Meet Kate. This avid Packers fan uses self-determination to live life to the fullest. She has been involved in all sorts of advocacy activities, and she loves connecting with others and hearing their stories. Volunteering is very important to her and she has rung bells for Salvation Army for over 30 years. She encourages everyone to make sure to do research on all the candidates, and be sure to vote! We are so fortunate to have her as a member of the Network.

What's your story?  Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Kate is a twenty-four-seven Green Bay Packer fan for life! She shares that in 1990, a virus caused her brain to swell, loss of memory, balance, sense of direction, etc…  “It made my so-called normal life of almost forty years a real mess,” she tells us! Though it’s been a lot of hard work, her doctor fortunately sent her to Curative Connections Brain Injury and Wellness Day Program in Green Bay, WI when she was out of rehabilitation. She uses a wheelchair, so she says she rolls! She’s thankful to have a sound mind and able to make a difference. She lives outside of Denmark, which is about only fifteen minutes east side of Green Bay. She’s very fortunate to be able to live at home with one of her sisters and they help each other! 

What does Self-Determination mean to you? Why is it important?

To Kate, self-determination means using information and friends to allow one to become more independent. She explains that online and on Facebook you can meet many individuals and hear their stories. It’s important to have a good support system. A few years ago, she was invited to join Partners in Policy Making! Transportation is an issue for many, but with covid it was online, so she didn’t need to travel. It was an awesome learning experience for her! She was interested in what was going on with politics and politicians that affect people with disabilities, but had no clue she could make a difference! 

Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms of self-determination?

Kate shares that attending the Self-Determination Conferences in WI Dells has also opened her ability to meet more people and have awesome adventures! Her very favorite is finding out about My Team Triumph! “Before covid hit, they were at the conference, and I was able to ride one of the three wheeled chairs – I was hooked immediately,” she explains! Since then, she has been the captain of several teams of angels running in the Bellin Run and Packer 5k in Green Bay, WI. “It is so amazing being right next to the runners who are trying to improve their personal times, being high-fived and encouraged to continue! When you depend on a wheelchair and mostly feel short, these runners make you feel your full height,” she says.  

 What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?

Kate explains that it’s easy to think “someone else will take care of everything.” She’s so happy she became involved in caring about what is going on in Wisconsin politics. It has really changed her life! Voting has always been important to her, but now she understands how important it is to do your research on the candidates and if they are aware of people with disabilities. https://www.VOTE411.org, gives you the information to make wise choices, and compare candidates that are going to make a difference or not make a difference in your district. She says, “there are other sources as well, get involved, you don’t have run for office, but you will find whatever interests you and want to make a difference – you can…”    

What are some of your hobbies?

Kate explains that she that found after she was less able to do physical things all the time, she had an amazing gift for writing rhyming poetry! She continues to bring a great deal of happiness to many. She also enjoys making greeting cards on her computer. She likes going on Facebook to keep up with some of my nieces and nephews who live in different states. “I have only a hundred friends and these people all are important to me, I don’t just friend anyone,” she tells us.

She also enjoys going outside with her power wheelchair, planting flowers, and feeding the cats that live in our machine shed! Volunteering is near and dear to her heart! She volunteers at Curative Connections and, for about thirty years with friends and family members, she has enjoyed ringing Bells for the Salvation Army. “I enjoy every day and love to have fun 😉 I feel it is very important to give back and be thankful… Live well,” she exclaims!  

 ***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.

Nine in 10 older adults experience everyday ageism, yet it is rarely talked about. Ageism is deeply embedded in health care, with nearly 20% of Americans aged 50 and older saying they have experienced age-related discrimination in health care settings, which can result in inappropriate or inadequate care.

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After steep gains since 2020, state Medicaid agencies expect Medicaid enrollment to begin to decline in FY 2023, following the expiration of the COVID-19 public health emergency, which most states assumed would occur during FY 2023. This report provides an in-depth examination of the changes taking place in Medicaid programs across the country. 

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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is opening a 30-day public comment period on its updated benchmarks for nonresidential provider settings. This public comment period is in accordance with federal requirements.

Find more information about the updated benchmarks on the DHS website.

Give your input

The materials available for public comment are the Benchmark Guides for Home and Community-Based Services Settings Rule: Nonresidential Provider Settings. They show the measures DHS uses to determine if nonresidential provider settings are in compliance with federal rules.

Public comment is an opportunity to support or rebut Wisconsin’s updated benchmarks for nonresidential provider settings.

Submit your comments by November 28, 2022, in one of the following ways:

• Email your comments to DHS at dhsltcpubliccomment@dhs.wisconsin.gov
• Mail your written comments to:
  Division of Medicaid Services
  Bureau of Quality Oversight
  Attn: Public Comments – Benchmarks for Nonresidential Provider Settings
  PO Box 309
  Madison, WI 53701-0309
  

ANCOR has measured the impact of the direct support workforce crisis on community providers and their ability to provide high-quality community-based services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Although our research indicates that this was a significant challenge long before the COVID-19 pandemic, data from the 2022 State of America’s Direct Support Workforce Crisis confirms that these problems have not only been amplified by the pandemic but are also at the root of service and program closures, service launch delays, struggles adhering to quality standards and more. The results of our 2022 survey reveal that this workforce emergency is now to the point of denying access to services and further threatening the quality of services for people with I/DD.

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We want to congratulate this year's Diehard Award winners who were recognized at the Self-Determination Conference. These individuals received a Diehard Award for going above and beyond in supporting the lives of people with disabilities. Please help us congratulate and thank these people for their outstanding advocacy efforts:

• Ramsey Lee
• Emily Savage
• Jenny Felty
• Lisa Schneider
• Lisa Sobczyk

As climate-related disasters become more common and more severe, most countries in the world are “neglecting their obligations to respect, protect, and fulfill the rights of persons with disabilities in their responses to the climate crisis,” according to a report from the Disability Inclusive Climate Action Research Program.

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