September 1996 Edition - Access Press by Access Press

Get Out The Vote! See Page 4

Remember Oscar Levant - p. 5 . -

-3 .

"The challenge is to become part of the struggle, to make a positive dlfjerence. 99

David Satclier

Access Press I Volume 7,

SOURCES

Number 09

In this third installment ofour series of questions directed to the candidates for U.S. Senate, ACCESS PRESS. in conjunction with VOICES FOR DISABILITY RIGHTS (a Minnesota political action committee dedicated to expressing and advocating for the issues and concerns of people with disabilities), will be focusing on issues ofcivil1 Human Rights and Taxes.

ask if we could edit out what we consider to be the objectionable and irrelevant parts of the response, we were refused such permission. We were told that, if we did edit the response, they would refuse to let us publish anything at all from the candidate on these issues. These are important issues, ones that the readers of ACCESS PRESS need to know about. So we

weakeningamendmentstothe Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)? Would you oppose any weakening amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)? Would you support increased funding for Center for Independent Living?

T h i s mnr~th, we sent our ques-

actly as we received it this

tions to Senator Paul Wellstone, the DFL candidate; Dean Barkley, the Reform Pam, candidate; and the three remaining Republican candidates: Rudy Boschwitz, Monti Moreno, and Steve Young.

month

We think the questions are straightforward in their intent to clarifythecandidates' stances on the issues. However, you will notice that one of the candidates took the opportunity this month to engage in a personal attack on one of his opponents. When we contacted the candidate's office to

Here are this month's questions: Question Number 1: CIVILIHUMAN RIGHTS Currently,the newfound civil rights of individuals with disabilities are 4xing threatened. Would you oppose any

September 10, 199(

/ A t The Democratic National Convention

Candidates Speak: Rights And T : 3

Next month. in the final installment of this series, we will refuse to publish any responses that do not focus directly on the questions.

I RESOURCES

Question Number 2: TAXES

Activists Make Their presence Felt by Roger Fuller The light blue ribbons worn at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago last month came from Minnesota. The ribbons were first distributed earlier this summer at a meeting of the People with Disabilities and their Supporters sub-caucus at the Min-

ity rights ribbons. And the New York, at which there was matching blue balloons sport- only one meeting of the dised by the Minnesota delega- abled delegates during the tion were visible from the far four-day convention, the comers of the United Center. Democratic Disability Cauin the same shade of blue cus at the Chicago convenwhich were held by the dele- tion had four two-hour meetgates. ings. 'i

Bobbi Cord-

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.The ~ i s a b i lCaucus i~ held a

Delegar- wme the Mmne~defegarionan- chicago ~ubiic~ib&&builclthe Ji&t blue ribbolrs-insupport of disability rights, an vc--,-idea developed byMary Ellea the delegates to -say in sign 'trai&l ~&-p vms I&. Tisdale, who chaired the sublanpgk;"~om M&yea&'' . -~oliti'il1eadersfFho spoke . caucus. a slogan of the G f i h ' M k ~ - . br:faEe . the Disabilitj&?Wcw .the rest of i n c l d p o n n a Shalala, SeeThe pattern was repeated in the convention was chanting r e t u H e aL--, q l t h and I-I~rnan Chicago at the national con- "Four More Years" as Presi- ~eivices:Sen. Tom Harkin of vention. Light blue ribbons dent Clinton walked to. the Iowa; Carol Rasko. policy were given to members ofthe podium, the Minnesota dele- advisor to the President; Minnesota delegation and to gates signed "Four More former Gov. Barbara Roberts delegates from all over the Years." ofOregon; Mike Lowry, govcountry who attended a meetemor of Washington; Minneing of the Democratic Dis- The ribbons, balloons, and sota Attorney General Skip ability Caucus. sign language were examples Humphrey; Congressman of a national convention that Steny Hoyer of Maryland; On the convention's final gave an unprecedented visi- Don Fowler, National Demonight, delegates, alternates, bility to disability rights. In cratic Chair; and Sen. Chris visitors, and members of the contrastwith the 1992 Demo- Dodd, National Democratic news media wore the disabil- craticNationa1Convention in Convention - cont. on p. 2

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expensive.

penses

can total thou^^^ each y a q d many-lof expenses medical in fi&hi'e s u p ~ ran t adjustment to the federal tax form which would allow people with disabilities to take an extra tax deduction when filing? Would you support a tax credit for people with disabilities when they build their own accessible home?

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The candidates' responses appear on page 3.

ACCESS PRESS'S new home is in the Griggs Midway Building, our new address is: Suite 185 N, 182 1 University Avenue W., Saint Paul, Minnesota 55104. The new phone is: (612) 644-2133 & FAX (612) 644-2136

On oetok I, 1996, &@-& h) Maycir's . Advisory Cmmittee for People witA Disabilities and the Minrtesota

inter thisampetition, WW &*--

ebapteroftheNationa1Multip l e ~ ~Society i s will

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discmsiens on assistive tech- the leadership of Fred Fay, the Americans with chair, and Mary McICnew, coDon't forget the 5fh annual Starlight Ball and recognition of ROW, Title IV,Amaiaans with Disabilities Act. It's coming up on DisaGiMw Act, health m, chair. Caucus sessions were p o p * r r h h d l k . ( n * n h l ~ A ~ . m l . c ~ d u p d . n ~ t o r ~ a a d . . a Q ~ ~ M M . r T o o ( U b * ~ l a . r M . t q 4 d ~ r n T o a ( a r ~ b . a d *-g-alrh-MWr.h--m n d k h . d a w m l + s . r q . n m ~ p . n d a l y r ~

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~ o o b l b r c ~ m ~ e l u p p o n l h c ~ ~ ~ m .

Northeast Job Fair

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p o a a l b i l h ~ ~ o h a ~ ~ b m

Several persons who used Employers from healthcare, wheelchairsaddressedtheconcommunications, transports- vention. They included Christion and professional businass topher Reeve, an actor with a a r k a s w i l l b e t h e r e t o ~ b w s ~ i n a lchord injury, J m e s and hire. ~fyouz&lbkingfor Brady, press secretary to a new joh spporhmity, bring former President Ronald kcgw *me and mark yoor Ream; Justin Dart, a well calendar for this job hir! For known disability rights activWherinfmatibn, call Linda ist; and Michela Alioto, candiLoilk 781-6011 Ext. 143. date fb Congrees.in Califw nia. ,' a

Eastside Employment Network is sponsoring a Job Fair on Tuesday, 24th, - September from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon at Bottineau Parkbuilding, 2000 2nd St. N.E. in Miieapolis. :

I I I

ACCESS .......................... PRESS, ,.".............

Wm. A. Smith, Jr.

Co-FounderlPublisksr ( 1 9 9 0 1 m

.,.. .............. . . ....................... . . Chrrks F.Smith e m o ~ .~..a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....-.... ,.............L..........soetr A Production.............. ............,. ,...,.......,.-..... .,.-."....".... Predeutation Inrgvst Elka Hau@np. ....................................... . ..3cffN3($rard Staff Writer & Editorial A m a ,t,. .... EditorlPuMiehe~JCocFounder

I I I -

ACCESS PRESS is a monthly Wloid newspapet published For persons with d.Wilities b Access Press, Ltd. Circulation is IO,WO,d i b u t e d the 10.of each month through mow t)un 120raations statewide. Approximately 650 copies are mailed directly to political, business, inaiwfonal andbivie, leaders. Subscriptions are avail&kf& $19/yr.

I I

Editorial submi serving those w

ics of inmm to persons with d~khilities,q persow

Paid advertising is available at rates m g i n g tiom $1 1 to $15/wlumn inch, depending on size and frequency. Classifiedads are $7.00, plus 35 cedword-over20 words. ~ d v e r t i s i nand ~ editorial deadlines available for camera-ready art.

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Inquiries should be directed to: ACCESS PRESS 1821 University Ave. W. Suite 185N r' Minneqolis Minnesota 55404 (612)644-2133 Fax (612)614-2136

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Cmm*,o%gp3redhprogram. Larry Gmki, S p d Assistant to Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, provided onsite accommodation services to delegates at the convention.

It is hoped that, as a result of the high activity at the Chicago convention, more states around the country will estabF@h their own' state disability eausus within their state Democratic Pam manization.

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and not in a nursing home. As always, should tax changes Response to Question 1: such as those mentioned above be found to be appropriate, The Americans with Disabil- they should be paid for with ities Act (ADA) is landmark cuts elsewhere in the federal legislation prohibiting dis- budget. crimination against people with disabilities in employ- There is a great need for lowment, public services, public interest loans to help people accommodations,transporta- with disabilities - who often tion and telecommunications. live on fixed low incomes and While I was not serving in the have difficulty qualifLing for Senate at the time that this regular loans - to build or legislation passed, 1 strongly rehabilitate existing homes. support it. People with dis- For some, Medicaid regulaabilities continue to have a tions make it impossible to very high unemployment rate save money for a down-payand face physical and attitudi- ment, thus creating another nal barriers every day. I would obstacle. l think thereneedsto oppose any effort to weaken be a broader discussion as to our commitment to uphold- what methods would make ing the principles and meet- accessible homes more availing the goals of the ADA. able. IDEA, which guarantees free and appropriateeducation for children with disabilities, has gone through committee and is awaitingpassage in the Senate. I worked closely with parents and advocates fighting hard to protect students' rights and benefits under IDEA and to keep short-term objectives included in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP). I am concerned about

improved, and we need to lis-

IN BRIEF. . . .

cant. from p. 1

SENA TOR PA UL WELLSTONE, DFL

DEAN BARKLEY, REFORM PARTY Response to Question I :

The battles won by the disabled communitymust-beprotected from the insensitivityof those who wish to backtrack on the rights guaranteed in the ADA and IDEA acts. As a civil libertarian, I believe that all people are protected by our

abled. These types of deductions should be made available to those who need them most andbegradually reduced the higher the recipient's income becomes. In our current monetary crisis ofdeficitsand a 5.1 Trillion dollar debt, I believe means testing any new tax credit or deduction would be appropriate. RUDY BOSCH WITZ, REPUBLICAN

Voices For Disability Rights Annual Meeting Come to the annual meeting ofVoicesforDisability Rights and meet candidates who are running for the state legislature in the seven county metro area. Hear a distinguished panel ofpebplewith disabilities discuss issues with an opportunity for you to raise issues, ask ques-

tions and get answers.

ence room, 1600 University Avenue, Suite 10, in St. Paul Voices will endorsecandidates from 1 to 5 pm on Saturday, for political office, and elect September21. A $5.00 donamembersto the board ofdirec- tion is rquested, but everyone tors. is welcome! Themeetingwill be held in the Questions? Call Scott Dehn Metropolitan Center for or Lisa Barron at 378-0120 or lndependent Living confer- Diane Dezelar at 337-0943.

Response to Question I :

Forum On Community Involvement

My campaign is built upon allowing each of our citizens the opportunity to achieve the American Dream. To this end, I firmly believe in guaranteeing basic rights to each individual, regardless of his or her background or personal situation. m e n I voted for the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, I recognized that no American should face discrimination in areas such as employment, transportation and public accommodations. I continue to support increasing vocational training opportunities for those with disabilities, something I voted for while in the Senate. In short, I believe in lessbukaucracyand

TheMinnesota~e~artmentofManaged Care for Persons Human Services is planning a with Disabilities DemonstraCommunity Forum on Con- tion Project. The forum will sumer Involvement to present be held on Monday, October information and receive input 2 1 attheMidway Sheraton Inn on the upcoming Partners in at Highway 94 & Hamline

The Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Assooiation of Minnesota is sponsoring a special conference on Saturday, September 28. "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Community, Copingand Concerns" will be held at United Hospital's Conference Hall in the St. Paul Heart and Lung Center, 255 North Smith Street in St. Paul. Reg-

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Washington. i a m w% the vast of MinnesotanS who h i * es and an expanding bureaucracy diminish the American Dream for every one of us. Wellstone has supported increasingtaxeson Minnesota's familiesmore than t w e n t y different times. He's wrong. What we need are lower taxes and less bureaucracy. To create a climate of increased opportunity, I support tax credits and other fonns of tax relief for Americans. I also support a simpler, fairer and flatter tax system. In general, wherepeople are taxed less, their spirit and productivity grow. When I return to the Senate, I will replace Paul Wellstone's taxand-spend vision with a

Avenue in St. Paul. Mark yourcalendars! Look formore details intheOctoberACCESS PRESS. or call RichwdSeurer at (612) 297-4568.

1 chronic Fatiaue Conference

mtial abuse from the majori-

ten to teachem and admini ty. trators about their concerns, we cannot f u n our back on The disabled penmb &m%chilmen*oneedspcidserdeserves the same wak ' dW@@opporvices in order to reach their OW)BfhllUt3gg 1 1 1 potential. -itis, ageas opportunities and â&#x201A;Źmmpmtion opportuniJust fourofMinnesota's eight ties as those Americans withCentersreceive federalfunas. out disabilities. We must inMore M s will e n s m state- sure that the disabled Ameriwide access to independent can has every opportunity to informationandrefml, peer prosper and live a full and support and advocacy. And complete independent life. more funds will be needed if Any effortto weaken theexisteach center is to have ade- ing protections would be quate base funding to meet fiercely fought by me. the needs of people in their area. I would support ade- Money spent on enablingthe quate fimding to meet these disabled to live independent lives is money well spent and needs. money that I believe will lead Response to Question 2: to cost savings in the long run. I would look favorably on in1 would be willing to consider creasing current funding for tax changes designed to help Such programs that promote people with disabilities to live ihdependent lifestyles for the in their communities. There disabled. is sufficientfederal precedent, such as the additional stan- Response to Question 2: dard deduction forpeople who are blind; the allowance for I would support both the conspecial items, equipment and cept of a special tax deduction capital expenses as a medical for the disabled along with a deduction;deductionsfordis- tax credit to help cover some ability-related work expenses of theextra costs in building a and the credit for the elderly handicap accessible home so and disabled retirees. Fur- long as these deductions and ther, we should considerways creditsare based upon the perto ensure that health insur- son's income and ability to ance and Medicare cover ex- pay. Independent living in penses for things such as spe- one's own house is a dream cialized equipment that en- that should be made more able people to live at home readily available to the dis-

September 10,1996

Access Press

t+ .'

istration begins at 12:30pm; cal Social Worker who was the conference goes from 1-4 diagnosed with CFS in 1990, will shareher personal ihsights pm. The cost is $10.00. and professional expertise. The keynote speaker, Paul Levine, M.D., is a founding Formore information, contact member and current president the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Association of Minne~op-qt of the American Assool&& - ?' forChronicFatigueS~%%e612-943-2769. (AACFS). J e e r Gish, a Licensed hdqmdent Clinid*

4 . 7

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8wnmber gi&n?a is wrong. The correct number is 3+0&627-3529.The Twin Cities number i s still 612-297-5353. We apologize for any inconvenience

CORREmON1 month's In Br&f l.an(p3)

I growth-orientedappmachthat will benefit all Americans, incIudingtho3tzwithdisabilities. MONTI MORENO, REPUBLICAN Mr.Moreno failed torespond. STEVE YOUNG, REPUBLICAN Mr. Young failed to respond.

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September 10,1996

Access Press

ATTENTION: PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES THEIR FAMILIES AND SUPPORTERS

z? C-&LEE

?$ -,.-.

*.-

1-4

Dear Nicole,

:>e$< 1live in a Section 8 accessible . - apartment building in hf

intensive lookingto find the get iirotmdtZ1'1sbyiBOkhginto best one for yclu. buildings that are not enti&ly S d a n 8 (where some mishoulddois dents pay market rate]. These

This election year presents People With Disabilities a TURNING POINT in the 30 years of struggle.

OUR RIGHTS ARE UNDER ATTACK

We m t register and vote. W,.' 5,:

AMERICANS FOR DISABILITY RIGHTS MINNESOTA (ADR-MN), "JUSTICE FOR ALL", and THE METROPOLITAN CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING (MCIL) -

Section 8 accessible build- a garage. Beware; there are boxes and laundry moms may

are working to:

years. Some places wit1 say their list is so 1% that it's

AND GET OUT THE VOTE .&

? :;

REGISTERING VOTERS:

t*--

my of State Joan G m e has sent cards to over 280 organizations that serve your needs. Get u curd,Jill it out, and send it to MCIL by September 28.

Voter registration at Seward Square will be door-to-door until October 28.

DFL District 59 will be holding a Forum and Voter Registration on September 17 at 5:30pm at Chute Square at the comer of Un~versltyAvenue and Central " Avenue in Minneapolis. mi *a&

8*pll

The SouthEast Minnesota Center for Independent L~vingsent out 1600 voter registration cards wlth their September newsletter.

5. The University of Minnesota Campus Involvement Center, a non-parti'san organization, will be engaged in ongoing activities until November 5th. Contact Kathy Sgom at 625-3243 . - v-

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you can and then keep calling to aRrm your interest. It's okay to call once a month or every other month. You want than to remember you when they receive an unexpected vacancy.

TO FILL THE GLASS TO OVERFLOWING, WE NEED TO

First of all, YOU MUST VOTE and urge others to vote. (either by absentee ballot or by voting in person on November 5th.

TO GET OUT THE VOTE:

IQW*~~? CD-% W r k to Widk"~,. Care ofAccess Press, 3349 Unlwmity Ave. S, E, Mj?ls., iWV 55414

ADR-MN and MCIL will be conducting telephone banks at MCIL on September 28-30 and October 5-7. PLEASE VOLUNTEER T O HELP! Call Lolly at 603-2022 or Mary Ellen at 822-491 1.

U of M Campus 111~0lfv'ement Center - Action ongoing until election day, Novernber 5th. CALL KATHY STROM AT 625-3243.

3. OTHER TELEPHONE BANK LOCATIONS will be rn the October issue of ACCESS PRESS. PLcASE VOLUNTEER! I

HOUSING AND PERSONAL CARE SERVICES Accessible Space, Inc. (ASI) offers subsidized one and two bedroom apartments for individuals with physical disabilities. We have apartment buildings in a variety of locations in Twin Cities Metropolitanarea plus Mankato, St Cloud, Brainerd, Grand Rapids, Hibbing, Austin and Marshall. New apartment buildings and Duluth. Apartments are fully wheelchair a 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 and/or traumatic brain injury who qualify for Medical Assistance. . - f-8 %he-

GET OUT THE VOTE!!

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For more information regarding services call Leigh or for apartment rental information call Dora at (612)64 or (800)466-7722.

B meet new

"Get involved in politics as v y o u r lift. depends on it. Because it does." Justin Dart

September 10,1996

Access mess Life Goes On

On Mental Illness

Changes, Changes, Changes!

Dont't Forget Oscar Levan

by LeAnne Dahl Nothing ever stays the same, nor should it, in the name of progress. Yet, I can't help but miss a little of the way things used to be. Recently 1 read about the closing of two St. Paul HealthEast hospitals. Midway is set to close in January, 1997 and St. Joseph's is due to close in three years. Midway hospital is to be converted intoacommunityhealth resource center, while the end of St. Joe's will bring about the opening of a seventy bed hospital in Woodbury. It's not too difficult to figure out that the terminationofthese two St. Paul medical landmarks have to do with the way the health system seems to be concentrating. Perhaps those of us with disabilities tend to try to keep up more with all the mergers and changes as they take place. Our very lives depend on it. Yet, it's becom-

that the problem was fluid on. the lung and concluded that he should stay in the hospital at least overnight. He had also contacted Ray's practitioner Six years ago Larry and I found in Washington State. our doctor through Ramsey Medical Center. We got ac- We are grateful that the mediquainted fairly well with cal staff and hospital acted so Ramsey when each of us spent quickly to avert what might short amounts of time there. have been a life-threatening In order not to lose our doctor emergency. My cousin has when he chose to move his returned home now and is practice to Aspen Clinic, we awaiting further testing from changed our primary clinic. his own doctor.

ing harder to stay upto-date because of the complexity of the whole health care situation.

Although neitherofus has been a patient at Midway, where Aspen sends their clients, we were suddenly thrust into a situation that took us there. When my cousin recently visited us fiom out of town, he became ill. 1 called our doctor's office and was told to take him into the emergency room. Within ashort time, the doctor on duty had determined

Reliaion & Disabilitv

by Sandy Gardener

Those who believe that there just haven't been enough good spokespeople for the mentally ill might want to look a few decades back in history. A lot of people in their 40s and older still remember one such spokesman,and almostalways with fondness. His name is Oscar Levant. An accomplished pianist, best friend of George Gershwin and later of Harpo Marx, Levant also enjoyed such careers as a radio and TV personality, a movie actor and a preferred guest on "The Jack Paar Tonight Show". Aside from Levant's musical accomplishments, his fame seemsto have been largely due to his caustic wit and sarcastic comebacks.

It seems that just as we get used to something, it disappears. That's how I feel about Midway Hospital. Ana I would suspect that many others, including patients and staff, feel the same way. In time, we will get acquainted with the hospi- Levant was born in Pittsburgh tal and staff that will serve us in 1906. A rebellious but and LIFE WILL GO ON. musically talented teenager, ~ e v a nwas t moved by hismother to New York to study piano. In New York, he met Gershwin, wrote Broadway tunes, and developed his fourpots-of-coffeeand four-packsof-cigarettes Another habitper he day started habits. was I

At Perfection's Gravesite

5 -

the show boasted some 12 million listeners, and Levant became a household name in America. It was during that. period that Levant's habits became more problematic; while acquiringmore and more fame, he also began developing extremely neurotic phobias, obsessions,superstitions, and in response to them, bizarre rituals. He also continued to concertize throughout the United States, and as his concert schedulebecame more pressured, his growingdepression and obsessive neuroses swelled. The stress led to a heart attack, which led to his first prescription for morphine, and soon to his rapid addiction to serious prescription pain medication and sleeping pills. Levant's drug addiction and depression finally culminated in his first commitment to a mental hospital in 1953. After cleaning out from drugs, Levant would shift into a manic phase, which would eventually land him back on drugs. (An interesting ium, already footnote widely is that used Lithin

actually checked out of the hospital on a day pass by his producer, driven to the studio to do his show, and driven back and checked back in by the producer. But as Levant walked around on the set ofhis show, smoking furiously and blinking uncontrollably, he was known to joke about making "insanity America's favorite hobby." Sam Kashner and Nancy Schoenberger, the authors ofthe 1994 biography of Oscar Levant, A Talent for Genius, point out that while his frankdiscussionsabout his own mental illnesson TV were great therapy for himself, he was doing a lot for American audiences who still saw mental illness as ashameful secret.

isc condition deteriorated,and Levant grew more lethargic and zombie-like. He spent a long period in the hospital, and then back at home, in his bathrobe and unshaven, exhausted. In 1959 he made his first appearance on "The Jack Paar Tonight Show", and it was controversialhalfhoursofteleconsideredone ofthe most

that of getting a job, perform- ~ u r o in~the e 50's and 60's for vision. His drug addictioning well, but eventually either the treatment ofmanicdepres- hospitalization-cleaning out telling off his boss, failing to sion, was not yet available for cycle continued. Levant had

, mq&.qe-gghildhood

-a

~ & g , p r e s e n c e , always beyond my grasp. You eludedme at birth, as my struggle with the umbilical cord left me tom and scarred. My withered hand and lifeless fingers will forever embodyyour nemesis, Imperfection. Yet I learned that I must try to a p i n you just as I leamed that I should never expect to do so. I was lazy if I did not try to become you I was conceited if I thought that 1 had come close.

Sau, P d k c t h . Qm c4x8rit-ysystems keep tns be% gars; imaecessible buildings keep us outcasts; a history of isolation from societyand fiom each other keeps us powerless. -

wit and disruptive reputation, companies who could not S,my dear Perfection, I had he was known in social circles make a profit from a n7w1ly occumng sub-ee. Dmg to choose. Were you made in as the enfmt terrible. a cdmrnon readdiction is the image of God,or was I? Levant moved to California to sponse to the pain ofuntreated Thus you died, starved by my become a songwriter for Hol- manic depressive illness). disbelief. I am amazed by the lywood, and he soon began joy of being free fiom your appearingin films. He is prob- Levant went on to have his oppressive presence. You are ably best known on the screen own television show, where not here to dull the glory of 'for his role in An American in he often talked openly about today's moments. 1 look for- Paris f 19451. Levant's other his psychiatric experiences. ward to tomorrow's moments exploits include -his late But as his train of thought bewithout wonyingthat they will 1930's-early 40's stint as a came more bizarre and his not be good enough. I remem- panelist on the nationally caustic remarks more uncenber moments in my past and broadcast radio talk show sored, he would wind up back reclaim them as good. Youno called "lnformation, Please!" in the hospital. At one point in longer have the power to di- At the peak of its popularity, his television career, he was

Ah, Perfection, I resentedyou, was shamed by you, and imprisonedbyyou. Yet Iyeamed foryou, was driven by you and believed in you. Thus 1 fed you and kept you alive. You died theday1 discoveredGod, beside me, trapped within boundaries, yearning to be set As I grew, I learned from my free. Thecreatorexposedyou minish them. tradition that youandGodwere with one phrase, "I need you." 1wonder, Perfection,what you synonymous- complete,needing nothing; without blemish, "No! Ifyou need me, than you might have been if your defmdefect or flaw; the standard on are not perfect. If you are not ers had made you in the image which to build my character, perfect, than 1 cannot rely on of God. my image, my worth. Had I you to make everything perlived in Moses' time, the law fect in the end! Pam Armstrong is a Co-Partner of Made in the Image, would have forbidden me from entering the Holy of Holies. "And you need me to do what? which does disability andlor My physical imperfection Change the world? Love you? theological consultation. This would have "profaned God's Comfortyou? Encourageyou? article reflects Pam S experisanctuary." (Leviticus 2 7:23) Aren't 1 supposed to depend ence and is not intended to be Within the last twenty years, on you for those things? You representativeofanyone else's those words have been used to seem more like me, than Per- faith tradition or experience. deny physically imperfectpersons ordination into the ministry. Spiritual leaders must be closer to God's image than Mental Hcalth anyone else, and God is perPersonal Care Service fect. 2925 Dean Parkway, #814, Mpls., MN In Jesus' time, my imperfect. body would have caused me to Call to get services for yourself or someone else with a diagnosis be labeled as faithless,demon- of mental illness ... or to work with our clients as a PCA. ic and sinful. We were the We serve the seven county metro area. beggars, the outcasts, the pow- (See Classified). erless. Today, we are still

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and hegrew increasinglymore fiail. He was known to have gone back and visited often with the other patients in the hospital after his discharge. He appeared with Jack Paar again in 1963 and 1964, and later, Paar would sign off at the end of his show saying "Good night Oscar Levant, wherever you are", which Levant, in his bathrobed state, would hear over the TV in his bedroom. Levant died in 1972.

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111

September 10,1996

Access Press

A Desert,- Or..

by Gordon Gillesby It's a jungle out there. Or maybe a desert is a better metaphor. Vast wastelands of cyber-garbage and noisy-nothingness punctuated by intensely rich gatherings where everybody and his proverbial brother hawks everything from government secrets to used cars. It's the world's largest virtual-reality open-air (?) cyberspaceversion of something the world has neverreally known before. A full-fledged combination ofdesert caravan, Turkish Bazaar, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, Marrakesh and more. It's bigger than the Megamall, more noisy than the Minnesota State Fair, more powerful than government regulation and more useful than the Encyclopedia Galactica. It's a place where gawking's free, barter's the language, everybody has a story to

tell end you better know where your money is because there's sure to be a pick-pocket working the crowd. Not all who scowl at you are your enemies. Better to watch closely the ones smiling at you. And you better have your visa card . . . It's hardest for people to comprehend the changes taking place during theirown lifetime. A gigantic,megalithic, hyper-enormous change is completely altering the way- we do business, handle our affairs (in every sense of the word), run governments and educate ourselves and pass on our heritage to future generations. It's vast. It's powerful. It's morethan a little overwhelming. It's fun and, most importantly, it's available for everyone's participation. At least, everyone with a computer.

It'sthecyber-bazaar called the World Wide Web and it's home is within that techno-based information desert that most call the Internet. It's the present and the future ofour civilization. It's not yet all that it can or will become. But it is the heart of an measureless revolution that's not just shaking our world's foundation to the core -it will also author whole new civilizations and cultures in the coming centuries. If you think it's a big leap from your Neanderthal cousins-stone-ageman, about 60,000 years ago - that's nothingcomparedto the next 200 years of earth history. We're not just banging rocks together any more. The first 300 years of computer technology will see such hndamental shifts in human values that it's difficult to comprehendthe speed at which whole

govenunent, commercialand educational systems are being removed and replaced before anyone even notices.

abilities and other non-profits, vendors andlor service agencies. Our "home*' page or lntemet Web Site (that's like having a booth at the fhir) will be online this month. More on What's more, you don't needa whole our web site in coming months. lot of computerto get in on all this. A refurbished system like DRAGnet Meanwhile, DRAGnet has surpassed supplies can be your camel in the placing 20 machines on a weekly cyberspace desert caravan of your basis (we'd be placing more but U.S. choice. It's not free, but it's low- West screwed up our telephones for cost. You've got to start somewhere over three months). We just conto join in because, as people with cludedadeal with Cardiac Pacemakdisabilities, if-you don't get your ers, Inc. (a.k.a. Guidanf) for300 highcamel soon, you're in danger of be- end Macintosh computers by the end ing swallowed by the informational of this year. We are now a regular equivalent of a sandstorm. (monthly) display at the Minnesota Science Museum. We have a large DRAGnet has pitched a tent within supply of 386 computers available the oasis known as Minnesota despite our recent robbery (someone Wavetech, Inc. Basical.ly, we're broke in overnight a few weeks ago working togetherto provide Ipw-cost and stole a few thousand dollars in Internet access for .people with dis- Power - cont. on D. 7 .

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