Wheeling with new wheels

Saturday was an exercise in futility...and looking at the flip side. Nobody came to the chili challenge; however I will channel my energy into something that needs to be done. I will no longer wait for the "right time" rather "just do it" is my new motto. 2am I created a brochure for employers who hire applicants and people in the community in general. They will hear the message "Make work, work for you" and I will meet those who were previously discriminating. This will get easier all I need to do is get over my self (my insecurities) and make it happen. People will come out of the woodwork for this and I will use every last Dixie cup and spoon.

Wheeling with new wheels

It's amazing how people without disabilities are so unreliable and everything is such a big deal. Thus far I've got only 3 people replying to make chili for tomorrow. No one RSVP'd to attend so I have no idea how much table space I'll need, food I'll need, plastic spoons and cups I'll need or room to display art work. This event went from a cookoff, to a challenge to just a party. I've already made meaningful connections for others too. Regardless, it should result in a few new contacts for Infobility- actually, it already has.

Wheeling with new wheels

I love helping to connect agency professionals; it seems that I am more open than others who go to meetings but don't bother to network. I now know 2 veteran programs that do the same thing! That's good but can also be competition. Agency staff are competitive cause it's the same pot of money they go after. We all talk about working together but the bottom line doesn't show that. It's a good bargaining chip since I can offer help to grow their program and get favors in return...like cooking chili. I resent helping and get nothing in return. That's just wrong reciprocity is the name of the game; I'm not being selfish.

Wheeling with new wheels

Still no RSVP's from anyone about the Chili Challenge! I've talked to radio and television stations, shared countless flyers with people, and event contacted a service groups at a local college. Today I'm going to observe an organization that has done successful ones before. Hopefully some of tem may be interested in visiting mine. I will either have too much food or not enough. Hopefully I'll have $60 in in gift certificates and I need to figure out how I'm going to shred a block of unopened cheddar cheese. I need plastic spoons and cups and should get sour cream. Maybe can get tortilla chips from the local beverage store.

Wheeling with new wheels

I hate to quit anything but I know my limitations and Cub Scouts is really not for me. On the flip side YWCA wants to include my disability program in their normal formats. I am getting what I want but it will still take more time. That's frustrating cause I've been waiting 30 years for something to happen- how much longer must I wait?

Wheeling with new wheels

New disability programs do work they just take forever to catch on. So many people refuse to admit that they need the kind of help I offer because they expect that the established agencies will come through for them. Suddenly I am hearing from someone at a program for families whose adult child graduated from school. They signed up for "the usual" and are just realizing that the usual is now unusual. Funding cuts result in consumer cuts so a consumer on the couch that people were horrified to hear about is the reality. I would love to resurrect this program; I would actually get an audience and not have to "beg, borrow, and steal" this time around. Perhaps this parent can spread the word for me.

Weeling with new wheels

Now that I am involved with meaningful community activities for high end people I am less interested in accepting the condescending treatment from professionals of agencies who don't care. It's amazing how inspirational it is to be among all motivated intelligent people who don't have preconceptions and low expectations. It is so nice for my ideas to be welcomed, respected, considered and eventually incorporated into the overall fabric of the project. I wish I had experienced that before instead people just felt threatened if they felt I knew more and had more motivation than them.

Wheeling with new wheels

When I moved downtown, someone told me that people with disabilities needs to be included in boards and planning meetings at the community level. Boy is that the case! There are so many things that should include awareness that don't! I get more and more surprised, frustrated, and eager every day. I'm like a broken record but every person I talk with is different so they never heard the speil. It is no wonder why people are ignorant and then arrogant! Well, the hotel in New Jersey will never again be that way. T hat's what the advocate at the local CIL promised.