Last Friday, I was contacted by Representative Betty McCollum's Office to be part of a panel that happened yesterday to talk about the impacts of HR1 on Medicaid and our healthcare system. I, of course, said "yes, I'd love the opportunity to share my story." Because, that's what I always do. The thing is, it's… Continue reading This happened…
I went to the Good Trouble Lives On Twin Cities rally in Minneapolis on July 17, 2025. I wasn't going to go at first, but then found out my friends, Judy and Raven Moe were going to be speaking, so changed my mind super quick! Honestly, it's been a rough month finding out that Medicaid… Continue reading Make Good Trouble
i have been reading The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan and am on Book 2 of fourteen. this is a time of pain in my life. i don’t have energy to write the things that I want to write and love. my foot surgery is this Thursday, 9/7/23 – "the wheel weaves what… Continue reading The wheel
Voting by mail this year Last week, I voted absentee for our primary election in Minnesota. That’s one way I make my voice heard and hope that you all do the same. It’s pretty simple – register to vote, request your vote-by-mail ballot for your upcoming elections, and then follow the instructions on the mail-in… Continue reading Why it matters
According to the Arc Minnesota “the 2% provider tax on health care services is the main source of funding for the Health Care Access Fund, which contributes nearly $450 million to Medical Assistance in Minnesota. The provider tax is scheduled to expire or “sunset” at the end of 2019, which would leave a hole of more… Continue reading Time to Act in Minnesota
Perfect paradise, tearing at the seams. - Imagine Dragons One of my favorite bands, Imagine Dragons, has this line in Bad Liar. When the song came out, I was in a place of pain and this helped me forget. This was actually last fall and the pain has been at a steady 6 with jumps… Continue reading Tearing at the seams
I watched a documentary, To Err is Human, with my mom and dad last weekend. Like Cal Sheridan, who is featured in the film, I also have kernicterus because of a medical error. Did you know that medical errors are the 3rd largest leading cause of death in our country? There are as many as… Continue reading To Err is Human
The toes report Met with the orthopedic specialist on Friday. Surgery in the next month or two as soon as it can be scheduled. Basically, the muscle tone and uncontrolled muscle spasms in my feet have caused my big toes to be just shy of dislocated. I have really strong muscles! And as I’ve mentioned… Continue reading Discoveries
In 2019 I want to write more about the challenges in front of me to keep moving towards independent living. It’s not easy to figure all this out and I’ll share what I find out in case it helps others in their own lives or just so everyone has a better idea of what’s involved.… Continue reading Hello 2019
This will probably be my last political post until next year. Or not. In last Tuesday’s blogpost, I said I was going to vote for Minnesota Democrats Tim Walz and Peggy Flanagan, Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar, Betty McCollum, and Ami Wazlawik. But, I want to be clear that I am not voting for Democrats because… Continue reading VOTE on 11/6 if you haven’t already
Justin Smith Writes 