May 2026 Newsletter
Rooted in Pride, Growing Our Future
Jennifer Walton
This year, ACT’s 4th Annual Disability Pride Festival is centered on a theme that reflects both who we are and where we’re going: Rooted in Pride, Growing Our Future. On July 16th, our community will come together for a celebration that continues to grow each year—bringing together self-advocates, families, and partners from across Minnesota. What makes this festival special isn’t just the energy of the day—it’s the deep roots behind it: decades of disability pride, leadership, and community built by people with disabilities.
This theme is closely connected to ACT’s 50 for 50 Campaign: $50,000 for 50 Years—investing in self-advocate disability justice leadership. Across the state, the Self-Advocates Minnesota (SAM) Network is organizing in six regions—building relationships, developing leaders, and creating spaces where people belong. The Pride Festival is one place where those roots are visible. It’s where leadership shows up, where community grows stronger, and where new connections take hold.
As we look ahead to ACT’s 50th anniversary in 2029, we know this future doesn’t just happen—it’s something we grow together. The Pride Festival, the statewide conference in 2027, and the leadership we are building every day are all part of that future. Whether you join us, support the campaign, or help spread the word, you are part of what’s growing. And together, we are building something that will last for generations.
Join us—visit selfadvocacy.org to learn more, become a sponsor, contribute to the 50 for 50 Campaign, or reach out to act@selfadvocacy.org to get involved.
Information here: https://gofund.me/08743228b
Question of the Month
Numbers
Question: What is the one-twelfth root of 12? A.) 8,916,200,448,256
B.) 8,916,204,448,256
C.) 8,916,100,448,256
D.) 9,634,032,616,556
E.) 8,916,400,448,256
Check if you got it right! Answer to the Question of the Month at the end of the Newsletter!
Nate's Yoga and Meditation
Nate Clark
Nate Clark of SAM SW and Jennifer Walton of ACT.
I am Nate Clark and I live in Manakto, MN. I do a lot of barefoot grounding because it helps me connect with the earth and helps me feel more relaxed. When you build up callouses on your feet that creates a natural barrier almost like if you were wearing shoes.
Barefoot Grounding benefits are:1.Foot strength & natural movement Walking barefoot helps your feet work the way they’re designed to by: Strengthening small stabilizing muscles, improving balance and coordination, and encouraging a more natural gait (less heel-striking) This is one of the most reliable, proven benefits.
2.Thicker, tougher skin (natural protection) is built by: Gradual barefoot exposure builds healthy calluses, reduces sensitivity over time, and helps your feet adapt to different surfaces The key is slow buildup to avoid cracks or injury.
3. Stress reduction & mental calm Being barefoot outdoors can: Feel calming and grounding (psychologically), reduce stress simply by connecting with nature, and encourage mindfulness (you pay attention to each step). This overlaps with general nature exposure benefits.
4. Possible inflammation & sleep effects (less proven) Some grounding advocates claim: Reduced inflammation, better sleep, and improved circulation. There is some early research, but it’s not strong or consistent yet. These effects are still being studied and shouldn’t be relied on as medical treatment.
Things to watch out for:
Injury risk: sharp objects, hot pavement, rough terrain.
Infections: especially if you have cracks in your heels
Cold exposure: especially in Minnesota—frostbite can happen fast
Overdoing it: jumping in too fast can cause soreness or stress injuries
What is happening in May?
May 28 + 29
SAM NW Play - 'A Night at the Oscars'
-Thursday, May 28th 7:00 PM and Friday, May 29th at 7:00 PM
-Empire Arts Center
415 Demers Ave, Grand Forks, ND 58201
For more information contact Audra Nikle at audranikle@gmail.com
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Also taking place:
-Coffee Chats on Mondays! 10-11AM Virtually!
-Disabled Women's Support Group meets the first Tuesday of each month - 6-7PM!
-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, May 21st.
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ACT Spotlight
Mao Yang
Each month ACT interviews someone from our community. This month we checked in with Mao! Mao is a member of the ACT board and the resident hype woman!
About Mao:
Coffee, tea, or something else?
- I am A Starbucks Iced Vanilla Frappuccino kind of girl! Though I do love some cherry Dr Pepper and Mountain Dew Baja blast!
Favorite Animal?
-Puppies or dogs! They never fail to put me in a positive mood! They want to give love and be loved in return!
Passions outside of work
-I feel very blessed that my work is my passion! It is sometimes very hard to separate between Mao the Self-Advocate, and Mao the person who needs to stop working at 5 PM. I just can’t turn the advocacy part my brain off! To answer the question, does the color pink count? Whether you call it a favorite color, passion, or obsession, it’s all the same to me #AllThingsPink. Romance, the country band, Lady A, my nieces and nephews, you can either make me really excited or make me cry just by bringing up all these passions of mine! I go big or go home In all that I do!
Creative Corner
Karen Elden
From Karen:This is diamond painting. It's one of many ways I calm myself after a day of work. It is like a paint by number only with drills and a canvas - you can buy these with all the things to make the picture. The canvas has adhesive on it - that is how the diamonds stick
Enjoy her art:
Monthly Vocabulary / Terms to Know
Jenny Svihel
Jenny and the Honorable Donovan W. Frank.
Term: Self Advocacy
Self Advocacy to me is standing up and knowing the rights you have. An example: I didn’t know that as a disabled person I had the right to vote. I ended up voting for the very first time at a recent election.
Self Advocacy is standing up for yourself and others, speaking up and using your voice, and being heard for things that are impactful and meaningful in your own life. (and lives of other with disabilities).
Nothing about us without us.
I am lovable, I am important , I am valuable, and I am empowered.
I am strong, I am powerful, I am worthy, and I belong.
Numbers Does a Podcast
Numbers
Hi, my name is Numbers and I am an Active podcast listener – I especially listen to Sabby Sabs by Sabrina Selvati and the Pushing the Limits (PTL) podcast hosted by Brian Shapiro. I have been featured on the PTL podcast 8 times. I wanted to tell everyone about my experience.
My thoughts going into a podcast: I am excited to talk to people that I agree with AND that I disagree with! I dial Brian's number and then I am on the show. When I get on the podcast, I feel like my voice is heard. When I am going back and forth with the host, the host Brian, agrees with my statements – that makes me happy. When things are over I check out how my video turned out on YouTube – I have felt satisfied with how all of my appearances have went. I am trying to find more podcasts that I can go on, I would love to be on some in-person podcasts in the future.
Numbers speaking at the 2025 Disability Pride Festival.
Song of the Month
I Ain't Movin' - Des'ree
Link to Song - I Ain't Movin' - Des'ree
Link to Lyrics - I Ain't Movin' - Des'ree
The song of the month was chosen by Numbers - It is important to remember who you are and where you came from! Make sure you are living the life YOU want - and not one forced upon you.
May Wrap-Up!
Thanks for reading along this month! Tthe 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: C.) 8,916,100,448,256