October 25, 2017 at 4:47 p.m.
Greg Meyer appointed to Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities
Monico resident advocates for people with disabilities across the Northwoods
Greg Meyer appointed to Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities
Recently, Gov. Scott Walker appointed Meyer to the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (WBPDD). Meyer, with a disability of his own, has been involved in advocating for people with disabilities for several years. He completed the Partners in Policy Making program and was heavily involved in the Youth Leadership Forum, both of which helped him become the advocate he is today, he said.
"I went to the Wisconsin Youth Leadership Program back in 2004, which is under the governor's committee which started this program," Meyer said. "I came back as staff, and that program got me where I am at now."
The program helped him meet people and learn to talk to people outside of his comfort zone. This was only the beginning for Meyer, who has branched out to help advocate for people with disabilities across the state. He is active on a variety of issues and is a graduate of the Partners in Policymaking program, where he learned about advocacy and grassroots organizing. He learned how to connect with legislators and to help affect change in matters that are important to him and to others with disabilities.
Meyer was also approached his employer, Home Depot in Rhinelander, about making presentations in the career development portion of the Youth Leadership Forum. Since then, Home Depot has had a presence at the forum, speaking to attendees with disabilities about career development and skills they might need to approach a prospective employer.
"He's such an ambassador and he provides a great perspective from northern Wisconsin, and he knows so many people," board executive director Beth Swedeen said. "He's the real deal."
Meyer's role as a mentor and role model is important, she said, not only with his connections with legislators but also with his friends and neighbors in advocacy for people with disabilities.
"He's so connected with his community.," Swedeen said. "He can really bring to us what the priorities are for people with disabilities in that part of the state."
She said Meyer works diligently to help communities understand what they may need to provide to be a welcoming community for people with disabilities.
Breaking down walls
At the age of 30, Meyer has accomplished a great deal already and is excited about where his future might take him. He has been a member of the Monico Fire Department since 2012. Last year he became a lieutenant when a fellow firefighter stepped down. His time with the department has had a positive influence in his life, taking him out of his comfort zone and pushing him to do more than he might have thought possible, he said.
"It's nice to help other departments and they help us," Meyer said. "It's getting to know people and meeting new people. And it's becoming friends, too, so we can help each other out no matter what."
His time with the fire department has helped him gain confidence and boosted his morale, he said, because every scene is different and he has learned to adapt to different situations and think on his feet. This is something that many people with disabilities do not get a chance to do, but Meyer sees benefits in branching out, experiencing new things and meeting new people. His hope is that others with disabilities will follow his lead.
"People shouldn't see a disability as a disability," he said. "It's the ability to do something and to help other people. There are all different disabilities out there, but there is always someone out there you can connect with. There is a network out there and we can always be there for each other. The disability community is one of the most minority groups out there, but we are all here for each other."
He urges others to get the support they need through programs like the Youth Leadership Forum, Partners in Policymaking and other programs through the WBPDD programs and grants.
"Get to know them," he said when asked what people should know about people with disabilities. "Get to know them as a person. There is more to them than just their disability."
When asked about what he has seen in terms of changes in how people with disabilities are treated and accepted, Meyer said he has seen some changes for the better, but still urges people to not let a disability get in the way of getting to know a person.
"In the past, I have been through a lot with changes because I've been on both sides of the fence," he said. "Once people got to know me, they kind of push that off to the side. But people who don't know me, because of my speech as part of my disability, it kind of deters them away. But I don't let my disability get in my way."
Joining the board
Meyer was encouraged by several people to put in an application for a board seat, which he did last year. The seats are appointed by the governor from the applications received. Meyer was honored to be chosen from among all of the candidates. His big emphasis, he said, will be getting information out to people of the Northwoods, whether that be people with disabilities or family members of people with disabilities.
"I hope to be able to get people information on grants that we have from the board," he said. "I would like to encourage other people to go through the Partners in Policymaking program. I would like to get the information out on Disability Advocacy Day down in Madison. It would be nice to get that information out to the Northwoods. Right now, on the board, I'm the only one this far north. The closest person is in Wausau."
His focus will be on getting information to people of the Northwoods regarding programs and grants that are available, he said. He is proud to represent the Northwoods and an important segment of the population here. He hopes that what he has been able to accomplish, and his appointment to the board, will help others with disabilities to do things they never thought possible.
In 2011, Meyer decided to run for the town board of Monico. His father was a town supervisor for 14 years and his knowledge helped Meyer learn to campaign. Again, getting out to talk to people and meeting new people helped him gain confidence and grow as a person. He learned what issues were important to the people in his town and campaigned for their support to address those issues.
Meyer was also able to bring to light issues for people with disabilities, something he is now striving to do across the state. While he knew many people in Monico, having lived there all his life, there were many people he had yet to meet. Getting to know those people opened Meyer's eyes to their issues as well. He looked at serving on the town board as a way to not only connect with people, but to do something for his community as well.
"I just wanted to see what I could do to give back," he said. "I got the signatures and I campaigned. That night, the first election I was in, it was a tie. They had to flip a coin, and I won by a coin toss."
In the next election, however, Meyer won his second term outright. He said he would consider running for other elected seats as well. He ran for county board but was defeated in the primary election. He took that in stride, as he does so many things, and gave his time and effort to assist another candidate with their campaign. He said he learned a great deal from that experience, and it was something he will take with him and use in the future.
Meyer is unsure where the future will take him.
As he gains experience, he said he feel as though there are no limits to what he might accomplish. Looking back, he is happy with the challenges he has put before himself and everything he has been able to accomplish. With that said, he said he is happy to just see what the future holds for him.
He plans to go back to college for business, which he sees as his next step. Still with an eye on politics and affecting state policy, he said he would like to run for state senate or state representative's office in the future.
"I'll just go where my future takes me," he said.
Beckie Gaskill may be reached via email at bjoki@lakeland times.com.
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