Wheeling with new wheels

Today I spoke with the director of the Office of Aging. I was horrified by the way a caseworker was communicating with my friend who is a consumer. I was sad that she saw nothing wrong with being spoken to in such a condescending manner since it was always that way. The director apologized and said they do include disability sensitivity in their trainings. Unfortunately it is just touched on and rarely remembered or implemented. It needs to be emphasized and role playing should be done. I mentioned "The 10 Commandments of speaking with someone with a disability." The director expressed interest in scheduling the film once there is more time. Without the PA Budget being passed caseworker jobs are not being filled and they are working overtime.

Wheeling with new wheels

PennDot, with their nonsense rules, has tried again to make my life miserable. I need an inspection but there are new rules in which people with vehicles that have hand controls must go the specialized aoto mechanics for the sticker. I am sure anyone with a van like mine can realize the problem before saying the word "inspection." There are very very few automechanics able to drive a vehicle with hand controls like mine. On the filp side, there are even fewer installation companies who also complete inspections. So should I go to the guy on the corner who hangs a shingle that he does special inspections? What if he drives my van into a work bench? That exact thing has happened at a huge service center. When I called PennDot my call was repeatedly rerouted to the incorrect department. So I decided to call the installation company in Dauphin. I was given the name of who they use- disaster averted. I hope the average person doesn't call the 800 people on the aproved list.

Wheeling with new wheels

Every day this month (and every other) I will do something for Infobility. Today I made an appointment with the second agency who programs for consumers. I will also be at a Latino networking event where I will finally meet up with the guy who's running for magisterial justice in my district. He has many contacts and will hopefully get me business so I can generate interest among professionals in the Lancaster Community. I reserved a rom in the library for a general presentation in March. By then I should find attendees, there was the last time I did it in this library. I'm also going to a breakfast for entrepreneurs and possibly an expensive presentation at Shady Maples.

Wheeling wth new wheels

I figured out a good way (let's hope so)to generate interest from consumers. I wrote the story of my friend who lives in the apartment upstairs and it came out rather well. I always believed that everyoe has something to offer so now I will prove that statement by really taking the time to get to know people. Hopefully they will be inspired to get involved with Infobility. I will compile a dozen or so stories and call it "Stories of Life Challenges from people with Personal Challenges." Like the Chicken Soup for the Soul series but I don't have the rights to that name.

Wheeling with new wheels

I'm attending a forum on employment in Philadelphia on Saturday. I plan on meeting and learning from the speakers then sharing all of this information when I return to Lancaster. October is Disability Employment Awareness Month. I have a handout for employers and individuals. Hopefully this will generate interest and I will meet individually with people starting October. It's so hard to overcome challenges and be pleasant when you have a disability and you're unemployed. I have a friend who is just really mad at the world. There's no way that doesn't spill over to prospective employers. I wish I could find him a job since that is the answer.

Wheeling with new wheels

A good way to improve on something is to take a class; to gain credibility one should have a personal experience with it. Therefore, I am enrolled in my third entrepreneuial course one of my goals will be to encourage consumers to think about starting a small buiness. I'm excited to use Infobility as my exammple as well as my goal. I will meet people in the community who may be interested in a program as well. It looks like the part of helping consumers will be more active than reaching bussinesses. Both goals will still remain.

Wheeling with new wheels

Tomorrow I have my first two Infobility meetings with people who represent the Lancaster community. I'm doing it differently this time; I will gain exposure through my involvement with popular local events. My website will start with a simple wordpress but it will become a full fledged site. I certainly have done enough projects and programs to validate my skills. The one thing I really do not have is a following. People need to want to share their stories and ideas because that is the only way this will be successful.