During a long career as a
champion for the disability community, Michael Bjerkesett has worked
to improve the lives of others. Friends, family and colleagues surprised
Bjerkesett at the Brooklyn Park Northland Inn June 19, in an event
with plenty of roasting and toasting. Watching the video made about
his life and accomplishments was a highlight of the evening for Bjerkesett
and those who know him
Back in the 1960’s
Bjerkesett made a name for himself in Minnesota sports history.
He played football, baseball, and hockey at Fridley High School.
His feats were often covered in the local news. Bjerkesett was
named All Conference and All State as a defensive tackle for the
Fridley Tigers football team.
During college Bjerkesett
found himself in the newspaper yet again: A momentary dozing at
the wheel by the driver of a car he was in brought permanent paralysis
to Mike from his shoulders to his toes. The car went off the road
June 8 and rolled over, causing back injuries that required a spinal
fusion. Mike had just finished his second year at Bemidji State
College… The elder Bjerkesett reports his son’s
morale is high, partly due to a host of friends that visit with him
and send him plenty of mail. His arms are not paralyzed so he is
confident of being able to operate a wheelchair when his spine is
healed.
After Bjerkesett finished
his rehabilitation at North Memorial Hospital, he attended Southwest
Minnesota State College. “There were a
lot of disabled [at Southwest] who had been in chairs a lot longer
than myself. They helped me a lot,” said Bjerkesett.
Bjerkesett graduated
with a degree in Business Administration and Psychology. In his
first full-time job, Bjerkesett counseled others in the rehabilitation
program at North Memorial Medical Center. “All
the babes in the place were hanging around him…He was a studly
dude,” said a former hospital co-worker.
In 1973 Bjerkesett left
North Memorial to form the United Handicapped Federation (UHF),
a social action organization which linked together 19 disability
groups in Minnesota. He served as the UHF’s first
executive director. “Our first priority was to educate the public.
We wanted people to know that the issues of the disabled were immediate
and urgent… The issues included accessible transportation, building
accessibility, employment, healthcare, and aging,” said a former
UHF staff member.
UHF became a highly
regarded organization under Bjerke-sett’s
leadership. “I can’t praise enough the work of the United
Handicapped Federation; because of their effort, opportunities have
opened up to all the disabled. How nice to drive up to the entryway
of a shopping center and see a sign in the closest parking area, Reserved
for Handicapped,” said Doris Nelson from Minnesota in her book
Through a Looking Glass.
Bjerkesett began a new
endeavor in 1975, the National Handicap Housing Institute. He wanted
to develop accessible affordable housing for low-income adults
with physical disabilities. “He was able to find government
funding to start his business and become successful while giving people
with disabilities an opportunity for independent living,” said
a colleague and former tenant. The non-profit organization has developed
more than 2,000 accessible apartments.
In 2006 Bjerkesett was nominated for the National Spinal Cord Injury
Association Hall of Fame Award as a corporate executive. “While
I feel Bjerkesett hasn’t achieved the acclaim he deserves, few
people have had more influence in directly changing the lives of so
many (in the disability community),” said his nominator. Bjerkesett’s
sister wasn’t able to attend his June 19 surprise party, so she
wrote him a note: I’m happy to know you are being acknowledged.
All of this energy directed towards you is well deserved… You
are a quiet and humble man as you go about the work you do- competently,
thoroughly, and beautifully …leaving behind quality homes
for the handicapped and elderly. ![end of story]()
