Featured Writer

Michael Westrich

Michael is 44. He’s originally from Center, North Dakota (population 500). Michael graduated from college in 2001. He expected to start up a big business but ended up working at the post office and at Goodwill. Five years ago, Michael had to stop working and went on disability. He felt shocked at not being able to work and was worried about what he would do and how he would live.

Michael is now participating in Independent Living Resources’ PASS program (Plan to Achieve Self Support) to save money to start a business called Starvin’ Marvin Scrap Metal Recycling. Michael wants to write a book about his life.

Michael's writing, which was published in our anthology, and an interview about his experience writing in community follow.

Free is a Very Good Price

by Michael Westrich

I became disabled five years ago. I am a cancer survivor and have already been told by doctors I will get cancer again and again in the future. I have diabetes; fibromyalgia; gout; need a right knee replacement; and am 120 pounds overweight. Naturopathic medicine keeps me in pretty good shape, considering all I have wrong with me.

I now live on $705 a month from Social Security disability. I used to have money and vacation one and a half months each year. I have traveled in 18 foreign countries and throughout all 50 states of the USA. I have already spent my entire pension and savings just trying to survive. I am lucky my home and cars are paid for or I would probably be homeless, pushing around a shopping cart full of junk. I used to live in a small town in North Dakota, but now I live in the big city of Portland, Oregon.

It has been quite an adjustment going from somewhat rich to poor, small town to big city, and good health to really bad health. But, I am now officially poor, through no fault of my own. I finally figured out I am never going to be able to afford to travel again, so I started looking for free things to do...

...READ THE FULL PIECE

Interview with featured writer Michael Westrich

Tell us about your experience in the Write Around Portland workshop.

Write Around Portland changed my life. It made it possible for me to deal with my disabilities. Hearing others stories made me realize others have to deal with the same things I do and they are able to function quite well and normally. It made me a much better writer and person.

I took the workshop at Independent Living Resources. Through the workshop, I finally met some disabled people. I didn’t really know any other [people with disabilities] before that.

Two months before the workshop, I had an operation for cancer. And I have diabetes, Fibromyalgia and a number of other health conditions. I was kind of feeling sorry for myself. But there were a lot of other people worse off than me. There were people in the workshop in wheelchairs and people who were blind. They live normal lives, go camping, go to movies. I stopped feeling bad about what was wrong with me.

How was your experience writing in a group and hearing other people's stories?

One guy said, “It’s like therapy.” I felt that, too. The stories I wrote, I wasn’t going to pick them to submit to the anthology. The other people in the group suggested I submit them. I enjoyed getting feedback from the other people in the group. You get some laughs. You get some tears.

I was impressed by how the writers who were visually-impaired really described things, every little detail. I’d love to be able to do that. If I could mix all that detail in with my straight-forward storytelling, that would be a great combo for my writing.

What did you get out of the workshop?

I have papers and drawings and pictures I’ve kept over the years. I’d done some writing before this, but not much. The writing workshop was free, so I took it. It gave me confidence to write the stuff I’ve always wanted to write. The whole experience has got me writing now.

The workshops are on a very personal level. People reveal things they normally wouldn't if you were just sitting in a class. I learned a lot about dealing with disabilities. I am new to it. Writing becomes a bit of a therapy because everyone in the groups are dealing with personal tragedies and they kind of need each other whether they realize it or not.

Did you enjoy reading your writing at the anthology release?

I enjoyed hearing the other people’s stories, people getting to tell them. I don’t get that nervous usually, but I would find myself wandering away from the mic while I was reading. The applause was cool. I looked up at the audience a few times while I was reading.

Would you recommend Write Around Portland workshops to other people?

Oh, definitely. When we got to the last week of the workshop, no one wanted it to end. It’s just a great experience. We exchanged emails, and we’re trying to get people to join another writing group we have.

Is there anything you would like to tell people about yourself or your writing?

With all these free events like Write Around Portland, I actually like it here in Portland now. Thank you for letting me a part of your wonderful workshops. And the are free which is a very good price, since I am very poor.


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TAKE A Writing Workshop SIGN UP for Write Around Portland News WRITING RESOURCES	Publications & Writers Featured Writer Michael Westrich Michael is 44. He’s originally from Center, North Dakota (population 500). Michael graduated from college in 2001. He expected to start up a big business but ended up working at the post office and at Goodwill. Five years ago, Michael had to stop working and went on disability. He felt shocked at not being able to work and was worried about what he would do and how he would live. Michael is now participating in Independent Living Resources’ PASS program (Plan to Achieve Self Support) to save money to start a business called Starvin’ Marvin Scrap Metal Recycling. Michael wants to write a book about his life. Michael's writing, which was published in our anthology, and an interview about his experience writing in community follow. Free is a Very Good Price by Michael Westrich I became disabled five years ago. I am a cancer survivor and have already been told by doctors I will get cancer again and again in the future. I have diabetes; fibromyalgia; gout; need a right knee replacement; and am 120 pounds overweight. Naturopathic medicine keeps me in pretty good shape, considering all I have wrong with me. I now live on $705 a month from Social Security disability. I used to have money and vacation one and a half months each year. I have traveled in 18 foreign countries and throughout all 50 states of the USA. I have already spent my entire pension and savings just trying to survive. I am lucky my home and cars are paid for or I would probably be homeless, pushing around a shopping cart full of junk. I used to live in a small town in North Dakota, but now I live in the big city of Portland, Oregon. It has been quite an adjustment going from somewhat rich to poor, small town to big city, and good health to really bad health. But, I am now officially poor, through no fault of my own. I finally figured out I am never going to be able to afford to travel again, so I started looking for free things to do... ...READ THE FULL PIECE © Michael Westrich and Write Around Portland Interview with featured writer Michael Westrich Tell us about your experience in the Write Around Portland workshop. Write Around Portland changed my life. It made it possible for me to deal with my disabilities. Hearing others stories made me realize others have to deal with the same things I do and they are able to function quite well and normally. It made me a much better writer and person. I took the workshop at Independent Living Resources. Through the workshop, I finally met some disabled people. I didn’t really know any other [people with disabilities] before that. Two months before the workshop, I had an operation for cancer. And I have diabetes, Fibromyalgia and a number of other health conditions. I was kind of feeling sorry for myself. But there were a lot of other people worse off than me. There were people in the workshop in wheelchairs and people who were blind. They live normal lives, go camping, go to movies. I stopped feeling bad about what was wrong with me. How was your experience writing in a group and hearing other people's stories? One guy said, “It’s like therapy.” I felt that, too. The stories I wrote, I wasn’t going to pick them to submit to the anthology. The other people in the group suggested I submit them. I enjoyed getting feedback from the other people in the group. You get some laughs. You get some tears. I was impressed by how the writers who were visually-impaired really described things, every little detail. I’d love to be able to do that. If I could mix all that detail in with my straight-forward storytelling, that would be a great combo for my writing. What did you get out of the workshop? I have papers and drawings and pictures I’ve kept over the years. I’d done some writing before this, but not much. The writing workshop was free, so I took it. It gave me confidence to write the stuff I’ve always wanted to write. The whole experience has got me writing now. The workshops are on a very personal level. People reveal things they normally wouldn't if you were just sitting in a class. I learned a lot about dealing with disabilities. I am new to it. Writing becomes a bit of a therapy because everyone in the groups are dealing with personal tragedies and they kind of need each other whether they realize it or not. Did you enjoy reading your writing at the anthology release? I enjoyed hearing the other people’s stories, people getting to tell them. I don’t get that nervous usually, but I would find myself wandering away from the mic while I was reading. The applause was cool. I looked up at the audience a few times while I was reading. Would you recommend Write Around Portland workshops to other people? Oh, definitely. When we got to the last week of the workshop, no one wanted it to end. It’s just a great experience. We exchanged emails, and we’re trying to get people to join another writing group we have. Is there anything you would like to tell people about yourself or your writing? With all these free events like Write Around Portland, I actually like it here in Portland now. Thank you for letting me a part of your wonderful workshops. And the are free which is a very good price, since I am very poor.	"Write Around Portland changed my life." --Michael Westrich Workshop Participant Provide a writer with a writing journal, pen, bus tickets, and an anthology. Featured Writer Michael Westrich Click here to read about previous featured writers.
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