July 2026 Newsletter
Holding More Than One Truth
Jennifer Walton
As I sat down to write this month's newsletter, I realized I was holding more than one truth at the same time. This was supposed to be the issue where we celebrated ACT's 4th Annual Disability Pride Festival and invited everyone to join us under this year's theme, Rooted in Pride. Growing Our Future. Instead, our community is also grieving the loss of our friend. Like so many of you, I've spent the past several days making phone calls, checking in with friends, sharing tears, and simply trying to make sure no one was carrying this loss alone. There are no perfect words for moments like these. There is only community. I've realized this week that leadership sometimes means holding more than one truth. It means celebrating while grieving, sharing our sadness while honoring someone's dignity and privacy, and believing that gathering together still matters, even when our hearts are heavy.
That idea has stayed with me in other ways as well. People sometimes ask how Disability Pride relates to Pride Month in June. It's a great question. These celebrations share values of identity, community, and justice, and we recognize with gratitude the LGBTQIA+, Black, Indigenous, immigrant, and many other communities whose advocacy expanded our collective understanding of equity and human rights. At the same time, Disability Pride has its own history and purpose. It is a celebration of disability identity, disability culture, and the truth that disabled people are whole, valuable, and worthy exactly as we are. We can honor those who helped shape the path while also claiming our own voice. We can celebrate what connects us without losing sight of what makes Disability Pride uniquely our own.
As we gather next week, I hope we make room for all of it—for celebration and remembrance, for gratitude and determination, for honoring those who came before us while continuing to grow what comes next. Disability Pride has never been about pretending everything is okay. It has always been about telling the truth: that our community has faced barriers, built leadership, created joy, and imagined a better future. Perhaps that's what community asks of us—to hold more than one truth, to remember where we've been, to celebrate who we are, and to keep building what comes next. Together.
With love and gratitude,
Jennifer Walton
Information here: https://gofund.me/08743228b
Question of the Month
Numbers
Which of these equations is correct? A.) cos(𝑖In((5+2√6))=5
B.) cos(𝑖In((-5-2√6))=5
C.) cos(𝑖In((9+2√6))=5
D.) cos(𝑖In((9-2√6))=5
E.) cos(𝑖In((7+2√6))=5
Check if you got it right! Answer to the Question of the Month at the end of the newsletter!
Self-Care Tips
Nate Clark
This month in Nate's health segment, he submitted a poster with various self-care tips. There are lots of small ways that you can prioritize your health! Here are some ways you can practice self-care:
-Meditating
-Tai-Chi
-Walking/Getting outside
-Yoga
-Grounding Exercises
-Participating in a support group
-Drinking Tea
What is happening in July?
SAM SW Pride Art Workshop
Multiple Locations + Dates
The SAM SW Disability Pride Team welcomes all people to participate in and learn about this important celebration. If you would like more information about this workshop contact Wilbur Neushwander-Frink at wilburdfrink@gmail.com or Reanna Milbrett at reannamilbrett@arcminnesota.org.
Link to EventsJuly 9th - SAM SE Disability Pride Fest. Cascade Lake Park, Rochester, MN
-5:00-8:00 PM
-Groundbreaking for a new accessible bike program
-Free food truck meal for the first 100 guests
-DJ and Music
-Games and Activities
Event Link
July 16th - SAM Metro Disability Pride Festival
MN State Capitol
-10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Join us for the 4th annual Disability Pride Festival at the state capitol! We will have 40+ vendors, music, and free food!
Event Link
July 18th - SAM Central Disability Pride Festival
Atonement Lutheran Church, St. Cloud MN-1:00-4:00 PM
Join us for an amazing afternoon! History panels, voter registration, door prizes, open mic, and much more!
All are welcome to attend this inclusive community event!
For more information contact: anneredetzke@arcminnesota.org or kaler@selfadvocacy.org
July 23rd - SAM NW Disability Pride Festival-3:00-8:00 PM
Join us for open mic, food , performing for change, and vendor tables! More details to come!
July 29th - SAM NE Twin Ports Disability Pride Festival
Duluth City Hall-4:00-6:00 PM
This is a fun event for all people with disabilities, allies, and community members to come together to celebrate the disability community and the amazing work they've done!Event Link
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July 24th 7PM / July 25th 2 PM - SAM SW Play - Mystical Cats of Monroe
Centenary United Methodist Church
This play is a fable about cats in their ninth life living in the Monroe Forest who help humans with challenges by sharing their wisdom learned over their previous 8 lives. The play features an original song and poetry during the show.
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Also taking place:
-Coffee Chats on Mondays! 10-11AM Virtually!
-Disability Power Day is every Thursday at 10AM!
-Book Club is meeting weekly! 10-11AM on Wednesdays.
-Happy Hour will he hosted at Dual Citizen Brewing on Thursday, July 9th.
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ACT Spotlight
Rochelle Laumer
Each month ACT interviews someone from our community. This month we checked in with Rochelle! Rochelle is a member of the SAM Metro and is the Happy Hour organizer (Catch us on the second Thursday of each month!)! Rochelle also co-facilitates Supported Decision Making (SDM).
About Rochelle:
Coffee, tea, or something else?
-COFFEEE!!!!!!
Favorite Animal?
-DOGS! Hands Down!!!!
Passions outside of work
- Live, breathe, and eat Oula and disability advocacy!
Creative Corner
Charles Richard
Charles is a mainstay of Disability Power Day each Thursday and has a creative touch! His preferred medium is Diamond Dotz. After an art show and tell earlier in the year we knew we had to get Charles featured in the newsletter!
Enjoy his art!
Monthly Vocabulary / Terms to Know
Term by Nate Clark - article by Shane Soberg
Term: Pride / Disability Pride
"pleasure that comes from some relationship, association, achievement, or possession that is seen as a source of honor, respect, etc."(Merriam-Webster. Web. 8 July 2026)July is Disability Pride Month - there is no better time to talk about Pride and what it means! Many disabled people are taught by society that they are a 'burden' and build negative self thoughts about what it is to be disabled.
As I get older, these 'burdens' that I once hated about myself are now the very things that make me love myself. I might do things a little differently, but after surrounding myself with like-minded individual - there is an unmatched PRIDE that comes with this community. Let's celebrate this July all of the things that make us who we are and lean into loving ourselves. Happy Disability Pride Month, everyone!
Song of the Month
Keep on Pushing - The Impressions
Link to Song - Keep on Pushing - The Impressions
Link to Lyrics - Keep on Pushing - The Impressions
The song of the month was chosen by Cynthia Gayles. A reminder to us all - keep on pushing!
July Wrap-Up!
Thanks for reading along this month! The newsletter will be back on the first Tuesday of each month! If you have any questions, comments or feedback, please reach out to ACT@selfadvocacy.org! We are also always looking for folks to get involved, if you have something you want to share, let us know! Answer to the Question of the Month: A.) cos(𝑖In((5+2√6))=5