Update on Government Shutdown

It is highly unlikely that an agreement will happen before July 1. I saw on the Internet that they weren't even going to be discussing anything today. Yesterday the judge came to a decision on where most of the state funding will go during the government shutdown. She decided to keep funding for medical assistance programs. This is big news! The woman who called me to let me know manages Key Medical, the supply company that I got my wheelchair from. She was in the courtroom that day that I was there. She thanked me for going because she said just by showing up that I made a difference. That felt really good to know that I could help in that way and that I made an impact. Hopefully the shutdown won't last very long because it will definitely affect a lot of people.

Jenni

Government Shutdown in Minnesota

Minnesota is preparing for a government shutdown if a budget deal isn't made by the end of the month. Thousands of employees would be laid off and many services that depend on state funding would be cut starting July 1 if a decision isn't made between Gov. Dayton and the Republican Party.

I attended a hearing on July 23 at the Ramsey County Courthouse where a judge would rule on motions made to keep certain parts of the government funded should there be a shutdown. Mike Hatch, an attorney called me last week to see if I would make an appearance at the hearing. He filed a motion to intervene under my name, which would be heard in court. It was basically saying for the judge to consider keeping funding for medical assistance open during the government shutdown. I received a letter two weeks ago that said that my medical assistance would possibly be cut in the case of a shutdown. I was there to represent the hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities in Minnesota who also received a letter and rely on the state to pay for medical assistants.

After the motion was read to the judge I left, and the hearing went on the rest of the day. I found out after the hearing that the courtroom was filled with lawyers, lobbyists, and news reporters and that I was the only public figure. Supposedly I made a huge impact because so many people were wondering why and what I was doing there. I don't believe that they're going to cut medical services but there are tons of other services and programs that will be. This includes state parks and boards such as nursing, physical therapy and pharmacy.

I really hope that if the government shutdown does happen here in Minnesota starting July 1, that it doesn't last very long. It would be a $5 billion deficit and a very big upset throughout.

Jenni

Standing up

Lately I have only been getting in my Easystand stander about once or twice a week. It's been proving to be more difficult than before because my blood pressure has been dropping quicker. Because of this, I haven't been able to get up as high as I used to or for as long. Since I've been unable to get up to 90° it isn't always an enjoyable experience to me. I used to have fun and play games while standing, but now I just struggle to stay focused. I'm at a loss of what to do to make it better. I still do it when I can because I know it's good for me, but it's hard to enjoy it when I'm fighting my body to stay in there. I hope it gets better soon. I know the more I do it the easier it will get and over time my body should adjust again; I just have to be patience. I'm hanging in there though, and praying that everything works out.

Jenni

Seeing Me Around

I often wonder what people think when they see me out in public. I've done posts before about others staring at me and whispering amongst each other. I have talked about people being afraid of the unknown; afraid of things they don't understand. I've also said how I feel when situations of curiosity come about. Along with witnessing these encounters and events, I want to know what people are actually thinking. Are they confused about how I'm driving? Do they wonder why I'm in a wheelchair?

The other day I was at target checking out. My nurse was directly in front of the cashier and I was back a little ways. The woman was looking at me and then looking down and then looking at me and looking down. She must've done it about four or five times before she leaned over to my nurse and very quietly said "was she in…" Then she stopped midsentence and looked over at me again. She then looked back at my nurse and said again, "was she in…" Before she could get the rest of her sentence out I said, "I was in a car accident." She softly nodded her head up and down, and then said "oh okay, that's what I thought." I explained a few more things and she listened and then she told me that she hopes everything goes well and that I have a nice day.

It was very interesting. She was very curious and wanted to know what happened but was afraid to ask me. That's the opposite of what I want. I want people, especially children, to be able to come up and ask their questions to me directly. That would be much better than staring, whispering, or asking someone else. I know not everyone in a wheelchair prefers someone to ask them what happened or how they got where they are, but I do. It's not annoying or a nuisance or rude to me; it's just curiosity that's talking and I'm happy to answer anything.

Jenni

Keeping You Updated…

I've been a little short on posts lately. The past couple weeks I've spent a lot of time outside and a lot of time thinking. I've also been planning for my trip to nationals in Grand Rapids, Michigan this August. It's proving to semi-difficult and lots of work; it's many little things that all have to be put together. I didn't realize I would become a planner/coordinator/fundraiser, etc. Despite the time it takes in the hard work, I'm enjoying being Ms. wheelchair Minnesota.

This coming Saturday, there is an event put on by AccessAbility called the Walk and Roll-A-Thon. I will be at the finish line (or participating, depends on the weather). Tomorrow I'm going to be on KARE 11 news at 4 PM helping to promote the event. It's nothing big and I won't be saying anything, but I'll definitely be there.

Jenni

One Day at a Time

Finish every day and be done with
it. You have done what you
could. Some blunders and
absurdities no doubt crept in;
forget them as soon as you can.
Tomorrow is a new day; begin it
well and serenely and with too high
a spirit to be cumbered with your
old nonsense. This day is all that
is good and fair. It is too dear,
with its hopes and invitations, to
waste a moment on yesterdays.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson