The month of October

It will be disability employment awareness month soon and my rabbi seems to be willing to do something to remember it. He suggested I view a podcast of a professional speaking about disability awareness. It's weird and somewhat uncomfortable to hear another talk about how to manage life. Then I realized it was good for me to listen to a different perspective. There can be a positive message offered and putting it that way it will be received better. So with an audience of my fellow congregants the message is likely to be spread and also build my confidence. Perhaps I can gain traction and now that I have my booklet finished and I'm sharing it with 400+ places. I will have to take one day at a time and believe something good will result in the end of the month. I'm certainly trying and keeping busy for 30 days.

connecting veterans with jobs

I connected all of the vendors at the veteran expo with offices of vocational rehabilitation offices county wide. Since some of the employers have multiple branches I decided to do this much more efficiently. I asked the people I met that they publish the findings in their newsletters. I can not be certain that the employers will make any calls. At this point I can do no more; however my next step will reach 100's of people who do care. It will be more work for me but more effective to reach people from the disability angle than that of the employer. I will certainly get more exposure because I will also share my booklet. People can be found in the most unlikely places. It's hard not to have control over a project this big however, I have to believe that some progress will result from this.

Knowing when

My friend lives with me because I need help sometimes, especially at night. Suddenly food stamps are discontinued even though my friend has $0. He is a marine and is afraid of being blackballed. How can he refuse to advocate- that's just not me. I was sent the wrong wheelchair in 2014, I have since quit using it and requesting a new one a few months early. I'm in the process of organizing documents and old files from 3 different places so I can prove my request. I was told that my insurance does make exceptions and with my careful, continuous, accurate work to justify my request I should win. It is hard to know when to advocate and when not to advocate. Professionals can be subjective with their decisions and if challenged they can make things worse. However, I can't imagine not trying and just giving in. I have alienated decision makers because I proved them to be wrong. I keep winning yet they keep trying because so many of them underestimate consumers. Empowerment is hard to achieve when people count on remaining among the "haves" and keeping the "have-nots" low.

The right people

I met some people in city hall and they're very interested in disability awareness through a video that illustrates some does and don'ts. I will be forever glad that I purchased the "10 Commandments for Communicating with People with Disabilities." Eventually employers follow but I'm quite confident that my message will fall in line in time. I may also be able to get an awareness video going for people to learn in 3 minutes clips of buildings and common sites in the county. My other goal is to direct some funds to our Susquehanna Valley Team River Runner. That too will fall in line. I am excited to be able to make connections for others. I'm not sure if I'm helping my case or not but I did encourage people wo contact Disability Empowerment Center to get involved also. That's just my nature, they need to learn about then try the kayaking program.

Falling isn't failing

Recently I was sent an e-card with the tree of life on it. I saw it as my climb the proverbial latter. Here's why: 1) In my life I spent an unusual amount of time trying to climb the tree. Every time I thought I was making my way up I was merely going across. 2) Having said that, each time I was "knocked down" I really wasn't. I just "grabbed another branch." I was never really knocked out. 3) Each time I was becoming a better faller on "the trapeze of life." One of my exercises in PT was to literally become better at falling. 4) Falling isn't failing and my practicing made me a stronger person both physically- falling on the ground & psychologically falling- on a lower branch. 5) Sometimes when I would fall I would catch another branch, other times I would catch a leaf, other times a flower that was about to bloom. 6) Lately I've been resting on the flowers. Falls don't hurt as much, my falls are getting better, I don't stay as long, they're less far from the ground. 7) Now when I look up, I can see the top of the tree. Surprisingly I see that there are a multitude of branches to grab, and each have pretty flowers too. 8) I ask myself these questions- Are the highest branches really better? What makes them better? They look just the same as the ones I've been on. 9) Since I have never been at the top now that I will have a chance I don't think I want to be there. If I want to be able to touch the sky I'll take a balloon ride.

Sharing to generate interest

In order to grow I need people to help the progress move along. Preferably I would like the person(s) to have a disability because they will be more empathic to the situation. I will now crush all the "rules in the book" and share the booklets with 400+ independent living centers across the country. I spent all weekend recording and compiling websites, email addresses and phone numbers by looking up the ILRU Directory. I'm sure a few, if not most, of the contacts I reach will doubt my words since my request to share is odd. However, I am certain that some will appreciate my hard work creating the booklet. I hope to find a few who come forward and offer to share the work. Perhaps I will find new avenues that will push my booklets forward. Some centers do not do anything in the vocational realm. One thing for certain is that I control this road. Distribution is up to me...I just hope nobody decides to take advantage of things. I will continue to do some job recruiting- that may lead to some good contacts and results.

Filling a need

Until now I just wanted to market my manuscript; it's good, comprehensive, and unique. The problem isn't that isn't the problem and no employer is happy to sit down and be educated on the benefits of hiring people with disabilities. Since recruitment, retention, and return on investment are the bottom line issues they need to have solution. Employers do not see why they should be educated and they may be somewhat insulted. Suddenly I realized a more meaningful (and easier) way to get my wheel through the door. How can an employer worry about retaining an employee unless (s)he has an employee. Therefore, my job will be a broker and I will connect employers who I meet at expos with vocational counselors at Careerlinks! If I do enough of them a match will eventually be made. Then I can send these counselors my booklet and Team River Runner can make a few dollars on my efforts. The best parts are: 1)I can do almost everything through the internet; 2) I don't have to drive to worksites; 3)I don't have to convince employers to give me extra time in their days; 4)I don't have to be a great presenter; 5)it's saving their human resource people time and money; and 6) There is a real need for qualified applicants. I'm really looking forward to doing this.

I want to attend but..

I am the first to say how so few people with disabilities are out in the community. I am not wrong but sometimes there are risks that need to be evaluated before making a final decision whether or not to participate. For example, I really want to attend a peaceful walk in Washington DC but I'm pretty sure there will be groups there inciting riots. I am soooo tempted and it would mean a lot to me to attend. Many of the others are trying to convince me and my presence as a person in a wheelchair would speak volumes on many levels. However, there would be absolutely no recourse if I was to get hurt. I rarely have this dilemma but I rarely have this kind of option because I was never before as political as I am now.

Where are the others?

Often I feel like the only one in the group and wish there were others. I attended a Veterans Expo and the overall need it to find others. I can offer suggestions but I can't guarantee there would people willing to "get on board." To me it feels much better to not be "doing it alone." I realize that everyone is different but when it's a big function (professional conference or public gathering) I am usually hard pressed to find the other person(s) who can not walk up steps. In terms of facebook it would be helpful to know of others; especially the sites that have a lot of followers. Inclusion still needs to grow- hopefully it will.