Stacys Journal: State Budget Proposal

By now, Im sure many of you have heard about how Governor Walkers biennial budget proposal would affect people with disabilities. Ill be the first to admit Im not big into politics, so when I first heard rumors about the proposed cuts, I wasnt overly concerned. However, when I kept hearing about the impact it would have on people with disabilities, I decided to take a closer look. I was appalled by what I found! I strongly encourage you to take a look at the information that is on Wisconsin Budget Proposal page.

After learning how the proposed budget would impact my life, I decided I needed to take action. After emailing my legislators and sending a letter to Governor Walker, I contacted my hometown newspaper, The Fond du Lac Reporter. They agreed to let me write a commentary on the topic. I really encourage you to share your thoughts and opinions about the budget proposal on the Network too.

Cuts will significantly affect people with disabilities

I'm 29 years old and live in Oshkosh.

I have a bachelor of arts degree in journalism with an emphasis in advertising from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. I live by myself in an apartment and am able to handle my own finances.

I started my own business doing freelance graphic design and social media. I'm also independently contracted with In Control Wisconsin and work as their online community network manager.

This probably doesn't seem like anything out of the ordinary until I share that I have a severe physical disability. Due to complications at birth, I have Athetoid Cerebral Palsy. I rely on an electric wheelchair to get around and use a communication device to communicate. I need assistance with all of my basic needs such as bathing, toileting, dressing and feeding.

I've been in the IRIS Include, Respect, I Self-Direct program for just over four years. I self-direct everything from my personal cares to my finances. Having control over everything and being able to self-direct my care has made me as independent as I can be.

Having independence is so important for people with similar situations like mine. Being able to have choices about which service providers we want to use and to decide where and how our funding is used is critical to our independence.

IRIS is a long-term care program financed with state and federal funds. Participants self-direct their supports. This means they have choice and control over which service providers they use and how funds are spent. It provides opportunities to create efficient use of tax dollars through small local personal control.

In Gov. Scott Walker's proposed budget, it suggests that the IRIS program be eliminated. Individuals using the IRIS will reportedly be moved to a proposed less flexible, larger government-driven model. IRIS is a smaller-government, locally controlled model that respects Wisconsin citizens' ability to make responsible decisions.

Eliminating the IRIS program would drastically impact my life in a negative way. It would take away independence that I continue to strive for. After years of self-directing everything myself, having other people dictate how my money is spent and what providers I use would be a huge slap in the face. People who want to self-direct their funding and supports should be able to continue to do so.

Furthermore, the proposed budget suggests major cuts in funding for personal care. Many people with disabilities myself included could not survive without personal care assistance. I'm not able to even take a sip of water without help.

Cutting personal care funds would significantly affect the lives of people with disabilities. We, as human beings, should have the right to the care we need so we can lead as successful lives as possible.

So, I kindly ask that legislators keep how it would affect the lives of people with disabilities in mind while considering the budget proposal. We're not asking you to move mountains. We just want to have the appropriate supports so we can live our lives to the fullest.

Stacy Ellingen is a former Fond du Lac resident now living independently in Oshkosh.

The views expressed here are strictly those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of InControl Wisconsin, the Network or any of our sponsors.

Stacys Journal: Introduction

Hi! My name is Stacy Ellingen. As many of you may know, Im the Online Community Network Manager for In-Control Wisconsin. In hopes initiating more conversation among our communities, Im going to be journaling about some of my personal experiences and thoughts about different topics related to the networks. By doing this, I hope it will inspire and encourage you to share some of your experiences as well.

To begin, I thought Id tell you a little bit about myself. Im 29 years old and Im from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. I have a Bachelors of Arts degree in Journalism with an emphasis in Advertising from UW-Whitewater. In addition to being a Network Manager for In Control, I also started my own business doing freelance graphic design and social media. My journey to employment was pretty incredible, but that will be another whole journal entry.

Due to complications at birth, I have Athetoid Cerebral Palsy. I use a power wheelchair to get around and a communication device to communicate. I need assistance with all of my basic needs such as bathing, dressing, toileting, and feeding. I live in my own apartment in Oshkosh and have care givers come in to assist me a couple of times per day.

Having a disability isnt easy by any means, but its not the worst thing in the world. Ive learned the importance of self-determination and self-advocacy over the years. I wouldnt be where I am today if I didnt advocate for myself. Many of us continue to have to fight the system in order to receive the supports we need to lead successful lives. I feel that its my responsibility to advocate for those who arent able to.

Im looking forward to sharing some of my experiences with you. My hope is that this will lead to good conversation. I encourage you to ask questions and share your story as well. We can learn so much from each other. That is what networking is all about!

The ABLE Act

The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act (H.R. 647/S.313) gives peoplewith disabilities and their families a way to save for things like college,retirement, transportation, therapies, and other life Events without affectingtheir public benefits.

The ABLE Act aims to lift this financial burden on families by allowing for thecreation of tax-free savings accounts for individuals with disabilities. WhileCongressional support for the ABLE Act has been strong, it is unclear whetherCongress will pass this bill in its late fall session. Please contact yourCongressional representatives now to share your opinion about the ABLE Act.

Use this link to find out who has signed onto the ABLE Act from WI.https://www.aucd.org/template/news.cfm?news_id=9395&parent=278&parent_title=Social%20Security&url=/template/page.cfm?id%3D278

Find your U.S. Congress senators and representative in Wisconsin
<https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/WI> and how to contact them.

This is a great article in theWauwatosa Now written by Rory Linnane about a man's dream to build an athletic and rec place designed for people with physical disabilities. His motivation for trying to get this going is amazing.

Wauwatosa man's dream 'Ability Center' could have $15 million annual impact, study finds

By Rory Linnane

Wauwatosa resident Damian Buchman knows he is a medical anomaly, having twice survived bone cancer in his legs as a young teenager. That's why he's dedicated his career to helping other people with disabilities lead healthier lives.

"The fact that I'm standing on my own two feet is part of my blessing," Buchman said. "This is part of my service for surviving."

His goal:The Ability Center, an athletic and recreational facility designed specifically for people with disabilities. The ambitious project has been several years in the making, but TAC is gaining more traction recently after securing nearly $1 million in donations and completing studies that attest to its economic feasibility and impact.

"These studies are showing this is real, and we could be a leader in this arena, as opposed to someone who adapts and follows," said TAC board member Diane Braza, who is chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Buchman hopes to build the 4.5-acre center at the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center, where doctors and researchers could use it for studies and for rehabilitating patients.

Studies show promise

TAC's economic feasibility study, prepared by Sports Facilities Advisory, gave the project a thumbs up for viability due to the lack of accessible facilities in the area, the central location of the MRMC, local partnerships, and market demand for court sports.

The economic impact study, by Leib Advisors, estimated TAC could generate about $15 million in economic activity per year. That includes TAC expenses, spending by TAC visitors, and the secondary spending that occurs as a result of these visitors (like hotels buying more cleaning supplies to accommodate more guests).

Much of this impact depends on TAC being an international draw for big competitions like the Special Olympics, which is Buchman's goal. The facility plans include a track, fitness center, climbing wall, several pools, 12 volleyball courts, and six basketball courts. All sports would have accommodations for different disabilities, such as wheelchair basketball andgoal ball, a sport designed for people with blindness.

Leib Advisors estimated the average visitor to TAC would spend about $339 locally per 24 hours, including lodging, transportation, retail and entertainment. In the first year, the study estimates visitors to the facility will spend about $4.5 million in the area.

Buchman hopes these studies will help his case as he works to gain the support of the MRMC and Milwaukee County Board, as the land is owned by the county. His goal is to get a plot of land at the MRMC approved for TAC next June.

Bob Simi, recently hired as MRMC's new executive director, said he supported the Buchman's idea, but noted that land on the medical campus is highly competitive.

"It's extremely valuable property," Simi said. "We will have to give it thorough due diligence to see if it's the right location."

Collaboration key

Buchman said the MRMC location is ideal because of the potential collaborations with medical facilities, and the attractive location for both disabled and able-bodied members.

Buchman said TAC could be a living laboratory for students and professors who are studying and designing products for rehabilitation.

Braza, a SpineCare physician, said the facility could help many of her patients exercise who otherwise would struggle to stay fit.

"There's a real health concern about keeping people with disabilities active," she said. "Many of our patients would benefit from the accommodations, like an adaptive yoga program."

Buchman also hopes to build bridges with the able-bodied public. He's counting on them buying memberships to help fund scholarships on sliding scales for disabled members. Disabled people are more likely to live in poverty, and fitness options for them can be much more expensive.

"Your shoes are your wheelchair and that wheelchair is $2,500," Buchman said.

He envisions people with and without disabilities playing sports side-by-side, for once on equal playing fields in a place that's not just designed to accommodate disabilities, but created to welcome them.

"It's a pride and dignity thing," Buchman said. "Have a lot of them gotten used to not having that universal design? Sure. But is it right? Here, they will feel welcome, wanted and comfortable."

For more information on The Ability Center, visitwww.tacwi.org.

Source: http://www.wauwatosanow.com/news/wauwatosa-mans-dream-ability-center-could-have-15-million-annual-impact-study-finds-b99393042z1-283213501.html

Hi! My name is Stacy Ellingen. I am the new Community Network Manager for the Self Determination Network and the Employment Network. I am a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and have knowledge about services, resources, etc there are available for people with disabilities. Personally speaking, I have experienced and overcame many challenges and barriers. Im hoping to be able to use my experiences to help others. Over the last few years, Ive learned the benefits of networking both on a personal and professional level. I believe networking is a key to success not only to those who happen to have disabilities, but for all people. Please feel free to send me your thoughts, ideas, and questions. I look forward to getting to know you!