosed for many years. Some available, so the doctors told of my earliest memories are of my parents to bring her home, visits to the eye doctor. It was keep her comfortable, and common during that period love her. They did, and for babies to be given too nineteen days later their first much oxygen immediately afborn child died. I know that ter birth. This caused a one of my mother’s regrets is condition (called RLF at the that Adrienne is buried in an time), that is now known as unmarked grave. Why my ROP. Because of our sympparents never sought to put a toms, doctors thought our marker on her grave, I’m not condition was the result of sure. this “accident” at birth. When
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I was nine, and Tom was fourteen, we saw a specialist at the University of Minnesota and learned that our condition was, in fact, genetic. We had inherited it from our parents, who were both carriers of the gene but neither of whom had exhibited any signs of vision loss. For many years we all wondered about the origin of the disease. Neither side of the family could trace back any member who had exhibited serious vision loss. But as we grew older and more genealogy work was done on both sides of my family, we realized that blindness was kept quiet in those days. People kept their disabled children out of the public. In fact, the documentary that spurred this article includes information about Dr. Harry Haselton, who promoted infanticide of disabled infants in the early 1900’s. It’s no wonder we can’t trace our relatives’ genetic conditions. Five years after I was born, my mother became pregnant again. When my mother was ready to deliver my younger brother, her labor stopped. The doctors explained to her later that she bad suffered an “emotional block,” caused by the fear she had of giving birth to yet one more disabled child. My brother Terry was born non disabled and my mother survived the birth. But she told me about the problem she had in the delivery room and it made me begin to think and question things. What if he had been disabled? What would she have done? As I entered my teenage years, the abortion debate grew loud. I remember sitting in classrooms with friends debating the question of a woman’s right to choose. Then Roe vs. Wade was decided by the Supreme Court and it was no longer a debate, it was a reality. I thought to myself, “What would my mother do now if she had the choice? Would I be here? Would she have aborted me? Would my younger brother who does not have a disability be here, or out of fear of having another disabled child, would she have aborted him?” These questions and others brought me to the decision that I would not have biological children. If I had children, I would adopt them. I made this decision when I was about fourteen. My reason was that I didn’t want to
Culture - cont. on p. 9
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On Mental Illness
“Snoopy, The Grinch And The Land of Misfit Toys” by Pete Feigal
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t has been a television tradition since the Beginning of Time (or at least since they switched “Darrens” on “Bewitched”) that three cartoons are always aired around Christmas time: “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “How The Grinch Stole Christmas,” and “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer.” As a youngster, these three shows became part of my personal childhood Christmas traditions, as essential and anticipated as the yearly search for the “perfect Christmas Tree,” decorating the tree with beloved ornaments that had almost become part of the family, and the annual pilgrimage over the river and through the crosstown traffic to Grandma’s house for Christmas Eve. I loved all three of these shows. Snoopy was a favorite, Vince Geraldi’s jazz score was very cool, and I always felt alone and different like Charlie Brown. The Grinch and his long-suffering dog Max were funny, but secretly I loved Rudolf, the least “cool’ of the shows, the most. It’s kind of an obscure story, and you’ve probably never heard it before, but briefly it’s about one of Santa’s famous flying reindeer, who has a red, glowing nose. “All of the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names, and never let poor Rudolf play in any reindeer games.” So Rudolf runs away into reindeer exile and discovers the Land of Misfit Toys, a place where all the broken or mismade toys in the world have congregated. They live there in shame because of their defects, because no child wants them, because no one will ever love them. I saw “Rudolf”at 10, years before I had either the experience or vocabulary to identify my own brain disorder of major depression. But seeing that show for the first time my jaw dropped, because I finally realized what I was. I was one of those broken, mis-made toys and no one wanted me, and no one would ever love me. But I thought how wonderful it was that the other toys at least had this community with each other, because I was certain that I was the only one on earth that felt this way.
holiday despair. Charlie Brown is so depressed by the Holidays that he seeks out Lucy’s psychiatric help. “The Doctor Is In.” Overwhelmed by the commercialism of Christmas, he needs Linus’ simple reminder, “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown,” and he joins with others in joyful song.
that I would inevitably encounter failure, pain and sorrow, by seeking out disappointment and regret before they could take me by surprise, by approaching the world with a “Bah, Humbug” attitude, I felt somehow more safe, more in control. I felt less vulnerable to being caught with my heart exposed, less open to being hurt by my The Grinch, up on his moun- broken dreams. If I’d expect tain, is cold, miserable and the worst, I’d never again be alone. “You’re a mean one, disappointed. Mr. Grinch,” and he sets out to make the Whos in Whoville But I never received any real as miserable as he is by satisfaction from always stealing their Christmas pre- choosing despair. No one sents. But the Whos’ joy and does. And as I always fellowship is the transforming armored my heart by readying power that wakens his heart myself for the worst, I and he comes down off his strangled the possibility of mountain to join with them in ever knowing real joy. joy. And Rudolf and the other misfits and broken toys It seems that when we do discover the gifts that come experience joy, we try to hold from their hardships and onto it with both hands, we differences, and they are also try to replicate the circumfinally joyfully joined to- stances, doing exactly the gether. Out of the mouths of same thing just the same way babes. we did before, hoping to invoke the identical feeling of One of the insights I’ve well-being again and again. gotten recently is how often And yet the more we try to I’ve approached life like hold onto joy, the more Charles Dickens’ character of quickly it slips away. BeScrooge from his classic “A cause joy comes not from Christmas Carol,” how like the holding on, but from letting Grinch I’ve been. Through my go. 30-year struggle with depression, the pains and hurts and One can’t become attached to setbacks, the poverty and joy; joy is a quality that arises hassle and strain that the out of non attachment, of illness brought to me and my letting go of our old worn out family has seemed overwhelm- blueprints of what “should” ing and total. Every time there or “shouldn’t” happen. It was a fight or I got in trouble comes from cutting back on or had a conflict with Mom or our expectations. Joy is a Dad, after every lost job or surprise, a gift, an experience girlfriend, I began to feel a born when we are looking sense of hopelessness that somewhere else. The less we perhaps the needs of my heart plan, the less we expect, the would remain forever unful- easier it becomes for happifilled. As my dreams and ness and joy to find a place in wishes were shattered again our hearts. It’s hard not to and again, I eventually began grab for happiness though: to believe that I might spend “If I had a happy childhood, if my entire life wishing for Mental - cont. on p. 8 things that would never come true. I got so good at unmasking the illusion of happiness that even when everyone seemed to be having a good time, I suspected they were only faking, hiding their true suffering. Gladness seemed like a denial mechanism, destined to crumble under the weight of painful feelings yet to be uncovered. Failure and hardship had come in so many ways and in so many forms, eventually suffering began to seem more real, more honest than happiness. Through the years these chronic disappointments generated a sense of despair.
Thirty five years later, I’m amazed at how those shows still move me, and surprised at how much they appeal to me as an adult, maybe because of how they all deal directly with By cultivating the expectation
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Hello Nicole: Dear Nicole, I am a 26 year old/male who uses an electric chair. I have graduated from college and am still looking for work. I am also single and not as optimistic as I once was about finding a girlfriend or wife. I need advice on how to avoid my shyness and how not to be afraid to ask women out. At times I feel either inadequate or like I could be a burden to her. I also keep insisting, or would like, a very attractive woman, preferably an able body. Is this asking too much? Sincerely, SWM Dear SWM, Even for confident people, initiating a date or romantic relationship can bring to the surface deep insecurities and feelings of inadequacy. For people with disabilities, it’s natural that we have these difficult feelings. Since we are stereotyped by society as not-sexual and unable to give to a relationship, why wouldn’t we feel insecure? It is also common for people with disabilities to feel like a burden, because we think we cannot contribute to a relationship. Or we may need personal cares done for us by our partner and think that we are a chore, etc. But even if we cannot care for our partner in the same exact way they care for us, it does not mean we cannot give our partner care. Although we often focus on material and physical things, what people really need for happiness is genuine care: compassion, support and unconditional acceptance.
about and by asking a woman on a date you are definitely putting yourself on the line. So, it’s very normal to feel shy or embarrassed or even extremely worried that she might reject you. There is no way to obliterate this sense of fear because it is normal-- you are in danger of being rejected or ridiculed, which is most people’s worst nightmare! It is especially reasonable for someone with a disability to be nervous, since we have been conditioned to think we make an unworthy and undesirable partner. While I don’t believe that our physical bodies have anything to do with our ability to be a loving partner, I do believe the only serious blockage to love is when we feel unworthy of love.
as a thought, such as, “What right do I have to ask this woman on a date?” or, “She can do a lot better than me.” It is obvious how these thoughts can work to stop us from expressing any love interest! We ridicule and shame ourselves into believing we are too defective to be worthy of a relationship. However, we can learn to see the basis of these beliefs and question their truth by questioning what we really believe is essential to being a loving partner. Gradually, we can deal with these thoughts by thinking something like: “These thoughts are based on my feeling unworthy or inadequate because I’m in a wheelchair. But I don’t really believe that my chair affects my ability to be loving. So I am going to ask this woman We all have ideals of what on a date anyway, knowing qualities we would like in a full well that I might get partner. There is nothing rejected.” wrong with hoping for the perfect partner, however, The big question really some ideals may intensify our becomes, what is important in own feelings of inadequacy. a relationship? It seems like, For example, if physical ability when we clear away all the and attractiveness are superficiality, what we all characteristics we find vital in really want is someone to a partner, our own disabled share love and happiness. bodies may not meet our own For me, what makes a criteria. If we don’t meet our relationship fulfilling is own criteria, then how can we someone who is a good expect anyone else to accept friend, someone I can talk to, us? feel close to, and have an understanding connection Since feeling unworthy of with. In other words, what is love is the only thing I believe important to me in a can seriously cripple our relationship is the ability to ability to love, I think dealing give and receive love. Then with feelings of unworthiness the question becomes, does a is very important. It helps to disability in any way interfere start noticing when with our ability to give and unworthiness manifests itself Nicole - cont. on p. 8
It’s understandable that you would feel shy asking women out. We all want to be accepted by people we care
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December 10, 1999
Consumer Involvement: An Excellent Example
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he Hennepin County CareS planning team continues to seek out Medical Assistance consumers and their representatives to help create a better health care delivery management system.
was in response to the inappropriate use of Hennepin County Medical Center emergency-room (ER) services and detoxification (detox) services by a group of approximately 60 chronic alcoholics and drug users who were primarily homeless. The goal of the project is to minimize inappropriate use of ER and detox services by maximizing the use of alternative services, such as housing and community resources for these clients.
In studying other projects to determine how to best involve consumers, the team discovered a highly successful project, the Hennepin County Street Case Management Project. The team will use information gathered from projects like this one to learn the best practices of con- A target group was selected sumer involvement. from 60 of the highest users of ER and detox services; iniThe Street Case Management tially 20 were enrolled in the Project was initiated by Bob Project, currently there are 39 Olander, Director, Hennepin enrolled. County Adult Services Department Chemical Health Di- The Project creates opportuvision, in January 1996. This nities for clients to secure
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Valley, explained it like this: “People are changing their lives to fit Metro Mobility, rather than Metro Mobility healthier lifestyles. It is adapting to people’s lives.” entirely up to the clients what they wish to do with their (Documenting the extent of lives. If or when a client these “discouraged riders” is wishes to make a positive part of the purpose of the change, the Project staff “Make Your Ride Count” assists the client in achieving project recently initiated by their goal, by working closely the Transit Advisory Commitwith them to secure adequate tee of the Minnesota Consorand safe housing and to tium for People with Disabilisecure appropriate medical ties. For more information on and detox services when this project, see the articles needed. Sobriety is not a goal on page 3.) or a requirement for participation in the Project. Advocates point out that
ment, then that failure is and with the recent passage supposed to be officially of the Work Incentives Imrecorded as a “trip denial.” provement Act, the demand for rides to and from work This past October 6th, the City could be expected to increase of New York reached an out- in the coming months. Yet, of-court settlement to a simi- for the most recent budget lar suit, agreeing to cut its period (the ‘99 biennium), ADA paratransit denial rate Metro Mobility received only to 1% by March 2000, $38.1 million, two million according to attorney dollars less than the $40.1 Stephen Gold of the Public million that was requested. Interest Law Center of Phila- (That $40 million request was delphia, lawyer for one of the same as the request for the plaintiffs. According to the previous biennium, which Gold, “The issue is simple: was funded at $34.6 million, not enough vans to meet the indicating the current need demand.” The agreement may be even greater than the spells out steps New York current request would cover.) every community has the City will take to keep denial The project has a specialized moral and ethical responsibil- rates, late pick ups, no shows Lolly Lijewski, chair of the program called the “Volunteer ity to have a public transpor- and excessive length trips to a Minnesota Consortium for Program,” created by Lloyd tation system for people with minimum. Denial rates in New Citizens with Disabilities TranGoulet, BA, Special Programs disabilities that is as reliable York City before the suit were sit Advocacy Committee, Counselor, which assists cli- as the one provided for able- similar to those currently points out that this extra $2 ents in becoming motivated, bodied citizens. Federal law reported by Metro Mobility in million would be enough to confident, and positive risk agrees with them. provide more than 60,000 the Twin Cities. takers working toward more rides each year or, healthier lifestyles. Through Lawsuits are currently under- Gold stated that more law- alternatively, to provide 25,000 this approach clients have way in Philadelphia, Pennsyl- suits are being prepared more rides as well as a pay increased self es- vania, and Richmond, Vir- against paratransit systems in raise for the drivers. Since the teem and confi- ginia, demanding that the other cities around the coun- total annual trip denials offidence to acquire paratransit systems in those try, but was not at liberty to cially number roughly 41,000 work experience cities comply with Federal say which cities would be per year, eliminating that $2 and skills needed law. The law in question - targeted next. He predicted million shortfall would make a to become em- Code of Federal Regulations, that all of them will be settled huge difference. Also, it ployed. Clients Title 49, Part 37, Section in favor of the plaintiffs, as should be remembered that have a critical role 37.131 (b) - states that a was the case in New York, the official number of denials of providing ideas “paratransit” system such as since “These suits are simple may seriously understate the and feedback spe- the Twin Cities’ Metro Mobil- and straightforward. If an AB extent of the problem, raising cific to the evolu- ity is required to “schedule [able-bodied person] goes the question of whether the tion of the Volun- and provide paratransit ser- out to get the bus, they will Metropolitan Council is even teer Project. vice to any ADA paratransit get a ride. If it’s full, another requesting the necessary eligible person [that is, a one will come. The law funds to begin with. To put The following are person with a disability] at requires the same service that $2 million figure in statements made by any requested time on a level for paratransit as for the perspective, it would amount Project consumers particular day in response to a mainline transit.” He further to just 1/8 of one percent regarding the ac- request for service made the pointed out that the New York (0.125%) of the anticipated c o m p l i s h m e n t s previous day.” The law settlement sets an important state budget surplus that was they have made further states that, when a precedent that should speed reported on December 3rd of since joining the certified paratransit rider calls the resolution of the upcomthis year. Project. up to get a ride, the service ing suits. As he put it, “If “may negotiate pickup times NYC can get their system Metro Mobility general man“I was born and with the individual, but...shall down to a 1% denial rate, then ager Dave Jacobson frankly raised in “the sys- not require an ADA any city can do it.” stated to ACCESS PRESS that tem” and I mean it paratransit eligible individual “The demand for our service literally. Life hasn’t to schedule a trip to begin What’s causing the problem? always outpaces our ability to given up on me, more than one hour before or meet that demand.” While and I’m not giving after the individual’s desired If a large number of local noting that Metro Mobility is Henn. - cont. on departure time.” If the service users are complaining about funded almost entirely with is unable to meet this require- Metro Mobility, and if Federal State money, Mr. Jacobson p. 11 law is clear that a declined to speculate as to four percent (or why there should be a fundmore) denial rate is ing shortfall for paratransit in unacceptable, then an era of record state budget why doesn’t Metro surpluses. He pointed out HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICE Mobility take steps that management only reto address these quests, but does not set, issues? Users and funding levels. As he put it, 24 HOUR ON CALL SERVICE staff acknowledge “You go with what the __________________________________ that the manage- legislature gives you.” Specializing in Full Home Care Service ment of a paratransit system is Mr. Jacobson’s observation complex, and tech- takes on added meaning Personal Care Assistants nical problems no when one considers the words Home Health Aides Homemakers doubt contribute to of Patrick Reilly, chief counLive-in Caretakers Skilled Nursing the high denial sel to the Federal Transrate and other portation Administration, in Rehabilitative Services difficulties. But, a recently-issued interpretawhen pressed, ad- tion of federal paratransit law, Physical / Occupational / Speech Therapies vocates and staff “[I]f a transit agency denies come back to ADA complementary paraPCA Provider Organization something that transit service to a qualified Medicare Certified / Medical Assistance they call “capac- individual with a disability ity constraints.” because it does not have the Waivered Services / Private What they mean is: capacity to respond to denot enough money. mand, the denial of ADA complementary paratransit The number of cer- service is discrimination within tified users of section 202 of the ADA.” 2010 East Hennepin Avenue, Bldg. #5 Metro Mobility is Thus, if it is true that the Minneapolis, MN 55413 estimated to be Minnesota legislature is not growing at a 3-to-4 giving Metro Mobility enough percent annual rate, Metro Mobility- cont. on p. 10
M.I.L.S.
612-379-4027
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INCENTIVES - Cont. from p. 1 for at least 24 months is still disabled, if the fact that the individual worked is the only reason for the review. SSA will continue to conduct disability reviews on a regularly scheduled basis, and benefits will still be stopped when earnings are over allowed limits. Expedited Reinstatement of Disability Benefits Beginning 1 year after the President signs the bill, individuals who lose their SSI or SSDI benefits because of earnings will be able to resume benefits more quickly if they are later unable to work due to their disability. In most cases, individuals must ask for reinstatement within 5 years of when their benefits were terminated, but SSA may allow a longer period in some cases. Work Incentives Outreach Program Authorizes $23 million a year for 5 years (10/1/99 to 9/30/04) for SSA grants to communitybased work incentives planning and assistance programs. Also requires SSA to establish its own corps of trained, accessible and responsive work incentives specialists to assist people with disabilities who want to work. Grants to Protection and Advocacy Programs Authorizes $7 million a year for 5 years (10/1/99 to 9/30/04) for SSA to provide grants to protection and advocacy organizations that assist individuals with disabilities with issues related to employment. Expanding State Options Under Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities Medicaid for Working Individuals with Disabilities Reaffirms Congress’ intent to allow states to create programs which enable working people with disabilities to continue receiving Medicaid (known in Minnesota as Medical Assistance or MA). States can set their own income and asset requirements. Minnesota’s Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MAEPD) option is the type of program described under this provision.
tems to support working individuals with disabilities. To receive a grant, the state’s Medicaid program must offer personal assistance services (such as the personal care assistance services available under Minnesota Medical Assistance). Demonstration Projects to Provide Medicaid for Workers with Potentially Severe Disabilities Beginning October 1, 2000, the Secretary of Health and Human Services may authorize and fund a limited number of Medicaid demonstration projects. These demonstrations projects would allow states to provide Medicaid coverage for working persons who are not yet considered disabled by Social Security, but who have a condition that is expected to become disabling if they do not receive necessary health care services.
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Snow And Ice Removal T
he Sidewalk Division of Minneapolis Public Works has established regulations for snow removal in the City. There are somewhat different rules depending on the type of building. For a one or two family dwelling, all snow from the public sidewalk should be removed within 24 hours of a snowfall. For other buildings, the snow must be removed within four hours of a snowfall.
It should be noted that a number of changes were made to the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act during the last few weeks of Congressional debate. It may take a while before the dust settles and it is clear what all of those changes really mean. While the Act does not solve all the problems faced by people with disabilities who want to Anyone who fails to remove work, it at least moves in the snow according to these time frames is guilty of a petty right direction. Q
misdemeanor. In addition, the city can remove the snow and bill the responsible party for the cost. For additional information, call the Sidewalk Division at 612-673-2441. In St. Paul, the rules covering snow removal are the same for all buildings–snow removal must be completed within 24 hours of a snowfall. The City also reserves the right to remove snow and bill the responsible party for the cost. However, this will only happen after the City has given the party written notice of a
complaint and at least 48 hours to remove the snow themselves. St. Paul’s Citizen Service Office can be reached at 651-266-8989. If you are having trouble because of ice or snow on public sidewalks (including curbs), let the appropriate city department know as soon as possible. If the problem is not taken care of, call your city council member. The city should be accessible year round, and adequate snow removal is an important part of winter accessibility. Q
Extended Medicare Coverage Starting October 1, 2000, people with disabilities on SSDI who go to work will be able to keep Medicare Part A coverage free of charge for 4½ years beyond the 4 years currently allowed. Suspension of Medicare Supplemental Policies (Medigap Insurance) Effective as soon as the President signs the bill, people who have Medicare Supplement policies will be able to suspend those policies during any period when they are covered by a group health plan. If the person then loses their group health coverage, they can resume their Medicare Supplemental coverage automatically, as long as they notify their insurance company within 90 days.
Medicaid for Employed Individuals with a Medically Improved Disability Effective October 1, 2000, allows states the option of providing continued Medicaid to working individuals, ages 16 to 64, whose condition has improved thanks to medications or other treatment, but who still need coverage due to a “severely medically determinable impairment.”
Social Security Demonstration Projects SSA’s authority to allow demonstration projects related to the SSDI program is extended for 5 years. Such demonstration projects would test whether changing the rules governing how SSDI benefits are affected by employment will encourage more people on SSDI to work. (Note: SSA already has the authority to conduct such demonstration projects for SSI.) SSA is specifically directed to conduct demonstration projects to test whether gradually phasing out SSDI benefits for people who become employed would encourage more SSDI beneficiaries to work than the current “all or nothing” rules. Under these demonstration projects, a person’s SSDI check would be reduced by $1 for each $2 they earned above a certain level that will be determined by SSA.
Grants to States Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants that will help states develop internal sys-
Studies and Reports The federal General Accounting Office is required to conduct a series of studies on how government rules and
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December 10, 1999
UCare
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December 10, 1999
News From Central MN
MENTAL - Cont. from p. 5 only feel grateful when things work out exactly the way we planned, when everything turns out right. Happiness, then, is reserved only for people who have no worries, for whom everything goes their way. Joy is the privilege of rich people, people who live on Lake of the Isles, people who have no worries, nothing to be afraid of, people who never had a painful childhood, or who have never Buddha said that we would been ill. have ten thousand joys and ten thousand sorrows. Those But we make a big mistake of us who were given so much when we equate happiness sorrow at an early age find and gratefulness with a probourselves reluctant to surren- lem-free life. We tend to der to the joys that are also misunderstand the link bepossible. While we must tween joy and gratefulness. allow our hearts to grieve We notice that joyful people fully the suffering we were are grateful and suppose they given, we must also celebrate are grateful for their joy. But joy when it comes. the reverse is true: Their joy springs from gratefulness. If Part of the practice of letting one has all the good luck in go is cultivating a sense of the world but takes it for gratefulness for whatever has granted, it will not give one been placed on our table. joy; it is not joy that makes us Gratefulness is a practice that grateful, it is gratitude that makes joy possible. Many of makes us joyful. us mistakenly believe we can
Henn. Cty Brd Adv
Gratitude is not given lightly, for many of us have experienced terrible tragedies, and it would seem heartless to suggest that we must give thanks for our loneliness, our abuse, our illnesses, our divorce, our disabilities, our sadness. But it is from our wounds that our greatest insights and compassion have come, and the same is true for our greatest joys of being alive on the planet Earth. To know joy we must wake up, we must not sleep in our expectations and disappointments. When we forget to give thanks, we sink into a joyless life. When we hold tight to our demands and expectations, we invite lives of disappointment and despair. When we allow our expectations to dissolve, we become more open to the fullness of the moment, often to appreciate the richness of our lives. And as we learn to give thanks for all life, we become more fully alive. Like a lot of things, maybe most things, I was wrong as a kid about believing I was a misfit toy and that no one would over love me. We are, all of us, flawed, human, wounded and lovable, capable and deserving of surprise, of wonder, of joy. Q
Happy Holidays from Access Press
I could find a really good therapist, if I could get my career together my life would be great.” Every condition we set on the intervention of spirit and grace in our lives reduces our capacity to be surprised by happiness and growth wherever we are. If we can reduce our demands on ourselves, on the world, even on God, we make some space for happiness.
by Cara Ruff
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ndependent Lifestyles, Inc. a Center for Independent Living (ILICIL) is located in St. Cloud, MN and serves the Central Minnesota Counties of Stearns, Benton, Sherburne, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Kandiyohi, Wright and Isanti. Central Minnesota, and Stearns County in particular, is one of the fastest growing regions of the state. This has posed new issues for ILICIL, in terms of meeting the needs of new and diverse cultures, and simply keeping up with the demand in numbers of consumers needing services. There have been many exciting new events and programs at ILICIL this year, including our PROFIT program. This is a program that is funded by the MN Women’s Foundation and is our financial management and empowerment skills training program for women with disabilities. After consumers have completed the course they have an option to participate in facilitator training and become the facilitators of the next series. The program includes classroom training as well as opportunities for community learning and practical hands on applications of skills learned. This program was hugely successful this year and is in big demand again for next year. ILICIL continues its search for funding for this program. In keeping up with the significant increase in population in our region, the ILICIL staff have been diligently working with community efforts and local government to address
the housing shortages for persons with disabilities. This has gone from problematic to near crisis stage with the increase in populations. Staff are working hard to ensure that people of all disabilities have accessible and affordable housing in Central Minnesota. One of our most recent and on-going efforts is Self-Advocacy Training. As a CIL, we always strive to ensure consumer control, and to assist consumers in gaining as much control in their lives as possible. Lately, we have felt it necessary to increase these efforts and centralize our focus to teaching consumers how to be in charge and lead their own “team meetings,” or “staffing.” This is often a time when many decisions are made for consumers, instead of with or by persons with disabilities. We have seen these meetings used as formats to make decisions for people without their consent or knowledge and this must STOP!
deal of time recruiting for a consumer advocacy group to address community systems advocacy issues. Anyone interested should be sure to give us a call. This group is currently petitioning to get the local shopping center to provide motorized carts for persons to use while they conduct their shopping. We have had a tremendous response from persons with disabilities and hope we can get the shopping mall to implement this shortly after the beginning of the New Year.
The arrival of Fall brought back ILICIL’s school contracts to provide Transition services for youth ages 14-22 in the schools throughout Central Minnesota. This is the second year that ILICIL has had fee for service contracts with the schools. ILICIL staff travel throughout the region providing Transition services in the school setting and also working oneon-one with youth with disabilities to make a smooth transition into independent ILICIL staff was provided adulthood. intensive training on how to teach consumers to become ILICIL is also attempting to more self-directed and how to enhance our volunteer protake a leadership role with a gram and is looking for those team who is supposed to be interested in volunteering to working for the consumer. assist consumers with shopILICIL has developed and ping, transporting to and from also copied various self- appointments and various assessments to assist con- other tasks and events that sumers in evaluating for them- take place at the Center. We selves their level of content- hope to hear from you! Q ment with their lives and the areas in which they would like Cara Ruff is the Executive Director of Independent to see some changes. Lifestyles. Along with this emphasis, ILICIL has also spent a great
NICOLE - Cont. from p. 5 receive love? The answer in all cases is no. We can all learn to express love and be the recipient of love.
with physical ability, attractiveness or anything material, it has only to do with the openness of our hearts.
Loving has nothing to do - Nicole
Question? Complaint? Comment? Write to Nicole: % Access Press, 1821 University Ave. W, #185 N; St. Paul, MN 55104
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December 10, 1999 P Bob Zimmerman Honored CULTURE - Cont. from p. 4
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he National Multiple Scle rosis Society recently honored Bob Zimmerman, St. Paul, with this year’s “Make a Difference” award for developing wheelchair ramps for people’s homes. In 1991, Zimmerman collaborated with the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living and a local engineering firm to create plans for modular wheelchair ramps and long-tread low-riser steps. Since then, he has promoted this design and construction method across Minnesota and the
country. His modular construction allows ramp or step sections to be preconstructed. Since they have no concrete footings, they can be installed in all kinds of weather, are easily adaptable to many different home sites, and can be used as long as needed and then relocated to a new home. The ramps and steps are simple and affordable to install with a supervisor and volunteer labor.
There have been more than 1,300 installations in Minnesota, and 15 other states are now using the modular style of construction. To increase awareness of modular ramps, the complete construction manual “How to Build Ramps for Home Accessibility” is available at no cost by visiting www.wheelchairramp. org. Hard copies of the manual and a companion video are available from the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living in St. Paul by calling 651-646-8342. Q
Accessible Arts Performances American Sign Language (ASL) 12/11, Sat., 2:00 p.m., “Late Night Catechism,” Ordway McKnight Theatre, 651-2244222, TTY 651-282-3100
12/19, Sun., 3:00 p.m., Theater 12/17, Fri., 7:30 p.m., Mu, Minneapolis, at Southern “Cinderella,” Children’s Theater, 612-340-1725 Theatre Co., 612-874-0400 12/19, Sun., 2:00 p.m., “Heidi,” 12/17, Fri., 8:00 p.m., “The Lyric Arts Pocket Theatre, Magic Flute,” Theatre de la 612-422-1838 Jeune Lune, 612-333-6200
* 12/12, Sat., 1:00 p.m., “House at Pooh Corner,” Youth * 12/19, Sun., 2:00 p.m., “A Performance Co., at Howard Dickens of a Christmas,” Conn Center, 612-623-9180 Cross Comm. Theatre, at Maple Grove Jr High, 612-391* 12/12, Sun., 2:00 p.m., ARTS (2787) “Gyre,” In the Heart of the Beast Puppet & Mask Theatre, * 12/19, Sun., 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 612-721-2535 p.m., “Black Nativity,” Penumbra, 651-224-3180 12/15, Wed., 11:00 a.m., “Charlotte’s Web,” Theatre- 12/28, Tue., 2:00 p.m., “Rent,” works/USA at St. John’s U, Ordway Music Theatre, 651Humphrey Theatre, Collegeville 224-4222, TTY 651-282-3100 12/17, Fri., 7:30 p.m., 1/6, Thur., 7:30 p.m., “Under “Cinderella,” Children’s Milkwood,” Jungle Theater, Theatre Co., 612-874-0400 612-822-7063 12/17, Fri., 7:00 p.m., “Water~Stone Publication Reading,” Sundin Hall, Hamline University, 651-5232047
1/12, Wed., 10:00 p.m., “The Frog Prince,” Ctr'l MN Children’s Theater 320-259-0250
1/14, Fri., 7:00 p.m., “The Frog Prince,” Central MN Child12/18, Sat., 8:00 p.m., “La ren’s Theater 320-259-0250 Posada,” Teatro del Pueblo, at Park Square Theater, 651- Audio Described 224-4222 12/11, Sat., 2:00 p.m., “Late Night Catechism,” Ordway 12/19, Sun., 2:00 p.m., “Best McKnightTheatre, 651-224Christmas Pageant Ever,” 4222, TTY 651-282-3100 SteppingStone Theatre, Landmark Center, 651-225-9265 * 12/12, Sun., 2:00 p.m., “Gyre,” In the Heart of the Beast Theatre, 612-721-2535
12/17, Sat., 3:00 p.m., “Pounding Hooves of Mu Daiko,” Theater Mu, Southern Theater, 612-340-1725
pass on the gene that causes my eye disease to my children. I share the experience of being given this message from society with Dr. Marsha Saxton who has spina-bifida. Saxton is an activist and educator on prenatal testing. At 13 she was told by a doctor that she could have sex, but she shouldn’t have children because she might “create babies like her.” As I’ve grown older my reasons for choosing not to have children have changed, but questions about my DNA linger. Through living with disabilities, I have come to understand that disability is not the worst thing that can happen. Yet I have experienced first hand my sister’s fear when she had to accompany my niece (who was 14 at the time) to the eye doctor. The doctor told my sister that my niece’s maculas, (an area in the center of the eye’s retina), are “lighter than normal.” This could be the sign of trouble to come, or it could mean nothing.
12/19, Sun., 1:00 p.m., “A Christmas Carol,” sensory tour 11:00 a.m., Guthrie As my sister prepared to go Theater, 612-377-2224, 800- for this exam with her daughter, she was almost immobi848-4912, TTY 612-377-6626 lized by fear. Even after 12/19, Sun., 2:00 p.m., having two siblings with “Season’s Greetings,” disabilities living active, proTheatre in the Round, 612- ductive lives, the fear of disability, or what she might 333-3010 hear, nearly stopped her from 12/28, Tue., 2:00 p.m., “Rent,” going. I listened to her story Ordway Music Theatre, 651- quietly, but thought to myself, “haven’t you learned 224-4222, TTY 651-282-3100 anything from watching Tom 12/30, Thurs., 7:30 p.m., and I make our way in the “Under Milkwood,” Jungle world?” Maybe she has. Maybe what she has learned Theater, 612-822-7063 is how hard the daily struggles *1/16, Sun., 8:00 p.m., are and she doesn’t want that “Whirligig: Life and Perspective 101,” Loring Playhouse, 612-623-9396
for her child. Unfortunately, what she hasn’t learned is what richness can come from living this life. That is what this whole question of prenatal testing and genetic engineering does. It brings up the question of the value of a life. Eva Cottee, a philosopher, wrote a paper on the question, “Does selective abortion for disability send a message that a life with disability isn’t worth living?” Cottee has two children, one with severe disabilities and one who is non disabled. She articulates well why this is such a thorny and emotional issue. She says, “I think few things are as difficult for humans as disabilities they themselves do not have. Few differences — not race, not gender, not religion — are as threatening to a person’s notion of self. A man won’t turn into the devalued woman, a white into the devalued black, a Christian into the devalued Jew, but the able can turn into the devalued disabled at the next turn in the road. You would think, therefore, that prejudice against the disabled would be contained, confined, because after all, at any time “I” could turn into “them.” Instead, such a possibility only increases prejudice, avoidance, and stigma. We can’t prevent accidents, they’re a part of life, but we are at the dawn of being able to prevent some genetic disabilities. By July of 2000, scientists will have mapped every gene it takes to create a human being. What does this mean for people with disabili-
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ties that are genetic? I believe the next century will be pivotal for people with disabilities in many ways. If a pregnant woman refuses prenatal testing, will her insurance company deny her coverage? If her child is born with a genetic “anomaly,” that can be “fixed,” and she chooses not to “fix” it, what will be the ramifications of that decision? One thing those of us who have given this subject some thought know is that there will always be disability, no matter how advanced medical science becomes. This is a fact some non disabled people are unwilling or unable to face. Some activists use the word genocide to describe what’s happening to embryos and fetuses with potential disabilities every day. Perhaps that word is too strong. Certainly decisions are being made now, and technologies continue to be created, that will profoundly affect the coming generations of people with disabilities. Who will decide whether living with a disability is a “life worth living,” or a “wrongful life?” In the next several months we hope to explore this subject in more depth. Let us know if there are specific areas you would like to read or write about. Q Lolly Lijewski is the Manager of the Advocacy Department at The Metropolitan Center For Independent Living and can be reached at (651) 603-2022.
* Asterisked performances are eligible for Reduced Admission Prices through Access to Theatre, funded by United Arts and VSA Arts of Minnesota.
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December 10, 1999
Sports Beat
Hawks Win Tournament In Two Divisions
METRO MOBILITY-
by Craig McClellan and Luke Pedersen
While state legislative leaders have recently proposed $400 million in new spending for road and bridge projects, it’s hard to find anyone suggesting that it’s time to fund Metro Mobility at a level adequate to comply with federal law. When asked why this might be the case, Scott Rostron at the Minnesota State Council on Disability points out that “...people with disabilities are seen as a small and powerless constituency,” making disability-related programs relatively attractive targets for budget cuts.
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t. Paul Humboldt became the first school in state history to win both divisions of a state adapted athletics tournament with victories in the athletes with physical impairments (POHI) and athletes with mental handicaps or cognitive impairments (MH) at the State Adapted soccer tournament held Nov. 12 and 13, at Stillwater Area High School.
In the MH division the Hawks defeated Minneapolis Roosevelt, 9-2, in the quarterfinal game and pounded Park Center, 14-2, in the semi-final match. The championship game did not prove to be much harder for the Hawks, beating South Suburban, 114, to end a near perfect season. In the POHI Division, Humboldt completed their perfect season with a 2-1 victory over White Bear Lake in the championship game. The Hawks defeated South Surburban, 15-1, in the quarterfinal game and defending champion Park Center, 31, in the semi-finals. It was Humboldt’s first POHI championship in any of the three adapted sports: soccer, floor hockey or softball.
The Humboldt Hawks not only dominated in the State Tournament, but suffered no losses during the regular season. The Hawks finished the regular season with a 7-02 record in the MH division and a 8-0-0 record in the POHI division. Both teams came into the tournament seeded No. 1, in their respective division.
Cont. from p. 6 money to meet the demand for its services, then Minnesota may have a lawsuit of its own to deal with before too long.
Disability-rights activists suspect that many citizens of Minnesota fail to understand the importance of Metro Mobility - and the larger issue of equal access to public transportation - for people with disabilities. After all, they say, what good is it to
have the right to employment if you can’t make it in to work? Mr. Rostron expressed the views of many people with disabilities when he stated that “as long as Metro Mobility is seen as a ‘feelgood’ social service rather than as an integral part of our urban mass transit system, we will continue to have problems getting adequate funding.” The backlash against the Americans with Disabilities Act has been fueled, in part, by those who say that the law is meant to give “special” rights to people with disabilities. The case of paratransit shows just how wrong that is. The regulations specify that the transit service for the people with disabilities in our community must be “comparable” to that provided for the able-bodied people in our community. That’s not a matter of “special” rights; that’s a matter of civil rights.
Martha Hage’s RADIO SHOW Disabled & Proud, It’s Not An Oxymoron Dec 14: Mark Dzuik Freedom of Speech, an organization specializing in assistive technology Dec 21: Brenda Brown, US Census Dec 28: The past, present & future for people with disabilities Jan 4: Michael Cohen, Disability Awareness in the Workplace Jan 11: Catherine Durizage, Director of the Minnesota Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped in Faribault
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LEGALSECRETARY Full Time & Job Share
TEACHERS Early Childhood
Gray Plant Mooty is a 120+ attorney law firm located in downtown Minneapolis. Due to our expanding practice, we are seeking experienced full time and job share legal secretaries. Accurate typing speed of 65+ wpm, Microsoft Word experience extremely helpful. We offer an attractive work environment, competitive salaries and an outstanding benefits package. Send resume with cover letter to: Human Resources, Gray Plant Mooty, 3400 City Center, 33 So. 6th St., Mpls, MN 55402 or fax to: 612-3330066. Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer
Early Learning Center needs energetic and creative individuals to develop and provide an educational and learning environment for preschool children. Provide positive learning environment for children. Would be responsible for coordinating daily learning environment and activities and assessing children’s skills. Must have Minnesota Department of Human Services License or be Teacher Qualified (CDA qualified). Must have good interpersonal relations skills. Teaching experience and knowledge of High/Scope or related Early Childhood curriculum desirable. Experience working with diverse populations would be helpful.
ATTORNEY So. MN Regional Legal Services seeks atty. to work on Fam. Law cases in Mankato. Span. or SE. Asian lang. skills pref’d. Salary DOE. Resumes to: Larry Nicol; SMRLS; P.O. Box 3304; Mankato, MN 56002-3304. EO/AAE. PROGRAM COORDINATOR University Young Women University of Minnesota
Program Coordinator for University Young Women at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Student-run, anti-oppression women’s group. 2030 hours a week, $10/hr + benefits. Women and transfolk from diverse backgrounds encouraged to apply. Send resume to U-YW, Room 2, 720 Washington Ave. SE, Mpls, MN 55414. Application deadline Dec 17, 1999. For more information, please call 612/625-0607 voice/ TTY. uyw@tc.umn.edu; (612) 625-1611 voice; (612) 615-0607 voice/TTY.
EXTENSION EDUCATOR, CROP SYSTEMS OTTER TAIL COUNTY— WEST AND CLUSTER 7, FERGUS FALLS, MN U Of Minnesota Extension Service
Required: A bachelor’s degree in a crop-related major in an education, technology or business major with an emphasis in crops; course work in crop production or crop physiology, farming systems, agricultural economics, business or farm management, agricultural technology, environmental quality, integrated pest management; acceptance into a graduate program or academic achievement at a level qualifying the applicant for admission to graduate study; excellent verbal and written communication skills; We offer a competitive salary, experience in a related profesfull benefits and tuition reim- sional field. bursement. If you have questions contact Sheila at 612- Preferred: A master’s degree; 872-2764. Apply in person: knowledge of corn, wheat, LNB, 1925 Nicollet, Mpls., soybean and crop producMon-Thurs 9-4 p.m. Agency tion; teaching methods; eduapplication required. Applica- cation program needs assesstion review is ongoing and ment; organization developcontinues until position is ment, design, delivery, and evaluation; networking; team filled. collaboration; work with meEOE dia; work with economically and/or culturally diverse auBRIDGE/ STRUCTURAL diences; supervision; comTECHNICIAN puter word processing, data2-4 years recent experience on base management and/or other bridge and structure projects. specialized software; grant AUTOCAD experience re- writing; volunteer managequired, Microstation desir- ment; applied research; and leadership. able. For the above position, send resume to: SRF Consulting Group, Inc., Suite 150, One Carlson Parkway North, Minneapolis, MN 55447 or to web site: www.srfconsulting.com EOE
Deadline for materials: January 15, 1999. To obtain complete position announcement & application materials, call U of MN Human Resources at 612/624-3717, or download from Web page: www.extension.umn.edu/extension/jobs.html. The U of MN is an equal opportunity educator and employer. RECEPTIONIST/CLERK TYPIST
Ramsey Cty adv
ATTORNEY Western. MN Legal Services seeks atty. for general civil caseload with special focus on family law. M/B licensed/ willing take next bar. Starting salary: $28,000- 42,000 D.O.E. Good benefits, incl. full family hlth ins. Start: 1/2/00 Resume, ref & writing sample by 12/15 (apps accepted until position filled): Patricia Ruble, WMLS, 620 Litchfield Ave. SW, #101, Willmar, MN 56201. EOE
HENN. Cont. from p. 6
December 10, 1999 SENIORCIVILENGINEER
SRF Consulting Group, Inc. is seeking a Professional Engineer to work in Municipal & Highway Engineering Design. SRF is a well established & growing transportation planning & engineering firm in the Twin Cities, providing services to the Midwest Region. The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, professional registration, & 6-10 years applicable experience. Applicants must have good communication & supervisory skills & have knowledge of civil engineering as applied to street & highway design, sanitary sewer, watermain & storm drainage systems. Salary commensurate with experience plus excellent benefits. For the above position, send resume to: SRF Consulting Group, Inc., Suite 150, 1 Carlson Pkwy. N., Mpls., MN 55447; fax to Letty Nelson (612) 475-2429 or to web site www.srfconsulting.com EOE
RELIGION - Cont. from p. 4 God did not choose to give me a disabled child. God did not choose Emily to be disabled. God watches, probably in great pain, as this imperfect world proceeds. God did not directly intervene in our circumstances, but God does, and will always, remain close by, offering strength. The only thing we need to do in our strength is look to God. That evening in the ICU God did speak to me. If God had given me the typical baby and had given the other family Emily, my child - Emily - would be dying. I realized then that though I had longed for Emily to be typical Emily could not be replaced. Emily was my daughter biologically, yes; but mainly the child of my heart. And Emily was the child God was offering to help me raise, love and accept. God was there not because I was good, bad, deserving, special
up on life, and believe me, life hasn’t been all happy. Everywhere I went was a struggle. Suffering from alcoholism since age 12 wasn’t and isn’t any fun going through. Since meeting John (Bollig) and Lloyd (Goulet), I have made some good progress. My attitude went from bad to good. I learned so much in the past 3 years. I was going to college, to become an EMT-Paramedic, and John and Lloyd were very encouraging to me. For the first time in my life I am learning to love others and myself. For the first time in my life, people care. And for the first time in my life, someone listened to me. This is what keeps the world turning. It’s all about human emotion.” (CJ Door/ manage their lives. For FTS) example, some clients have “My name is Bill Cross and secured safe housing while I’ve been on the Project 15 continuing to use drugs and months. First of all I am very alcohol, while other clients grateful to John (Bollig) and have chosen not to use drugs Lloyd (Goulet), they have and alcohol as a way of life. both been very helpful to me getting back into the human The changes Project clients race. I got into my own have made in their lives have apartment, I’ve gone camp- resulted in major reductions ing, to movies, played base- in the inappropriate use of ER ball on the county team and I services and detox services work on the Volunteer Pro- by them. Over the last three gram. I plan to move in with years there were 2120 fewer my girlfriend and share the detox admissions and 899 less responsibility of rent, phone hospital ER encounters. and food. I am truly blessed for my spirit within to be able According to John Bollig, RN, to share my strength and Manager, Street Case Manhope with the other clients on agement Project, “The esthe Project. The counties sence of the Project is that need to take a look at this each client has an equal role project, it works, and I’m a living example.” (Bill Cross)
So. MN Regional Legal Services seeks a Recep./CT. Excel. comm. skills req’d. Bilingual (Sp./Eng.) prefd. Salary DOE. Resumes to: Ardys Korstad; SMRLS; P.O. Box 3304; Mankato, MN 56002- The clients on this Project have found ways to better 3304. EO/AAE.
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or able. God was there because God is God and God has chosen to raise, love, accept and enable me. Why me? Because I am a child of God’s heart. Questions to consider What parts of “Emily’s arrival” are also your story? What parts were surprising to you? What parts of your life would you include in such a brief history? What events in your life have been most significant in shaping you and your family? Did you realize it at the time? At what points in your life has your dialogue with God been most intense? Q in the outcome of the Project. This Project is owned by the clients. Success or failure of the Project is up to each client. This Project is a success because the clients have created success.” The planning team will continue to inform consumers and other stakeholders regarding the next planning phase by a quarterly newsletter and other press releases. If you would like to receive this information, please call Bill Blom or Julie Wegscheid at 612-348-2200 (voice) or 612596-6758 (TTY). This column is a paid insertion by the Hennepin County Demonstration Project for People with Disabilities.
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December 10, 1999
CLASSIFIEDS
Reach 11,000 Active, Interested Readers with ACCESS PRESS Classifieds. $8 up to 20 words, 35¢/word thereafter. Mail with check to: ACCESS PRESS, 1821 University Ave W, #185N, St. Paul, MN 55104; (651) 644-2133 FOR SALE 3 and 4 Wheel Mobility Scooters, Scooter lifts and ramps. New scooters from $1,975.00. Free in-home demonstration. Sales and services. FastServ Medical. (320) 654-0434 (St. Cloud) or toll free 1-888-565-0434. 3 and 4 Wheel Scooter Repair. We repair Amigo, Bruno, Electric Mobility, most brands. New and used scooters for sale. Buy, sell & trade. FastServ Medical. (320) 654-0434 (St. Cloud) or toll free 1888-565-0434. E & J Record Vision rigid frame wheelchair. 14" width seat, 24" regular & primo tires. Excellent condition. $1000 or B.O. Call Jaime at 218-624-4737 or 651765-9195.
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HOME FOR SALE CD of love songs www.song One level townhome in Blaine. foryou.com 2-Bedroom, roll-in ceramic shower, patio, gas fireplace, cen1984 GMC Vandura conv. van. tral air, dishwasher, humidifier/air Raised roof, crow river lift, w/ purifier on furnace. Two-car atextra folding platform. 98,000 tached garage, maintenance-free mi., many new parts. No rust, TX exterior, new roof and siding. winters. Very sharp van in exc. $97,000. 612-717-7302. condition. $9000/offer, call Deb at 651-459-2466. FOR RENT Seward Square Apartments: We Uni-lift, simple electric, platform are currently accepting applicais 26x36. Like new condition. tions for our waiting list at Seward $400/offer, call Deb at 651-459- Square Apartments in Minne2466.
apolis. Seward Square is barrierfree housing and is federally subsidized. For an application, please call (612) 338-2680. Equal Opportunity Housing. Lewis Park Apartments: Barrier free housing with wheelchair user in mind. Section 8 subsidized. One and two bedroom units. For more information on availability call 651/488-9923. St. Paul, MN Equal Opportunity Housing. Holmes-Greenway Housing One and two bedroom apartments designed for physically handicapped persons. Convenient SE Minneapolis location. Call 612/ 378-0331 for availability information. Equal Opportunity Housing.
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