Wheeling with new wheels

I connected with an established non profit for the purpose of getting my name out. Not only is that happening but I am facilitating a very likely funding request for them. In the past the program was turned down but now with my program on board and more disability projects in the works, I think they will be more receptive. I am eager to use this as an example of how helping another really does help oneself. It is not a typical non-profit but adding a disability component to their existing programs seems to be a good way of broadening horizons of the kids they serve and the community they serve. Some of my plans include: Disability Awareness Day, Working on Wheels, Shopping on Wheels, Wheelchair Basketball, Kids Zone, Matching Legs, Cain of Challenges Newsletter, and school disability programs.

Wheeling wih new wheels

All my life I tried; I learned that you don't just give up you just find other ways. So when I learned that my job may lose three locations due to lack of interest I was concerned. Me being me wanted to take the steps to try to keep that from happening. Of course the person with the power to do something about it isn't really effect so when I offered suggestions they were not looked upon too kindly. It's frustrating since this does not have to happen and the solutions aren't rocket science. I'll just lose my job in lieu of wanting to improve things. Why can't people look at help as a good thing? My natural desire to advocate, seek solutions, and problem solve is sometimes a curse rather than a plus.

Wheeling with new wheels

I have an opportunity talk to nursing home directors about meeting the needs of patients. I will take it part by part using my booklet as a guideline. My first message is that everyone's needs are different. My second message is to examine the categories of social, physical, psychological, family, and community. Look at the problems and consider options. My third part will be to discuss the booklet and use that as my "teleprompter." It will all be from a unique perspective- a person with a real physical disability. I'll also get tons of input from consumers before I give the speech.

Wheeling with new wheels

I spent a lot of time thinking about sharing my coping program with other more established agencies. I decided to ask for different sponsorships for my different types of programs. Since AHEDD is interested in my "Tenacity of Hope" booklet I will reframe the introduction, so a vocational audience can use it as a tool. I will then present the altered part to the agency that has already expressed interest in it. This way the program will have a greater audience and my work will be validated. Giving it away is fine for consumers, but not to large agencies because my work is not validated. Programs in which I show the film on communicating with people with disabilities will eventually be sponsored that will be a win-win situation also. Slowly Infobility will grow.

Wheeling with new wheels

Thirty years I've been sharing my message on disability awareness. There must be a better way. I had a few thoughts on the issue. #1 Finding a well known person; #2 Finding an established business; #3 Spending more money on a website; #4 Spending more money on myself; #5 Improving my image; #6 Improving my confidence; #7 Getting more involved; #8 learning more. Well, some of that is meaningful but unfortunately I'm just now learning that I took too long to learn. It's never too late but by this time in life I should have figured this out; that ads to all my frustration. No one spends a decade telemarketing and no one spends another decade being afraid. That's all in my past and I realize it now so I'll forge ahead based on what I have done.

Wheeling with new wheels

Now it will be interesting to discover who replies to my first email from the conference. I got more cards than I thought I did. There were some potential partners so hopefully something will come through. I learned a lot and spoke with staff from the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living. Years ago I wish I had been in a better mindset, the director, Carl Ohdner, would have hired me in a second. Now they've become really successful. I may get help from them to start a wheelchair basketball team in Lancaster.

Wheeling with new wheels

"Infobility" can't help anyone if no one knows about it. Therefore I'm going to have a table to show my literature at the PADES Conference. This is a wonderful opportunity to reach the people who I want to help. Hopefully people will not expect a fancy table displaying pretty pictures photos. What Infobility offers is a decdicated person with a disability willing to go the extra miles to find solutions or at least hear other people's issues and then guide them to getting the help they need. I expect it will be a good experience in the end; these events always are.