October 16, 1880 – “A
major blizzard sneaks up on 14-year-old Michael Dowling, who was working on a
farm near Canby. Doctors amputate both of his legs and an arm. That's the bad
part. The good part: Three years later, Dowling offers a deal to Yellow Medicine
County commissioners. If they buy him artificial limbs and pay for one year at
Carleton College, he will vow to live independently. They agree and he goes on
to become a noted educator, businessman and a state legislator.”
http://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2008/07/150-minnesota-moments-wed-just-soon-forget
Michael
Dowling
http://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2008/06/councils-sesquicentennial-brochure-highlights-lives-early-minnesotans-disabi
Courtesy
of the State Council on Disability
Can you imagine if this happened today? Just think of the insurmountable medical bills. One year of college paid for by the county - what would be the equivilant today - a Master's degree? The American dream has changed as well as how we define the land of opportunity to support one's self.
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