Here are the kinds of questions that people have asked me about or sometimes have not asked because they might think it’s not okay. Again, this is from my perspective. Others with disabilities will have different opinions. Just ask people what works best for them. What do you do? As a nineteen-year old man with a disability, I… Continue reading Frequently Asked and Unasked Questions
Ready for some hotdish? I have been busy working on my presentation for the MN Capitol Grand Opening. I am excited to be presenting on a Hotdish Panel with Dr. Colleen Wieck from the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities. The title of our presentation is Remembering the Past and Reimagining the Future: Living with a Disability. Hope… Continue reading Hotdish Panel at Capitol Grand Opening on August 13, 2017
Inclusion in School and Life I had fun presenting Inclusion in School and Life at the Minnesota Department of Education’s Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) Event on May 18th. My mom and I talked about the importance of inclusion, barriers I encountered in school, the importance of accessible curriculum and materials, and success stories from this past… Continue reading Random Thoughts
I have been pretty nervous about plans for repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Representative Ryan’s plans for the Medicaid Block Grants and Per Capita Caps could have drastic impacts on people with disabilities, like me. To explain this, let me share my story. I had 6 surgeries within one year. I don’t… Continue reading On the Issue of Disability Rights: Healthcare
At midnight, my graduation year honestly couldn’t end quickly enough. If you wanted the top five in my year, you’re in luck because it was mostly good. Here are the top five I will cherish. Coming in at number five, graduating high school. I had twelve years of education and the saying that “these… Continue reading Hello 2017, Goodbye 2016
On October 20, 2016, I presented with Jay Wyant and Jennie Delisi from the State of Minnesota’s Office of Accessibility, and my mom. The following is what my mom and I shared with the audience for our presentation, Accessibility and Printed Materials that Prepare Tomorrow’s Workforce. I am honored to talk to you about my experiences,… Continue reading Presentation at Closing the Gap 2016
Hey there - I’m going to tell you about resources that help me do the things I love to do. Just a reminder, I need to use assistive technology to access my world. I use an adaptive keyboard, joystick mouse, a lot of online resources and augmentative communication device, to help me write, read, and… Continue reading Accessibility: What works for me
My faith in Deep Brain Stimulation has never left me in the midst of bewilderment. Last year, I spoke about my dreams for my upcoming deep brain stimulation or DBS surgery and my hope for it to be my home run in kicking kernicterus on its butt. I live with kernicterus, the brain damage caused… Continue reading Faith in the Midst of Bewilderment
The video that my dad took is on my YouTube channel. Imagine a small group of 10th graders sitting around a computer in my bedroom. There’s laughter, discussion, sharing ideas, and lots of cookies. I had my section about Civil Rights and sports in the 1960s ready to be added to the lengthy PowerPoint. Another student was creating the… Continue reading Looking Towards the Future High School Graduation Speech
Why do I have a disability? Why me? Why does anybody have a disability? These are questions that anybody might ask. Why do we have struggles and challenges? And why do some have more than others? It’s not that easy for me to do what I want to do because I have a condition called… Continue reading Being Human: Living with a Disability
Justin Smith Writes 