ACT Memo

As you requested, this is your ACT Self-Advocacy Resource Network Memo facilitating a national dialogue among self-advocates and supporters and a clearinghouse for materials and training that support self-advocacy.

March 26, 2008

History Note: Leaders Took Notice

Jessie Haskins was a Minnesota college student with a disability. In 1896, she wrote a letter to the editor. She said, “We need schools for deformed and crippled children.” Leaders took notice.

She spoke at a conference. She said, “Such children should be cured whenever possible and educated [to] be helpful, self-sustaining members of the state.” Leaders took notice.

She went to the capital. Result: the state took action.

1.	The Whole Story
2.	Group Activity
3.	Resource


1.	The Whole Story Jessie Haskins: Student with disability causes system change by Luther Granquist [reprinted with permission from Access Press, December 10, 2007] On January 27, 1896, Jessie Haskins, a student with a disability at Carleton College, wrote to the editor of the Minnesota Bulletin of Corrections and Charities stating that “something should be done to provide schools for deformed and crippled children.” Later that year she presented a paper, “The Need of an Institution for Crippled and Deformed Children,” at the Fifth Minnesota Conference of Corrections and Charities. She argued that “it is best for the state that such children should be cured whenever possible and educated so that they may be helpful, self-sustaining members of the state.” After this conference, Hastings Hart, the Executive Secretary of the Board of Corrections and Charities, suggested that Haskins meet with Dr. Arthur J. Gillette, an orthopedic surgeon in St. Paul, before the 1897 legislative session. The three worked together to get the legislature to pass a bill to establish a Minnesota Institute for Crippled and Deformed Children, which ultimately became Gillette Hospital. The book, We Hold This Treasure by Dr. Steven Koop, provides details of Haskins’ life and her aggressive and effective advocacy. This book is included in With an Eye to the Past on the Minnesota Developmental Disabilities Council Web site (www.mncdd.org) or you can go directly to the book: www.mnddc.org/past/pdf/98-SGH-WHT.pdf. [Return to top]


2.	Group Activity Jessie Haskins saw what was missing and spoke up. Change happened. Why not follow her lead? Have each person say one thing that’s missing in your community. Choose one of these topics and write a letter to the editor. Share your letter with SARN—let us all know how it went. [Return to top]


3.	Resource Leading from the Middle This kit will help your group build strong leaders to take on issues and make change in your communities. [Return to top]

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Today’s Trivia Question:

The Rig-Veda (written between 3500 and 1800 BC) recounts the story of Queen Vishpla, who lost her leg in battle, was fitted with a prosthesis, and returned to battle. What was the prosthesis made of?

a.	Wood	c.	Elephant tusk
b.	Iron	d.	Pumice

(The answer will be published
in the next Memo.)

Answer to March 19th Trivia Question: Alexander G. Bell

Question was: Who opened a speech school for teachers of the deaf in Boston in 1872?

a.	Alexander G. Bell
b.	Charles Darwin
c.	Alfred Binet
d.	Paul Revere III

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