We celebrate many types of anniversaries in our lives, and some of us are lucky enough to share some anniversaries that are rather unique. For me, and many of my friends, the date of a spinal cord injury that relegated us to life in a wheelchair is an annual event that is difficult to forget even if we should want to.
This year marks 25 years since that cold January day when I found myself gasping for air and unable to move at the base of a ski lift tower that had proved to be an immovable object when I slid into it.
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When it comes to traveling through life in a wheelchair, little things can make a difference. Changes in elevation of less than two (2) inches have stopped me, and my wheelchair, in our tracks and prevented entrance into many different stores, restaurants or other public attractions. During the last quarter of a century of wheeling around, I have learned to expect such obstacles in unexpected places but still find the situation to be unacceptable when it continues to happen.
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We celebrate many types of anniversaries in our lives, and some of us are lucky enough to share some anniversaries that are rather unique. For me, and many of my friends, the date of a spinal cord injury that relegated us to life in a wheelchair is an annual event that is difficult to forget even if we should want to.
This year marks 25 years since that cold January day when I found myself gasping for air and unable to move at the base of a ski lift tower that had proved to be an immovable object when I slid into it.
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Note: this article is based solely on my personal observations and experiences. I am not a therapist, so feel free to seek professional advice if you find it necessary when dealing with the subjects below.
With a r
eminder from fellow blogger
Allen Rucker and all of the Oscar hype surrounding
The Sessions, it's probably fairly common to find other people who are paralyzed besides me reflecting on how great it would be to have
Helen Hunt making their life better when it comes to romance and sex. I separated those two terms on purpose, because I don't believe that they are necessarily linked; it is possible to have a romantic relationship without sex. At least that is what I've been told by some longtime married couples who express their love for the world to see, but will admit privately that they don't need the sexual component to make each other happy.
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Life of Pi is currently showing in local theaters, and receiving great reviews from movie critics. While I have not had an opportunity to view the movie yet, I understand that it is a story of a young boy and a tiger that end up being stranded in a lifeboat in the middle of the ocean. The previews show the natural tension between the beast and the boy, and it appears that they end up getting along in order to assure their mutual survival.
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Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and Christmas will follow shortly thereafter. This seems like an ideal time to have a frank discussion about the many benefits of having a disability in this day and age.
At one time I thought there were no benefits to being disabled, but those were the early days while I was still in a rehab ward and had not yet been exposed to the many programs and services that awaited me when I was finally released. During those first few months, many pleasant surprises awaited me.
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In this great country of ours, laws are usually passed to protect the remainder of the population from criminal acts or to correct a social injustice. Without the protection of laws, it would be unsafe to venture outside our homes. Criminals, who fear little anyway, would have nothing to slow them down. We would all face a huge risk to our safety and property if the criminal justice system was not in place.
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A weekend a few years ago was typical for me. Nothing major was scheduled--just a chance to relax and reload for the week ahead in my comfortable and secure surroundings which I liked to call '
Shangri-la;' peace and quiet were plentiful.
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If you think it is necessary to spend big bucks for a vacation to remember, think again. Flying is sometimes a key part of these activities, but it doesn’t always involve commercial airlines. Some of the more exciting adventures may be found within a few hours, or minutes, of home.
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Whether it's your family car, a computer or a television set, the diagnosis that none of us want to hear is "beyond repair." Those two words can initiate many actions, including some that can be quite expensive. With repairs out of the question, it is usually time to discard and replace the object in question.
Unfortunately, that is not always an option when it comes to our bodies.
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Those who object to the idea of
ADA compliance, whether building owners, merchants or public agencies, have discovered a more subtle method of letting us know where we stand. At first they simply complained loudly, and were not afraid to take their objections directly to the media. Demonizing those who filed ADA complaints or lawsuits based on state laws has served to halt many of the attorneys and plaintiffs in their attempts to bring about compliance.
Failing in those efforts, they simply delayed making any required changes as long as possible. That stalling could go on for months or years, depending on whether they had customers or guests who required accessibility in order to do business.
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The following announcement from the
US Access Board (formally known as the US Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board) is self-explanatory. They hope to get as many comments as possible from those of us who use ramped buses or paratransit vans, as manufacturers are proposing some new designs that may not be as accessible or user-friendly as the ramps that are in use today.
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While sitting in the grocery store checkout line yesterday, I overheard a conversation between the two women standing in front of me. They were arguing about whether they should sign up for the new enhanced 911 emergency notification system, called Smart 911, that has just become available in our county. One of them thought it was a great idea, and would serve to better protect her family. Amazingly, the other woman said she was not going to do it because there was too much risk to her privacy if a public agency database had personal information that might be used to steal her identity.
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The following is a press release from the National Council on Independent Living (
NCIL). NCIL is a national disability advocacy organization which advocates for the rights and needs of people with all types of disabilities, utilizing its members in the independent living movement to create positive change and continually stave off many of the shortsighted policies that threaten the ability of all of us to live independently throughout our lives. I am a proud NCIL member of several years' standing, and will continue to support them as long as their mission remains as positive as it has been and will continue to be.
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