Accessibility (#A11y), Advocacy

ADA 32 & Me 24

The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) turned 32 years old last Tuesday. And, I turn 24 years old on this Tuesday. My entire life has been post-ADA. The ADA addressed some of the concerns like employment discrimination, access to buildings and more. There’s a long way to go though. In Minnesota, I’m finding it all… Continue reading ADA 32 & Me 24

Justin and his dad in the crowd
Advocacy, Music, Writing

“Never let ‘em break you down”

Actually, independent living in and of itself, is cool. It’s the systems that I need for support that I’m finding incredibly frustrating. Going to keep up the good fight to live a self-directed life! “No matter how far I go, I always end up back here” Remember when I said I was getting a housing… Continue reading “Never let ‘em break you down”

Justin, young smiling man seated in wheelchair in front of adapted keyboard, in living room
Uncategorized

A week of action

Done! I have been keeping a little secret. I have finished the first draft of the book. Yes, I finished on Monday - early by three weeks. This is dual point of view (well, really multi POV) because I wanted to do this from different perspectives and for what the book is dealing with, I… Continue reading A week of action

Advocacy, Music, Writing

86k: what’s next?

I am currently at 86k words and nearing completion of the first draft of the sci-fi fantasy book I have been working on for the last year. My deadline is sometime in the first week of June. I’ll take a little time off before the rewrite process. What am I going to do before the… Continue reading 86k: what’s next?

Colorful sunset, snowy ground, apartment & office building in distance
Accessibility (#A11y), Advocacy, Music, Political, Writing

It’s Time to Begin, isn’t it?

Welcome and do I have a big valley of news for you, starting with the legislation to make apartments more accessible in Minnesota. I will be testifying on Tuesday at a MN House hearing for this crucial piece of legislation (HF 2695 and SF 2603) that is also supported by the Arc Minnesota and the… Continue reading It’s Time to Begin, isn’t it?

tshirt that says Imagine
Accessibility (#A11y), Advocacy, Political, Writing

2022 goals

Here are my goals for what I think is going to be a big year for me. Writing About that book I’ve been working on… I am going to finish the horror\SFF (sci-fi and fantasy) book this year. Then, I am going to edit the hell out of this book. I am about 45k words… Continue reading 2022 goals

Middle-aged mom and 19-year old son seated in wheelchair smiling
Accessibility (#A11y), Advocacy, Political

A New Way

I’m honored to again be chosen as a delegate the Minnesota State DFL Convention. It’s a pretty different experience at the DFL virtual convention this year than in Rochester two years ago. It was exciting to be around all of the people, meet the candidates and other delegates, be part of the action and drama… Continue reading A New Way

Justin smiling on floor at Palace Theater
Accessibility (#A11y), Advocacy, Health, Music, Political, Writing

4-year anniversary of Justin Smith Writes

Guess what? Today is my four-year blog-versary. So, I have changed the theme, design, whatever it is to the website. The reason why I changed my design is it felt like a change was needed. And, what else to do when I’m stuck at home. Tour of the new site I created a static home… Continue reading 4-year anniversary of Justin Smith Writes

Justin smiling and watching Weathers band on stage
Advocacy, Writing

Plotter or pantser?

I have started planning the next book and I mean that quite literally. I say that because I pantsered the last two books. Although I didn’t know this, I think that I might actually be more of a plotter. Wait, what is a pantser and plotter? Ok, when I wrote my first two books, I… Continue reading Plotter or pantser?