Wheeling with new wheels

I need a service man for my Comcast computer. I shouldn't since it's just cause the only issue is I can't reach wires to return a box for my television. That's not right so I'm going to look into this. It's worth trying. I am frustrated to need help for this little thing. Maybe my apartment maintenance would help. I have argued with the company enough.

Wheeling with new wheels

I'm trying something new. Rather than have cable which gives me 100's of programs I'm not interested in watching I will get U tube and perhaps even Netflix. I will be very happy to get the CMT channel since "Nashville" has now been transferred from ABC. I'm going to try new things and actually spend money on Infobility so it will be successful. It is time to cancel Boy Scouts because it is not something I am going to just hang on to forever, even though I have a terrible vocational history. I got a nail in my tire and it's very possible it was from driving in this terrible section of town. I will run a wheelchair basketball game but that will be my last hurrah. There has got to be a way to attach this lengthy blog to my wordpress.

Wheeling with new wheels

I attended my first business leadership group. It's not the first ever but it's the first at that location and it's the first time I attended for myself not IM ABLE nor The Blue Crew. Everyone was nice and I did my 20 elevator speech. It sounded okay but I need to improve it. So this week I attended a SCORE counseling session and an ASSETS business start-up class. Next week is the program at Millersville on transitioning, the Kick Ass Women's group, the business leadership group again and I will have a vendor table at a church. I'm ready for Infobility to be real in some manner. Also Melissa may be helping me, actually we would be helping each other. I've made a slide presentation for Vocational Venues, copied flyers on the 2 main programs, and will be designing, printing, and showing a vocational skills program. I may do another "Next Steps" program for this summer. Goodwill is on board, I want to make a forum for October and try to produce a video. That's a good start.

Wheeling with new wheels

New issue with apartment... they approved a curb cut but they will pay 1/2 of the $3556.00 (their estimate). Now that I'm looking, they have cub cuts all over the place, 2 by the sign, 2 by an island for flowers, and 1 by each of the mailboxes (people in chairs get mail delivery to boxes next to their doors cause the areas are too high. Parents are mad and so I said forget it just get a $200 ramp that's temporary and can be moved when I move. This is such a stupid hassle but it's because my first idea wasn't pleasing enough to look at; that's always priority in my new world. Infobility is coming together and tomorrow is my first big biz meeting.

Wheeling with new wheels

The tv segments on my disability awareness program went well; and I'm pretty sure it's already helping one of the speakers already. He had a lot of pent up anger about discriminatory treatment and he seems to be comfortable talking about it with me- sharing it was his own decision. I feel much more confident about my goal and I am connected with a really big vocational rehab agency- Goodwill. My next project is to plan a forum on employment and disability. I've done these things before but this will include some Pa state legislators or their aids. Inclusion will become an idea worth spreading. I'm glad I did not give up even though my parents and others strongly suggested that I should. I only wish this opportunity had come two decades ago. They say that there's a time for everything- it wasn't mine.

Wheeling with new wheels

Persistence pays off, I now have two places that will take care of my chair and I reached the executive office of Days Inn so I should get a free stay. Persistence pays off. I think that comes largely from having a disability- nothing is easy at first but eventually things will get easier. I get that every single time I relocate to an apartment. This time I had to deal with a new disc size in my van and a higher wheelchair which affected everything. Sometimes frustration results in just giving up but what I going to do? Stop my transfer half way to the tub cause it's hard and scary and just remain dirty? Doing my Infobility business plan is really telling me to stop thinking about doing it and JUST DO IT. There's really no competition and I will meet a lot of people. I decided to go Friday to the conference in Philly (that trip is getting easier) and I plan to grow it this summer.

Wheeling with new wheels

I am convinced that customer representatives are subjective. I called my insurance about getting a different company to repair my wheelchair. A customer is supposed to go where they got the chair for repairs... unless the company dropped the manufacturer. I finally found a place but the rep insisted that my doctor get an authorization WHAT? I've used tat doctor for years with no problem. Now the script I got will be outdated by the time this is done and my doctor does not have time to go through this baloney. The lady is just power hungry. .... I was booked to stay at the Days Inn and got a confirmation number for the room. I got there and they had nothing for me in their books. The person who booked the room was from a call center and gave me a confirmation number that is not used by the actual desk clerk AND they spelled my name wrong. How is THAT my fault?

Wheeling with new wheels

Last night I attended the Luke Bryan concert-in the rain. I love country music and I wish I could see everyone in person. It is a challenge to manage among thousands of people and I like to prove to myself that it can be done from a wheelchair. However, unless you're with a group of friends, the experience is almost as non - disabled as you can get. It's expensive so that limits most people. I remain off to the side on the track level or in the segregated disabled section. The place is filled with thousands of really rowdy people who stand in front of you and are usually drunk. When getting out of the parking lot, if you drive, you usually have to idle for a very long time because there are many vehicles and only one or two exit routes. It is exhilarating and there is nothing like being part of a live performance. As long as a person is not afraid of crowds, I recommend it once.

Wheeling with new wheels

I was approached by a local tv station manager and asked if I wanted to 2 segments on her local show on "disability and employment." I planned on having employers who hired disabled to speak about their experiences and what to say to other employers encouraging them to hire. No one would anyone to come. "Plan B" would be to get people in different establishments to talk of experiences with disabled customers and members. I got a pastor, a restaurant manager, and a vocational rehabilitation counselor. The lady called me a bit confused and asked me for photos. I did not have any but I sent her my slide show, an outline of my other projects, and the booklet on managing daily life when hurt later in life. She just wrote me back that she was impressed; I now have a wonderful, well connected community member supporting my venture. Infobility WILL be realized!

Wheeling with new wheels

I'm going to get an article, in a company publication, written from the consumers perspective. They need to be forced to learn about the consequences of living and using substandard products. These agencies, companies, and manufacturers for disability products and services are insulated and although they may claim to care with smiles and nice words, they don't show it. They need to "walk the walk" for consumers because we can't- that's why we use their products. They can't just make additions to their structure and not explain it. I have 2 triangular metal pieces in the rear of the seat. It really limits my transfers but I'm told the pieces are not removable because they are crucial to holding up the chair. WHAT? They weren't there in the last Invacare chair. There's a way to get my views heard and I will find it.

Wheeling with new wheeels

I sent a letter to Invacare explaining the problems (extra height and 2 pieces of metal) and consequences (falling out and urinating on the stall floor). When I saw that Invacare was already sited once for poor quality control, I knew they were to blame. It is not my surgical supply store who will no longer work with them. It turns out that my cousin knows the owner of Invacare and also a much better company for wheelchairs. It is clearly too late now but I want the reason for the problems and I want them fixed. Unfortun- ately they could care less cause they don't rely on the products they manufacture and unhappy consumers do not advocate. I WILL get results and I will be the best customer of Infobility. I'm "making my mess my message" (Robin Roberts wrote that in her book).

Wheeling with new wheels

I may be able to make a few bucks helping to locate venues for two representatives from United Health Care. They are a really good joint Venture since they seek people and agencies with disabilities. This will validate my belief that going to meetings is a good way to meet good people. I am really, really ready to give up the Cub Scouts but I want to have a transition and have another big gap in my vocational history. Also I already have a gig at a local restaurant for the one girl. Maybe this is the way to go.