September 1999 Edition - Access Press by Access Press

Inside  Hmong Outreach — p. 3

Volume 10, Number 9

Courage Center Awards — Page 7

SOURCES

September 10, 1999

“We need more people who specialize in the impossible.” — Theodore Roethke

RESOURCES

September 10, 1999

LOSING OUR CHILDREN Women With Disabilities Struggle For Custody by Kaye Henry Since this story aims to raise issues regarding child custody for parents with disabilities, rather than spark battles over specific cases, the names of individuals have been changed, and counties are not identified.

T Doris McFaggan receives Army Commendation and Good Conduct medals for Korean service in the 1970s.

Common Vision Compromise by Charlie Smith, Editor

reached, but is under negotiation.

At that time, Commissioner Earl Wilson made assurances that he would do his best to fund the program with resources within the Department of Economic Security (MDES). After a series of meetings between MDES and ACT, a compromise has been reached for the first year of the biennium. MDES will provide $57,980 of the original $125,000 appropriated for this year. The funds will be targeted for Common Vision Leadership Training with people with developmental disabilities. An agreement for the second year of the biennium has not been

Senator Jerry Janezich (DFL), Chair of the Senate Economic Development Budget Division and author of the Common Vision legislation says, “I’m disappointed in the governor’s veto. As author of this legislation I am very pleased that an agreement was reached between ACT and the Department. It is my hope that funding can be found for the second year of the biennium.” According to ACT, department officials have expressed interest in exploring options for second year funding. “We are meeting both ACT’s and Rehab. Services goals through this solution and we will continue to explore other ways to partner to serve our joint customers,” says MDES Assistant Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services Mick Coleman. Kim Rezek, Director of RS Contract Services for MDES, points out that “People with disabilities will benefit from this partnership because empowerment training will now be a service in both our vocational rehabilitation and inde-

n June, Access Press reported on Governor Ventura’s veto of a line-item in the Minnesota Department of Economic Security’s budget that would have provided a $250,000 appropriation f o r Advocating Change Together’s Common Vision Leadership Program. Common Vision teaches self-advocacy, community organizing and empowerment skills to people with developmental disabilities. Its goal is to develop leadership skills that people can use to achieve equality.

pendent living programs.” Historically, people with developmental disabilities have not had control over the services they receive or the accommodations made for them in the community. Policy makers and institution administrators set policies or drafted regulations, and people using the services experienced the results. Their desires for education or dignified employment went unheard. This trend has changed. Disability rights activists, self-advocates and their allies have worked hard to ensure that persons with disabilities be in charge of these issues and that they have the skills to make their voices heard. The ACT-sponsored Common Vision Leadership Training Program builds leaders within the developmental disability community and ensures that they learn skills to act on their own behalf at home, at work and in the communities in which they live. David Harris, ACT Board President, is pleased that something has been worked out for the first year. “Programs for people with disabili-

Act - cont. on p. 10

hree Twin Cities mothers with disabilities told Access Press their stories about losing custody of their children. All feel they were unfairly judged to be unfit parents primarily on the basis of their disabilities. They feel that county social workers and court officers too easily remove children from parents with disabilities rather than providing in-home supports which would keep families intact. The women state social workers often assume disabilities prevent good parenting, and make snap decisions without carefully evaluating reallife situations, pull children from their homes, then put the parents through years of testing-meanwhile the children have been hurt more by the disruption than they would have been at home. And it’s hard to fight the system when there are few attorneys who effectively represent persons with disabilities, they say. Erin Sullivan Sutton, state di rector of Family and Children’s Services, says counties follow federal and state law aimed at family preservation, but that federal and state law also calls for removal of children when they are endangered by neglect or abuse in the home. Disabilities of parents in and of themselves are not grounds for removal.

Jill Jill, 39, believes her blindness is the main reason she had to “jump through hoops” to

prove herself as a parent to social services for six years to regain full custody of her children. As a young mother in Colorado in 1984, Jill suddenly lost custody of her three children, ages 3, 4 and 6, when her husband was suspected of, but never charged with, sexual abuse of the younger two kids. The children were placed in foster care for two and onehalf years, while Jill was required to meet a long list of demands from social services. Told she must break off contact with her husband, she separated from him in 1985 but couldn’t afford to divorce him until 1989. Once he was out of the home, Jill felt the county focused on the issue of her blindness. Although “legally blind” and unable to drive a vehicle, Jill had 20/200 vision that allowed her to do most things required of a parentcooking, housekeeping, child care, and holding a job. But it took years to prove this to social services. “Many, many times throughout the whole thing they would say to me - even in front of my kidsI couldn’t be a good parent due to my disability,” she said. “They wouldn’t give my kids back to me because they felt that with my disability I couldn’t keep them safe, yet the system allowed [the younger two] to be unsafe [physically abused] in four out of five foster homes,” she says. In 1986, Jill gained physical, but not legal, custody of her children. But because she had only been allowed one hour of supervised visitation per week during the separation, “I felt like my children didn’t know me, and I didn’t

know them,” she went on to say. “Abandonment was a very big issue for them. It took a long time to win back their trust.” Adding to their fears, “the social workers didn’t hesitate to tell [the kids] they’d take them away again if I didn’t tow the line, Jill says. “That’s emotional abuse on their part.” Jill moved her family to Minnesota in 1987. Because she still didn’t have legal custody, she had to “start the whole process over” of proving herself as a parent to a new county. After allowing her husband back into her home, the county threatened to take the children away for good. At that point, Jill says, “I woke up and my kids became my full time priority.” Having divorced and met county demands, Jill finally was granted legal custody in 1990. She, her kids, and second husband moved up north and were a “very happy family” at last. But the 3-year-old son who was “physically ripped from my arms” years ago “still has emotional problems,” Jill added. Sara Sara, 37, is struggling to regain custody of her two sons, taken away from her twice since 1997. If she doesn’t win them back by October 29, she may permanently lose her children, under a new law that ends parental rights after 18 months of foster care. Having to walk on crutches due to cerebral palsy hasn’t stopped Sara from working as a counselor since age 16, getting a B.A. (and soon an M.A.) and raising two children as a single parent. She’s never been on welfare, and was only

Children - cont. on p. 8

September 10, 1999

higher standard when it comes to child custody. At a time when there is such an emphasis on keeping the family “intact,” these families seem to be falling through the cracks. One reason for this might be that social services and courts are not looking at women with disabilities as capable parents. “Professionals” are looking at the womens’ “disability” and cannot seem to get beyond that.

Charlie Smith Editor

ur lead story, “Losing Our Children,” was prompted by women who called the paper over a number of months, explaining their struggle with the system. It appears to me that women with disabilities are being held at a

It only makes sense that it is best to keep a mother and her children together, and if that means some extra support because Mom has a disability, so be it. The state should provide that support and in the long run everyone will benefit.

****

tact to keep a bill on track. I know I’m not alone when I The disability community lost say she’ll be missed. a legislative friend last month. Senator Janet Johnson from **** District 18 (North Branch – Chisago City area), died from a Courage Center will be holding brain tumor on August 21st. their annual gala Celebration She had been a strong sup- of Courage on September 25th. porter of Metro Mobility fund- At that time they will be honoring and was supportive of other ing six individuals with disdisability related legislation. In abilities for their accomplish1992 Senator Johnson was ments and a corporation which honored as Elected Official of has demonstrated its committhe Year by the Minnesota ment to people with disabiliState Council on Disability. ties (see page 8). Competition for the awards was tough this I had the pleasure of meeting year and the winners are great Senator Johnson in 1991 and role models. Congratulations found her to be very open and to all! If you would like to honest, willing to explain the attend this year’s gala celebralegislative process or give tion, Courage Center has scholyou advice on who to con- arships available, see page 5.

**** Make plans to attend the Regional Work Incentives Conference at the Sheraton Midway on Monday, October 18 (see IN BRIEF, page 3). This is your opportunity to join advocates from around the Midwest and find out what other states are doing with work incentives legislation. The latest information on the national work incentives bill will also be discussed. Social Security Administration staff plan to attend, and should be able to provide information about eligibility, retaining important benefits, and other  work-related concerns.

ACCESS PRESS Wins Preparing For Y2K Arc Media Award by Donna McNamara

ccess Press has been selected to receive the 1999 Community Media Excellence Award from Arc Minnesota at its annual state awards banquet. The banquet will be held on Friday, October 1, 1999 at the Northern Inn and Conference Center in Bemidji, Minnesota.

The Community Media Excellence Award honors local TV, print, and radio media that have done an outstanding job of educating the public about developmental disabilities and persons affected by these disabilities. Access Press is a newspaper that was created in 1990 to provide news about persons with disabilities and

MINNESOTA STATE COUNCIL ON DISABILITY Seeking Nominations For Our Annual Awards • • • • • • • • •

AWARD CATEGORIES Distinguishing Service Employer of the Year (200+ employees) Employer of the Year (under 200 employees) Public Personnel Physician of the Year Health Professional of the Year Elected Official of the Year Educator of the Year Community of the Year C ALL F OR N OMINATION M ATERIALS 121 E. 7th Place • St. Paul, MN 55101 651-296-6785 V/TTY 1-800-945-8913 V/TTY; Fax: 651-296-5935 E-mail: council.disability@state.mn.us

the organizations that serve them, and to cover news stories of particular interest to them. The Arc Minnesota Awards Banquet is part of its annual state conference, which will be held October 1-2, 1999. Chris Burke, who played “Corky” on the ABC-TV series “Life Goes On,” will be the keynote presenter, and with his long-time friends and collaborators John and Joe DeMasi, will provide musical entertainment during the weekend. Convention goers will also have the chance to see First Lady Terry Ventura, who will speak at a chapter awards recognition luncheon on Saturday, October 2, 1999, and Steve Eidelman, Executive Director of the national Arc office. The conference includes workshops that will be of interest to parents who have children with disabilities, professionals in the disability field, Arc chapter leaders, and people with disabilities themselves. For more information about the conference, call Arc Minnesota at (651) 523-0823 or 1-800582-5256. 

ACCESS PRESS Co-Founder/Publisher (1990-1996) ................................................................... Wm. A. Smith, Jr. Editor/Publisher/Co-Founder ............................................................................. Charles F. Smith Cartoonist ..................................................................................................................... Scott Adams Production .......................................................................... Presentation Images, Ellen Houghton Editorial Assistant .............................................................................................. Donna McNamara ACCESS PRESS is a monthly tabloid newspaper published for persons with disabilities by Access Press, Ltd. Circulation is 10,000, distributed the 10th of each month through more than 180 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

ith January 1st less than four months away, everyone should be focusing on making preparations and contingency plans for the Year 2000 (Y2K). Mike O’Connor, St. Paul’s Y2K consultant, reminds us of the unusual situation Y2K presents. “We have to begin preparing before we have all the information we need,” he says, “because by the time we know more about what’s going to happen, it will be too late to prepare.”

sources. Let’s take a brief look at some aspects of health care. If you have regular health care needs, you should be planning for those needs now. Talk with your PCA and PCA agency about what arrangements can be made in case of an emergency. What options does the agency have in place for providing someone on short notice? Has this worked for you in the past? Are there friends or family members who could “fill in” if needed? If so, talk with them in advance to work As individuals begin making out an agreement about this. plans, it can be very helpful to talk with others. If you live in If you rely on regular medicaSt. Paul or Minneapolis, your tions or medical supplies, talk block club or district council to your pharmacist or medical may be a good place to start. supply provider NOW. If A number of neighborhood prior authorization is required groups are hosting Y2K infor- for anything, contact your mation meetings. If nothing is physician to set this up. The happening in your area, you closer we come to January 1, could suggest a meeting and the busier everyone will be help organize it. with preparations. You may be able to avoid delays by Neighborhood preparation contacting key providers now. doesn’t make sense for every- Even simple requests can take body. It may be best to work a number of weeks to resolve within a disability specific depending on the level of agency or with a group of bureaucracy involved. friends with similar needs who live throughout the city. You may want to explore Think about how you have existing resources for ideas dealt with other emergencies. on where to start and how to Who do you rely on, what prioritize. The book The resources can you offer to Millenium Bug by Michael others? Hyatt and the Utne Reader’s Y2K Citizen’s Action Guide Preparation checklists typi- promote individual and neighcally include the following borhood preparedness; comcategories: health care; food/ munity organizing; and water; communications; utili- public citizenship. Both ties (heat, electricity, gas, include many practical sugsewer, water); financial re- gestions and checklists.

Check your local library. Information is also available on the worldwide web, and the Y2K sites I have visited have links to many other related sites. The State of Minnesota’s web page can be found at: www.y2k.state. mn us. St Paul’s website is: www. stpaul.gov and Minneapolis is at: www.ci.minneapolis.mn. us/citywork/y2k. A good site for a community organizing perspective on Y2K is www. cassandraproject .org. Both St. Paul and Minneapolis have Y2K task forces consisting of citizen, corporate and government representatives. City task forces are responsible for planning and implementing preparations and contingency plans for their jurisdictions. They are talking about such things as how to deal with possible power/service disruptions; how to augment shelter and food if necessary, and so on. Wherever you live, you should be able to contact local government officials to get information about the planning process there. It is important to know what local units of government in your area are doing, as they have the power to coordinate efforts that are beyond the scope of what individuals or neighborhoods can do. As we go to press, St. Paul and Minneapolis are making plans to provide emergency shelter if needed. Officials in

Y2K - cont. on p. 10

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September 10, 1999

Hmong Outreach Program IN BRIEF . . . . T

he Twin Cities now has the highest population of Hmong of any other city in America. The Metropolitan Center for Independent Living has developed a new position that will allow a widely underserved part of the Twin Cities community to receive disability services. The new position is an IL Specialist that will work with the Hmong community. Through this new program, Hmong people with disabilities will finally get a chance to receive assistance to achieve skills fundamental to all people with disabilities. Individuals will be able to set goals and work toward reaching them. Some of the areas may include self-advocacy, education, employment, accessibility, or the ADA. Discussing one’s disability is not easy for a Hmong person to do. To have a disability often brings shame and embarrassment to the individual and the family. The Hmong often do not seek help from outside

entities, particularly those that are American, unless absolutely necessary. The new IL Specialist is Hmong and hopes consumers who come to her will not feel hesitant to talk about their issues. While setting up goals and working on reaching them to become more independent, the consumer will also realize that having a disability is not a bad thing. A widely believed misconception Hmong people have about people with disabilities is that they should not live on their own, hold jobs, or get married and have children, despite their capacity to do so. With these myths weighing heavy on a disabled Hmong person, it is hard to become aware of what resources are available to assure a fulfilling life. Within recent years, the community has been able to advocate for itself through various specialized organizations and groups specifically formed for Hmong people. It is a great step forward that this new program will allow people with disabilities

to also advocate for themselves as well. Other services can be provided such as support groups, workshops, and presentations. Many Hmong, especially those new to the U.S., are frustrated because their English skills are poor. Referrals and resources can also be given about where to go for English classes or how to become a citizen. The new program is being funded with a $25,000 grant from the Statewide Independent Living Council. David Hancox, Executive Director of MCIL, commented, “This grant will enable us to effectively outreach to a community that has been unserved far too long. People with disabilities who are members of the Hmong community face enormous obstacles not only related to their disability, but also due to cultural and language barriers.” For info about the Hmong Outreach Program, call MCIL at 651-6468342, or the Hmong IL Specialist, Mai Thor at 651-603-2002.

Arts Access Award Nominations

Minnesota Mind Movers High-school-aged youth with leadership and self-advocacy ence technology and express learning disabilities, attention deficits and who are otherwise challenged by learning are invited to a conference for youth on October 14, 1999, from 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Radisson South Hotel in Bloomington.

skills as they participate in several workshops. Topics include post-secondary and career planning, job interviewing and retention, and learning more about one’s disability and how to access services. Students can create a mural, interYouth will develop transition, act with police officers, experi-

SA arts of MN is request- •Space for Audience Meming nominations to rec- bers: Most User-Friendly Perognize Minnesota artists, edu- formance Space for Audience cators and arts organizations Members with Disabilities in the areas of accessibility to •Exhibiting Space: Most Userand awareness of people with Friendly Arts Exhibiting Space disabilities. The Fourth An- for Patrons with Disabilities nual Arts Access Awards will •Educator: Most Outstanding be awarded in October. Arts Educator Working with Students with Disabilities Nominations are being sought in the following categories: The 1996 and 1997 winners re•Minnesota Artist: Most ceived the Jaehny, an orna“Out-There” (Active & Vis- mental mask designed by Minible) Minnesota Artist with a neapolis sculptor Tara Arlene Disability (includes perfor- Innmon. Last year the Jaehny, mance, visual arts, writing) as created by Helene Oppen•Theater/Performance Produc- heimer, was a clay statue. The ing Group: Most Active Pro- Jaehny is named in honor of ducing Group Involving the organization’s co-founder People with Disabilities in and former board member, Theater or Performance Jaehn Clare. •Visual Arts Exhibiting Group: Most Active Producing Nominations for this year’s Group Involving People with awards may come from either Disabilities in Visual Arts an individual or an organiza- Arts - cont. on p. 5 Handi Medical Supply 2505 University Avenue West St. Paul, Minnesota 55114 At Hwy. 280 & University Avenue HANDI MEDICAL SUPPLY

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300 youth from across MN are expected to attend this conference sponsored by Family Service, Inc. The fee is $25 and scholarships are available. For more information call 651-2220311 or 1-800-488-4395.

Fundraiser For Disability Groups On Saturday, September 25 Lake Calhoun, Minneapolis. Lifeworks Services and Partfrom 9:00-11:00 a.m., the Made The event is a benefit for Arc nership Resources. Call 612in the Shade Walk, Run or Roll Hennepin County, Commun- 920-0855 for a registration card will be held at Thomas Beach, ity Involvement Programs, to start collecting pledges.

Regional Work Incentives Conference A Regional Work Incentives conference will be held at the terested individuals, advoConference is being sponsored by the Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (MNCCD) and the SSI Coalition based in Chicago. The

Sheraton Midway Hotel on Monday, October 18 and cover topics related to employment of people with disabilities. Intended audience includes: in-

cates and others. For information: Lolly Lijewski, 651-6032022 (voice) or 651-603-2001 (TTY); Jeff Bangsberg, 612544-0315, ext. 241.

MCIL Board Openings Metropolitan Center for Inde- understanding of disability and the deadline is Tue, Sept

pendent Living (MCIL) has a number of openings on its board of directors. Board memtion but not from the individual bers are volunteers who should or arts organization being nomihave a good knowledge and nated. All nominees will receive a certificate to acknowledge that they have been nominated. Winners will be chosen by the VSA arts of Minnesota On October 15 and 16, the Program Committee. The com- Women’s Cancer Resource mittee reserves the right to Center sponsors Turning the choose more than one winner Tides: Environmental Action for Cancer Prevention. The in any of the categories. two-day conference is being Nominations should be submitted in written form, preferably typed or printed, or on audio tape. Phone nominations will not be accepted. Nominations should be no longer than two pages in length or if on tape, no longer than five minutes. Nominations should be postmarked by Oct 3. Information should include: Contact info about nominee and nominator (name, address,

themselves through drama.

pride and culture.. Minorities 28. New board members will be are encouraged to apply. Ap- elected at the annual meeting plications are available by call- on Oct 27. ing MCIL at 651-646-8342 (voice) or 651-603-2001 (TTY),

Cancer Prevention Conference held at RiverCentre in St. Paul and will bring together physicians, scientists, community activists, cancer survivors, and concerned citizens to challenge the myth that cancer is a

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“given” in our world. Registration is on a sliding fee basis and some scholarships are available. Call 612-729-0491 or 1-800-908-8544 for more information.

September 10, 1999

Religion And Disability

Hello Nicole:

Spiritual Growth

Hello Nicole,

by Sister Jo Lambert, O.S.J.

n order for an individual with disabilities to achieve spiritual growth, there must be an all-inclusive attitude on the part of caregivers and spiritual directors. Those of us who live independent lives (meaning having no one who we must rely on to function in this society) are able to choose what we would like to do in all aspects of our lives, including the spiritual side. But those of us who must rely on caregivers and spiritual directors are not always given a choice. The key issue is that spiritual providers and caregivers must have a positive attitude toward fostering the development of the spiritual side of the individual. This means the caregivers must be aware of what’s available in order to provide for their spiritual needs.

TCF

This also means that spiritual als and organizations who dedirectors must be all-inclusive vote their energies to assisting the population with varying as programs are developed. disabilities must become eduUnfortunately, most do not cated in what it means to be a have a holistic approach to spiritual individual. service to the individual with disabilities (holistic meaning In my work, I have experienced the physical, psychological, a lack of interest in the develspiritual and social/emotional opment of the total person. aspects). These providers When the question of the spirihave come far in the physical tual side of the individual is care and are working at psy- addressed, the response has chological and emotional as- been, “Well, we cannot advopects, but the spiritual needs cate church” or “we cannot force religion on an individual.” are yet to be addressed. When I say, “NO, I am not Those who have worked with referring to religion, but the individuals who are disabled spiritual life,” the reaction is must develop an attitude that one of puzzlement. addresses their spiritual side. This can be achieved by devel- But it is important to remember oping an attitude that is holis- each of the four areas of develtic in nature. In order to foster opment: physical, mental, sothe development of the total or cial/emotional, and spiritual is whole person, these individu- dependent upon and interrelated to each of the others. Since the individual grows and develops as a total unity, one area cannot be affected without having an effect upon the other areas.

My boyfriend dumped me and I can’t seem to carry on with my life. He still comes over a few times a week but won’t commit because he doesn’t want a girlfriend. How do I tell him no more sex and to get out of my life? How do I carry on with my life when I’ve tried everything including school & work? Sincerely, Stuck Dear Stuck,

We all want to be loved above anything else. Although your question brings up an age-old problem, there is no easy answer! There is nothing simple about dealing with loss of an important relationship. Further, ending a love relationship can be hard because the implications of such a loss often touch the deepest parts of ourselves. Please keep these complexities in mind while you read this column. Questions like this are hard because I know I cannot give a satisfactory answer. Nevertheless, I will attempt to add some thoughts on your question and hope you find something here Therefore, perhaps it would be useful! good to define spiritual or spirit. As stated in Webster: “The Human emotions often conspirit is derived from the Latin flict, as you expressed in your spiritus meaning breath . . . letter. On the one hand, you Spirit comes from breath or wind want to get him out of your life. . . . indicates a connection of On the other hand, you see him the inner and the outer . . . soul a few times a week and have of the individual or the psyche intimate relations. I think the of the individual . . . what gives first step in moving on with the individual their life.” your life is to honestly think about what you are gaining To experience the spiritual side from continuing to see him and of life, the individual must exwhether the emotional cost to perience both body and mind you is worth it. There is noth(that is: physical, psychologiing wrong with a casual love cal, emotional/social) aspects relationship. However, it is a of life. This can only occur big mistake to keep up your when the individual is allowed friendship with hopes that he or encouraged to experience life itself, which is no less important to the individual with achieved in many different disabilities. Meditation or quiet ways if you are an individual time, exercise or movement, without disabilities. But a perbuilding relationships, and son with disabilities needs aspurpose or work are all a part of sistance in finding resources developing and growing in an that are all-inclusive. These individual’s spirit. This can be Religion - cont. on p. 9

will change and you will gain the commitment you’re looking for. Please consider whether if in keeping regular contact with your boyfriend you are able to truly accept that you aren’t going to get the relationship you want from him, or if your contact with him is keeping you caught in a whirlwind of hope, hurt, frustration and disappointment. In your letter you asked me, “How do I tell him no more sex and to get out of my life?” Yet, I don’t think this is your real concern. I don’t think you will have any trouble knowing how to tell him to leave, once you are able and ready to let go of him. It’s unrealistic to expect your feelings for your boyfriend to change or go away just because you want them to. If you decide it is in your best interest to stop seeing your boyfriend, the break up will most likely hurt and your life will be hard for a while, sometimes you will probably even wish that you hadn’t broken contact with him. There is no reason to expect your pain to be diminished or that you shouldn’t have conflicting feelings about your boyfriend just because you know logically that he isn’t right for you. Emotions have a life of their own and they are anything but logical. The best you can do is to make a decision based on what you think is ultimately in your best interests, and then give yourself time to muddle through the emotional consequences. Love touches us deeply. It’s important to notice that a relationship can be even harder to let go of when it puts us in touch with difficult feelings we have about ourselves. I had a boyfriend once who left me for an able-bodied woman. I was devastated. I couldn’t concentrate on anything and went around so dejected and hopeless that it felt like I was walking under water. For a long time I wondered why I was so upset and unable to let go of

him since our friendship certainly did not warrant such intense feelings. In time, I realized the intensity of pain I felt during this break up had almost nothing to do with my relationship with my boyfriend, but had everything to do with my relationship with myself. In his leaving me for an able-bodied woman, all my deep insecurities and hatred toward myself and my body were seemingly confirmed (i.e. I felt unsexy, unworthy of a love relationship, etc). What I was mourning was not the loss of my boyfriend, but the devastation of my self-esteem. I could not “let go” of him because I felt that the only way to regain my lovability was if he would change his mind and come back to me. This is all classic “co-dependence” but these feelings are not as simple as they may seem. Our feelings about ourselves are deeply ingrained and can operate when our pain is so intense that we are least able to recognize what is happening inside us. Deciding to end a relationship is complicated and involves a lot of soul searching. No matter how much you wish you didn’t care about your boyfriend anymore, you still care about him and no matter how much you wish you didn’t want a relationship with him, you still want what you want from him. Such conflictingemotions are difficult to see your way through, yet they are pretty normal. Break ups are hard for everyone. Even if you can’t logically understand it, there is a reason you are stuck and unable to let go of your boyfriend right now. Give your heart time and patience and it will heal. Nicole Question? Complaint? Comment? W r i t e to Nicole: % Access Press, 1821 University Ave. W, #185 N; St. Paul, MN 55104

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.

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September 10, 1999

Disability Culture

On Mental Illness

Being An Ally

“Brad”

by Linda Wolford

by Pete Feigal

ow to be an ally is a topic that came up at the Disability Culture conference this past May. I think that the role of nondisabled allies in the disability rights movement is a crucial one, and is often not talked about. We would not and cannot succeed as a movement without nondisabled allies. Wade Blank, founder of ADAPT, is an example. Sometimes people without disabilities, while attempting to be an ally, though, take over. They retain power instead of giving it back to people with disabilities. A true ally will use their privilege to gain access to places that someone without that privilege doesn’t have. They won’t use that access for personal gain, but instead will use it to the benefit of the marginalized group. It is important to remember that people without disabilities can be allies to those of us with disabilities, but people with disabilities can also be allies. For example, I, as a white heterosexual person, can be an ally for people of color or people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. If we keep this in mind, we all benefit. The following is taken from work by Jamie Washington, Vice President of Student Affairs at the University of Maryland. I often use these in doing training on diversity. In next month’s column, we will look at more characteristics of being an ally. Various Definitions of Being an Ally:

An ally is someone who actively supports and defends the rights and dignity of individuals from social groups other than their own. Especially when these individuals are not present or otherwise unable to represent themselves.--New Perspectives

risks that come with action. If you choose not to act, pay attention to the impact your inaction has on you and on the target group. Action is the only way to affect change. Keeping awareness, knowledge, and skills to ourselves will not change systems.

A person who is a member of the “dominant” or “majority” How Can I Be An Ally? group who works to end oppression in his or her personal • Educate self and others and professional life through • Ask questions before blamsupport of, and as an advoing — try to understand root cate with and for, the opcauses pressed population. — Jamie • Go to programs, read, disWashington and Nancy Evans cuss, join organizations, make friends with people from tarSolidarity is not an act of charget groups ity. It is an act of unity between • Vote as an ally allies working on different • Write letters — to victims, terrains toward the same oband to those in a position to jective. — Samorn Machel make changes • Reinforce other allies workFour Basic Levels of ing to change the system Becoming an Ally: • Speak up — confront publications, policies, jokes, inap1. Awareness propriate language, name Who am I, and how am I calling, stereotypes, myths different? • Counter the negative messages children learn about 2. Knowledge/Education people; provide them with, Learn about the group’s hisrealistic images of people tory, culture, norms, experi- • Participate in marches, ralences, contributions, orgalies, committees nizations, etc. How do • Avoid making assumptions laws, policies, stereotypes, about what people want and myths, institutions and comneed mon practices impact indi- • Your consistent actions will viduals and the group as a show people you are an ally whole? - simply telling them will not • Ensure diversity in all you do 3. Skills - in conversation, programs, Develop skills in communisocial activities, awards, leadcating what you have ership opportunities, hiring, learned. These skills can be etc. developed by participating • Create environments where in training sessions, role issues can be discussed  playing, developing a support network, or choosing Linda Wolford is the Director safe environments to prac- of Disability and Consumer Advocacy, Courage Center. tice your advocacy skills.

Being an ally is the process of working to develop individual attitudes, institutions, and a culture in which people feel they matter. This work is motivated by an enlightened self 4. Action interest to end oppression. -- J. This can be the most frightJay Scott and Vernon Wall, ening but most critical step. 1991 Be prepared to deal with the

was in a day-treatment program with this guy about 15 years ago. He was about ten years younger than I was, from the Cities, and had been attending college at UCLA. He was a brilliant kid, attractive, personable, very shy and self conscious, but kind and respectful of the other group members. He had been cruising along in life until the day his TV and radio started talking to him. He didn’t know what was happening to him or who to go to for help and lived day and night in terror of these terrible voices. He got bad enough that he couldn’t take care of himself, and was picked up by the police in a psychotic state, locked up in jail, then sent to the hospital.

He had trouble staying on his anti-psychotics and told me once that by taking the meds he was “giving in” to his illness, and if he could just “get everything going in the right direction, and get on the right path,” that he’d come “out of it” and be just like he was before, back at college. I tried for a while to keep tabs on him, but life and time separated us.

He went through the gamut of tests and was diagnosed with schizophrenia. He wouldn’t stay on his medications, had trouble with street drugs and went from program to program. We met at a day treatment center and became friends. The combination of his natural shyness, his meds, and his shame of being “crazy” made Brad very quiet and withdrawn, but we both liked motorcycles and tennis, and after I left the program, we stayed in contact, getting together to play tennis or go to a movie. He loved cruising on the back of my Harley around the lakes, simply “riding the breeze.” We learned he was a wonderful musician when at a talent show the program put on, Brad got up, borrowed someone’s guitar and softly sang Neil Young’s ode to addiction-“The Needle and the Damage Done,” a memory that haunts me even now.

ARTS - Cont. from p. 3

I saw him one more time in the waiting room at HCMC, about 1988. He’d put on about 150 pounds and had a beard down to his chest, but he still had that spark when I told him about my new bike. Another old friend from the

phone, etc.); relationship of the nominee to the writer; and reasons why the nominee deserves to be recognized.

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program told me she had heard that Brad had finally lost his battle with mental illness. He had tried going back to L.A., retracing his steps to where he had once been healthy and happy. He had been in dozens of programs without finding or accepting the help he needed and had been abandoned by his family and friends. He was homeless, hunted by his voices and alone. He had tried, but the systems and aid he needed simply weren’t there, or weren’t right for him. He walked to the top of a car ramp and jumped. And though he did it voluntarily, I can’t help but feel sometimes when I’m down, that in some ways, he was pushed. 

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September 10, 1999

Spend-downs And MA

New Metro Mobility Policy

by Mark Wilde

he Hennepin County CareS planning team is looking for Medical Assistance (MA) consumers and their representatives to help create a better health care delivery management system. Hennepin County CareS, known at the state level as the Hennepin County Demonstration Project for People with Disabilities (DPPD), has hosted a series of consumer forums to get the input of people who rely on MA every day. As part of their efforts, the planning team is looking at a large amount of data collected from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). It is apparent that a significant percentage of people eligible for the DPPD project in Hennepin County have spenddowns. A spend-down is the amount of money above the MA income limit that a person owes every month toward his/ her medical bills. If a person has income over the current Minnesota MA income limit, they may still receive MA services, but will owe their spenddown amount each month to one or more service providers. In the 1996 data from DHS, approximately 19% of Hennepin County residents eligible

for the project have spend- more individualized and coordowns. dinated health care and social support system. Spend-downs can be confusing. At the consumer forums The planning team needs your held across Hennepin County help in designing this new sysby the project’s community tem. They want to hear from interns, many consumers had consumers about what incenquestions about their spend- tives would encourage them to down and how it might be af- pre-pay their spend-down each fected by the DPPD project. month. They also want to hear As it stands right now, most from consumers about how to people on MA with a spend- make this an easier process for down will be able to voluntar- people with spend-downs. If ily enroll in Hennepin County you have comments or conCareS if they are able to pre- cerns please call Bill Blom or pay their spend-down every Julie Wegscheid at (612) 348month to the State. This may 2200 or TTY (612) 596-6758. be difficult for some people. A Consumer Forum is being Although most people with a held with Arc Hennepin spend-down are eligible to County on Sept 16, from 7- 8:30 participate, many will choose p.m. at the Hennepin County not to join because they do not St. Louis Park Library, 3240 want to pre-pay. “The reality is Library Lane, St. Louis Park. that some people are unable to RSVP to Arc Hennepin County, pre-pay their spend-down, 612-920-0855. Another forum, which is required in order to with Metropolitan Center for enroll in this project,” said Bill Independent Living, is schedBlom, community intern work- uled for Sept 21, from 7 - 9 p.m. ing on the project. The at Fraser Community Services, Hennepin County CareS team 2400 64th St., Richfield. RSVP is interested in finding out how @ 651-646-8342.  to make this an easier process for people, so that they will be This column is a paid inserable to choose to enroll in the tion by the Hennepin County project. The team feels that the Demonstration Project for incentive to enroll should come People with Disabilities. from the added value of a new,

tarting September 1, Metro Mobility instituted a new policy regarding “standing orders.” Standing orders are regular trips that occur at the same time of day, to and from the same address, such as trips from home to work or school. These trips can be set up in advance and then remain in place, eliminating the need to call in a separate reservation for each trip. After September 1, riders who cancel their standing order rides frequently may face losing that standing order.

lose both portions of the day’s standing order: both to and from work. For that reason, riders who know they will need to cancel any portion of their standing order frequently are encouraged to call their provider to remove that portion of the trip from their standing order.

was high enough to warrant a new approach.

Staff presented a proposed policy to the Transportation Accessibility Advisory Committee (TAAC) in June and incorporated the changes TAAC members suggested in both the criteria for determining “excessive” rates of cancellation In mid-November the Metro and in how the policy would be Mobility Service Center implemented. (MMSC) will send a warning letter to any riders who are Using first quarter trip data to canceling more than 35 per- provide some perspective, had cent of the time. Riders who this policy been in place, an continue the excessive cancel- average of 166 trips per day lations will lose that standing would have been forfeited and order in mid-December. Those made available for the standforfeited trips will then be avail- ing order lottery. Nearly 46 able for reapplication for the percent of those trips – or 530 January standing order lottery trips each week – occurred process. during the peak hours.

Under the new policy, which is being implemented on a trial basis for three months, Metro Mobility riders who cancel any portion of a standing order trip more than an average of 35 percent of the scheduled time for any given day of the week The MMSC receives hundreds will lose the entire standing of requests each quarter for order for that particular day. new standing order rides, many of which cannot be placed. For For example, let’s say a rider months, riders have expressed has a standing order trip on frustration at the difficulty in Tuesdays to go to and from obtaining new standing orwork. He travels on Metro ders, particularly for peak travel Mobility from home to work in times. Last winter, customers the morning. At the end of the called the MMSC, complainday, a co-worker frequently ing that fellow riders were freoffers to give him a ride home. quently canceling their standIf he cancels the trip to go ing order trips. MMSC staff home more than 35 percent of checked into the matter and the time on Tuesdays, he will found that the cancellation rate

“Standing orders that are not needed for awhile should be placed on hold rather than cancelled each time,” said Dave Jacobson, Metro Mobility general manager. “That frees up that slot for another rider who needs the standing order.” Riders who have questions about the new policy can call MMSC Customer Services at 651-602-1111 (voice) or 651221-9886 (TTY). 

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Courage

September 10, 1999

Where Do We Go From Here? tures that it offered. It was totally accessible and had congregate dining five nights a week with brunch on Sundays. After talking it over, Larry and I decided to take the two bedroom apartment there.

getting a bit of housekeeping assistance before she “got into the system” in 1996 by asking for a personal care assistant (PCA) for son Brad, to help manage his aggressive behavior. Brad, 11, has attention deficit disorder (ADD), which Sara says causes frustration and “sideways” behavior.

Our move took place over the President’s Day Weekend in February. Many of our friends helped move the small articles on Saturday with a moving company doing the rest on Monday. The social worker brought Larry to the apartment on Saturday so that he could be a part of the activity. It was twice as hard for me to leave our home, knowing that Larry would never return to say ‘good-bye’ to the town house that had meant so much to us. But I knew we had different priorities now and they needed to come first.

Sara feels that the county has chosen to ignore Brad’s more “hidden” disability and focus instead on her more apparent physical disability as the suspected cause of the problem and grounds for foster care placement. “I’ve taken a lot of flak for my parenting style,” Sara said, explaining that the county feels her son’s aggression may be due to her lack of firm discipline. “I don’t believe in physical punishment and I try to be democratic.” Her small stature and disability also limit her ability to physically restrain him.

Two dear friends spent the day with me to organize the apartment that Monday and see to it that I felt comfortable staying there. Then I was on my own again until Larry came home for good on February 26, three months after his stroke.

After Sara threatened legal action because the county hadn’t followed through with casework, it recently agreed to provide a PCA, in-home therapist and supervising psychologist as long as Sara herself does the casework and lines up the personnel, she stated.

by LeAnne Dahl

ast November 27, the day of my husband Larry’s stroke, was like closing the first part of a long book and starting the second part, with many difficult chapters of reading ahead. Each chapter has taught us lessons in how to have more faith in God, value friendships and trust our own intuition. It is these three ingredients that get us though one day at a time. As Larry progressed through hours of therapy in the nursing facility, we knew we had to plan for his home coming. He let me know in no uncertain terms that he did not want to return to our townhouse. So, the question was: ‘Where do we go from here?” At this point I couldn’t even think clearly about how we were going to manage beyond getting Larry home or what kind of help we might need. You see, before Larry’s stroke, he did our grocery shopping as well as driving wherever we had to go. I was able to manage the house with having a house cleaner come in once a month to do the heavier cleaning. Suddenly it occurred to me that we might need to start thinking

in terms of hiring personal care attendants (PCAs) and the thought scared me. Why? It was because even though I understand how the system works, we really never needed more assistance. I thought that we were a long way off from having personal help. By January, we began planning to sell our home. Bridget and Charlie Smith were my source of support and information for issues relating to PCAs. The social workers at the nursing home were wonderful to Larry and me. They helped in so many ways, such as coming with us to look at apartments and being with me when I met with the realtor to put our house on the market. It sold in six days. We wanted to find accessible living quarters in St. Paul and I also wanted Larry to help choose the place where he would be most comfortable. When one of the therapists mentioned an apartment for people fifty-five and up, I called and inquired about it. The social worker arranged for Larry to come with us to see it. We liked the location of the building and the convenient fea-

n CHILDREN - Cont. from p. 1



To be continued. To regain custody of Alan, 6, who is living with Sara’s sister, the county has stipulated that Sara be “amenable to the social worker’s way of parenting,” she says. But Sara feels social workers have not

been open to creative, realistic ways to work around her physical limitations. The county has also required a mental health assessment of Sara. She feels that the county sees her “vocal” efforts to regain custody of her children as “oppositional behavior.” Her therapist, however, “says I’m doing what any parent would do if their children were being taken away,” Sara says. “I have the educational and emotional fortitude to parent these children. We should be supporting all parents to find services that fit them and strengthen these families instead of destroying them.” Gail For Gail, there is little hope of regaining custody of her two sons, lost to her husband during their divorce six years ago while she was mentally ill. But she is preparing to sue her county for failing to properly represent her parental rights during the time she was ill and her rights were administered by county court services. “What happened to me was outrageous, and my only redress now is to change the system so it doesn’t happen to others,” she says. Gail had been an at-home mom and primary caregiver to her boys, then 6 and 7, when she began suffering from posttraumatic stress and major depression. Her husband filed for separation and kicked her out of the home. “I was in so much

Home Care Services

pain at the loss of my children that my [illness] was exacerbated and I was unable to stand up for my rights,”during the divorce, she said. She added that her court-appointed attorney went along with her husband’s wishes and “gave away” her custody rights without benefit of a custody study. The court also failed to help Gail establish reasonable visitation terms, she says, allowing her ex-husband to limit her to a one-hour supervised visit per week for the last six years. “This was a terrible thing to do to the children,” states Gail. “They were denied having their mother in their lives. This is serious injury to them and to our bonds with each other. I was the better parent-what happened was wrong.” “The mother-child bond is so powerful,” Gail says. “When there’s a divorce it’s better that the children go with the mother, because that’s a more powerful bond.” She says she believes she could have taken care of her children even during her illness. Gail feels “bigotry” against persons with disabilities is rampant in the family court system. “One never gets a thorough analysis-they do the easy thing,” she says. Gail’s search for justice has led her to become her “own expert” and an activist in disability law. Having found that “very few attorneys know anything about disability law” and that the few who do, do not represent plaintiffs, Gail did her own legal research and drafted her 35-page complaint. In the process of “standing up for myself when nobody else would,” Gail says she has become “very, very healthy.”

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Support group forming Aware that all too many parents with disabilities have stories similar to those of Jill, Sara and Gail, The Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL) in St. Paul will soon begin holding support group meetings for parents with disabilities facing child custody issues. Parents and children will meet in subgroups to discuss their concerns. Tentative plans are for Monday evening meetings twice a month. For more information, call the Center at 651/646-8342. Based on issues raised at meetings, support group leaders say they also plan to draw up proposals for legislative changes that will help families with disabilities remain intact.  Access Press will be gathering feedback on this issue and forwarding the feedback to two Directors of Policy at the Minnesota Department of Health and Human Services. Please send your comments to Access Press, 1821 University Ave. W., Suite 185N, St. Paul, MN 55104.

Rebates/Tax Cuts: What Are They Costing Us? by Jeff Nygaard

y the time this issue of ACCESS PRESS hits the streets, many readers will have received their sales tax rebate check from the State of Minnesota. It is undoubtedly true many readers will appreciate this “windfall” from the state. But Minnesota’s decision to bestow upon its citizens the largest tax cuts in the nation goes hand-in-hand with a failure to adequately fund some of the programs and services that make MN a good place to live.

only taxable income. The salaries of one-and-a-half staff people at the Department of Human Rights will pay for approximately 200 sales tax rebates at the minimum level. Overtaxed or Underfunded? The MN State Park system is closing campgrounds due to a lack of funding, working families face a 4,000-family waiting list for child-care subsidies, and premiums for state-subsidized health care will be going up due to a lack of state funding.

Accessible Arts Performances American Sign Language (ASL)

Increased Funding, Decreased Services When you read the press releases from the Governor’s office or from the State Department of Finance, you will read about all of the funding increases for education, housing, nursing homes, and so on, but this can be deceptive.

September 10, 1999

9/18, Sat., 7:30 p.m., “Chinese Puppet Masters,” In the Heart of the Beast Puppet & Mask Theatre, Hennepin Center for the Arts Studio 6A, Minneapolis, 612-879-0604 * 9/19, Sun., 7:00 p.m., “The Bellman’s Song,” The Theater Gallery, Hennepin Center for the Arts Studio 6A, Minneapolis, 612-879-0604

The example of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system makes the point clearly. The system * 9/19, Sun., 2:00 p.m., “The had asked for an increase of Music Man,” Playhouse 15, What the Governor Wanted more than $225 million, but fiSt. Francis High School, 612In line with his philosophy of nally received only $104 mil753-7024 “limited government,” Minne- lion. MnSCU Chancellor Governor Ventura has been sota Governor * 9/23, Thurs., 7:30 p.m., “The Jesse Ventura Lion in Winter,” Merlin Playlast winter proers, Faribault, Shattuck-St. posed a series Mary’s School, Newhall Aud., of cuts totaling 507-333-1620 $60 million in state programs 9/26, Sun., 2:00 p.m., “Joseph and services. & Amazing Technicolor Although the Dreamcoat,” State Theatre, legislature fiMinneapolis, 612-373-5650 nally approved only a little over 9/26, Sun., 2:00 p.m., “Wind in 10% of the cuts the Willows,” Stages Theatre the Governor Co., Hopkins Center for the originally proposed, it is re- Morrie Anderson has pointed quoted as expressing his hope Arts, 612-979-1111 vealing to look at some of the out that the impact of semester that when people look back on programs and services the conversion, rising faculty ben- his administration they will say 9/30 Thurs., 12:30 p.m., “Wind Governor apparently does not efit costs, and other factors “When Jesse Ventura was in the Willows,” Stages Thelike. have taken their toll on our around, I didn’t even notice atre Co., Hopkins Center for state colleges. He expects the the government.” the Arts, 612-979-1111 The Governor’s proposed cuts: failure to receive full funding • $1,000,000 for the St. Paul will necessitate cutbacks in the People on fixed or low incomes 10/3, Sun., 2:00 p.m., “The PhanRehabilitation Center, which current level of services. certainly do notice the govern- tom Tollbooth,” Youth Perforprovides employment serment and they, better than oth- mance Co., Howard Conn Fine vices to persons with dis- Access Press recently spoke ers, know the value of the Arts Center, Minneapolis, abilities or other barriers to with a staff person at the Min- things that public investments 612-623-9080 employment by providing nesota Department of Human can give us. State parks, public speech, rehabilitative and Rights, which is responsible universities, health care, and 10/16, Sat., 1:00 p.m., “Martin occupational therapy. for enforcing non-discrimina- public transportation are just a Guerre,” Guthrie Theater, tion in housing, employment, few of the things that the state • $460,000 for Epilepsy Dem- public accommodations, pub- provides which an individual onstration Grants, which pro- lic services, and education cannot purchase with the $200 vide training in independent (among other things). When or $300 provided by the recent living skills to adults with asked how the Department had tax rebates. epilepsy. done in terms of funding in the 1999 legislative session, the Readers may ask why there is • $30,000 for Outdoor Recre- staff person hesitated, then any beneficial public program Cont. from p. 4 ation Camping grants, said, “Well, we stayed about that cannot have its funding which provide wilderness the same.” Upon further ques- request met fully at a time when, experiences and peer leader- tioning, it was learned that the in the words of former Minne- resources must be made availship skills to individuals with meaning of “about the same” sota Governor Arne Carlson, able to all individuals; it is psychiatric disabilities. was that the Department “only “Minnesota is blessed with a long overdue that the spirihad to lay off one-and-a-half diverse economy that is ‘pretty tual side of the individual with Cuts were proposed for many people instead of nine.” much No. 1 in the nation.’” disabilities is addressed.  additional programs, including Perhaps this is a question to programs providing essential A word about the sales tax ask Governor Ventura.  services to homeless families rebates themselves: The deciand individuals, job help for sion was made to base the relow-income people, parenting bates not on total income, but skills, lead cleanup, dental only on taxable income (Line 4 health education, transitional on your Minnesota tax form). Metropolitan Area Transit, Inc. housing for homeless people, For this reason, many people bicycle safety training for kids, whose income is derived from SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION programs helping low-income non-taxable sources such as PROVIDER women to become indepen- Social Security, Social Secudent, and public radio and tele- rity Disability, or Supplemen“On Time Every Time vision. County-level programs tal Security Income will receive or we will buy you lunch” that provide crisis services, no rebate at all. Many others call for details counseling services, life man- who receive the majority of agement skills services, case their income from these sources coordination services, mental will receive only the minimum health services, and early in- rebate of $212, even though MA, U-CARE, MEDICA, tervention services also were they spent much more on PRIVATE PAY, PRIVATE INSURANCE placed on the Governor’s chop- sales tax than is reflected in **Standing Orders ** Group Charters ping block. the calculation based on

Minneapolis, 612-377-2224, 10/9, Sat., 8:00 p.m., “First 800-848-4912 Ladies of Ramsey County,” Great American History The10/22, Fri. 7:30 p.m., “Martin atre, St. Paul, 651-292-4323 Guerre,” Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis, 612-377-2224, 10/10, Sun., 2:00 p.m., “An 800-848-4912 American Daughter,” Theatre in the Round, Minneapolis, * 10/17, Sun., 3:00 P.M., “Tale 612-333-3010 of the Dancing Crane,” Theater Mu, Intermedia Arts, * 10/17, Sun., 3:00 P.M., “Tale Minneapolis, 612-871-4444 of the Dancing Crane,” Theater Mu, Intermedia Arts, MinAudio Described (AD) neapolis, 612-871-4444 9/11, Sat., 8:00 p.m., “Rumors,” * Asterisked performances are Fargo-Moorhead Community eligible for Reduced AdmisTheatre, 701-235-6778 sion Prices through the Access to Theatre project, funded 9/18, Sat., 7:30 p.m., “Chinese by United Arts and VSA arts of Puppet Masters,” In the Heart Minnesota. of the Beast Puppet & Mask Theatre, Minneapolis, 612721-2535 9/19, Sun., 2:00,p.m., “The Road to Rouen,” Lyric Theatre, Hennepin Center for the Arts, Minneapolis, 612-824-9717 9/26, Sun., 2:00 p.m., “Joseph & Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” State Theatre, Minneapolis, 612-373-5650 9/26, Sun., 2:00 p.m., “Wind in the Willows,” Stages Theatre Co., Hopkins Center for the Arts, 612-979-1111 9/30 Thurs., 12:30 p.m., “Wind in the Willows,” Stages Theatre Co., Hopkins Center for the Arts, 612-979-1111 10/8, Fri., 10:00 a.m. & 7:30 p.m., “A Village Fable,” Children’s Theatre Company, Minneapolis, 612-874-0400

RELIGION -

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September 10, 1999

Sports Beat

Y2K- From p. 8

St. Paul Thunders To Another Championship by Craig McClellan and Luke Pedersen

he St. Paul Thunder beat the St. Paul Saints 10-8 for the championship of the National Wheelchair Softball Tournament. The Thunder jumped to a 7-0 lead after two innings and held off the Saints for its eighth title in the last nine years. The Saints finished runners-up for the second consecutive year, while the Minnesota Rolling Twins finished in sixth place. The Saints faced the undefeated Thunder in the semifinal game beating them 10-2. But, because of the tournament’s double elimination format the Saints had to turn right around and face the Thunder in the title game. The Thunder had beaten the Saints 7-6 earlier in the tournament. “In the seven years we’ve had this team [Saints], this is the best we’ve ever played,” said coach Jon Speake. “We push the Thunder to play better every year, and that’s what they did.” Minnesota’s other team in the tourney, the Rolling Twins, scored 27 runs in its first two victories, but then didn’t play well in a loss to the Saints. The Twins lost its remaining games against the Metro All-Stars [Baltimore] and the RIC Cubs [Chicago]. “I think we played exceptional in our first two games, but we lost

focus after that,” said Rolling Twins player Kurt Greniger. “Our last game was probably the best game we’ve ever played, even though we lost by one run.” The National Tournament marks the end of the 1999 season. Next year’s tourney will be held in Illinois. **** Chris Kram scored three goals and Adam Kaup added two goals to give the Clash a 5-2 win against the Blaze, and claim the championship of the Minnesota Division of the U.S. Electric Wheelchair Hockey Association. The win gave the Clash its third consecutive title. The Clash backed up its offensive production with solid defensive play. Goaltender Scott Dehn got the win between the pipes for the Clash. Dustin Sammons and Joe Hugley each scored a goal for the Blaze. Third place went to the LoneStars who beat the Storm 3-1. The game was scoreless after one period, but Terry Meka put the LoneStars on the scoreboard midway through the second period. The LoneStars opened a 3-0 lead before Joe Waltenburg scored the Storm’s only goal, with under a minute remaining. Meka finished with two goals. Damon Leivestad had a goal and Dan Bruflodt added an

assist. Chad Schramm got the win in goal. In the playoff semifinals the Clash defeated the LoneStars 2-1, while the Blaze beat the Storm 3-2. Mary Long scored the game winning goal for the Clash with only eight seconds left. Kram added a goal and goaltender Lisa Baron got the win. Meka scored the lone goal for the LoneStars. In the other game, the Storm held a 2-0 lead into the third period before the Blaze roared back with three unanswered goals. Hugley had two goals and Sammons added a goal and assist for the Blaze. Goaltender Chris Becker got the win. Waltenburg had two goals and Luke Pedersen added two assists for the Storm. The Minnesota Division’s season is complete and will not have any more games until the 2000 season begins next May. FINAL RECORDS Team Record Clash 10-2-0 Blaze 5-5-2 LoneStars 4-7-1 Storm 3-8-1

both cities express confidence that no power outages will occur, and that we should not worry about being without heat. Nonetheless, backup plans are being made because no one can guarantee this, and being unprepared would be disastrous in a Minnesota winter. Neither city, however, plans to release any information in advance about the location of its shelter facilities. In Minneapolis, the American Red Cross is coordinating this effort and Red Cross spokesperson Sally Domson says that in the event shelter is needed in a particular area, information about shelter locations will be made available at that time on television and over the radio. In St. Paul people will be expected to go to designated “emergency communication points” to find out the location of shelters, according to Sean Krenshaw, with St. Paul’s Y2K task force. Minneapolis is holding a series of public meetings this fall about Y2K. Speakers

include representatives from the Red Cross, major utilities, and city staff. The city’s Y2K Plan will be available for public distribution at the meetings. For more information call 612-673-2123(voice) or TTY 612-673-2157.

As might be expected, some of what will happen at these meetings will be “canned” public relations speeches. In the interest of “avoiding panic” and because some things are still unknown, many representatives will be very carefully encouraging Northeast people to make minor preparaTues., Sept. 21, 7 - 9 p.m. tions while reassuring the Logan Community Center audience that disruptions are Broadway & Monroe NE “extremely unlikely.” Do not North mistake reassurances for stateWed., Sept. 22, 7 - 9 p.m. ments of fact. The reality is Folwell Community Center that we will be making prepa1615 Dowling Ave. N rations based on incomplete South information. We still have to Tues., Sept 28, 7 - 9 p.m. Powderhorn Community Ctr prepare. Future columns will include more information on 3400 15th Ave. S. South preparedness and provide Wed., Sept 29, 7 - 9 p.m. updates, as available, on what Lynnhurst Comm. Center Gym is known about government 1345 W. Minnehaha Pkwy and utility readiness. 

ACT

ACT Cont. from p. 1

Send your comments and sports related stories to Luke Pedersen and Craig McClellan. Phone: (612) 362-8406, Mail: 215 Broadway St. NE, Suite 103, Minneapolis, MN 55413, or Email: cm17@skypoint.com

ties are often the first to be cut. I’m glad to see at least some of the funding for this restored. I look forward to what we can work out for next year.” For more information about ACT or the Common Vision program, visit ACT’s website at www.selfadvocacy.com. 

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Access To Employment EMPLOYMENT ADS ARE $14 A COL. INCH; SEPT 30 IS THE DEADLINE FOR THE OCT 10 ISSUE. Mail to: ACCESS PRESS • 1821 University Ave. • #185N • St. Paul, MN 55104 Fax 651-644-2136 BUILDINGMAINTENANCE CUSTOMER SERVICE Headwaters Fund Is a CUSTODIAN Progressive Foundation REPRESENTATIVES Seeking Qualified Candidates The City of Minnetonka has a NEEDED ON TEMP for Three New Positions: full-time employment opporBASIS A PROGRAM ASSOCIATE tunity available for a Building to work in collaboration with Maintenance Custodian. 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One to five years relevant orders & resolve customer isnity based activism/organiz- experience preferred; boilers sues to ensure customer satising, strong communication and license a plus. Salary: $24,419- faction. Requires H.S. Diploma organizational skills, computer $28,724, with excellent fringe & customer service/order entry experience. Must be thorliteracy including database benefits. ough & accurate in spelling, management, ability to coordinate volunteer committees, at- To obtain an application math & name/place recognition. tention to detail, self-motivated, packet, call the JobLine at 612- Must have good computer flexible and ability to work with 939-8212. Application dead- skills, desire to be helpful, & line date is September 24th. ability to work with others in a a diversity of people. fast paced environment. Please City of Minnetonka contact Chris at (612) 520-0340 An experienced, organized in14600 Minnetonka Blvd or stop by our Human Redividual with initiative as it’s Minnetonka, MN 55345 sources office to complete apOPERATIONS DIRECTOR. plication any time Mon-Fri, Responsibility for finance, An Affirmative 8am-4:30pm. Courage Center, human resources, administraAction Employer 3915 Golden Valley Rd., tion, office management, MIS Golden Valley, MN 55422. and records management. This EOE. We welcome & embrace new position will work in orgadiversity. nizational teams on special projects. Qualifications include: relevant education and ADMINISTRATIVE experience, excellent interperASSISTANT sonal and organizational skills, RECRUITING strong communication skills and the ability to work well Gray Plant Mooty, a law firm in BT OFFICE PRODUCTS with a diversity of people. downtown Minneapolis, is INTERNATIONAL, seeking an administrative asADEVELOPMENTASSOCI- sistant to assist Recruiting MINNEAPOLIS DIVISION ATE to work in collaboration Manager in interviewing and with the Development Direc- hiring associate attorneys for is a leader in the office prodtor on a range of development firm. Duties include coordinat- ucts industry. Call our job line activities with emphasis on ing arrangements for on-cam- for available jobs in our wareannual fund, donor acquisi- pus visits and in-house inter- house, customer service, and tion and special events. This views, maintaining applicant delivery. new position will also work as records, and miscellaneous ad1-800-348-4192 part of organizational teams on ministrative tasks. Accurate 24 hrs/day, 7 days/week special projects. Qualifications typing speed of 50+ wpm; 3+ We are an include: computer literacy, da- years of secretarial or admin. tabase management, attention assistance experience required. equal opportunity employer M/F/D/V to detail, ability to coordinate Excellent communication development and event com- skills, good organizational mittee work, and 2+ years of abilities and attention to detail development experience. a must. Microsoft Word and Should be self-motivated, pos- Excel experience extremely ses strong communication and helpful. We offer an attractive organization skills, flexible and work environment, competitive have the ability to work well salaries and an outstanding with a diversity of people. benefits package. Send resume with cover letter to: Human People of color, people with Resources, Gray Plant disabilities, women, glbt can- Mooty, 3400 City Center; Ramsey Cty didates are encouraged to ap- 33 S. 6 th St., Mpls, MN ply. Request position descrip- 55402 or fax to: 612-333-0066. tion and application by calling Equal Opportunity and 612-879-0602, ext. 10. Affirmative Action Employer

n DIRECTOR VOCATIONAL SERVICES

Courage, a nationally renowned rehab & resource center for people with disabilities, is currently seeking a Director, Vocational Services to provide strategic direction, drive growth & develop various vocational businesses; create an effective team environment; and establish and maintain a strong presence in the disability community, gov’t offices, and with service providers and businesses. The selected candidate will possess an extensive background in Vocational Rehab Services; have considerable amount of exp in sales/ marketing in order to drive business forward; and possess strong mgmt skills to include staff, budgets, and dept infrastructure. For consideration, please mail or fax cover letter & resume to Human Resources, DVS Recruit, Courage Center, 3915 Golden Valley Rd., Mpls, MN 55422. Fax: 612-520-0577. EOE. We welcome & embrace diversity.

PROGRAM ASSISTANT For Alternative High School A south Minneapolis Alternative School is looking for a program assistant to assist in implementing and maintaining learning environment and provide administrative support for the school. Must possess strong interpersonal skills and be able to handle multiple priorities. Working towards teaching license is a plus. We offer a competitive salary and full benefits. Apply in person, LNB, 1925 Nicollet, Mpls., Mon-Thurs 9-4 p m. Agency application required. Application review is ongoing and continues until position is filled. EOE

September 10, 1999 University of Minnesota EXTENSION SERVICE

U OF MN EXTENSION SERVICE 3 DISTRICT DIRECTOR POSITIONS

Extension Educator, Forest Land Ecology and Manage- Office locations in Morris, ment, Cloquet Forestry Cen- Staples, and Rochester MN. ter, Cloquet, MN. Provide overall leadership for personnel and programming in Required: A bachelor’s de- the multi-county district. gree; at least one degree in a natural resources field; course Required: Master’s degree; work or professional experi- minimum 5 years professional ence in forest management, experience and demonstrated fisheries or wildlife manage- commitment to inclusivity/diment, ecology, and education; versity; skills & abilities: comstrong skills in oral communi- munication, program developcations; experience working ment, administrative leaderwith diverse groups and on ship, supervision, team buildcollaborative programs. ing, problem solving, and creativity. Preferred: Professional experience or course work in the de- Preferred: Degrees approprisign, delivery, and evaluation ate to job responsibilities; adof educational programs; ex- ditional training or course work perience or college course work in administration, team buildor training in landscape ecol- ing, leadership, program deogy, water resources manage- velopment. Demonstrated sucment, soil resources, and group cess in program leadership, adfacilitation; knowledge of land- ministrative leadership experiscape level planning and geo- ence, including supervision; graphic information systems. experience in continuing education outreach programs. Deadline for materials: October 8, 1999. Deadline for receipt of application materials: October 15, 1999 To obtain complete position or until all final candidates have announcement & application been identified. materials, call U of MN Human Resources at 612/624- To apply: send cover letter 3717, or download from Web describing how your backpage: www.extension.umn. ground & education relate to edu/extension/jobs.html. The the position, current resume, U of MN is an equal opportu- transcripts, and three letters of nity educator and employer. reference to: Extension Human Resources, 260 Coffey HHA/PCA NEEDED Hall, 1420 Eckles Ave., St. Paul MN 55108. Call or check White Bear Lake Private web site for complete position Home Has Pt Positions Avail- description: 612/624-4267; able. Day, Evening & Week- http://www.extension.umn. end Hours Open. Will Train. edu/extension/jobs.html/ The Applicants Must Be Able To U of M is an equal opportunity Lift 50 Lbs. Call (651) 429- educator and employer. 1775 Or Fax Resume To (651) 407-0229. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The Charities Review Council seeks a dynamic individual to serve as its Director. The Council promotes informed charitable giving by evaluating charities, using standards that encourage accountability, and by providing needed information to donors statewide. Candidates should have 5 + yrs in nonprofit mgmt, excellent communication skills, understanding of nonprofit accounting principles, commitment to pluralism, and demonstrated success in fundraising. Salary: $45-55K Resume and cover letter must be received by Sept 21. Charities Review Council, 46 E. 4th Street, #636, St. Paul, MN 55101. Attention: Search Committee. No calls, please. Equal Opportunity Employer

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September 10, 1999

CLASSIFIEDS

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1997 Ford Econoline conversion van. Hydraulic wheelchair lift. 35,500 miles, excellent condition. Lots of extras, asking $22,000. Call Mike @ 612-906-4000. FOR RENT Seward Square Apartments: We are currently accepting applications for our waiting list at Seward Square Apartments in Minneapolis. Seward Square is barrier-free housing and is federally subsidized. For an application, please call (612) 338-2680. Equal Opportunity Housing.

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