My dad was diagnosed with cancer while I was out in Vegas– this time it’s a lot more serious. He battled cancer a few years back and knocked it out. This time it’s back, in the esophagus. We were sitting around on Memorial Day weekend and he mentioned that he couldn’t swallow too well and didn’t have much of an appetite. My first thought of course, was cancer and I told him so– I wanted to make sure that he went to the doctor and got it checked out. Dad starts radiation on Monday to shrink the son-of-a-%$#*. Send some shrinking prayers our way.
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A Deaf Mom Shares Her World
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Life Takes a Crazy Turn
2 Jul 2009 | 10:49 am -
Z You at the Deaf Seniors of America Conference
24 Jun 2009 | 11:33 pmI’m here in Las Vegas hanging with 1,800 Deaf senior citizens. And what a cool group they are to hang out with! I can’t help myself– I find that I get into conversations with them and want to hear their stories of growing up and where they worked at. One guy worked at Coke for 38 years…another is a tax attorney… a couple of them worked their way up at the post office to management level and all sorts of other jobs. At the Z booth, while they try out the Z-340 videophone, some of them have been sharing stories of how they had no phones and had to send… -
Greetings from Vegas
23 Jun 2009 | 11:53 amWhere in the world is Karen? In Vegas. Not exactly my favorite place in the U.S. but I’m learning to like it this week because I’m with a great bunch of people from the Z team and the Deaf Seniors of America. I’m working the Z booth all week at the conference, so if you’re in Vegas, stop by Paris and say hi. On Sunday, we had a free day to explore the strip so a few of us went to the roller coaster at New York. Later that night we went to the Stratosphere and tried the rides on the top. I discovered that I have a new fear of heights. There was one ride that… -
Yes, I Have a Messy House
15 Jun 2009 | 10:33 amToday, my blog post from the Chicago Moms Blog was syndicated in several newspapers across the U.S. Now everyone knows I have a messy house. I’m making the kids clean it. Sacramento Bee Family Wire, North Carolina Centre Daily Times, PA But hey, come on over for a visit! Just be sure to wipe your feet before you enter. Bookmark me! More » -
Karen Putz Named To National VCO Position
2 Jun 2009 | 6:46 amKaren Putz Named To National VCO Position CLEARWATER, Fla. [June 1, 2009ZVRS has named Karen Putz as its Z Video Solutions manager responsible for national voice carry-over (VCO) services. She also serves as sales manager for Illinois. “We are delighted to have Karen take on a leadership role for our national VCO services,” said Tim Rarus, ZVRS vice president of sales. “As a VCO user herself, Karen understands the unique needs and challenges of these customers. Her dedication to customer service will greatly benefit The Z™ VCO users.” Putz joined the company in October 2008 as a VCO…
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Disaboom DeafMom Blog
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IL Budget Cuts Hurt Those Who Need It Most
16 Jun 2009 | 6:42 amA friend of mine called me yesterday with some scary news--she wasn't sure if she was going to still have her social services job this summer. The Illinois government is planning huge budget cuts that will affect nearly every social service job that receives state funds. Some centers fear that if the budget cuts take hold as planned, they will face closure. My friend has a salary that is a pittance for the hours that she puts in and the value that she brings to her job. Working in a non-profit environment is always an exercise in breath-holding-- the budget dance gets played… -
Disney Makes Strides Toward Accessibility for Deaf Customers
7 Jun 2009 | 6:50 amBack when my kids were younger, we took them to Disney twice. I was so disappointed in their lack of captions for their movies and TV displays. We haven't been back at Disney for years, but I recently received this announcement forwarded from Dana Craig who works at the LIFE CIL in Pontiac, Illinois: AUDIO DESCRIPTION NOW AVAILABLE AT DISNEY! Disney engineers have taken recent advances in wireless technology one step further, creating a first-of-a-kind, handheld assistive device to bring the magic of Disney theme parks to guests with visual and hearing disabilities. Disney’s… -
Deaf Family in Chicago on ABC News
22 May 2009 | 3:04 amI woke up on Sunday morning and tuned into Karen Meyer's ABC broadcast on a deaf family who faced the choice of whether or not to pursue cochlear implants for their deaf children. Michael and Jill Stark are deaf, and when their son Jeffrey was born, he was diagnosed with profound hearing loss. The Starks wrestled with the decision whether or not to proceed with a cochlear implant. They researched their decision, carefully weighing the pros and cons and decided to move forward with the surgery. Their daughter Melissa will soon obtain her implant as well as… -
Marlee Matlin Publishes a "Tell All" Book
24 Apr 2009 | 1:19 pmLast year, Marlee Matlin, dazzled audiences with her ability to dance to music on Dancing With The Stars. This year, she's flying from city to city to promote her autobiography, I'll Scream Later. The L-Word star stopped in Oak Brook, Illinois last week to sign books at the local Borders. Approximately 250 fans stood in line to get their books signed and pictures taken. (Photo above: Marlee Matlin, Karen Putz, Steven Putz, Lauren Putz) The hubby and I brought our three kids with us that night and we were in the second group for the book signing. I brought my Z-340… -
A Trip to Ruby Falls
7 Apr 2009 | 8:22 pmThe kids were off for spring break last week so we took a road trip to South Carolina and stayed at a Marriott condo on the beach. My sister works for Marriott and with her friends/family discount, we were able to snag a two bedroom condo for a rock bottom price. On the way back home, we kept seeing signs advertising "Ruby Falls" along the highway. We learned that it was a cave under Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennesee. On impulse, we decided to stop there and explore the cave. Of course, there was no time to arrange for an interpreter, but the guide supplied…
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Disaboom Health Articles
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Best Exercises for Multiple Sclerosis
30 Jun 2009 | 1:31 pmPrior to the mid-1960s, most doctors recommended that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) avoid exercise since they believed that physical and psychological stress would worsen symptoms. It was also commonly thought that people with MS would not tolerate exercise since fatigue affects about 85 percent this population. Since then, studies have shown that being sedentary can actually contribute to fatigue and muscle wasting. Today a regular exercise program geared toward the individual is recommended...(read more) -
Diabetes: Does It Have to Doom Your Sex Life?
23 Jun 2009 | 5:15 amHaving trouble attaining or maintaining erection? For many males, this can be one of the first signs of diabetes, a link that humans established long ago. In his medical encyclopedia, Persian physician Avicenna (960 – 1037 AD) first mentioned the “collapse of sexual function” as a specific complication of diabetes. Yet it is only recently that the medical community has started openly discussing how to take charge of your sex life while managing diabetes. While known best for causing erectile dysfunction...(read more) -
RSD Patient Gets Relief Through Medical Marijuana
23 Jun 2009 | 4:27 amDeb Aughenbough knows firsthand how helpful marijuana can be in reducing the symptoms of chronic pain. In 1992, after suffering a left knee sprain, Deb developed constant burning pain in her leg. Her leg turned red, then blue. The illness then began to affect her right leg, eventually resulting in Deb’s need to use a wheelchair. At first misdiagnosed by doctors, Deb finally received the diagnosis of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) months after it developed. By then she was taking 27 medications...(read more) -
Exercise for Osteoporosis Prevention
22 May 2009 | 11:02 amAn estimated 10 million Americans have osteoporosis, a gradual weakening of the bones that makes them more susceptible to fracture, especially of the hips, spine and wrists. Another 18 million Americans have low bone mass, or osteopenia, a precursor to osteoporosis. While osteoporosis is most prevalent in postmenopausal women, men and younger women are also susceptible. The key to preventing osteoporosis is strengthening the bones through exercises when we’re young—we build our maximal bone mass...(read more) -
Quadriplegic Autobiography Reveals Happy Life
14 May 2009 | 11:02 amA freak accident left author Robert Prondzinski a quadriplegic at the age of 17. Forty-four years later, he talks about the ensuing years with a mixture heavy on humor and deep contentment, light on self-pity and outrage in his book Another Fine Mess You’ve Gotten Us Into: The Life and Adventures of a Quad . The beauty of his story is that it appears that’s exactly how Prondzinski sees himself: a fortunate and happy man who’s had to negotiate a few bumps on the road of life. Living in a Wheelchair...(read more)
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Disability News | PatriciaEBauer.com
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Autism Speaks sees second resignation over vaccine stance
3 Jul 2009 | 6:09 amFrom the Education Week’s On Special Education Blog, the Arizona Daily Star’s Puzzle Pieces Blog, and Newsweek’s The Human Condition Blog: Dr. Eric London resigned this week from his post on the scientific affairs committee at Autism Speaks, citing ethical differences over the advocacy organization’s stance on the autism and vaccine debate. London was a co-founder [...] -
Buddy road trip … with a twist
3 Jul 2009 | 6:06 amJeff Gordinier from Details magazine writes about his Las Vegas road trip with the serene and restrained Bill McMullen, 28, and his virgin frat boy companion, Otto Baxter, 21, who is hoping to score. The twist: Otto has Down syndrome, and Bill is his paid personal assistant. My job,” Bill says, “is to help Otto live his [...] -
Why adopt a child with a disability?
3 Jul 2009 | 5:09 amOver at the New York Times Motherlode blog, commenters are hotly debating the motives of a Texas woman who plans to adopt a six-year-old Chinese girl with scoliosis. The comments were prompted by the first in a series of guest posts by Jenny Staff Johnson about her adoption journey. Johnson, who has two sons with her [...] -
Finding a job: It’s getting even harder for folks with disabilities
2 Jul 2009 | 10:20 amBy Rachel Dornhelm on NPR’s Morning Edition People with developmental disabilities like autism and Down syndrome always have a hard time finding work. It’s estimated that two-thirds of them are unemployed. These days things are only getting worse, advocates say, as almost every state is considering deep cuts in funding for programs that help people with disabilities [...] -
As MA special ed spending climbs, kids fall farther behind
2 Jul 2009 | 9:27 amCover story from CommonWealth magazine (registration required). An excerpt: The cost of special education in Massachusetts is approaching $2 billion a year, but there is little evidence that the state’s huge investment is paying off as hoped. … A three-month investigation by CommonWealth found what few in 2000 anticipated: The number of special education students, after dropping [...]
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Disabled World News for Persons with Disabilities
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Meaning of Colored Jelly Bracelets
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RSS Feed Change from Disabled World
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Third Biggest Cause of Deaths
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Heritage Tours in India
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Healthy Feet for Children
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ScienceDaily: Disability News
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Breakthrough In Development Of Tiny Biological Fuel Cells
1 Jul 2009 | 11:00 amResearchers have developed a successful way to grow molecular wire brushes that conduct electrical charges, a first step in developing biological fuel cells that could power pacemakers, cochlear implants and prosthetic limbs. -
Common Antibacterial Treatment Linked To Sensorineural Hearing Loss In Cystic Fibrosis Patients
30 Jun 2009 | 9:00 pmAn otherwise effective treatment for cystic fibrosis places patients at a high risk of sensorineural hearing loss, according to new research. -
Knee Replacements: Pinpointing The Cause Of Infection
29 Jun 2009 | 8:00 pmA new study reveals that PET scans accurately detect infections in prosthetic knee joints more than 90 percent of the time. -
How A Stroke Affects Hand Function; Roadmap For Rehabilitation
29 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pmA person whose hand function has been affected by a stroke can release an object more quickly when the affected arm is supported on a platform, but the support does not make it easier to grip the object, a new study finds. Active muscle-stretching exercises improved how quickly the stroke survivor could grip an object, but made release of the object more difficult. These findings show how a stroke affects hand function, and provide a roadmap for rehabilitation. -
Student Designs Innovative Escalator That Is Accessible To All Users
29 Jun 2009 | 5:00 pmPeople with impaired mobility who move around in wheelchairs, people who are transporting bulky loads and all other users will be able to travel upwards and downwards without assistance using the innovative escalator designed by Jesús Sánchez, an industrial engineering student in Spain.
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CRIN News Feed - Home - English
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ZIMBABWE: Diamonds in the Rough: Human Rights Abuses in the Marange Diamond Fields of Zimbabwe
2 Jul 2009 | 11:52 pmZimbabwe's armed forces are engaging in the forced labor of children and adults, and are torturing and beating local villagers on the diamond fields of Marange district in eastern Zimbabwe, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The military, which remains under the control of the Zi -
EUROPE: Key child rights network folds
2 Jul 2009 | 9:19 pmThe principal European child rights network will close after key funders failed to stump up the cash to keep it afloat.The European Children's Network (EURONET) has been working since the mid-1990s to promote children’s rights in European Union decision-making.But, a -
ASEAN: Inter-American Commission encourages creation of human rights mechanism
2 Jul 2009 | 9:00 pm[WASHINGTON, D.C., 2 July 2009] – In the year of its 50th anniversary, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) welcomes the progress toward establishing a regional human rights body by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In its 42nd Ministerial Meeting, to be h -
Complaints Mechanism: Next Steps
2 Jul 2009 | 8:49 pmUpdate on the campaign – June 2009Latest news from GenevaOn 17 June 2009, the Human Rights Council adopted by consensus a resolution establishing an Open-ended Working Group to «explo -
CHILD LABOUR: Give Girls a Chance: Tackling child labour, a key to the future
14 Jun 2009 | 11:08 pmThis report focuses on girls and child labour, the theme of the World Day against Child Labour for 2009. This, of course, does not diminish our concern with the harm suffered by boys engaged in child labour. However the report is intended to bring home to readers the particular vulnerabilit
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CRIN News Feed - Resources - News Home
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DR-CONGO: UN-Backed Troops Abusing Civilians, HRW Says
2 Jul 2009 | 11:35 pmUnited Nations-backed Congolese armed forces conducting intensified military operations in eastern and northern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have failed to protect civilians from brutal rebel retaliatory attacks and instead are themselves attacking and raping Congolese civilians, Human Righ -
UNITED KINGDOM: Lords asked to alter law to protect children forced into prostitution
2 Jul 2009 | 10:20 pmChildren forced to work as prostitutes in the UK are being deterred from seeking help because of the threat of prosecution, according to a coalition of youth justice groups.Decriminalising the offence of soliciting for those aged under 18 would recognise that they are victims of abuse -
AFRICA: AfricaN Union launches new campaign against human trafficking
2 Jul 2009 | 9:28 pmThe African Union (AU) has launched a new initiative to combat human trafficking on the continent. The launch Tuesday came on the same day the United States added six more African countries to a blacklist of countries trafficking in humans.Chad, Eritrea, Niger, Mauritania, Swaziland, -
EUROPE: Key child rights network folds
2 Jul 2009 | 9:19 pmThe principal European child rights network will close after key funders failed to stump up the cash to keep it afloat.The European Children's Network (EURONET) has been working since the mid-1990s to promote children’s rights in European Union decision-making.But, a -
ASEAN: Inter-American Commission encourages creation of human rights mechanism
2 Jul 2009 | 9:00 pm[WASHINGTON, D.C., 2 July 2009] – In the year of its 50th anniversary, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) welcomes the progress toward establishing a regional human rights body by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In its 42nd Ministerial Meeting, to be h
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Do It Myself Blog - Glenda Watson Hyatt
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Given the Bum View on Canada Day
3 Jul 2009 | 12:11 amWednesday Darrell and I went downtown to Canada Place to celebrate our nation’s birthday. Because Canada Place is undergoing renovations, festivities were held outside. It was a beautiful day for one massive block party! Having spent a few days earlier this year in downtown Chicago, which is wall-to-wall cement and glass, I now appreciate how green Vancouver’s downtown core actually is. I can’t imagine living in a city barren of trees. Making our way through the crowds, we managed to reach Vancouver’s new convention centre Impressive space! Impressive views! However, for a… -
Grateful Canadian Strong and Free
30 Jun 2009 | 5:02 pmWow, June 30th already? That means 2009 is half over! Will the second half be as crazily busy, in an equally good way? That means that tomorrow is Canada Day! With all that is happening around the world, I am even more thankful and grateful to be Canadian. The words “With glowing hearts we see thee rise, / The True North strong and free!” hold extra significance at the moment. Happy Canada Day! Cherish the freedoms we have in this beautiful country. Does anything more need to be said? Technorati Tags: Canada,freedom If you enjoyed this post, consider buying me a coffee. Thanks kindly. -
Verbal Communication: More Than the Written Word Spoken Aloud
25 Jun 2009 | 1:59 am(Photo credit: Becky McCray) Using technology and the voice of “Kate” to give several presentations in recent months, I have become acutely aware of the differences between verbal and written forms of communication. Verbal communication is not simply text converted to speech. Verbal communication, for the most part, is less structured and more fluid. It is not always complete sentences; it is definitely not paragraphs. Verbal communication requires thinking, rationalizing and forming an opinion in the moment. Unless it is a prepared speech, there is no luxury of a draft and revision after… -
Sing Twitter’s Alphabet Song
20 Jun 2009 | 6:50 pmLiving from the seated position, any horizontal surface, at our level, becomes fair game for clutter. Sadly, that is the fate of the work table. No matter how I try to organize it, clutter is always attracted to its surface. After several months of neglect and without anything else too urgent demands my attention today, I figured a lazy Saturday was a good time to tackle the task. With some shredding, recycling and piling to be filed and assistance from Darrell, the desk top began appearing. Obviously, progress was being made. Time for some lunch! Sitting here at my desk, eating macaroni and… -
Does Accessibility Need an Al Gore?
16 Jun 2009 | 12:00 amOver the past couple of months, several people have thanked me for making them aware of the need for accessibility, both on the web and in daily life. I smile. While I appreciate having the tools and voice to make this need known, accessibility is not a new need. Do you know how long I and millions of other people with disabilities have been dealing with less than accessible washrooms, curb cuts and such? Accessibility isn’t a new concept, yet many, many people still don’t get it until they are personally touched by the need. Over the weekend, I was thinking about the environmental…
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Disaboom KaraSwims Blog
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Online Reputation Rescue: How to Recover
30 Jun 2009 | 1:43 pmIf you've spent much time online, you've probably witnessed, survived, or perhaps even made some type of major social networking mistake. Sometimes I think I've seen it all. From the mild, like posting in excitement about the details of a surprise birthday party for someone who can read the post. To the more serious, like congratulating someone on a pregnancy based on a new picture...someone who is not pregnant! When anger is involved, mistakes can morph from mere snafus to full-scale reputation killers. This anger can be transmitted through blogs, forum posting, tweets, status… -
The Most Accessible Season and Social Inclusion
29 Jun 2009 | 8:57 amNow that we've returned to the land of four seasons, I've taken note of different challenges to my access in each. For winter, there's the obvious: SNOW! Even a mild snow storm can immobilize me and cold weather makes my achy bones and joints that much more hesitant to brave the conditions. Summer is free of such obstacles but inaccessibility isn't only an aspect of our physical surroundings. Social functioning, too, can be inaccessible. Living within close proximity to so many friends and family is a relatively new experience for my husband and me. We've loved the… -
On Olympic Day, I can't help but wonder
26 Jun 2009 | 12:13 pmAround the world and across the country, Tuesday was Olympic Day. It's a celebration of athletes, good sportsmanship, respect, and perseverance. That last one (perseverance) is especially near and dear to my heart because it was my topic for the talk I delivered to over 200 children in Columbus, OH on Tuesday. As usual, the children were amazing. They sat quietly and listened for almost an hour! At the end, they had some truly thought provoking questions ("Do you love what you do?"), some incredibly tough Olympic trivia that stumped me ("How many Olympic sports are… -
Tennis anyone? My new job
5 Jun 2009 | 2:02 pmIt's hard to believe that I've been involved with adapted sports for more than 10 years now. I started competitively swimming in 1998-my freshman year of college. In some ways it feels like adapted sports have always been a part of my life. Other time though-I realize how beneficial they are to children and teenagers with disabilities and I wish I could have gotten involved earlier...which probably accounts for my support of adapted sports long after I've left the pool and retired from formal competition. I'm ecstatic to announce that I just landed a new job facilitating… -
Tuesdays at 9pm: Two new TV shows about disability
1 Jun 2009 | 9:07 pmSummer television programing brings new shows and new opportunities to smash stereotypes about people with disabilities. I've been pleasantly surprised by the number of major shows that feature at least one character with a disability. The inclusion of people like us is part of the battle but the more important question remains: Will these shows have a positive or negative impact on people with disabilities? Tuesdays at 9pm (EST) now offer not one-but TWO opportunities to find out. Incase you've missed them, I've covered the premiere episodes of these shows. In my totally…
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Disaboom Disabled Politico Blog
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Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Funding Special Education
23 Jun 2009 | 2:51 pmThe Supreme Court of the United States ruled Monday that parents who send their children to private schools because of their special needs cannot be barred from receiving taxpayer-funded reimbursements solely for choosing a private school. The case began in Forest Grove, Oregon, when the administrators of Forest Grove High School allegedly ignored reports indicating that a student identified as T.A. might have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. T.A. was floundering in school because of his undiagnosed disorder, and after he ran away from home multiple times, his mother took… -
Illinois Residents May Now Report Disabled Parking Fraud Online
22 Jun 2009 | 3:24 pmIllinois residents are now able to report disabled parking violations through a form on the Illinois Secretary of State's website, the Daily Chronicle announced Sunday. Residents who witness what they believe to be a violation of laws reserving certain spaces for individuals with disabilities are asked to obtain the vehicle's license plate number, the number of the disabled placard in the vehicle if applicable, the location of the alleged abuse, and a description of the reported violation. Violations of disabled parking laws could include parking in a space reserved for people… -
Clerk Sues Abercrombie & Fitch, Alleging She Was Banished to Stock Room Because Her Prosthetic Arm Didn't Fit Retailer's "Look Policy"
17 Jun 2009 | 2:49 pmRiam Dean, 22, has sued retailer Abercrombie & Fitch for over $40,000 in damages. The former clerk says A & F discriminated against her because she wears a prosthetic arm due to congenital limb deficiency. Dean, a law student, says she was told that she'd violated the company's "Look Policy" and was forced to work in a back stockroom where customers could not see her. Riam was originally hired to work on the sales floor in the trendy retailer's flagship London store. Ms. Dean says she was told during employee training to buy a plain white cardigan to wear… -
Update on Alex Barton: Family Wasn't Notified of Meeting to Reinstate Teacher Who Led Students in Voting Him Out of Class
16 Jun 2009 | 11:58 amMelissa Barton, mother of Alex Barton, was not notified of a School Board hearing to reinstate Wendy Portillo as a tenured teacher, the Disabled Politico team has learned. Portillo led Kindergarten students in "voting" to exclude Alex from his classroom last May. Alex has Asperger Syndrome, an Autism spectrum disorder. Ms. Barton tells the Disabled Politico team, "I was never told there would be a hearing regarding Wendy Portillo. I honestly thought once a judge and the superintendent decided that she was wrong, it would be over. My fight is far from over. I thought it… -
Teacher Who Let Students "Vote Out" 5-Year-Old Boy with Asperger's Syndrome Gets Her Job Back
11 Jun 2009 | 4:20 pmWendy Portillo, the Kindergarten teacher infamous for permitting neurotypical students to vote a boy with a form of Autism out of her class, will keep both her contract with the St. Lucie County school district and her tenured status after a unanimous vote by the School Board. Portillo is "overjoyed" by the ruling and hopes to return to teaching. [Update: Alex's family wasn't notified of the hearing to reinstate Portillo.] In May of 2008, Ms. Portillo led her students in a reality TV-like exercise in which Alex Barton, then 5 years old, was made to stand in front…
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Disaboom Saydrah Blog
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Toyota Unveils Thought-Powered Wheelchair, Controlled by User's Brain Waves
29 Jun 2009 | 3:53 pmJapanese auto manufacturer Toyota has taken its brainwave interface technology to the next level by unveiling a wheelchair controlled by the user's thoughts, with a revolutionary system allowing "nearly instant" movement forward, right, or left. Previous brainwave-controlled wheelchairs took several seconds to read signals from the user's brain. Toyota's creation, below, takes a mere 25 milliseconds to read signals from a brain-scan electroencephalograph (BSE). A cap worn by the user relayes electrical impulses from the brain to an on-board computer that… -
Battle of the Sexes
25 Jun 2009 | 3:36 pmThese jokes were emailed to me. This post is for everyone who's ever had a ridiculous argument with their partner. Live, love, laugh it off in the morning! Understanding Women (as told by a man)I know I'm not going to understand women. I'll never understand how you can take boiling hot wax, pour it onto your upper thigh, rip the hair out by the root, and still be afraid of a spider . The Silent TreatmentA man and his wife were having some problems at home and were giving each other the silent treatment. Suddenly, the man realized that the next day,he would… -
Back When Game Shows Were Funny, Not Scripted
23 Jun 2009 | 3:32 pmI ran across some old "best of" quotes from Hollywood Squares today, and thought I'd share them here. Does anyone else still love watching reruns from a time when game show hosts and guests genuinely made funny quips off the cuff, rather than having a team of writers to prepare their "spontaneous" puns? Q.. Paul, what is a good reason for pounding meat? A. Paul Lynde: Loneliness! (The audience laughed so long and so hard it took up almost 15 minutes of the show!) Q. Do female… -
20 Amazing Albino Animals Say "Different is Beautiful!"
18 Jun 2009 | 1:05 pmDo you ever feel like you stand out in a crowd? Think everyone is staring? So do these albino animals (and a few animals that look like albinos, but aren't-- read on for the explanation). But as you can see from this collection of photos, different is beautiful. Next time you think someone's staring at you, take a cue from our first albino animal and strike a pose! 1. White-Tailed DeerOnly about one in 30,000 white-tailed deer is a true albino like this fawn! There are also white deer who are not albinos. These are the result of a color mutation similar to the one responsible… -
What Happens When You Order a Cosmopolitan in a Bar in Western Australia
8 Jun 2009 | 2:14 pmI hope the customer took his ribbing in good humor and tipped the bartender well. Want to see another funny receipt? This one was actually given to me at a burger joint-- I think they're a little too honest. More humor? Photo source: Emailed to me by a friend who tends bar in Perth, WA. If this is your receipt, speak up! What did you really order?
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ALS Blog Spot
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Dead End Ahead?
30 Jun 2009 | 12:41 pmContracting ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is among one of life's most troubling diagnosis, it has no cure. Even a veteran neurologist has a tough time reaching this dreadful conclusion. When the testing begins, your surroundings turn to black and white followed by long sleepless nights. Your stomach is put on notice and your appetite disappears. You're hoping for something to go wrong or a medical error that produces a blessing. After two weeks of searching, hoping, and investigating, you're ready for the torture to stop. To relieve the stress you anxiously beg for any decision. All the… -
When Thorns Become Blessings
20 Jun 2009 | 8:40 amI must admit that in the five years since my ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) diagnosis, I have been a bitter man trying to understand why this happened to me. After years of struggling through the daily challenges of a marriage, raising children, and constantly grabbing at my economic wants, I have ALS. Just when life was getting wonderful, I have ALS. This disease usually strikes people between the ages of forty and sixtyRecently I have been trying to make sense of all this while accepting the fact that there is no solution. I was hoping that somewhere, someone had written some sort of guide… -
What Happened to my GOP?
21 Aug 2008 | 4:05 pm"Compassionate Conservative." "Fiscal Conservative." "Social Conservative." "The Grand Old Party / The GOP." Growing up I heard those terms all too much and I search today for their value. My Dad was a GOP guy and so very proud of it. My Dad also died of ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease and that was 20 years ago. Nothing has changed with ALS, there still is no cure and the deaths are on the rise. As my Dad reads the news today I'm sure he is disappointed with his "Grand Old Party." I'm sure he would say, "why the lies, why the debt, why the mess, why all the suffering."In 2004 my Dad witnessed… -
ALS Global Awareness Day
20 Jun 2008 | 11:53 amJune 21 is Global ALS Awareness Day. ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, the man made famous by his accomplishments as a New York Yankee while becoming the first advocate for ALS. In his 1939 farewell speech to a sold out Yankee stadium, he told his fans he was the "Luckiest Man on the Face of the Earth." As a person coping with ALS, I am lucky in many ways. Sounds strange I know but at age 55 I have lived a robust life, children grown and a head start on early retirement. The best luck, is my loving wife who has now taken on the role of nurse and… -
Single ALS Mom
22 Mar 2008 | 7:27 amMy name is Jennifer Coffill. I was born and raised in Florida. I am a 34 year old single mother of a beautiful, smart and energetic 3 year old daughter named Carrie Lynn. I started having symptoms of ALS a year and a half ago and was finally diagnosed 6 months ago, the day before Thanksgiving. I saw nine different doctors before a positive diagnosis was made. After 2 days of painful testing and an excruciating spinal tap, the neurologist on call for the ER told me to go see a psychiatrist because whatever was wrong with me was all in my head. I kept reaching out to who ever would listen, even…
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Disaboom Beauty, Wheelchair Fashion and Dating - Tiffiny - C6 Quadriplegic Blog
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Furutistic, thought-controlled wheelchairs just a few years away
30 Jun 2009 | 2:23 pmI blogged about the exciting new technology of thought-powered wheelchairs a few months ago (you can read my previous blog here), and hot damn, there’s already another news story out on this very subject. Is this a sign, being that Toyota is now all over it (with Japan itself helping front the cost of the research), that thought-powered technology is not only on the rise, but should be taken seriously as something that may be available to high quads, people with advanced Parkinson‘s, and anyone else interested in using it (Oracle from Birds of Prey) very soon?As you can see from Hiro… -
Would you buy condoms in public while using a wheelchair?
24 Jun 2009 | 9:09 pmIt’s no secret that most people in the world are clueless to the fact that people who use wheelchairs can still have active (and satisfying) sex lives. So when I headed down the “Intimacy” aisle at Target the other day, it really didn’t come as any surprise when I got some curious looks from the nearby “feminine product” shoppers (and why condoms are placed by the tampons in the first place is beyond me. They really should go in the “raincoat” area, or in the “home safety” area (along with CO2 detectors).But I digress. The stares I received this time around - and I’m… -
Should wheelchair-users in prison get special treatment?
19 Jun 2009 | 6:12 pmA recent headline out of Toronto - 'Wheelchair Killer’ fears prison payback - got me thinking about how hard (like, extra extra hard) it must be for wheelchair-users who end up in prison. But then I chide myself. They deserve it, right? What’s fair is fair. Afterall, I firmly believe people with disabilities shouldn’t get any type of special treatment, especially when it comes to judicial matters.But, is it extra torturous and therefore a harsher punishment for a guy in a wheelchair vs. a guy who can walk (if let’s say they’re both serving identical terms)? I’m going to assume… -
Can babies be prejudiced?
16 Jun 2009 | 9:30 pmMy brother and wife’s recent breeding activities (three babies in three years) has intrigued me, making me ponder the mental development process that all babies must go through. I specifically wonder at which point do babies finally understand the concept of disability. When are babies capable of being prejudiced? An article in ScienceBlog.com from a couple of years ago asked this very question in fact (found here). It talked about how babies’ first hints of prejudices will surface in the realm of languages. When lured by two different people - one speaking a language with whom it’s… -
Near death, man goes on “awareness” journey across nation from wheelchair
11 Jun 2009 | 8:23 amSo I have to talk about this guy David Whittaker. He’s a disabled homeless vet who’s in need of a heart-transplant from the Valdosta, Florida-area. Since he’s not high up on the heart recipient list (which means he‘s probably going to be die soon), he’s decided to drive his wheelchair from Florida to Washington state VIA THE FREEWAY and other busy roads. And “Why?” you may be asking. Well, it’s not a Bucket List goal, but neither is it for something I can fully understand. That’s the problem I have with this whole thing. Ok, so he’s going to drive 5,000 miles, while…
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WHEELCHAIR PRINCESS
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Michael Jackson, the goldfish
27 Jun 2009 | 4:11 pmMy mum reminded me this evening that when we were really little my brother and I had a goldfish each. I’d remembered that we had one…. my brother’s which was called Sally. But I’d forgotten that I’d had one too. Sally lost all her colour suddenly but lived a long time (years). My goldfish which was [...] -
50!
25 Jun 2009 | 3:43 pmOne of my goals on my current 101 in 1001 list is to read 100 books in one year. This is the third year I’ve attempted to do so through the now defunct 100 Books Club and I hoped that putting on my 101 in 1001 list would make me more likely to achieve it. [...] -
Lose Sight Of The Shore
23 Jun 2009 | 3:59 pmLast year the big thing I did at sailing that was new to me was the regattas. Rutland was the first one and it was great fun but it tested and pushed me in ways I had never expected. I was overwhelmed by a lot of it as it was more serious than either my [...]
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Autism Vox
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More Speaking
2 Jul 2009 | 7:49 amAdditional responses to “What’s the one thing you’d like to say to your relatives about your autistic child?”: “Just love him and enjoy him. Let me worry about the rest.” “Thank you for loving him and treating him like the beautiful blessing that he is. We’re blessed and lucky to have family that ‘gets it’!” Photo by Me-Liss-A (flickr.com) “Sometimes (my wife and I) need your help watching him so we can spend some time on ‘us’.” “How we live for the ‘us’ moments, and have learned… -
Summer daze
1 Jul 2009 | 12:34 pmThis summer is off to an odd start. Usually there are no more than a few days between the end of school and the start of Alex’s summer school. (Last two years, he went to day camp, and that started almost immediately after school: no lag.) This year there is a solid week off between the two. Photo courtesy of crabchick (flickr.com) Ordinarily I’d be harried and a bit peeved: I’d be running after Alex and Ned while Jeff slaved away at his job. But this year everything’s been turned upside down. Jeff is at home; I’m at work (at least this week). And while… -
All Together Now
1 Jul 2009 | 8:33 amImage world-war-2-airplane-model.com The 1/48th Corsair fighter plane was going to be my comeback piece, the plastic model kit (”hobby kit,” now that I’m almost 50 and can afford the good kids) to prove that my eyes were as sharp and my hands as steady as when I was 16 and building the bargain kits. I put it right up on top of the bookshelf, out of the way, with the now-empty boxes of the snap-together airplanes I did with the boys. “Airplane? Airplane?” Alex kept saying. I had some computer work in the afternoon while Ned built a model on his own, and as… -
Caregivers and Relationships: New Tools
29 Jun 2009 | 6:05 pmCareGiver360 was created by Ken Ziel, a Colorado father whose son has a range of developmental and physical disabilities. Ziel was inspired to create CareGiver360 from his experiences raising a son with an array of special needs and trying to communicate all of those needs to multiple care providers. “When providers left or new providers came in, I could see that the process of being brought up to speed and adapting to new procedures was just as hard on the caregivers as it was on me and (my son) Austin,” Ziel said. Caregivers can also use the tool to streamline updates in care… -
No school tomorrow
28 Jun 2009 | 5:57 pmIt’s a typical Sunday evening, except without the deadline. It doesn’t matter what time everyone goes to bed: no alarm clock’s going to go off at 6 a.m. in the morning. On the one hand, that’s great. To me, summer is freedom, late mornings, no homework, no early bedtime. On the other: what’s Alex going to think when, in a couple of months, he returns to school, but to an entirely new building? He’ll be in summer school this year (we decided he didn’t get that much out of camp) but that always takes place in a different site from his…
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Rollercoaster Parenting
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Hart Walker
18 Jun 2009 | 1:50 amHow is this for a story!Boo Boo was recently approved to receive a Hart Walker. This is an amazing piece of kit. At first view, it looks like some torture rack from the days of the Inquisition. But it's actually an ingenious machine that teaches kids how to walk the way you and I take for granted. In that sense it's a gait trainer, once strapped in you have to walk by moving your knees up and down and keep your legs apart. No tip toeing, no knee knocking and no skateboarding like on the Kaye walker. You see, with the Kaye walker you use your hands to move the walker forwards, and as long as… -
My Dave Moment
2 Jun 2009 | 12:17 amOn Sunday, I had a "Dave Hingsburger moment."For those of you who haven't "met" Dave yet, you simply must have a look at his fantastic blog. Dave is a long-standing and very powerful disability advocate, who does not shy away from confronting people who are discriminatory towards people with a disability. I read his blog and admire not only his insight and analytical powers (not to mention how consistently articulate he is) and wonder where he finds the courage to do what he does.Well, on Sunday evening, from somewhere deep inside me, came that same courage.Hubby and I decided to go to the… -
Au pair pickle
20 May 2009 | 7:34 pmThis is not an easy post to write. But the thoughts are bopping around in my head, and I need them out. So here goes. Sorry.Our beloved nanny Jessy is going to do some volunteer work overseas. Good on her, she has my full support in this. But of course, I will miss her terribly. We've had some friends staying with us recently, and I realised how much I enjoy having someone else in the house. It's just fantastic what I can do while little Boo Boo is asleep. A quick trip to the shops, or to the vet. Go down in the bush to collect some foliage for the animals. Or even go and pick up the boys… -
Invisible People
18 May 2009 | 3:09 amLast Friday I went to an ad agency. They're preparing a brief to bring disabled kids "out into the open" in a community campaign run by a major corporation. I might be able to tell you more about that later. But for now, let's stick to my visit to the add agency. I was there with a friend who is also a mother of a child with a disability (we both work as volunteers for ACD NSW). The creative team of this big agency wanted to get a bit of an insight of what life is like as a parent of a disabled kid.Well, it was kind of difficult to explain to three very creative and clever young people what… -
Zoo Station - Book Review.
12 May 2009 | 2:15 amYou've probably noticed, it's quiet here on rollercoaster parenting. I'm way too busy riding the rollercoaster at the moment. Hubby is travelling, kids are taking turns being sick - as is poor Sanna, who hasn't been well much since she came - and I'm way way behind with all my work. Thankfully it's winter, and there aren't that many animals around!Regular readers will remember the Transnational Disability-Inspired book club run over on Chewing the Fat, Dave Hingsburger's must read blog. I have managed to read the book, but just can't find the time to write a review - so I will have to throw…
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Rolling Around In My Head
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Kissing Future's Cheek
3 Jul 2009 | 3:33 amI'm teaching summer school for the seventh year running. I look forward to these classes every year. They are aimed at being small, relaxed with lots of opportunities for questions, discussion and learning. They are the only really informal/formal classes I do in the year.Before we moved, it was a simple drive over from our house. Now it's a fair drive and through city traffic. I spent some time searching on the web and found a fabulous and brand new hotel/resort a few minutes north of the venue. We decided to stay there. We pulled up to a brand new buildiing. The wheelchair guy painted,… -
For The Telling
1 Jul 2009 | 10:41 pmShe was sitting at the table next to us. She had laid a puzzle book out in front of her and was doing a crossword. She slowly drank a cup of coffee and the waiter, given up asking if she was ready to order had simply said, 'Let me know when I can get you something.' We were sitting on a patio about to order a very late lunch. I had worked much of Canada Day up at the office so we had very little time to get into the spirit of the day.We were chatting about upcoming plans and enjoying sitting outside. Several people from our old days of living downtown Toronto spotted us and came over to chat… -
New Glasses: Two Weeks
30 Jun 2009 | 10:37 pmOK, you should have seen it.I left work a bit early because Joe had to go get his eyes tested and had been told that he wouldn't be able to drive for several hours after the dreaded drops had been dropped. The optomitrist is in an area that is normally accessible but the road in front of the accessible entrance has been torn up so I was unable to go with him. Instead we went along the underground mall as far as the stairs and I pulled into a little tea shop there to wait.The shop is very accomodating and moved tables around so I could sit and sip my Egyptian Cammomile tea (you haven't lived)… -
Accessibilizing The Day
29 Jun 2009 | 10:38 pmWe decided to 'accessible' the city. A beautiful Saturday morning loomed and we were going off to see the opera on the big screen. The closest one to us is a bit to far for me to roll and Joe to walk. A quick check on the internet and we discovered that we have several accessible subway stops near us and the closest to the theatre is also accessible. I loaded tokens into my pocket and we were off.At Queen's Part an elevator rises out of the ground and we got on and road down into the system. This was my second trip on the subway so I wasn't quite so nervous. I launched across the divide and… -
40th Anniversary
28 Jun 2009 | 10:09 pmToday is our 40th anniversary, thanks to Mike and his family for the wonderful photograph above. Instead of writing a typical blog, here are answers to five questions we are often asked, leaving out the inevitable, what do guys do in bed together anyways ...Question: Did you plan your anniversary to be so close to Gay Pride Day?Answer: Our relationship began 40 years ago, one day past the Stone Wall riots that began the gay movement and would eventually become Gay Pride Day. We had no idea what was going on in New York at the time. After all we were high school students in Campbell River. So…
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Half Soled Boots
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Great and Powerful Oz
30 Jun 2009 | 3:36 pmMy friend emailed me today with a cautious inquiry as to my health...apparently I've been a little too silent.Definitely the blog has suffered, the last few months, from a lack of action on my part. Especially the crafty stuff - it's not that I haven't been doing it, I just haven't been telling you about it. KnittingMy feet have been cold lately, so I finished a pair of "Grown-up Booties" from Ysolda's book "Whimsical Little Knits". Well, I've finished one, and the second one is half done. I am going to be about 5 grams short of yarn, so I'll pick up some more from the Farmer's Market on… -
Putting Paid
25 Jun 2009 | 12:04 amOh Buffy, thank you. THANK YOU.WATCH BUFFY DEAL WITH EDWARD.I tried to embed this, but the blogger format cut off the entire right side of the scene. Watch it though - it's so worth it, even if you haven't seen either show. -
Swiffed.
20 Jun 2009 | 12:25 amIf I showed you a picture of the bottoms of my feet, you'd know what we needed the Swiffer for. Public hall floors are disgusting.People had cameras, so you might get to see a photo if any of them turn out (doubtful - it's hard to take good photos of dancers) but I took one self portrait for the blog header anyway, to give you a teeny glimpse.It was a great night - lots of dancers in the audience, which is always energizing. Thanks, everybody who showed up - Rona, Brenda, Alison, Kate and her mum, my friends Sandy Leanne Teralee Renee AND my lovely mother - it was great to have you there,… -
A22
19 Jun 2009 | 10:50 amMy list for today:BUY:false eyelashes + adhesivefake piercingssafety pinslarge red faux flower + hairpinPACK:Swifferclothing adhesive/double-faced tapestick-on rhinestonesbeaded fringeWitch Hazelankle bellsoutfit X 4Rescue RemedyThree guesses what I'm doing tonight. -
Twitterty-Gibbet
11 Jun 2009 | 12:03 amI'm a bit conflicted about Twitter. It seems like unalloyed narcissism. But then, I've been giving it a try for the last week or two and I've noticed that it comes in handy for odd one-liners that I might have turned into blog posts but which really don't deserve that much air time.So in that way it's potentially useful, provided one doesn't become unhealthily obsessed with apprising the internet of their every eye-twitch.There's a per-tweet entry limit of about 140 characters (160?) and I often wonder how this will affect the next generation of upper-academia: how much do you want to bet…
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Touched By an Alien: Life as I Know It
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That Child Needs a Good Smack
26 Jun 2009 | 11:17 amIt’s the middle of a birthday party and a six-year-old girl is lying on the floor crying because her balloon popped. The other children go off to play games, the little girl remains on the floor screaming. The host of the party drags her to another room and closes the door. She continues to scream for the party. When she gets home, she gets in trouble, but she still doesn’t really grasp that there is a difference between crying briefly when a favourite toy breaks and ruining a birthday party. That six-year-old has Asperger Syndrome. That little girl was me in grade one.Tantrums, sensation… -
Status Update: June 2009
23 Jun 2009 | 12:59 pmI am enjoying my summer off and spending time with my family and animals. I’ve been swimming in the backyard pool, going in the hottub, playing the newly released Sims 3, and playing with the dogs. Annie is growing fast. She is now 3 months old. Maggie is 10 months and doesn’t look like a puppy anymore. Eva is 15 months and still acts like a big puppy. I know it takes large breeds longer to settle down.We are unfortunately going to be finding a home for one of our cats, Tuffy. As our household grew with animals, he began urinating in the house. We have tried everything, including… -
Medication and the Autism Spectrum
23 Jun 2009 | 12:43 pmRecent developments in medication (by recent I mean the last few decades) have resulted in many individuals with Asperger Syndrome and other related disorders gaining some control over symptoms such as meltdowns, thus allowing for increased independence and quality of life. Unfortunately, medications come with some side effects. The media does an especially good job of pointing these out. I believe, like my doctor does, in the lowest effective dose possible. Often exercise, relaxation, and dietary supplements like omega 3s can reduce the dosage of medication needed. For instance, exercise… -
Autism Services: Making the Grade for Schooling and Employment
19 Jun 2009 | 7:34 amI originally started this post as a comment on a facebook group, but I decided it was good enough to post on my blog. I find there are more services for children with AS than adults. Still, our province (Alberta) has some good programs for adults such as AISH (a disability system separate from welfare where individuals with disabilities who are unable to work full time can receive assistance and still earn some additional income). They also have employment training services such as onsite placement that works with people with disabilities in finding employment (including helping place those… -
Age Appropriate Protection
16 Jun 2009 | 1:34 pmIndividuals on the spectrum often need more support than their typical aged peers. For instance, I was 15 before I was allowed to ride my bike downtown because of getting lost easily. I knew of this limitation so I didn’t complain about being restricted. I lived in the same town for ten years, and it was only in my last year there (age 15-16), I began learning my way around it outside of my neighbourhood. I still had to ask for directions a lot.People with Asperger Syndrome often have trouble with finding their way around places, coordination and spatial awareness, can be overly trusting of…
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My Private Casbah
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Rep. Broun Says Global Warming is a Hoax
27 Jun 2009 | 6:44 pmI love it when people like Broun stand up and make their stupidity evident. It makes it a lot easier to identify the people we need not take seriously. I wish this video would have shown just who applauded this nonsense, so that we canIt also gives me the lulz when these dumb-asses prove that they have absolutely no idea about how science works. In science, it doesn't matter what someone SAYS. It's the data that proves/disproves ideas and establishes things. Consensus is built through the peer-review process and independent verification of conclusions. In other words, scientists can think… -
Talking to My Six-Year Old Daughter About Death (and Life)
25 Jun 2009 | 1:09 pmThough my partner and I avoided conversations about death with my daughter, we weren't able to avoid the topic eventually. I remember the day when things finally came to a head and it had to be dealt with.When, in my daughter's presence, several people had spoken about the likelihood of me dying --you'd be surprised how many thoughtless people there are in the world--she came to me all worried and asked me about whether it was true. I decided to pretend as if the possibility of this had never occurred to me before. I acted like it really, really scared me and then I told her, "Wait a minute,… -
The New Agenda is the same as the old agenda
11 Jun 2009 | 5:34 pmAmy Siskind has written an article for the Huffington Post entitled "Sexism Against Conservative Women is Still Sexism". It was mildly interesting, but I don't think she has expressed the problem nearly as others have. She's still stuck on the idea that sexism is the ultimate problem we need to face.When is sexism acceptable? The answer should be never. Yet for many feminists in our country, only certain types of women have been worth defending. When a conservative woman is the target of an attack, many so-called feminists stay silent. This "selective sexism", or speaking out against sexism… -
Storekeeper Proves Actions Speak Louder Than Words
9 Jun 2009 | 5:03 amThis story really warmed my heart. NEW YORK (CNN) -- A potential victim became a compassionate counselor during a recent robbery attempt, changing the would-be criminal's mind -- and apparently his religion. Storekeeper Mohammad Sohail was closing up his Long Island convenience store just after midnight on May 21 when -- as shown on the store's surveillance video -- a man came in wielding a baseball bat and demanding money. "He said, 'Hurry up and give me the money, give me the money!' and I said, 'Hold on'," Sohail recalled in a phone interview with CNN on Tuesday, after the store video and… -
More Proof That God Loves Homosexuality
8 Jun 2009 | 4:04 pmFrom Canada's CBC News:Keepers at Germany's Bremerhaven zoo couldn't get two penguin parents to take care of their egg, so they're trying an experiment — they gave the egg to a gay male penguin couple. The biological parents "always rolled the egg out of their nest, they kicked it out again and again," zoo veterinarian Joachim Schoene said. "Then we made the decision not to give it up and instead try to give it two fathers." So far, the experiment has been a success. The two foster dads incubated the egg for 30 days until it hatched and have continued to care for the newborn chick.You know,…
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Sunny Dreamer -- We write to taste life twice...
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Anatomy of Childhood: Debil Debil!
3 Jul 2009 | 12:00 amIt's been quite a while since I've partaken of literary chocolate, sssooo... ...with an anticipatory sparkle in my light green eyes, I lift the shiny gold lid marked "Chocolates" in brown flowing script off the square box on my desk and set it aside. peering into the box I peruse the delectable contents, ignoring the six empty spots where I've already partaken of the sweet candy. today, a small round dark chocolate treat dusted with chocolate sprinkles catches my eye. biting into it, I close my eyes in pleasure, savoring the soft, rich and creamy caramel center... Mmmmmmm! Sinfully delicious! -
Spirit Guidance from Bear
21 Jun 2009 | 12:00 amI never thought I'd be adding the Bear to my deck of SoulCollage(R) cards. Not because I don't like the animal, I do, but I never thought she would pertain to any aspect of my life. I'm finding out though, as I go along on these self-discovery journeys, I'm in for a lot more surprises, and there's a lot I missed in the past because I didn't know what to look for or how to recognize it when it came. But, I'm wiser--at least, somewhat--and I am learning with each new experience.
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Arthritic Young Thing
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What I've Been Up To - In Point Form
15 Jun 2009 | 9:52 pmDue to fatigue and a severely short attention span, today's post is brought to you in jotnote form!Of late, I've been:-spending time with the boy. I have a boy now, a submissive partner, who may just be the sweetest and most adorable thing I've ever seen. He's a newbie, so I get to vicariously do everything for the first time through him. He's such a sweet young innocent thing. Gawd, that makes me predatory and protective all at the same time. Can't explain it.-doing physio exercises diligently - and then not. I have periods of increase or a good plateau, and then I'll decline and plateau and… -
You Lookin' At Me?
13 May 2009 | 11:46 pmI don't know what I was doing today, but whatever it was, it worked. Two people called me pretty, and one called me beautiful, unsolicited. These are people I met out and about doing appointments, people I needed to interact with like bus drivers and receptionists. People who clearly were not trying to pick me up. People kept smiling at me all day long too. It was an awesome day! It couldn't have been my polished facade because I was in jeans and a zipped shirt, with my hair shoved up in a clip. I don't even know if I washed my face, and people are responding to me like...I'm great and… -
Feeling a Bit Touchy
10 May 2009 | 5:07 amI had another fabulous night at SinCity tonight. The theme was medical fetish, so I wrapped a bandage around my head and put fake blood on the bandage to look like a head trauma patient. I took the cane to use as a prop, but wound up ditching it because it was getting in the way. It's really great to go from needing a cane all the time to using it as a prop!I got to dance a lot tonight, and didn't really feel much pain. I got to do some hot dirty dancing with my friend SoccerGirl, and made out with her later. My friend, male, who was watching us intently (I wonder why ;P) pointed out later… -
Sex Wreckage
9 May 2009 | 6:15 pmLast night after sex with the boy, my floor was covered in clothing, condoms and one broken lamp.Obviously, it was a good night. ;)This is my footer. -
Pills and Progress
4 May 2009 | 12:47 pmYesterday I graduated to a much shorter pill stack, and I'm thrilled. In my purse I carry this pill divider that is basically a cylinder with a series of tiered containers. It looks rather like this. When I first bought it, I filled all 7 tiers to the brim with medications. That was, I believe, in November. Yesterday I was refilling the stacks and somehow only wound up stacking four. I've managed to cut back on my meds dramatically! Every little sign of progress is incredibly heartening. Some other notable improvements; I hardly ever use my canes to walk anymore, I finally found some…
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Blob
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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-06-28
27 Jun 2009 | 9:53 amand so it goes … another ph battle with the centrelink plebs…. # wishing I could actually swipe my cursor on my mac across the coverflow section in iTunes and have it move like on theiPhone … # @fang RT @KevinRuddPM: Forum on Gov 2.0 LIVE NOW join in #publicsphere http://122.99.92.254/ http://www.katelundy.com.au/live/ #KevinPM Team # interesting how coveritlive is a couple minutes ahead of video feed - text trumps # back to editing podcast # shownotes done. now to get this audio converted, tagged uploaded. # Podcast Up: The Extraordinary Everyday Lives Show #067 - Last Mile… -
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-06-21
20 Jun 2009 | 9:53 am……and so, THREE DAYS later, Telstra get the wires repaired and we’re back! I wonder if it would’ve taken 3 days if wasn’t a weekend. # @lordfolland Still utter !FAIL! in reply to lordfolland # I seem hooked on women without whiskey # @fang its all @kentnewsome’s fault in reply to fang # Adelaide Thinkers in Residence Public Lecture with Dr Genevieve Bell, Black Holes, Backhoes and Broadband - http://is.gd/12Zm1 #atir # writing to @kentnewsome as I head out the door # mucking around with giant prims for @cait in reply to cait # @NathanaelB why not. bt @cait… -
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-06-14
13 Jun 2009 | 9:53 amLooks Interesting: Liberate your iTunes media with DoubleTwist: http://www.doubletwist.com/dt/Home/Index.dt # Just finished watching the movie “August Rush”. Words fail me. # Destiny is a powerful thing, love moreso. # refollowing @cheapamazon - god knows why, costs bloody fortune to get any books from there landed here in oz # @delin good travels. see you on the flipside! in reply to delin # @fang *blinks* in reply to fang # @fang recall how I’ve been talking about needing a hash-tag-event finder thing? http://almost.at # home from the long wed night commute. gee its… -
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-06-14
13 Jun 2009 | 9:53 amLooks Interesting: Liberate your iTunes media with DoubleTwist: http://www.doubletwist.com/dt/Home/Index.dt # Just finished watching the movie “August Rush”. Words fail me. # Destiny is a powerful thing, love moreso. # refollowing @cheapamazon - god knows why, costs bloody fortune to get any books from there landed here in oz # @delin good travels. see you on the flipside! in reply to delin # @fang *blinks* in reply to fang # @fang recall how I’ve been talking about needing a hash-tag-event finder thing? http://almost.at # home from the long wed night commute. gee its… -
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-06-07
6 Jun 2009 | 9:53 amwatching google i/o video about wave http://is.gd/KTyn # don tapscott on TWiT - live.twit.tv # RT @allanmoran: yeah for @Internode Unmetered SBS content http://tinyurl.com/n5egce #internode # RT @fanbloodytastic: am liking the idea of Qantas’ http://allofaus.com.au campaign … # just-home-its-cold-out-there… # @fang neato in reply to fang # up n at em at last # calling about shoddy carpet … again. # @NathanaelB geez that’s tough, all I want is a cup of tea! in reply to NathanaelB # #evernote rss munging # Trying to write a blog post. Gee, wish it was easier. #…
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brokenclay.org/journal
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Faith Communities and Disability
3 Jul 2009 | 3:10 pmVia Wheelie Catholic, a link to PBS’ Religion & Ethics Newsweekly article, Faith Communities and Disability: I’ve had families say to me, “I’ve fought all week to get my kid included in a school or whatever. I shouldn’t—I don’t want to have to fight when it comes to Sunday morning or Saturday.” The piece profiles several inclusive faith communities, but only alludes briefly to the many church congregations and other communities that are positively unwelcoming to those with disabilities. -
Accessible Event Planning
25 Jun 2009 | 8:48 amVia Midlife and Treachery, cripchick’s list of things to consider when planning an event includes: childcare sliding pay scales different ways of getting information out gender-neutral bathrooms food options wheelchair and other mobility-related access structured schedules and awareness of time alternative formats audio description accessible language understanding different learning styles access to quiet space commitment to being anti-oppression trigger warnings arrangements for carpools/room sharing identities and experiences There is lively ongoing discussion in the comments. -
Santa Cruz’s new Pacific Blue Inn
23 Jun 2009 | 2:02 pmFrom Good Times: The elderly man with a walker who didn’t want to take the stairs; the Arizonan who insisted on being “green”; the carpet-phobic Swedish couple that loves bamboo floors; the bride and groom who wanted to rent out a hotel for their wedding party without breaking the bank. These are just a few of the visiting characters that the Pacific Blue Inn in downtown Santa Cruz has seen walk through its doors recently. Contrary to the name, the inn, which has been open less than a month, is actually a “green” inn with many environmentally sound aspects. [...] It is built of… -
Wheelchair Accessible Sprague Lake
16 Jun 2009 | 5:15 pmSo sad - we live not an hour away from one of the most amazing national parks in the country, but only seem to go there when someone comes to visit. So thanks, Mike, for visiting! Sprague Lake, in Rocky Mountain National Park, is encircled by a 1/2 mile wheelchair accessible loop trail. About a 1/2 mile off the the lake, there is an accessible back country campsite with two tent pads, picnic tables, and accessible vault toilet. For information about getting a permit for the campsite, see Rocky Mountain National Park Backcountry/Wilderness Camping Guide. Note that while the guide says that… -
Congratulations, Dave
15 Jun 2009 | 10:42 amDave Hingsburger is celebrating his 1,001st daily post today. His blog was previously Chewing the Fat, now it’s Rolling Around in My Head. If you don’t already read Rolling Around in My Head regularly, go over there and check it out. If you do, leave a comment today to celebrate.
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Coral and Opal
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Happy 4th of July
2 Jul 2009 | 6:21 pmHave a great Independence Day Weekend! An amazing version of the Battle Hymn of the Republic by the Cactus Cuties.... God bless this land. -
Headline of the Day
2 Jul 2009 | 9:45 amHere is your headline of the day, courtesy of the Jackson (MS) Northside Sun : "Woodrow Wilson Project Not Finished After More Delays" I should say so! Talk about delays! ... the roughly $1.5 million project calls for installing new handicapped-friendly devices and improving sidewalks to meet standards established by the Americans with Disabilities Act, (David Willis) said. Sure, blame the guys in wheelchairs. -
Abbey Curran - "You Know You Can Do It."
1 Jul 2009 | 9:52 amIn a recent Miss USA pageant, one contestant made an impact far outlasting the final curtain. She stood up for what she believed in and didn't give in to societal norms about how she should behave. She just put herself out there just as she was, staying true to the values she was raised with, and left her fate in God's hands. In the end, she didn't win, but she went back to her state with her head held high, with thousands of new fans from across the country, and with national media outlets actively working to get her to come on their show and tell her story.The year was 2008, not 2009. And… -
Michael Jackson - The Loneliest of Lives Ends
26 Jun 2009 | 11:26 amSometimes in life, the worst thing that can happen to a person is to become famous. It can be a condition from which you never recover. There are a lot of people in the entertainment world who - like Michael Jackson - become international superstars as children. And the landscape is littered with former child stars who had tremendous difficulty adjusting to life as an adult. Pop culture also brings forth white hot supernovas - young men and women - who reach heights of fame, popularity and success reserved for but a precious few. This too brings troubles. The top of the world can be a very… -
The Fairest Of The Angels
25 Jun 2009 | 12:13 pmOne of the icons of my youth, Farrah Fawcett, has passed away. She was not a particularly great actress, but she had a profound impact on society. If you were to ask the man on the street to respond to the name "Farrah Fawcett," you will get two reactions: She was on "Charlie's Angels" and she posed for one of the most famous pin-up posters in American history. The poster of her in a one-piece swimsuit ranked right up there with the iconic pictures of Marilyn Monroe, Raquel Welch, and Rita Hayworth. She did receive critical acclaim for her portrayal of a battered spouse in The Burning Bed, a…
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Disability Studies, Temple U.
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Blog Carnivals, past and future
27 Jun 2009 | 10:13 pmSorry so late with this--the most recent Disability Blog Carnival, #57, appeared at Jodie's Reimer Reason Blog on June 10. Because participation (like blogging in general) has been down significantly in recent months, the next one will appear on August 13, hosted by Laura at Touched by an Alien: Life as I Know It, with the theme "Relationships and Disability." The blogcarnival.com form is -
Mme Gardriol en chaise, Luchon, 9 juillet 1899
22 Jun 2009 | 5:25 pmMme Gardriol en chaise, Luchon, 9 juillet 1899Originally uploaded by Bibliothèque de Toulouse Another fin-de-siecle matron in a wheeled chair turned up in the Flickr Commons today, this time in the uploads from the Bibliotheque de Toulouse. Above, a black-and-white photograph shows a man standing behind a woman using a three-wheeled chair, in an outdoor setting we're told is Luchon, on 9 July -
More Flickr Finds: Wheelchairs at the Bronx Zoo, c1910
4 Jun 2009 | 10:18 amSo, the photo above (from the Library of Congress uploads to Flickr Commons, from the Bain Collection of news photos taken 1910-1915) depicts Mrs. Field, obviously a well-to-do matron, in what appears to be a wicker wheeled chair, pushed along an outdoor path by an older African-American man in a suit and bowler hat.Was Mrs. Field a wheelchair user?Not so fast. Check out this other photo from -
Housekeeping Time
22 May 2009 | 6:47 pmI notice that I've still got "new" tags on the blogroll for things I added in May 2008. So it must be time to cull through--move dormant and defunct blogs out of the active blogroll, delete links that don't work anymore, and add more blogs. I've given up trying to keep up with ALL the disability-related blogs out there--it's a huge universe compared to where we were just three years ago! But -
Definitely Severely Euphemized
14 May 2009 | 6:56 pm[Image description: "Severely Euphemized" t-shirt from the Nth Degree.]Proving once again that faith organizations can be among the most strenuous in bending inside out and sideways to avoid using the word "disability," I give you the Lutheran (ELCA) summer youth event for disabled teens.... the Definitely Abled Youth Leadership Event. Look around the page, see if you can find the word "
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Down the MS Path
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MS Progressive Types: The Human Side
1 Jul 2009 | 12:48 pmThis series on Progressive MS for the MS Section of Health Central has included long articles that paint a bleak picture of life with MS. This one adds a personal touch, including stories from several MSers living with one form or another of Progressive MS. This article was first published June 17. Here it is --MS Progressive Types: The Human SideWith Progressive MS, there is not a moment free from the thought and feel of MS. Pretty scary? This series of articles started with an explanation of the different types of MS and then continued by expanding on Progressive MS. Some of the information… -
Progressive MS Types: Research
23 Jun 2009 | 5:31 pmIn the series of articles on Progressive MS for the MS Section of Health Central, this one talks aboutresearch. This article was first published June 10. Here it is --Progressive MS Types: Research" What is research but a blind date with knowledge?" ~ Will Harvey At least 60% of all MSers have Relapsing/Remitting MS (RRMS). It follows that most clinical trials apply to RRMS as well. The goal of these clinical trials is to slow or prevent slipping into the chasm known as Chronic Progressive MS. There is less known and fewer treatments for progressive MS types and also less research to address… -
Pictures of MS
19 Jun 2009 | 1:35 pmCan a picture convey what MS means to you?The Multiple Sclerosis Trust is a UK charity with a mission to provide information, education for professionals, research funding and support. They sponsored a photography contest for MSers to show what MS means to them. This is exciting. My Facebook friend Denise Walburgh is a finalist in the photography contest!There are nine photographs with a sentence or short paragraph that how or why the image represents MS. One says ". . . the picture says it all." I think each of the pictures provides a personal voice we can all understand.Check out the… -
MS Progressive Types: Treatments
17 Jun 2009 | 3:17 pmIn the series of articles on Progressive MS for the MS Section of Health Central, the third one talks about treatments. This article was first published June 3. Here it is -- MS Progressive Types: TreatmentsThe MS community was thrilled in 1993 when the FDA announced approval of the first drug that addressed the disease instead of just symptoms. Approval of Interferon B opened up a whole new world of possibilities for MSers. In the next few years, a family of drugs -- Avonex, Betaseron, Copoxane -- and later, a fourth option -- Rebif -- became standard treatments as disease-modifying… -
MS Progressive Types: Living with It
10 Jun 2009 | 11:19 amIn the series of articles on Progressive MS for the MS Section of Health Central, the third one talks about living with it. This article was first published May 26. Here it is -- MS Types: Living with Progressive MSEach of us has our own way of dealing with bad news, and an MS diagnosis is bad news. When someone is newly diagnosed, it is pretty scary. Some people bend over backwards to learn everything they can. Others just live with it awhile, hoping for the best. We all learn as we go along because living with MS is such an ongoing challenge. Living with progressive MS is even more of a…
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Fred's Head from APH
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Tips for the Care and Keeping of the American Flag
2 Jul 2009 | 12:40 pmDid you know that your flag should not be flown after dark unless it is properly lit? Did you know that displaying the flag with the Union, or field of blue, facing down is considered a distress signal and should only occur in case of imminent and grave danger? There are some other tips you might be interested in learning, regarding the care and keeping of Old Glory. If it rains, or other bad weather occurs, the flag should be taken down. It should always be kept clean and dry. A flag that is made from weather resistant material may be flown in bad weather, but some people see doing so as a… -
Fred's Head on the Road with Twitter at #ACB09
2 Jul 2009 | 12:36 pmI am taking a week off posting to the Fred's Head blog to attend the American Council of the Blind National Convention in Orlando. A week not posting to the blog doesn't mean a week of complete silence however. I will continue to bring updates via Twitter to this page and to the Fred's Head page on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/fredshead. To read my updates, navigate to the "tweets from Fred's Head" heading on this page or visit the Twitter link above. I will be using APH's Braille+ Mobile Manager to access Twitter and enter all the tweets. You may also wish to follow my personal Twitter… -
Tri-fold Board
2 Jul 2009 | 9:09 amThis tri-fold board is covered with Velcro®-compatible material and measures 37 x 24 inches. It can be used in combination with many existing APH hook Velcro-backed pieces (e.g., Picture Maker Accessories), as well as with commercially available OR teacher/parent-made manipulatives. The board can be used at its full size, folded down to one or two panels, or propped up in an easel position (if supported from behind). Two 3/4 inch nickel-plated D-rings are riveted in the top center of the two outside panels for easy hanging. The reverse side of the board is covered with a protective red… -
Verbal View of Windows Vista
2 Jul 2009 | 8:58 amA comprehensive tutorial on Microsoft Windows Vista® from the viewpoint of a blind or partially sighted student or professional. This tutorial covers nearly every aspect of Windows Vista, and presents this material from the keyboard user's perspective. Basic knowledge of Windows is required. This tutorial comes on CD-ROM in DAISY 3.0 full-text, full-audio format, and also includes versions in Microsoft Word®, HTML, contracted braille, and a text file. Requirements to Run PC running Windows® 98, ME, 2000, XP, Vista®, or later 512MB RAM 10 MB disk space Internet Explorer®… -
APH Products: Sizzling Summer Savings
2 Jul 2009 | 8:02 amAPH Sizzling Summer Savings Effective July 1, 2009 - September 30, 2009 Note: Items Available at Promotion Prices While Supplies Lasts Number Description Original Price Sale Price 1-07320-01 Braille 'n Speak Scholar Talking PDA $1249.00 $375.00 1-07319-00 Braille 'n Speak Serial Interface Cable $33.00 $10.00 **Special Offer - While They Last** Premium Quality 1-07001-00 Stereo Headphones (Compatible with the Handi II and APH TableTop Recorder/Players) Sale Price: $20.00 (Original Price $45.00) Tape Recorder/Players Number Description Original Price Sale Price 1-07150-02 Table Top…
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My Disability Blog
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Insurance, Medical Exams, and Disability Being Natural
3 Jul 2009 | 3:11 amFrom last Sunday's morning newspaper reading: term life insurance premiums are going up. This is after close to 20 years of downward prices, something I was quite oblivious to. According to the article by M.P. McQueen, prices on term plans have risen between five and fifteen percent in most cases and, apparently, the reason behind this is higher reinsurance costs that now exist because of a -
Quick Answers to Quick Polling Questions about the Economy, etc
3 Jul 2009 | 3:02 am1. What did you think about the $250.00 Stimulus Check?It was a gesture but I wasn't sure such a small amount was worth additional indebtedness for the country.2. If you were on wall street, would the the third business quarter look good to you?I have no clue what the wall streeters think. It's a nest of speculation and lemmings. From the standpoint of the economy, I'd like everyone to be -
Health Insurance Companies Shouldn't have the Right to Drop You When you get Sick
29 Jun 2009 | 2:02 pmThis is simply my opinion. However, opinion forms the basis for the type of society that we live in. Because as voters and taxpayers, ultimately we make those decisions ourselves. And the worst thing we can do is cede those decisions to private industry, policy wonks, and flighty politicians. This is why the issue of national health insurance is so important.1. You shouldn't have to worry about -
How Much Can You get in Monthly Social Security Disability Benefits?
29 Jun 2009 | 1:58 pmHere's a question I was recently asked by someone inquiring on behalf of a family member. How much can a person get in monthly social security disability benefits?Well, let's start with the very basics. Social Security administers two disability programs, Social Security disability (title 2 benefits) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI, title 16 benefits). The amount of an individual’s -
A Gluten Free Diet and celiac disease a.k.a. Coeliac disease
27 Jun 2009 | 10:04 pmYou may have heard of the gluten-free diet and celiac disease, also known as Coeliac disease. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the small intestine. This digestive disease interferes with nutrient absorption and causes the immune system to eradicate villi, the lining of the small intestine. People with celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, a protein found in wheat (spelt,
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Meyrick Jones Racing
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Tour de France Pool
2 Jul 2009 | 12:25 pmOK, everyone... As if the TdF wasn't exciting enough, Meyrick Jones Racing and HP Multisport have combined to kick it up a notch!Tour de France Pool 2009To ENTER:1. Answer the 15 questions below in an EMAIL. They are mostly multiple choice... easy peasy...2. Send the e-mail to me at the address below: meyrick(at)meyrickjonesracing.com3. Lay your smack talk down in the comments section below if you wish....4. Watch the Tour and enjoy!5. Winner is the respondent with the most points after the final stage on the Champs-Élysées.The PRIZE:Grand Prize - All expenses paid trip to… -
Yaletown Grand Prix 2009 - Photos
1 Jul 2009 | 10:22 pmThe Yaletown Grand Prix is one of the few remaining bike races in the lower mainland - sponsorship dollars are hard to come by these days... It's a real shame because I have always felt that these events offer an amazing amount of entertainment value for a $0 ticket. Perhaps therein lies the problem?Anyway, I was down in Yaletown today to watch a few friends race and to have some fun with my camera. In case you weren't aware, sports photography, and photography generally, is a hobby that is near and dear to my heart.LOOKING FOR YOUR PHOTOS?I have a Picasa Album with almost 200 shots. -
Canada Day Swim
1 Jul 2009 | 10:34 amCanada Day Swimmers (left to right - CLICK TO ENLARGE): Jill Costantino, Elspeth McGregor, Vincent Lavallee, Kevin Parenteau, Jordan Back, James Greenwood, Karen Birkenhead, Caroline Greenwood, Shannon Back, Mark Shorter, Rob Elliott, Sandy Treagus and behind the camera: MJ.What a great swim today!The last minute invite I sent out a couple days ago actually resulted in 13 swimmers which was pretty awesome...There is something really cool about breathing left and seeing a few friends, then breathing right and seeing a few more. The ocean was relatively rough today - with healthy rollers… -
Canada Day Swim @ Batchelor Bay
30 Jun 2009 | 5:01 pmOK. Tomorrow is Canada Day! To celebrate our nation's birthday there will be an open water swim in Batchelor Bay tomorrow. Currently we have about 15 confirmed. Here are the last minute details in case you are interested:Where: Batchelor Bay is in beautiful West Vancouver, BC. Check it out on the map HERE.When: July 1st (tomorrow) @ 6:30am.What: Open Water swim of between 2 and 3.5km. There will likely be a "long swim" group and a "short swim" group.Who: So far there are about 15 people confirmed - men and women - of varying abilities.How: With wetsuit, cap and goggles,… -
Blog Renovation
29 Jun 2009 | 11:09 pmAfter 320 posts I decided I needed to update the look and feel of my blog. Click HERE to continue reading this on MJR version 2.0.I'm not sure if very many people actually go to the page - it seems like most of my readers (the few I have :) are subscribers, followers or rss-ers and everyone uses a blog reader these days don't they?Anyway, just in case there are a few old-schoolers out there, I gave the old girl a fresh coat of paint and a little clean-up. I have also moved to a three-column format - which was one of the harder computer skillz I've had to develop... The best part was…
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Rolling Rains Report
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A Declaration of Independence -- Inclusive Tourism
4 Jul 2009 | 4:19 amThis introductory section of one of my talks to the Carlo Besta Institute in Milan was just posted to YouTube. The clip ends with reference to the Waypoint Backstrom Principles reproduced below. Waypoint Backstrom Principles Sept 2008View more documents from Scott Rains. Some of the themes of this clip are continued in the following presentation at the 2009 Carlo Besta Institute conference on travel and disability. -
Tourism Accessibility Standards in Europe: Visitor Accessibility Survey
2 Jul 2009 | 6:42 pmSubject: Via Libre Pilot Study: Tourism Accessibility Standards in Europe: Visitor Accessibility Survey To: Tourists with disabilities and others who have particular access needs, when travelling for business or leisure 2nd July 2009 Dear Sir or Madam, Via Libre, a member of the Fundosa Group, Spain (ONCE Foundation) is conducting a pilot study about the use of accessibility standards in the tourism sector, for disabled visitors and others with particular access needs. The study aims to identify the existing Standards, Quality Norms, Laws and Minimum Requirements concerning… -
Voices from India
2 Jul 2009 | 8:35 amAmrit Hallan writes Abled Voice blog with a focus on Subhash Chandra VashishthRailways to make 1500 railway stations in India accessiblehttp://abledvoice.com/2009/07/railways-to-make-1500-railway-stations-in-india-accessible/ -
Aging-in-Place
1 Jul 2009 | 8:29 amTravel companion services are arising to serve disabled and senior travelers. This press release examines Universal Design in the context of home health care and home medical equipment. How can we make a smoother transition between the comforts of home for those with chronic disabilities and the comforts of travel:This report originally appeared in the June 2009 issue of DOTmed Business News America is an aging population - a majority of Baby Boomers (75%) are slated to retire in the next decade. To cut down on health care costs, many seek to age in place - by staying in their current homes -… -
Updated: United Spinal Association (www.UnitedSpinal.org) has released an updated version of the Accessible Air Travel -- A Guide for People With Disabilities
29 Jun 2009 | 3:08 pmUnited Spinal Association (www.UnitedSpinal.org) has released an updated version of the Accessible Air Travel -- A Guide for People With Disabilities with expanded regulations for the Air Carrier Access Act -- the law that mandates air travel accessibility for people with disabilities -- which took effect May 13, 2009. This helpful booklet informs individuals with disabilities of their rights as passengers on commercial airlines and how to adequately prepare to ensure their air travel experience is enjoyable. It also provides valuable insight on a multitude of air carrier procedures, such as…
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Pipecleaner Dreams
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Thankful Thursday
2 Jul 2009 | 8:05 amToday I am thankful...for yummy 'summer sandwiches' made with heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers and lettucefor Jackie and Amy and all the help they have given my neighbor, Mr. B. Mr. B is terminally ill and is counting days and weeks.that my daughter, Jessica, is going on her first overnight visit to a friend's house this weekend. Although Jessica ia 18 years old, this is a step towards adulthood that she has never tried before.that my rubekia is starting to bloom, showy and vibrant as alwaysthat I have a three day weekend coming up!for hot dogs, hamburgers and corn on the cob cooked on the grill… -
Special Exposure Wednesday
1 Jul 2009 | 6:11 amWhen you are an 18 year old boy whose life revolves around baseball, there is nothing better in the world than a Sunday afternoon spent at your first Major League baseball game and an autograph from your favorite player (who just happens to share your name!).Chipper Jones made my son's (Chip) day!Make sure to check out all the other Special Exposure Wednesday pics at 5 Minutes For Special Needs! -
Here We Go Again
30 Jun 2009 | 8:19 amSome of you may remember that I filed a complaint with my state Department of Education at the beginning of the last school year. In the complaint, I alleged that the school district was not implementing Ashley’s IEP because they did not have an aide who was sufficiently proficient in sign language assigned to Ashley. Ashley’s only means of communication is sign language.The Department of Education agreed with me and found my school district to be in non-compliance with Ashley’s IEP. The process then started for us all to agree on compensatory services for the time missed, and other… -
Hope For Independence
29 Jun 2009 | 5:02 amI’ve always wondered how Ashley would be able to travel and live independently given both her hearing and vision loss. She has a white cane, and that helps some. But, because she is also deaf, she can’t hear oncoming traffic, the sound of a siren, a car horn, a doorbell, or a smoke alarm. So short of a sighted guide and a fulltime personal aide, I didn’t know if she would ever be able to travel and live independently. But my hopes are renewed after reading this story in the Jerusalem Post.The Ali Hope Foundation is one of only a small number of programs worldwide to train dogs for… -
The Best
25 Jun 2009 | 4:41 pmI love my job. Not the one that pays the bills but the one that pays my soul. I love being a mother.I love the sweet smiles that Ashley gives me each morning when I wake her. I love the look of pride on Corey’s face when he dons his JROTC uniform. I love how Jessica’s eyes light up whenever she says the word “boyfriend”. I love that Chip usually follows my advice although he rolls his eyes when I offer it.I love doing things to make my children’s lives special – the secret notes left in their lunch or in a dresser drawer – the junk food only meals I plan occasionally – the…
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SSD Disability
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Applying for Disability Through SSI, it is Evaluated The Same as SSD
30 Jun 2009 | 5:58 amSocial Security administers two disability programs: Social Security Disability (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income disability (SSI). Social Security disability is based upon an individual’s insured status (insured status is earned through work); conversely Supplemental Security Income disability is strictly a need-based program. Naturally, each disability program has its own non-disability -
Social Security Disability Appeals Time Limit
27 Jun 2009 | 8:05 pmIf your initial disability claim with the Social Security Administration is denied, you will have to begin the Social Security disability appeal process. You have sixty days plus five days for mailing to appeal a Social Security disability denial. So if your initial disability claim is denied, you need to contact Social Security to obtain the proper appeal paperwork and return that paperwork -
Lyme Disease Cannot Be Passed On From Pets to Humans
27 Jun 2009 | 8:02 pmLyme disease, also known as borreliosis, is a tick-borne disease. Deer ticks (both adult and nymphal ticks) pass the disease on to humans and animals when they carry a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. The disease can be passed through handling an infected tick or being bitten by an infected tick.Many people think that they might be able to ‘catch’ the disease from their pets, but this is -
Before you apply for social security disability... (consider these things)
22 Jun 2009 | 8:00 pmBefore you apply for social security disability... consider these things.1. Though thirty percent of all claims filed for social security disability and SSI disability are approved at the initial claim level, that means that 70% are not. 2. Just because the social security office claims representative (or CR, for short) tells you that your disability application should be decided within 120 days -
Pancreatitis More Prevalent in Diabetics
22 Jun 2009 | 7:54 pmHaving type 2 diabetes is known to increase the risk for many different health issues, but a recent study has linked type 2 diabetes with a couple new health risks: acute pancreatitis and biliary disease. Acute pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation of the pancreas that is known for having a high mortality rate despite treatment, and biliary disease is a disease of the bile ducts and liver that is
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DISABILITY NEWS - Google News
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Riverina Murray shares in disability funds boost - ABC Online
Riverina Murray shares in disability funds boostABC OnlinePeople in the Riverina Murray region with a disability could get better access to therapy and early intervention places after a funding boost. and more » -
Record Unemployment Reported For People With Disabilities In June - Disability Scoop
Globe and MailRecord Unemployment Reported For People With Disabilities In JuneDisability ScoopUnemployment among people with disabilities reached its highest rate in June since the government began tracking such data, according to More jobs lost; workers see weekly wages fallSt. Joseph News-Pressall 1,273 news articles » -
Disability support workers in Lanark set to strike - CBC.ca
Disability support workers in Lanark set to strikeCBC.caSocial service workers who help look after people with disabilities in Lanark County could go on strike at midnight, their union said Friday. and more » -
Firefighters on disability race to retire - Boston Globe
Boston GlobeFirefighters on disability race to retireBoston GlobeNearly 30 Boston firefighters with pending disability claims filed for retirement yesterday, just two days before a 40 rush to beat pension reformBoston HeraldLocal police and firefighters not following Boston's lead to retireMilford Daily NewsPension laws pare police, fire rollsBoston GlobeBoston Globe -Boston Heraldall 29 news articles » -
State disability agency grants few appeals - Brandon News and Tribune
State disability agency grants few appealsBrandon News and TribuneTALLAHASSEE - Last fall, 5555 Floridians with developmental disabilities and their families appealed spending cuts and more »
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Readers' Forum
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From Robert Herman, Port Orchard, WA:
1 Jul 2009 | 9:17 amI was somewhat dismayed that at least three readers took the April article about Girl Scout cookies being banned seriously. To me and to others who read the article it was obvious that it was meant to be tongue-in-cheek. As a matter of fact, I would like to see more humorous articles like that one in the magazine. I think if we all take time to smile for a while and not take ourselves and life quite so seriously that we might discover that the world is a more pleasant place. Despite May Davis's comments, I am glad the editor is putting his salutation and closing on one line in his letter. -
From Cynthia Groopman, Long Island City, NY:
1 Jul 2009 | 9:16 amIn this country, Memorial Day is for sales and picnics, and seldom are prayers said or graves visited. The entire spirit of Memorial Day is gone ever since it became a Monday. The original Decoration Day holiday May 30 began with the Civil War, and on that day, graves were decorated to show respect and homage. What happened to that feeling of caring? Grief is an individual process, just as is recovering from a physical illness. Some people recover quicker and others have a slower pace. When my mom passed away in 2003, I felt sad; however, my grieving process was helped by writing poems. I put… -
From Tonya Szwast, Newport, MI:
1 Jul 2009 | 9:16 amIn May's Readers Forum, Mira Wilson asked about talking remote controls. These are available from Speak to Me (800-248-9965), Independent Living Aids (800-537-2118), and Maxi-Aids (800-522-6294). Using verbal commands, these remotes can change channels and turn on or off the TV. -
From Barbara Mattson, Spartanburg, SC:
1 Jul 2009 | 9:15 amThanks for running a piece on Women's History Month in the March Ziegler. I was surprised that women exceeded men in education and management/professional jobs in the time period surveyed. However, it may be a factor that created those stats. When I went to college, it was during the Vietnam war and many men went to school to avoid the war. As for management/professional positions, maybe women are gaining more of these through affirmative action, or the factor of education. Go girls! -
From Jay Williams, Marietta, GA:
1 Jul 2009 | 9:15 amFor me, the most inspiring of the blind people who are making significant marks on our cultural scene is music archivist Ward Marston. He has garnered awards from the record industry and has been applauded by music scholars and researchers of early recordings for his meticulous efforts in the preservation of truly endangered recordings from the earliest years of sound recording. For those of us who do extensive work with sound-editing software, his accomplishments are the stuff of ultimate joy! Last November he released a three-CD compilation of cylinder recordings from the 1890s through 1924…
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How to be an Inspiration
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Don't Bat An Eye
3 Jul 2009 | 7:02 amI am so sorry for the lack of posts recently. This is entirely down to the fiendishly tedious manner by which I am compelled to type these days. It is terribly frustrating, laborious and time consuming and deeply depressing. I know some profoundly disabled individuals manage to write entire novels by batting their eyelids one letter at a time but they must be blessed with powers of persistence and patience way beyond mine. Even though I am using sophisticated text prediction software just writing this paragraph has taken more than fifteen minutes. At some point in the near future I am going… -
What A Shower
21 Jun 2009 | 10:46 amEvery so often someone comes up with an idea to improve my life – whether I like it or not. In recent months I have been unable to use the shower-stool attached to the wall in our bathroom because I keep falling off it. The whole losing my balance thing has made showering the dangerous option when it comes to personal hygiene. My ingenious solution has been to have my showers dangling in the sling under the hoist, like a kind of dope on a rope. The problem with hanging in a blue nylon net-like sling whilst being hosed down by carers is that it is both uncomfortable and inefficient. You are… -
Not Just A Chair
15 Jun 2009 | 12:15 pmOh the dilemma. If you have had the time or inclination to read previous posts you will have discerned, via the subtle shades of my writing, the merest hint that all is not well regarding the stability of my Muscular Dystrophic condition. Reading between the lines, the more astute among my readership will have gleaned the faintest inkling of my dissatisfaction with the situation, and some may even have gone so far as to wonder what, if anything, can be done to help. The problem, in a metaphorical nutshell, is that the loss of core muscles in my trunk means that balancing my body has become… -
Back To School
11 Jun 2009 | 8:04 amHow do I get myself into these situations I thought as I faced a group of ever so slightly surly looking teenagers. It was yesterday morning and I was sat with Polly in a small classroom in a centre that educates teenagers who, for various reasons, can't be taught in mainstream schools. I had been invited to talk to them about 'over-coming disabilities' by a friend, Karen, who heads up the unit but in a previous life had been an actor with whom I had worked with many times. Several weeks earlier it had seemed like a good idea but now the reality was before me in the form of a dozen kids and… -
Mobility Roadshow
5 Jun 2009 | 12:55 pmThe problem with not having blogged recently is that I have a backlog news and views to impart. For example, I have been beset by community physiotherapists, speech therapists and OTs who have all made eminently sensible suggestions and any one of them would have made for a good post. I also made the journey to King's Hospital to see Dr Rose and his team where I was assessed and plans were drawn up, strategies devised and letters arranged to be written. Dr Rose also, and most importantly, helped me to get a handle on what has been happening to me regarding my Muscular Dystrophy. The last few…
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walking . is . overrated
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Disability Issues portfolio taken away from Paula Bennett, given to Tariana Turia
29 Jun 2009 | 9:00 pmThis is interesting. I have a lot of love for Tariana Turia, and I personally think Paula Bennett was always going to be a little bit preoccupied wither her Social Development portfolio. Let’s hope this makes it a little bit easier for disability issues to get some ‘airtime’, eh? The Disability Issues portfolio has been transferred from Paula Bennett to Tariana Turia, Prime Minister John Key has announced. In addition, Pansy Wong will be appointed Associate Minister for Disability Issues. The changes take effect immediately. “The change has come after a request from… -
Disabled pedestrians forced to wear “signs” identifying them
29 May 2009 | 6:45 pmHorrifying news coming out of Indonesia. From the NZ Herald: New traffic laws passed in Indonesia require disabled pedestrians to wear signs identifying them as handicapped. AFP reports that amendments to local Traffic and Transport Law says “handicapped pedestrians must wear special and clear signs which can be easily recognised by other road users.” Politician Ahman Muqowam told the news agency that the laws were designed to protect disabled people. “This is a humanistic act. It’s for their safety on the streets,” he told AFP. What are your feelings on this? -
Wheelchair accessible travel across the world - where should I go?
24 May 2009 | 7:05 pmVideo blog #3: Travel!! from Red Nicholson on Vimeo. -
CCS Disability Action joins Auckland SuperCity Hikoi
24 May 2009 | 6:40 pmApologies for not posting this sooner - some of you may have liked to be involved? Hopefully you are anyway. For updates on the Hikoi’s progress, check out The NZ Herald or search Twitter. CCS Disability Action Northern Region will join the hikoi/march on Monday 25 May in support of IHI Action Group (Iwi Have Influence). This action group is leading the opposition to the establishment of Auckland Super City without reserved Maori seats as proposed by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Auckland Governance. Linda-Lee Odom, Chairperson of the Local Advisory Committee of CCS Disability… -
The most bizarre, hilarious email I’ve ever received
19 May 2009 | 5:38 pmYesterday I received an email through this site, and whilst I don’t usually do this sort of thing, I was so astounded at its content I just had to share it with you. For privacy reasons, I’ll omit the sender’s name, email address etc. Amazing. Hi ‘Bright’ (Red.. get it?) um, no? Do you speak normally, or do you have a speech impedament? Doesn’t matter either way, I just wondered, tryin to imagine it, I guess. You look like a normal human being, on the front cover of ‘RISE’, to me, anyhow, you don’t even look like you have CP! The…
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Low Visionary
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Inclusive education means everyone
18 Jun 2009 | 7:33 pmLearning Better Together is a long overdue report. Subtitled working towards inclusive education in NZ schools the report is a breath of fresh air in the so called ‘special’ education debate. Making a strong case for including all children in our schools the report says “Inclusive education stands in contrast to ‘special’ education, where disabled children are educated in separate schools or classes, or treated very differently in the classroom to regular students.” The report presents evidential research to show that disabled children will do better on many counts if they are… -
Hot Sandwich on a cold night
8 Jun 2009 | 7:02 pmLast Friday night we went to Old St Paul’s to listen to Hot Club Sandwich on the recommendation of a friend. Malcolm McNeil was a guest and he is always good. I had thought Hot Club Sandwich would be quite jazzy because of Malcolm McNeil and they are. But I was pleasurably surprised though as I am not a fan of some kinds of really serious Jazz. They are a lot of fun and we intend to go again on July 3rd. As well as being great professional entertainers they have an appealing humorous touch. St Paul’s is a lovely venue and the concert was informal and friendly. Just the thing for a Friday… -
No policy about us without us
4 Jun 2009 | 6:52 pmLast week I attended the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) conference, Policy About Us For Us. Since Australia has also ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) I thought it might be useful to share some of the themes and threads. Attention was given to monitoring, (the convention), liberation, (freedom), and capacity building in three streams. The latter simply means increasing the knowledge, skill and the use of tools by disabled people to achieve our rights. One of the Keynotes was Tina Minkowitz. Tina was involved in the… -
Accessible movies - not
21 May 2009 | 5:03 pmA couple of weeks ago I was asked to be a panellist to discuss a film in the Human Rights Festival. The film was called Nobody’s Perfect. Since it has an English title I was unconcerned until I was given a copy to preview. Imagine my chagrin, well really my frustrated pissed offness when I couldn’t follow it because much of the dialogue was in German! We tried having it read to me but that is too slow and disruptive, so basically I had to say “no” and explain that subtitled movies are inaccessible to people with low vision or who are blind, and that’s even before you even consider… -
Sign language is in your hands
6 May 2009 | 8:28 pmA recent exchange on Twitter. A NZ Parliament: Sign language on Parliament TV, 5 and 6 May [why not all the time?!?] B How many hip operations would a sign language on Parliament TV cost? A Don’t know. How many deaf voters/citizens have to wait 10 days or more for Hansard? Why do they matter less than hips? And, I might add a Deaf person might also need a hip replacement occasionally. I know A and he isn’t Deaf. Good to see there are more people out there who ‘get it”. Sign Language Week is this week and the publication of an international report Deaf People and Human Rights that…
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Bionic Ear Blog
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Netflix and Captions
13 Jun 2009 | 8:43 amI heard the news on Twitter from an unexpected source: @marleematlin. I happened to browse Twitter and caught her tweet. It’s great to have someone with her name speaking out about Netflix’s lack of captions on streamed movies. Like it or not, celebrities can make things happen a little faster than as ornery folk. Netflix responded to the caption issue in its blog. While I appreciate the company’s action to deliver captions in 2010, I take issue with a few things: Silverlight: “Reed Hastings (Netflix CEO) is on Microsoft’s Board of Directors.” No wonder why… -
Fishing for Movies with Captionfish
27 May 2009 | 8:57 amYou may have seen Fomdi, a web site that helps you locate captioned movies (either open caption or rear window) by zip code and how far the theaters are from your home. Fomdi has a Google search-like interface. It provides a great service, but it doesn’t catch every movie. Today, it shows only one captioned movie within 40 miles of me. CaptionFish does the same except it detects your location and has a sleek 2.0 web interface. Captionfish shows six captioned movies within 30 miles of me. I know this list is more accurate because I checked with the theaters’ web sites and… -
Defensive Situations
13 May 2009 | 9:47 amAmazing Race’s Luke responded to a question that confirmed that some deaf people (me included) tend to be more defensive than the average person. Here’s the interview response I’m talking about: The deaf community has responded very positively. They were very happy with how I played the game and that I made the final three. They were a little disappointed about the Kisha and Jen incident. It’s kind of the deaf-culture thing that the natural reaction is to protect myself when I’m bumped into. I was also really upset when Jen called me a bitch because I… -
Designing for Accessibility Links
8 May 2009 | 8:58 amLaura Carlson provides loads of links to great articles on accessibility in web design. Want to share them with you. Create Your Own Accessibility Statement: “An accessibility statement has two basic functions. Firstly, it presents clear information about the target level of web accessibility for the website and the methods used to achieve those targets.Secondly, an accessibility statement is a powerful declaration of commitment.” Web Accessibility Statements - The Best Of Intentions, Clearly Stated. Pitfalls of Web Accessibility Evaluation Tools Finest worksong: Covers evolution… -
Minsinterpreting: Is It Just Me?
4 May 2009 | 10:19 amOK, sometimes I feel like I should learn how to create a neutral look on my face and talk as little as possible. Or else someone misinterprets a perfectly friendly or innocent comment or look for something negative. My famous look: Quiet. We all have quiet days. When I am quiet, I just don’t feel the desire to socialize, have much to say or have things on my mind. This look, many times, comes across to others as anger. Gosh, do I have an angry look except when I smile? I hope not. What can I do? I don’t have time to stare at myself in the mirror on a quiet day and try to morph it…
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ATMac
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Reader Mailbag: Maintain Your Mac
2 Jul 2009 | 10:24 pmI often get emailed questions by ATMac readers. I’ve decided to sometimes answer these on the blog, as they seem to be frequently asked questions. Today’s comes from Katilea: On Windows you can defragment to sort out drive and speed it up, clean up programs you dont use, etc. What is the equivalent on Mac? When you’re using OS X you will never, under normal circumstances, need to defragment your hard drive. The way Mac drives are formatted means that fragmentation isn’t a problem, so that’s one chore you don’t have to worry about. There are, however, some… -
The Accessible iPhone 3GS
28 Jun 2009 | 1:54 amWhen the iPhone 3GS was announced on the 8th of June there was much excitement in the accessibility world. The new iPhone would sport significant accessibility features, including a built in screen reader, and these features were announced on stage at MacWorld alongside the “regular” features. That’s a great boost for the profile of accessibility in general, which is always a good thing. Accessibility features for the iPhone 3GS include: VoiceOver screen reader localised in 21 different languages. Voice Control offering spoken commands, also in 21 different languages. Zoom… -
iPhone Voice Commands
24 Jun 2009 | 10:55 pmSpeech commands are one of the great new features of the iPhone 3GS. It’s an accessibility feature that will help blind and mobility impaired users, and will also have significant benefit for people driving or doing other things while using their iPhone. Here are all the speech commands I’ve seen people list for the iPhone 3GS. The asterisks after some commands link to the place on the internet I saw the command reported. Remember, this will only work with a wired headset. Voice control won’t function with a bluetooth headset. Starting Voice Control Hold down the… -
Maintain Grocery Lists and Recipes with SousChef
22 Jun 2009 | 8:19 pmEarlier this year I purchased the MacHeist 3 bundle. It was the first bundle I ever purchased. It was just too good to pass up on. One of the included applications that intrigued me the most was the cooking application called “SousChef” by Acacia Tree Software. I wanted to add some more variety to my weekly menu, and more importantly, have some control over it. As it turns out SousChef does just that and much more. For the most part this application does exactly what you’d expect - stores and catalogs recipes. You can manually type in your own recipes or import ones you find on… -
MacSpeech Dictate 1.5 and Dictate Medical Available
19 Jun 2009 | 9:48 pmThis entry is part 15 of 15 in the series Speech-to-Text CompilationMacSpeech have released a major paid upgrade for Dictate users to MacSpeech Dictate 1.5, as well as a new product Dictate Medical which has an extensive specialised vocabulary for those using MacSpeech Dictate in medical and health-related fields. What’s new in MacSpeech Dictate 1.5? Lots of things, including: Faster and more accurate speech recognition - this version of Dictate is based on the same recognition engine used in Dragon NaturallySpeaking version 10, where previous versions used the engine from…
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Disability Scoop
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Record Unemployment Reported For People With Disabilities In June
2 Jul 2009 | 12:22 pmUnemployment among people with disabilities reached its highest rate in June since the government began tracking such data, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. -
Vaccine Issue Yields Second Defection At Autism Speaks
2 Jul 2009 | 12:22 pmA top science adviser is severing ties with Autism Speaks over disagreements with the organization on the issue of vaccine research months after an executive defected for the same reason. -
Electric Pulse To Brain Could Aid Those With Cerebral Palsy
2 Jul 2009 | 11:21 amA pacemaker-like device for the brain appears to help people with a severe form of cerebral palsy, researchers report. -
Illinois Suit To Decide Fate Of Institution Residents
2 Jul 2009 | 10:50 amA settlement appears near for plaintiffs in an Illinois lawsuit seeking to give thousands of the state's residents the option to move out of institutions and into group homes. -
Age, Problematic Pregnancy Could Increase Autism Chance
30 Jun 2009 | 10:05 pmOlder mothers and those who experience problems during pregnancy may be more likely to give birth to a child with autism.
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Colorado Social Security Law
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Video: Soldiers with PTSD denied treatment
3 Jul 2009 | 6:00 am -
iBot discontinued but motorized wheelchair technology marches on
1 Jul 2009 | 6:00 amI was surprised to read in Popular Science that Dean Kamen’s iBot (an electric, motorized wheelchair which goes from four wheels to two wheels lifting the writer in the process, and can climb stairs,) has been discontinued due to costs. Neither insurance companies, nor Medicaid, wanted to foot the bill for this expensive, although amazing, power chair. If you are lucky enough to have an iBot, HiZook notes that service will continue on the iBot until 2013. Here is a commercial for the now departed iBot: HiZook also has a review of the Segway RMP 50 robotic platform, an… -
Fleeing felon definition changed due to class action suit
29 Jun 2009 | 6:00 amI previously wrote about how Social Security stops benefits for fleeing felons. However, there has been considerable litigation across the country regarding what constitutes a “fleeing felon.” Social Security changed its definition of “fleeing” due to a settlement in the nationwide class-action lawsuit. The April 2009 issue of capital NOSSCR Social Security Forum has a lengthy discussion of this: Under the POMS [a set of regulations which govern Social Security procedures], the mere fact that a warrant is active or outstanding, amounts to a “fleeing”… -
Video: Schizophrenia
26 Jun 2009 | 6:00 am -
Is sheltered work or subsidized work a substantial gainful activity (SGA)?
24 Jun 2009 | 6:00 amTo qualify for Social Security disability benefits you have to show that your disabilities prevent you from being able to work. In general, you have to show that you are unable to perform a substantial gainful activity (SGA). However, there are exceptions to this general rule, including Subsidized Wages or Sheltered Work environments. Social Security can only consider the money you earn in deciding if your work is a substantial gainful activity. Anything over the “reasonable value” of your work, may be a subsidy. Social Security cannot consider a subsidy, basically a…
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Community Options, Inc.
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Corpus opens first group home
3 Jul 2009 | 5:55 amState school residents move By Mike Baird (Contact) Thursday, July 2, 2009 CORPUS CHRISTI — After about a decade living at the Corpus Christi State School and sharing bedrooms with three other residents, Tim Mahan, 46, and Dan Hilker, 40, moved into a house with private bedrooms last week. “Woooooo, nice house,” said Mahan, originally of Hammond, Ind., as he passed through the door of the four-bedroom, two-bath home in the 4400 block of Bonner Drive. “Me and Danny picked out the furniture,” he said, “and I get the master bedroom with a bathroom.” Hilker plopped onto a sofa they… -
Maryland Closes State Institution This Week
2 Jul 2009 | 3:27 pmFuture uncertain for RosewoodClosed state center for disabled sought for school campusThe Rosewood Center, founded in 1888 as an asylum for the "feeble-minded," closes its doors for good today and awaits an uncertain future - with an expansion-minded college expressing interest in its space.Stevenson University would like to take over most of the sprawling Owings Mills campus, now filled with dilapidated buildings contaminated with lead and asbestos, and many neighbors of the facility say they'd be pleased to see the school move in."It is a completely neglected time bomb and an environmental… -
Robert Stack's Interview with Daniel Vance, Journalist of Syndicated Column
1 Jul 2009 | 7:49 pmDISABILITIES HOMEPAGE www.danieljvance.com By Daniel J. Vance If not for volunteering at age 13 to help a girl with traumatic brain injury, Robert Stack likely wouldn't have gone on to begin an organization that would improve the lives of thousands of people with disabilities. “Back then, I was (at age 13) studying to be a priest,” 53-year-old Stack said in a telephone interview from the headquarters of his New Jersey nonprofit, Community Options. “I was volunteering to work with children with disabilities and didn't know (much) about physical disability. I was taking this one girl… -
12 Electric MINI's Donated to Community Options, Inc.
19 Jun 2009 | 4:47 pmCommunity Options, Inc. is the recipient of 12 donated MINI Electric vehicles to utilize throughout New Jersey as part of a Field Trial for MINI of Morristown.Community Options will utilize the vehicles throughout their entrepreneurial business across New Jersey and their group homes. The organization became more environmentally responsible back in 2007 when it started the process to go paperless throughout their national operations in addition to utilizing only green cleaning products in all of their group homes and businesses.Robert Stack, President and CEO of Community Options has… -
Pioneers of Supported Employment
18 May 2009 | 10:18 am(Commissioner Socolow, Left, Christopher Dixon, Executive Director, Right)New Jersey Labor Commissioner David Socolow was our distinguished keynote for our 20th Year Anniversary Gala held on May 15, 2009 at the Historic Governor's Mansion in Princeton, New Jersey."The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development has the privilege of helping individuals with disabilities achieve equal opportunity to enter today's workforce," said New Jersey Labor Commissioner David J. Socolow. "Economic independence is achievable through participation in the workforce and is made possible by the…
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Disability Blog
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Bipolar Disorder and Receiving Social Security Disability
1 Jul 2009 | 11:46 amIf you or a loved one is bipolar, it may have reached a point where it is debilitating. Bipolar disorder may be the cause of you or your loved one’s disability. Do you or your loved one need help because of your disability? Do you need financial help? Have you or your loved one applied for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits from the Social Security Administration because of the disability caused by bipolar disorder? Were you or your loved one denied? You or your loved one may be thinking about appealing the denial by the Social Security Administration. If this is… -
Cardiomyopathy and Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits
22 Jun 2009 | 11:48 amCardiomyopathy literally means “heart muscle disease”. Cardiomyopathy is the deterioration of the function of your actual heart muscle (myocardium). This medical condition impairs your heart’s ability to pump blood. There are three major types of cardiomyopathy: § Dilated cardiomyopathy is when your heart’s main pumping chamber becomes dilated (enlarged), and its pumping ability becomes impaired. It is the first and most common form of cardiomyopathy. § Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is where there is abnormal growth or thickening of your heart muscle. In… -
Real Life Norman Bates Renews Mothers License, Cashes Checks Since 2003
18 Jun 2009 | 12:27 pmA strange impersonation case looks like a real life version of a character made famous by Anthony Perkins portrayal in the Alfred Hitchcock film Psycho. Thomas Prusik is accused of forging his mother’s death certificate and impersonating her to continue collecting her Social Security checks since her death in 2003. He even went so far as to impersonate her to renew her driver’s license in April of this year. Seems strange that someone could get away with that type of fraud for 6 years. It might have gone on longer had he not been involved in a criminal investigation connected to a… -
Receiving Social Security Disability For Your Chronic Liver Disease
17 Jun 2009 | 6:40 amChronic liver disease is an umbrella term that can refer to any one of a number of liver diseases. These liver diseases are slow progressing. They usually continue for a long period of time. The result of chronic liver disease is a progressive destruction of your liver. There is also a regeneration of your liver parenchyma that leads to fibrosis and cirrhosis. This destruction of your liver will probably take place over a period of several years. The effects of chronic liver disease can reach a stage where they are debilitating. In fact, you or a loved one may be at a point, right now, where… -
Social Security Administration job classifications: Unskilled, Semi-Skilled and Skilled Work
8 Jun 2009 | 12:06 pmAnyone who is attempting to get Social Security Disability needs to understand that their ability to work depends upon the type of employment that they are qualified to do. The Social Security Administration divides work into three separate categories. These classifications include: unskilled labor, semi-skilled labor and skilled labor. In determining if you are disabled, the Social Security Administration will review your relevant work skills and past jobs to determine what jobs you may qualify to do in the future. Unskilled Labor Unskilled labor is any type of work that can be completed…
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Social Security Disability Blog
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I Have to Wait How Long for my Hearing Decision?
30 Jun 2009 | 5:31 pmBack in August, 2007, I wrote a blog post entitled "How Long Do I Have to Wait for my Hearing Decision." Back then I reported that in most cases, a claimant would have to wait two to three months for a hearing decision. Fast forward to 2009. That two to three month period is now four to six months. Here's why: about 18 months ago, the Social Security Administration convinced Congress to allocate more money to hire new administrative law judges, and SSA immediately hired around 100 new judges. At the same time, Social Security put into process its conversion from… -
Should I File for Social Security if I Also Have a Pending Workers' Comp and LTD Claim
24 May 2009 | 6:59 pmSocial Security disability cases often interface with workers' compensation and short term or long term disability cases. I recently received a question from a lady named Helena, who asks the following: I have been working in the medical field for over 13 years and more. I am on short term disability. Can I apply for ssi due to my job may have caused my problem from lifting patients, pushing, pulling heavy patients to machines and other duties. This job was very stressful and I am taking anti depressants and I am seeing a psychiatrist. Here are my thoughts: Helena certainly has… -
What Factors Does Social Security Consider in a Diabetes Disability Case
5 May 2009 | 7:34 pmMany Social Security disability claimants have been diagnosed with diabetes. What does it take to win? Here is a question I received from a reader of this blog: Jane, my girlfriend of 25 years (54 yrs old) has been diagnosed with Type I Diabetes for 35 years. She has had a number of problems over the years (uncontrollable diarrhea, Retinopathy, Neuropathy) all of which were more or less under control until recently. She has suffered a massive hemorrhage in one of her eyes and is completely blind in one eye. The eye may be able to be helped by surgery but one thing is for certain it will… -
Strategies for Winning Multiple Sclerosis Disability Claims
2 May 2009 | 7:56 amOver the past couple of months, I have taken a number of MS cases to hearings before different judges. So far, we are looking at favorable decisions in all of them. However, the evidence considered by the various judges has been anything but consistent. I summarized the various case strategies that I use in multiple sclerosis cases on my Georgia Social Security Disability web site so I will not repeat that detailed summary here. A couple of points that do jump out at me: because MS is a disease that progresses through a series of flare-ups and remissions, it is not uncommon for my client to… -
Social Security Disability and Child Support
15 Apr 2009 | 6:56 pmCan you SSDI benefits be seized to pay past due child support? Yes, according to Social Security Ruling 79-4, the Social Security Administration can withhold a percentage of a claimant's benefits in an amount equal to what SSA could withhold to pay delinquent income tax debt. No interest or penalties may be withheld, and before the first withholding may commence, SSA must give the claimant 60 days notice. There is a question in my mind as to whether SSI benefits may be seized to pay delinquent child support. The web site esocialsecurityappeal.com states that a "custodial parent…
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Personal Injury and Social Security Disability Blog
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Friday Fun
3 Jul 2009 | 3:54 amHere's another one of those simple little U.S. geography games that make me feel so dumb. I've never lived anywhere but Texas - how am I supposed to know which one is Vermont and which one is New Hampshire? -
FDA Requires Suicide Warnings for Chantix and Zyban
2 Jul 2009 | 6:22 amNBC Nightly News (7/1, story 6, 0:30, Williams) reported, "The FDA says patients taking Chantix [varenicline] and Zyban [bupropion] should be watched closely for any signs of mental illness. There have been a growing number of reports of suicide, among patients who take the drugs." Regulators stressed, however, that the agency "is not trying to scare people away from the medicines because, as they put it, quitting is the most important thing."The New York Times reports that Dr. Curtis J. Rosebraugh, director of a drug evaluation office at the Food and Drug Administration,… -
CDC Releases New E. Coli Figures
1 Jul 2009 | 8:05 pmCNN International reports, "The toll of the nationwide E. coli outbreak linked to tainted cookie dough has continued to mount, federal health authorities said Tuesday." So far, the CDC said, "Seventy-two people infected with a strain of E. coli O157:H7 with a particular DNA fingerprint have been reported from 30 states," and 51 "have been confirmed as having the outbreak strain; confirmation was pending on the others."In the Wall Street Journal Health Blog, Shirley Wang writes, "This is the same plant that refused to give FDA inspectors access to certain… -
FDA Panel Recommends Smaller Acetaminophen Doses, Painkiller Bans
1 Jul 2009 | 2:08 pmThe CBS Evening News (4/30, lead story, 3:05, Couric) reported, "An FDA panel recommended today that prescription Vicodin [hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen] and Percocet [oxycodone and acetaminophen] be banned, and that over-the-counter Tylenol, Excedrin, Nyquil, and Theraflu contain stronger warning labels...The problem, according to FDA advisors, is that they all contain acetaminophen, which can cause liver damage."The FDA "panel noted that patients who take Percocet and Vicodin for long periods often need higher and higher doses to achieve the same effect," the… -
Matrixx Recalls Zicam Nasal Cold Products
30 Jun 2009 | 1:08 pmThe Associated Press is reporting that Matrixx Initiatives Inc. has started the recall of Zicam nasal cold remedies. Here are excerpts from the article: Matrixx Initiatives Inc. said Wednesday it started a previously announced recall of Zicam nasal cold remedies following last week's Food and Drug Administration warning that the products were unsafe. Meanwhile, the company is being investigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission over the FDA warning letter. The Scottsdale, Ariz., company said the recall was voluntary. Still, it occurred as the FDA warned consumers to not use the…
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Finding My Way
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Thankful Thursday
2 Jul 2009 | 2:02 pmI'm not in the mood to write up a thankful thursday this week. I don't know why. I'll give it a go anyway. This week I am thankful because...mobility (paratransit) picked me up right on time from my shrink today and although there was someone else on there that got dropped off first I still got home in about the same time as waiting for a cab.I am getting my roomate's parent's old couch today. We've been couchless.it's a sleeper sofa. I can have guests :-)my chair didn't short circut in the pouring rain last night.My shrink's office has air conditioning and I got a little repreave from the… -
A New Theme for Summer
1 Jul 2009 | 7:26 amDoes that bright green hurt your eyes? It hurts mine. Anyone know HTML codes? I can't seem to find the matching pink. That's what I wanted for my inside background color. -
Wordless Wednesday
1 Jul 2009 | 6:02 amStolen from the ADAPT Facebook group -
Thankful Thursday
24 Jun 2009 | 9:09 pmThis week I am thankful because...I can A/C just 1 room of the apt (although I don't know how much that 1 room is going to cost me)a friend actually managed to get me out of the apt yesterday afternoon for several hrsmy new psychiatrist works full time and therefore can fit people in fairly easilyof internet radiothe bus has gotten so very easy to useI hopefully am gaining some clarityI found cool new food at Target yesterday (I love food)I live so close to EVERYTHINGI've finally been on a regular sleep scheduleWe don't have cable -
My Fav Photos of Myself From AYS (A Practically Wordless Wednesday Post)
24 Jun 2009 | 11:56 ammeet & greet w/little Z meet & greet w/A rolling into MickyDs for a strategy meetingI didn't ask permission to post these and will regertibly take them down if asked
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abledbody
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Study Shows Link Between Entrepreneurism and Dyslexia
2 Jul 2009 | 10:18 amA new study of entrepreneurs in the U.S. suggests that dyslexia is much more common among small-business owners than even the experts had thought. -
BLN Unveils Plan to Certify Disabled-Owned Businesses
1 Jul 2009 | 7:30 amToday’s the day! The U.S. Business Leadership Network, a national B2B disability organization, is launching a soft pilot of a new certification program for disability-owned businesses. Yes, you heard it right: The BLN’s new Disability-Owned Business Enterprise (DOBE) certification program will certify companies that undergo a rigorous application process and meet strict criteria, including being [...] -
Captioners for the Deaf Are “Unsung Heros”
21 Jun 2009 | 10:26 amIt didn’t mention Abledbody and I’m not really a Yankees fan, but I got a mention in today’s insightful New York Times article about Cory Macchiarola, the man who is behind the scenes captioning Yankees and Mets’ games for the deaf and hard of hearing. It’s a really tough job, I can imagine. Macchiarola began [...] -
Deaf Artists Featured in New York Gallery
19 Jun 2009 | 4:00 amTamarind Art Gallery in New York City is exhibiting the works of deaf and hard-of-hearing artists, opening a window into their distinct culture and community. -
California’s No-Proof-Needed Disability Law
19 Jun 2009 | 4:00 am
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Disaboom.com relationships page
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Diabetes: Does It Have to Doom Your Sex Life?
23 Jun 2009 | 5:28 amHaving trouble attaining or maintaining erection? For many males, this can be one of the first signs of diabetes, a link that humans established long ago. In his medical encyclopedia, Persian physician Avicenna (960 – 1037 AD) first mentioned the “collapse of sexual function” as a specific complication of diabetes. Yet it is only recently that the medical community has started openly discussing how to take charge of your sex life while managing diabetes. While known best for causing erectile dysfunction (ED), diabetes is the culprit behind a host of sexual problems in men, like sexual… -
Do-It-Yourself Wedding Planning for the Bride or Groom in a Wheelchair
1 Jun 2009 | 9:07 amPlanning a wedding can provoke more excitement and anxiety than most any other time in one’s life. Today’s brides and grooms are saturated with an overwhelming assortment of ideas, resources, and traditions to consider. Imagine, however, if none of these how-to guides were written for your fairy tale wedding. Imagine planning the entire event without even a single example of how people like you have pulled off the Big Day. Because there are no templates for brides and grooms with disabilities, they are the ultimate example of the hottest trend in weddings, do-it-yourself (DIY). The… -
Sex Sounds Make for Better Sex
9 Apr 2009 | 7:56 amWe often take it for granted, but it’s one of the most effective sex tools around – your voice. Powerful and provocative, the sexy noises emanating from your voice exude your sexuality, letting your pleasures and desires be known like nothing else. Every person has the potential to unleash a moan, groan or scream in expressing their ecstasy. Throughout history, we humans have well understood the power and potency of sound. Just look at the Latin roots of words related to sound. It’s easy to see the supernatural element that abounds. The Latin “cantare,” for example, is the root of… -
Understanding Disability Fetishes and “Devotees”
3 Apr 2009 | 11:00 amEven when you know you’re sexy, disability fetishism can take you by surprise. After all, an attraction to people with disability (PWD) isn’t exactly status quo. Yet there are people who find those who are amputees, wheelchair-users, or reliant upon various orthopedic appliances incredibly arousing. While flattering to a certain extent, this can be intimidating to an individual with a disability. It can be hard to tell if someone is attracted to you or your physical challenge. It’s difficult to decipher if someone has a harmless fetish or if you’ve got a person with a paraphilia on… -
Lovers with Disabilities Become Liberated with Tantric Sex
18 Mar 2009 | 8:14 amIt’s the type of sex everyone can have, regardless of their disability. Professionals, from a variety of fields, assisting people with disabilities are recommending Tantric sex as a way to deal with physical restrictions and pain during lovemaking. With one translation of Tantra being “tools for expansion,” this body of knowledge has a lot to offer. This approach to celebrating your union moves you beyond all limitations and boundaries as you get in touch with your essence. In practicing Tantric sex, you’re focusing on and working with your sacred force – your internal energy.
