Upcoming Events
GLBT Support Group
First Tuesdays
The National Multiple
Sclerosis Society, Minnesota Chapter, in collaboration with the
Metropolitan Center for Independent Living, is offering a gay,
lesbian, bisexual and transgender support group for people living
with a chronic illness or disability.
Metropolitan Center
for Independent Living
1919 University Ave. W.
St. Paul
6 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month.
FFI: No
charge to attend. Sheila at sheilaf@mcil-mn.org or
Jeff at 612-335-7951, 1-800-FIGHT-MS or jfisher@mssociety.org ![]()
Disability Activist and Ethicist Gregor Wolbring
April 11 - 13
The Program in Human Rights and Health (U of MN) hosts Dr. Gregor
Wolbring (U of Calgary) for three events exploring technology, dis/ability,
and social values. Who is Wolbring?
“I am a thalidomider and a wheelchair user. I am a biochemist
and a bioethicist. I am a scientist and an activist. I work on issues
related to bioethics, health research, disabled and other margin-alized
people’s and human rights, governance of science and technology
and evaluation of new and emerging technologies. […] I believe
that a wide- open public debate on how the above issues affect society
and marginalized groups is the only way to develop safeguards against
abuse.”
Loring Pasta Bar (Dinkytown)
327 14th Ave SE
Minneaplois
Wednesday, April 11, 7:30 p.m.
Admission is
$5
Nanomedicine to Synthetic
biology: What does it mean to be healthy?
Explore with Wolbring
how new technology may impact the concepts of health, disability
and values. (Co-organizer: Bell Museum’s
Café Scientifique)
MoosTower 2-530 (U of MN)
515 Delaware St. SE
Minneapolis
Thursday, April 12, 7 p.m.
Event is free
From nanotechnology to synthetic
biology, From curative to enhancement medicine, From disability studies
to ability studies . . .? NBICS* triggered paradigm changes and responses
needed. (*NBICS = Nano, Bio, Info, Cogno, Synbio)
How will new technologies
change paradigms of “normal” for
human functioning, medicine, dis/ability, and social values? What
dangers?
Coffman Memorial Union 222 (U of MN)
300 Washington Ave. SE
Minneapolis
Friday,
April 13, 12:15 p.m.
Event is free
United
Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: What
it can and cannot do and threats it faces. (Co-organizer:
Disabled Students Cultural Center)
Find out more about
Wolbring: Web column: “The Choice is Yours”
www.innovationwatch.
com/ Blog: www.wolbring.wordpress.com.
Webpage: www.bioethicsanddisability.org.
FFI on these three events:
Kirk Allison at 612-626-6559, phrh@umn.edu ![]()
Wings Spring Retreat
April 14
Wings, a ministry for the
disabled by the disabled, is hosting its annual spring retreat: a
time of teaching and putting what we learn into action. Wings is
part of GMAE (Greater Minnesota Association of Evangelicals). Katy
Thuleen of Joni and Friends is the featured speaker.
Cedar Valley Assembly
of God Church
Bloomington
11:00 a.m. to
3:00 p.m.
$3
(includes lunch) and open to all.
FFI: Maynard Bostrom, GMAE
612-866-0642-O. 507-252-8553 or 507-990-2683 ![]()
Food Allergy Conference
April 21
The conference will address
medical issues surrounding life-threatening food allergies, celiac
diseases, and eosinophilic disorders. Open to all. Hosted by the
Anaphylaxis and Food Allergy Association of Minnesota (AFAA). CEUs
available for nurses and teachers.
U of M Radisson
615 Washington
Avenue SE,
Minneapolis
Registration: 8:30 a.m., Conference 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Pre-reg :$25 individual/$40
family (same-day: $35/$50).
FFI, brochure, registration,
CEU info: 651- 644-5937, afaa@att.net, www.foodallergyconference.org ![]()
Family Leadership Summit
April 21
PACER sponsored summit
for parents of children with special health care needs or other
disabilities who want to gain leadership skills and improve outcomes
for children with special needs in the community. It also is for
Minnesota parents who serve (or would like to serve) on state,
county, or local advisory committees in the areas of education,
health, or human services.
PACER Center
8161 Normandale
Blvd.
Bloomington
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Event is free.
Advance registration
requested.
FFI: PACER, 952-838-9000,
952-838-0190 (TTY), 800-537-2237, www.pacer.org ![]()
Warm Water Physical Therapy Forum
April 24 and 25
Learn about aquatic physical therapy practices,
benefits, outcomes and appropriateness. Discover the many benefits
of Watsu, a complimentary therapy in the warm water pool, with slow
methodical stretching and floating to relieve pain and stress.
Courage St Croix
1460
Curve Crest Blvd.
Stillwater
April 24, 8 to 10:30 a.m.
Courage Center
3915
Golden Valley Road
Minneapolis
April 25, 4 to 6:30
p.m.
$45 ($50 day of event). CEUs
available.
FFI, or to register for
CEUs: www.courage.org, 763-520-0395 ![]()
Social Security Forum
April 27
Social Security (SS) is a crucial government benefit program
for many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
But with so many SS programs, it’s important to know which
ones are right for you and your family. Speaker Jim Czechowicz of
the Social Security Administration will explain Supplemental Security
Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Retirement,
Survivors and Disability Insurance (RSDI).
Christ the King
Lutheran Church
8600 Fremont Ave. S.
Bloomington
1:00
to 3:00 p.m.
$15. Registration deadline:
April 23.
FFI: Nancy Holgers at The
Learning Exchange, 952-681-6107, nholgers@bloomington.k12.mn.us ![]()
15th
Annual Reach for Resources Bowl-A-Thon
April 28
Join us for a fabulous
morning of bowling and fun! Bowlers
of all abilities are invited to collect pledges and come bowl
with us to raise money for Reach for Resources services that assist
people with developmental disabilities. Prizes for top pledge
gatherers and top bowling scores. Non-bowlers welcome. Cost: Minimum
pledge to bowl—$40. Lunch only—$15.
New Hope Bowl
7107 -
42nd Ave. N.
New Hope
9:30
a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
FFI: Cyndi Bade, 952-988-4177 ![]()
Como Park Carousel
May 1 through Summer
The historic Cafesjian's
Carousel graced the Minnesota State Fair for 75 years (and was
in downtown St. Paul for a few years) before moving to its current
location in 2000. The carousel's 68 horses and two chariots have
been fully restored to the way they looked when new in 1914, and
a fully restored band organ plays waltzes, marches and popular
tunes.
Summer hours: T-F, 11-4,
S/S: 11-6. Fall hours: S/S 11-4. Infants free; all other riders
$1.50.
FFI: 651-489-4628, www.ourfaircarousel.org ![]()
Suicide Prevention Seminar
May 10
Interfaith Network for Mental Health (INMH) is sponsoring a forum
entitled, "Suicide Awareness, Suicide Prevention: Resources
for Individuals, Families and Congregations." Those who
attend will learn signs of suicidal behavior and thinking, strategies
for preventing suicide and community resources available for support.
For location and further details: www.disability-awareness.org or call Ron Cottone at Disability Awareness Ministries, Inc. 612-230-3264, ron.cottone@disability-awareness.org ![]()
Self-Advocacy Conference
Urges People
with Disabilities to ‘Lead. Change. Empower.’
Comedian Josh Blue headlines Friday
evening program
May 18 - 19
People with disabilities and their allies from around the state are
invited to make connections and develop their self-advocacy skills
at the 2007 Minnesota Self-Advocacy Conference May 18-19 at the Crowne
Plaza St. Paul Riverfront Hotel, 11 E. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul.
This year’s event is titled, “Lead. Change. Empower.” It
will feature 52 workshops on expanding personal power, getting involved
in political change and building self-advocacy groups. Self-advocacy
is a civil rights movement led by people with developmental and other
disabilities and their allies, who work together to break down barriers
to full inclusion and to promote equal rights and access in all aspects
of society.
Headlining Friday evening’s program is comedian Josh Blue,
winner of the 2006 Last Comic Standing. After his performance, there
will be a dance featuring live music by local band “The Source.”
The cost is $75 for
both days and $25 for youth age 21 and under, including support
staff attending Friday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. only. The cost includes
all activities, parking, lunch on Friday and Saturday, the Friday
banquet and Saturday hors d’oeuvres. The cost does
not include hotel room or breakfasts.
The registration deadline is May 7. For conference questions and
registration, visit www.selfadvocacy.org or contact Kathy Sanders
at 651-641-0297 or via e-mail at act@self
advocacy.org. To make hotel
reservations, call 651- 292-1900. There is a special Self-Advocacy
Conference room rate of $118.65 for reservations made before April
23. ![]()
Art-A-Whirl
May 18 - 20
The annual, self-guided tour
to individual studios, art buildings and galleries in Northeast Minneapolis
features work by hundreds of artists in painting, photography, sculpture,
mosaics, mixed media, wood, glass, textiles, ceramics, jewelry and
more. Kickoff party May 18.
Casket Arts Building
1700
Madison St. NE
Minneapolis
Friday, May 18: 5 – 10 p.m.
Saturday, May 19: noon – 8 p.m.
Sunday,
May 20, noon – 5 p.m.
Sponsored by the Northeast
Minneapolis Arts Association (NEMAA). Don't miss this art extravaganza!
FFI: www.nemaa.org ![]()
Franciscan Retreat
May 18 - 20
All are welcome to take part
in this retreat for people with disabilities. Also needed: Coordinator
and volunteers.
Franciscan Retreats
Prior Lake
Begins Friday
3:00-8:30 p.m.
FFI: Call Clarence
Schadegg, 612-798-5178, clarence.schadegg@comcast.net or at
952-447-2182, www.franciscanretreats.net ![]()
Return to Work Forum
July 18
A panel presentation to discuss
how chronic pain and disability affect a person's return-to-work,
rehabilitation, and vocational training. Hear from individuals
experiencing return-to-work issues and experts who help clear this
often difficult pathway.
Courage
Center
3915 Golden Valley Road
Minneapolis
4 to 6:30 p.m.
$45 ($50 day of
event)
FFI or to register
for CEUs: www.courage.org, 763-520-0395 ![]()
