Rotary Clubs

I have done very little for the veterans program lately but there are always new connections to make. The director of the program is very interested in the paddling activity but less in the business end. He suggested the Rotary Clubs a while ago so I sent a short not to 13 leaders. Responses have already come from big businesses leaders who are very well connected. Originally I wanted to help another group and hopefully help myself in the long run. It is likely to be more than a phrase, I have a good feeling that it's going to help me spread disability awareness in the community. Small programs will lead to other small programs and then I'll do a website. Rotaries are goo groups.

Finding the balance

I've been having a little trouble sitting up but I figured it would just get easier the more I did it. In this case it was a technique issue. I suddenly realized that something I had been doing all along would be useful in this case. Sure enough I was right and getting up won't be a big problem. However, that's the reason I don't get as alarmed when my body doesn't work right. Sometimes I should have visited the doctor sooner and since I didn't my body became worse. It is hard to know how important a problem is because people with challenges often have a different level of priorities. The same goes for my wheelchair and my vehicle- I wonder if this is a universal issue. I have been ignoring the wheelchair lock in my van go and overlook the problem. It only stuck once in a while but now it only works correctly once in awhile. It is hard to find the balance.

Bees with honey

I was certain that the real story surrounding my apartment move was fishy. I asked them to remove the rug in my new place and then replace it with vinyl. Naturally I was also concerned about the cost of removing my old rug at my old place. Furthermore, since I am moving within the apartment complex I am not breaking my lease, as I was instructed. Rather then an adversarial relationship I went to the office. The lady in charge of my move was willing to sit down and give me her time to answer all of my questions. She assured me that the rug issue was not a problem and more. I am so accustomed to experiencing unethical behavior that I assume that this is just one more unfortunate example. This incident turned out to be positive and the message can apply to other issues. You get more bees with honey than with vinegar.

Sharing information

The tag line for Infobility is "sharing information on disability issues." I'm testing the "sharing" part. I'm sending my second wordpress to all of the members of the Spinal Cord Peer Support groups across the country as well as Independent Living Centers in the USA. I will send them the "Do It Yourself Disability" booklet along with my site. For t he CIL's I'll make calls I should get some suggestions and replies. It will be a lot of work but who knows what will happen. I am also going to try getting some college students involved in disability awareness. This Jewish New Year I will find new paths to reach the same goal- inclusion.

Long distance trips

My biggest tip regarding traveling in a wheelchair is this- arrange it yourself do not leave it up to a travel agent. 1)If you need to stay overnight speak with guest services NOT a call center. I will never allow Expedia, Priceline, or others to book my hotel stays. In the case of my visit to Denver, Colorado there were many mistakes made that would not have been, had I arranged it every step of the way. 2) Never assume an airline van is accessible just because someone says it is. At a local airport I was to take an accessible bus to Newark airport. It came and the driver had no idea about the wheelchair lift request. The airport official then insisted on calling 25 places to drive me to Newark. I asked the lady to make alternate reservations for a Denver flight. She would not listen till it was too late. Once she was given approval the only available flight was at 9:40pm (there were 2 others we missed). At my suggestion we took a local/private bus with a lift that I had previously taken somewhere before. 3) Before the plane lands make sure your wheelchair meets you at the gate. After the trip home I was to meet another accessible bus at 8:15pm. This connection involved my speeding up the stewardesses. All four people stood at the airplane exit door wishing guests a a good trip. I asked about my chair and they said it may not arrive at the gate. Then I asked for further information and was informed that it may be in the baggage claim area. Finally, a stewardess did make a follow-up call on my behalf. 4)If someone requires a wheelchair for the long walk to the gate inside the airport, make certain the call is followed up. Often calls were made to request wheelchairs for my folks but attendants did not know who to help or they just passed by. One should not need a vacation after a vacation.