Bemidji Town Hall Forum – Disability Matters

MN-CCD in partnership with Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, the Brain Injury Association and Arc United hosted a Town Hall Forum focusing on Disability Matters at Bemidji City Hall on Tuesday, October 4.

MN-CCD presented to the 48 attendees about the impact of the Minnesota State Budget on people with disabilities and their families. Attendees then learned how to tell their story to legislators.

Five policy makers joined the group to hear testimony about disability services – Rep. John Persell (4A), Rep. David Hancock (2B), Beltrami Commissioner Jim Lucachick, Bemidji City Councilpersons Kevin Waldhausen and Ron Johnson.

 Twelve community members testified and spoke on issues including the 20% PCA relative wage cut, impact of the shutdown on ability to provide Semi Independent Living Skills Services, importance of physical accessibility of community destinations and caring for a child with a traumatic brain injury.

 City Councilman Kevin Waldhausen testified to his fellow policymakers on the role of disability services in his 16 year old daughter’s life. She is autistic and now working and excelling in school. He told the crowd that they relied on services when she was a child, but she is able to be far more independent now. 

 Rep. John Persell also shared that his 26 year old daughter has cerebral palsy and is getting her degree at the University of Minnesota. He was well aware of the challenges of the PCA system.

 Thank you to those who attended the forum, the testifiers and the elected officials.

 -Susie Schatz, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota