1,
Public Forum - p. 2
"Let Heaven and - Nature Sing" -p. 7
"Ajourney is a person in itseg no two are alike. -John Steinbeck 99
1
Access Press Volume 8, Number 1
January 10,1997
RESOURCES
SOURCES
1
AT THE CAPITOL IN 1997 Priorities for the New Session The 1997 Legislative Session opened on January 7th. As usual, many disability-related issues will be decided In the areas of health care, human services, transportation,
and; 6) dispute resolution. For a copy of the MN CCD Core Principles, call Tom Brick at The Minnesota State Council on Disability (296-3478) or Bob Brick at Arc Minnesota
The disability community
;-Comprehensive
Health
. f@&@WX
.
proposals and provide input from the consumer's point of view. DHS will introduce legislation to ~mplementa demonstration project to create alternative managed care organizations in whichservicesfor
Hennepin Parks has
s u is &- -si&mce Managed Care for regarding the Prepaid M d i -
ordinration; 3) weeas; 43 swiwingfd conenamw in.-.~vdvemmt;5 ) choke in &itvidlial Wth c m W s h , I
tion.*ofW i Caunfk ma2 have additiond prqmd;. l l e ~ lcommunii ~ ty m& k"&p of these
- Grit. on g, 3
take
hi mr unusual perfor-
This is a rare opportunity to talk with rt number of news outlet qmmentatives at once. We encourage you to attend
.
. Are you concerned with the direction
Do we need more consumer protection in our health car system?
Educational technical assistance Consultation an right4 provided Education Resource Referral * Education program development and legislative watch.
ON DISABILITY
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care; Continuity of care; Disclosure of finan- at (612) 874-4288, or 1-800-582-5296 ext. cia1 incentives to providers; whistle blow& 288. Fectionh gag clausas; Consumer adGOce appeal Presented by Health Care Consumer Proteccate .program; Indepen process. tion alliance, a coalition of consumer and, provider organizations. As our health
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ACCESS PRESS is a monthly tabloid newspaper published for persons with disabilkies b Access Press, Ltd. Circulation is 10,000, distributed the 10"' of each month through more than 120 L a t ~ o n s statewide. Approximately 650 copies are mailed directly to political, business, institutional and civic leaders. Subscriptions are available for SISlyr.
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Jankry %O, 1997
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Access Press
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ptimistic But Cautious
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A Powerful Union
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by Ginny Thornburgh
ewhat ourpriorities wilt be Thisisreally notthatnew ofan
few weeks ago, I read a St. etc. 1 Pioneer Press article on ility. I looked up the word After reading this article, I attempt.
abilities look for in a congre- present to the person. ularly used the sit ski last winter while recovering from a broken ankle. "The sit ski is very enjoyable to use and is good for upper body conditioning," explained Carlson.
Thanks to the workout he received on the sit ski, Carlson skied the 52 kilometer Birkebeiner cross-country ski racejust days aflerhis cast was removed.
According to McDowell, the ideaforthesit ski originated in Norway by aman unwilling to give up cross-country skiing after contracting polio as an poles and used them to propel himself in a fiberglass sled. Sit skis used today were conceived'hm this simple idea and have evolved since the early to mid-1980's.
For w h c ~ l t u m nworking nrh mll groups or expum*ncd e d u a w n In rho cl.rrroam TWD for change o n i n proarms r h c a n b. wad r p n mi a p n by
As with any athletic activity, the ability to recognize one's own skill level is the greatest asset in learning to use the sit ski. Use of the sit ski requires balance, stamina and upper body strength, especially on challenging terrain. Other basic skill requirements for using the sit ski include the ability to get in and out of the sit ski independently or with the assistance of a companion, the ability tomaintain balance and control speed while on the
cuts, designated parking places, improved lighting and sound systems, large print, Braille and taped materials as
ship " Conferences.
ASSISTED SUICIDE
preters - can also serve the
are encouraged to reserve one ahead of time by calling the specific park where they intend to ski. For further information, or for a list of other adaptive recreation equipment available at Hennepin Parks, call 5599000. Though not available for rent, there are sit skis designed for children as well. In conjunction with outdoor education programs at Eastman Nature Center, Hennepin Parks staff utilizes a child's sit ski for various interpretiveprograms. In addition, Hennepin Parks will facilitate a program this
gg$ Midway Building 1 University Avenue W. ite #330 So., St. Paul
ce will be limited so, to insure that there will be roo I1 the Access Press office at 644-2 133 befo
Available 24 hours per day
popl* r l l d#Kanns Iharnmg rbilld*~ A pmlopawr, and acc-ulYe duonon p r q n m lor y o h and adultr wtch C v 'opnunpl dl&lklar Took for Chanp Is fl.mblo -8h for a 1 .ran(. d I-img a b l d a Tmlr (or C h g o a n bo used m r . K - a d v c a q gmup m r . l u b l u h n hclld*r. In rmdandal semi<* programs. m d in du rhur0am-u a s q a n r m progrm pa 01 a Iargar curriculum
Awdak Oclokr 1.1996 by raUnf
1-800-64.11-
TcTW w r n t n g Chmw T w l h s
ACTsonmpM~nghuapmam~bladfor pmm, 4*mad cnd .dla dsawla Pmccdr Imn TmhIbOlmle~vpponc)*~~PIm
.
sistance of a companion.
to ski using a variety of sit skis and sleds. For further inforSit skis designed for adults are mation about sit skis for chilavailable for rent at French dren, call 559-6755. Regional Park, 559-889 1 ; Hyland Lake Park Reserve, This article is based on infor941-4362; and Baker Park mation from the Suburban Reserve, 473-4 1 14. Park vis- Hennepin RegionalParkDisitors wishing to rent a sit ski trict. .
Our Rehabilitative Services include: Physical/ Occupational/SpeechlRespiratoryTherapies PCA Provider Organization MAIWaiverlMedicare Certified
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January 10,1997
5
3n Mental Illness
Hello Nicole:.
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m
Y liybecamespinalcot.dinjured. pendently, I suggest you start is that all ywhave;todo i s d l 1 The Americans with Disabil- law and the problems I have, Tessa has her own unique . per. in one of yomcotumns by looking through breAccess them and they do dre work in ities Act (ADA) defines a ser- let me state how Tessa actual- sonality, as do most animals. Psm advertisers. Here you findingandqzmizingthedif- vice animal as one trained to ly assists me. Basically, she However, she seemsto be very
canfUldsomeverygdsom- f e p w k e s a n b e q & p m e n t es far ramps9aff-le vads you nee&
provide assistance to an individual with a disabilit);. Dispossible, Ibolie\reyqbt and tnedical supply cornpaabilities do not need to be ob& ! & ~nppiycornpa- Fin&& fuaerncial k i p will be vious for a person to benefit start. Do you k v f : any sug- nies will sell grab bars and thehdwk Xsifefkdwswwk from using a service animal. gesdons about how to flnd orber ~ipmmt.It's just zt to Mlp'5faa,&id a RXnService animals to mentally ramp,yyabbt~%ii&eapv~fl mattex of wdlihg am@ & to b@ -(if disabled persons are usually 41the new things f S ~ l d h g a i ~ , ~ p % m y y~ ~ n\ se > i ~ ~ ~there a fko called ~ ~ ,"emotional support will ne&? It also St?ems: pt%S@& %kt.&pf%%dhfl,m t @k~\mih&ktob!ppe~. dogs". Most public places, f * ~ ~ ~ ~ and often officers of -public like we win haveto t'emadd o o n y ~ ~ t y p e o @&thekhMm* Ow b h X & l ~ .Do yau sug- may be able to get some af m~~'actXssibb. Occasion- law enforcement, are not well @st S#lXWW who &do thesetbia$s wid for by gobg db3hreceive versed in the Technical Manumit? 1s that! some h d h g t o I h r o a & ~ m e d i d ~ & ~ ~pubkhelp,Woften the help a1 of the ADA (Section 11pany.. (3tbnvh,MCK(f%6- isonbe~~w-intwesthfmma 4.2300) which discusses serhelp us wc0mp6sb'oiff ~b-2 83421 sells wed @quipmer)t, t h e ~ ~ e ~ viceanimalsandaccessibility. 9 ~ ~ ~ t ; everything fFom wheelchairs may also be able to help ia Siahly* and ramps to vans and beds. fiphgout if, based on yaw Being totally disabled (menchf%wh&ad<Mothet MCIL can also be used as a specificsi~ion,tliereis~~~le tally, not physically), I have g f W resource far all kinds of fimcfing you rtxeivc I'd chosen to incorporate a serthings including refer&, Dear Overwhelmed, work with Lifelim and MCIL vice animal into my life. Since clmds, support groups and on thk om. . . mydisabilityisnotreadilydisTlnank you fotaskhg! Ithfnk political issue$ dis' <. cemible to the lay public, I it's great that you laeghgto atdedlifk-Isugg~geton I r e d h t h ~ a ~ % h Ui w @e ~ t - encounter many obstacles elp your daughter adjust to their mailing list. ma% ofthnct, money aad ef- when my companion accomer new life situation as fully f w b u t aside fitam@uing~n- panies me during daily activiacceptance md ties. My companion, Tessa possible. There are a cou- There isalsoa w ~ c o m conditionat ple of general suggestions I paoy called Lifeline Co& lov%*th$yarethsmost @IU%- (an eight pound Silky Terrier), [kave for whm to start om nt&g stmkes (771-1 1933, t a l ~ C W ~ #capu p & tohelp- I does not-look like she could
I
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helps me to be more responsible. One of my disorders is behaviorallattitudinal. Which means I wouldjust as soon tell someone off or antagonize a situation instead of dealirig with it productively. When Tessa is with me, 1 think twice about what 1 say or do. Mostly this is because I will not let anything happen to her. If I antagonize the police and they arrest me for disorderly conduct (which has happened), they will put me in jail and Tessa in the pound. This is an event she has never experienced, nor will she as long as I have a choice in the matter. I made a commitment when I got Tessa to care for her and her needs. This translates into making sure she has food, water, exercise and proper health care. Thing care of these most basic needs is often enough to force me to get up
in tune with me. She seems to be able to sense my moods and act accordingly. One time I was sitting on the floor crying when Tessa came and sat on my lap and licked my tears until 1stopped crying.' I never asked her to come to me, she just did. She even let me huddle over her on the floor to hug her during a normal play time. Only a couple of weeks ago, she earned her keep as a service dog. - My - emotional support companion kept me from committingsuicideontwosep arate days. I was in one of the deepest depressed times I've had in a long time. All 1wanted to do was to sit, sulk and wish life was over. As I was getting my affairs in order on paper, Tessa cuddled in my lap and kissed me as to say "Mommy, l love you and need you, Please don't leave me." She knew that this was a time
is house-broken, so if I don't leave me alone, she was conwant to get out ofbed to let her stantly on my lap kissing me.
access. Often, I encounter se- her responsible for making a where she was normally sleep
Accessible Arts PerformancesI -
.The following is a list of per- Lune, Mpls. formances that are audio described and American Sign JustASL Interpreted 1.anguage (ASL) interpreted. January 8,1997, Wednesday, 8:00 p.m., "Sunset BouleASL Interpreted and vard", Orpheum Theater, Audio Described M~ls. January 1 5, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., 'Bus Stopn, Jungle January 30, Thursday, 1:00 Theater, Mpk. a.m. & 1:00 p.m., February 2, Sunday, 2:00p.m., 'The AdJanuary 17th, Friday, 8:00 ventures of Tom Sawyer", p.m., "The Three Muske- Child's Play Theater, Eisenteersn, Theatre De La Jeaune hower Community Center,
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Hopkins. February 16, Sunday, 2:00 p.m., 'Sweet Freedom: The Harriet Tubman Story", Stepping Stone Theater, WeverhaeuserAuditoriumum St. Paul.
from the state", to "Only neitherwill she allow me to do favorite toy to throw for her. seeing-eye dogs are allowed". so. Mental - cont. on p. 8 It is difficult to deal with the , ignorance of those causing AT these hassles. Plus, the proof Mental Health ofdisabilitvforwhich thev ask personal care service simply doks not exist ir; the state of Minnesota. Having to p r o v e m y ~ g ~ t t o ~ e a c c o m p2925 a ~ Dean Parkway, #814, Mpls., MN (61 2) 929-0414 nied by my companion becomesmyproblem,ratherthan that ofthose attempting to enforce a law with which they obviously are not familiar-
I
JustAudio Described February 2, Sunday,2:OOp.m., 'Someone Who'll Watch Over Men, Theatre in the Now that I'Ve summarized the Round, Minneapolis.
HOUSING AND PERSONAL CARE SERVICES Accessible Space, Inc. (ASL) offers subsidized one and two bedroom apartments for individuals with physical disabilities. We have apartment buildings in a variety of locations in Twin Cities Metropolitan area plus'Mankato, St Cloud, Brainerd, Grand Rapids, Hibbing, Austin and Marshall. New apartment buildings are under construction in Willmar and Duluth. Apartments are fully wheelchair accessible, and each has a central laundry room, large community room, secured entry, onsite caretaker. AS1 also provides shared personal care services on a 24 hour basis at most locations for adults with a physical disability andlor traumatic brain injury who qualifL for Medical Assistance. For more information regarding services call Leigh or for apartment rental information call Dora at (612)645-7271 or (800)466-7722.
Accessible Space, Inc. .
LTD*
Handi Medical Supply 2505 University Avenue West St. Paul, Minnesota 55114 At Hwy. 280 8 University Avenue
(612) 644-9770 111
Visit Our Large, Fully-stocked showroom open to the public. Wheelchairslwith complete repair service Walkerslcanes, crutches Bathroom safety aids lncontinentlUrological supplies
Commode & shower chairs Ostomyland wound care Blood pressure equipment Diabetic supplies
. We offer 24 hr. Emergency Service w v e l v to our regular customers. Free UPS and deliveries to Mpls., St. Paul & Suburbs.
pq lml
We bill M.A., Medicare, Blue Cross/BlueShield, Media and man
111
January 10,1997
by Gordon Gillesby
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how to eat, where to encounter porcelain fixtures to relieve our internal When using an SE, and finding yourpressures, how to get to the grocery self with enough responses to your store, what to do when we get there, keyword search to start an employand so forth. advanced features of BL to narrow Our ancestors long-term survival the computer's response to somedepended on noticing the details of thing youcanreasonably use. Here's life around them and storing the in- how it works: formation as memories. All ofwhich camenaturally fiombirth; S o , F m e r Suppose I want to find information Joe -your great, great grandfather about a car. Say, Ford Taurus. I -spent his life remembering a host could search using the keyword of seemingly useless information on "Ford". This will likely return severthe chance it might come in handy al million responses rangingfrom the later. His, and ultimately your, sur- Life of Henry Ford, the Ford Founviva1 depended on it. dation, every Ford Dealership on the Internet, The Hitchhiker's Guide to Fast forward to themodern computer the Galaxy (Ford Prefect), Actor age and this column, the third in a Hanison Ford and anyone who hapseries about using Internet Search pens to be named Ford. Not useful. Engines (SE). There may seem to be no relationship between the intro- Therefore, I ask the SE to refine the duction and what follows (except in keyword search by being more spe-
to get all the previous answers plus a time, I'll look at some specific SE's er of To: is about computers, whole mess of astrology and astron- and how well they do the job. omy stuff that I'm not interested in really want is an "AND search to SE's. If you master their use, you this column with Access fmd the entrieswith BOTH the Ford keyword AND the Taurus keyword. Now you've eliminated 90% of the unwanted material, because the SE willreturnONLYthoseentrieswhich have both keywords in them. This meansyou'renow dealingwithsomething specific lo Ford Automobiles. The search can be fiuther refined with additional keywords AND added tothe list: "Dealerships" ifyou're looking for prices; "Minnesota" if you're interested only in dealers in Minnesota;"repair" or "Chilton's" if you want to fix the car you own. Search Engines themselves some-
n ~ r o f e s s i o n aDirectory ~ Call 644-2133
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cation and supplemental a p by the Great American Histoplication to be submitted no cy Tlieatr*, ig &mb;ing "ut its honesty. T e l l ~ g later than 1/22/97. together from intedews of f m e r residents and ariginaf d0;Cmentsfromthestatehoe
there. Watching and workiug with ~ ~ introduced dw- the actors, some d w h o m had Aa resolution ia$ the 1996 state legislative their own experiences with sssion to require the state to state hospital, Beverage said apologize to the thousands of "We are a he11 of a lot more
timatel), is abk # lathe lave suits, but k t Heaven and aterhasno plans to continueto sharedby two residents shm ' NufweSing and the Remem- stage the play after its limited beringwith Dignityprqjectare run, but Beveragehopes a new
I I 1 0Limited income subscription: $5
issues and attitudes still surround us today. We need to