July 23, 2025
Traction in Wisconsin
Jason Stoffer
To all those who wrote and called on behalf of our $5M SCI Research bill in Wisconsin last week, thank you for your advocacy! Many of you reported back with responses from your legislator contacts in Wisconsin. This is super encouraging for us since we have no way of tracking how many of you took action. Whenever you let us know or blind copied us in your emails, it gave our staff a real shot in the arm. Best of all, it seems to be working!
Mackenzie Wann at the Wisconsin State Capitol in February of this year.
The Power of Persistence
One of our Wisconsin advocates, Mackenzie Wann has emailed and called her Senator at least a dozen times. She has never received a response. This is one of the infuriating aspects of this work - straight up being ignored. But Mackenzie doesn’t give up. She just keeps patiently pressing her Senator while maintaining a surprisingly respectful tone. BUT! With the onslaught of emails and calls from you and other U2FP supporters, we finally got a response - and it wasn’t negative. Our community made it onto his radar with stories and logic and persuasion from YOU!
The Lost Art of Compromise
Last year, in the Senate Health Committee, we had a 5-1 yes/no vote. That “no” vote was our only “no” vote at the Committee level in either chamber for the entire year. Though we felt that we had satisfactorily assuaged that Senator’s concerns, he remained a solid “no” into the current session, and we decided to focus our attention on other, more persuadable legislators.
Wisconsin State Senator Andre Jacque, who until recently, was a staunch opponent of our bill.
THEN, in caucus, a few weeks ago, he offered an amendment to our bill, which our Wisconsin team accepted. That amendment has moved him from a “no” to a strong supporter. Not only that, he is now actively working to advance our bill! He has flipped a previously strong “no” Senator into a supporter and is confident he can bring on a few more. Crazy.
Our ability to accept and leverage compromise, along with your persistent calls and emails is what is making the difference in this legislative campaign. By continuing to raise your voice, you are giving this bill a real shot at passing!
Keep Up the Good Work
The Wisconsin legislature is now taking a summer break and will reconvene in the first week of September. We will use this time to refuel and strategize for our next push. Although we did not make the state budget, we still have a chance with the “supplemental funds” that remain. Undoubtedly, we will need you again.
From left: Samantha Troyer, John Martinson and Mackenzie Wann at the Wisconsin Capitol in February 2025. All three of these veteran advocates continue to show up and don’t take no for an answer!
While it’s easy to feel powerless, this legislative advocacy, both at the state and federal level, presents an opportunity to DO SOMETHING POSITIVE. In a world where entropy and breakdown rule the day, and the programs that support our quality of life are being dismantled, it is encouraging to know that sometimes, YOUR voice is sufficient to make change.
I want to encourage all of you to continue honing your message and owning your unique story about your individual experience with a spinal cord injury. People need to know the reality of our condition.
Thank you for your efforts!
PS - It takes lots of time and resources for U2FP to facilitate legislator meetings and roll on the capitol. And no foundations or grants will support this work due to its classification as 'lobbying'. Your support is what's keeping us going. Consider making a one-time donation today. Better yet, help sustain our work by becoming a monthly donor!
