Justin Smith Writes
@justinsmithwrites.bsky.social
Disability activist blogging about travel, accessibility, politics, AFC Wimbledon, living my life, and working on a novel or two - https://justinsmithwrites.com/
Pinned
Worries about the next four years
About living with a disability and the next 4 years? I’m ready to fight and make sure our voices are heard. I’m ready!
justinsmithwrites.com
I'm new here! I read, write, and blog about living my life. Want to know about how I'm feeling about living with a #Disability and the next 4 years? Read my latest justinsmithwrites.com/2024/11/17/w...
How has my week been? It's been all:
Yes, I’ll get my November #SNAP benefits.
No, I won’t.
Yes, maybe a bit.
No, not at all.
Yes, of course, because Minnesota is nice.
No, wait a minute – will it get clawed back?
Definitely read my latest blog! justinsmithwrites.com/2025/11/09/o...
Yes, I’ll get my November #SNAP benefits.
No, I won’t.
Yes, maybe a bit.
No, not at all.
Yes, of course, because Minnesota is nice.
No, wait a minute – will it get clawed back?
Definitely read my latest blog! justinsmithwrites.com/2025/11/09/o...
Oh SNAP Part 2: To have or have not?
How has my week been? It’s been all: Yes, I’ll get my November SNAP benefits. No, I won’t. Yes, maybe a bit. No, not at all. Yes, of course, because Minnesota is nice. No, wait a minute – wil…
justinsmithwrites.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:05 PM
How has my week been? It's been all:
Yes, I’ll get my November #SNAP benefits.
No, I won’t.
Yes, maybe a bit.
No, not at all.
Yes, of course, because Minnesota is nice.
No, wait a minute – will it get clawed back?
Definitely read my latest blog! justinsmithwrites.com/2025/11/09/o...
Yes, I’ll get my November #SNAP benefits.
No, I won’t.
Yes, maybe a bit.
No, not at all.
Yes, of course, because Minnesota is nice.
No, wait a minute – will it get clawed back?
Definitely read my latest blog! justinsmithwrites.com/2025/11/09/o...
Oh, #SNAP! It's one of the critical services I need to help me live my own independent life. justinsmithwrites.com/2025/11/02/o...
Oh, SNAP
It’s hard to stay positive this week and you all know that I’m a positive person – give me a road block and I’ll plow right through it. I’ll advocate. I’ll testi…
justinsmithwrites.com
November 2, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Oh, #SNAP! It's one of the critical services I need to help me live my own independent life. justinsmithwrites.com/2025/11/02/o...
Not only does SNAP keep people from going hungry, it's another lifeline for people with disabilities, rural communities, and more! youtu.be/NzD4KQ1zIOc?...
Government shutdown will soon impact SNAP benefits, USDA says
YouTube video by CBS Mornings
youtu.be
October 27, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Not only does SNAP keep people from going hungry, it's another lifeline for people with disabilities, rural communities, and more! youtu.be/NzD4KQ1zIOc?...
Celebrate! 🎉At three minutes before eleven o’clock last night, in a big rush, I finished the first draft of the book I have been working on for the past year. #WritersLife #Writer #WritingCommunity #Booksky justinsmithwrites.com/2025/10/26/d...
DONE! (WITH THE FIRST DRAFT)
Time to pop the champagne! Oh, wait, I don’t drink alcohol! At three minutes before eleven o’clock last night, in a big rush, I finished the first draft of the book I have been working on for the p…
justinsmithwrites.com
October 26, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Celebrate! 🎉At three minutes before eleven o’clock last night, in a big rush, I finished the first draft of the book I have been working on for the past year. #WritersLife #Writer #WritingCommunity #Booksky justinsmithwrites.com/2025/10/26/d...
Reposted by Justin Smith Writes
I recently convened a panel of Minnesota's top healthcare experts to discuss how Trump's Big Ugly Law is harming Minnesotans' care and leading to hospital closures. In DC, I'll continue to oppose all Republican efforts to take away food, healthcare, and basic government services.
September 25, 2025 at 7:11 PM
I recently convened a panel of Minnesota's top healthcare experts to discuss how Trump's Big Ugly Law is harming Minnesotans' care and leading to hospital closures. In DC, I'll continue to oppose all Republican efforts to take away food, healthcare, and basic government services.
This happened! I spoke at Rep. McCollum's Listening Session about the impacts to Medicaid & our healthcare yesterday. Thanks @mccollum.house.gov for inviting me to share my story. Here's my testimony and the recording - justinsmithwrites.com/2025/09/25/t...
#Medicaid #Disability #Healthcare
#Medicaid #Disability #Healthcare
This happened…
Last Friday, I was contacted by Representative Betty McCollum’s Office to be part of a panel that happened yesterday to talk about the impacts of HR1 on Medicaid and our healthcare system. I,…
justinsmithwrites.com
September 26, 2025 at 3:11 AM
This happened! I spoke at Rep. McCollum's Listening Session about the impacts to Medicaid & our healthcare yesterday. Thanks @mccollum.house.gov for inviting me to share my story. Here's my testimony and the recording - justinsmithwrites.com/2025/09/25/t...
#Medicaid #Disability #Healthcare
#Medicaid #Disability #Healthcare
Share this post! #savemedicaid #disability @mccollum.house.gov @smith.senate.gov @amyklobuchar.com
justinsmithwrites.com/2025/06/18/n...
justinsmithwrites.com/2025/06/18/n...
Newsy stuff
Do something! Write a letter to the editor, go to a rally (yes, I was at the No King’s March in St. Paul on Saturday), call your elected officials at all levels (County Commissioners will be …
justinsmithwrites.com
June 19, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Reposted by Justin Smith Writes
“The need for care does not go away when funding gets decreased or disappears. It just means that those of us with disabilities and our families will struggle more than we already do.” says @justinsmithwrites.bsky.social
www.startribune.com/minnesotans-...
#Disability #DisabilityRights #Medicaid
www.startribune.com/minnesotans-...
#Disability #DisabilityRights #Medicaid
Minnesotans with disabilities feared state balancing budget “on our backs.” Here’s what happened.
Legislators looked to services for people with disabilities and seniors to save costs, but didn’t go as far as some thought they might.
www.startribune.com
June 13, 2025 at 11:31 AM
“The need for care does not go away when funding gets decreased or disappears. It just means that those of us with disabilities and our families will struggle more than we already do.” says @justinsmithwrites.bsky.social
www.startribune.com/minnesotans-...
#Disability #DisabilityRights #Medicaid
www.startribune.com/minnesotans-...
#Disability #DisabilityRights #Medicaid
Reposted by Justin Smith Writes
Justin Smith is a 26-year-old Roseville resident who has cerebral palsy, and he relies on Medicaid and SNAP to live independently. President Trump’s Big Ugly Bill would rip away his health care and food assistance to give tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires.
June 9, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Justin Smith is a 26-year-old Roseville resident who has cerebral palsy, and he relies on Medicaid and SNAP to live independently. President Trump’s Big Ugly Bill would rip away his health care and food assistance to give tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires.
May 17, 2025 at 2:08 PM
It has been a very stressful time in my life as of late and it was important to me that I share my story with ChangeWire. Check it out and please share with others! As I’ve said often of late, the fear is real!
justinsmithwrites.com/2025/05/04/a...
#Medicaid #Housing #SNAP #SSI #DisabilityRights
justinsmithwrites.com/2025/05/04/a...
#Medicaid #Housing #SNAP #SSI #DisabilityRights
A Fair Amount of Stress and a Win
It has been a very stressful time in my life as of late and it was important to me that I share my story with reporter, Bobbi Dempsey, for this article in ChangeWire. Check it out and please share …
justinsmithwrites.com
May 4, 2025 at 8:06 PM
It has been a very stressful time in my life as of late and it was important to me that I share my story with ChangeWire. Check it out and please share with others! As I’ve said often of late, the fear is real!
justinsmithwrites.com/2025/05/04/a...
#Medicaid #Housing #SNAP #SSI #DisabilityRights
justinsmithwrites.com/2025/05/04/a...
#Medicaid #Housing #SNAP #SSI #DisabilityRights
Reposted by Justin Smith Writes
Thanks @bobbidempsey.bsky.social for sharing my son's story. “Between threatened cuts to services at both the federal & state levels, to put it bluntly, as a person with cerebral palsy, I’m beyond frightened,” says @justinsmithwrites.bsky.social.
#Medicaid #SSI #SNAP
changewire.org/100-day-chec...
#Medicaid #SSI #SNAP
changewire.org/100-day-chec...
100-Day Check-In: Stressful Times for Those in Safety Net Programs - Changewire
People who rely on programs like SNAP and Medicaid share how they feel about this presidential administration so far – and what they worry about most now
changewire.org
May 2, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Thanks @bobbidempsey.bsky.social for sharing my son's story. “Between threatened cuts to services at both the federal & state levels, to put it bluntly, as a person with cerebral palsy, I’m beyond frightened,” says @justinsmithwrites.bsky.social.
#Medicaid #SSI #SNAP
changewire.org/100-day-chec...
#Medicaid #SSI #SNAP
changewire.org/100-day-chec...
Here's my great-great G'pa's Alien Enemy Registration Card from 1918 found tucked away in my great-great G'ma's German Bible a century later. He immigrated to the US in 1905, started a family business in 1912 that lasted almost a century. Can't believe the Alien Enemies Act is being used today!
April 19, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Here's my great-great G'pa's Alien Enemy Registration Card from 1918 found tucked away in my great-great G'ma's German Bible a century later. He immigrated to the US in 1905, started a family business in 1912 that lasted almost a century. Can't believe the Alien Enemies Act is being used today!
I'm one of those lucky 1/4 of eligible who has a housing voucher to help pay rent for my wheelchair accessible apartment. Without it, I will be forced to move. @smith.senate.gov my life as I know it will fall apart if I don't have a housing voucher, SSI, Medicaid, and SNAP.
Only ¼ of eligible families currently get vouchers to help cover their rent. A lot of these families could become homeless or be put on the brink of homelessness if we cut Section 8 funding.
Just a cruel move that will only make the housing crisis worse and harm millions of families.
Just a cruel move that will only make the housing crisis worse and harm millions of families.
NEW: The White House is preparing a budget that could include deep cuts to federal housing funds, and a reconfiguration of housing vouchers/Section 8 that may result in low-income families losing aid. Many told me the details are hazy, but the result is fewer dollars www.nytimes.com/2025/04/17/u...
April 17, 2025 at 5:45 PM
I'm one of those lucky 1/4 of eligible who has a housing voucher to help pay rent for my wheelchair accessible apartment. Without it, I will be forced to move. @smith.senate.gov my life as I know it will fall apart if I don't have a housing voucher, SSI, Medicaid, and SNAP.
Medicaid = my healthcare and disability services that help me live in my community.
Medicaid pays for two-thirds of nursing home care in America.
That's what Mike Johnson wants to rip away from seniors and people with disabilities.
That's what Mike Johnson wants to rip away from seniors and people with disabilities.
Mike Johnson on Medicaid: "What we've talked about is returning work requirements ... you return the dignity of work to young men who need to be out working instead of playing video games all day. We have a lot of fraud, waste, and abuse in Medicaid."
April 10, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Medicaid = my healthcare and disability services that help me live in my community.
I have a disability and don't play video games all day... I depend on Medicaid to help me live in my community. I fell off Medicaid for 3 weeks this year because my county was behind in renewals. Who's going to be managing and overseeing all these new work requirements? #HandsOff #ProtectMedicaid
Mike Johnson on Medicaid: "What we've talked about is returning work requirements ... you return the dignity of work to young men who need to be out working instead of playing video games all day. We have a lot of fraud, waste, and abuse in Medicaid."
April 10, 2025 at 7:21 PM
I have a disability and don't play video games all day... I depend on Medicaid to help me live in my community. I fell off Medicaid for 3 weeks this year because my county was behind in renewals. Who's going to be managing and overseeing all these new work requirements? #HandsOff #ProtectMedicaid
Guess where I was yesterday? Hanging out with about 25,000 energetic Minnesotans at our state capitol in St. Paul! @indivistwincities.bsky.social #HandsOff @50501movement.bsky.social @amyklobuchar.com @mccollum.house.gov @mn50501.bsky.social
justinsmithwrites.com/2025/04/06/h...
justinsmithwrites.com/2025/04/06/h...
Hands Off!
Making my voice heard at Hands Off rally at the MN State Capitol!
justinsmithwrites.com
April 6, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Guess where I was yesterday? Hanging out with about 25,000 energetic Minnesotans at our state capitol in St. Paul! @indivistwincities.bsky.social #HandsOff @50501movement.bsky.social @amyklobuchar.com @mccollum.house.gov @mn50501.bsky.social
justinsmithwrites.com/2025/04/06/h...
justinsmithwrites.com/2025/04/06/h...
Bringing the courage with my mom on Saturday! @indivistwincities.bsky.social
Bringing on the courage! My family will be out on Saturday making our voices heard!
I needed to hear this. Maybe you do too.
“Fear has a way of being contagious… courage is also contagious.” — Kamala Harris
Man, I miss her.
“Fear has a way of being contagious… courage is also contagious.” — Kamala Harris
Man, I miss her.
April 4, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Bringing the courage with my mom on Saturday! @indivistwincities.bsky.social
I know where I'm going to be on Saturday! Making my voice heard! Thanks @indivistwincities.bsky.social for providing the ADA accessibility information on indivisibletwincities.org/hands-off-ra...!
April 2, 2025 at 9:32 PM
I know where I'm going to be on Saturday! Making my voice heard! Thanks @indivistwincities.bsky.social for providing the ADA accessibility information on indivisibletwincities.org/hands-off-ra...!
This is my hand and thankful for Medicaid for my healthcare and services that help me live in my community. Thanks @booker.senate.gov for fighting to #ProtectMedicaid
Sidenote - I'm feeling much better and back home again!
Sidenote - I'm feeling much better and back home again!
Thank you for giving me hope and courage @booker.senate.gov! It's easy to feel alone when facing the fear that comes with holding your son's hand in the hospital and not knowing the future of Medicaid on which he depends for healthcare and disability services. #ProtectMedicaid #CoryBooker
April 2, 2025 at 9:28 PM
This is my hand and thankful for Medicaid for my healthcare and services that help me live in my community. Thanks @booker.senate.gov for fighting to #ProtectMedicaid
Sidenote - I'm feeling much better and back home again!
Sidenote - I'm feeling much better and back home again!
Because of IDEA, I was included w/ my peers in my local school. This was my right! Before IDEA, I may not have been able to go to school – or would have been warehoused! Thanks @vgoodman.bsky.social & @americanprogress.bsky.social for this important reporting! justinsmithwrites.com/2025/03/16/t...
March 16, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Because of IDEA, I was included w/ my peers in my local school. This was my right! Before IDEA, I may not have been able to go to school – or would have been warehoused! Thanks @vgoodman.bsky.social & @americanprogress.bsky.social for this important reporting! justinsmithwrites.com/2025/03/16/t...
Here's what IDEA meant for me! Glad I live in #Minnesota, @governorwalz.mn.gov! justinsmithwrites.com/2025/03/16/t...
March 16, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Here's what IDEA meant for me! Glad I live in #Minnesota, @governorwalz.mn.gov! justinsmithwrites.com/2025/03/16/t...
I have no idea how the cuts in the Department of Ed will impact students with disabilities, but expect current students will not have the educational opportunities and special education services I received. #IDEA #Disability justinsmithwrites.com/2025/03/16/t...
Terrible IDEA!
I have no idea how the cuts in the Department of Education will impact students with disabilities, but I expect current students will not have the educational opportunities and special education se…
justinsmithwrites.com
March 16, 2025 at 5:29 PM
I have no idea how the cuts in the Department of Ed will impact students with disabilities, but expect current students will not have the educational opportunities and special education services I received. #IDEA #Disability justinsmithwrites.com/2025/03/16/t...
Reposted by Justin Smith Writes
"...progress is at best incremental and contingent. And yet, lately I’ve been repeatedly startled about the re-emergence of old bad ideas, about how many hard-won victories are now revealed as tenuous and partial and illuminate the struggle ahead of us." Thanks for this @lollardfish.bsky.social
The re-emergence of old bad ideas such as that vaccines cause autism (they don’t!)
Other examples of things that I thought were settled but are now apparently up for debate again include same-sex marriage, protections for disabled people and the use of the “r-word.”
www.startribune.com
March 16, 2025 at 11:59 AM
"...progress is at best incremental and contingent. And yet, lately I’ve been repeatedly startled about the re-emergence of old bad ideas, about how many hard-won victories are now revealed as tenuous and partial and illuminate the struggle ahead of us." Thanks for this @lollardfish.bsky.social
Thank god I was included in school and wasn't warehoused. I even ended up giving one of the speeches at my high school graduation using my communication device. Protect special education! #Disability #IDEA www.threads.net/@timwalz/pos...
Tim Walz (@timwalz) on Threads
Teachers want to teach. But Trump’s cuts are leaving teachers without the resources they need to ensure every student receives a quality education.
www.threads.net
March 15, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Thank god I was included in school and wasn't warehoused. I even ended up giving one of the speeches at my high school graduation using my communication device. Protect special education! #Disability #IDEA www.threads.net/@timwalz/pos...