Governor Candidates’ Forum on 9/13
There are some key issues that impact people with disabilities that I think everyone should be thinking about as they decide who to vote for in the midterm elections. I’ve said this in previous posts and will say it again – SHOW UP! It’s important to show up now and find out more about where candidates stand on issues that impact people with disabilities. On September 13th, I will be going to the Governor Candidates’ Forum on Disability to support Tim Walz who I caucused for last winter and supported in the State DFL Convention (check out my Adjournment post to see the news report I was featured in!). I believe that he will support the issues that matter to the disability community.
2 in 5 people have disabilities and 1 in 10 have severe disabilities. We are your family. We are your friends. We are your neighbors. We are your constituents. We are you, at the moment when you get a life-changing diagnosis or are in a crash where you may end up with a permanent disability. In a blink of an eye your life may become one where you need Medicaid or social services to help live independently in your community.
Health care and support services
I know that I say this every time I write about this, but health care is freedom for people with disabilities. Cuts to health care and Medicaid means losing freedom. Medicaid, known as Medical Assistance in Minnesota, is my lifeline for medical care, support staff, medical equipment and assistive technology that help me live a full life in my community. We need a Governor and legislature that will do everything they can to protect services so that people with disabilities receive the care and services they depend on.
Ask candidates what they will do to protect health care, Medicaid, and support services for people with disabilities. If they say that their goal is to cut human services – that means they’re trying to cut the very programs that I and others with disabilities depend on. Do you really want to vote for that person?
There are many other issues impacting people with disabilities, including affordable housing, transportation, employment, education, and finding qualified support staff. All of these issues are important to me as I carve out my adult life. These are the things that matter as I look at candidates and find which ones will also see their critical importance and impact on making sure that people with disabilities are not left behind.
SHOW UP Now!
If there are candidates you support, go volunteer for their campaigns. Put up some lawn signs. Write letters to the editor. Talk to your friends and family about why voting matters and what candidates you support. Go out and vote in November. SHOW UP!
Also, big shout out to my Aunt Kelly Smith who is running for State Representative in Kentucky. Proud of her and hope she wins! Kelly Smith For Kentucky website
Justin Smith Writes 
I heard the forum was cancelled.
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I thought the forum was cancelled since no one responded?
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Well stated, Justin.
Think Tim Waltz is the only viable choice in the Governor race, and Ann Mozey as Sate Representative in District 34.
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Hi Justin, May I post a link to your post/blog on my blog? I like very much how you equate health care w freedom; I completely agree, but hadn’t thought of it in that way. So, I’d like to share the whole post, if you’re ok being featured in mine. I got 80 subscribers! (Not all are following; some are just one-timers from a while back, but still could expand your audience maybe.)
I hope that your day is starting off well! Donna
On Sat, Sep 8, 2018 at 4:41 PM JustinSmithWrites wrote:
> justins989 posted: “Governor Candidates’ Forum on 9/13 There are some key > issues that impact people with disabilities that I think everyone should be > thinking about as they decide who to vote for in the midterm elections. > I’ve said this in previous posts and will say it agai” >
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Hi Justin, May I post a link to your post/blog on my blog? I like very much how you equate health care w freedom; I completely agree, but hadn’t thought of it in that way. So, I’d like to share your whole post, if you’re ok being featured in my blog on CaringBridge. I have 80 subscribers! (Not all are following; some are just one-timers from a while back, but still could expand your audience maybe.)
I hope that your day is starting off well! Donna
On Sat, Sep 8, 2018 at 4:41 PM JustinSmithWrites wrote:
> justins989 posted: “Governor Candidates’ Forum on 9/13 There are some key > issues that impact people with disabilities that I think everyone should be > thinking about as they decide who to vote for in the midterm elections. > I’ve said this in previous posts and will say it agai” >
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