Tuesday, October 16, 2012

On This Date in Minnesota History: October 16

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



1 comment:

  1. 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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