by Bret HeslaA written apology is nice. A

spoken apology is a humanconnection.

In May, the Minnesota Leg-islature passed a resolution thatofficially apologized to peoplewho received mistreatmentwhile living in state institu-tions in the last century. Twodozen former residents of Min-nesota state hospitals and theirsupporters gathered in St. Paulthis fall to hear the state’s apol-ogy in person, and talk abouttheir lives since leaving theinstitutions.

The apology ceremony tookplace at the annual meeting ofAdvocating Change Together(ACT), at Black Bear Cross-ings in St. Paul. Sen. JohnMarty (DFL-Roseville) andRep. Karen Clark (DFL-Min-neapolis) were on hand to givethe apology in person.

For Ken Bachman, one-timeresident of Cambridge StateHospital, it was important to

Inside:■■■■■ Cafe action delayed - pg 3■■■■■ Dogs on the wing - pg 7■■■■■ The play’s the thing - pg 10

“If everyone demanded peaceinstead of another television set,then there’d be peace. ”

— John Lennon (1940 - 1980)

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Address Service Requested

Saying it to their faces

Former institution residents hear long-awaited apology

Larry Lubbers, a former resident of Faribault State Hospi-tal, travels all over the state speaking about self-advocacy.He is one of the people honored by ACT.

Photo courtesy of ACT

History

Note

Pg2

hear someone say it to his face.“I glad I lived to see this day,”said Bachman. He pointed outseveral friends and fellow resi-dents from his days long agowhen he was living in the insti-tution. “That guy there,” hesaid, “he was in Cottage Elevenwith me. There are a lot of usleft.”

Kicking off the program,Marty faced the honoredguests, a group of more than20 former residents of statehospitals, as he spoke. “I justwant to say, as a member of theSenate, as somebody who of-fered the apology resolution, Iwant to say on behalf of thestate, we’re sorry. We did somethings that were bad …. A lotof you suffered from the harmthat was done. And it’s time tosay, before we can move on,we want to say we’re sorry.”

Each former resident wasalso invited to speak. Passingaround the hand-held micro-phone, the guest took turns

coming to the front of the roomto share. The many horriblestories of their past mistreat-ment stood out in stark con-trast to the lives these samepeople are living today. “I didnot like it in Cambridge,” saidMelissa Metzdorf of St. Paul,“because they hit me with awhip and they treated me sobadly, and I did not like it atall.”

Patty Ann Wallace of Duluthrecalled getting her headslammed on the floor. “I didn’tlike how the staff were mis-treating us…with cruel behav-ior and violent behavior to-wards us. They treated us likeanimals. They didn’t treat uslike human beings. And I wastelling them, ‘Stop doing itand let us be.’ And they tookmy head and hit me on thefloor. Real hard. And pickedme up and rolled me across theroom. And they put me downon the floor on my stomach,and they pushed me down on

my spine. I got a damagedspine. I still can’t keep myhead up straight very goodbecause of the abuses.”

Like Marty, Clark focusedon the future. “The other partof the resolution that’s reallyimportant is that we’re sayingthat in the future, we’re goingto make sure we don’t makethis same kind of bad mistakeagain. … we are committed tomaking sure that any futureservices offered to people withdisabilities be offered in theleast restrictive manner . We’revery serious about that, andwill help provide the resourcesfor that,” she said.

ACT’s Remembering WithDignity program has beenworking since 1994 to shedlight on the stories of past mis-treatment, mark the anony-mous graves of those who diedin state institutions, and getthe state to apologize.

“We felt that for this apol-Apology - cont. on p. 13

by Jane McClureWorking together on a wide

range of issues will serveMinnesota’s disability andaging communities well dur-ing what is expected to be achallenging 2011 legislativesession. Representatives ofmore than 50 groups met Nov.29 in St. Paul to share ideasand strategies. The 2011 Min-nesota Legislature convenesJan. 4.

Participants agreed that thetwo populations have a num-ber of shared issues and canunite to educate state lawmak-ers this session. Panelists dis-cussed key issues as well aseffective strategies to meetwith lawmakers. With somany new state representa-tives and senators, the earlypart of the session will be atime to get people up to speedon issues that affect the state’selders and people with dis-abilities.

“If ever we had a legislative

session where we need to gettogether in a coordinated fash-ion, this is going to be it,” saidDavid Hancox of MCIL. Oneoverriding concern many pan-elists cited is the tight budgetsituation at all levels of gov-ernment and how that will af-fect key programs and services.

“Too many people are re-acting instead of working on(the basis of) information,”said Anne Henry of the Min-nesota Disability Law Center.She and others said that is whyit’s important to educate law-makers early on about howprograms and service actuallysave the state money.

There are “daunting tasks”ahead at the state and federallevels, Henry said. Senior citi-zens and people with disabili-ties have many shared valuesand a lot in common to worktoward, which will be helpfulin lobbying and self-advocacyefforts. She cited the commit-ment to respectful, competent

care, promotion of self-direc-tion and quality communityliving as being among the is-sues that are priorities.

Patti Cullen of Care Pro-viders said that everyone willbe approached about lookingat ways to ease regulatory bur-dens. She and John Tschidaof Courage Center said lob-

byists and self-advocates needto be cautious of that mantra.Tschida noted that what iscalled “reform” may just befinancial cutting. Cullenadded that rather than focuson regulations there needs tobe a focus on cost-effectiveways to provide services.

Both communities need towatch for some key reportscoming out of state agenciessoon (see related story on page14) and how those will have animpact, Tschida said.

Another priority will bemental health issues and theneed to more fully integratemental health into the healthcare system. “It’s becomeabundantly clear to us thatpeople with disabilities andseniors don’t have access toacute care mental health ben-efits,” Henry said.

“The holes in the mentalhealth system are very evi-dent,” said Patti Cullen of CareProviders. A growing numberof elderly people are develop-ing mental health issues andmore needs to be done forthem.

The personal care attendant(PCA) cuts of 2009 especiallyhave affected people with men-tal health and behavioral is-sues, and many are at risk of

termination of services in Julyof 2011.

“I think these are situationswhere we can ask for the samethings but outline our uniqueissues,” said Mike Weber ofVolunteers of America (VOA).One is support for a wide arrayof home and community-basedservices that save money andprovide flexibility. A secondis to promote the idea of “com-munities for a lifetime” withadequate housing and trans-portation options.

A third issue Weber citedpriority is to promote healthcare reform. Cullen agreed butsaid there is a need to framethe discussion so it doesn’tappear that the communitieswant to add more costs andrules.

Panelists focused attentionon caregivers, saying there is aneed to provide significantsupport for volunteer care-giv-ers and family caregivers, andprovide needed respite care.

The value and contributionsof informal caregivers need tobe recognized, added Cullen.

Weber and Tschida notedthere are issues the senior citi-zen and disability groups dif-fer on. One is that of medicalassistance, where there are dif-ferent client needs and focuses.Another issue is employment.Seniors want to see more doneto provide flexible, part-timework while people with dis-abilities have full-time workand adequate workplace ac-commodations among theirpriorities. In the housing area,many seniors want to get outof their owner-occupiedhomes, while many peoplewith disabilities want to be-come home owners. But ev-eryone agreed that on com-mon issues, those should bereinforced and emphasized byadvocates. ■

“I think these aresituations where we canask for the same thingsbut outline our uniqueissues,” said Mike Weberof Volunteers of America(VOA).”

Disability and aging advocates share issues, ideasBoth groups strategize for upcoming legislative session

December 10, 2010 2

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History Note

Southwest State welcomed studentswith a broad spectrum of disabilitiesby Luther Granquist

John Schatzlein, student body president, entering schoolon new ramp.

Photo courtesy of Southwest State University

TimBenjamin,

Editor

The History Note is amonthly column sponsoredby the Minnesota Governor'sCouncil on DevelopmentalDisabilities, www.mncdd.organd www. partnersinpolicymaking.com

Southwest Minnesota Statewas touted as a college in-tended to accommodate stu-dents with disabilities when itopened in Marshall in 1967.Howard Bellows, the firstpresident of the college, camefrom Emporia State College inKansas, one of the few statecolleges designed to be acces-sible to students with physicaldisabilities. He framed the spe-cialized mission of the collegeto include “education of thephysically-handicapped stu-dent.” College officials ad-vised their architects of thisspecial mission and directedthem to modify the design ofall buildings to eliminate bar-riers. And they sought out stu-

dents with disabilities, includ-ing Vietnam veterans.

Saying it didn’t make it so.The three buildings completedin 1967 did have ramps andelevators, but barriers re-mained. In some buildings stu-dents using wheelchairs had toenter through a side door ratherthan the front door. Somebruised their knuckles wheel-ing through the narrow doorsto the Central Academic Build-ing. Other students encoun-tered doors in the Food Ser-vice Building too heavy toopen. In crowded dormitoryrooms, the sinks were too low.The telephone was too high inthe dormitory lobby. Someprofessors were reluctant to

have students with severe dis-abilities in their classes.

The students with disabili-ties soon identified necessarychanges. John Schatzlein, thefirst student body president,recalls that Bellows and keycollege administrators workedwith and supported them.Willard Isfeld, the college’splant supervisor, directedmodifications that could bemade at once. Before a secondphase of building construction,college officials met with theirarchitects to emphasize theneed to follow national acces-sibility standards mandated bythe legislature for state con-struction. After Bill Hopkinsof the Minnesota Society for

Crippled Children and Adultssurveyed the campus and iden-tified accessibility issues, Bel-lows formed an ad hoc com-mittee to recommend neededaction. Students with disabili-ties served on that committeeand a permanent committeewhich followed it. In additionto physical plant changes, theyrecommended that the collegecreate a broad-based programof disability services and sup-ports. The college pursuedstate and federal grants, facili-tated arrangements for per-sonal care attendants (PCAs),and hired a physical therapist,a work experience coordina-tor, and a coordinator forphysical education activities,including the college’s popu-lar wheelchair basketball team.The number of students withdisabilities increased from 30when the college opened, fiveof whom used wheelchairs, to

90 in 1969, 26 of whom neededwheelchairs.

Today, when all schools andcolleges must meet federal andstate standards for both physi-cal and program accessibility,Southwest Minnesota StateUniversity is no longerMinnesota’s focal point forhigher education for personswith disabilities, but whereverthey go they benefit from the

experiences of the men andwomen who worked togetherto make Southwest MinnesotaState College more accessible.■.

It might be a strange thingto say, but I’m looking for-ward to the upcoming yearand what it has to offer uspolitically. Just the other dayI ran into Kurt Rutzen, fromthe University of Minne-sota’s Institute on Commu-nity Integration, and he saidhe was excited about the leg-islative session. He looks

forward to the camaraderie thatour community and disabilityadvocates all have at the capi-tol. I think we all look forwardto reacquainting with oldfriends and striking up newfriendships in the lobbyistcommunity—and with our newpoliticians.

It’s certainly going to be abit of a challenging time at thecapitol, making new friendswith all the new elected offi-cials and working to conquerour budget deficit. It will beimportant that not just the full-time advocates and activists,but all of us in the disabilitycommunity, have a responsi-bility to help our legislatorsunderstand us and our needs.Many of them will have a lot tolearn about disability and ag-ing issues and the state’s so-cial services that the state of-fers all of us. It’s easy for themto say we need to cut Healthand Human Services; it’s ourresponsibility to make surethey understand where to main-tain services and what the ef-

fects will be if they don’t. Theyalso need to make sure thatthey recognize that in manycases cutting social services isjust a financial shift of rev-enue. You might be asking,what do I mean by this? Whenyou cut someone back on theirpreventive healthcare or main-tenance, health needs the sureresults of those cuts, nine timesout of 10 is that it will costmore in acute care when tobringing someone back to ahealthy condition. Someonemight be cut back three hoursof PCA care a day, and theywill be fine for three, four,maybe even six months. Buteventually, the lack of, saynourishment, from not beingable to eat regularly, or thedecubiti that develop fromshort cuts in frequency in posi-tioning, or the missed medica-tions from lack of cueing whenmedications are needed resultsin hospitalization and rehabili-tation costs that are far morethan what it would have cost tohave maintained the three

hours in the first place. Andwhat happens to all those PCAswhose hours are cut? What’sthe point if the state increasesthe number of workers liningup for unemployment benefits?Most important of all, we alsohave to remind the legislators,very politely, that it’s truly ourcivil rights that they’re cut-ting. They cannot forget thepromises that the civil rightslaws, including the ADA, hashave offered all the citizens ofour country.

There has been so much con-versation about double-deal-ing in our health care system;especially in community-based services. It is a distracterissue. I imagine there is somedishonesty, but not nearly whatis portrayed. Creating new,cumbersome regulations toprevent the deceit just doesnot make fiscal sense, and leg-islators should ask themselveswhether it will cost more inadministration expenses andquality-of-life for those of ususing these services. At the

same time, we truly have tobegin policing things our-selves and report it when wesee something truly financiallywrong taking place. We needto report it and we should in-form our legislators and ourstate workers on how to con-tain the misdeeds without tak-ing away our quality-of-life.One way to do that is to call651-603-2009 to connect tothe “You need to hear me”message line. You can stayanonymous if you want, butreport real wrongs that youknow about.

But before we get to thenew year, the holidays areupon us, it and they makes methink of all those things forwhich I’m thankful. I’mblessed with a wonderful part-ner who supports me in somany ways. I’m also gratefulfor the opportunities that I’vehad throughout my life thatmy family has offered me. I’mappreciative to the federalgovernment and the state ofMinnesota for all the opportu-

nities that they have alsomade possible for me. I’mgrateful for the Individualswith Disabilities EducationAct (IDEA), which is cel-ebrating its 35th anniversaryand has educated so manyyoung people with disabili-ties; creating a communitythat has those employmentskills to be employed and allthe promised opportunitiesthat equal education offers.(Check out, “Two Men On,”http://gravessack.wordpress.com/.) I’m especially thank-ful for the opportunities ex-periences that Access Presshas given me. Over the pastten years, I’ve made somefabulous friends and col-leagues that I get to workwith regularly. I have beenmentored by some brilliantpeople and have learned andhave built confidence in myown skills.

As one of my friends oncesaid, God bless us, every one!Have a great holiday. ■

3December 10, 2010

Decision on sidewalk cafes is laid over for studyby Jane McClure

Changes to St. Paul’s regu-lations on sidewalk café regu-lations will be tabled until mid-December as restaurant own-ers, city staff and disabilitycommunity advocates sort outa menu of issues. The publichearing, which began Nov. 17and drew more than a dozenpeople, will be continued untilDec. 15.

The proposed ordinancechanges were brought forwardafter it was found that St. Paulisn’t complying with the fed-eral Americans with Disabili-ties Act (ADA), in terms of theminimum clearance for pedes-trians to pass through side-walk cafes. In some locations,people in wheelchairs or usersof walkers and canes foundthemselves unable to passthrough the cafes due to place-ment of tables, chairs, plantersand other items.

Ward Two Council Mem-ber Dave Thune, who authoredthe ordinance, said there willbe changes before the finalproposal is brought forward.But he said the city also needsto look at how it accommo-dates people with disabilities.“This really is the right thingto do, so that everyone has theright to pass through the pub-lic right-of-way,” he said.

The regulations for sidewalkcafes currently call for a mini-mum 36-inch clearance. The

ordinance would increase thatdistance to 48 inches. Becausethe six inches of curb alongstreets cannot be counted inthe 48 inches that in fact wouldmake the minimum clearance54 inches in some cases.

The city has worked withthe ADA since it was passedby Congress in 1990, said PaulSt. Martin of St. Paul PublicWorks. But the initial federallaw was vague when it came toregulations on right-of-wayaccessibility. Guidelines forright-of-way were not evenpublished until 2005. The rule-making process for the guide-lines is not expected to startuntil next year.

St. Paul’s ADA transitionplan does reflect the proposedright-of-way accessibilityguidelines, St. Martin said.“But one area where we’relacking (in compliance) is side-walk cafes.”

CapitalRiver Council andMark Hughes, former co-chairman of the Mayor’s Ad-visory Council for People withDisabilities, spoke in supportof the ordinance changes.

Hughes, who uses a wheel-chair, said the ordinance isimportant for the city. “We doneed the 48 inches,” he said.Hughes also said he believesthe concerns raised by thecity’s restaurant owners canbe addressed. But he remindedthem that someday, they may

have family members orfriends who are disabled, andthat that access is an issue thataffects everybody.

Area restaurant owners saidthey agree with the need toprovide adequate access so thatpeople can pass through theiroutdoor seating areas. But insome cases, businesses havespent thousands of dollarsmeeting the 36-inch clearance.In other situations, tree grates,large city planters and fixturessuch as curbside trash cansimpact the available space.

Many complaints aboutthe ordinance were directedat a proposal that would haverequired sidewalk cafes toclose at 10 p.m.; somethingThune said wasn’t intendedto be in the ordinance. Othercomplaints focused on pro-posed regulatory changesthat would have forced res-taurant owners to seek side-walk cafe licenses from theDepartment of Safety andInspections (DSI) and right-of-way permits from PublicWorks. Council membersand city staff agreed thatwhen new regulations areadopted restaurants will onlyhave to deal with one citydepartment.

Another objection was thata restaurant would have to dis-play its sidewalk café site planin its window. Thune said thatcould be modified to having

the site plan on file and avail-able upon public request.

Several restaurant owners,including Dan O’Gara ofO’Gara’s Bar and Grill, andStephanie Shimp of Blue PlateRestaurant Company, saidthey appreciate the city hear-ing their concerns about treegrates, planters and other side-walk obstructions. O’Garasaid he’d like to see city offi-cials work with restaurantsthat have narrower sidewalks,to see if concerns can be ad-dresses.

“I think everybody knowshow tough it has been (in the

hospitality industry) the lastfew years,” O’Gara said.

“In Highland we have sev-eral large brick planters,”Shimp said. The large planterin front of Highland Grill“would wipe out our sidewalkseating.” Those planters arelikely to be removed in 2012-2013, possibly sooner, if a citycapital budget request is ap-proved.

Thune also said the cityneeds to look at ADA-compli-ant tree grates as the currentgrates can catch wheelchairwheels, canes and walkers.

Russell Kline, owner and

chef at Meritage restaurantdowntown, said he was disap-pointed to be speaking oppo-sition to the ordinance. Heagrees with the need for a 48-inch or four-foot clearance,saying “we want the sidewalkssafe for all.” But working withthe 36-inch guideline, about$10,000 was spent on furnish-ings and a custom fence forMeritage’s outdoor dining,only to be told by pedestriansthat there wasn’t enough clear-ance.

Kline also pointed out that ifa 54-inch clearance is en-Sidewalk cafe- cont. on p. 13

December 10, 2010 4

Commentary

DSPAM president looks back on a life-changing yearby Lindsay Short

Letters to the editor

Choose life, make a positive difference

The other day I was listen-ing to one of my favorite morn-ing shows, The Dave Ryanand the Morning Show. Yes, Iknow it’s not the most intel-lectual show and it really is abunch of mindless jabber, buteveryone has their guilty plea-sures. Through their usualdaily celebrity gossip and ban-ter, they started talking about atopic that got me thinking aboutmy own life. They talked aboutstepping out of your comfortzone and doing something youthought you would never do.They asked the audience tothink of something significantthat they had done in their lives.Then they asked if you hadn’tdone that, to think about whatyour life would be like? Myfirst reaction when hearingthose questions was my timewith DSPAM (Direct Support

To the editor:I am writing this to anyone

who’s thinking of committingsuicide – youth or adult. I’masking you to choose life.

I get the pain. I’ve been there,done that and bought the T-shirt. I was not popular in highschool. I was bullied. I also

eventually got committed tothe Anoka Metro RegionalTreatment Center. But thathelp changed my life. I learnedhow to live life, not just exist.

I chose life and now I get tohelp make a difference. I joinedthe Mental Wellness Cam-paign for Anoka County, a non-

profit organization designedto erase the stigma of mentalillness. I now have a voice.But if you choose suicide, youwon’t have a voice and youwon’t be around to see thepeople genuinely mourning foryou.

If you’re hurting, tell some-

one you trust. If they don’tlisten, tell someone else. Shoutuntil someone hears you. Ifyou’re in school, see the schoolnurse, your guidance counse-lor, the school psychologist, ateacher. Anyone.

If you’re out of school, tellyour boss, co-worker, pastor,parent or call 911. Or call TwinCities Crisis Services, at 763-755-3801. They come to youand they’re open 24 hours aday, seven days a week.

There are many people whocare; just reach out and shoutuntil someone listens. Letpeople help you. Choose lifeand help make a difference.You are valuable to somebody– trust me on this. Fight throughthe pain and those innerwounds will turn to scars.You’ll find the light.

Cynthia Blesi, Member,Mental Wellness CampaignFor Anoka County

Providers of Minnesota), es-pecially this last year as presi-dent. My life the last threeyears has been nothing butextraordinary. They have beensome of the best and hardesttimes in my life. I wouldn’ttrade any of it for anything.What if I didn’t get that emailwhat seems like forever agoand decide to take a chance?My life would be unchal-lenged. It would be stuck in aplace I don’t think I would behappy with. I wouldn’t knowthe amazing and strong peoplein my life now. Before DSPAMI was quiet, naive, and had noclue to the “real world”.

I am only 25 now, and defi-nitely still learning; God knowsI wouldn’t have admitted thatwhen I was 21. I’ve learnedhow to be patient. I’ve learnedhow important it is to be

humble and always rememberthe people that have helpedyou. If it wasn’t for their sup-port, I wouldn’t be where I’mat today. I have learned thateven when you make mistakes,it doesn’t define who you are,and people are forgiving. Withthat, I’ve learned that it’s im-portant to be honest with oth-ers and most importantly your-self to the mistakes you’vemade. As easy as it sounds,that has probably been thehardest thing for me to under-stand. I think my biggest ac-complishment is my growth asa leader. First starting inDSPAM I was a hopeful benchwarmer. I didn’t say a peep.Now three years later as presi-dent, I enjoy public speakingand I actively jump intoprojects. Without DSPAM andthose who have supported me,

I wouldn’t be the person I amtoday. I truly believe that any-one who is a Direct SupportProfessional (DSP) shouldbecome involved with this or-ganization and get involvedwith the issues DSPs face. Oneof my favorite quotes is “Bethe Change you Want to See inthe World” by MahatmaGandhi. Becoming a part ofDSPAM allows you do justthat. It’s an outlet, a resourcefor DSPs to come together andtalk about what they want tochange. It’s a place for sup-port and a way to build rela-tionships with others. It’s selfinvestment.

As my term ends this year, Iwill no longer be on the boardof directors. My new journeyis facing graduate school. Iagain want to thank each andevery person that has sup-

Lindsay Short

Be awareof epilepsyTo the editor

More than three millionAmericans have epilepsy or aseizure disorder and I am oneof thousands of volunteersworking to raise awareness ofthis terrible condition.

Epilepsy is common, butmany people know little aboutit or what to do when someoneis having a seizure. That’swhy the Epilepsy Foundationis asking everyone to take theGet Seizure Smart! quiz.

A copy of the quiz is avail-able at www.GetSeizureSmart.org. My 12-year-old daughterhas intractable epilepsy, whichmeans we can’t get the sei-zures to stop and I stronglyencourage everyone to take thequiz. My daughter’s life maydepend upon it.

Paul MeunierHam Lake

ported me. I will forever sup-port DSPAM and owe so muchto those who have stuck by myside. So, with that I leave ev-eryone with a challenge. Do

something you would neverthink you could do; step out-side your comfort zone andtake a chance- It could be lifechanging. ■

5December 10, 2010

Commentary

Let us now praise great men—including Ken Ticeby Mel Duncan

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Pete’s Reflections

Camera obscura part III:Living on the brain’s left side

James Agee’s classic book,Let Us Now Praise Great Men,reminds us that history isshaped by regular folks whostep forward and do extraordi-nary things often without spe-cial status, advanced educa-tion, money or fancy clothes.Luther Granquist’s columnshighlight that plenty of thosepeople live in Minnesota.

Ken Tice, who died this fall,was one of them. Throughoutthe 1980s Ken was a stalwartat the legislature advancing the

rights of people with disabili-ties as a lobbyist for Advocat-ing Change Together (ACT).While the actual passage oflegislation, advancing therights of people working insheltered workshops for ex-ample, was significant hismajor contributions are moreprofound than any statutorychange he accomplished.

Ken carried the label of“mental retardation” or the Rword as we now know it. Yet,his very being constantly

changed the definition of in-tellectual handicap creating adissonance in the stereotypesmany carry. I once had a pro-fessional say to me that “ifmentally retarded people coulddo what you think they can,they wouldn’t be mentally re-tarded.” Every time Ken testi-fied or engaged a legislator, heshattered those professionaldefinitions.

Ken would not accept scar-city of resources, energy orjoy. In the late 1980s I was

working on a piece of legisla-tion that had passed the stateHouse but languished in theSenate. Ken was working on abill on behalf of ACT thatshared a similar status. In thewaning days of that session, Idesperately searched for a con-ference committee that had ashred of germaneness. Withthree days remaining, I foundit. Inserting my bill into theconference committee bill wasthe only chance for survival. Itonly had a sliver of a chance

but the conference committeerepresented “the last train leav-ing the station.”

As I headed out to find afriendly legislator on the con-ference committee, I waspierced by a dilemma. Thisconference committee was theonly chance for Ken’s bill aswell. BUT the more of us whotried this precarious route theless chance for success any ofour bills would have. As I pon-dered, Ken rushed up to me infront of the House Chamber.

“Mel, Mel, I just found aconference committee wherethey might include my bill andthey might include yours aswell, let’s go!”

Ken saw no dilemma. Un-like me he was not encum-bered by such political equa-tions of scarcity.

Ken has much to teach thosebravely venturing to the capi-tol next month. First, nothing

replaces real people advocat-ing for themselves. People withdisabilities will have to clogthe halls. Legislators must facethose who they propose tobludgeon.

Secondly, the more thatpeople who carry labels speakfor themselves the morequickly stereotypes and limi-tations shatter. It is a powerfulwitness when one proclaimsproudly, “I am who I am!”

And, Ken’s refusal to ac-cept scarcity will serve wellthose lobbying for basic hu-man needs. We must guardagainst being pitted against oneanother. Like Gandhi, Kenwould tell those setting thestate budget, “There is enoughfor human need just not enoughfor human greed.” ■

Mel Duncan was a longtimefriend of Ken Tice.

by Pete FeigalOk, now here’s where it gets

interesting. According to thelatest updates in split-brainphysiology, your brain is di-vided into two halves. Yourleft half handles logic, lan-guage, reason and calculation.This is the conscious, rationaleveryday basis for our person-alities, for our reality.

The right side of your brainis the center of your intuition,emotion, pattern recognitionskills, insight. Your subcon-scious.

Your left brain is the scien-tist and your right brain is yourartist.

Most people live out of theirleft sides. It’s only in extremepain, crisis, upset, trauma, in-jury, sickness, that their sub-conscious can slip into theirconscious. When everythingnormal goes to hell, even some-times for an instant, the rightbrain can take over for a flash,just for another instant, andgive them access to divine in-spiration.

We truth is that we all dream24 hours a day, night dreams,

daydreams, your subconsciousis always going, never stops,an endless stream, a river ofcolor, music, images. But it’skept in check by the bullyingleft side, the cold rationalethat runs most of the ship.Only at night when you let go,when you let your tired nor-mal, boring left brain get somesleep, does the right brain getto come out to play.

Sometimes that dream statefinds other chinks in the ar-mor. Hey, it’s through thecracks where the light comesthrough. Maybe some of usdiscover ways to help let therational, safe, ordinary barri-ers come down, even for atime, and let the dreams play.For a flash of insight; a mo-ment of enlightenment. AFrench psychologist PierreJanet called this condition “thelowering of the mental thresh-old.”

Most of the time we are leftto our own devices to claw ourway into that special worldthat lives so close but yet so faraway. Others are lucky enoughto find someone to assist themin the journey, like the love-hate relationship betweenMichelangelo and Pope JuliusII during the painting of the

Sistine Chapel, so vividlyshown in the novel, “TheAgony and the Ecstasy” byIrving Stone.

Most people believe that theceiling was an artistic com-mission between artist andPope. I believe it was sellinghis soul. Or the old fable fromthe 1930s about RobertJohnson, one of the best, if notthe greatest Blues guitarists,waiting at the crossroads atmidnight to make the ultimatedeal with the devil; to trade hissoul for his musical genius.Michelangelo, when first ap-proached to paint the chapelinsisted that he was a sculptor,not a painter. Pope Julius un-derstood better that Michel-angelo wasn’t a painter or asculptor, he was an artist. ThePope tormented him, bulliedhim, starved him, refused topay him, and broke a stickover his back. When Michel-angelo finally collapsed in ex-haustion that almost killed him,the Pope, perhaps knowing abit himself about the coexist-ence between the demons andthe muses, came to his sickbed and belittled him till hedragged himself out of bedand back up on that scaffold. Ipersonally believe, against all

others, that Michelangelo, al-most killed by the stress of thePope’s regard, loved him forit; and hated him. The paintingtook four years to complete.No one knows how many yearsit took off his life.

When we’re dead tired, de-pressed, scared out of our wits,hungry or in pain, the naturalstate of things changes. Allbets are off, and anything canhappen. According to the Ger-man philosopher Carl Jung,this lets us connect to a univer-sal body of knowledge. Thewisdom of all people over alltime; the wisdom of the ages.“The collective consciousnessof the human race,” as Jungonce phrased it.

Mozart once wrote about an-other of his journeys to thatincredible, yet mind-explod-ing place, where when he washooked up to it, he could writeentire operas without needingone edit, without one singlemistake. Art theorists todaystill are stunned by his work,entire operas and symphonieswithout a single mistake. Theonly explanation from evenhardened scientists was thathe “must have been taking dic-tation from God.” ■

December 10, 2010 6

Regional news - cont. on p. 15

Regional news in review . . .Vets play hockey

Coming soon to a sports facility near you: hockey gamesplayed by the Minnesota Warriors, a startup team made up ofveterans with disabilities from across the state and Wisconsin.The nonprofit group has forged a deal with Vadnais Heights tohold regular games and practices at the city’s brand new SportsCenter, which now houses one of a half-dozen sled-accessiblehockey rinks in the country. Already named the group’s “homeice,” the center may later house the group’s actual headquar-ters.

Minnesota Warriors President Toni O’Brien called Vadnais’willingness to house the program “an over-the-top generousoffer” facilitated by a Warriors board member who knewsomeone on the Vadnais Heights City Council.

“This is an opportunity for us to give back to all the men andwomen who have put their lives on the line for us — to (havethem) enjoy the privilege of playing this game,” said O’Brien.“We’re the only program out there right now that offers hockeyto vets at absolutely no cost to them.”

Right now the Warriors is relatively small, with six registeredplayers from across the state and another eight who haveexpressed interest in playing. But O’Brien said once wordspreads this winter, she expects a roster of about 20 standupplayers (those able to stand to play) and between 10 and 12 sledplayers (those unable to stand who use specially designedsleds). Later, she predicted, the group should attract more fromboth states, as vets who have played hockey all their lives turnback to the sport for recreation and a social outlet.

The group is open to male and female U.S. military personnelwho have been injured on or off duty. Hockey skills training isoffered; the group website said another goal is to “assistindividuals with disabilities in developing self-confidence,adjusting to their new lifestyle, rehabilitation, self-reliance,concentration, and to assist in helping participants back intomainstream lifestyles they were accustomed to prior to theirdisability.”

“You don’t see this type of hockey anywhere in the state,” shesaid. “For them to be the home rink and get the word out — Ithink they’re going to draw a lot of people in.”

More information is available on Facebook under “Minne-sota Warriors,” at www.mnwarriors.com or at www.minnesotahockey.org/page/show/116365-usa-minnesota-warriors-2009.

O’Brien can be reached at warriorsmn@gmail.com or 651-307-0660.[Source: Vadnais Heights Press]

Wheelchair thief pleads guiltyA St. Paul man who stole a pickup truck and a teenager’s

wheelchair last summer from a Hugo home has reached a pleaagreement. Chad M. Dann, 35, will plead guilty to two feloniesas part of a plea agreement.

Dann pleaded guilty Nov. 29 in Washington County DistrictCourt, to charges of theft of a motor vehicle and obtaining drugsby fraud or deceit. A third charge of fleeing a police officer willbe dismissed at sentencing as part of the agreement. He will besentenced Feb. 10.

Dann’s arrest followed a high profile campaign to find andbring back a wheelchair belonging to 13-year-old Amber Diel.The teenager has spina bifida and uses the chair to get aroundwithout assistance. She had designed the pink TiLite 2GXSwing Away chair herself. It is valued at $6,000. The chair wasin the family truck when the vehicle was stolen from the Dielfamily’s Hugo garage.

Dann was caught after he tried to pass a fraudulent prescrip-tion for a narcotic pain reliever at the Stillwater Target store.The pharmacist was suspicious of the large prescription and analtered form, and called police. Dann was chased before he wascaptured. As part of the plea agreement he won’t be chargedwith fleeing a police officer.[Source: Star Tribune]

Thrift store is no moreDress for Less Resale Shop, which raised money for people

with disabilities for many years, closed in November. The littleshop, which most recently was near White Bear and Larpenteuravenues in St. Paul. The shop had been at that location for adecade. It was on Rice Street in St. Paul for more than 40 yearsbefore that.

Closure of the shop, staffed by volunteers, means that corpo-rate parent Bethesda Lutheran Communities will no longerhave a St. Paul presence, though its Minnetonka and Rochesterstorefronts will stay open. The nonprofit, now in its secondcentury of existence, provides services and supports to peoplewith developmental disabilities. In 2008, Bethesda’s 27 thrift

stores—mostly in Wisconsin but also in Illinois, Indiana,Kansas, Michigan, Missouri and Texas—earned $1.2 milliona year.

Volunteers at the shop cited declining revenues and in-creased competition as reasons to shut down. In 2009 compe-tition emerged when a large Value Village store opened nearby,run by nonprofit Arc Greater Twin Cities.

The store’s end leaves 19 remaining Bethesda storefronts, asthe nonprofit switches gears somewhat to concentrate on open-ing up larger, more efficient operations run not only by volun-teers but staffed by people with disabilities. The group won’trule out a return to St. Paul in the future.[Source: East Side Review]

Schools eye expanded policiesThe Minnesota School Board Association wants districts

across the state to expand their harassment and violence policy.The group is urging school districts to expand protection togroups including students with disabilities, as well as to gay,lesbian, bisexual and transgender students.

Most Minnesota school districts’ policies only protect againstharassment based on race, religion or sex. The association’sproposal would prohibit any form of harassment or violence“on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex,age, marital status, familial status, and status with regard topublic assistance, sexual orientation or disability.” The asso-ciation also wants boards to put more pressure on schoolofficials to intervene when they witness bullying.

The recommendation will likely be controversial as its 335-member districts decide whether to act on the recommendationin the weeks ahead.

The bullying issue is controversial in Minnesota. Efforts toget stronger anti-bullying legislation passed are likely to bebrought up at the state capitol during the 2011 legislativesession{Source: Star Tribune, Associated Press].

Eden Wood work nears completionHundreds more disabled residents can turn to an Eden Prairie

center for help now that the Eden Wood Center has increasedits capacity by 50 percent. A group of volunteers has been

7December 10, 2010

People and places

News about people, places and dogs in our community

These golden retrievers flew in from New York and will become Midwestern service dogs.Photo courtesy of Can Do Canines

Vinland announces expansionVinland Center has announced its Expanding the Promise

capital campaign goal to just meet current needs, but also to addthe physical capacity necessary to carry Vinland into the nextdecade. Since 1990, Vinland has been providing tailoredchemical health services to adults with cognitive disabilitiesand mental health issues.

Demand for Vinland’s services is growing but the programcannot grow without additional space. For the past severalyears, Vinland has been operating at capacity at its maincampus. Vinland has grown its off-site programming andadapted its existing spaces to keep pace with its growth.However, the organization cannot accommodate its currentand future demand without a significant capital investment.

“This expansion will make a significant positive impact onVinland’s capacity to provide life-changing programs to thosewho need them most,” said Vinland Executive Director MaryRoehl. “We have been operating at capacity with a waiting listfor people trying to get into our program. The people that wecannot serve are not getting treatment or are placed in programsunable to meet their needs due to their multiple disabilities.”

“Over 80 percent of our alumni report abstinence or reduceduse and 71 percent report improvement in their quality of life,”Roehl said. “This relates to a decrease in future treatments andincarcerations, which is a cost savings to their communities.”

The first phase of the expansion will begin during spring of2011. It will cost approximately $3.5 million and add a total of14,130 square feet to Vinland’s main campus. Twenty addi-tional chemical health beds will help to reduce the waiting listfor Vinland’s chemical health residential program.

A new fitness studio will be an expansion of the currentfitness center. Windows will fill the fitness studio with naturallight and offer views of Lake Independence. An expandedfitness center will provide adequate space for group classessuch as mindfulness meditation, yoga and the ancient Chineseart of Tai Chi. The therapeutic exercise program is the largestcomplementary care service at Vinland. The current fitnesscenter is in a windowless room with just enough space for thecardio and weight equipment. There is no appropriate space forgroup classes such as meditation and yoga, and participantscurrently lay their mats around the cardio equipment.

New conference rooms and offices will be built to providecounseling space for the clients. The conference rooms willprovide additional space for case managers to meet withclients, their families and social workers. Vinland currently hasthree meeting areas for therapy groups. In these meeting areasVinland not only provides group therapy but also complemen-tary care services such as family programming, traumatic braininjury groups, and mindfulness-based meditation program-ming. New meeting rooms will provide space for Vinland tooffer expanded therapy services.

“Increased capacity will allow us to get the client into theappropriate treatment without unnecessary delays and willenable us to offer more complementary care services that arespecifically designed to their unique needs,” Roehl said.

Mustangs, Robins win titlesThe first fall Minnesota State High School League adapted

prep sports tournaments ended with Anoka-Hennepin andRobbinsdale/ Hopkins/Mound-Westonka claiming titles insoccer. The tournaments were held Nov. 19-20 at StillwaterHigh School.

Anoka-Hennepin’s win gave that school three titles this year.The Mustangs previously won state crowns in floor hockey andsoftball. The team won the Cognitive Impairments (CI) soccertitle with a 5-4 win over defending champion Park Center. Itwas the first CI adapted soccer state title for Anoka-Hennepinsince 1993. Park Center had won in 2008 and 2009.

The teams advanced to the finals with identical 8-0-1 records.The Mustangs were led by junior Zach Theroux, who scored allfive of his team’s goals.

St. Cloud Area won third place 4-3 over Mounds View/Irondale/Roseville. The consolation title was won by DakotaUnited, which defeated Chaska/Chanhassen/Prior Lake/Shakopee 4-2. South Suburban and Burnsville/Farmington/Lakeville were the other teams in the tournament. The CI all-tournament team included Park Center’s Auggie Wodrich,Jack Dougba and Andy Brown; Anoka-Hennepin’s TylerKurkowski, Zach Theroux and Jeff Shogren; St. Cloud Area’sMarcelli Kombo and David Lewis; Mounds View/Irondale/Roseville’s Ted Snyder and Alex Vandegrift; and Joe Sandeyof Dakota United.

In the Physical Impairments (PI) Division, the Robbinsdale/Hopkins/Mound-Westonka Robins won a third consecutivestate championship. The team won, 8-1, over Dakota United.The Robins capped an undefeated season with the title. TheRobins were led by senior Erin Nickell, who scored three goalsin rapid succession to start the game.

Park Center defeated St. Paul Humboldt 11-2 for third place.The consolation title was won by Anoka-Hennepin, whichdefeated South Suburban 8-4. Other teams participating wereWayzata/Minnetonka and Mounds View/Irondale/Roseville.The all-tournament team included Robbinsdale/Hopkins/Mound-Westonka’s Erin Nickell, Harrison Lerner and MikeMadson; Dakota United’s Eric Liggett, Anthony Vervais andJaayson Meyer; Park Center’s Evan Engle and Olivia Maccoux;Humboldt’s James Yang and Poa Vang; Corey Gieske ofAnoka-Hennepin and Nick Nieson of South Suburban

Local couple gives wings tofuture assistance dogs

Six golden retrievers from the East Coast are preparing fornew jobs in Minnesota. Rod and Barbara Burwell generouslyprovided the “Wings of Gold” for the beautiful canines. TheTwin Cities couple flew the precious cargo on their corporatejet from New York to the Twin Cities.

“This has been a wonderful collaboration from the begin-ning,” said Can Do Canines Executive Director Al Peters,“from Cynthia at Cynazar Golden Retrievers, who donatedthese extraordinary dogs, to Rod and Barbara Burwell, whoagreed to transport them, this has been a significant undertak-ing made easier by people who are dedicated to helping usachieve our goal of placing assistance dogs with people whoneed them. Having the Burwell Enterprises’ jet pick the dogs upand transport them here has saved our organization thousandsof dollars in driving costs and several days of our staff andvolunteer time. Instead, these dogs rode in the lap of luxury inthe cabin of the plane.”

The six ten-month-old golden retrievers will go on to livewith volunteer puppy raisers, where they will begin theirtraining to become assistance dogs for people with disabilities.Cynazar Golden Retrievers is based in Pennsylvania.Barbara Peterson Burwell, who was the honorary chair of theCan Do Canines Fetching Ball Gala last year, said, “I havepersonally seen the difference these dogs make in the lives ofthe people they are teamed with. They give back independence,freedom and peace of mind to individuals and families whoreceive them. Knowing that Can Do Canines gives theseextraordinary dogs to clients free of charge makes it even moreimportant that we do everything we can to help.”

The dogs arrived at the same time that 17 other Can DoCanines assistance dog teams graduated from the trainingprogram, including the organization’s first-ever Iraq war vet-eran and dog. Graduation was held Saturday November 6 at theCan Do Canines facilities at 9440 Science Center Drive in NewHope.

Can Do Canines is dedicated to enhancing the quality of lifefor people with disabilities by creating mutually beneficialpartnerships with specially trained dogs. All services are pro-vided to clients free of charge. The organization is supported by

contributions from individuals, foundations, corporations, andcommunity service organizations.

Schools feted as family-friendlyFour Minnesota schools are honored as family-friendly

schools by the Minnesota Parent Center, Minnesota’s PIRC(Parental Information and Resource Center), a project ofPACER Center. The awards were presented in partnership withthe Minnesota Department of Education as part of MinnesotaParent Involvement Month in October. Parents were asked tonominate schools for efforts to create a family-school partner-ship and a warm, welcoming environment for families.

“Schools that invite parents to be partners in educationrealize that families play an important role in student success,”said Heather Kilgore, director of Minnesota Parent Center, MNPIRC. “We applaud these schools, along with the parents oftheir students, for demonstrating what strong school-familypartnerships can achieve.”

The winning schools were: Barack and Michelle ObamaService Learning Elementary in St. Paul, Hartley ElementarySchool in Waseca, St. John the Evangelist/St. Pius X in Roch-ester and Valley Crossing Community School in Woodbury.

To nominate a school, parents were asked to respond to thefollowing questions: Does the staff make the school building awelcoming and inviting place? Do school policies and prac-tices encourage you to be involved with your child’s learning?Do the adults in the building listen, invite, and greet you withfriendly tones? Are the written materials understandable anduseful? Do they give you the information you find helpful?People and Places - cont. on p. 15

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612-889-2959fordyce6@aol.com

December 10, 2010 8

Steve Kuntz Honored

2010 Access Press Charlie Smith Award banquet anevening of fun/fellowship for the disability community

Charlie Smith Award winner Steve Kuntz kept the crowd entertained with his comments.

Michael Lopez, left, and Tom played acoustic music for the banquet attendees.

The speech was translated into American Sign Language(ASL).

“I learned so much from the 10 yearsthat I worked at Courage Center aboutpeoples’ disabilities and it reallyreframed the way I look at the world andhow I am going to make a difference. . .”

— 2010 Charlie Smith Award winnerSteve Kuntz

Guests at the Bloomington Airport Marriott enjoyed chatting and catching up.

9December 10, 2010

“I know something about the word “personal” in our company name because I’mnot only the founder – I’m also a client. Our quality home care services are formedaround a plan that works for you and your individual situation.” - Kevin Sullivan”

8441 Wayzata Blvd; Suite 130

Golden Valley, MN 55426

Serving Adults and Childrenwith Long-Term Needs since 1991

At In Home Personal Care, we pride ourselves not onlyon the help we provide, but also on our ability to listen.We understand that each of our clients has differentneeds at different times.

Your home, your independence . . . 763-546-1000

SERVICES:• Personal Care Assistants (PCA) • Live-ins• PCA and PCA Choice Provider • Home Health Aides (HHA)

Access Press Editor Tim Benjamin and Kevin Sullivan of In Home Personal Care enjoyeda laugh.

Many fun and functional items were available at the raffle.

Plane tickets, theater tickets, sports memorabilia and more were featured at the silentauction.

Diners enjoyed a delicious meal.

Several dog guides were in attendance at the event.

2010 Charlie Smith Award winner SteveKuntz and Access Press founding editorCharlie Smith were close friends untilSmith’s death. In his speech Nov. 5 Kuntzrecalled his friend:

”Charlie really saw the big picture ofindividuals with disabilities. Yes, thereare folks in chairs, folks with visual im-pairments, folks who are deaf. But thereare a myriad of other individuals withdisabilities that are not visible, specifi-cally folks with mental health issues. . .

Charlie kept everyone to the missionthat every person with a disability is anindividual with the right to the same thingsthat every other American has a right to:to live independently, to work. It was noaccident that Access Press started thesame year as the passage of the Ameri-cans with Disabilities Act. Charlie trulysaw this as an opportunity to make adifference which he certainly did. . .”

Photos courtesy of Catherine Whipple

December 10, 2010 10

The theater renovation project creates more space and better sight lines.Photo courtesy of Park Square Theater

Diamond Hill Townhomes

We are currently accepting applications for our waiting list atDiamond Hill Townhomes, a great property located near theMinneapolis International Airport.

We have two and three bedroom townhomes that are HUDsubsidized and rent is 30% of the total household's adjustedgross income.

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

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

Park Square Theater in St.Paul is making changes to im-prove accessibility and en-hance the theater-going expe-rience. This fall Park SquareArtistic Director Richard Cookunveiled a newly remodeledproscenium auditorium at ParkSquare’s home in the HistoricHamm Building. All of its 30-year old seats and finishes havebeen replaced.

A new energy–efficient the-atrical lighting system has beeninstalled, creating unprec-

edented technical capacity andsaving the energy equivalentof 60 3-bedroom houses. Theproscenium arch was raisedand acoustics were improved.New wheelchair access wascreated in the back of the audi-torium, increasing seating andmaking the light and soundcontrol booths wheelchair ac-cessible. In all, the projectupgrades totaling $535,000was completed on budget andon time.

“The improvements we’ve

been able to make for patronswith disabilities are among themost satisfying of the wholeremodeling project,” saidMichael-jon Pease, ParkSquare’s Director of ExternalRelations. “With this new ca-pacity, we can accommodateas many as 12,000 more wheel-chair users over the next de-cade. We’re just discoveringhow to communicate all thepotential uses of our new VIPviewing room, but audiencesare responding enthusiasti-

A better experience thanks to Park Square Theater

A VIP viewing room provides space for theatergoers with autism or in need of ASLinterpretation.

cally.” The private sound-proof booth, which features aspectacular view of the stageand intimate 350-seat audito-rium from a large picture win-dow, is available for patronswith special needs.

Just two weeks ago, a schoolchaperone with two autisticteenagers chose to watch theshow from the viewing room.Her reaction to the house man-ager was enthusiastic at inter-mission: “Not only are my kidsgetting what they need fromthe show, this is the first fieldtrip where, as a mom, I’ve beenable to relax and enjoy theshow, too.”

The booth is also used forALS interpreters to rehearsein during preview perfor-mances, and it is the new homefor Audio Describers like RickJacobson. “Wow! I really ap-preciate the efforts to makemy job as an audio describereasier and more pleasurable,”Jacobson said. “The new quietroom makes for an excellentbooth from which to describe.It’s comfortable, spacious, anda huge improvement. Overall,the beautiful remodeling of theentire theater is fabulous.”

To build on the new physi-cal improvements, Park Squareis expanding its service to pa-trons with disabilities over thecoming year. With an ArtsAccess grant from the Minne-sota State Arts Board, the the-atre will add more ASL/ADinterpreted performances tothe performance calendar; ex-plore captioning services; bet-ter promote its state-of-the-artassisted listening system; andoffer performance enhance-ments like pre-show sensorytours, introductory sessionswith the directors and design-ers and interpreted post-showdiscussions. Rachel Parker andSusan Masters are being hiredas community liaisons to shapea new grassroots outreach planwith the goal of increasing at-tendance by patrons with dis-abilities.

“These are changes we’vewanted to make for some time,and the State Arts Board fund-ing is a great start to help usimplement our plans,” saysEric Herr, Audience ServicesDirector. “We really standbehind our tag line of theatrefor you (yes you).†Being aswelcoming as possible to all

patrons is vital to making thatstatement true.”

Park Square is at the exactmidpoint of a $4.2 million NextStage Campaign to expandoperations and define a newplace in the Twin Cities non-profit theatre market with theaddition of new, truly intimatethrust stage. With two stages,the theater will double our ar-tistic output and hire 60% morelocal artists. This change willgive all audiences, particularlythose looking for a personal-ized and welcoming experi-ence, a greater choice of showsto fit their tastes.

All Park Square perfor-mances are in the company’s350-seat theater in St. Paul’shistoric Hamm Building, 20W. Seventh Place.

The community invest-ments for the project includeda City of St. Paul CulturalSTAR award of $210,000 and$15,000 in new Legacy fundsfrom VSA Minnesota.

For more information onPark Square, call 651-291-7005 or go to www.parksquaretheatre.org ■

11December 10, 2010

Accessible performances

See www.accesspress.org for complete listing and for Accessible Movie Theaters

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 hardof hearing. Selected performances offer reduced admission prices for the patron and one companion. When calling a box office, confirm the service (ASL or AD), date, time, ticket price

and anything else needed, e.g. length of performance, etc. If you attend a show, please share your feedback with the performing organization, interpreter, and VSA arts of Minnesota.Accessible performance information is compiled by VSA arts of Minnesota, 612-332-3888 or www.vsaartsmn.org

A Christmas CarolThrough Dec. 30

Guthrie Theater, 818 2nd St. S.,Mpls. AD: Sat., Dec. 11, 1 p.m.;Sensory Tour 10:30 a.m. ASL:Sat., Dec. 11, 1 p.m.; Tues.,Dec. 21, 1 p.m. student mati-nee. Tix: Reduced to $20 (reg.$29-69); Phone: 612-377-2224, TTY 612-377-6626.Web: www.guthrietheater.org

Pippi LongstockingDec. 10-19

Fargo-Moorhead CommunityTheatre, 333 Fourth St. S.,Fargo. AD: Fri., Dec. 10, 7:30p.m. Tix: Reduced to $8 (reg.$20, senior/student $14, child$8); Phone: 701-235-6778.Web: www.fmct.org.

Best Christmas Pageant Ever!Through Dec. 23

SteppingStone Theatre, 55Victoria St. N., St. Paul. AD:Fri., Dec. 10, 7 p.m. ASL:Sun., Dec. 12, 2 p.m. Tix:Reduced to $8 (reg. $14; youth/senior 55+ $10; group 20+$7); Phone: 651-225-9265; E-mail: info@steppingstonetheatre.org; Web: www.steppingstonetheatre.org

On Our Own: A NEOFamily Holiday Cabaret

Through Dec. 19Bloomington Theatre and ArtCenter, Black Box Theater, 1800W. Old Shakopee Rd. AD: Fri.,Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m. ASL: Sun.,Dec. 12, 2 p.m. Tix: Reduced to$11 (reg. $16-18); Phone: 952-563-8575. Web: www.bloomingtoncivic theatre.org

British TV Advertising AwardsThrough Jan. 2

Walker Art Center, 1750 Hen-nepin Ave., Mpls. ASL: Fri.,Dec. 10, 8 p.m. (McGuire The-ater); Sun., Dec. 19, 3 p.m.(Walker Cinema). Limited ca-pacity. Registration required.AD: Sat., Dec. 18, 2 p.m.;Thurs., Dec. 30, 8 p.m. (bothMcGuire Theater). Tix: $10($8 member or student withID); advance purchase recom-mended (all shows typically sellout); Phone: 612-375-7600,access line 612-375-7564.Web: http://calendar.walkerart.org/event.wac?id =5976

La BefanaThrough Dec. 30

In the Heart of the Beast Puppet& Mask Theatre, 1500 E. LakeSt., Mpls. ASL, AD: Sat., Dec.11, 3 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $15for patron and one companion(reg. $22; child/student, senioror group of 10: $15); Phone:612-721-2535, E-mail: info@hobt.org; Web: www.hobt.org

Irving Berlin’s White ChristmasThrough Dec. 19

Rochester Civic Theatre, 20

Civic Center Drive SE. ASL:Sat., Dec. 11, 7 p.m. Tix:$23.50, senior $20.50, student$13.50; Phone: 507-282-8481.Web: www.rochestercivictheatre.org

Born YesterdayThrough Dec. 12

Theatre in the Round, 245Cedar Ave., Mpls. AD: Sun.,Dec. 12, 2 p.m. Tactile tour at1 p.m. on request. Tix: $20,senior $18, student with ID$10 (Sun. prices); Phone: 612-333-3010. Web: www.theatreintheround.org

A Christmas StoryThrough Dec. 31

Children’s Theatre Company,2400 Third Ave. S., Mpls.ASL, AD: Fri., Dec. 17, 7:30p.m. Tix: Ask about specialprice rates for ASL/AD pa-trons (reg. $20-44); Phone:612-874-0400; E-mail: tickets@childrenstheatre.org; Web:www.childrenstheatre.org

Joseph & the AmazingTechnicolor Dreamcoat

Through Jan. 2Ordway Center for the Perform-ing Arts, 345 Washington, St.Paul. Captioning: Fri., Dec. 17,7:30 p.m. AD & ASL: Sat.,Dec. 18, 2 p.m. Tix: $27 (stand-ing room), $30 partial view, upto $80; if using ASL or Caption-ing, request seating in that area;Phone: 651-224-4222, TTY651-282-3100; Web: www.ordway.org/accessibility/

The Holiday PageantThrough Dec. 23

Open Eye Figure Theatre, 506E. 24th St., Mpls. AD: Sat., Dec.18, 2 p.m. ASL: Sun., Dec. 19,4 p.m. Tix: $20, student/senior$15, child $10. Phone: 612-874-6338, E-mail: boxoffice@openeye theatre.org. Web:www.open eyetheatre.org

A Winnie the PoohChristmas Tail

Through Dec. 19Youth Performance Companyat Howard Conn Fine ArtsCenter, 1900 Nicollet Ave.,Mpls. AD, ASL: Sat., Dec.18, 4 p.m. Tix: Reduced tohalf-price (reg. $12, student/senior, $10); Phone: 612-623-9080. Web: www.youthperformanceCompanycom

2 Pianos / 4 HandsThrough Jan. 2

Park Square Theatre, 408 St.Peter St., St. Paul. AD, ASL:Sat., Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m. Tix:Reduced to half-price ($18.50);Phone: 651-291-7005; Web:www.parksquaretheatre.org

Billy Elliot: The MusicalThrough Jan. 9

Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hen-

nepin Ave. S., Mpls. ASL:Sun., Dec. 19, 1 p.m. AD,Captioning: Sun., Dec. 19,6:30 p.m. Tix: $33-133.50; E-mail: accessible@broadwayacrossamerica.com; Phone:612-339-7007 or 612-373-5639; hotline 612-373-5650;Web: www.hennepintheatretrust.org/accessible

A Connecticut Yankee inKing Arthur’s Court

Through Dec. 19Lakeshore Players Theatre,4820 Stewart Ave., White BearLake. ASL: Sun., Dec. 19, 2p.m. Tix: Reduced to $6 (reg.$10-12); Phone: 651-429-5674; E-mail: tickets@lakeshoreplayers.com; Web:www.lakeshoreplayers.com

Art of the Native Ameri-cans: The Thaw Collection

Through Jan. 9Mpls. Institute of Arts, 2400Third Ave. S. ASL: Sun., Jan. 2,1 p.m. Tix: special exhibitionadmission charge; Phone: 612-870-3131 or TTY 612-870-3132; E-mail: dhegstro@artsmia.org. Web: www.arts mia.org

Almost, MaineJan. 7-23

Lyric Arts Main Street Stage,420 E. Main St., Anoka. ASL:Sat., Jan. 8, 7:30 p.m. Tix: $8-14 each for ASL guest andcompanion; Phone: 763-422-1838; E-mail: jessica@lyricarts.org. Seats held until twoweeks prior to the show, thenreleased; if there are no ASLreservations, the interpretationwill be canceled. Web:www.lyricarts.org

Romeo and JulietJan. 8-30

The Acting Company at theGuthrie Theater, 818 2nd St. S.,Mpls. ASL, AD: Sat., Jan. 22,1 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $20(reg. $15-40); Phone: 612-377-2224, TTY 612-377-6626. Web: www.Guthrietheater.org

Into the WoodsJan. 14 – Feb. 13

Bloomington Civic Theatre,1800 W. Old Shakopee Rd.ASL: Thurs., Jan. 27, 7:30 p.m.AD: Fri., Jan. 28, 7:30 p.m.Tix: Reduced to $21 (reg. $25-28); Phone: 952-563-8575.Web: www.bloomingtoncivictheatre.org.

The Comedy of ErrorsJan. 8-30

The Acting Company at theGuthrie Theater, 818 2nd St. S.,Mpls. ASL, AD: Sat., Jan. 29,1 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $20 forAD/ASL (reg. $15-40);Phone: 612-377-2224, TTY612-377-6626. Web: www.Guthrietheater.org

If You Give a Moose a MuffinJan. 14 – Feb. 13

Stages Theatre Company atHopkins Center for the Arts,1111 Main Street, Hopkins.ASL: Sat., Jan. 29, 1 p.m.;Thurs., Feb. 3, 10 a.m. AD:available on request. Tix: $11,$9 child or senior, group $8.50,school group $5.50; plus han-dling fee; Phone: 952-979-1111.Web: www.stagestheatre.org

The OdysseyJan. 14 - Feb. 6

Park Square Theatre, 408 Saint

Peter St., St. Paul. AD, ASL:Sat., Jan. 29, 7:30 p.m. Tix:Reduced to half-price ($18.50);Phone: 651-291-7005. Web:www.parksquaretheatre.org

Come Back to the 5 & Dime,Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean

Jan. 7-30Theatre in the Round, 245Cedar Ave., Mpls. AD: Sun.,Jan. 30, 2 p.m. Tactile tour 1p.m. on request. Tix: $20, se-nior $18, student $10; Phone:612-333-3010. Web: www.theatreintheround.org

The Lion in WinterJan. 14-30

Lakeshore Players Theatre,4820 Stewart Ave., WhiteBear Lake. ASL: Sun., Jan.30, 2 p.m. (If no ASL seats arereserved two weeks beforeshow, interpretation will becancelled.). Tix: Reduced to$10 for ASL patrons (reg. $18-20); Phone: 651-429-5674;email: tickets@lakeshoreplayers.com Web: www.lakeshoreplayers. com ■

Youth Performance Company’s Winnie the Pooh Christmas Tail features an ASL andAD performance. Check the calendar for details.

Photo courtesy of Youth Performance Company

December 10, 2010 12

Gain control, flexibilityIf you are disabled and want

more control, flexibility andresponsibility for your care,come to a free information ses-sion about the Consumer Sup-port Grant. Learn how to re-ceive funding, services avail-able and what your responsi-bilities are.

Sponsored by HennepinCounty’s Human Services andPublic Health Depart., the ses-sion will be offered 4:30-6:30p.m. Thu, Dec.16, HennepinCounty Library–Ridgedale,room 229, 12601 RidgedaleDrive, Minnetonka. For direc-tions to the library, call 952-847-8800. Registration re-quired. FFI: 612-596-6631 orgo to www.hennepin.us/adsinfo

Learn about guardianshipWhen children who are dis-abled become adults, their par-ents or legal representativesmay want to consider filing apetition for guardianship orlimited guardianship. Henne-pin County is offering a freesession, Guardianship, Lim-ited Guardianship and Con-servatorship, to help familieslearn about this legal process.Session is Mon, Dec. 13, 9 - 11a.m., Jordan New Life Com-munity Church. FFI: 612-596-6631, www.hennepin.us/adsinfo; for directions to thechurch, call 612-522-8624.

Opportunity

Health Care Choicesbooklet available

The 2011 edition of the Min-nesota Health Care Choicesbooklet is now available onlineand in printed form from Area.Agencies on Aging and theSenior LinkAge Line. The172-page booklet is full of in-formation for Medicare ben-eficiaries of all ages residingin any of Minnesota’s 87 coun-ties, including Medicaresupplements, health plans,Medicare Part D prescriptiondrug plans, Medicare savingsprograms, Medicare Advan-tage plans and Special NeedPlan as well as the, MinnesotaLong-Term Care Partnershipand other long-term care op-tions, and fraud alerts. It is theonly comprehensive, objectivestatewide publication availablethat provides informationabout all Medicare options forMinnesotans.

To access the booklet online,click on: www.mnaging.org torequest a printed copy, call theSenior LinkAge Line at 1-800-333-2433

Be more accessibleMore than $220,000 will beavailable to arts organizationsin the seven-county metro areato make facilities or programsmore accessible to people with

disabilities. VSA Minnesotaadministers this grant oppor-tunity, using funds from theMinnesota Arts and CulturalHeritage Fund. Seventeengroups have received grants;are you next? Deadlines areJan. 14 and April 29, 2011.For more info: 612-332-3888v/tty or www.vsamn.org

Youth and families

Get the lead outWorried about lead hazards inyour home? Lead poisoning cancause developmental delaysand cognitive disabilities in veryyoung children. HennepinCounty’s Lead Control Pro-gram can provide a free grantto replace windows and removeother sources of toxic lead.Lead home inspections are free.Applicants must meet incomeguidelines. FFI: 612-348-2020or 612-348-2114, or www.hennepin.us/leadcontrol

PACER offers servicesPACER Center offers usefulfree workshops for families ofchildren with disabilities. Reg-ister in advance for workshops.All workshops are at PACERCenter, 8161 NormandaleBlvd., Bloomington, unlessspecified. FFI: PACER at 952-838-9000 or 800-537-2237(toll free), or www.PACER.org

Support groups,meetings

Mental illnessThe National Alliance on Men-tal Illness of Minnesota(NAMI-MN) sponsors freesupport groups for families whohave a relative with a mentalillness. NAMI has 23 familysupport groups, over 20 sup-port groups for people livingwith a mental illness, 2 anxietysupport groups, and Vet Con-nection groups for returningsoldiers. Led by trained facili-tators who also have a familymember with mental illness, thesupport groups help familiesdevelop better coping skillsand find strength through shar-ing their experiences. A fam-ily support group meets in theSt. Paul area at 6:30 p.m., onthe second and fourth Wed.FFI: Anne Mae, 651-730-8434.A NAMI Connection peersupport group for adults recov-ering from mental illness meetsbi-weekly in Roseville. Trainedfacilitators who are also in re-covery lead NAMI Connectiongroups. The group meets 6:30p.m. 2nd and 4th Wed at Centen-nial Methodist Church, 1524Co. Rd. C-2 W., Roseville. FFI:Will, 651-578-3364, www.namihelps.org. A family sup-port group meets in St. Paul at6:30 p.m., on the fourth Tues,at Lutheran Church of the Re-deemer, 285 North Dale St.FFI: Hilary, 651-222-4323.

Anxiety support groupThe National Alliance on Men-tal Illness of Minnesota(NAMI-MN) sponsors freesupport groups for personswith anxiety disorders. Thegroups help individuals de-velop better coping skills andfind strength through sharingtheir experiences. An OpenDoor Anxiety and Panic sup-port group meets in St. Paul at6:30 p.m., first and third Thu,at Gloria Dei Church, 700Snelling Ave. S. St. Paul. FFI:NAMI, 651-645-2948, www.namihelps.org

UCare meetingsUCare hosts informationalmeetings about its UCare forSeniors Medicare Advantageplan. Meetings are held all overthe region. UCare for Seniorshas more than 75,000 mem-bers across Minnesota andwestern Wisconsin. UCare (isan independent, nonprofithealth plan providing healthcare and administrative ser-vices to more than 185,000members. UCare serves Medi-care-eligible individualsthroughout Minnesota and inwestern Wisconsin; individu-als and families enrolled inincome-based MinnesotaHealth Care Programs, suchas MinnesotaCare and PrepaidMedical Assistance Program;adults with disabilities andMedicare beneficiaries withchronic health conditions. AndMinnesotans dually eligible forMedical Assistance and Medi-care FFI: 1-877-523-1518 (tollfree), www.ucare.org

NAMI workshopsNAMI offers special work-

shops nand classes. Take a freeeducational course that helpsfamilies gain a greater under-standing of mental illness, dis-cuss resources, build commu-nication skills, reduce stressand find support. The Family-to-Family course meets weeklyfor 12 weeks and will start inSt. Paul, at 1919 UniversityAve., 6-8:30 p.m. Tue, Jan. 11.Pre-registration required. FFI:Anne Mae, 651-730-8434.

A free, one-day educationworkshop that provides fami-lies and individuals with in-formation on mental illnesses,practical coping strategies, andhope for recovery is 9 a.m.-3p.m. Sat, Jan. 8 in St. Paul atRegions Hospital. Registra-tion requested. FFI: 651-645-2948.

Volunteer, Donate

Applicants soughtThe Minnesota State AdvisoryCouncil on Mental Health andthe Subcommittee on Child-ren’s Mental Health are seekingapplicants for vacancies forterms from 2011 to 2014. Ap-plications will be acceptedthrough December for the

Children’s Subcommittee andJanuary and later for the StateAdvisory Council. The counciladvises the governor, Minne-sota Legislature and state de-partments about policies, pro-grams and services affectingadults with mental illnesses andchildren with emotional distur-bances. Members of the councilare appointed by the governor.The children’s subcommitteemakes recommendations to thecouncil on children’s mentalhealth issues. Members are ap-pointed by the chair of the coun-cil. The council and committeehave openings for consumers,family members, providers andother representatives. FFI: BruceWeinstock at 651-431-2249 orBruce.Weinstock@state.mn.usor from the Minnesota secretaryof state, Open Appointments at(651) 297-5845 or www.sos.state.mn.us, www.mentalhealth.dhs.state.mn.us

Give away that carAutos for Arc™ can take oldvehicles off your hands, giveyou a tax deduction and say“Thank you!” for helpingchange the lives of people withdisabilities. Autos for Arc ac-cepts cars and trucks of anymodel and condition and othervehicles including boats (withtrailers), RVs, ATVs, golfcarts, personal watercraft,motorcycles and snowmobiles.Revenue from the sale of do-nated items helps fund ArcGreater Twin Cities’ programsfor children and adults withintellectual and developmen-tal disabilities and their fami-lies. Within the seven-countymetro area, Autos for Arc canarrange to have a vehicle towedfree of charge. Call the toll-free Autos for Arc hotline, 1-877-778-7709, to arrange apickup. Or drop off vehicles ata Value Village location. FFI:1-877-778-7709, www.autosforarc.org

Tutor a Child, Change a FutureVolunteers are needed to tutorelementary students in the St.Paul Public schools in readingand math. Under the guidanceof a classroom teacher, volun-teers assist students one-on-oneor in small groups determinedby classroom need. By contrib-uting as little as two hours perweek, you can give a strugglingstudent the extra attentionneeded to help them succeed.Volunteers age 55 and older areeligible to receive free supple-mental insurance, mileage re-imbursement and other benefitsthrough the Retired and SeniorVolunteer Program (RSVP)sponsored by Volunteers ofAmerica of Minnesota. FFI:Connie at 612-617-7807 or e-mail cerickson@voamn.org ■

Upcoming eventsTo list an event, email access@accesspress.org

Holiday help

Store is openTwice the Gift, a temporaryspecialty store in downtownMinneapolis, is open throughDec. 31. Operated by Rise,Inc. and offers cookbooks,original artwork calendars,note cards and other items.Proceeds help Rise serve itsclients. In Suite 156, IDS Cen-ter Crystal Court, 80 S. 8th St.,Mpls. Store hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon-Sat, noon-5 p.m.Sun. FFI: www.rise.org

Advocacy

Give them a callMetro Center for IndependentLiving has set up a PCA “YouNeed to Hear Me” call-in lineThe purpose of this call-in lineis to provide consumers,PCAs/DSPs, families, and in-terested others the chance toshare anonymous comments,reactions and concerns withDepartment of Human Ser-vices and Minnesota Legisla-ture regarding the impact ofrecent legislative changeswhich are affecting their lives.How it works: Call 651-603-2009 to connect to the “Youneed to hear me” message line.The caller will hear a shortpre-recorded message. Thephone will not be answered,ensuring caller anonymity.The callers may leave a shortmessage describing the impactof these changes on their lives,or the lives of their family. Themessages can be complaints,concerns, suggestions or gen-eral comments. Zip code willbe asked for only so commentscan be communicated to spe-cific legislators.

PCA surveyCourage Center is conductinga research study examining theeffects of recent changes to thePCA program in an effort toinform future policy decisionspertinent to Personal Care As-sistance. The purpose of thisresearch study is to evaluatethe effects of loss or reductionsin PCA hours or services.Adults are eligible to completethe survey about themselves orany person they know who hasbeen receiving PCA services inMinnesota under Medicare orCounty Waiver. The studyquestionnaire will take approxi-mately five minutes of yourtime. This survey may be com-pleted online or printed andmailed. FFI: Leslie Nordgren763-520-0440, leslie.nordgren@couragecenter.org

Special events

Winter WalkaboutVinland Center hosts the Sec-ond Annual Winter WalkaboutSat, Feb. 19. A 3k snowshoecourse is added to the event.Skålmusik will perform inside

the heated tent. Skålmusik is aScandinavian ensemble whohave performed for the Kingand Queen of Sweden and ap-peared on A Prairie Home Com-panion. Gather pledges, havefun and support Vinland. Indi-vidual need to raise at least $25and families of three or more$60. FFI: WinterWalkabout.org

PACER Rocks PACER Center presentsPACER Rocks for Kids, 8 p.m.Sat, Jan 29 at Fine Line MusicCafé, 318 1st Ave. N., Mpls.Tickets are $30 per person andVIP tables are available. Theevent brings together fantasticlocal musicians and young pro-fessionals who are committedto making a difference in thelives of children, especiallythose with disabilities. Fundsraised will go toward two ofPACER’s programs for chil-dren, the National BullyingPrevention Center and theSimon Technology Center.FFI: PACER at 952-838-9000or 800-537-2237 (toll free), orwww.PACER.org

Christmas partyWings, an organization serv-ing adults with physical dis-abilities, hosts a Christmasparty 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sat, Dec.18 at First Baptist Church,1021 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.Enjoy lunch and holiday fun.RSVP by Dec. 13. FFI: Dale,651-402-6277, Maynard, 507-252-8553, cell 507-990-2683

Workshops,conferences

Free caregivers forumMinnesota Kinship CaregiversAssociation (MKCA) invitesrelative caregivers of childrenand professionals to attend afree breakfast forum 7:30-9a.m. Jan. 18 featuring DeborahBeske Brown, a foster careprogram consultant with morethan 25 years of experience inchild welfare services. At Ho-tel Minneapolis, 215 S 4th St.,Mpls. Registration by Jan. 7.FFI: 651-917-4640 or 877-917-4640, www.mkca.org

Adaptive technology classesFree adaptive technologyclasses are offered by Henne-pin County Library, at thedowntown Mpls library, 300Nicollet Mall. Classes are freebut you must pre-register forthese classes for persons whoare blind or have low vision.In addition to classes there areoften volunteers available tointroduce patrons to the equip-ment and software available.Volunteer hours vary, so it’sbest to call ahead. Funding forAdaptive Technology classesis provided by a generous grantfrom the Hudson Family Foun-dation. FFI: 612-630-6469,www.hclib.org

13December 10, 2010

Radio Talking Book • December 2010Recordings of your choice

The Audio Services volunteers at the Communication Centerspend most of the year recording textbooks for college stu-dents. Because that need is not steady throughout the year, thereare slow periods – such as now. Listeners can take advantageof this opportunity to have items recorded. Listeners can ask forjust about anything to be recorded, including books and maga-zines that aren’t currently available from the Regional Libraryin Faribault or that has not been broadcast on the Radio TalkingBook. This is also an opportunity to have instructions recordedfor items ranging from microwave ovens to computers, or tohave any information recorded that patrons are unable to read.The Audio Services Section of the Communication Center isglad to record these – and more. Call 651-649-5903, or call thetoll-free number, 1-800-652-9000, and ask for the librarytechnician.

Christmas ProgrammingEvery year, Radio Talking Book gives the volunteers a short

break from the regular recording schedule and gives listenersa chance to enjoy Christmas stories of the past and present. Thisyear, Christmas programming begins after the reading of theevening newspapers on Friday, Dec. 24, and will continue upto the reading of the morning newspapers on Sunday, Dec. 26.We hope you enjoy the stories.

Books Available Through FaribaultBooks broadcast on the Minnesota Radio Talking Book

Network are available through the Minnesota Braille andTalking Book Library in Faribault. Phone is 1-800-722-0550and hours are 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Theircatalog is also online, and can be accessed by going to the mainwebsite, http://education.state.mn.us, and then clicking on thelink. Persons living outside of Minnesota may obtain copies ofbooks by contacting the home state’s Network Library for theNational Library Service.

Listen to the Minnesota Radio Talking Book, either live orarchived programs from the last week, on the Internet atwww.mnssb.org/rtb. Call the staff at the Radio for your pass-word to the site.

See interesting information about current RTB events on theFacebook site for the Minnesota Radio Talking Book Network.Register for Facebook at www.facebook.com.

Access Press is one of the publications featured at 9 p.m.Sundays on the program It Makes a Difference.

Chautauqua • Tuesday - Saturday 4 a.m.Bright-Sided, Nonfiction by Barbara Ehrenreich, 2009.Ehrenreich contends that the down-sides of positive thinkingare personal self-blame and national denial. She claims itdirectly contributed to our economic disaster. Read by MarylynBurridge. 8 broadcasts. Begins Dec. 22.

Past is Prologue • Monday - Friday 9 a.m.The Last Train from Hiroshima, Nonfiction by CharlesPellegrino, 2010. On two August days, nuclear devices deto-nated over Japan changing life on earth forever. Thirty peoplefled Hiroshima for the safety of Nagasaki, arriving just in timeto survive yet another atomic bomb. V,L -Read by Sherri Afryl.14 broadcasts. Begins Dec. 14.

Bookworm • Monday - Friday 11 a.m.Lost, Fiction by Alice Lichtenstein, 2010. On a cold Januarymorning, Susan’s husband wanders off alone. Suffering fromdementia, he can no long feed or clothe himself. Now he is lost.Over the course of the weekend, a massive search for him takesplace. L,S - Read by Michele Potts. Eight broadcasts. BeginsDec. 22.

The Writer’s Voice • Monday - Friday 2 p.m. And One Fine Morning, Nonfiction by Nick Hayes, 2010.Nick Hayes came from an Irish Catholic family that was a partof Minneapolis’s North Side in the early decades of the twen-tieth century. His father Mark was one of Minnesota’s mostsuccessful modernist architects. L - Read by Dan Kelly. Ninebroadcasts. Begins Dec. 21.

Choice Reading • Monday - Friday 4 p.m.Daughters of the Witching Hill, Fiction by Mary Sharratt,2010. Bess Southerns is haunted by visions and gains a reputa-tion as a cunning woman. Drawing on Catholic folk magic, sheheals the sick and foretells the future. A local magistrate,though, is eager to make his name as a witch finder. Read byPat Kovel-Jarboe. 13 broadcasts. Begins Dec. 15.

PM Report • Monday - Friday 8 p.m.Horse Soldiers, Nonfiction by Doug Stanton, 2009. After 9/11,a band of Special Forces secretly entered Afghanistan to battlethe Taliban. They were ambushed and ended up fighting fortheir lives. L - Read by Del Adamson. 14 broadcasts. BeginsDec. 21.

Night Journey • Monday - Friday 9 p.m.The Fleet Street Murders, Fiction by Charles Finch, 2009. It is1866. Amateur sleuth Charles Lenox is celebrating Christmas,his engagement, and a run for Parliament when he hears of thedeath of two journalists. Read by Charles Torrey. 10 broad-casts. Begins Dec. 27.

Off the Shelf • Monday - Friday 10 p.m.36 Arguments for the Existence of God, Fiction by RebeccaNewberger Goldstein, 2010. Cass is a celebrity atheist. Buteach new encounter with significant people reinforces histheory that religious impulse spills over into life at large. L -Read by Maria Rubinstein. 13 broadcasts. Begins Dec. 21.

Potpourri • Monday - Friday 11 p.m.The Baseball Codes, Nonfiction by Jason Turbow, 2010.Baseball has intricate regulations, but what really governs thegame is a set of unwritten rules. Some are openly discussed andsome are fairly unknown. L - Read by Denny Laufenburger. 11broadcasts. Begins Dec. 13.Getting Ghost, Fiction by Luke Bergmann, 2010. LukeBergmann returned to Detroit to study the incarceration ofinner-city youth. He became more than an observer, interven-ing with a probation officer and being another’s contact whenhe fled the city. V,L,S - Read by Dan Sadoff. 13 broadcasts.Begins Dec. 29.

Good Night Owl • Monday - Friday midnightA Week in December, Fiction by Sebastian Faulks, 2010.Sebastian Faulks follows seven diverse people over sevendays, including a Tube train driver whose train joins these livestogether. L - Read by Jim Gregorich. 14 broadcasts. BeginsDec. 20.

After Midnight • Tuesday - Saturday 1 a.m.Wormwood, Nevada, Fiction by David Oppegaard, 2010.Tyler and Anna move to a town of cowboys, alien cultists, methdealers, doomsday prophets, and the broken-hearted. Then ameteorite lands in town. Read by Andrea Bell. Seven broad-casts. Begins Dec. 23.

Abbreviations:V—violence, L—offensive language, S—sexual situations

Access for All is a radio program thatfocuses on topics and issues that Minnesotans

with disabilities face. The program takes a non-biased approach to discussing the true barriers for all

citizens to be a full part of society. Access for All is a weeklyradio program hosted by Mike Chevrette airing Sundays at2-3 p.m. on KTNF AM 930. www.am950ktnf.com/listen andwww.accessminnesota.org

Disabled and Proud is the radio show that brings youinsights into, ideas about and discussions of disability culture.Disabled and Proud is a weekly radio show hosted by SamJasmine and airs 6:30-7 p.m. Thursdays. KFAI is a non-commercial FM radio station operating on 90.3 MHz inMinneapolis and 106.7 MHz in St Paul.

KFAI exists to broadcast information, arts and entertain-ment programming for an audience of diverse racial, socialand economic backgrounds. By providing a voice for peopleignored or misrepresented by mainstream media, KFAI in-creases understanding between peoples and communities,while fostering the values of democracy and social justice.

Disability Viewpoints is a cable television program thatspotlights disability issues, organizations and communitymembers. It is hosted by Mark Hughes and includes LivingForward segments hosted by Sheri Melander-Smith, Theprogram airs on CTV Channel 15 7:30 p.m. Mondays, 3:30a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesdays and 1 a.m., and 9 a.m.Wednesdays.

Disability Viewpoints is also airing through December onTPT’S Minnesota Channel. On the air the channel is 2.2;check your cable provider for the channel setting. Showsbegan Dec. 4-5 and airs weekends through Dec. 25-26.Shows air at 9:30 p.m. Saturdays and 3:30 and 9:30 a.m. and3:30 p.m. Sundays.

CTV is a non-profit organization operated by the NorthSuburban Access Corporation. The ten commission membersrepresent the cities of Arden Hills, Falcon Heights, Lauder-dale, Little Canada, Mounds View, New Brighton, NorthOaks, Roseville, St. Anthony and Shoreview. ■

Across theAirwaves

APOLOGY - Cont. from p. 1ogy to really have power, ithad to be spoken to the face ofthe people who were mis-treated,” said ACT Co-Direc-tor Mary Kay Kennedy. “Someof these folks are still alive,now living in the communityand some are on our board.We put out the word and gotmany of them to come to ourbanquet as honored guests.”

Each honored guest was alsofeatured in an apology poster,with a portrait and a short quoteabout then and now. “Some-times they’d give me a coldshower if I did somethingwrong,” stated the poster thatfeatures Larry Lubbers of WestSt. Paul. He once was a resi-dent of Faribault State Hospi-tal. “It wasn’t very nice. TodayI live in my own apartment.”

Those who attended the Oct.29 program were clearly

moved. “What a powerful pro-gram,” said Jaimie Bennett ofMinneapolis. “It felt like a truthand reconciliation commis-sion. I was thinking of all thepeople I wish would have beenin that room to hear those pow-erful, and awful, and some-times uplifting stories — thosemany voices, some hard tounderstand, some hard to lis-ten to, but all full of power.”

ACT continues to collectstories and photos from formerresidents of state hospitals, asthey build a poster display.Anyone who has a story toshare, or know someone whodoes, can contact Rick Car-denas, Advocating ChangeTogether, cardenas@selfadvocacy.org

Bret Helsa is from AdvocatingChange Together. ■

SIDEWALK CAFE- Cont. from p. 3forced, his restaurant couldpossibly lose an entire row ofoutdoor tables.

One activist who has workedon the ordinance, Hamline-Midway resident Mike Sam-uelson, said the ordinancedoesn’t go far enough in termsof federal law. He said that inhigh-traffic areas, more than48 inches of space is neededfor people with disabilities topass through.

Another change he broughtup, and that the Mayor’s Advi-sory Committee on Peoplewith Disabilities is asking for,is that there be a fence in-

stalled between sidewalk ca-fes and the public right-of-way.Samuelson said as federalregulations are more fully de-veloped, there will be a re-quirement for fencing or somekind of barrier. But some res-taurant owners said that wouldfurther squeeze their cafes.

Samuelson also said morepeople with disabilities needto be involved when ordinancechanges are discussed. Whenthe ordinance was presentedto the advisory committee,“We were told what youwanted to do. We need to beinvolved in the planning.” ■

Link up with us. Join in on discussionsDonate to Minnesota’s

disability community newspaper

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December 10, 2010 14

Health care reform one of many focuses for MN-CCDby MN-CCD and Access Press staff

A whole new landscapeawaits self-advocates and dis-ability service organizationsat the capitol. The House andSenate both have Republicanmajorities for the first time inmany years, and the governor’srace was still in a recount as ofAccess Press deadline. Co-Chairman Steve Larson andChris Burns said the sweepingchanges in leadership and com-mittee structure will meanschanges in strategy.

Leaders of disability orga-nizations talked at length Nov.12 about what the changesmean and how to address them.Much of the early stage of thesession will be an educationprocess, most people agreed.Many new legislators mayneed and appreciate informa-tion on disability-related top-ics. Efforts to reach out acrossthe state will be vitally impor-tant.

In November issue AccessPress gave an overview ofPCA issues and children’s is-sues. This month housing,quality assurance/self direc-tion, healthcare and long-termservices will be highlighted.

Issues of quality and accessto health care and long-termcare services are the focus forone work group. One key rec-ommendation is to support ef-forts to tie into federal healthcare reform, which state offi-cials have resisted over thepast several months. This workgroup will monitor the Health-care Access Commission dis-cussions which serve as anopportunity for legislators todiscuss state and federalhealthcare issues in a publicsetting.

Another need is to con-tinue monitoring currentDHS initiatives, includingthe 2009 county redesign ofcurrent county social servicesdelivery system, the work of acaregiver/respite coalitionand a report on recommenda-tions improvements to thecurrent case management sys-tem.

MN-CCD is opposing fur-ther increases in parental feesand further erosion to the MN

Medicaid benefit set and isworking to educate state law-makers on what potential cutsto such benefits would mean.

In the area of transporta-tion, the position paper notesthat while there has beenprogress, “overall access totransportation for Minneso-tans with disabilities still re-mains inadequate.” Lackingpublic transportation cankeep people from fully par-ticipating in their communi-ties.

Among the many prioritiesis a need to monitor the workof the newly formed Trans-portation Access Council andits impact, and see what canbe done about the lack of co-ordination between services.During the 2010 session theInteragency Committee onTransportation Coordination(ICTC) was replaced with thenew council. One focus is toamend the legislation to in-clude appointment of stake-holders from the disability andelderly community.

Progress on 2008 transpor-tation legislation will also bestudied, including the require-ment that the Commissionerof Transportation develop atransit service needs imple-mentation plan that contains agoal of meeting at least 80percent of unmet transit ser-vice needs in greater Minne-sota by July 1, 2015, and meet-ing at least 90 percent of unmettransit service needs in greaterMinnesota by July 1, 2025.

Other priorities include pro-tection of Metro Mobilityfunding and supporting theOffice of the Legislative Au-ditor Audit on nonemergencymedical transportation ser-vices. The auditor is currentlyconducting an evaluation ofservices, of which many Min-nesotans with disabilities relyupon to get to and from medi-cal appointments. The reportwill likely explore many is-sues that disability advocatesaround the state are concernedwith.

Employment also will be afocus at the capitol. For manyMinnesotans with disabilities,

access to employment is a criti-cal component of their qualityof life. One overarching mes-sage with legislation on em-ployment is that when Minne-sotans with disabilities findjobs, they increase state rev-enues and decrease govern-ment expenditures on safetynet services.

The Minnesota Work Incen-tives Connection has calcu-lated some of the financialimpact when Minnesotans withdisabilities work. The Con-nection’s most recent datafound statistically significantdecreases in the following gov-ernment benefit amounts re-ceived at 12-month follow upwith Minnesotans with dis-abilities who had found em-ployment.

Several recommendationsare being made to lower thecurrent disability communityemployment rate from 22 per-cent to the 70 percent rate forMinnesotans without disabili-ties. Providing better transi-tion services from special edu-cation to work and preserva-tion of vocational rehabilita-tion services funding are othergoals.

Members of the employmentwork group will also focus on

ensuring that the goal of in-creased employment of Min-nesotan’s with disabilities issupported and reflected in thevarious initiatives currentlytaking place in state govern-ment that will impact employ-ment of Minnesotans with dis-abilities.

Another MN-CCD workgroup brought forward pro-posals on quality assurance andself-direction. This groupnoted that there a federal man-date to provide options forcommunity based long-termcare. Self-direction can be acost- efficient way to managea finite budget while respect-ing individual preferences.“Minnesota has been a nationalleader in self-direction for thepast 12 years but our efforts toexpand self direction havestalled,” the group’s positionpaper stated.

The recommendations in-clude evaluating federalwaiver options that will ex-pand the availability of self-directed options, choosingwhat will work best for Min-nesotans, passing authorizinglegislation if necessary, andimplementing effective No-vember 1, 2011.

Steps are also being recom-

We remember

by Kathleen HagenLaura Hershey, renowned

activist, poet, and prolificwriter, died Nov. 26 after avery short illness. Hersheywas born with a form of mus-cular dystrophy. She servedas a poster child for the JerryLewis telethon, but as an adultbelieved that this telethon wasdemeaning, patronizing andexploitative of people withdisabilities. She protestedtelethons, sometimes in per-son, always by her writing.

Hershey was very active inthe ADAPT movement andthe Not Dead Yet movement.She was a prolific writer. Herlatest book, Stark BeforeDark, will be published soon.Other writings can be foundat www.laurahershey.com,and www.cripcommentaries.com

She is best known for thepoem Practice Makes YouProud. Twin Cities composerDianne Benjamin produced achoral piece for CalliopeWomen’s Chorus using partof the poem in the song “YouGet Proud by Practicing.”

Hershey left behind a gift,written two days before shedied. It was for the website ofthe Christopher and DanaReeves Foundation. In keep-ing with Thanksgiving, shelisted things she was gratefulfor.

During Thanksgiving sea-

son, it’s time to talk aboutgratitude. This is a tricky sub-ject for people with disabili-ties. It has its pros and cons.The positive is that there re-ally is so much to be gratefulabout, and doing so helps usfeel good and live well. Thenegative arises out of a wholehistory of exclusion andpower imbalances.

I’m grateful for the disabil-ity community. It’s diverse,dynamic, fractious, cantan-kerous, complacent, focused,distractible, powerful,pressed-down, and alwaysenduring. Its members sus-tain me in critical ways. Dis-ability rights groups such asADAPT, and the ColoradoCross-Disability Coalition,and Not Dead Yet, defend myrights to public transportationaccess, entry to local busi-nesses, attendant supports,Medicaid coverage, andLIFE. Disabled women andqueer folks and people ofcolor engage me in under-standing intersectionalitiesamong gender, race, and dis-ability oppression, and theneed to move beyond rightstoward real justice.

I’m grateful for my body,though it often falls short. It’salways had its “issues,” to usea euphemism, and as I agethese are multiplying. But it’swho I am and how I interactwith the world and other

Activist, poet Laura Hershey passes away

mended to expand communitydirected consumer supportsstatewide. Even though theseare mandated services manycounties still don’t offer them.Some counties that do offer ofsupport these don’t have theresources to expand and pro-mote the supports to the extentnecessary. A number of tech-nical changes are recom-mended so that the Depart-ment of Human Services canhelp more services get startedor expanded.

In the area of quality im-provement, MN-CCD’s workgroup wants to see more doneto build upon efforts that be-gan in 2007. That’s when statelawmakers established a qual-ity management system forMinnesotans receiving disabil-ity services. The purpose ofthat system is to improve thequality of series provided toindividuals and to meet fed-eral waiver requirements. DHSis taking a number of steps toimplement and continue thatmanagement system, includ-ing surveys of service recipi-ents and working to improvethe critical incident reporting,investigation and analysis sys-tems. But more is needed ac-cording to the MN-CCD work

group on this issue. The workgroup wants to see the 2007quality assurance report rec-ommendations full imple-mented, among other needs.

Providing more opportuni-ties for accessible housing is afocus for the MN-CCD hous-ing work group. Working withstate officials to encouragemore use of Housing and Ur-ban Development (HUD)vouchers for housing is oneneed, as very few local housingagencies apply for these vouch-ers. Enforcement of fair hous-ing regulations is another need.

The work group is also wait-ing for the DHS Housing Op-tions Initiatives report, whichis due this month. The report,which state lawmakers OK’din 2009, requires DHS to study,pilot and expand available,affordable, accessible, inde-pendent housing options forpeople with disabilities of allages that use home and com-munity based services. Spe-cific recommendations will bemade after the report is re-leased.

The complete agenda, posi-tion papers and upcomingmeetings are at www.mnccd.org ■

people and myself. My bodyhurts me and limits me morethan I would like. It also re-ceives and processes art andmusic and ocean breezes anddelicious Vitamixed food. Itsends out my voice, my voiceof request and direction, myvoice of protest, my voice ofpoetry and prose, my voice ofdesire.

I’m grateful for my spec-tacular attendants, who meetmy needs skillfully, supportmy choices, bring extremelyuseful additional talents totheir jobs, such as wheelchairrepair and culinary art.

Of course I’m also gratefulfor the Medicaid program thatpays for their services, with-out which they wouldn’t behere at all. I’m also gratefulfor the Medicaid “work in-centive” rules which enableme to write and consult, earnmoney, and still keep theseservices.

So now for the dark side ofgratitude. All too often,people with disabilities arepressured to feel gratitude forthings that are their basic hu-man rights—subsidized hous-ing, support services, inclu-sion in the community, basicacceptance and respect. Somepeople think that disability isa drain on the economy andan imposition on others. Theydon’t want to be reminded ofthe prevalence and inevita-

bility of disability in any soci-ety, in any person’s experi-ence or family. In response tothis deep discomfort, they tryto impose conditions on any-thing “given” to people withdisabilities—conditions likepassiveness, submissiveness,limited demands, and constantthank yous.

We have to demand thethings that are essential to ourlives, equality, and quality oflife. We must refuse to feelgratitude for these, except thenormal level of gratitude thatanyone might feel for livingin a time and place that stillsupports human life. We can’tsuccumb to feelings like em-barrassment or shame regard-ing our needs, even if thoseneeds are more extensive thanthe average person’s needs.That will only reinforce andperpetuate our inequality, andthe pulling away of vital state-and federally-funded supportservices.

Gratitude is natural andhealthy, but should never beobligatory. Identifying andsharing our real sources ofgratitude is a good counter-balance to the tendency forself-destructive gratitude.

Hershey is survived by herpartner Robin, their daughterShannon, her parents and herbrother. ■

15December 10, 2010

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REGIONAL NEWS - Cont. from p. 12working to improve the facility this fall and should wrap up arenovation project this month.

Four retired carpenters led dozens of other volunteers in afour-year long renovation project. The revamp would havecost the nonprofit approximately $930,000. Thanks to thedonated services, it cost about half.

The many projects undertaken at Eden Wood include build-ing foundation replacement, addition of a storm shelter, acces-sible bathroom improvements, renovated sleeping areas andinstallation of new windows.

The revamp means Eden Wood Center is now serving 900residents a year instead of its usual 600. It comes at a time whendemand for its service is on the rise. Since 2006, the camp,located in the northern edge of Eden Prairie, has been receivinga makeover. One huge step was taken in 2007 when the centerdorms were winterized.

Eden Wood is a piece of Minnesota history. It was estab-lished in 1925 as Glen Lake Children’s Camp, a place forchildren who had been exposed to tuberculosis. The site wasnamed to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.While it is a historically significant site, Eden Wood alsofunctions as camp for children and adults with disabilities.

Friendship Ventures has operated the camp since 1995. Theorganization leases it from the city for $1 a year. FriendshipVentures provides direct services for children and adults withdisabilities. It provides services to families including respite

Arc of Minnesota details agendaby Mike Gude

Steve Larson, Public PolicyDirector for The Arc of Min-nesota, detailed The Arc ofMinnesota’s 2011 LegislativeAgenda. “We will be an activeparticipant in the MinnesotaConsortium for Citizens withDisabilities to protect thoseessential disability supportsthat provide safety, opportu-nity, and security. We willalso strongly support the SafeSchools for All legislation toprevent bullying in ourschools.”

In addition, Larson said TheArc of Minnesota will empha-size three other issues that have

been particularly important toits members:· Greater Consumer Control

Over Services – “We believepeople with disabilities andtheir families need more flex-ibility to choose and tailortheir services to best meettheir needs and use fundsmore efficiently,” Larsonsaid. This would includemore choices in housing thatgive people with disabilitiesgreater independence andsave the state money.

· Quality Assurance – Thiswould include expanding theRegion 10 Quality Assurance

Program, a successful modelthat gives people with dis-abilities a greater voice indetermining quality. The Arcof Minnesota also wants toimplement new federal andstate innovations that cantransform our service sys-tem, like an increased fed-eral Medicaid match to statesthat move people from insti-tutions into the community.

· Parental Fees – “We wantto prevent further increasesin the fees that parents payfor services provided throughMedical Assistance, servicesthat help keep their children

with disabilities in the com-munity and help keep fami-lies together,” Larson said.The Legislature and the Gov-ernor approved another in-crease during the 2010 Leg-islative Session. The Arc ofMinnesota opposes singlingout families who have chil-dren with disabilities fromother families by taxing themwith further fee increases. ■

The Arc of Minnesota com-plete agenda is on its websiteat www.arcmn.org.

care. Since 2006, enrollment in the respite care program hasincreased 75 percent.[Source: KSTP-TV, Eden Prairie News]

Accessibility improvement grantsavailable to metro arts groups

ADA Access Improvement Grants for Metro Arts Organiza-tions are now available in the Twin Cities seven-county area.The focus of these grants, up to $20,000 each, is to help makearts programming, activities and facilities more accessible topeople with disabilities.

Made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural HeritageFund, which voters approved in 2008, the grant program isadministered by VSA Minnesota for the Metropolitan Re-gional Arts Council (MRAC). Last year $190,231 was awardedto 17 Twin Cities organizations. In 2011 approximately$250,000 is available to be awarded over two rounds, withapplication deadlines on Jan. 14 and April 29, 2011. A seriesof information meetings will be announced shortly.

The project grants are not intended for one-time activitiessuch as a sign language interpreter or a Braille program for oneplay, but to have the potential for significant or long-termimpact in involving more people with disabilities as partici-pants or patrons in arts programs.

Minnesota nonprofit arts organizations in Anoka, Carver,Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington countiesare eligible if their annual budget is under $4,460,000.

Download grant guidelines and application atwww.vsamn.org/forms.html#adagrant. Or contact VSA Min-nesota at 612-332-3888 voice/tty or access@vsamn.org ■[Source: VSA]

PEOPLE/PLACES - Cont. from p. 7

Parent Involvement Month is sponsored by the MinnesotaParent Center, MN PIRC. It is cosponsored by the MinnesotaDepartment of Education, Minnesota Association of SchoolAdministrators, Minnesota Association of Secondary SchoolPrincipals, Minnesota Elementary School Principals Asso-ciation, Minnesota Association of Administrators of Stateand Federal Education Programs, Minnesota School BoardsAssociation and Minnesota PTA.

St. Paul psychiatrist wins NAMI awardThe National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Min-

nesota presented St. Paul psychiatrist Dr. Steve Harker withits Professional of the Year Award at its annual conferencerecently in St. Paul. Harkerhas been a leader in bringingAssertive Community Treat-ment (ACT) teams to Minne-sota and in making sure theteams meet national stan-dards. ACT teams provide anarray of coordinated servicesto help individuals with seri-ous mental illnesses with com-munity living.

“In collaboration with theHennepin Regions Psychiat-ric Residency Program he hasdeveloped a community psy-chiatric residency programwhich will ensure that we willhave psychiatrists willing toserve on ACT teams in thefuture,” said NAMI Execu-tive Director Sue Abder-holden. ■

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