When I arrived at the 2008 Legislative Forum on Disability Issues on Thursday, October 23 with other students from the Truman Media Network, I had no idea I would leave the event with so many thoughts about politicians, disability issues and pie.

Julia Hansen, one of the print reporters on the team, and I sat in the front row, tape recorders in hand, ready to capture the issues and opinions discussed. We sat conversing when a man clad in cowboy boots and a camel-colored corduroy sports coat strode over to shake our hands. He introduced himself as Wes Shoemyer, State Senator from Missouri’s 18^th District. 

I almost didn’t catch his name because I was distracted by his mustache and slightly southern accent. We conversed about Truman, and he said it was most surely Missouri’s premier institution of higher-learning. (When we talked to him later he said that he incorrectly stated that Truman is the “Harvard of the Midwest.” He corrected himself and said instead that Harvard is the “Truman of the East.”) 

Shoemyer was the first one to mention pie. I had not eaten dinner yet, and my ears and appetite naturally lifted when I heard the mention of something sweet. It didn’t take me long to discover that Shoemyer wasn’t talking about grandma’s fluffy coconut crème. Instead, he referred to past budget cuts and how they affected the amount of funding (piece of pie) that citizens receive. In particular, he referred to how past budget cuts decreased funding for those with disabilities. 

“We have to go back and remember that pie—that when we’re cutting that up we’re not just getting the crumbs,” Shoemyer said.   

Thom Van Vleck, the Republican Candidate for Missouri State Representative in the Second District, later referred to pie with some humor. 

“Well, it seems like Wes and I like to talk about pie a lot. I think I’ve probably had more pie than he has,” Van Vleck said. He later went on and explained his views about increasing the tax base, which he said would increase funding for programs. 

Van Vleck and Democrat Rebecca McClanahan, State Representative from the Second District, sat at opposite ends of the table, separated by five seats and four bodies. I wondered if it was coincidence or planned risk management, in regards to the candidates respective advertising campaigns. However, there seemed to be little animosity in their behavior toward each other. 

In fact, the candidates and audience of over 50 members of the community, led by Senator Shoemyer, sang “Happy Birthday” to Representative McClanahan after learning that it was her birthday. One audience member even quipped, “Question 7a: ‘How old are you?’” 

The candidates weren’t the only people who captured my attention. Throughout the crowd sat community members with disabilities and their loved ones, caregivers and advocates, ready to make their opinions known and have their questions answered.      

Shoemyer encouraged members of the audience to go to Jefferson City, as many have done in the past, and express their opinions there as well.

“I tell folks—everyone—it’s always, always much better to show up in Jefferson City and have something done for you than to stay home and have it done to you,” Shoemyer said. 

In a time tense with election anxiety, the forum reminded me that ordinary citizens, including those with disabilities, have the power to make their voices heard, whether it’s in Jefferson City or right here in Kirksville, Mo.