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The letters below are samples of what you might say when writing to your
local newspaper. Please put your letter in your own words, describing your
own situation and your own experiences when writing your letter. Check
your paper’s guidelines for submitting letters to the editor. Contact
information for your area newspaper is at: Sample Letter to the Editor Submitted by a Concerned Citizen To the Editor: Candidates are all talking about change. They may be talking about changing our health care system or changing the way we produce and consume energy. Families who have children with disabilities are also looking for reform. Too many Minnesotans – 5,000 and growing – need supports that will help them or their loved one with disabilities learn, live, work, and participate in their communities. A number of Minnesotans are crying out to elected officials, “We Are Waiting!” They are part of a growing, grassroots call to end the wait for the services they applied for several years ago. They are waiting for a day when the system provides them more control over the resources they receive for their child with disabilities so they can spend them in ways that best meet their needs. They know we are facing a tough budget year, and they want the funds for those supports used as efficiently as possible. Those candidates who are elected this fall should add this call for change to their agenda when the Legislature convenes next January. Sincerely,
Your Name Sample Letter to the Editor Submitted by a Family who Has Children with Disabilities To the Editor: Congratulations to those who were elected to the Minnesota House. When the Legislature convenes in January, I hope all our elected officials will listen to their constituents with disabilities and the families who are part of the grassroots “We Are Waiting” campaign. The campaign’s focus is to steadily reduce the number of Minnesotans with developmental disabilities and their families who wait for services that help them live, learn, work, and be part of their communities. Of those waiting, 58 percent need supports that help children and families in their homes. Sixty-one percent of those waiting are under 18 years of age. Fifty-four percent wait for respite care. Our family is one of those families waiting for respite care. We love our child with disabilities and want to keep her at home, but taking care of her requires much time and energy, and we need an occasional break to refresh and rejuvenate us. A major goal of the “We Are Waiting” campaign is to reduce the number of people who wait by as much as ten percent each year. Our state legislator should get behind legislation this session that helps us reach that goal. Sincerely,
Your Name |
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