It's easy!

What's the secret to living a life with a disability? How can I take out the stress in my life? Two words -plan ahead. That's almost the answer. I do this when planning a trip or going to the corner store. For example I have two appointments coming up but I needed to make sure I could enter the building and the restrooms at both. I called to ensure that the ramp would be ready upon arrival so I wouldn't be late for the meeting. The second involves an outdoor concert with thousands of people. As suspected it will be a process to get the restroom issue taken care of but I know the manager of the event appreciated that I thought ahead, by two months, to make sure everything goes smoothly. After the "non issue" is brought up at next week's planning meeting it will be fine. I will also have a chance to get a ticket early since I was informed of the first ticket stop. It is too easy to just look at the downside and complain (last year I was tempted to sue the portalet company) but that results in a lot of energy spent on anger and I only hurt myself by refusing to attend future shows. Thinking ahead is the most effective and positive way to handle most every situation.

Wheeelig with new wheels

A broken body = a boken mind?

I was eager to see "The Upside" because I knew that I could use something from it for my Disability Dialogues programs going. Writing an opinion article got no response. Now I am planning a speech for a rotary club on Wednesday and I'm thinking of the most effective way. I will use the entire concept of a movie to promote the importance of disability inclusion. Many people were entertained watching Kevin Heart and Nicole Kidman relate to the character with paraplegia. Actually that wasn't the only thing at work; they were educated too. They saw how many "normal" people communicate with those who look differently. It is not something people realize how they react and how it looks and sounds. The man in the wheelchair was actually a successful billionaire. I wonder how people would react to him if they knew about his bank account? People automatically assume that they are broken on the outside so they must be broken on the inside.

The Wheel Challenge

An effective and simple method for growing disability inclusion is to implement an experiential activity called "The Wheel Challenge." I am hoping that the idea will spread similar to "The Ice Bucket Challenge" did for alzheimers. Community Aid is a thrift shop that has 7 locations and Handz on Hope is a program that provides creative learning experiences for people of all ages. These two programs are willing to help improve disability inclusion. I tried to start disability awareness with power points and presentations. I think these experiential programs will work better over the spring and summer. Eventually this will generate support of bigger businesses. People sitting in wheelchairs while doing normal activities like shopping and working will really make people re-think the way people see people with challenges. The idea is to think outside the box and give chances to people who would not normally get them.

Disability Dialogue for Congregations

This can be a good venue for the topic of disability awareness. Members often come from diverse backgrounds and have community contacts. Congregants who were receptive to the disability awareness program and want to explore ways to implement a more ambitious disability project. The goal of this project is to find employment for a person. Assistance is available for the entire project. Meeting 1 - Gather some people who are interested in helping by announcing it in the bulletin, including it in the website. Meeting 2 - Discuss steps for reaching the goal. Meeting3 - Include the person and parents at a meeting. Learn about skills, interests, experiences, abilities, likes and family involvement. Then consider the congregation and who has vocational connections. Meeting 4 - Decide who will arrange meetings and transport the applicant. Consider skill sessions (interview, resume, applications). Emotional support is crucial because the process can be a hard and long one. Meeting 5 - This will likely be ongoing. Notes should be recorded by the volunteer and reviewed by the group. What went well? What needs improvement? After a number of interviews are performed a meeting is needed to discuss high and low points. What suggestions can be reached? Details are available.

Disability Dialogue for Consumers

Coping with sudden disability can be overwhelming. There is a gap between the time one is discharged from a medical facility to readiness for community involvement. Many questions remain unanswered and the person may feel alone unless (s)he joins a support group to gain independence and be around those who have been in the same situation. These meetings encourage people to share success stories and struggles endured on a regular basis. They also have the opportunity to ask the questions that have not been answered in the hospital or rehab facility. It is common to feel alone and unable to identify with family or friends. Speaking at a support group enables one to help those who are newly disabled. Another benefit is sharing resources learned over time. Athletic people who have disabilities become distraught until they discover that most sports are adapted for people with disabilities. Speaking with health care professionals is important. Sometimes the person with the medical background doesn't see the other side. The person may have the book knowledge but not be knowledgeable of how to manage on a daily basis. "Do It Yourself Disability" is a booklet that provides strategies and thought – provoking questions for a person who has a sudden disability. It helps a person assess ones own situation.

Disability Dialogue with Teachers

Students have questions about disabilities but often do not have a forum in which to ask them. It is important that students learn when they are young so we can decrease bullying and promote acceptance of differences. A simple idea is to invite a guest speaker to talk and answer questions. Another option is to offer a detailed five- day unit for teachers to teach students. Day 1 is the topic of discrimination Day 2- is sensory and mobility disabilities. Day 3 is learning Disabilities. Day 4 is developmental disabilities. Day 5 is autistic Disabilities, Each day offers explanations, experiential activities, and questions for students of all ages. Parents and professionals, are welcome guests. Videos for each topic are also meaningful.

Disability Dialogue with Employers

People with disabilities have been known as ‘The greatest untapped resource’ yet in January 2019 employment was only 20.5%. I offer a diversity training that explores issues in the workplace and welcomes employees with disabilities in work and society. Some commons problems that companies have are recruitment, retention, and return on investment. While it is true that some alterations may be necessary when hiring employees with disabilities, they are minimal and employees more than make up for the cost. Recruitment- may involve companies attending disability conferences, partnering with agencies, and allowing applicants to demonstrate the essential job tasks rather than holding the traditional interview. Retention- may mean the addition of reasonable accommodations. However, tax incentives defray the costs of reasonable accommodations; and 59% of them are free (i.e. changing break time to coincide with a medication schedule.Return on Investment- shows that employees with disabilities show average or above in loyalty, productivity, morale, reliability, safety and more.

A disability website, the flip side

I decided to purchase a website in order to enhance my disability project with a website. That seemed like a good idea but 1) it was never put online, 2) it was complex to navigate and create, 3) the support was practically non-existent, 4) there were hidden costs involved that I then discovered would have been ongoing, 5) my entire domain name was deleted without prior notice. As usual I decided to look on the flip side. I rewrote the content and decided to make it into a "salesbook" like I used for job placement work. Now I am taking it a step further- I'm going to put it on this site. 1)There are already 1000's of hits on this blog which makes it already ranked well on google search engines, 2) I don't need a fancy website with all the bells and whistles for a service business (none of the photos were appropriate). 3) I do need it to be on the computer so I can share it with others, 4) I can now get business cards and share them with prospects (good thing I didn't do that under Wix). I am looking forward to this project getting implemented.

fundraising & educating

Yesterday I attended an event for high school kids taking a trip to Vietnam and it includes a program that distributes wheelchairs to residents in the country. I learned of this after listening to a speech at the local Kiwanis Club. At first no one spoke to me and visited with three different tables. Since the goal was to make connections and the audience was a large number of high school kids I continued to mix. Then I realized that this opportunity could be turned into an educational fundraiser, there's always afterschool programs that could benefit. When someone spoke of the need to continually find funding for the wheelchairs used by Vietnamese people with disabilities I realized that was the answer. What better way to spread the message than to implement "The Wheel Challenge" in order to fund wheelchairs? Then I met a lady who actually works for Lancaster Intermediate Unit as a job coach. Her placement is at the high school that's running the Vietnam trip. Hopefully this project will offer students a unique chance for educating and fundraising.

Living matters

It is now becoming super easy to end a pregnancy and this can practically eliminate our population. An increasing number of states are allowing abortions at any month. They say that women must have a doctor's approval first but that is a minor deterrent. As it is, technology is so advanced that a slight problem with a fetus can be detected and that is enough of a reason to undergo the procedure. Imagine if a person can remove a baby for any reason! Many many women who decide to take the pregnancy full term are grateful they changed their plan. I wish our population was strong enough and united enough to do something about this but I am not going to spend time on a battle that is not going to have back up. I just hope that people will see the ramifications of this present government. However, I do push the need to educate others on the benefits of inclusion. Other people need to do the same.

Lessons from "The Upside"

I wanted to make the most of the opportunity, it is not every day that a movie is centered around a person with a disability and the characters are portrayed by big name actors. So my idea is for people to discuss how they felt before and after seeing the movie. What were the expectations? Maybe they just came to be entertained. Did most of them have backgrounds in health fields? Maybe the concept of disability was not new to them. What parts surprised them? Did smashing the valuable items seem illogical? Maybe they saw that it was a logical connection between the present frustration he felt by his current circumstance- being in a wheelchair and his wife dying. Were they surprised that the lady who sent him so many letters was uncomfortable with a face to face meeting. Maybe they were surprised that she'd show up at all (but it was a romantic comedy). Would they have wanted the attendant to be one of the more experienced candidates? Maybe it did not seem logical to have someone inexperienced work at a job such as that. My most important question is how can society can become more accepting of people with quite severe disabilities? Maybe those who saw the movie didn't give it much additional thought.

Lessons from "The Upside"

I have so many thoughts about this movie that I will have more than one blog for it. I realize that the main role of Philip was performed by a non-disabled actor and that upset people with disabilities. However, in some ways having an able bodied actor serves to perpetuates the disability experience and that's a good thing. In my view the goal is to educate people without disabilities in the most interesting ways. This is not a glamorous topic but it is very important for people to understand in order to increase inclusion. This story is true and the main characters are acted by famous people. Kevin Heart is the ex-con attendant and Nicole Kidman directs the man's daily life in terms of the medical needs. The audience is invited into the life of person with quadriplegic. Everyone with this disability is different but by virtue of the same diagnosis most need catheter changes, ambulate with a power wheelchair, and require attendant care. The movie shows the online relationship doesn't survive once personal contact is made, the restaurant waiter speaks to the attendant rather than Peter, and Yvonne did not want to hire a non-medical expert to perform medical care. The audience gets to know Philip as a person first and once they do the disability is secondary. That's what we need in life.

My Back yard

For years I felt like I was getting nowhere with disability programs to the extent I was ready to leave. I then decided to focus on writing my ideas on a website and sharing it with support group leaders from other states. Today I spent the day emailing 52 SILC representatives. I then attended a business networking function. Sure it felt uncomfortable throughout but everyone I met treated me with respect and after talking about Disability Dialogue I offered them ideas to further their work. I am feeling genuinely hopeful to the extent that I may be able to form a group and do a few events in Lancaster. I am glad for my tenacity, and said it allowed enough times to finally make it happen. Wayne Dyer said "better" doesn't mean you are better than someone else it means you are better than you were yesterday.

The Wruble angle

That's my original name and sounds good with "angle." I believe that there's always another way. If you act one way and continue to get less than successful results but keep trying that's the definition of insanity. So I created a website, joined Kiwanis, am getting involved in a local branch of politics, and will do two fun/costly things in the spring. A website is a good way of getting disability dialogue messages out, it can reach more people than just a presentation. Good marketing optimization is absolutely essential. Many influential people are at conferences and live far from Lancaster Pennsylvania. Once see this website they can get a full picture of what I know and can produce. This is user friendly and more people will be willing to get involved. Kiwanis Clubs are a good way to met successful, connected people. There are five programs I am eligible to attend every week. This will raise my mood and provide contacts. Rotary is still available to me but there's no more reason to rejoin $300 business groups and chamber meetings. Political involvement is one means of having a say in what's happening with our government at lease at the local level. Country concerts are the most normal thing I can do. Being in the room is filled with energy and make the audience feel electric.

Facebook finally

A few people have indicated their interest in bringing awareness programs to their area. I have ben asking and asking but finally I received a few replies. This is the purpose of going online. I can reach people from all over the United States and abroad. We all have a few similar threads. I hope I reached the right people to grow this. I want to shed the spotlight on others and hopefully interest them in this same mission. Craigslist was not helpful nor was word of mouth because I don't belong to a large group. Kiwanis Clubs and Rotary Clubs do seem to be helpful I will just keep at it and eventually reach the right people. I get messages from people on politics all the time.

Disability Dialogue

It's the name of my website and it gives a few sentences on each of the different types of awareness programs I've done. They are vocational, for employers, educational for teachers, individual, for consumers, religious, for congregants, and two experiential activities that are interesting and powerful. My offer is to assist anyone who may be interested via ongoing telephone meetings, written presentations, and ideas. Donations go to Team River Runner and I give the website to learn more. This whole project seems to be the only way to really to grow inclusion in society. I hope people are willing to take me up on these offers and it is not a typical website. I can only reach a certain number of people and I do not want to drive really far to give program and I am not a great orator. I can't make it further desirable for the average person to get involved.

what's old is new

I built a nice website but it's a bit more involved these days. Timing is everything and I found the perfect person to help throughout the process and support other extended projects such as a facebook video, a "wheel challenge" etc. Once it's ready I will be sharing it with another national audience. Spinal cord support groups have leaders and devoted members who may take on my suggestions. After I speak with these people I may just provide literature to share with employers and clergy. I will try to get a church in Lancaster to work on an employment project. The religious grant project is quite involved and I can't imagine implementing that because it requires a lot of altruism and work. Since action plans are good once a speaker does a presentation and has a captive audience strike while the iron is hot. Another idea taken out of mothballs is the Disability Council Grant for employment. I wrote the answers for D.E.C. so what's old is new again.

an active audience

I read two issues of New Mobility and found an article from someone who became disabled and is the president of the northeast Ohio Chapter of the United Spinal Association. She does a lot to educate people and is quite connected. Once my website is completed I will do outreach to each of these chapters hoping to generate some interest. The people involved are motivated but do not get paid so hopefully they will reply my educational ideas have another chance. Connecting with independent living centers went nowhere even though I spent a very long time on my efforts. This time I will have specific suggestions for people who are interested in educating group leaders and growing inclusiveness in society.

Marketing to a market

This weekend I am going to develop a website. I've been going back and forth for years. I wanted to keep it local and take business cards from the people I meet at expos or business conferences. Then I realize that I don't know enough people, I've got hundreds of business cards but marketing requires more efficient work. I've got to try a different angle … so the other route is that of a website. It's a more professional and clear way to share thoughts and it's effective. I have no idea why the commitment scared me, I created two others and they were good. Unfortunately, I did not know many people at that time and I never spoke of the site at an event or meeting in the community. This weekend I will create a few simple fliers offering an overview of the awareness programs I can conduct and swap with other groups. My other market will be through the group I am trying to start a small group of interest locals to share and implement ideas as educational and functions. There will soon be a few markets for me to market to.