November 2004 Edition - Access Press

RICK CARDENAS, CHARLIE SMITH AWARD WINNER

by Terri Ricci

On November 5, 2004, the Access Press board, staff, and about 100 friends gathered to honor one of the pioneers in our disability community. Rick Cardenas, co-director of Advocating Change Together was this year’s recipient of the Charlie Smith Award.

Rick’s many years of political leadership include statewide and national work with the Democratic Party; community organizing for Cesar Chavez on the Grape Boycott issue in support of seasonal agricultural workers; Constituent Advocate for Sena-

tor Paul Wellstone; and community organizing on various disability, accessibility, poverty, and Latino issues in Minnesota. His work with the National Center for Handicapped Transportation in the 1970s led to the creation of greater accessible public transportation in Minnesota. Through his consulting firm, Akcess Associates, Rick has fought for accessible architecture throughout the Twin Cities. All of Rick’s accomplishments would take the rest of this paper, so if you want to know more about Rick you will have to meet with him and get the whole story.

Although I did not have the fortune to meet Charlie Smith, I do believe he is smiling knowing the 2nd Annual Charlie Smith Award went to such a deserving individual. Rick Cardenas is one of the driving forces for the disability community and I am glad to call him a friend.

As part of the Award Banquet, the owners and friends of Black Bear Crossing, who know Rick because of his leadership role in the community, offered a “Burning Sage” Prayer for a healthy and prosperous future. For more highlights, see p 8. ■

“The work of the individual still remains the spark that moves mankind

2004 ELECTIONS

by Lance H. Hegland

Twas days after elections, not a recount in sight. What will happen now? This is our plight. Alas, the voting is all done; the power passed to those who won. No more political ads via TV or mail—back to good ol’ materialistic temptations and sales. But, what we shall we discuss, around the watercooler we sit? Probably the weather and that same ol’ bull...”WAIT!” the pundit proclaimed, “there’s wrapup, analysis, and plenty of blame! Voter turnout, policy change, and balance of power; that could keep us busy for countless more hours!

MSNBC quoted an Illinois county clerk who summarized this year’s turnout as “Gangbusters.” Approximately 120 million people voted during this year’s presidential election; 15 million more than in 2000. Estimates place the percentage of eligible voters who showed up to vote at just under 60 percent, which would be the highest since 1968. The 2000 campaign saw roughly 54 percent turnout. Although an impressive increase, experts indicate that swing states likely had significantly higher voter turnout than non-swing states, which saw only average turnout. This vast difference may result from swing states’ more intense “get out the vote” campaigns. At least six states—Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia— and the District of Columbia set voter-turnout records, according to Curtis Gans, director of the nonpartisan Committee for the Study of the American Electorate. Here in Minnesota, 77 percent of those eligible voted, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State; the highest since 1960, when 79 percent of eligible voters went to the polls. Despite overall increased voter par-

ticipation, preliminary analysis suggests that the nation’s younger voters didn’t surge to the polls in significantly greater numbers as expected.

In the face of a few pundits’ predictions that greater voter turnout would benefit Kerry, thereby pushing him over the top, voters from both sides ran to the polls in greater numbers. In fact, the six record-setting states went for Bush, who won the popular and Electoral College votes this time around.

In addition to reelecting their presidential choice, Republicans strengthened their power in the United States Congress by picking up four seats in each the Senate and House. Previously, Republicans held a two-seat majority in the Senate (51 Republicans, 48 Democrats, and one independent) and a 23-seat majority in the House of Representatives (229 Republicans, 205 Democrats, and one independent). Now, Republicans will hold a 10-seat majority in the Senate (55 Republicans, 44 Democrats, and one independent) and a 31-seat majority in the House of Representatives (233 Republicans, 201 Democrats and one independent—but, two Republican and one Democrat wins are not final because they are too close to call at press time). Other notable election results include South Dakota Senator Tom Daschle losing his seat, ending his role as Senate minority leader and topranking Democrat.

Locally, the Minnesota House of Representative results had DFL-supporters smiling: they picked at least 13 seats previously held by Republicans, narrowing the Republican majority to two seats, although Patti Wetterling lost her bid for Congress.

The most significant longterm impact likely will not be

felt from the executive or legislative branches of our federal government; it will probably come from the judicial branch: the Supreme Court. It, like the nation, is closely divided on a host of sensitive issues, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, abortion, religion, sexual orientation, race, the roles of judges and juries, and the powers of the federal and state governments. Currently, the court seems to be split three ways: three staunch conservatives, two moderate conservatives, and four moderate-to-liberals. But, three to four justices could retire during the next Presidential and Senate term, giving the current administration the advantage of choosing more conservative replacements who will help promote the Republican agenda and President’s legacy. These placements could tip the scales, significantly altering the nation’s judicial landscape.

As Kerry pointed out during his concession speech, there is “… the danger of division in our country and the need— the desperate need—for unity, for finding the common ground, coming together. Today, I hope that we can begin the healing.” Likewise, President Bush proclaimed during his acceptance speech, “Reaching [America’s] goals will require the broad support of Americans. So today I want to speak to every person who voted for my opponent: To make this nation stronger and better I will need your support, and I will work to earn it. I will do all I can do to deserve your trust. A new term is a new opportunity to reach out to the whole nation. We have one country, one Constitution and one future that binds us. And when we come together and work together, there is no limit to the greatness of America.” ■

Rick Cardenas accepting the Charlie Smith Award pictured with his nephews Bruce and Kenny.

Tim Benjamin, Editor

The State Council on Disability and the Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities is putting on its 12 annual legislative forum. The forum gives us a chance to interact though discussions of

our issues and to have an opportunity to hear from key legislators and leaders from the disability community on how we might be able to work jointly on resolutions. The date is December 7, 9:30 a.m. at the Minnesota Department of Human Services on 444 Lafayette in St. Paul, MN. For more information on the forum see the State Council ad on pg 8.

Mr. Olegario D. Cantos VII or “Ollie,” as he asked to be called, joined the United States Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division as Special Assistant to the Assistant Attorney General. Ollie was here for two days and spoke about disability awareness and mentoring at two locations to two different audiences. He has a passion

Making A Difference

by Lance H. Hegland

Mr. Olegario “Ollie”

D. Cantos VII recently visited the Twin Cities and spoke passionately about disability awareness and mentoring for various audiences. An incredibly inspirational individual, Ollie shared insight regarding how to make a difference in the world. Before divulging his wisdom, it is important to peek into his life’s journey so far.

Ollie was born in Los Angeles to Filipino immigrants. He was born two months prematurely and was diagnosed as having retrolental fibroplasia: he had no vision in his left eye and only partial vision in his right. In early childhood, his attitudes were shaped by an emphasis on using the vision he had. Ollie remembers playing with fully-sighted children who were allowed to run around and play. Although he sometimes participated, more often he was discouraged from engaging in any “vigorous activities.” He was told, “You can’t see too well, and there are just some

things that you can’t do.” He began to feel that he was inferior to those with full vision, that having sight meant having ability, and that his lack of sight meant that he was not as capable as those with sight. Further, the greater a person’s physical limitations, the less capable he or she will be. Ollie felt lucky to be “less disabled”—he didn’t want to be referred to as blind or disabled—in other words, incapable.

Ollie learned to read and write with his non-visually impaired classmates. However, as time went on, his peers began to read and write more quickly and easily. By fourth grade, he began to use magnifying glasses, closedcircuit televisions and other adaptive equipment. He resisted using Braille as that might imply disability. He also refused to use a cane despite his occasional bumping into obstacles, tripping over curbs, and falling down steps. He struggled with acceptance just like the rest of

Access Press

us experiencing some sort of “disability;” he wanted to “blend in” and “be normal.”

Eventually his thinking changed. He realized no one is truly hindered by a “disability;” people are hindered by their focus and attitude. If someone focuses on limitations, abilities will be neglected. For example, when Ollie was in late-elementary school, he was being bullied during recess. One day, he mustered up the courage to approach the bully, explained how he was feeling as a result of being bullied, and indicated that he wanted to be friends. The bully was thrown off guard by his courage, and Ollie earned his respect and friendship. His knack for helping people see things from a different perspective

Co-Founder/Publisher (1990-1996).............................................................Wm. A. Smith, Jr.

Co-Founder/Publisher/Editor-in-Chief (1990-2001)..................................Charles F. Smith

Board of Directors....................................... JoAnn Cardenas Enos, Mike Chevrette, Mary Kay Kennedy, Kelly Matter, Tom Squire, Peg Thomas, & Kay Willshire

Editor ....................................................................................................................Tim Benjamin

Financial Manager/Editorial Assistant...................................................................Terri Ricci

Cartoonist ................................................................................................................Scott Adams

Production .................................................................Ellen Houghton at Presentation Images

Access Press is a monthly tabloid newspaper published for persons with disabilities by Access Press, Ltd. Circulation is 11,000, distributed the 10th of each month through more than 200 locations statewide. Approximately 650 copies are mailed directly to political, business, institutional and civic leaders. Subscriptions are available for $25/yr.

Editorial submissions and news releases on topics of interest to persons with disabilities, or persons serving those with disabilities, are welcomed.

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for equal rights that he wears on his sleeve—you recognize it immediately in his questions of how “you” are and how “you’re” being treated. He has an honest interest in others well-being. They’re few individuals that can speak about awareness and mentoring with the compassion and familiarity as Ollie. He was able to talk about personal issues that at one minute your eyes were heavy with tears and the next you were trying to catch your breath in laughter. In the short time I had with him I really admired his qualities and am eager to spend more time with him soon.

Christopher Reeve passed away in October leaving us shocked. Initially, when Reeve’s was injured many of

us had conflicting opinions on where Reeve’s fits into the community. Some of us had differing ideas on what kind of spokesman he was for SCI when he had lived such a short time as a quadriplegic. Now, there are few of us that have anything but admiration for a guy who pushed himself to achieve his own personal goals while struggling with all the aspects associated with spinal cord injury. In only nine years Reeve brought a lot of attention to SCI and money for research. In the last few years, he helped bring more attention and money to quality of life issues. John Schatzlein has written a very eloquent piece on Reeve, Research and the Reality of life with a SCI. Thanks, John for your insight.

Congratulations go out to Mr. Steve Thovson, Executive Director, of the Southwestern Center for Independent Living(SWCIL). The Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL) honored him with the Earl Walden Award for Outstanding Achievement in Rural Advocacy. Lance Hegland did a great job reporting this story.

The annual Charlie Smith Award Banquet was an “extravaganza” of fun. Rick Cardenas is the well-deserved recipient of the award. I think Charlie would be proud of our choice and proud to have his name associated with such strong supporter of the disability rights movement. Thanks Rick, you’re the man ■

Letters To The Editor ...

Dear Editor,

I was recently informed that the University Minnesota Occupational Therapy Program will no longer be accepting students; a sign that the program may be facing elimination. I’m writing as a longterm care consumer and advocate to ask the University, and Minnesota’s citizens, to reconsider. I ask that the program be allowed to admit students for Fall 2005 then use the academic year 2005-2006 to consider funding and administrative alternatives.

I can appreciate the University’s financial concerns, understand the need for the program to find a new administrative “home,” and see the loose reasoning that the other two occupational therapy programs in Minnesota would be able to “pick up the slack.” However, I am not aware of sufficient analysis supporting these reasons and justifying the decision to restrict admission.

Program Benefits Outweigh Program Costs

I realize the Medical School experienced a $6.8 million budget cut in the last biennium. However, I also understand that the occupational therapy program operates within a self-sufficient model wherein tuition pays the vast majority of expenses and State support (i.e., approximately $230,000) mostly offsets any difference. Therefore, the financial savings from admission restriction and potential closure are small compared to the loss of these future occupational therapy practitioners.

Negative Impact Upon Health Care Cost Containment Efforts By program reduction or

elimination, the University may contribute to a rise in Minnesota’s health care costs because of several factors, including:

•increased educational investments (i.e., higher private tuition);

•increasing workforce demand (i.e., due to aging population and increased community-based/non-institutional living) plus a reduced workforce (i.e., unless the two existing educational alternatives can add sufficient capacity); and,

•increased recruitment and relocation costs to lure outof-state workers.

In the end, we all could bear the brunt of these increased costs.

Medical School Reorganization: New OT Program Administrative “Home” I have been told that the Medical School has recently reorganized in order to primarily focus upon physician education. However, it is my belief that we are experiencing health care system reform. The new health care model will rely on a traditional medical model (i.e., diagnosis and treatment toward a cure or symptom improvement) plus an equally important community-based/non-institutional long-term care support model (i.e., assessment of symptoms and environment; evaluation of support needs; then development, implementation, and monitoring of those soluLetters - cont. on p. 13

Ollie - cont. on p. 13

Christopher Reeve: 1952-2004

by John Schatzlein

Many sports and entertainment industry stars have been affected by Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). Undoubtedly the most visible of these, Christopher Reeve had the most severe level of injury resulting in the need for a ventilator for breathing since his 1995 injury. Reeve has perhaps the most documented efforts for recovery of any individual with SCI in the last 20 years. He went through many of the same difficulties we all faced when we acquired our spinal cord injuries.

In a split second, “faster than a speeding bullet,” a spinal cord injury can change our lives. The sudden onset of the changes in the body’s ability to control its functions, the fear of dependency on others, or the presumption that we will never be as valued or as capable as we were before the injury cause us to immediately look for a way to make it go away. It also makes us look at who we are, where we have been or where we might have gone. Having explored those answers, we ask the scary question, “Where are we going from here?”

Like most people right after a spinal cord injury, for me the search for a cure started immediately. My family and I (at age 14), were told in May of 1963 that the cure was right around the corner. Forty-one years later in my case, and nine years later in Reeve’s case, it is still “right around the corner.” More enlightened professionals, however, are saying a cure MAY be around the corner with the number of efforts being pursued.

Individuals with SCI, scientists and research teams all

around the world are making tremendous efforts to crack the complexities of a cure. Hope must be maintained while being balanced with the need for forward life continuance and positive movement. Hopefully the time to a cure is a bit shorter now, although it’s important to keep one’s body in its best condition through activity, exercise and nutrition as the research continues.

Ron Franke: Finding His Way Home

How Ucare Complete Integrates Care For People With Disabilities

FWhile Reeve waged his battles with health issues, he maintained hope for a cure, optimizing what he could do to stay as healthy as possible while continuing to move forward productively and capably—leading a life of fulfillment and spiritual contentment. For me personally, this type of contentment means that I am taking control of my life and its direction, I have acknowledged the impact of the spinal cord injury and have chosen to move onward to the best of my ability at this time.

The passing of Reeve points out the complexity of the body system interactions after a severe spinal cord injury, especially for a quadriplegic but for paraplegics also. On Saturday October 9, 2004, he fell into a coma after going into cardiac arrest while at home. Reeve was being treated for a pressure wound that he developed, a common complication for people living with paralysis. In his last week, the wound became severely infected, resulting in a serious systemic infection.

Reeve had the economic

ability to have the best care and assistance available. He could afford the latest therapeutic activities, from electrical stimulation cycling three times weekly or more, cardiovascular strengthening, to the latest surgical procedure facilitating finger or hand closure/grip. He had the ability to travel to research sites and participate in trials with support staff and family. Even with independent financial resources however, a small skin breakdown that might seem insignificant at the time can lead to a rapidly-progressing systemic shutdown.

With the 35 years I have worked and associated with persons with SCI, I know that these secondary complications, such as skin breakdowns, bladder/kidney infections, excessive swelling of the lower extremities, can all suddenly get worse. We all have to take the responsibility to prevent these occurrences where we can and have all secondary issues checked. Reeve’s untimely passing reminds us that we must get off these sores and not push them to infections. We have perhaps been lucky that ours did not progress as rapidly, or cause system-wide shutdown and death.

Reeve was a man who grasped what it meant to acknowledge what his SCI

or more than 20 years, Franke of Hopkins has lived with multiple sclerosis. For the first 18 of those years, he navigated the health care system on his own, managing to stay relatively healthy. Then two years ago, he developed a skin ulcer the size of a fist that landed him in the hospital and then a nursing home for more than a year. “After all that time,” said Franke, “I still had my condominium, but didn’t know how to put the pieces together to move back home.”

For Franke, navigating the health care system was like being in a big black room. “You’re fairly certain everything that you need is in there, but you either don’t know what it is or can’t find it when you need it.” Since joining UCare Complete two years ago and meeting his personal Health Coordinator, Franke believes he has finally discovered a light switch in that big black room. After his extensive stay at the nursing home, his Health Coordinator arranged for repairs to be made to his bed that enabled him to return home. “I can just describe my problem and my Health Coordinator will find a solution.”

Franke had a skin breakdown shortly after joining UCare Complete; however, rather than a year-long ordeal, he made a six-week recovery at home. He attributes this success to the coordinated care he received through UCare Complete

Like Franke, many people with disabilities on Medical Assistance experience barriers to coordinated care and

integrated services. Without appropriate case management, they receive fragmented specialty care and too little primary care, and often incur costs that could have been reduced, or perhaps prevented.

In hopes of alleviating this problem, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) created a program that integrates delivery of all Medicaid and Medicare services. The program, Minnesota Disability Health Options (MnDHO), is a partnership with UCare Minnesota and AXIS Healthcare. Called UCare Complete, it offers expertise in health care coordination and support for eligible individuals.

UCare Complete focuses on holistic, self-directed health management. Upon enrollment, an AXIS Health Coordinator conducts a comprehensive assessment to identify the enrollee’s health care needs and together they design an individualized plan— one that maintains the individual’s ability to live independently and builds in appropriate levels of support when needed. AXIS CEO Chris Duff says, “The level of specialization of each plan encourages enrollees to play a more active, informed role in their health care.”

Since its inception in September 2001, nearly 350 working-age, Medicaid-eligible individuals with physical disabilities have enrolled in UCare Complete. Survey findings show that the program is improving the overall health experience of enrollees. For instance:

•82% of members expressed increased satisfaction with their health care services.

•95% of the participants reported that their health providers took the time to listen to them in the year following enrollment.

Results appear so promising that the partners expect a significant jump in membership over the next two years. DHS also is exploring expansion of this targeted, voluntary model to other populations of people with disabilities.

Franke describes the difference in his health care as “graphic” because of UCare Complete. “I figure my first skin breakdown cost the state between $50,000-$100,000. In the 20 months that I have been a member of UCare Complete, I’ve been hospitalized twice for a total of two days. Compared to before, that’s a huge difference. It’s cheaper and better—a win/ win situation. Plus I have peace of mind. I never feel like I can’t get help.”

Franke is back working parttime. He has flowers planted outside his window, and his daughter can take the bus from school to stop by for a visit. Bottom line, he’s thrilled to be back home.

For more information about UCare Complete , contact either Wendy Wicks at 612676-3567, wwicks@ucare.org or Debbie Weiner at 612-6763562, dweiner@ucare.org or see the Axis Healthcare ad below. ■

Christopher Reeve and wife Dana

Military Traumatic Brain Injury On The Rise

by Sharon Rolenc

Chances are you have seen the signs in your own neighborhood – “Support Our Troops.” This message takes on new meaning as waves of our soldiers make their journey home. While communities welcome home their troops, thankful for their safe return, many families will face the life-long challenge of living with their loved one’s traumatic brain injury (TBI).

TBI is one of the leading casualties of warfare, due largely to the inherent high risk involved in military duty. The current Global War on Terror is the first wartime situation where the cases of TBI are being looked at carefully.

The Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC) has been addressing the issue of brain injury in the military for the past twelve years. The Center serves active duty military, their dependents and veterans with TBI.

DVBIC is a collaborative effort between the Dept of Defense (DOD) and the Dept of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) serving both active duty soldiers and veterans.

The core focus of DVBIC is to deliver state-of-the-art clinical care, clinical research, and education and outreach. “With the war,” Dr. Rose Collins, neurophysiologist for the Minneapolis VA said, “the clinical care component has taken priority.”

One huge benefit to the program is the ability to keep patients longer and offering more extensive rehabilitation opportunities “Whereas in the private sector,” said Collins, “once the person is ambulatory, they are often discharged.”

Tackling the Numbers

During peacetime, there are approximately 7,000 annual TBI admissions to military and veterans hospitals. During war, the military estimates that approximately 20 percent of the surviving soldiers sustain a TBI. But the numbers are problematic for several reasons. Due to combat conditions, the military can not always accurately track the percentage of deaths that are related to TBI.

The most recent study of TBI prevalence at Walter Reed Army Medical Center places the number of TBI cases higher. However, explained Collins “The number has the potential of being misleading. Of the injured soldiers who are being seen at Walter Reed, 60 to 67 percent of those have also sustained a TBI. It’s really too early to tell if that number is characteristic of the active duty military overall,” said Collins.

Regardless of the overall numbers, it is clear that TBI cases in the military are on the rise.

Better Protection, Higher Rate of TBI

Since past wars, improvements have been made to the body armor and the Kevlar helmets that soldiers wear during combat, as well as improvements to emergency medical care, resulting in more lives saved. The Kevlar helmets in particular have reduced the number and the severity of penetrating head injuries, the sort of injury that often lead to fatalities in past wars. Ironically, while these helmets have saved lives, they have likely increased the number of mild to moderate brain injuries due to the concussive force of blasts.

“The type of warfare is having an impact. As you move

further into war, the other side is going to figure out where your vulnerabilities are. The warfare of choice in terms of Iraq and Afghanistan is the rocket propelled grenade and the Improvised Explosive Devices (IED),” said Collins. IEDs are packed with dirt, glass, rock, nails, anything available, and when they explode, the shrapnel can have devastating effects. “Now we’re seeing patients with single or multiple amputations, and they may also be blind. So a challenge for a rehabilitation therapist is developing and adapting our standard TBI rehabilitation approaches for these individuals with multiple injuries,” said Collins.

The DVBIC program at the Minneapolis VA collaborates with the amputee and blind rehab programs. Collins said that whenever possible, patients are sent to TBI rehab first, so that therapists can develop a plan of action that will enable the other rehab programs better understand potential cognitive deficits that may affect traditional approaches to blind or amputee therapy. “We are certainly positioned to respond to the demand and the challenges that are posed by the global war on terror,” she added.

PTSD and mild TBI

The similarities of mild TBI and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) present another challenge in identifying cases of TBI that may have been missed during a tour of duty. There are overlaps in symptoms including sleep disturbances, irritability, physical restlessness, difficulty concentrating and some memory disturbances.

While there are similarities, there are also significant differences in what Collins

Rural Independent Living Conference

by Lance H. Hegland

Southwestern Center for Independent Living (SWCIL) Executive Director, Mr. Steve Thovson, was recently awarded the Earl Walden Award for Outstanding Achievement in Rural Advocacy during October’s annual conference for the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL). The award was created by APRIL and the Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU) organization to honor the memory of Earl Walden, a great friend and supporter of APRIL who died suddenly in 1997. Earl worked at ILRU in Houston, where he demonstrated “a heart as big as Texas and a gift for [creative problem-solving, making it look] as easy and smooth as his southern drawl”. The annual award is presented to an APRILaffiliated Center for Independent Living (CIL) employee who similarly demonstrates action-oriented rural independent living advocacy, education, and creative problemsolving in addition to the ability to be non-judgmental, gracious, and humble.

Steve Thovson is all these things and more, according to the staff at the SWCIL, where he has been the Executive Director for the past 14 years. Among his many accomplishments, he was a driving force and original founding member of the Minnesota Associa-

calls the profile or “constellation” of cognitive impairments. “In PTSD, memory disturbances are typically involved with aspects of the trauma. In TBI, the patient has preserved older memories, but has difficulty retaining new memories and new learning. We’ll see more problems with executive functioning, planning, organization, prob-

tion of Centers for Independent Living (MACIL), was a staunch advocate helping restore 70% of state funding for statewide CILs slated for elimination during the last legislative session, and is the sole ramp program coordinator for SWCIL. During the presentation speech, SWCIL staff Carol Flesner said, “Steve has no façade, no hidden agendas. Whether he’s meeting with a legislator, talking with a consumer, providing information and referral, or building a ramp, Steve is the same. His concern is always for the consumer. His questions, time and again, are, ‘what does the consumer want and what does the consumer need?’”

APRIL, often referred to as “the voice of independent living in rural America,” is a national network of rural CILs and other organizations and individuals concerned with the unique aspects of rural independent living. APRIL was organized in 1987 to promote independence and full rights and benefits for individuals with disabilities living in rural environments.

APRIL was “Celebrating a Decade of Excellence in Rural Independent Living” during their 10th annual conference held in the Twin Cities last month. The event was jampacked with informative and inspirational speakers and resourceful seminars, beginning with a “pre-conference” day followed by the three-day regular conference.

The involvement of youth in the future of rural independent living was this year’s theme, kicked off by one preconference entitled “The Next Decade: Engaging Rural Youth in the Independent Living Movement.” This was

designed to bring rural youth with disabilities together to discuss issues of importance to them, review various resources and services available, and think about ways they can be more involved with their local CILs and communities. The second pre-conference featured a “Funding Independent Living in Rural America” seminar. Richard Male, one of the early organizers of the ADA and a disability community supporter since 1974, was on hand to give participants a clear overview of the funding trends across the country for supporting rural CILs. He was able to share his expertise as an international trainer for thousands of nonprofits and CILs by discussing the advantages and disadvantages of each of funding option, various tips, in addition to strategies that SUCCEED.

There were also the regular legislative updates, gatherings to “brag ‘n’ steal” unique solutions, as well as seminars addressing independent living topics such as advocacy, leadership, underserved populations, nursing home transition, technical resources, housing, support services, and transportation. And, of course, there were delicious luncheons and lucrative raffles.

But the conference was not all business. After the awards ceremony, the 2004 APRIL Fools and Follies bash began. The evening was a talent show of sorts, featuring various skits, singers, and comedy routines. I think I saw the next American Idol and Last Comic Standing winners! Where was Ed McMahon?!? ■

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 Cami, for employment as a personal care attendant call Al or Angie.

TBI - cont. on p. 14

Steve Thovson

Handheld Text Devices

Helping Hearing Impaired

by Rich Diedrichsen

Cell phones, computers and email—it seems like everyone is using them today. Yes, everyone. People who are deaf are using computers and small handheld Short Messaging Services (SMS) devices to bridge communication gaps and expand their opportunities.

Several years ago the first handheld instant messaging device called the WyndTel Communicator was introduced to the market for people who are deaf. The WyndTel offered the possibility to have text message communications (also called Short messaging Services or SMS) between users with almost cell-phonelike convenience. The explosion in communication was on. Almost overnight people who were deaf, and lived in large metro areas with coverage for the device, began reaching for their WyndTel communication devices as regularly as people with normal hearing were reaching for their cell phones. Manufacturers took notice. Soon Motorola, T-Mobile and others introduced handheld SMS devices. In addition, many of the new, more advanced cell phones now offer text messaging capabilities.

Diane Leonard, a deaf professional who works in St. Cloud, uses a T-Mobile Sidekick device. Says Leonard, “it is very helpful for contacting friends or family members.” I can contact people and tell them “what time I will get home or arrive to my friend’s late, get directions if I get lost, get quicker responses from my TTY answering machine, compare prices at different stores, and much more.” In other words, she uses her Sidekick just like others use cell phones.

But that’s not all! With the popularity of the SMS devices growing, manufacturers began to add features much like we find in many of the newer cell phones. The Sidekick device, for example, can be used to play games, check email, browse the World Wide Web and read the latest news and weather. In addition, the device can tell you what time it is, take photos, keep your calendar and addresses organized and yes, it works as a cell phone too.

One feature that Leonard especially likes is the ability to tap into the internet relay services of either IP Relay or Sprint. Wherever her Sidekick will work, she can contact anyone who has a line or cell phone, and with the

help of the relay service, communicate! For people who are deaf or have severe hearing or speech limitations, this means they have the safety and security of knowing that in an emergency, help is just a few key strokes away. Cheryl Blue, another deaf professional who works in Northern Minnesota, says she has AAA service and in an emergency she can contact them with her SMS device using the Minnesota Relay Service.

The SMS units are not without disadvantages though. In many areas, even a few miles outside large metro areas, there is no coverage. Even some areas that offer cellular phone coverage do not have coverage for text message users. Cheryl Blue notes that except for the area along highway 53 from Duluth to Virginia, most of her region does not offer SMS service. This is unfortunate since everyday communication and emergencies do not tend to confine themselves to any geographical boundaries. Surprisingly, this situation is

different in most of Europe and even far away places like Australia where coverage is much broader, reaching to even the most remote areas.

Blue did note however that the device allows her to keep in touch with friends and family when she travels. During her recent experience with a hurricane in Florida, she was able to keep in touch with family regarding her safety. Like Leonard she feels the benefits of the device far exceed any limitations, but she looks forward to the day when she will be able to use the device anywhere, anytime.

With the popularity of the devices and the potential advantages they offer to people who travel on business or to professionals who just want to keep in touch, the day of world-wide coverage cannot be too far into the future. For people who are deaf or have speech limitations, access to communication means access to the world of opportunities. ■

Check us out at accesspress.org or Call Access Press at 651/644-2133

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Disability Technology Looking Forward

by Jeni Mundl

Whether or not you agree with Christopher Reeve’s agenda, the disability community did lose a great advocate in October. His ability to bring the concerns of disabled individuals into the limelight was uncanny. He raised millions of dollars for research in the hopes of finding a cure for spinal cord injury and related conditions. His main agenda in recent years was stem cell research; however, he did utilize and promote a variety of assistive technologies.

For instance, voice-recognition was his mode of operating an IBM computer. Dragon NaturallySpeaking is a premier software program with the ability to work with almost any Windows-based software program. It allowed him to control both the keyboard and mouse through speaking into a microphone. It does not work for every individual on a ventilator, but it did prove to work for Reeve.

Technology Advancements

Special devices have been developed to help people with disabilities improve and main-

tain their ability to function. These devices include phrenic nerve pacemakers and Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) systems. Both of these devices were utilized by Reeve.

Phrenic Nerve Pacemakers

These devices are also called breathing pacemakers. For some patients, these devices provide freedom from a ventilator. The pacemakers are implanted beneath the skin from the diaphragm up to the phrenic nerves. Electrical impulses are sent to the phrenic nerve to stimulate the diaphragm to start air going in and out of the lungs.

FES Systems This system in many ways looks like a bicycle into which the individual is strapped. Electrical stimulation, along with the movement of muscles, benefits people with paralysis like Reeve. He used his system on a daily basis. FES systems are being improved and tested to facilitate/regulate bladder and bowel function.

Advancements in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

There have been some very promising developments in the field for the rehabilitation of patients with spinal cord injury. One such treatment is weight-assisted ambulation. The patient is placed on a treadmill and, with the assistance of therapists, is retrained how to walk. The hope is that this will capitalize on the ability of the spinal cord itself to learn motor patterns.

Some patients are candidates for tendon transfers that allow for improvement in arm or leg function. Plus, there are implantable nerve stimulators to improve muscle firing in the arm. In addition, devices are available to allow patients to activate their paralyzed limbs for aerobic exercise.

Can Paralysis be Cured?

No one knows for sure where current developments and research will lead. As Christopher Reeve stated in his biography, “When JKF said in the early 60s he wanted to send someone to the moon that decade, there were many doubters. So there is no telling what the next few years can bring us.” ■

Medtronic Receives Secretary Recognition Award

Citing its commitment to the comprehensive and long-term employment of persons with disabilities, the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services today gave Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) its highest award, the Secretary Recognition Award.

Art Collins, Medtronic chairman and chief executive officer, accepted the award on behalf of the company and noted, “People with disabili-

A candidate speaks to an American Express Financial representative regarding mentoring and/or employment opportunities.

ties represent a significant, untapped talent pool for technology and ‘knowledge’ industries. We recognize that everyone benefits when we support an increasingly diverse workforce, and the

contributions of people with disabilities have helped Medtronic develop leading medical technologies for patients worldwide. We accept this honor with pride, but also with reinvigorated commitment to reaching out to people with disabilities.”

The award was presented by Secretary Tommy Thompson in the building named for

another prominent Minnesotan and advocate for people with disabilities, the Hubert H. Humphrey Building in Washington, D.C.

Medtronic received the Distinguished Community Service Award from ARC Minnesota (Oct. 9, 2004) and the “Employer of the Year” award from the Minnesota State Council on Disability (Sept. 30, 2004).

Joan Willshire, executive director of the State Council on Disability, cited the involve-

ment of Medtronic executives as most influential in making the workplace supportive of people with disabilities.

Medtronic sponsored “Minnesota Career Development for the 21st Century Day” for people with disabilities at its headquarters on October 20, 2004.

The day included presentations from 3M, American Express Financial, Cargill, Fairview Health Services, The Federal Executive Board of Minnesota, Medtronic, The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, and Northwest Airlines. The participating students then had an opportunity to hear from a panel of individuals with disabilities

employed at these corporations on their experiences working for these organizations. In the afternoon, the participating students were then able to speak to represen-

tatives from the participating corporations to find mentoring opportunities or employment opportunities that matched their experience.

At Medtronic, we provide lifelong solutions to people with chronic disease, impacting a life every 6 seconds.

As one of Fortune magazine’s “Best 100 Companies to Work For in America,” Medtronic is committed to the total well-being of our employees.

We are looking for top talent at all levels in:

• Engineering – Electrical, Software, Firmware, IC Design, Product, Test, Quality, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Biomedical, Biomaterials; Six Sigma certifications a plus

• Information Technology – Managers, Business Systems Project Leaders, Analyst, Programmer/Analyst

• Clinical Studies/Regulatory Affairs

• Finance

• Sales/Marketing

Review openings at www.medtronic.com/employment and select “Apply to this Job” or “Add to Cart” to route your resume directly to the hiring department.

With people like you, who have purpose, potential and passion, we’ll supply physicians and their patients around the world with the means to extend life, restore health and alleviate pain. Medtronic is an equal opportunity employer committed to cultural diversity in the workforce.

Join Medtronic today...and experience a passion for life.

Terri Ricci, Access Press; Omar Salas, Fairview Health Services; and Karen Quammen, Medtronic.

Participants speaking to Cargill representatives regarding mentoring and/or employment opportunities.

Kelly Socha, State Farm Insurance; Jason Fowler, Medtronic; Brian Ronnigen, 3M; Michael Carr, Medtronic; Lynn Bloom, Fairview Health Services; and Julie Socha, University of Minnesota.

■

Fairview Diversity Initiative Improves Workplace And Health Care

At Fairview Health Services, diversity is more than a buzzword. It cuts to the essence of how Fairview provides care and how employees feel about working there.

As a word, diversity describes the differences and similarities that affect how we work and live together. Examples include race, ethnicity, nationality, primary language and accent, age, gender, gender identity, physical capability, sexual orientation, size, spiritual beliefs and tenure.

“Some people choose Fairview as an employer and as a health care provider based on how well we understand and respect these differences,” says David Page, Fairview president and CEO.

“Having a diversity balance in our workforce improves our culturally competent care and helps create a welcoming environment for all patients and employees.”

Deepening Commitment

During Fairview Diversity Advancement Week, Oct. 1822, thousands of employees, patients, families and community members took part in activities, including a Diversity Advocates Summit, unity prayer commemorations, storytelling sessions and diversity learning events.

“We’ve made great progress toward our goal of increasing involvement in and advocacy for diversity among employees and leaders,” says Sue Plaster, Fairview Director of Diversity. “We need to be a business in which we ask ourselves, ‘What can I do on my job?’”

Fairview’s diversity initiative focuses on three areas:

•culturally competent care

•welcoming environment

•workforce diversity

Culturally Competent Care

Fairview’s efforts to provide culturally competent care include:

•understanding patient population by collecting information about primary language, race, ethnicity and spiritual beliefs during the admission process

•asking about cultural regard, linguistic access and discomfort level on patient satisfaction surveys

•advocating for actions based on the data collected

•sponsoring cultural competence education

•translating patient information into various languages

Treating patients from diverse backgrounds can be more complicated, and often requires close teamwork, but is worth the effort, says Sue Bjerke, R.N., who works in Fairview-University’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Bjerke describes a situation earlier this year in which a Hmong couple had a premature baby who was in the NICU for an extended period of time before being taken off life support.

Aside from language barriers, there were also cultural and spiritual concerns. Among those helping the infant’s care providers address those concerns were Rachael StoverHaney, a Fairview social worker, and Chuck Ceronsky, Fairview Director of Spiritual Health Services, as well as interpreters from Fairview Interpreter Services.

“Rachael and Chuck were incredible,” says Bjerke. “Their ongoing support and communication with the family, including elders from the Hmong community, made all the difference. Because of the rapport and trust established,

and because the family was allowed time to come to terms with the need to withdraw life support, the best possible outcome that any of us could have hoped for was achieved.”

On the day that life support was withdrawn, the family gave the baby a ritual washing and dressed him in three layers of clothes to prepare him for the next life. “The grandma held him when he died, and the family seemed very much at peace after it was over,” says Bjerke.

A Welcoming Environment

Many factors go into creating a welcoming environment for patients, visitors and employees. Examples of work being done in this area include:

•highlighting diversity at new employee orientations

•conducting welcoming audits to gather information about the impressions people get when they visit Fairview facilities

•creating welcome signs in various languages for entry and waiting room areas

•commemorating winter holidays that respect many faith traditions

Earlier this year, Fairview solicited the professional feedback of long-time patient Jenny Peterson, who became a quadriplegic 21 years ago, to find out what people with disabilities may experience at Fairview-University Medical Center.

As part of a multiphase accessibility audit, Peterson toured both campuses in her wheelchair, interviewed employees and patients and made recommendations. John Marshall, Fairview-University Facility Services Director, accompanied Peterson on the tours. “It was eye-opening to see how the place looks from a wheelchair—such as how bumps in sidewalks and mats affect

movement,” says Marshall. “We’ve been making adjustments that Jenny recommended.”

“Over the years, I’ve watched Fairview-University make dramatic changes to the campus to empower people with disabilities,” says Peterson.

Workplace Diversity

Among the efforts in this area:

•enriching leadership diversity •advocating for diversity in recruitment, retention, promotion, development and mentoring •sponsoring diversity education opportunities

Fairview has a systemwide Diversity Council with 43 members, as well as six site-based diversity teams to further diversity initiatives at a local level.

Nearly 50 Fairview leaders have set diversity business goals. One of the goals set by Gary Strong, Southwest Metro care system president, is to have a diverse pool of applicants at the interview stage for every leadership position.

Patient Jenny Peterson offered Fairview-University her perspective during a multiphased accessibility audit earlier this year. “Over the years, I’ve watched Fairview-University make dramatic changes to the campus to empower people with disabilities,” she says.

“I believe diversity is important because you can never be sure you have the very best people unless you include everyone in your applicant pool,” says Strong. “We’ve increased diversity among our leadership group at Fairview Southdale from less than 1 percent to 10 to 12 percent.”

Having a diverse workforce has an impact on care. “I think it greatly improves care,” says Strong. “We’re here to serve all, and our community is

made up of many backgrounds. It gives us a better understanding of people’s unique perspectives.”

To learn more about Fairview Health Services, an integrated health system with more than 18,500 employees delivering exceptional care and superior health outcomes in hospitals, clinics, patient homes, rehab facilities and more throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin, visit www.fairview.org ■

Exceptional

These employees, along with 120 other Fairview leaders and diversity advocates, attended the inaugural Diversity Advocates Summit Oct. 18. Shown, from left, are Fairview Diversity Council members Shannon Mulligan, Human Resources Projects Manager; Omar Salas, Fairview Diversity Recruitment Specialist; and Don Moschkau, Fairview Affirmative Action Specialist. Behind them is a wall display on which

Friends At The Charlie Smith Award Gala

Friends: For A Reason, A Season, Or A Lifetime

by Anonymous

Editor Note: The other day a lifetime friend of mine sent me this great analogy of friendship. Though she and I have only been friends for a little over eight years, and have

had periods of no contact due to the circumstances of life, we both know that our friendship will be for a lifetime.

MN STATE COUNCIL ON DISABILITY AND MN-CCD

Invite You to the

2005 Disability Legislative Forum

A “Virtual Presence Communication” Event Interconnecting Statewide to 10 locations

Tuesday, December 7, 2004

9:30 A.M. ~ 12:00 P.M.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services 444 Lafayette, St. Paul, MN

AN OPPORTUNITY TO:

Hear from key legislators, leaders of the disability community, public and private entities. Share your views and ask questions.

CALL TODAY!

Deadline to represent issues of your organization is November 29. Space is limited so register today. 651-2966785 V/TTY or 1- 800-945-8913 V/TTY Accommodations should be requested by Weds. Nov. 17, 2004

People come into your life for a Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime. When you know which one it is for a person, you will know what to do for that person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a Godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be.

TThen, without any wrong doing on your part, or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been an-

swered, and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons: things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

As you look at your friendships in life, ask yourself is this friendship for a reason, a season or a lifetime. Thank them for being a part of your life! ■

Re-engineered MSCOD

he Minnesota State Council on Disability (MSCOD) has been in the process of “reengineering” itself; part of the re-engineering process has involved creating a new look. This summer the Council asked the community to submit suggestions for a new logo. We received numerous entries and selected a logo designed by John Owens of Minneapolis. The logo depicts what the Council is all about—serving people with disabilities. Along with the new logo, a new tag line was also created; both are now being used in an updated

brochure and other marketing materials.

MSCOD is a 21-member governor appointed Council created by the legislature in the early 70s. The Council’s charge by statute is to advise state elected officials, state agencies and the public on matters pertaining to public policy and programs, services and facilities for persons who have a disability in Minnesota. This is a strong statute and with the support of the community the Council can become a bigger player in improving the lives of people with

disabilities in Minnesota.

With these duties in mind the Council is looking to get back to the basics on meeting the needs of people with disabilities; in other words, doing what the statue says the Council should be doing. In order to do this the Council needs to hear from all people with disabilities and the various disability organizations on issues that are important to them.

The 2005 Disability Legislative Forum will be held on December 7 at the Minnesota Department of Human Ser-

vices. The Council invites everyone to attend and to participate in this community event. This is your chance to hear the views of other organizations and understand the issues that are of concern to the disability community. This year more that ever the Council needs to hear what issues are important to YOU. To get your voice heard, email the Council at council. disability@state.mn.us or call 651-296-6785. If you are not already receiving email updates from the Council, you may sign up by contacting us at the above email address. ■

Eric Stephens, Courage Center; Dan Ness, UCare; and Chris Duff, Axis Health Care

Tim Benjamin and Rick Cardenas

Georgia Likness, Jerry Dearly, & David Glass, Black Bear Crossing

A gala to remember!

Disability Awareness Month At Northwestern College

Northwestern College hosted its annual celebration in honor of Disabilities Awareness Month. This year’s theme was “From Survivor to Servant.”

DOSS, the Disabilities Office for Support Services, sponsored events on campus during October to stimulate and continue awareness around the topic of “ability diversity.”

Many new and exciting things are happening on campus, including renovating Riley Hall and the entrance to the Berntsen Library for accessibility.

The entire campus was involved in planning and implementing activities during DOSS Awareness Week. The event allowed everyone to participate and contribute. The events this year included:

Bill Eppright, Dean of Faculty, was an able-bodied participant in the wheelchair obstacle course.

•Judy Siegle spoke during the chapel service. Judy, from Fargo, ND, is an athlete who has competed in the Para Olympics since 1996. She is a “survivor turned servant” who happens to be quadriplegic.

•A student panel discussion was held. The discussion involved real answers from real students at Northwestern College.

•Survivor Games on the Berntsen Library lawn. Select faculty, staff and students competed in these experiential challenges to overcome barriers.

Northwestern College is a nondenominational Christian college that offers 44 undergraduate majors in the Bible, arts, sciences and professional education to over 2,600 traditional and alternative education students.

Contact Information: Dr. Yvonne RB-Banks, Associate Professor, Dept. of Ed., Director of Disabilities Office for Support Services, yrbanks @nwc.edu, 651-631-6221 ■

Connect With Courage Holiday Open House

Courage Center will host “CONNECT WITH COURAGE,” a holiday open house, on Saturday, November 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Courage Center, 3915 Golden Valley Road in Golden Valley, Minnesota. The community is invited for a first-hand look at the many ways Courage has partnered with people with disabilities for more than 75 years.

Guests are invited to observe and/or participate in an exhibition by Zot Artz “Arts for All,” a program that provides art tools so that people of all abilities can participate in creative expression through arts and mobility, despite limited movement or lack of fine motor skills. Artists can be successful in using what mobility they have to create, paint, draw, print and more. Individuals will roll out paint and draw. For more information, go to www. zotartz.com

great, Stu Voigt from noon to 2 p.m. and WLTE FM’s Orly Knutson from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Plus, various mascots from area sports teams will all be on hand to meet everyone.

The event will also feature appearances by Cities 97’s B.T. from 10 a.m. to noon, former Minnesota Vikings

All guests will receive a 20% discount on holiday greeting cards in the Courage Cards & Gifts Shop. Meet several Courage Card artists that will be on hand and see their original work and have a chance to purchase original artworks. ■

11/13/2004

Cars For Courage Courage Center Cars for Courage accepts donations of cars (1989 or newer), boats with motors and trailers, trucks, RVs, Motorcycles, snowmobiles and other vehicles. All vehicles must be in good, sellable condition. Cost: Donors receive a tax deduction based on fair market value of their donation. For more info, contact 763-520-0540, or toll-free at 1-888-440-CARS, ext. 2277 or visit the Courage Website at www.courage.org Location/Time: Lupient Chevrolet of Bloomington, 1601 Southtown Dr, Bloomington TIME: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

11/13/2004

NAMI-MN Annual Conference

Sponsored by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Minnesota. There will be fifteen breakout sessions covering a variety of topics that affect children and adults such as Evidence Based Practices, medication, criminal justice system, children’s mental health system in Hawaii, meeting the needs of young adults, life planning and working with hospital staff. For more info, please contact the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of MN at 651-645-2948 or check out the website at www.nami.org/manimn. Location/Time: Earle Brown Center, 1890 Burford Ave, St. Paul, MN

11/15/04 - 11/16/04

Encountering the Disabled God Hamline University Nov 15 - Christology, Contingency, and Liberatory Theology” featuring Nancy L. Eiesland, associate professor of sociology of religion at Candler School of Theology and the Graduate Division of Religion, Emory University. Nov 16 - Panel Discussion on Challenging Church and Society and a convocation on A

Upcoming Events

Living Sculture of Certain Truths: Reverencing Bodies in Church and Society. Cost: Nov 15 Keynote lecture is free. The cost of attending the Nov 16 seminars and luncheon is $20 Advance registration is available by contacting Linda Gesling at 651-523-2032 or at www. hamline.edu/ur/church Location/Time: Hamline University - Klas Center, 1537 Taylor Ave TIME: Nov 15 7:00 pm; Nov 16 Registration begins at 8:30 am

11/16/2004

Arts Collective Writer’s Circle Sponsor: Hennepin County Attend the eighth annual book signing and reading of Other Voices, a compliation of poetry and prose created by artists who are clients with mental illness, chemical dependency, physical disabilities, neighborhood residents, or Hennepin County staff. Cost: FREE The public is invited. Location/Time: Hennepin County Central Chemical Dependency Center, 1800 Chicago Ave. Mpls - 3rd Floor reception area. TIME: Noon to 2:00 pm. Light refreshments will be served.

11/16/2004

“How I Found Hope on a Harley” or, “How Bowling Saved Me from the Asylum” The Minnetonka School District is pleased to invite you to a community-wide event featuring Pete Feigal 2004 Courage Center Judd Jacobson Memorial Award Winner and nationally-known speaker and trainer. Pete will share his personal story using humor and heartbreak to examine insights gained from over 30 years of battling depression. “Conflict and struggles are moments that define us. We need to focus not on our wounds, but on what we LOVE.” Small donation requested. A mental health info resource fair and door prizes of Pete’s spectacular art work will be available. This event is co-sponsored by Children’s

Mental Health Collaborative, Americana Community Bank, Beacon Bank and First MN Bank

11/17/2004

The Hmong in the American Workplace: Accommodating Culture, Ritual and Tradition Multicultural Development Center (MCDC) and Seagate Technology

This workshop is intended to provide in-depth info about Humong traditions, cultural values and rituals. Cost: MCDC members $40, nonmembers $50 Pre-registration is required by Monday, Nov 15, 2004. Call MCDC at 952-881-6090 or info@mcdc. org Location/Time: Northwestern Health Sciences University - Conf Rm L2, 2501 West 84th St, Bloomington TIME 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm

11/18/2004

Empowering Asians with Disabilities to Lead Prog Women’s Iniative for SelfEmpowerment (WISE)

The workshops and training will be for individuals and Hmong parents who have children with developmental disabilitites FREE, transportation and Child-care also provided. Contact May Shoua Moua or Nancy Her at 651-646-3268 Location/ Time: Registration Deadline is Nov 18, 2004. The workshops and trainings will continue through July 2005. The goal is to connect Hmong individuals and parents with resources that they may not have the chance to access due to language and cultural barriers.

11/18/2004

Getting Ready for 2005: Nonprofits Public Policy Day MN Council of Nonprofits

A day all about policy: Who, What, Why, When and How! Cost: $80 for members $120 for non-members To register on-line visit www.mncn. org/events.htm Location/ Time: Radisson Riverfront Hotel, 11 E Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul; 9 am to 4 pm Get insights about the newly elected House members. What are the priorities for 2005 and where do the budget issues stand?

11/20/2004

Project KITE (#2) - Using Multimedia to Support Early Learning PACER

Kids Included Through Technology are Enriched interactive workshop examines using multimedia technology to promote early learning and inclusion for preschoolers. FREE To register for the workshop call PACER at 952-838-9000 or 952-8380190 (TTY). Location/Time: PACER Center, 8161 Norm-

andale Blvd., Mpls, Mn 55437 Time 9:00 am to Noon

11/21/2004

“After Hours” Shopping Event to Feature The MN Boychoir

The Seventh Annual Magical Evening of Giving “after hours” private shopping gala and fundraiser gives patrons the opportunity to get holiday shopping done early while raising money for their favorite charity. Southdale Center is giving metro area charities, non-profit organizations and parent-school associations the opportuntiy to raise funds through ticket sales. Each group keeps 100% of the $5 ticket proceeds. Participation is free for any 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased through any participating charity or from the Southdale Customer Service Center in advance or that night at the door. For more info, or to register, visit www.south dale.com or call 952-925-7852.

11/30/2004

Photography Contest - International Library of Photography - FREE ENTRY Amateur Photo Contest is open to all St. Paul residents. Everyone, particularly beginners are welcome to try and win their share of over 1,300 prizes ($60,000). For more info call 410-363-4800 ext. 121 or www.picture.com

12/1/2004

The Economics of Disability School of Public HealthUniversity of MN

This conference intends to bring together faculty and community representatives who share an interest in disabiltiy issues for the purpose of furthering our insights and potentially creating an agenda that will form the basis for ongoing collaboration. FREE, but registration is required. For more info, contact Jake Priester at the Center on Aging at 612-6263549, pries001@umn.edu

Location/Time: Radisson Hotel Metrodome, 615 Washington Ave S.E., Mpls, MN TIME: 8:00 am to 12:30 pm

12/6/2004

IBM Web Adaptation Techology PACER

This workshop offers a handson demonstration of Web software that dynamically manipulates Web content to make websites more accessible to individuals with disabilities. FREE - Register early space is limited To register for the workshop call PACER at 952-838-9000 or 952-838-0190 (TTY). Location/Time: PACER Center, 8161 Normandale Blvd., Mpls, Mn 55437 TIME 6 pm to 8 pm PACER’s Simon Technology Center is piloting the IBM software.

1/10/2005

Technology for Girls - Engineering PACER

For girls with disabilities in grades 6-8, the workshop follows the same format as the forensic science event. Info about the EXITE camp for

summer 2005 will be available. FREE To register for the workshop call PACER at 952-838-9000 or 952-8380190 (TTY). Location/Time: PACER Center, 8161 Normandale Blvd., Mpls TIME 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm

1/15/2005

Project KITE - Using Visuals and Graphics to Support Inclusion PACER

This KITE workshop is the third of five series for parents and professionals. It will teach learners to use images, graphics, and text to support includive classrooms. FREE To register for the workshop call PACER at 952-838-9000 or 952-838-0190 (TTY). Location/Time: PACER Center, 8161 Normandale Blvd., Mpls, Mn 55437

1/31/2005

Free Poetry Contest www.poetry.com

The International Library of Poetry will be awarding over $58,000 in prizes. Poets from St. Paul particulary beginners are welcome to win over 250 prizes. FREE and open to everyone. To enter, send ONE original poem, any subject and any style to: The International Library of Poetry, Suite 19921, 1 Poetry Plaza, Owings Mills, MD 21117. Location/Time: Entries must be postmarked or sent via the Internet by Jan 31, 2005. www.poetry.com The poem should be 20 lines or less, and the poet’s name and address should appear on the top of the page. ■

VSA Arts Presents Five Foot Feat

VSA arts of Minnesota is pleased to announce that it will be bringing Five Foot Feat from Santa Barbara, California to the Red Eye (15 W. 14th Street) in Minneapolis for performances on Saturday, December 11th at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 12th at 2:00 p.m. Five Foot Feat is a dance theater performance created by Catherine Cole and Christopher Pilafian.

Cole describes the work as follows: I became disabled over three years ago when I lost my entire left leg to cancer. As I adjusted to my new body circumstances, I became interested in the public spectacle of disability. Going about on crutches with one leg, I became a walking performance art piece, with people stopping to stare or avoiding eye contact all together. But whether people looked or didn’t look, I was a performer, a performer in a script I didn’t

write. So in creating Five Foot Feat, I was interested in working with that spectacle, the energy of people’s visual interest in my body. I felt that by giving people permission to look, and to look on my terms, we could move beyond awkwardness to something more interesting.

Five Foot Feat uses live music, spoken text and dance to focus on three characters, each of whom faces some limitation or obstacle, and then undergoes a transformation. For more information about the production, go to www.five footfeat.com

Tickets for the performance are available through VSA arts of Minnesota by phone (612332-3888 ext. 4) or email at vsarts@bcmn.com

General admission tickets are $18.00 for adults and $14.00 for students and seniors. The Sunday afternoon performance will be audio described for people who are blind or have low vision and ASL interpreted for people who are deaf.

For more information visit http://mn.vsarts.org ■

News At A Glance . . .

Social Security Announces 2.7 Percent Benefit Increase for 2005

Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits for more than 52 million Americans will increase 2.7 percent in 2005.

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits increase automatically each year based on the rise in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), from the third quarter of the prior year to the corresponding period of the current year. This year’s increase in the CPI-W was 2.7 percent.

The 2.7 percent Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits that more than 47 million Social Security beneficiaries receive in January 2005. Increased payments to 7 million Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries will begin on December 30.

Some other changes that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages. Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $90,000 from $87,900. Of the estimated 159 million workers who will pay Social Security taxes in 2005, about 9.9 million will pay higher taxes as a result of the increase in the taxable maximum in 2005.

It is important to note that no one’s Social Security benefit will decrease as a result of the 2005 Medicare Part B premium increase, announced last month. By law, the Part B premium increase cannot be larger than a beneficiary’s COLA increase. Information about Medicare changes for 2005 can be found at www.hhs.gov. The Internet site for the Department of Health and Human Services.

Medicare Savings Programs

There are several Medicare Savings Programs that may help Minnesotans who receive Social Security Disability benefits and Medicare pay part of their Medicare expenses. If a person qualifies, they may get help with things like Medicare premiums or out-of-pocket expenses. The two largest Medicare Savings Programs are: 1.-Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB); if an individual qualifies for the QMB program, the state pays the monthly Medicare premiums, deductibles and coinsurance; and, 2.- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB); if an individual qualifies for the SLMB program, the state pays only the monthly Medicare Part B premiums. To qualify a person must be enrolled in Medicare Hospital Insurance (Part A); have income below certain limits; and have financial resources below $4,000 for an individual and $6,000 for a couple, though some states have higher or no limits for some or all of the Medicare Savings Programs. Financial resources are items such as bank accounts, stocks, bonds, annuities, trusts and CDs. Some resources are not counted; like the home a person lives in, one car, burial plots and some life insurance. Only an individual’s state can decide if they qualify for help under the Medicare Savings Programs.

To apply, call the state medical assistance office and ask about programs that help pay for Medicare premiums and other costs; or call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-6334227) for information.

HCMC now an option for UCare Members

UCare members enrolled in Minnesota Health Care Programs can now use HCMC, Hennepin County Medical Center and its primary care clinics in Minneapolis, Richfield, and Brooklyn Center. For more information, contact HCMC at 612-8733337 or UCare at 612-676-3562.

Taking Care of Your Health

The University of Minnesota’s Center for Spirituality and Healing has developed an informative, online learning series for health care consumers titled Keeping U Well. The first online series titled, Taking Charge of Your Health is free of charge. The Taking Care of Your Health series will enable consumers to become insightful, well-informed health care consumers. It can be accessed at www.csh.umn.edu/ freedemo. Future titles will feature other topics in healing options and will be offered for a fee. For more information, contact Sara E. Buss at the Academic Health Center at 612624-2449, or John Halstrom at the Center for Spirituality and Healing at 612-624-2141.

Como Park Zoo And Conservatory Need Volunteers

Beginning January 8, 2005, Como Zoo and Conservatory is offering monthly training sessions to attract new volunteers. The trainings are held on Saturdays from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and are free. Volunteers must commit for 12 months (snow birds are welcome and vacations are expected). To learn more contact the Como Volunteer office at 651-487-8252 or visit the website at www.comozooconservatory.org

Ms. Wheelchair Minnesota

Ms. Wheelchair Minnesota is seeking sponsors and contestants for the 2005 pageant. Contestants must be U.S. citizens between the ages of 21-60 and use a wheelchair on a daily basis. Contestants are judged on their accomplishments, self perception and self-projection, and communication skills in personal and on-stage interviews with a team of judges. Ms. Wheelchair Minnesota is NOT a beauty contest. The mission of the program is to provide an opportunity for women of achievement who utilize wheelchairs to successfully educate and advocate for individuals with disabilities.

For more information, please contact Jen Onsum at 763-3506955, or at ms@mswheelchairmn.org

Fingersteps

Fingersteps is about teaching music composition, theory and performance. At its core, it is a traditional music program that has been adapted. We discovered that technology need not be the center of the program, but rather a compliment; enabling special needs students. Our goal is to give them the tools to create and perform. This approach is very effective and we are having great success.

Fingersteps has recently developed technology that may finally enable children with CP and other debilitating conditions to be mainstreamed with their peers in school band or in ensembles with other handicapped students. Using WIFI (wireless) PDAs as Musical Instrument Controllers, students are able to perform.

If you would like more information on this program, please feel free to contact Dan Moffatt, danmoffatt@hotmail.com or visit www.fingersteps.org.

Diamond Hill Townhomes

We are currently accepting applications for our waiting list at Diamond Hill Townhomes, a great property located near the Minneapolis International Airport.

We have two and three bedroom townhomes that are HUD subsidized and rent is 30% of the total household's adjusted gross income.

We have a large number of mobility impaired accessible units and we are scheduling appointments for persons in need of a mobility impaired accessible unit immediately.

To schedule an appointment please call (612) 726-9341

Minnesota Receives Grant For Older Adults And Adults With Disabilities

Minnesota has received a $350,000 grant that will, over the next three years, help some 2,500 older adults and adults with disabilities who are on Medicaid manage their own personal care services and live more independently.

The grant from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation will be administered through the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) in partnership with the Minnesota Board on Aging. Minnesota is one of 11 states to receive the funds as an expansion of the foundation’s Cash & Counseling program, aimed at giving Medicaid recipients more choice and control over the personal care services they are eligible to receive.

Traditionally, personal care and home care agencies have provided Medicaid-funded services to the elderly and younger people with disabilities. While consumers may choose among available agencies, they have less control over what individual provides the services or when or how they are provided.

With the grant funds, Minnesota will provide additional training for county social service workers, service providers, referral agencies and consumers. The funds will also go toward consumer-directed communications, consumer advocacy efforts and computer equipment to improve services.

More information on Minnesota’s Cash & Counseling program is available on the Minnesota DHS Web site at www.dhs.state.mn . Information on the national Cash & Counseling program is available online at www.cashand counseling.org or through RWJF’s Website at www.rwjf.org.

Social Security Administration Disability Starter Kits

The Disability Starter Kits are available for both adult beneficiaries, as well as for children under age 18. The starter kits provide information about the specific documents and the information that SSA requests from its beneficiaries. The kits also provide general information about the disability programs and the SSA decision-making process that can help take some of the mystery out of applying for disability benefits.

Each Disability Starter Kit contains a:

•Fact sheet that answers questions most people ask about applying for disability benefits,

•Checklist of documents and information SSA requests, and

•Worksheet to help gather and organize the information.

Access the URL to link to an adult or child starter kit in both English and Spanish formats. http://www.ssa.gov/disability/ disability_starter_kits.htm

New National Dropout Prevention Center for Students with Disabilities

The new National Dropout Prevention Center for Students with Disabilities is the first of its kind to focus exclusively on students with special needs in an attempt to decrease the dropout rates of special-needs students and to make it easier for states, districts and schools to use and implement effective practices. For more information: http://www.dropout prevention.org.

News - cont. on p. 12

•Incontinence/Urological supplies

Our Large Fully-Stocked Showroom Open to the Public •Wheelchairs (with complete repair service) •Walkers/canes,crutches GREAT SERVICE & PRICES

•Ostomy/wound care

•Bathroom safety aids

We offer 24-hour Emergency Service exclusively to our regular customers.Free UPS and deliveries to Mpls.,St.Paul & Suburbs. Insurance Billing Service providers for MN Medical Assistance, Medicare,Medica,Health Partners,Preferred One,UCARE,Blue Cross/Blue Shield and many others.

Governor Pawlenty Unlocks $2.2m For Local Non-profit: Minnesotans With Disabilities Benefit Assistive Technology of Minnesota (ATMn) in Maple Plain, was awarded two significant federal grants to provide access to equipment and services for Minnesotans with disabilities. These grants will improve the quality of life for many individuals with disabilities by providing access to employment, education and the community, increasing selfsufficiency and expanding opportunities.

The last census reported that there are approximately 700,000 people with disabilities living in Minnesota. Often these individuals lack financial options for the purchase of assistive technology devices. In order to create more opportunities for Minnesotans with disabilities, ATMn applied for, and received, two significant federal grants. The first of the two grants will fund an innovative employment program for Minnesotans with disabilities. One of President Bush’s special initiatives, the Access to Telework Grant provides this funding to build employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The federal government will match every dollar raised by ATMn at a rate of 9 to one up to a maximum of $860,000.

The second grant, Alternative Finance Mechanism Program (AFP) from the United States Department of Education, will provide funds to re-design and expand ATMn*s low-interest loan program. The program will provide financial support to purchase of equipment for individuals who have limited resources. The federal grant will provide a three to one match. ATMn must raise a local match of $423,660 to access $1,270,981 in federal funds. Upon receipt of the matching funds, both programs will provide services for many years into the future

ATMn is the only statewide nonprofit organization that dedicates its resources to the issues of access and equipment needs for people with disabilities. Assistive Technology (AT) refers to the devices and services that an individual with disabilities uses to improve their lives. AT reduces the barriers associated with limited physical abilities and debilitating medical conditions, supporting continued independence in the face of degenerative disease, injury and aging. ATMn provides information, financial aid and advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities in order to access desperately needed equipment. ATMn is dedicated to providing this life-changing technology and its services, from simple to complex, for all ages and all disabilities. For more information, or to donate to ATMn see www.atmn.org or call 763-479-8239.

Volunteers Needed

Parkway Elementary on Mounds Blvd in St. Paul is looking for volunteers to do one-on-one mentoring and tutoring of first graders through third graders who need help with learning to read. They can use anyone who would be ready to start now. The time commitment would be roughly an hour a week. Anyone who is interested will be welcome, as long as they have no criminal record. Teenagers also welcome. contact David Hippee at 651-293-8845, ext. 2299, cell: 763-242-3455, email david.hippee@ci.stpaul.mn.us

Metropolitan Council seeks applicants for Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) The Metropolitan Council is taking applications for four positions on the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB). The TAB is a 33-member body, composed of elected officials, representatives of government agencies involved in transportation issues, citizen members, and members who represent transportation modes, such as transit, freight and nonmotorized modes. The Council is seeking applicants for citizen representatives for two-year terms to represent:

District E (Council districts 9 and 10)

Dist 9 includes Andover, Anoka, Bethel, Coon Rapids, East Bethel, Ham Lake, Oak Grove, Ramsey and St. Francis, and the towns of Burns and Linwood

Dist 10 includes Circle Pines, Lexington, Arden Hills, Blaine, Falcon Heights, Lauderdale, Mounds View, New Brighton, North Oaks, Roseville, Shoreview and Spring Lake Park

District F (Council districts 11 and 12)

Dist 11 includes Centerville, Lino Lakes and the town of Columbus, Gem Lake, Little Canada, Maplewood, North St. Paul, Vadnais Heights, White Bear Lake, the town of White Bear, Hugo, Landfall and Oakdale

Dist 12 includes the remainder of Washington County District G (Council districts 13 and 14)

Dist 13 includes Lilydale, Mendota, Mendota Heights, Sunfish Lake, W St. Paul and the portion of East of I-35E

Dist 14 includes St. Paul west of I-35E

District H (Council districts 15 and 16)

Dist 15 includes Burnsville, Inver Grove Heights, South St. Paul and most of Eagan

Dist 16 includes southern Dakota County and the southern part of Eagan.

TAB helps ensure coordination and cooperation among the many agencies and local units of government responsible for transportation planning and encourages citizen participation. TAB advises the Council on transportation issues involving the regional highway, public transit and airport systems, as well as bike and pedestrian facilities. It helps develop plans and programs to meet the transportation needs of the sevencounty metro area. TAB also solicits, reviews and selects local, state and regional projects and programs in the metro area to receive federal transportation funding.

For more on TAB, see http://www.metrocouncil.org/services/ tab.htm

Citizen members must reside in the TAB district for which they are appointed. Citizen and modal members of TAB cannot be elected officials or members of another metropolitan commission. TAB meets monthly on the third Wednesday of the month. Members may also serve on one or more subcommittees, which meet as necessary. The Metropolitan Council appoints the eight citizen members, the two transit representatives, and the representative for non-motorized transportation. The Council also appoints one of its own 16 members to TAB. For an application contact Luanne Major at (651) 602-1758 or luanne.major@metc.state.mn.us, or download the application form from http://www.metrocouncil. org/about/TABApplication2005.pdf.

Applications are due by 5 p.m.Wednesday, November 24. The Metropolitan Council expects to announce appointments in January.

New Study Shows 4th District Medicare Beneficiaries Paying High Rx Prices

Despite Passage of Medicare Law

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) announced a new Congressional study of prescription drug prices in the Fourth Congressional District showing that costs remain high despite the passage of the new Medicare law.

“Under the new Medicare law, the Bush administration put the interests of drug companies and HMOs ahead of seniors and the disabled,” said McCollum. “This new survey confirms that Minnesota seniors are still finding much cheaper prescriptions in Canada, despite the temporary discount cards sanctioned by this law. Sadly, the law blocks re-importation of these lower cost medications.”

The Medicare prescription drug cards became available to the public on June 1, 2004. Currently, 34 drug cards are available to seniors in the Fourth Congressional District. The report finds that, with the exception of some low-income seniors, most seniors will see few, if any, benefits. Specifically, the report finds that:

• Prices available through the Medicare drug cards in Rep. McCollum’s district are significantly higher than prices for the same drugs in Canada. The average price for the top ten drugs for seniors are 57 % higher than Canadian prices.

• Prices available through the Medicare drug cards in Rep. McCollum’s district are significantly higher than prices negotiated by the federal government for the same drugs The average prices offered by the Medicare prescription drug cards were nearly 60% higher than prices negotiated by the federal government for the VA and other federal agencies.

• Prices available through the Medicare drug cards are comparable to other prices currently available to Medicare beneficiaries. The average prices offered by the Medicare prescription drug cards were virtually identical to the prices charged by Drugstore.com.

To read the full report, please visit Congresswoman McCollum’s website at http://www.mccollum.house.gov or for more information, contact Joshua Straka, District Director & Director of Communications, (651) 224-9191

Mixed BloodTheatre Expanding Access Options

Mixed Blood Theatre in Minneapolis is expanding access options for its mainstage shows, and is offering a special Access Pass for its 2004-05 season. Every show will have a performance that is:

•ASL-interpreted for people who are deaf or hearing impaired •audio described for people who are blind or of low vision AND

•captioned for people who are hard of hearing. Each line of the play will be projected onto a large monitor, so audience members can read along with the action, just like closedcaptioned TV. The season line-up includes: Permanent Collection,11/12/4; Queen of the Remote Control, 2/18/5; Take Me Out, 4/15/5; Found, 5/13/5; Deaf Duckling, Access date to be determined. All at 8pm

The cost of a regular Friday night season pass is $70. To make the season even more accessible, Mixed Blood is dropping the cost by 10% for access patrons and their companions. That means you get all five mainstage shows, plus The Deaf Duckling, for only $63! To take advantage of this offer contact Robin C. Gillette, Assistant Director, Marketing and Community Relations, at 612-338-5403 or robin@mixedblood. com ■

OLLIE

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Cont. from p. 2

and the ability to build friendships served him well; later he was elected to the student government. When Ollie was 14, he decided he wanted to become a politician and lawyer.

Ollie finished high school, learned Braille, began using a cane, graduated college, and finished law school. He struggled during law school and, at one point, even wrote a resignation letter to the school’s dean. Ollie’s story wasn’t one of overcoming an obstacle and living happily ever after. Like everyone else, he encounters challenges, often struggles, becomes frustrated, and occasionally experiences despair. But, he focuses on using his strengths, remains committed to his goals, and he plows ahead. When asked about the other things that help him through the “tough times,” he stressed his immensely supportive and encouraging family, vast expanse of friends, faith in God, and passion to make a difference in the world.

Ollie is humble in discussing his accomplishments. He is widely known for his ability to get to know people and bring people together to work toward common goals. He has been referred to as “a rising star in the nation’s disability community,” He has served in leadership positions not typically held by people his age, let alone by those experiencing disability. The first and only person ever to serve as General Counsel and Director of Programs for the American Association of People with Disabilities, whose membership now exceeds 90,000, he spearheaded Disability Mentoring Day. Under his leadership, the program now encompasses efforts in all 50 states, three territories, and 18 foreign countries on 5 continents. And recently, Ollie joined the United States Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division as Special Assistant to the Assistant Attorney General. In his new role, he continues to raise

public awareness of disability issues through fostering closer working relationships with disability rights organizations, the private sector, ethnic minority organizations, and government officials at all levels.

Since high school, he has been actively involved in numerous community groups for which he has been recognized on several occasions. He points out that each of us is a member of several communities, not just the disability community, and that we have responsibilities to them too. Plus, involvement outside the disability community helps introduce disability to the general public, who may not otherwise have an opportunity to interact with someone experiencing a disability. Leading by example, he was recently named 2004 Big Brother of the Year for his involvement in the California Collaborative of Big Brothers Big Sisters. In addition to being an active volunteer, spokesman, and lawyer, he is also an accomplished writer. In his free time, he enjoys horseback riding, rollerblading, church involvement, science fiction, and running (he is a three-time finisher of the Los Angeles Marathon).

Imagine what the world would be like if we all chose Ollie’s attitude and dedication. One of his most closely-held philosophies is “pay it forward” (remember the movie?). Basically, the philosophy is unselfishly helping a person and asking that they “pay it forward” by helping three other people. This means that, if you help three people this month, and those three people each help three people next month, those nine people each help three people the following month (a total of 27 people), and so on. The number of people helped each month would blossom exponentially. After a year, a halfmillion lives would be touched by a network started by just one person! Think about it...

Thanks Ollie! ■

LETTERS

- Cont. from p. 2 tions—a philosophy fairly distinct from the medical model). Occupational therapy practitioners will play a vital role toward ensuring safe and adequate community-based independent living environments and service delivery.

Therefore, as the Medical School is now organized, I agree the occupational therapy program should be relocated within an organizational structure representative of this new complementary support model. Other relevant disciplines may include social work (i.e., long-term care relocation, housing and service coordination, etc.) and engineering (i.e., assistive technology).

Untapped Opportunities: Research and Development Building on observations of Minnesota’s successful medical device industry, I believe the University (a nationally respected research institution) has an excellent opportunity to partner the occupational therapy program with mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering programs as well as local entrepreneurs to develop innovative adaptive technology solutions. Such innovations will be essential to containing costs and expanding quality throughout the development, implementation, and maintenance of the new communitybased long-term care support systems. The other two institutions offering occupational therapy programs in Minnesota do not have the infrastructure to capitalize upon these research and development opportunities. Plus, potential economic development resulting from these innovations may create additional financial donors for the University and the occupational therapy program.

Conclusion: Please Reconsider and Reevaluate Again, I implore the University to reconsider the occupational therapy program ad-

mission restriction. Please allow the program to admit students for Fall 2005 then use the 2005-2006 academic year to consider funding and administrative alternatives. Finally, I urge Minnesota citizens to consider contacting the University to express their opinions on this matter.

Thank you for your consideration.

Now is the time for input. Access readers who want to make a difference should write to:President Robert H. Bruininks, Office of the President, Room 202 Morrill Hall, 100 Church St S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455 email: bruin001@umn.edu

And to the: Honorable David Metzen Chairperson, UM Board of Regents, 600 McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Oak St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455-2020 email: metze 002@umn.edu Requests that your letter and email be copied to all Board of Regents Members will be respected

Others interested in receiving copies are Dr. Frank Cerra, Vice President of the Academic Health Center, 420 Delaware St. Minneapolis MN, 55455 email cerra001@ umn.edu and the Occupational Therapy Program, 388 MMC 420 Delaware St, SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 email otprog@umn.edu

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Dear Editor,

My name is Vicki Martin. I am the deaf/hard of hearing representative on the Disability Advisory Committee at 3M in Maplewood MN, and I am a member of Self Help for Hard of Hearing people (SHHH). I write for the SHHH news on disability topics, and for other local publications on other subjects.

The October 15 performance of the play “Flags” at Mixed

Blood Theater was noted in your listing of accessible entertainment in the October 10 issue of Access Press. I attended that performance.

The attached review of the captioning experience at Mixed Blood Theater is submitted for your use.

Waving “Flags” for Captioning

Jane Martin’s play “Flags,” originally commissioned by the Guthrie Theater, delivers a powerful message on stubbornness, stupidity, violence and pride. Its production at Mixed Blood Theater on October 15 also delivered a strong statement about accommodating hard of hearing people in the theater.

The message is this: accommodations do not have to be complicated and expensive to be effective. Sometimes, all it takes is a little thought.

We who belong to SHHH rely on real-time captioning every month in order to participate in the organization. Our volunteers from Paradigm make our monthly meetings accessible to all of us, and without them, I for one would probably stay home.

Theater, however, is not a public service. It is entertainment, and it must be paid for. If real-time captioning is used, it can cost up to $150 per hour.

But what cost-conscious theater managers may not realize is that real-time captioning is not needed when there is a script. All that is needed is for the text of the dialogue to be entered into a computer text presentation program. Power Point can certainly do the job, but it has many more features than are needed for this application. The simplest presentation program could work. Font and color need to be manipulated, and it should be able to navigate from one screen to the next with a click of the mouse.

could easily see both screen and stage without excessive eye movement.

For those accompanying a hard of hearing theater patron, the dark background on the monitor helps to minimize any distraction. Experimentation with color and font size should continue, to get the best mix of readability and inconspicuousness. In our case Dennis, who was not watching the monitor but was very close to it, said that it was not a distraction.

Such a setup does not require a professional captioner, nor anyone with specialized skills. Someone needs to copy or enter the text of the play into the presentation program, and one of the crew needs to be on hand to listen to the performance and click the mouse at the appropriate times.

Captioning at Mixed Blood is offered for only one performance of each run. This follows the tradition of having an ASL interpreter only for selected performances. But because the work is done ahead and is available in the computer at any time, this type of accommodation could reasonably break with tradition and offer captioning for any performance—“on demand”, you might say. This would be a real breakthrough for accessibility in the theater.

As for the play itself: powerful as its message was, it had more profanity than I am comfortable with—expletives I never would have noticed if I had not seen them on the screen. Mixed Blood is known for its “inclusive” themes and its championing of diversity. This may explain some of the excessive profanity.

Imagine, though, if we could see Shakespeare (and yes, I know—he can toss off obscenities with the best of them), Ibsen, Chekhov, performed on the stage—and know what the characters are saying. Imagine too that we had a choice of evenings, a choice of plays, a choice of theaters. It is possible. And it is feasible even for companies operating on a shoestring.

For their production, Mixed Blood used a laptop computer, positioned before a group of about 10 reserved seats. They used a black background with white letters in a very large font. A lighter background might cause excessive glare in a darkened theater.

The font was large enough to be visible to up to 10 people sitting in two short rows. In fact, it was too large for me when I sat right in front of it. My eyes had to cover too wide an angle to take it in, while also trying to watch the stage. After switching seats with my husband Dennis, I sat at a more comfortable angle, and

Captioning makes the theater experience available to hard of hearing people, and I would like to see it offered in every theater. It can be done with equipment on hand and a willing crew member. It may not earn the theater company a fortune in increased ticket revenues. But it will earn them something of greater value: the thanks of hard of hearing theater-goers, and a reputation for accessibility in the world of performing arts. ■

Accessible Performances

The following performances will be Audio Described (AD) for people who are blind or have low vision, or interpreted in American Sign Language (ASL) for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.

Scrooge with Richard Chamberlain ASL: Sun, Nov 14, 1PM $20-73 (on sale 9/12, noon); ASL or AD reservations or requests: 612-3735637, TTY 612-373-5655, hotline 612-373-5650; acces sible@orpheum.com Historic Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls www. hennepintheatredistrict. com

Madame Butterfly Performed by: MN Opera Co. AD: Sun, Nov 14, 2:00 pm; pre-opera discussion at 1:00 Reduced to half-price for AD patrons (discount code “R”); 612-333-6669 Ordway Center for Performing Arts, 345 Washington St., St. Paul

Cyrano de Bergerac By Edmund Rostand Performed by: Ten Thousand Things Theater AD: Sun, Nov 14, 8:00 pm $13 (reg. $20), 612203-9502 or michellew@ten thousandthings.com Open Book, 1011 Washington Ave. S., Mpls

The Sex Habits of American Women by Julie Marie Myatt Performed by: Guthrie Theater ASL: Fri, Nov 19, 7:30 pm AD: Sat, Nov 20, 1:00 pm (free tactile tour 11:00, reservation needed) Reduced to $16; 612-377-2224, TTY

612-377-6626 Guthrie Lab, 700 N. First St., Mpls www. guthrietheater.org

Damn Yankees Performed by: Morris Park Players AD & ASL: Fri, Nov 19, 7:30 pm $12 (students/seniors/groups of 10, $8); 612-724-8373 Folwell Middle School, 3611 20th Ave S., Mpls (enter SE door on 21st Ave.) www.morris parkplayers.org

A Christmas Story Based on the motion picture, written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown and Bob Clark; Performed by: Lyric Arts Theatre ASL: FriSat, Nov 19-20, 7:30 pm; $12, students/seniors $10, plus $1 service charge per

transaction; 763-422-1838 or boxoffice@lyricarts.org

Lyric Arts Main St Stage, 420 E Main St., Anoka

Black Comedy by Peter Shaffer; Performed by: University Theatre/Dance Dept. ASL: Sat, Nov 20, 8:00 pm; $15, students/staff $12 in advance; at the door $14-17; 612-624-2345 Rarig Center, U of M campus, 330 S. 21st Ave., Mpls http://cla.umn. edu/theatre

Embedded Presented by The Actors’ Gang AD & ASL: Sat, Nov 20, 8:00 pm; $20; 320-363-5777; Stephen B. Humphrey Theater, St John’s University, Collegeville www. csbsju.edu/finearts

Fall Dance Concert Presented by: Zenon Dance Company. ASL: Suns, Nov 21 and 28, 7pm; $21; 612340-1725; Southern Theater, 1420 Washington Ave, Mpls. www.southerntheater.org or www.zenondance.org

City Children’s Nutcracker Performed by: Ballet Arts MN AD: Tue, Nov 30, 10:30 am; $11-22; 651-989-5151, www.ticketmaster.com/venue artist/49293/822103/? Historic State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls www. balletartsMN.org

Sweeney Todd Performed by: Bloomington Civic Theatre AD: Thur, Dec 2, 7:30 pm; ASL: Fri, Dec 3, 7:30 pm; Reduced to $17; 952-5638575; Blmngt Center for the Arts, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Rd. www.bloomingtoncivic theatre.org

Memory and Imagination

Performed by: Interact Theatre AD: Fri, Dec 3, 7:30 pm; Sat, Dec 4, 3pm ASL: Thur, Dec 9, 7:30 pm; Sat, Dec 11, 3 & 7:30pm; 612-343-3390 or www.ticketworks.com Interact Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, 212

Third Ave. N, Suite 140, Mpls, 612-339-5145; www. InteractCenter.com

Positive Women Performed by Calliope Women’s Chorus ASL: Sat, Dec 4, 8pm; Sun, Dec 5, 3pm; $15 general admin, $10 for students, srs & ASL patrons; 612-285-5835 or CalliopeWC@aol.com ; Sat: Macalester Plymouth United Church, 1658 Lincoln Ave., St. Paul (near Macalester College); Sun: Mayflower Congregational Church, Diamond Lake Rd & I-35W, Mpls

The Producers ASL: Sun, Dec 5, 1pm; $18-75; ASL or AD reservations or requests: 612-373-5637, TTY 612373-5655, hotline 612-3735650; accessible@orpheum. com Historic Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls www.hennepintheatre district.com

Madeline’s Christmas by Ludwig Bemelmans, script & lyrics by Jennifer Kirkeby, music by Shirley Mier; Performed by: Stages Theatre Co.; ASL: Sun, Dec 5, 2pm; $14, $11 children (age 2-17) & srs (age 60+); 952-9791111; Hopkins Ctr for the Arts Mainstage, 1111 MainSt, Hopkins www.stagestheatre.org

Sanders Family Christmas by Connie Ray & Alan Bailey Performed by: Commonweal Theatre ASL: Sun, Dec 5, 2pm; Reduced to $5-10, 507467-2525, 800-657-7025 or Tix@commonwealtheatre.org 206 Parkway Ave. N., Lanesboro

Holiday Traditions ASL: Sun, Dec 5, 2pm in the Period Rooms, 3:30pm at the PurcellCutts House; Thur, Dec 9, 7pm in the Period Rms; admission charged to museum; interpreted tour is free; Visitor and Member Services, 612-870-3131 or TTY 612870-3132, or dhegstro@arts mia.org; Mpls Institute of

Art, 2400 Third Ave. S., Mpls

Christmas of Swing: An Andrews Sisters Holiday Musical by Bob Beverage in collaboration with Jan Puffer, Ron Peluso and David Lohman Performed by: Great American History Theatre; AD: Sun, Dec 5, 2pm; ASL: Sun, Dec 19, 2pm; 651-2924320; Great American History Theatre, 30 E. 10th St., St. Paul;www.historytheatre.com

A Christmas Carole Petersen by Tod Petersen & Peter Rothstein Performed by: Theater Latté Da; AD & ASL: Fri, Dec 10, 8pm; 612343-3390; Theater Latté Da at Loring Playhouse, 1633 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls; www.latteda.org or www. ticketworks.com

A Christmas Carol Adapted from Charles Dickens by Barbara Field, directed by Gary Gisselman Performed by: Guthrie Theater; ASL: Sat, Dec 11, 1pm; Tue, Dec 14, 7:30pm; AD: Sat, Dec 11, 1pm (free tactile tour 11:00, reservation needed); & Tue, Dec 14, 7:30pm; Reduced to $16; 612-377-2224, TTY 612-377-6626; Guthrie Theater, 725 Vineland, Mpls; www.guthrietheater.org

Annie, Jr. Bk: Thomas Meehan, lyrics: Martin Charnin, music: Charles Strouse Performed by: Youth Performance Company AD & ASL: Sat, Dec 11, 4pm; Reduced to half-price; reg. $10, students 14 & under or srs $8; please call in advance to confirm; 612-623-9080; Howard Conn Fine Arts Ctr, 1900 Nicollet Ave., Mpls www.youthper formanceco.com

It’s a Wonderful Life Holiday Fantasy by James W. Rodgers; Performed by: Rochester Civic Theatre; ASL: Sat, Dec 11, 7pm; $20, sr/student $17, ages 12 and under $10; 507-282-8481; Rochester Civic Theatre, 20 Civic Ctr Dr., Rochester; www. rochestercivictheatre.org

Snow: A Winter Wonderland of Song Performed by: TC Gay Men’s Chorus; ASL: Sat, Dec 11, 8pm; Sun, Dec 12, 2pm; Fri, Dec 17, 8pm; 612-624-2345; FMI: 612339-7664; Ted Mann Concert Hall on the U of M W. Bank campus, 2128 4th St. S., Mpls www.tcgmc.org

Cinderella, performed by Ballet of the Dolls ASL: Sat, Dec 11, 8pm; AD: Sun, Dec 12, 2pm; 651-224-4222, TTY 651-282-3100 Ordway Ctr for Performing Arts McKnight Theatre, 345 Washington, St. Paul www.ordway.org

Perform - cont. on p. 15

TBI

- Cont. from p. 4

lem solving, insight and awareness, difficulties with attention and information processing in TBI.” Coming from a combat situation, some patients can experience both PTSD and TBI, making diagnosis and treatment even more challenging. “It’s critical to have thorough evaluations so that we can treat each appropriately,” Collins said.

When TBI is Missed

Despite ongoing efforts to monitor TBI in the military, some cases are still missed due to the sheer volume of injuries, the limitations of combat medicine, and limited awareness among military personnel about brain injury or the DVBIC program. “Typically what happens in an acute medical situation is that you focus on the obvious. So there’s focus on the blindness and/or the loss of limb, but these people may have sustained a mild TBI too,” said Collins.

There are potentially devastating consequences for soldiers with TBI who return home without a diagnosis, including difficulties retaining employment, failing relationships, alcohol and substance abuse and potential homelessness. Tom Gode, Executive Director for the Brain Injury Association of Minnesota, explains “Soldiers who are not diagnosed may ultimately be misdiagnosed at a later date when their behaviors resemble mental illness, and yet without a brain injury diagnosis any mental health treatment and recovery strategies will have limited affect.”

The Wilder Research Center is currently conducting a study examining the issue of veterans and homelessness in Minnesota. Preliminary results show that 65 percent of homeless veterans had experienced a serious blow to the head that resulted in seeing stars or loss of consciousness.

Of the veterans who had sustained a blow to the head, 46 percent reported problems with headaches, concentration or memory, understanding, excessive worry, sleeping or getting along with othersindicating a brain injury.

“With a diagnosis they can begin to understand the changes in their lives, with connections to services and resources they can begin to develop the compensatory strategies to assist them to return to a civilian life better able to cope with their challenges,” said Gode.

Education and Outreach Education and outreach are key factors in addressing TBI in the military, and play an important role in catching

cases of mild TBI.

The Veteran’s Health Initiative just produced a webbased TBI Education program for primary care providers, to educate them about TBI, and about services for patients with TBI in the VA system. The program is free for service providers and CEU credits are available.

The Brain Injury Association of Minnesota is also poised to offer assistance for Minnesota soldiers with TBI when they return to their communities. “The Association is prepared to provide soldiers who have sustained brain injury and/or their families the resources and support to better cope with the residual effects of the brain injury. The Association can provide information and resources on a one time basis or support an individual over two years with Resource Facilitation,” said Gode. Resource Facilitation offers regular telephone contact to assist with problem solving, coping strategies and support.

Further Resources

To request services for active duty military or veterans who were injured while on active duty, call DVBIC Headquarters at 1-800-870-9244 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. EST. For more information about VA care, contact Gretchen C. Stephens, DVA National TBI Coordinator at (804) 675-5597. For more information on the Minneapolis VA TBI Program contact Stacy Tepper, LCSW, at (612) 467-3235.

Further information about DVBIC can be found at www.dvbic.org

The Veterans Health Initiative course on Traumatic Brain Injury is available online at https://www.eeslearning.net/dod to all VA, DOD and other interested persons. CME and CE credit is available for physicians, nurses, social workers, psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and audiologists through June 2005 at no cost. The program is available in pdf format on the web at http:/ /www1.va.gov/vhi/docs/ TBIfinal_www.pdf

Minnesota veterans are eligible to participate in the Resource Facilitation program. For more information, a Resource Facilitator may be contacted by calling 612-3782742, or 1-800-669-6442. Individuals who reside outside of Minnesota can access resources through their local Brain Injury Associations. Contact information can be obtained by visiting www. biausa.org/Pages/state_ contacts.html ■

REEVES -

Cont. from p. 3

was in his life and move it forward to its maximum. With his family’s efforts, he raised the issue of SCI Cure Research to a high visibility level in recent years. We also cannot overlook the efforts of the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), or United Spinal Association (formerly Eastern PVA-New York) or the National Spinal Cord Injury Association’s Research funding efforts dating back to the 50s. Kent Waldrep’s National Paralysis Foundation and The Rick Hanson’s Canadian—Man in Motion Foundation started in the early 70’s with The Miami Project starting in 1985.

Here in Minnesota, the Spinal Cord Society started in 1978 with a sole focus on a cure, to this day utilizing no government funding. In the mid 90’s The Morton Cure Paralysis Fund was established. The majority of their funding in recent years has gone to The Spinal Cord Injury Project at Rutgers University, home of Dr. Wise Young, named America’s Top Spinal Cord Injury Research Scientist by TIME magazine. In the last three years, they have accepted grant proposals from other laboratories for specific projects and have approved three of them. Two of these

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projects are in Minnesota, at laboratories at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. The third is at the research department of Boston Children’s Hospital.

Reeve’s great acting presence and visibility certainly increased awareness of the sudden onset of SCI. His will to overcome a significant injury, far more severe than many, provides a role model that can be pointed to for many years to come.

FOR RENT (Cont.)

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Many individuals have reported that after their spinal cord injury, their lives were enhanced, full of love and warmth and exciting adventures. They also say they felt for a long time the societal pressures to not be different or functionally limited. What many say now is that they are fine with who they are and what they have accomplished during their lives. Maybe when the breakthrough comes, they will make sure it works consistently before they have to get “fixed.”

My way of thinking, as with many of my friends, is that I don’t need to walk at first, but maybe some of the other functions I would like to have will be available in my lifetime. In the meantime we are going to keep moving forward, take on the challenges of living whole and productive lives, and in our own ways we’ll thank Christopher Reeve for the fight he waged to make life more complete for others. Our thoughts are with his family and all families that go through catastrophic changes and move forward the best ways they can. ■

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ACADEMIC ADVISOR

Metropolitan State University seeks applications for an academic advisor in the School of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice.

Requirements: bachelor’s degree and three years’ academic advising in an educational institution; knowledge of practices and procedures related to educational outreach, student advising and retention.

Apply by November 22.

For a complete description of position, qualifications, and application process, go to www.metrostate.edu/ hr/ jobs.cfm or call (651) 999-5883. TTY users call (651) 772-7687

AA/EEO. A Member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System.

The Vocational Rehabilitation program in the Rehabilitation Services section of the Department of Employment and Economic Development is considering amendments to the State Rule on vocational rehabilitation services.

A copy of the Request for Comments and draft copy of the amendments under consideration are available at www.deed.state. mn.us/rehab/rehab.htm

LANGUAGE ARTS TEACHER

Small alternative high school in Mpls seeks the following beginning Nov. 22, 2004 Language Arts Teacher $27,800-$34,750 (DOE)

Prefer mature individual who works well in a fast-paced team atmosphere. Must have current MN English Secondary teaching license. Must be able to handle multiple priorities and have an understanding of learning styles of a diverse population.

Apply in person:

LNB Community Centers 1925 Nicollet Ave., Mpls. M-Th 9 am to 4 pm

Agency application required. Deadline 11/12 or until filled People of color encouraged to apply.

EOE

PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

Temporary

The City of St. Paul seeks temporary staff to distribute parking violations to cars illegally parked when St. Paul declares a “Snow Emergency.” Candidates must have a valid driver’s license, be at least 18 years of age, have legible handwriting and a working knowledge of St. Paul’s street system. Pay is $12.27/hr w/no benefits. Typical work hours are 7pm to 6am during extremely inclement weather. Work 4-8 times during winter.

Call 651-487-4704.

City of St. Paul

AA/EEO/ADA Employer

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