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'I Can Still See and I Can Still Paint'
 CALIFORNIA - The mural revamping effort in Barrio Logan's Chicano Park continues to catch attention. And the characters painting there are often as colorful as the famous murals themselves. Like Felipe Adame, who's repainting the ceiling of the park's "kiosko" bandstand from a wheelchair decades after the first time he painted it. Adame was attacked in the 1990s while painting a mural in Mexico City and his injuries led to rheumatoid arthritis, according to a KPBS television piece this week.But he's not feeling sorry for himself. It's easier to wheel around than to stand and paint, he told KPBS. "I can still see and I can still paint. Thank God for that."We featured the revitalization effort last week with interviews, photos and video if you missed it. Artist Todd Stands helped add new paint to one of the 18 murals getting revamped. Stands says he considered it humbling to paint amid "such a great collection of history" and to be included "in the impressive roster of artists that have worked there." Read More!
Nerve Transplant for Paraplegic Patients After Spinal Cord Injury: Q&A
 NEBRASKA - Andrew Elkwood, MD, and his colleagues are currently working on a study of performing nerve graft transplantation using allograft or autograft tendon to restore extremities function in paraplegic patients after spinal cord injury, central nervous system insult or stroke. The study was approved on Nov. 18, 2011 and will follow patients for 12 months after surgery. Here, Dr. Elkwood discusses the procedure and his research going forward. Q: What are you aiming to accomplish with this clinical trial?Dr. Andrew Elkwood: We are conducting clinical trials for the treatment of patients with a paralysis, such as spinal cord injury or stroke. In the trial we are using techniques traditionally used to treat peripheral nerve paralysis elsewhere in the body and applying them toward these cases. We are using nerve grafting techniques in conjunction with the standard tendon transfer and joint fusion techniques.Q: Why are you able to successfully transfer and combine these techniques when treating patients?AE: The problem both paraplegic patients and peripheral nerve damage patients have is very similar in some respects. Paraplegic patients often have spastic paralysis whereas peripheral nerve patients have flaccid paralysis. Spastic paralysis occurs when muscles don't move because they are contracted so severely, which makes the condition very difficult. ... Read More!
Sexy, spirited... and paralysed: Meet the wheelchair-bound stars of a groundbreaking new reality show
 U.K. - As any aspiring actor will no doubt testify, carving a career in Hollywood is tough. So imagine the challenge if a hopeful were paralysed and confined to a wheelchair. A new show based on just that scenario is set to be the next big thing in reality TV. Push Girls, which will air on the Sundance Channel in April, follows the personal lives of four wheelchair-bound women as they negotiate familiar struggles from motherhood to relationship break-ups. Ms Rockwood may not be able to wash or go to the toilet without help but the main issue consuming her life is more commonplace - a divorce. 'I think the common denominator with us is our wheelchairs,' she adds of her co-stars. 'But it's not about the wheelchair. It's about our spirit, and how we just live life to the fullest.' Honest approach: Angela Rockwood, 36, appeared in The Fast and the Furious before a 2001 car accident left her without the use of her torso, arms or legs. Model Tiphany Adams, 28, survived a drunk-driving crash in her senior high school year that left three of her friends dead. She was given a five per cent chance of living by doctors.She told the paper: 'Most people would want to give up. But all four of us girls chose to triumph over the tragedy.' Read More!
Hawaii attorney general's office: 1909 law does not make physician-assisted suicide legal
 HAWAII — The state attorney general's office says a century-old law meant to ease suffering of Hansen's disease patients does not make physician-assisted suicide legal in Hawaii. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser (http://bit.ly/y4mCq2 ) reported Tuesday state Sen. Josh Green sought clarification of the 1909 law because of reports supporters of physician-assisted suicide were looking for a patient willing to test the statute.The Dec. 8 opinion says, "A physician who provided such assistance could be charged under Hawaii's manslaughter statute."The Hawaii Death with Dignity Society last month said it found a physician willing to provide a lethal dose of barbiturates to help a terminally ill patient die. Read More!
Advocate to appeal decision on wheelchair
 AUSTRALIA - The veteran disability rights campaigner, Sheila King, 78, is undaunted by the barrage of hateful comments that followed her unsuccessful court action against Jetstar for its ''two wheelchair'' policy. Mrs King, a board member of several disability organisations, took the airline to the Federal Court when it denied her access to a flight because two other wheelchair passengers were already booked. ''Try travelling by coach,'' was one comment on a website that reported her court loss, including a costs order of $20,000. Another said: ''Some people in wheelchairs are just plain ignorant and expect us free walking people to help them.'' On Friday a judge ruled the airline had not discriminated against Mrs King. But she is to appeal against the decision to the full bench. The vitriol was especially harsh in her home town of Hervey Bay, in Queensland, where more than once she has taken the council to court over access issues - and has chalked up some wins, including the installation of wash basins in disability toilets. 'It is too easy to sue people these days. We are getting just as bad as the Americans.'' Mrs King, had sought no financial compensation from the airline, said she had become used to hate mail. ''People write things like, 'Live with it; it's not our fault you're disabled','' she said. Read More!
Disability Organizations React to Misleading Statements on Vehicle Conversions in National Media
FLORIDA - Recent unfounded statements surrounding the safety of wheelchair accessible vehicle conversions has caused industry organizations to rally in an effort to set the record straight. The National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) and several of its manufacturing members announced today their position on the recent allegations. "The claims against converted vehicles are completely ill-informed and unsubstantiated," said NMEDA Executive Director/CEO Dave Hubbard. "Our members adhere to strict guidelines designed to enhance and promote dependable mobility products. It appears that the new-entry to the industry is taking liberties when it comes to deciphering fact from fiction." Contrary to recent claims, OEM vehicles have been proven to maintain their structural integrity throughout the conversion process. All structural modifications to the vehicles are proven safe through extensive durability and impact testing and are required to pass the same crash testing as the original equipment manufacturer. Read More!
Paralyzed Incline Village man reaches South Pole
 NEVADA - Incline Village resident Grant Korgan — paralyzed since 2010 after a snowmobiling accident — has reached the South Pole. The 33-year-old, who is using a device called a sit-ski, hoped to reach the South Pole on the 100-year anniversary of the Terra Nova Expedition, which arrived at the South Pole on Jan. 17, 1912. His expedition party included paralympian John Davis, guides Tal Fletcher and Doug Stoup, and cinematographers and photographers Steven Siig, Tom Day and Keoki Flagg. They are filming and shooting for a documentary called “The Push: A South Pole Adventure,” which will be released later this year. Read More!
2012 Ms. Wheelchair Indiana pageant looking for entries
 INDIANAPOLIS - People On Wheels' Ms. Wheelchair Indiana Pageant is accepting entries for its 2012 program. Candidates will be honored and a winner will be crowned at a special event on March 18 in the Eli Lilly Hall at the Indiana Historical Society, 450 W. Ohio St. This year's winner will receive a cash prize of $1,000 to assist with personal expenses. To enter, candidates must meet the following criteria:Be a female between 21 and 60 years of age Use a wheelchair or scooter 100 percent of the time. Be a U.S. citizen, Have resided in Indiana for at least the last 6 months. Communication skills and experience with advocacy for people with disabilities are especially valued. The winner of Ms. Wheelchair Indiana will have the opportunity to help educate the public, advocating for people with disabilities through local news interviews and school, church and civic appearances. Her reign will conclude at the Ms. Wheelchair America 2013 Pageant to be held in Providence, RI, Aug. 6 to 12. Read More!
Downtown Construction Treacherous For Wheelchairs
 INDIANA - Navigating through the maze of downtown construction projects can be frustrating for anyone, but for those who depend on wheelchairs, getting around has become nearly impossible.
As part of the $182 million Rebuild Indy project, the city is currently rebuilding 21 downtown intersections, leaving many sidewalks impassible.
A man who only wanted to give his name as Phil told 6News' Jack Rinehart that he's already had several close calls in his wheelchair. "(Near) Delaware and Washington (streets), there's a 12-inch drop off from the curb into the street," he said. "I had someone try to help me off the bus stop there and he lost his grip, and when the chair came down, it broke the weld off my chair, and I fell into the street."Until he can save up for a new wheelchair, which will likely cost him $400, Phil has bound his broken one together with plastic and wire hangers. Read More!
Winter survival Tips for People Living with Paralysis
 The Christopher Reeve Foundation has assembled a trio of experts to give wheelchair users in snowy areas some important--even lifesaving--tips on how to stay warm and safe as you travel through the snow and ice.
Great tip #1: Cotton kills! Stay away from cotton, when it gets wet it stays wet. #2: Invest in good quality outer wear made for frigid weather, think The North Face, Patagonia, etc. #3: Dress in layers, the trapped air between layers insulates and warms.
From carrying two pair of gloves or mittens to always wearing a hat or cap, and purchasing hand warmers for your pockets, the list is long but full of smart ways to keep the cold out right down to the wheels on your wheelchair..."Tires made from a soft rubber work best for griping snow and ice..." If you spend any time outside at all in cold weather, this is a great read! Find Out More!
Coping With MS: Is ‘It Could Be Worse’ Good Enough?
 Trevis Gleason writes a blog called Life with MS...this installment is particularly good:
Look, if “it could be worse” works for you for now, good for you! I do, however, believe that it’s time to address this method of coping. <br>
Whenever I pose a multiple sclerosis question — be it about symptoms, dealing with a bad day, or any number of probes I’ve sent out over the years — I can always count on at least one reply of, “It could be worse.” I have to wonder if that appropriately honors ourselves and others. In fact, when I was in a clinical research study on pain and the mind’s reaction, it was the first thought we were given to stop a negative slide.
If we’re to be honest with ourselves, the full thought could be, “It could be worse. It has been worse… and it’s been better. It will likely be worse, and I hope it will be better.”
I guess I’m also struck by the number of people who think “it could be worse” is a way of thinking positively. If your kid gets a less than satisfactory grade, do we say, “It could be worse, you could have failed.”? NO. Read the whole post! Plus! Cope with MS Flares
Wheelchair Accessible British Isles Cruise Takes off May 22nd
 Visit Britain, Ireland, Scotland and France on a combined wheelchair accessible land vacation and wheelchair accessible cruise for active wheelchair traveling tourists who want to visit the traditional tourists strongholds of the Britain, Ireland Scotland and France in one tour. Following this tour, you will have seen a lot!
Prior to the cruise these wheelchair travelers make extensive visits in London, and have a choice to visit the part of England they want to see most. After the cruise they'll also make extensive visits in Paris and also choose the slice of France they want to see most.
In between London and Paris our escorted group makes wheelchair accessible visits in Scotland where we visit Glasgow and Edinburgh and we set sail on Loch Ness.In Ireland we sightsee the major attractions of Dublin, visit Blarney Castle and we spend the entire day exploring Belfast, Northern Ireland. Beginning our land tour in France we explore the Normandy Coastline and the historic D-Day landing sights. In Paris we sail the Seine River on a dinner cruise and sightsee the highlights of Paris. Get on board now!
Wheelchair Users Get the Heave Ho From Airlines?
What to Do?
 Ironically, on the day Johnnie Tuitel got kicked off a plane, he was on his way to a conference on self-advocacy. The 48-year-old motivational speaker and author had been flying for years—and as a wheelchair user with cerebral palsy, he’s a seasoned veteran when it comes to traveling with a disability. After boarding him for the flight the airline staff returned to tell him that not only were they removing him from that flight, but unless he plans to fly with a companion from now on, he was banned from all US Airways flights.’ Tuitel thought it was a joke. It was not.
While situations like this are not common in the U.S., they do happen, says a recent New Mobility article. What to do?
Richard Devylder, a senior advisor on disability access at the U.S. Department of Transportation and a quadruple amputee, advises immediately asking for a complaint resolution official or the "CRO",whenever a conflict with an airline occurs.“Where we see a breakdown is when someone is denied boarding, and a CRO is never offered.” Also he says: Before the flight speak directly with the airline’s disability services staff, rather than simply submitting information through the airline’s website. “It’s better to have that one-on-one verbal conversation.” For More Plus Travel Resources!
Victory: New York City's Taxi Fleet Violates Disabilities Act, Judge Rules
 New York City’s fleet of taxi cabs violates part of the Americans With Disabilities Act by not sufficiently providing for customers who use wheelchairs, Federal Judge Daniels has ruled. The Bloomberg administration must now present a plan for expanding the availability of wheelchair-accessible taxis, which make up less than 2 percent of the city’s fleet of 13,000 yellow cabs. The ruling is a victory for advocates for disabled people, who filed the lawsuit and have long criticized the lack of wheelchair access in the city’s cabs. “Meaningful access for the disabled to public transportation services is not a utopian goal or political promise,” the judge wrote. “It is a basic civil right.” While the city said it was "disappointed" by the ruling, it
also noted that it had pledged that 20 percent of the new livery cabs would be wheelchair-accessible. Read More!
HIGHWAYS & BYWAYS: Hankering to start dancing
 INDIANA - "So how are you today, Ruth Ann?" Stanley Nelson asked his wife. "I'm good," she replied as she took a seat in one of the large padded chairs in his room at the Amber Manor Care Center in Petersburg, Ind."We've been married 37 years," Stanley said. "And we love each other very much." "It helps a lot," Ruth Ann added as she pulled out the mail from home and the two began their visit. "I missed the New Year's Dance for the first time in 15 years," Stanley said disdainfully. "We go to the VFW; The Moose; everyplace there's a dance," he continued with his voice getting audibly brighter as he spoke. "Any place there's a band, we go every Saturday. We're real enthusiasts. We're really, really into it.""We do country western pattern dancing, but on the side we do everything else. Waltz. Foxtrot. Two-steps. Line dancing. We do the works," he said before recounting the story of how he wound up in the nursing home."I never had an ache in my life," he said. "We'd been dancing all night. The next morning I got up to go work on the tractor and I couldn't walk. Evidently my fourth and fifth vertebrae smashed down and got a nerve in there,a sciatic nerve. I'd heard tell of 'em, but it was horrendous. Read More!
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Miracle League continues to grow from first field in Conyers
 GEORGIA -- Dean Alford told the Rotary Club of Rockdale County that that the Miracle League that began with its first field at Legion Field continues to grow with new fields being built across North America. Miracle League got its start and the important role of the Rotary Club.The Miracle League grew from a boy in a wheelchair who showed up in 1998 at a Rockdale Youth Baseball Association game to play baseball. Eddie Bagwell, then RYBA president, drafted the boy. The boy did not play, but the parents were thrilled their son was able to dress in a uniform and sit with the team, Alford said.It was determined there were many other children with physical disabilities in the county who did not have the chance to play sports, so a special game was planned.Alford said those developments are helping the Miracle League carry out it's basic mission of giving children with disabilities an introduction to play sports. Read More!
Reverse integration and wheelchair athletes playing basketball
 SOUTH CAROLINA - A University of Alberta study has found that women wheelchair basketball athletes say the inclusion of able-bodied athletes on the team had many different types of advantages. Wheelchair basketball: It's a fast, skillful game, dazzling to watch, gruelling to play. It's also a sport that in Canada has become one of the most inclusive, welcoming athletes with disability and able-bodied athletes alike to its leagues and teams. And athletes like it that way. In fact when researchers talked to female athletes experiencing disability about "reverse integration" - a phenomenon where able-bodied athletes join athletes with disability to play competitive sport on one team, the overall response was well-captured by one participant who asked: "What's the difference?" Read More!
Courage Center Alums Headed to London
 MINNESOTA - When the U.S. Paralympic Women's Wheelchair Basketball Team competes in London this August, Minnesota's Courage Center will be watching closely. The team chose three people with ties to the center to help them win. Sarah Binsfield of Vadnais Heights is an alumni of Courage Center's Youth Basketball Program. Rose Hollerman of Elysian is a current member of the center's Rolling Timberwolves. Both were selected at the team's tryout camp in Alabama. Dan Price of Whitewater, Wisconsin is the former head coach of the Rolling Timberwolves. He'll serve as an assistant coach on the Paralympics team. Read More!
Wheelchair bound man hits the slopes
 MICHIGAN -- For John Johnson, skiing is one of his passions. At first glance though, you might wonder how Johnson who is wheelchair bound is able to hit the slopes at Crystal Mountain in Benzie County. "I had an accident back in December 1995 which left me paralyzed from my chest down," says Johnson. Yet Johnson doesn't let this hurdle keep him from remaining active. In the summer of '96 he joined Northern Michigan Adaptive Sports & Recreation Program through Munson Healthcare. The program teaches people how to still take part in their favorite sports, despite their disabilities. "They have equipment where anybody can ski. They can adjust it so anyone with no mobility can ski and have a good time," says Johnson. For Johnson, he played sports like basketball, football and of course was a member of the ski team back in high school at Benzie Central. So, it's only natural that he keep going. Read More!
Paralyzed Hockey Player Getting Stronger, Sitting in Chair
 MINNESOTA - The family of Jack Jablonski says the paralyzed prep hockey player is able to "take in the world" from a vertical position with the help of a special chair....the 16-year-old Benilde-St. Margaret sophomore suffered a severed spinal cord at the neck and two fractured vertebrae after he was checked from behind and hit the boards. Family members say Jablonski is getting stronger every day and will soon be ready for rehabilitation. He has been able to move his arms below the triceps, a movement that doctors thought would be unlikely. Read More!
Group helps disabled people to play sports
 ARIZONA - A Valley group is helping disabled kids and adults to compete in sports. Over 1,000 mentally or physically disabled people are now enrolled in sports programs through the non-profit Arizona Disabled Sports Organization.Executive Director Lane Jeppessen said the people in the organization can play sports with others who have similar issues."It becomes an opportunity for them to socially network with other individuals and families that have kind of gone through the same challenges in their life and help to overcome them and grow up to be productive community members," she said.Programs include sports for autism, those who are physically disabled."Spina bifida, cerebral palsy, brain injuries, a spinal cord injury, amputations -- a wide variety -- any type of physical disability,"Read More!
Midwest Adaptive Cross Country Ski Clinic Feb. 6th
 The Midwest Adaptive Ski and Ride and Central Cross Country Ski Association are co-hosting an Adaptive Cross Country Ski Clinic. This clinic is open to all medical professionals, recreational therapists, occupational therapists, doctors etc. who are wanting to learn more about the sport. The clinic is also open to all participants with physical disabilities or visual impairments who are interested in the sport of cross country skiing. Volunteers are welcome! contact Keri Schindler at 847-283-0909 or kschindler@glasa.org. The clinic takes place on Monday February 6th from 1:00-4:00 PMat RecPlex 9900 Terwall Terrace Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158. Find Out More!
Disabled go off-roading
 LOUISIANA - Keith Smith suffered a spinal cord injury and lost the use of his legs 20 years ago. Today, he's able to maneuver through the woods to hunt or go to the beach thanks to an all-terrain wheelchair designed by several local entrepreneurs.Smith is joined by his wife, Tammie, former state Rep. Charles McDonald, Don Brant and Ron Bush, who are partners of Freedom Mobility LLC, manufacturers of a new 6-by-6 all-terrain wheelchair.They call their invention the "Freedom Chair" because they want to give everyone the freedom and access to the lifestyle they love.Smith is an avid outdoorsman who loves to hunt. He has a number of horses on his East Carroll Parish farm, and now he can get out and feed them. Read More!
Paralyzed Hill-Murray Hockey Coach to Encourage Jablonski
 MINNESOTA - Hill-Murray has a varsity coach who knows all too well what Jack Jablonski and his family face now that doctors say the teen hockey player will be paralyzed despite surgery. His career as a player ended the same way, but he wants the Jabs to know he can still get back to the game he loves. Pat Shafhauser's life changed when he too went head-first into the boards while on the ice. Now, while everyone else at Aldrich arena is on skates, he has his own set of wheels."I love watching the kids develop confidence," Shafhauser said. "On the ice, I'm trying to help them to be better players and win games. Off the ice, I hope they get something out of it -- that they are going to face challenges."Shafhauser is no stranger to challenges... he was checked in the back during a game, broke his neck and was paralyzed from the chest down. Read More!
It's more than a game for wheelchair basketball athletes
 TEXAS — At this tournament, there's no "squeak" from fast-moving high-tops. But don't tell these basketball players they're not athletes.
They're in the middle of their fifth game in two days."It can get pretty physical," confessed wheelchair basketball player Vanessa Erskine. "Things can get pretty heated, but it can be a lot of fun. It's a lot of work. Your arms are definitely really tired afterwardsust eight months ago, she was paralyzed in a rodeo accident. This is one of the few outlets she has to challenge her competitive spirit."Just being to able to come out here with kids your age who are going through the same stuff you are," she said. "And it's a physical activity. You are working hard while you are having fun." Read More!
Bowling a sport easily adapted for disabilities
 CHICAGO - Regardless of a person's limitation, bowling can be challenging at all levels. This is why it is among the favorite sport for Special Olympics athletes."The top score is 190," Lopez said of Allen. "Sometimes he's gone up to 225." To bowl like that, you have to be good, regardless of having a cognitive disability. "I should have took my time and looked directly at the pins and I should be able to roll the ball straight towards the pins I could get the strikes," Lopez said. "The more strikes I get the better." Being part of Special Olympics has changed many lives like Lynda Foltt's 23-year-old nephew "Well his diagnosis was cognitive disability, but he had a cerebral hemorrhage at birth so then they diagnosed him with cerebral palsy," Foltt said. Chicago Park District's Special Olympic facilitator Mike Benavente said there's something for everyone. Read More!
Wheelchair Dance Sport - Continents Cup 2011- AMAZING! VIEW NOW! Click Here.
Wheelchair Sports , Bungee Jumping in a Wheelchair Click Here!
Nitro Circus Live World Record Aaron "TNT Wheelz" Fotheringham Click Here!
HUMOR - Quadriplegic Can't Stand Up Comic - Chuck Bittner - A fun and humourous perspectives to being a quadriplegic....VIEW NOW! Click Here.
Independence -
A day in the life of a paraplegic-Techniques for daily living! VIEW NOW! Click here. |
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Air Carrier Access Act Regulations Updated
In May, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) issued updated regulations for The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA).
This Act now applies to both U.S. and foreign carriers. There are new requirements for airport and aircraft accessibility and changes in airport services including reservations, facilities, in-flight and aircraft acquisitions. To learn more about the old rules and the changes, visit the ADA publication by clicking here!
Action Alert! Pressure the New Administration for Jobs for People with Disabilities
 WASHINGTON D.C. - A group of national consumer-controlled disability organizations sent a letter to key players in the Obama administration to pressure them into living up to their promises to our community. It is time to turn on the HEAT! We want JOBS for people with disabilities in the new administration! We want a domestic policy adviser IN THE WHITE HOUSE who is knowledgeable about and experienced in disability issues! We want our voices heard and our opinions valued as appointments and decisions are made that will affect our lives! Read More!
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Botox can end catheter leakage and other issues!
This is one of the biggest breakthroughs in bladder care for SCI and MS patients in a long time. People who use catheters and experience leakage in spite of taking bladder medications need to know about the affects of injected Botox!
Urologists inject Botox in the bladder, relaxing the bladder muscle which relieves leakage and replaces the need for oral medications that lead to dry mouth and other reactions. Those who have used it say the results are unbelievable! Allergan, the developer of Botox, is setting up study sites to prove to the insurance companies how well it works. Any spinal cord injured patient or MS patient who uses a catheter and passes their screening test can get the Botox FREE along with all the tests paid for as well and money for their time. Call this toll free number( 1-888-617-8839) and check out this site: www.dignitytoostudy.com to see if you can take part in the study! Read about two kinds of Botox treatments and how they worked for these cath users. Article 1 and Article 2 |
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DANGER: Serious brain and spinal cord damage is occuring to children in rear-end collisions because of faulty front driver and passenger seats
USA - A rear-end collision can cause a collapse of front seat passengers into the head/neck region of children in car seats, attached behind front seat driver or passengers. This happens in cars manufactured with seatbelts attached to the seats (ABTS of "all belts to seats) instead of the roof or post between front and back windows. Watch this video and make sure your seats are strong and seatbelts are properly attached to the car at the post or ceiling. |
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Nursing Home's political contributions keep elderly and disabled in nursing homes against their will
According to disability advocate, Steve Gold, the nursing home industry has been buying congressional votes against the Community Choice Act, with their campaign contributions. The Community Choice Act (CCA) would allow the elderly and disabled to stay in their homes and receive Medicaid benefits instead of more expensive mandated nursing home care. These folks often want to stay in their homes. The plan would save taxpayer money, but the CCA is continually blocked by what critics say are the "vote buying practices" of the American Health Care Association--the nursing home's trade association.
Says Gold, "ask for a meeting with officials who have taken these donations. Use the information linked below to initiate a dialogue with your Senators and Representatives. When they say they are in favor of the Community Choice Act, ask them to return the nursing home industry contributions as a sign of good faith. If they say they oppose eliminating the institutional bias, discuss the contributions.
Many newspapers and other media might also be interested." To find out which Congressmen received donations from the nursing home industry and how much they received, Click Here!
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NEWS FLASH! New increased VA grants for specially adapted housing
WASHINGTON – A change in the law that allows certain seriously injured veterans and service members to receive multiple grants for constructing or modifying homes has resulted in many new grants, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today. Before the change, eligible veterans and service members could receive special adaptive housing grants of $10,000 or $50,000 from VA only once. Now they may use the benefit up to three times, so long as the total grants stay within specified limits outlined in the law. Read More! |
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New product line of Wheelchair Seat Covers, now available
From Kramer Enterprises comes hand-crafted seat covers now come in dozens of fabrics and prints including Hannah Montana, High School Musical, SpongeBob Squarepants, florals, denim, college and pro logos and much more. All wheelchair seat covers are hand-crafted one by one and can be machine washed and dried. Might make a great gift! Read More! |
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An Overview of Pain Management
There are several different pain theories, but all focus on the central nervous system as the main message center. The spinal cord is the relay center where pain signals can be blocked, enhanced, or modified before signals reach the brain. Pain perception is a neurological experience — an interpretation and response to the pain message. Factors that can influence a person's pain reaction include physiological, psychological, biochemical, emotional, social, Read More! |
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Karianna
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Being tetraplegic isn't a lifestyle choice
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Federal Disability $
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Tony Jackson
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Laylan Connolly
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Wheelchair Accessible Gardening and Adaptive Gardening with Raised Beds
Wheelchair Accessible Vegetable Plot Vs Supermarket Vegetables: The domestic vegetable garden is not new, in fact during World War Two, most families grew their own vegetables due to rationing. The art of growing vegetables though has been somewhat forgotten in the post-war years due to mass agriculture techniques, and the availability of fresh, cheap vegetables in supermarkets. Think for a minute, where would you get your vegetables from if the supermarkets closed for a week?, it soon becomes apparent how dependent we all are on supermarkets for our food. One great way to balance out this dependency on supermarkets, and save money in the process, is to grow your own vegetables. Not only will you save money, but the vegetables will taste far better, and will be far fresher than anything you will find in your local supermarket.
Planning a Wheelchair Accessible Adaptive Garden: When planning a home vegetable garden we usually think of an area of ground, turned over, enriched with compost, and fertilized, where we plant our seeds or seedlings. This is still true, except for when we plan a wheelchair accessible garden. The normal garden can be anywhere from a 3 meter square plot, to a full allotment scale garden. It just depends on how much you want to grow. A wheelchair accessible garden can be just as large, but it needs to conform to the following guidelines. Read More!
Watch this training video on wheelchair use of sidewalks!
D.C. - A series of videos on sidewalk accessibility previously available on DVD can now be viewed through our site. Accessible Sidewalks is a four-part video developed to illustrate issues and considerations in the design of sidewalks. The series covers access for pedestrians with mobility impairments, including those who use wheelchairs, and pedestrians who are blind or have low vision. The videos are open captioned and incorporate running descriptive audio. See More!
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Free Service Available to Find and List Affordable and Accessible Housing
NEW YORK — The New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) today announced a free on-line housing listing and locator service for affordable, special needs, and accessible housing throughout New York State. The new service will assist renters, property providers, housing professionals and social service providers with accessing real-time rental housing information throughout New York State. DHCR created NYHousingSearch.gov in collaboration with the New York State Department of Health (DOH) and the New York Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD). Read More!
Building an Accessible Home
I built my house in 2001. The process was arduous but I had an overall positive experience with building my own home. The reason I chose to build was because I needed accessible housing. For the past several years I lived in a two bedroom apartment spending way too much. I tried to find an accessible apartment with the amenities that I required such as a roll-in shower, but couldn't find any. There is a definite shortage of accessible housing in this country, which will only get worse in coming years with the aging of the baby boom generation. Likewise, there is an emerging interest in remaining in one's home and receiving at-home care rather than automaticatically going to a nursing home at the onset of any degree of physical disability. Two major reasons for being placed in a nursing facility is due to a lack of accessible physical accommodation in the home and an inability to receive at home nursing careFinding a house that is handicap accessible or that could be easily modified is a crapshoot. I've received several e-mails from readers from around the country confirming the same thing. Often the few accessible houses become available upon the death of an elderly person who ended up needing their home modified later in life. These houses are usually adapted the easiest and cheapest way possible for the person to be able to remain living at home. These houses are at a premium and don’t stay on the market long. Read More!
The story of Marie-France
In 1995, Marie-France, a mathematics lecturer at Paris VII University, was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. She is now almost entirely paralysed, unable to speak, and has had a tracheotomy, in order to breathe.
Despite these overwhelming difficulties, Marie-France does the shopping, writes to family and friends, helps her husband with his research and maintains a web site. This is possible thanks to her Macintosh computer and special assistive technology. Marie-France describes her daily routine, in her own words: “As I am almost completely paralyzed and my hands do not move at all, it is impossible for me to type on a keyboard or use a mouse. Therefore, I use a scanning program called SwitchXS. This allows me, through the aid of a switch, to control the scanning of one or more keyboards designed by myself.
The switch is a little device that is taped to my cheek; all I need to do is make small jaw movements to activate the scanning. As I do not speak, I use the speech synthesis of Proloquo which also helps me when I write. It allows me to verify that what I write is in accordance with what I want to write. I developed a rapid writing method based on a pretty complicated writing keyboard. Read More!
Liberty and Death: A manifesto concerning an individual's
right to choose to die
In a spirit of compassion for all, this manifesto proclaims that every competent adult has the incontestable right to humankind’s ultimate civil and personal liberty -- the right to die in a manner and at a time of their own choosing. Whereas modern medicine has brought great benefits to humanity, it cannot entirely solve the pain and distress of the dying process. Each person deals with death in their individual way. Which way is determined by their health, their ethics, and personal living conditions. The degree to which physical pain and psychological distress can be tolerated is different in all humans. Quality of life judgments are private and personal, thus only the sufferer can make relevant decisions. Persuasion or provocation to the act of self-killing are deplorable and should be punished according to relevant laws. ‘Suicide’ no longer being a crime, it is unacceptable to prosecute well-meaning people for ‘assisted suicide’. Medically hastened death by request should be made lawful as it is now in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland and the American states of Oregon and Washington (each has different rules). Read More!
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