Justin in wheelchair, crowd behind him looking towards stage and holding Harris for president signs
Advocacy, Political

All the way down

You know that there is a pretty huge election in three weeks. So, here are my top reasons why I support Democrats up and down the ballot.

Justin, young man seated in wheelchair, communication device in front of him, looking to the side as he testifies in House hearing room
Advocacy, Political

Time for change

I am having severe pain in my right knee and it is causing significant hurdles in my writing process and getting out in the community. I powered through the pain and testified at the Minnesota House Human Services Policy Committee last Tuesday about Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS) legislation (House File 4568 and Senate File… Continue reading Time for change

Looking up at Justin and another young man with his arm around him, smiling, Armory sign and concessions behind, curtained off area on the side
Advocacy, Political

Really?!?

Remember how I’ve been writing about the direct support staffing crisis? That we’re not paying caregivers enough so are having a really hard time trying to find or hire anyone? This story by Kirsten Swanson of KSTP, is more about the direct support crisis impact on group homes: From Group Home to Senior Living Staffing… Continue reading Really?!?

Justin in MN Senate Hearing Room
Advocacy, Political

Bureaucracy + budget + staffing = nightmare

Enough with the waiting around for the “all about staffing” blog. I did have some health stuff I was dealing with and ended up in the emergency room a week ago. I’m doing fine now, but it seems like a good excuse for not getting this post done last week. Recap #1: The first hurdle… Continue reading Bureaucracy + budget + staffing = nightmare

Tie-dye Vans shoes strapped on wheelchair footplates
Advocacy, Health

Tie-dyed hope

What a couple of weeks! Two weeks ago I was driving around a Vaccinate the Vulnerable rally and now I'm cautiously hopeful. All of my direct support staff, including my parents, received their first COVID vaccine shots within the past couple weeks. On Wednesday, rare diseases and other disabilities were added to the eligibility list… Continue reading Tie-dyed hope

T-shirt that says Democrat
Advocacy, Political

Another Sunday

Remember the three issues that I care about: disability rights, health care and Medicaid. I know that they are divisive issues in politics and they should not be. I want to be straight with you with what’s at stake in this election for me. You’ve heard me say it before, Medicaid services for people with… Continue reading Another Sunday

Accessibility (#A11y), Advocacy

My 100th post! #ADA30

It is my 100th post. And it is the thirtieth anniversary of President George HW Bush’s signing of the American with Disabilities Act or ADA. I am going to explain why the ADA matters to me. Why does the ADA matter? I’m going to quote from my speech at the Minnesota State Capitol Grand Opening… Continue reading My 100th post! #ADA30

Kris and Justin smiling
Advocacy, Political

Why it matters

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