Access Press wishes Happy Holidays to all of our readers! It’s hard to believe another year has passed. This year has brought us many sorrows we’ve lost many fellow Americans and too many good friends. The friends we’ve lost would suggest to us to look at what we have and not what we’ve lost. We’ve much to celebrate.
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AXIS Healthcare could certainly change the way we look at healthcare. As it is now, we often fail to treat medical problems until after they’ve become serious ones. If AXIS is successful, we could go a long way toward creating an environment where, in coordination of medical services, quick response is the norm. This could result in a much healthier disability community.
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This month, David Skilbred gives us a look at his first year as Executive Director of the Minnesota State Council on Disabilities. David gives us a fresh look at the mission of the State Council and how it’s changed since he’s been there. David touches on some of the accomplishments of the Council, and other lobbying organizations, from the last legislative session. Also, another source for information provided by the Minnesota State Council is their website at www.disability.state.mn.us.
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Beth Zabel of New Ulm contributes an article on page 3 this month explaining the Minnesota AgrAbility Project. It’s a joint project involving Goodwill/Easter Seals and the Minnesota Extension Service. This project keeps our farmers who have become disabled from having to move off the farm, where they want to be. The small family-run farm is becoming extinct. Maybe this project can keep a few of our local Minnesota disabled farmers where we need them in the fields and producing healthy, abundant crops. Thank you, Beth! And thank you to the Minnesota farmers.
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This month, Kendra J. Hines makes her writing debut in Access Press. Kendra is a student at Augsburg College and attended the Hadamar exhibit. I was introduced to her by Professor Susan O’Connor, who spoke about how Kendra was
interested in getting more involved in the disability community outside the College. I suggested that Kendra write the article about the exhibit and she did a great job check it out on page 6. School work permitting, you may see more of her writing in AP. Thank you, Kendra.
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Access Press is making some internal changes. We are expanding the Board of Directors and saying goodbye to one of our long-time board members. I am eager to get to know the new board members better. At the same time, it saddens me to say goodbye to Bill Dessert, a person who, in a very short time, has become a very good friend and confidant.
Our first board meeting with the new members will be shortly after this issue hits the streets. Below, the new board members introduce themselves. Welcome aboard!
One of the new board members, Lolly Lijewski, will be leaving her culture column while she serves on the Board.
However, Lolly assures me that the column will be left in good hands.
