Wheeling with new wheels

A bank I met at a Business Expo, was interested in Infobility and then asked for my price list in an email. Rather make up one, I just stated the truth- this program is based on donations. Was honesty the best policy in this case? Will I forever lose my 1 and only chance? Since I need to GET Infobility noticed, know I am participating in a volleyball fundraiser and I'd appreciate $$$ for that. I have yet to get a reply because it's a significant amount of money. Did I do the right thing? Other people would have done it differently.

Wheeling with new wheels

PennDot rules for inspection of adapted vans is that the driver goes to a place where the technicians have a special certification. It doesn't matter if the guy never drove anything with hand controls. Well, I finally found someone nearby who was going to enlist the local van installation person to drive the van. He calls and said Penndot refuuses to allow him to do that, I should go to the company who installed the controls in my van. I told him the company wasn't certified to do any inspections. I called them to check and they thought I was nuts. I called someone else who wasn't willlng to do it but told me of a company who would. I am going to Penndot personally to teach the men why their rules make no sense. They'll never have to abide by there own rules so why should they care? They don't!

Wheeling with new wheels

Friday I attended a business expo in my area. I got 87 cards and followed up with people the next day. I got a few polite responses. I realize this is not the route to take, however, there were 2 staff from vocational agencies both of whom I had interesting conversations. That is the route to take with Infobility. Since it's broad, I can create work for individuals who are motivated to do so (enclave employment). I am eager to receive the replies from those people who I met Friday.

Wheeling with new wheels

One would think that taking initiative is a good thing. It shows skills such as motivation, resourcefulness, problem solving all normally good things. However, in my case it results in resentment, political incorrectness and people feeling threatened. I get in trouble for doing more than others do and I probably do a better job of it. It's happened so many times and it just happened again. I thought it was merely being helpful instead it may result in being fired. I'm chomping at the bit to find something, anything that would be meaningful. This is my passion so I can't and won't give up. Something has to happen eventually. "Throw up enough spaghetti and eventually something's got to stick."

Wheeling with new wheels

It's sad- advocacy and employment are just not important topics to the people who they should be important to. I could have had the chance to address people with mental challenges. When I suggested them I was told "sorry, no interest." The compliant client is more desirable than the one who speaks his/her mind. Imagine if consumers actually practiced assertiveness and believed that the opinions did count. Why implement a topic if there's no interest? Because there may be if it's done regularly and with food incentives. Unfortunately we mostly just end up doing the same topics that are not educational just entertaining.

Wheeling with new wheels

I agreed to have a table at a health fair. Hopefully I will meet someone who is with a non-profit and interested in getting involved with a program like mine. I did not contribute right away because the last expo was very poorly attended. I think it will be better this time. At any rate, I will make it a good experience for me as I always do. This will be a test to decide if it's worth puursuing or not. It's noot really what people need so I should work it backwards and study needs of Lancaster.

Wheeling with new wheels

Today I spoke with the director of the Office of Aging. I was horrified by the way a caseworker was communicating with my friend who is a consumer. I was sad that she saw nothing wrong with being spoken to in such a condescending manner since it was always that way. The director apologized and said they do include disability sensitivity in their trainings. Unfortunately it is just touched on and rarely remembered or implemented. It needs to be emphasized and role playing should be done. I mentioned "The 10 Commandments of speaking with someone with a disability." The director expressed interest in scheduling the film once there is more time. Without the PA Budget being passed caseworker jobs are not being filled and they are working overtime.

Wheeling with new wheels

PennDot, with their nonsense rules, has tried again to make my life miserable. I need an inspection but there are new rules in which people with vehicles that have hand controls must go the specialized aoto mechanics for the sticker. I am sure anyone with a van like mine can realize the problem before saying the word "inspection." There are very very few automechanics able to drive a vehicle with hand controls like mine. On the filp side, there are even fewer installation companies who also complete inspections. So should I go to the guy on the corner who hangs a shingle that he does special inspections? What if he drives my van into a work bench? That exact thing has happened at a huge service center. When I called PennDot my call was repeatedly rerouted to the incorrect department. So I decided to call the installation company in Dauphin. I was given the name of who they use- disaster averted. I hope the average person doesn't call the 800 people on the aproved list.

Wheeling with new wheels

Every day this month (and every other) I will do something for Infobility. Today I made an appointment with the second agency who programs for consumers. I will also be at a Latino networking event where I will finally meet up with the guy who's running for magisterial justice in my district. He has many contacts and will hopefully get me business so I can generate interest among professionals in the Lancaster Community. I reserved a rom in the library for a general presentation in March. By then I should find attendees, there was the last time I did it in this library. I'm also going to a breakfast for entrepreneurs and possibly an expensive presentation at Shady Maples.