Dan

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>To Senator Malkuski:
>
> My name is Dan Keplinger and I have Cerebral Palsey.  First of all I want to
>thank you for the support you have given me in the past.  With your help I was
>able to receive the service that lets me live independently.  I am currently
>26 and live in Towson, I also just started graduated school this past spring
>at University of Baltimore for a Master's in Art.
>
> I am writing to let you know how important the Work Incentive
>Improvement Act is to me and to tell you that other bills like this are
>needed.  Being a visual artist I'm discoving a way to market myself. I'm not
>only a painter, but also skilled on the computer to work as a print media
>designer.  These skills will only improve as I proceed through the program at
>U.B.  Being able to market myself is letting me  start small, for example
>doing flyers and pamphlets for family and friends.  I also recently started
>doing paintings for commissions.  The issue with doing these thing is -if I
>get paid it is considered as income and will effect my health care benefits
>and other services that I receive.  At some point in my life I plan to be self
>supporting, but not at this time.
>
> My goal at this point would saving up for a van. This would let me be more
>involved in family activities. I have already talked with my counselor at the
>Division of Rehabilitation Services, if I am able to buy a new van they would
>make it accessible for me.
>
>  I understand that the Act being discussed this week only deals with health
>care issues, but it is a start. I am sure you will do the best to see  the
>Work Incentive Improvement Act through.  If there is something more that I can
>do, please tell me.
>
>        Sincerely,
>        Dan Kelpinger
>
>P.S.
>The best way to reach me is by e mail
>[log in to unmask]
>
>
>Bobby Greer wrote:
>
>> Beth asked me to post this to the list.
>>
>> Bobby
>>
>> > From: [log in to unmask]
>> > To: [log in to unmask]
>> > Subject: Work Incentives Stories
>> > Date: Thursday, June 24, 1999 5:13 PM
>> >
>> > In February, I sent out an email soliciting stories about how people
>> would
>> > benefit from enactment of the Work Incentives Improvement Act.  I
>> received
>> > a number of stories, and now want to request additional stories.
>> >
>> > As you all probably know, we have great momentum building behind the
>> bill,
>> > thanks to your efforts and incredible teamwork.  The bill passed the
>> Senate
>> > Floor 99-0, and was voted out of the House Commerce Committee
>> unanimously.
>> > Currently, the bill is under consideration in the House Ways and Means
>> > Committee.  The President has said repeatedly, as Labor Secretary Herman
>> > and SSA Commissioner Apfel said today as well, that he wants to have the
>> > bill passed by Congress in time for a July 26 signing ceremony, on the
>> > ninth anniversary of the ADA.
>> >
>> > If you are interested in finding more information on the bill, try
>> visiting
>> > the Library of Congress website.  The following address will take you to
>> a
>> > screen where you can enter a bill number:
>> > http://thomas.loc.gov/home/thomas2.html.  Enter S.331 (the Senate bill
>> that
>> > passed) or H.R. 1180 (the House bill that most closely resembles the
>> Senate
>> > bill) or H.R. 1091 (a second House Bill that does not include the more
>> > comprehensive health care provisions in the bill passed by the Senate and
>> > endorsed by the President).
>> >
>> > As we move forward, it will be important to document stories of
>> individuals
>> > who would benefit by implementation of this legislation.  Ideally, I'd
>> like
>> > to have on record at least one real-life example from every state--to
>> show
>> > that the legislation will benefit individuals with disabilities
>> throughout
>> > the country.
>> >
>> > If you or someone you know would benefit from the Work Incentives
>> > Improvement Act, please consider sending me a brief paragraph that: 1)
>> > summarizes the current personal situation; 2) specifically explains how
>> > WIIA would help in obtaining employment.  I will also need a mailing
>> > address, phone number, and basic demographic information.
>> >
>> > Thanks for your help.  You can reply via email (much preferred) or fax me
>> > at 202-456-6218.
>> >
>> > Jonathan Young
>> >
>> >
>
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>
>To Senator Malkuski:
>
>        My name is Dan Keplinger and I have Cerebral Palsey.  First of all
>I want to thank you for the support you have given me in the past.  With
>your help I was able to receive the service that lets me live
>independently.  I am currently 26 and live in Towson, I also just started
>graduated school this past spring at University of Baltimore for a
>Master's in Art.
>
>        I am writing to let you know how important the Work Incentive
>Improvement Act is to me and to tell you that other bills like this are
>needed.  Being a visual artist I'm discoving a way to market myself. I'm
>not only a painter, but also skilled on the computer to work as a print
>media designer.  These skills will only improve as I proceed through the
>program at U.B.  Being able to market myself is letting me  start small,
>for example doing flyers and pamphlets for family and friends.  I also
>recently started doing paintings for commissions.  The issue with doing
>these thing is -if I get paid it is considered as income and will effect
>my health care benefits and other services that I receive.  At some point
>in my life I plan to be self supporting, but not at this time.
>
>        My goal at this point would saving up for a van. This would let me
>be more involved in family activities. I have already talked with my
>counselor at the Division of Rehabilitation Services, if I am able to buy
>a new van they would make it accessible for me.
>
>  I understand that the Act being discussed this week only deals with
>health care issues, but it is a start. I am sure you will do the best to
>see  the Work Incentive Improvement Act through.  If there is something
>more that I can do, please tell me.
>
>        Sincerely,
>        Dan Kelpinger
>
>P.S.
>The best way to reach me is by e mail
>[log in to unmask]