Round two's

The first surgery I chose to have at Hershey Medical. I thought I'd be able to connect them with Team River Runner (TRR), a veteran adapted kayaking program. I did and it worked. Both sides connected and now RecFest doesn't happen without TRR. The second surgery I chose to have Hershey Medical and I thought I'd be able to connect me with Bayada. I sent a page of "Do It Yourself Disability" to the Nurse Case manager with a letter suggesting we partner. I hope it works but if not, I am ready to go elsewhere. I went to the Lancaster Business Expo and met a few people. One man has a brother with a disability and a small business. He is interested in partnering with me so I will meet with him next Monday. The idea is to keep trying round 1, 2, 3, … round 67.

Wheeling through 2019

I wanted to offer something to remind people that October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. A few times in the past I created a calendar and I enjoyed deciding the most useful information to share. Most people need new ones in December anyway so I created one. Each month begins with a disability topic or a story of a person with a disability who is working. Hopefully this project will give people some incentive to learn more on the topic. The type of information on the calendar centers around employment of people with disabilities. The incentives for hiring, hiring myths, hiring veterans, some financial incentives, stereotypes, communication, and empowerment. The stories inspire and display people with challenges in optimistic lights. A welcome residual is that I generate some interest in Infobility, my ongoing disability awareness work.

Opportunities

I attended the Business Expo even though it was really scheduled for tomorrow. I took down the names of the vendors and plan to send them a 1 page sheet on disability and employment. Two companies inspired me- one was about the employee and the other was about the company. First, was a local restoration company. The business was not interesting; however, after meeting Jessica I learned of ways we could work together I will send her my manuscript, maybe I could find her a few potential disabled employees, and I will offer a "Lunch and Learn" with my power point. Second, was a marketing company that really grabbed my attention. I get library audios and books on the subject but this one displayed a kayak and a few how-to books. I called and spoke to the director of marketing and ask her how much it would cost to buy one. Then I explained Team River Runner and asked why the kayak was displayed. I know this is the company I can feel good about helping me grow Infobility. There may be more opportunities in Lancaster.

An acquaintenance

The OT from Bayada was the same girl I had two years ago. It was nice to see a familiar face, we hit it off. She made a good suggestion for putting on my socks and more importantly she will connect me to the person who will approve (hopefully) my booklet. "Do It Yourself Disability" needs to be approved. It can help many people, I can help many people. I just need an established company behind me. The last operation was about helping Team River Runner and this one will be about helping me. It is such a win-win situation for Bayada. It will make them stand out among the many other home health care agencies. Now, there can be one that actually gives their rehab patients a concrete tool to empower them before they face the community. The assistance to assess their limitations and create solutions to make it easier. If it doesn't work I'll pursue another company. I will not give up my disability quest.

Still the same

The CNA's were the same, for the most part, treating me like I was a baby, calling me honey, and ignoring my transferring feedback. After two bad experiences they said I could transfer myself, not using the board, as long as someone was watching me. I won even though I struggled each time for a long time. Instead of an evaluation form, once again I tried to get my message to the top so I wrote to the administrator and the director. I suggested that a short video talk about disability sensitivity be shown during training for each CNA class. I explained the video in detail and offered to help. Once again I received no reply but was "yessed to death." I really thought I had a good idea but apparently it wasn't an important enough topic to bring up separately.

Programing

The long break with the broken leg gave me time to think and read about programs and people that started them. It can't be that hard and my desire to start something won't go away. So I have to try something- advocacy, awareness, empowerment, employment, etc. It has to be fairly simple also necessary or it will not generate interest. It also must be backed by something bigger such as a company, a well connected person, etc. It can't just be me but I will not be the only one involved. People have to be motivated and intelligent enough to help make this work. It must be also be far reaching but not something brand new something brans new. I will think this through after considering all the programing I do over the years.

the flip side of my broken leg

I opened a door then wheeled down quite a high step. I just finished a hospital stay, surgery, and rehab. Now my getting around will be painful, slow, and home-bound. I've been racking my brain to figure out the lesson from all of this. Usually experiences like these have hidden meanings. Two professionals are interested in hearing my take on employment for people with disabilities. Two administrators are interested in my solution to training disability sensitivity to CNA's. I have another chance with the head social worker at Lancaster Rehabilitation. That's where I wanted to create a support group. I have another chance with a director of Bayada Home Health Care. That's who I wanted to support my Do-It-Yourself-Disability Booklet. I will pursue each and every avenue carefully because this is a whole new list of contacts. The broken leg may be worth it.