News
Meet Dean. This fun-loving grandpa loves to volunteer and help people in any way he can. He’s been involved in disability advocacy for many years and doesn’t let his health conditions stop him from living life the way he wants to. We are so fortune to have him as part of the Network.
What's your story? Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Dean has had disabilities most of his life, but he doesn’t let them stop him from living life the way he wants to. He shares that he was diagnosed with orthopedic problems and fibromyalgia when he was young. He also has type 2 diabetes, asthma, and heart disease. He has survived three strokes, two heart attacks and several other medical problems as he got older. He’s losing his hearing and uses a TTY phone. He explains that he is learning to read lips and is planning on learning sign language. Some of his conditions are chronic and may never get better, but he knows giving up isn’t an option. “I am very motivated to do things I’m told I can’t do or may not be able to do. I love to prove people wrong when I can,” he says.
In 1985, Dean started business college hoping to study electronics, but ended up taking a slight detour into small business management and then supervisory management. “A very good example of where my life took several detours along the way on my journey in life. I never considered the detours I have taken any type of problem, but a great opportunity to grow and learn so much more,” he says. He thinks he learns so more from living his crazy life everyday than any classroom lesson could ever teach him. He considers himself a lifelong learner.
Dean is a very creative, spontaneous and adventurous person. He has a married daughter and two wonderful grandchildren. He also has several other people’s children who call him dad and grandchildren who have adopted him as grandpa.
How are you involved with self-determination? Why did you join the SD Network?
Dean has been involved in disability advocacy for many years. He got involved with the advocacy with his involvement with People First in the 80s, then with Systems Change Network in Iowa, and then with several other organizations. He’s currently a participant representative on the IRIS advisory committee for the last seven years.
Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms self-determination?
Dean is excited that he was recently reappointed to the IRIS Advisory Committee for another year until December 2021 by the Wisconsin Department of Health and Human Services.
What are some of your hobbies?
Dean has many hobbies that he loves to do. He believes in volunteering and giving back to my community and other organizations. Currently, he helps manage and operate a church and several non-profit organizations. He enjoys doing photography and videography which are things that he learned in high school. He’s also an amateur radio operator for KC9TMG.
***We love hearing the views and opinions of Network members. We need to mention that the views and opinions expressed on this site are those of the person who is sharing them. They do not necessarily reflect InControl Wisconsin or any of our supporters and funders.
Each year, WalletHub publishes a report ranking the best and worst cities in the US for people with disabilities. The overall ranking is based on three categories : Economy, Quality of Life, and Health Care. Scottsdale, AZ and St. Louis, MO ranked best. Milwaukee and Madison made the top 100.
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES: Governor's Task Force on Caregiving: Report on Recommendations
By SD Network, 2020-10-02
A report from the Governor’s Task Force on Caregiving, presenting their policy recommendations, is now available. The report details the process and recommendations developed to address the charges in Executive Order #11 and improve conditions for family caregivers and paid direct care workers.
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: COVID-19 and the Disability Vote
By SD Network, 2020-10-02
The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) has published a nonpartisan policy report COVID-19 and the Disability Vote, urging federal, state, and local governments to take immediate action and ensure that voters can cast a ballot safely, accessibly, and securely in the 2020 general election. This report explores how COVID-19 has both created and worsened a variety of accessibility barriers that disenfranchise voters with disabilities.
THE HILL: COVID-19 shows us health care rights require legislation — despite the ADA
By SD Network, 2020-10-02
As the pandemic continued, the American with Disabilities Act turned 30. Many people think one thing became clear - - reality falls short of the law. COVID-19 has made clear health care rights for people with disabilities are far from equal. There are several different examples of this.. This article explains some of the problems.
THE NEW YORK TIMES: ‘A Failed System’: What It’s Like to Vote With a Disability During a Pandemic
By SD Network, 2020-10-02
As we all know, there is a presidential election coming up in November. In any election, voting often present challenges for many people with disabilities. Add a pandemic to the situation and the challenges are even more. Everything from voting place accessibility, to not getting accessible mail-in ballots, there are many issues for people with disabilities.
ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING: New Funding Opportunity from the National Paralysis Resource Center for Addressing Social Isolation During the COVID-19 Pandemic
By SD Network, 2020-10-02
ACL's National Paralysis Resource Center (managed by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation) is announcing a new funding opportunity for organizations and agencies that serve people living with any type of paralysis. A special $300,000 Quality of Life (QOL) grant program was just created to address social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. As we all continue to practice the COVID-19 safety guidelines, we must remember social distancing becomes harmful when it turns into social isolation. The goal of this opportunity is to enhance connectedness of people living with paralysis and their caregivers to their communities in combating social isolation.
They seek to support programs and projects to:
- Connect isolated individuals and foster engagement and connection (examples may be virtual support groups, online activities to support stress management, online adaptive physical activity and health promotion programs, art sessions, gaming, and more);
- Adapt services or create new services to support family caregivers;
- Facilitate connection through the use of technology (such as increasing Internet access, technology loan closets, and more);
- Provide opportunities for online volunteering;
- Strengthen or build social networks; and
- Provide access to tools and resources to help people remain connected and engaged.
Quality of Life (QOL) grants are federally funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living (ACL). Organizations that have previously been awarded a Quality of Life grant in any category may re-apply for funding one year following the close of their grant and notification of grant closure by the Reeve Foundation.
Submit Letters of Intent to QOL@ChristopherReeve.org with the subject line “LOI: COVID-19 Grants.” Selected organizations will be invited to submit a full application.
The National Paralysis Resource Center anticipates awarding six to 10 grants within the range of $25,000 - $50,000. Letters of Intent are due October 13 and full applications are due Wednesday, October 30.
Visit the website for more details on this funding opportunity.
The Foundation is no longer able to provide individual pre-award assistance either by telephone or email. However, they welcome questions about the application process to QOL@ChristopherReeve.org.
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