January 10, 2008 at 7:02 a.m.
It's grassroots passion like Chisago Lakes Achievement Center clients have that slowly builds to a global level
It's grassroots passion like Chisago Lakes Achievement Center clients have that slowly builds to a global level
December 3 was the International Day of the Disabled at the UN and it served as the launch for the "manual" containing information about the UN rights convention.
ACT of Minnesota will pilot the entire training curriculum in Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota in 2008, according to the Access Press, Dec. 10 issue.
The Minnesota group that actually went to New York City --Advocating Change Together-- was formed in 1979. ACT promotes basic civil and human rights for disabled persons. ACT's involvement at the United Nations led to the globalization of equal rights for disabled persons in spring of 2007. But, in 1973, six years before ACT even came together, the Chisago Lakes Achievement Center was already an incubator of advocates for the disabled. It was only natural then that the Achievement Center would partner with ACT to perfect training programs, brainstorm every day issues that need to be addressed and serve as a resource for real life situations.
Clients and staff at the Chisago City center are of course thrilled that they, through ACT, played such a major role in affirming rights for disabled citizens worldwide.
One of Chisago Lakes Achievement Center's original clients, Dorothy, was joined last week by Alan, Chris, John and Becky to talk about how the United Nations treaty affects them and how their actions over the last few years gave sustenance to the treaty process.
Their individual life stories can be painful to hear, but as a group they have found power and meaning in their adversity.
One client calmly describes how drugs her mother used before she was born damaged her. In reporting an abusive homelife to the authorities when she was just 14 years of age, she was already standing up for disabled persons' rights. Barely into her teens she not only fought for a new adoptive mother, she understood the importance of speaking out for herself.
Another Achievement Center client takes medications for illness and to control seizures. He says he was misunderstood in public schools and felt like an outcast. It wasn't until he moved into a group home and got diagnosed that he was able to find his voice. He's now the president of the CLAC group People First.
Another client was born in a state institution, her mother and grandmother were also hospitalized, and she spent much of her life in state facilities and foster homes. Another group member acquired his disability following a near-fatal medical condition as an infant. As one of the founding members of People First and the group's first president, John speaks from firsthand experience how Vulnerable Adult and other legal protections have reduced incidents of abuse and neglect of disabled persons.
None of these Achievement Center clients had a say in being disabled-- but they are having a say now.
Through the local disabled rights organization "People First" these local residents played a big part in a global rights movement that culminated in the United Nations action. They also have issues they continue to work on. One is the proper disposal of needles and other "sharps." Disabled people are often employed in custodial jobs and they have a big concern about encountering diabetics' needles or needles tossed into wastebins by drug users. They plan to work to see laws requiring proper sharps receptacles in public places.
Sue Wehrenberg, CLAC staff member, said it has been exciting to be able to give people a voice who otherwise find it difficult to speak for themselves.
The Achievement Center, through People First, helps the local disabled members set goals, find available services and reach out to the community. They started with about six members and now a well-attended meeting can attract 60 to 70 people.
Wehrenberg said the group's key motivations are community service (they do a roadside cleanup and support food shelves), and also promoting awareness and leadership on disabled issues.
Chisago Lakes Achievement Center clients have lobbied at the state capitol and worked on laws like voting rights (2003) for improving lives of disabled persons. They also credited former state Rep. Peter Nelson and former Secretary of State Kiffmeyer with being very involved a few years ago.
People First is the largest group of its type in this part of the state, said Wehrenberg.
The Minnesota Governor's Council on Disabilities is the administrative arm for these organizations. The group meets the third Friday of the month. For details about guest speakers or program information call the CLAC at 257-6709. Anyone with a passion advocating for rights of disabled people is welcome to get involved.
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