Directory - P= 9

Guest Commentary

by Billy Golfus Page 5

"Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, iskould not hesitate. moment to prefer the latter ."

- Thomas Jefferson

Access Press DHS Taken To Task

PCATask Force - A DHS

by Michael Sheehan

Good news and bad news.

The bad news is that Bill Smith, Jr.- businessman, publisher, collector, jazz fan and legitimate 20th century renaissanceman - is nolong- er here.

The good news is that he was.

Bill, co-founder and publish- er of Access Press, passed away last week of a sudden cerebral aneurysm.

Bom in Minneapolis in 1927, he attended Marshall High School and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a major in mathematics and a minor in geology. He began his career... In 1948, he married his high school sweet- heart, Renee, and in 1949 they had their first son, W. A. Smith, Ill. Charlie arrived in 1953 and the family was made

complete by Bridget's birth in 1959.

In 1960, their hospitable na- tures lured Bill and Renee into the hospitality industry, with their acquisition of the ele- gant old Afton House in the scenic St. Croix Valley. After taking up residence in the town, they became ex-officio host and hostess for the boat- ing community and country squires who inhabited the val- ley, interrupting the rhythms of river living with the occa- sional sound ofthe slidetrom- bone as they provided a new home base for one of their mutual passions, the New Orleans Jazz Band.

In 1967, however, life was to take the Smith family in a different direction. One sum- mer's day while visiting his grandparents, Charlie broke his neck.

With the need for Charlie to redirect his energies and learn new skills, Bill, Renee, Bill 111, Charlie and Bridget head- ed west, to the hills of Pros- pect Park. There, in what might be described as a turn- of-the-century New Orleans Victorian home, the family met their new life on their own terms.

Bill brought his considerable managerial and people skills to the banking industry, soon becoming vice-president of St. Paul's Hillcrest State Bank. He stayed until the bank was acquired by amulti-bank hold- ing company. With the "hometown bank" human fla- vor diminished in favor of thin budgets and fat bottom lines, Bill threw caution - some said sanity - to the winds and opened his own financial con- sulting business and Smith

Wm Smith - cont. on p. 6

Set-Up? - .

1 1 - . ' k'a I!eeting of thk6f!b-hg ~ u r i n ~ l a s t ~ e a r ' s session the The Department also did not CommitteeoftheDepartment Legislature changed the PCA give the Steeriq&et.ft@iz - -. of Human Sem ices (DHS) program effective July 1,1996 a written state+enf regadmg Home Care Task Force, one to cut off persons who cannot the actual expenditures for

todothedevil'sownwork-to quently provided to persons Department did not explain find another way to slash the PCA program. To some ex- tsnt, the Task Force-&& jW -&at., The Task Fom* .lapy 5 S ~ 4 - i pr&sa~~ for an alternatid menu of PCA services, but in circum- stances in which the total amount ofservice hoursavail- able would be reduced. This barebones proposal is not like- ly to be implemented this com- ing Summer, for there are de- tails to be worked out which could not be done in the Task Force committee process.

The Task Force also ap- proved, over the objection of some members of the Steer- ing Committee, a proposal for up to a seven percent across the board cut in PCA hours if needed to make the required fiscal target for a cut in the PCA program expansion. This recommendation was initially proposed by the Task Force's Fiscal Subcommittee and approved by a majority of the Steering Committee as a flat seven percent cut in the PCA program, if the altema- tive program was not up and running by July 1, 1995. At the last meeting of the Steer- ing Committee, the proposal was changed to "up to" seven percent and to "last resort" - if other alternatives to reduce the PCA program were not effective in meeting the "fis- cal target", then the Task Force was supposed to meet.

who cannot direct thkir own care, and to reduce the maxi- mumnumberofhoursof PCA %ry&which couldbe autho- rized formost recipients. The Task Force was established to come up with proposals which would reduce the growth projected by the De- partment to no more than five percent over projected expen- ditures for 1995.

The Department of Human Services actually made the work of the Task Force more difficult than it needed to be. For one thing nobody from the Department could give a straight answer to the ques- tion of what the fiscal target was for this five percent re- duction. At an early meeting of the Task Force, George Hoffinan, the Department per- son who makes these Medical Assistance projections, said he did not know how this tar- get was to be calculated. Marge Brchan, the Director of the DHS Home and Com- munity Services Division, could not articulate at any of the meetings what the actual fiscal target was. The min- utes of an early meeting ofthe Task Force Steering Commit- tee said that savings of $19 million or $1 3 million have to be found. It was not until after the meeting of the Steering Committee that the Depart- ment stated in writing that the target was then figured to be $1 I million.

why actual expenses for tjx program apparently went' down but the estimated num- ber of participants went up. Despite repeated requests for solid information about PCA costs and the number of per- sons actually receiving PCA service, Marge Brchan could only state to the Steering Com- mittee that the information provided to the Task Force and to the Legislature was "a multi-disciplinary, continu- ously refined data analysis effort" which was based upon "professional judgment". Such gobbledygook was not what the Task Force members were seeking. Rather, they wanted, but did not get, clear answers to specific questions. For example, were recipients of waivered services exclud- ed in the 1993 reports, and included in 1995? Or has there been some other change in the method of counting to- tal PCA participants?

The Steering Committee, at its last meeting, did vote to recommend that the legisla- ture repeal the changes that are slated for July I, 1996. In the text of the Task Force Report, however, this recom- mendation is stated only in two sentences in the intro- duction to the numbered, and therefore high lighted, recommendationsofthe Steer- ing Committee. The Report does not point out that these

Task - cont. on p. 7

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Proposed Legislation For IN BRIEF. . . .

(PCA) Services The Tel-Law Legal Informa- licservice program oftheMin- Callers from outside of the tion tapes, which have been nesota State Bar Association. Twin Cities calling zone may providing Twin Cities resi- contact Tel-Law using the 1- dents with information about More than 70 tapes are avail- 800-558-7614. This service

by Anne L. Henry common legal problems and able. Each tape is 3 to 5 min- will last through May 1996. concerns for more than a de- Utes long and providesan over- Twin Cities callers should con-

332-2 1 14. the PCAprogram which hada ioral issues. Interventions for and non-elderly adults.

Ms. Henry has outlined some reinstated. b v i o r Cat- corrective memlres. Consum-

want to support and encourage each other. Call 646-5615 for

rent PCA law should be con- functioning," and the substi- reinstated. (compulsions) daily. In a met- ymous (OCA) is a 12-step night meetings (also see p10). sidered for change during the tute language of repetitive 1996 Session: maintenance range of motion 12.Foster Care, Wheelchair Basketball

And AdultS,

sible party" must be reinstated in proposed legislation.. in order to allow continuation will be included if anyone can PCA services for those chil- 6. Foster Care Provided find an example ofan existing

J 3 x h Y k dren and adults who cannot foster care arrangement using direct their own care.

All language regarding foster fore 1992. 2. Ei~hteen-Year Old Re- care and the provision of PCA

their own care should be

. It is beingaired station manager or program-

enn. Cty. Volunteer Program Begins or certified home health train- lation. ing course or passed a compa-

ing programs for health-relat- plier from 2 to 1.75 and 3 to makes families who pay a par- oviding "Aid with Dignity" teers assist seniors with com- County, job and educational county residents in need. pletion of medical eligibility references, mileage and park- ed careers. I recommend that 2.625 times the average num- ent fee ineligibleforparticipa- forms, meet clients and direct ing reimbursement.

ipating in a school-based job hours which adversely impacts There is rider language includ- training program which in- those in the higher case mix ed in the 1995 Omnibus Health cludes training as a nursing level (persons who need more andHuman Services bill which assistant or a certified home assistance due to more com- requires that current PCA re- health aid or equivalent train- plex disabilities) involves us- cipients eligible forthe CADI,

At Hwy. 280 & University Avenue ing. ing the statewide-weighted CAC, MRiRC, TBI or Elderly

Repeal of both of these hour services are available. Be- SUPPLY (6 1 2) 644-9770

there is some protection for

Ostomyland wound care the statute to continue PCA Blood pressure equipment Diabetic supplies

Language adding the rehabili- tation provisions contained in ed In Prooosed L a n e u s guage. Given the uncertainty the home health agency rule of federal changes, it is un- will be added to the proposal. clear whether waivers will be

GREAT SERVICE & PRICES We offer 24 hr. Emergency Service exclusively to our regular 10. Seizure Activitv Ass- required in the future and this

5. ,4llowable PCA Activi- ambiguity should be taken out customers. Free UPS and deliveries to Mpls., St. Paul & Suburbs.

& ofthe statute until anew direc- Language requiring seizure tion has been determined.

PCAs must be allowed to "as- activity considerations in the' sist, monitor or prompt" recip- assessment tool will be includ- PCA . - cont. on D. 10

4 January 10,1986 - Access Press

~e118 P:! tole: Religion & Disability

by LeAnne Dahl

Are people with disabilities being welcomed and accepted

LANGUAGE? How do words reflect attitudes that

way to begin dealing with the issues.

f I in their places ofworship? Are are either encouraging or they participating in every as- pect oftheir church life?These questions are meant to probe beyond the accessibility issues.

discouraging to people with disabilities?

One of the highlights of the conference will be the keynote speaker, Norman Kunc. Mr. Kunc isaCanadian familyther- WHAT ISSUES DO FAMI-

'"7. It doesn't matter what faith LlES OF PEOPLE WITH apist and an educational con- we're speaking about. What DISABILITIES FACE and sultant who happens to have

$:"? matters is that we all can help HOW HAVE SPlRlTUAL cerebral palsy. Norman at- I .: 27.1-e,3$3A@'., :,

"'.

to create an atmosphere where COMMUNITIES RE- tended a segregated school till non-disabManddisabledpeo- SPONDED, BOTH POSI- he was twelve. At thirteen, he

: ple choose to learn about one TlVELY AND N'EGA- was integrated into a regular

@ another in a non-threatening TIVELY? school. He completed an hon- ,,, Way. ors degree in Humanities at

ley value mnepass~4 WHAT ARE 'INVISIBLE York University and received

K relationshipmsre With that as an introduction, DISABILITIES?' What ef- the Murray G. Ross Award for _- .- ,_:_ ,-a --, r you are invited to examine fect do they have on mem- academic excellence and out-

someofthese perplexing prob- lems afmr day at a eonfer-

bers of spiritual communi- ties?

standing contribution to the University. He also compiet-

yurubrwrwrwy ; . . ence, appropriately titled ed a Master of Science degree

uBEYONDtheRAMP."The WHAT THEOLOGICAL academic Family Thmpy at ' ~ ' date and place is set for Toes- OR FAITH STRUGGLES the University* Guelph. I' @ day,April23,atthcRadisson DO PEOPLE WITH DIS- Norman, and his wife, Emma,

lEJ 4S rrvl Ka~e"ss9: acy,"&~8ny of those ; South in Blaomington. ABILITIES FACE FROM Van Der Klifi live in British

THE PERSPECTIVES OF Columbiawiththeirthreechil- things the The confmnce was planned NATIVE AMERICAN, dren. ice associate with;

h disability. But in- by people with disabilitiesand CHRISTIANITY, JUDA-

ling into those dam- r their families, rehabilitation lSM,ISLAM&OTHERRE- Conference brochures will be

,-,:--_ . professionals, clergy leaders LIGIONS? mailed in February to all area ;? and lay leaders from ma"y

cr;ilun as anvply- p$ hith communities. To receive

and disability'if faiths. The main objectives of WHAT ARE THE EF- an additional brochure, please x : > ~ + this gathering are to look at FECTS OF AGING ON call Ann Roscoe at 520-0466

-atritudimd, theological and PERSONS WITH LIFE- or Mary Jane Steinhagen at mrsonal beliefs about ~eoo le LONG DISABILITIES 2 15-22 16. The conference

place of worship. While the HOWDOTHESEAFFECT fee is $55. Registration is re planners recognize the fact that FAITH COMMUNITIES? quested by April 2, 1996. not all people with disabilities may have the same experienc- These are, in essence, some of Sign language interpreters are 1 es in their faith community, the questions that clergy and availableuponrequest. Please -... ,~ , .... 7 - .... < -.>:. ..;. .....

$+ ;.... ?+i3j:.~.;.::., .,..< S . . ~ . . , . ;,>. . ::.. . . . . : y. . vr7.. *,c:.:,.>,, :> ,f&&,&';.* -- ..r.l...*..... ; .; $~:@$@a@:i-:j?> < 1.

. '

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' Readers,, , i , , . . . :.:: :. :.; . . . . . .>... .... ..: . . . . . . ;;.,:,::c:..:;i;:k:.::+ g;;; .: ;:;:~ .i:41:..'. .; $C $3.::: <;*:."*$, > ,< -& :5;

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they believe there are enough who may be disillusioned.

congregations are faced with whenever someone witb a dis- ability enters their doors. It's a matter of growing comfort- able with that person and his/ herfeeling at ease in thechurch.

call 520-0466 before April 5th to facilitate interpreter scheduling.

By its title, BEYOND the RAMP, you can see that the main issues are not just archi- tectural. It is hoped that many of the clergy, and lay people attending will find this confer- ence helpfbl in learning more about:

The conference planners be- lieve that this meeting will stimulate clergy and lay peo- ple to initiate discussions with in their faith communities that will bring about changes which will allow individualswith dis- abilities to experience the true meaning of fellowship.

I T TAKES MONEY'TO GROW, EXPAND, OR

IMPROVE. IT'S TRUE FOR A FAMILY, A BUSINESS, OR A COMMUNITY.

There will be workshops to herp open communications between religious leaders, lay people and individuals with disabilities. Perhaps they will pave the road to an effective

RIVERSIDE BANKERS KNOW THE IMPORTANT ROLE

THEY PLAY IN HELPING PEOPLE REALIZE THEIR

DREAMS. THEY HAVE EARNED A REPUTATION AS

BANKERS WHO LOOK FOR WAYS TO HELP. BANKERS WHO TAKE THE TIME TO GET TO KNOW THE NEEDS OF

THEIR CUSTOMERS AND THEIR COMMUNITY. THAT'S WHY RIVERSIDE HAS EARNED THE HIGWF%T RATINGS

FOR COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT.

WHAT IS INCLUSIVE . RF------.

IF YOU HAVE PERSONAL LOAN NEEDS FOR A CAR,

HOME IMPROVEMENIS, OR ANOTHER DREAM WAITING

TO COMETRUE, REMEMBER: RIVERSIDE LOANS.

I IF YOU HAVE BUSINESS LOAN NEEDS FOR EQUIPMENT, FACILITIES, OR INVENTORY, REMEMBER: RIVERSIDE

I LOANS.

I Y w AND RIVERSIDE. WORKING TOGETHER IN OUR

COMMUNITY.

Riverside t

I CEDAR RIVERSIDE LASALLE PLAZA MINNESOTA CENTER

180 1 Riverside Avenue 800 LaSalle Avenue 7760 Fra~~oc Avenue

341-3505 338-8600 897-1000

I Telecotnrnunications Device for the Deaf: 3414289

Member FDIC ~.w*.I'R.- I I \I*y

- Access Press Jsnaary 10,1996 5

Life Goes On I Guest Commentary Wishing - And Working! - ~ h , Republican Budget For Independence by Billy G O ~ ~ U S

by LeAnne Dahl

For the past year, this column main issues, although 'there Yet as you watch from afar - . has dealt with a lot ofthenega- were many other items on the whether she is acting as the

tives that have been going or; list. defending attorney, testifLing in Congress and o w State before a legislative body, Legislature. Of course we've In order not to offend any one speaking to a legislator or had to keep our eyes and ears by leaving their name off the speaking to you in person, you open while we voiced our ob- list, 1'11 will sprinkle one or will be able to see her fmstra- jections loud and clear. two profiles of people every tion and anger at the injustices

now and then throughout the that are directed towards all Yet, I gottothinkingaboutthe year. Ifyou think ofsomeone people with disabilities.'This fact that we should stop and that should biin the spotlight, in turn gives her the power to thank the "HEROES" of our write to me c/o ACCESS deliver her clear and pragmat- day. If you ever watch CBS PRESS. ic arguments to reach hergoal. MORNING, you know that It is Henry's quickgrasp ofthe people write in to nominate This month, Anne Henry, of .laws and the way she inter- their favorite hero of the day. the Minnesota Disability Law prets propedmlesand regu- It can be anyone from a family Center, will be our hero. I met lations that helps people with member to someone who has Anne a young lawyer a few disabilities the most. saved their life or done a kind years after I began my stint of deed. I'm always intrigued by lobbying at the Capitol. With- It's irldividuals like Anne who the common, ordinary folks out a doubt, she impressed me keep trying to make society a out there who are heroes to as a person who would remain little more accepting and see someone. a strong advocate for individ- to it that LIFE GOES ON.

uals with disabilities. It isn't We needto taketimeout tonot Ifmy memory senesmeright, just her legalistic abilitythat is only thank Anne Henry, for there are many people that so helpful, but it's her genuine all the hard work and endless worked diligently to preserve interest and compassion for hours that she spends on our Personal Attendant Care, theindividualsshe'srepresent- behalf, but to also officially TEFRA, Medical Assistance, ing. recognize her as the first ofour Metro MotriJity* to list the four heroes.

Van Johnson and Iris Bowling Buddy

Accessible Bowling

"One should judge a society not by what the mqjority has, but by what the minority is denied " - Hubert H. Humphrey

Most of non-disabled Ameri- ca has been taught to think of those of us with disabilities as the pitiable other; "those peo- ple". Clearly we are one of the first targets in block Medi- grants to the states, which passed Congress overwhelm- ingly. Clinton may veto the bill to cut MedicareIMedic- aid.

Disabled people are thought of as sick which most of us are not; we are disabled. We are the largestminority in thecoun- try made up of49 million peo- ple of every race, creed, and economic level. Every group has members in our club, in- cluding professional athletes, movie stars, and members of the very Congress which i$ allegedly saving ~ q a t 3 w expense. Lw~~Y.s~~"l ironey. Instead it'll end up costing

forced into nursing homes.

The Medi-grants are pushing people into nursing homes, and a new Supreme Court ruling, Idell S. vs. Snider-our Brown v. Board of Education-is go- ing to have ramifications that will conflict with the Medi- grants. Idell S. lives in Penn- sylvania and has MS whikh flared up, so she went into a hospital. The hospital released her to a nursing home. Since she was married with children she said that she wanted to live at home with attendant servic- es. The state put her on a waiting list for services. Two years later she was still on the waiting list. She sued for her freedom, and the state of Penn- sylvania fought her all the way to the U.S. Supreme Cq&% A number ofgovemors Wni oth- er states put pressure on Penn- sylvanh became they knew that it meant their states had to pffer PCAs. She won; we all won, thecourt agreed that the state can't lock us up in nurs- ing homes against our will.

make it on the outside. But the nursing home didn't want to let him out because they get a lot of Medicaid money if they keep him in the facility. Ac- cording to the state, Lee should have been in a place that charg- es Medicaid $185,000 a year.

The nursing home said they didn't know if they could get him up and dressed for his own hearing, so an attendant friend came in and made sure he was dressed and at the hearing. There was all the talk about they couldn't because of nurs- ing home policy, and state policy, but what it came down to was they didn't want to. He couldn't just decide to leave thenursingUhome." He had to have a hearing to plead for his freedom. There had been a Free Lee Swenson Day at our state capitol, and several state officials drove down to the southern part of the state to be present at the hearing includ- ing Pam Erkel, State Director of Home Care Prcignwit$%'@Td

,Karen Gibson, Policy Direc- more. but we'll get to that. tor for Home Care. Thev start- -.A

-

ing what happens to us, it a cop, always wanted to be a had to contend with ~utheii- should be clearwhat will hap- cop, but he got ALS, Lou Granquist. -'=Y-4ad pen to all undenclases with GherigYsdisease,andi:oh1dn't this C even draw hisgun. A bunch of 'Laitberm

- ' .:- - . and his family :qxtora ' 6 w f h k ~ &a rh : ~&xir&d him thathe needed wd the America, ifyouremember, was to be in a nursing home. He Project drove down from Min- to life, liberty, and the pur- tells me that it was seeing neapolis to be in Lee's comer. suit of happiness. People "WhenBillyBr&@HisHead" Since Mr. Granquist is a cross with disabilities are being de- that convind him in h a d GOvUS - cant. on p, , I nied a lot more than out dreams - because of this new legisla- TH E C HOl(fE 18 YOURS tion. Fora lot ofpeople it will be lik itself. Thoisands of disabled people are being

Who knows better than you forced into nursing homes - the PCA services YOU need? I've been getting the phone calls for monthr. Disabled I At Allied Health Alternati.ves, We work with I people who can live in the I YOU t0 create a health services partnership. I

BOWLING BUDDY is a new fully adjustable for individual affordable revolutionary bowl- setting. The ball is placed in ing aid designed by a power position by an attendant. A wheelchair user for use by any quick release pin allows the power chair user. The chair device tobecome twosections, going forward allows the affording convenient trans- YZowling Bud@ to guide and porting in a wheelchair p k . roll the ball down the lane. The section extending to tk Control and speed of the balleasilyflipup&hsttrips ball is determined by the to other areas of the bowling control and speed of the center without removing the chair. The user is in complete device. It is made of PVC and command. metal construction.

It attaches in minutes to the chair frame by two hand;Idj&t- able clamps - no tools re- quired - and will not harm the chair orbowling center. Its adjustability to various widths of chairs allows it to beused by youth and adults. Additionally, the ball guide is

Any ball may be used, but a d~a i l ed drawing of how to drill and mark your ball to achieve a higher score is in- cluded with each unit. Call or write for free information and price list to: The Creative Shop, P.O. Box 7, Leoma, TN 38468. Ph. (6 15) 852-2444.

Martha Hage's RADIO SHOW

Disabled & Proud, It's Not An Oxymoron January 16- Arne Gruetzmacher & Daryll

Stenberg: Planning for the financial filture

January 23- Cheryl Biel & Julie Nygren: Alzheimer's Association

January 30- Pamela Armstrong & Melody Martin: Quality of Life: Who's the Judge?

106.7 FM - St. Paul 903 FM - Mpls Every Tuesday 7:30 p.m.

comrnuni~~ with support die We'll provide competent nursing within a year or two when supervision that supports your goals and

objectives, plus knowledseable assistance and coordination when you need it.

Call 544-1 655 for our FREE brochure titled

"Choosing a Personal Care Assistant."

Allied Health Alternatives, Inc. Nursing Support Services Nursing Enterprises

5401 Gamble Drive; Suite 235 Minneapolis, MN 55416

61 2-544-1 655 Branch Offices:

102 NW 4th Street 412 9 9" Ave. SW; #I 02 Faribault, MN 55021 Willmar, MN 56201

61 2-235-5684

2 N.E. Third Street Grand Rapids, MN 55744

2 1 8-326-4202

6 January 10,1996

WM. SMITH - contfromp.1

Realty. He took on tax cli- His views were not impulsive That motivation, combined ents, became general partner ones; they wereadopted quiet- with Charlie's energy and ed- in real estate developments, ly, but studiously. Once set, itorial sensitivity, spawned and gave residential realtors a they were forwarded 6-om sol- Access Press in early 199 1. jolt with his then-new policy id ground, with grace and - to of fixed commissions regard- the uninitiated - astonishing Five and a half years later he less of the size of the trans- tenacity. was still researching and writ-

ing articles about inequities; Before Charlie's accident, the latest about the huge prof-

And he made it. The bills Bill's experience with disabil- itsofnon-profit hospitals. And, were paid; the offices on Uni- ity was limited to the occa- he was still forrningstrategy to vershy Avenue maintained; sional sore back. When deal- get companies to support the Bill 111 bought the home next ing with the bureaucracy on newspaper, and people with door to mom and dad's and Charlie'sbehalf, hewasgrate- disabilities, not through char- gavethem - with wife Jennie's ful forthe servicessociety pro- ity but through advertising ... considerable help - a pair of vided - and he remained so delightful granddaughters. until the end. But he saw as It is said that one man, shoving

well the inequality, ineptitude with all his grit against an Life moved on - like Bill - and insensitivity. He saw his untetheredaircraficarrier,will quietly,steadily,progressive- son suffer additional indigni- eventually get it to move. If

ties as a result. On the surface, there's enough room, he might he accepted his and Charlie's even give it some momentum

To those who knew him, he lot. Beneath it, he resolved to before the dock ends. was the Mark Russell of Uni- work to change attitudes to- vesity Avenue; a bit less mu- wardspeoplewithdisabilities. It might also be said that the

Bill Smith: A F

Progressive Action (MAPA)

S" idem l i e to re ve civil fights an access

cous, perhaps, but no less the keen and acerbic observer of Based on available numbers, thegoings-on in Washington, he discovered that in Minne St. Paul and other sea& of sota alone, there are some nrivilegss, pomp and power. 400,008-750,000personswith

disabilities. Hundsedsofthou- It is fitting that he was cere- sands of ordinary peoplewith bmlly ushered from this reah; ordinary needs, denied access he was a naturally cerebral to thase things that other peo- man. A throwback to a less plekkeforgranted. Hesought caustic and clamoring erq he the cammunications vehicle tinged his professorial style €hat might link the voices of with charm and elegance. He such people, that they might never raised his voice. He be heard, and valued. He found never had to. Few wished to none - and resolved to fili that wrestle with either his intel- communications gap. lector his wit.

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implacable igmmwe of both the needs and thevalue of per- SOBS wivh disabilities lay on them with the weightofagiant ship.

Bill spent the last five years of his life attempting to dislodge that weight. Quietly, with in- tegrity, class, wit and a bound- less resolve, he established a momentum.

Bill Smith came to the end of his dock. But. ..did you ever try to stop an aircraft carrier?

tions wherethey s w t e d that residents should control where they lbwd-pw~w ideas b a < b l y awak- m i % r u m .- movement. Afierwards, a cou- ple approached us saying that they wanted to work with us. They were Bill and Renee Smith. Unlike mmt of the peopleassembled etevming, self-determination was com- mon sense to them.

For the next couple of years, we worked together on a hous- ing project. They brought

, dong their sen, Charlie. To- gether, we raise'd money, bought a four-plex, made it accessible and developed and

I-y, he passed on his knowledge in an unassuming way #kt emp&vered each of us.

b r i n g thaf same time my young life was shatreFed by a divorce. Most SmIdaynights after we were done building, I followed the Smiths home Por dinner and canversathan. I was am&. The guy could cot&, too! We would talk into the night about anything - poli- tics, jazz, novels, cars, eco- nomics, wm@t iron or&irlYs basketball. Their daughter, Bridget, was an emerging high school star. Bill knew about and was interested in almost everything, Hewas the closest to a Renaissance man that 1

I What does it take to build a I I strong nest for your little ones? I

i

~~rrhust shalg ~ b g e t k Resources and support for your family A place to meet other families with y m g children ages 0-6 ,

Home visits, phone calls, and 362-4141 family events in the community

There was always coffee and st-mulating convenation.

Lastm~~thdurmgatoughday, I stopped by the office. I had mparticularreason to bethere. I didn't needaae. Bill, Charlie and I talked about Paul Welbtone's re-election, the consolidation afwealth among # t e ' q x r rich a d accessible health care. Bill was starting tolwk intowhereall thehealth care dollars inMinnesotawere going. He had a pot of lentil soup on the stove.

1 cry this morning as 1 write this. A friend who had a digni- ty of spirit and zest for life has died. While 1 feel an immense loss, this is n& a tragedy. He died as he lived - filled with ideas and'plans. He was re- searching health care. He had scheduled a scuba diving trip to the Caribbean. The next issue of Access Press is due out. Bridget is about to give birth to a grandchild.

Bill quietly supported many of us. Aswith thatfour-plextwen- ty years ago, he knew how to knock down walls and build ramps. And most importantly, he empowered many of us to do the same.