Wheelchair basketball

I arranged a game last week at a teen center. It was not really a game but an experiential activity. It worked really well (after I was told "NO" about 22 times when I asked to borrow chairs. The director asked to have an actual game which I'm working on. This was not only a good way to reach otherwise uninterested kids but also a health way to introduce inclusion hence "games not guns." I am not a proponent of talking and meeting, there has to be a next step to engage these at-risk kids who are more bored than anything else. Once the are doing something fun, constructive, and meaningful, then we can talk WITH them about the usual racial concerns. We solved a little of the problem without even trying.

Networking

If the topic is timely, appropriate, and/or glamorous there is a higher likelihood people will come. By glamorous I mean a topic that's interesting to most people such as dieting and exercise. Disability is not an issue the public embraces rather they avoid or shy away from. The challenge is to make the topic more desirable without changing it all together. One idea is to include food, that is usually a good incentive to attract others. Another is to offer something to people or combining with an existing, program that is popular. It is easy to offer suggestions but I am forever concerned about attracting people. I believe in collaboration so I am working with a lawyer who does special needs trusts in hopes of growing both of our networks. I am also considering creating a board in which projects can be planned and each person has people they can involve in the program. This will probably be regular ongoing challenge since there are always so many programs to attend.

Locations

In order for a business to get business one should attend networking gatherings. There are many to choose from, and I have attended most of the local ones. Some cost $600+ just to meet people who need your business but don't have time to give you theirs because they are busy finding customers for their own. I attended a few initial meetings and the people couldn't have been nicer. Once I stopped going, these people disappeared. I know cause I emailed them and got no responses. Then there are meetings that have a networking component to them built into the meetings. There are some weekly meetings that I attended before I restarted Infobility and thus continue volunteering on the committee. I did a few programs at the local library but generally that is not a good location unless you have a number of different agency representatives speaking, then they'll bring their consumer groups to listen. A venue such as a restaurant is generally not good because people do not like to venture away from their home areas. My next program will be in the building where the speakers work.

Infobility update

My program is steadily gaining traction, I have a few presentations and activities planned. Thursday is a big one with the managers of the Amish Suites, Millers Smorgasbord, and Plain & Fancy Restaurant. I am actually looking forward to it because it's a topic I know well, it's not commonly discussed, and I'm passionate about it. Hopefully this 1 program will lead to other big ones, like with HR departments, diversity programs, and employers. I also have a few other things planned including wheelchair basketball games and events with other agencies in October. The recognition program for employers should be like the Next Steps one years ago. The one with the special needs lawyer will be interesting; she'll take the lead and find me a new audience of parents with mainly housing issues. I continue to give her contacts so I'm doing my part. The website is still a disaster but I'll eventually get a competent person with a disability too work on it. I may also make a facebook video- that was easy to do the first time around.

Advocacy

I resumed my "fight" with Invacare after I proved that neither the evaluator nor the provider were at fault for the height of my seat. I suspected this from the beginning but I decided to do the leg work and acquire a hard copy of the evaluation. Then I wrote to the guys from Invacare who I met at the Abilities Expo in May. They asked for the reason for "my quality control comment and also why would it effect you?" I couldn't even dignify those questions with an answer. Are they that dumb or are they that far removed from the implications of their products? I live in for 14 hours a day OF COURSE it upsets me. Furthermore, I have serious problems with this chair due to their negligence! I reread the article about the FDA citations yet again then I wrote a letter and emailed copies to the experts mentioned in the article AND I tracked down the Radiology and Health Division of the FDA (they sanctioned the company and then added to them since Invacare did nothing to take care of the issue the first time. I now have contacts with some good people and I'll soon get consumers involved. This will be interesting an interesting journey- At the very least, Invacare will be forced to deal with a few consequences from their customers.

Wheeling with new wheels

My Infobility baby begins this week. I now have 2 mentors and I will soon receive my film. I hope to get a reply to my post, I know someone will. I'm developing a business plan and from now on will create list of people I can show it to and then discuss employment matters. TED X helped me formulate my thoughts for the presentation so I will offer a simple yet comprehensive message wherever I go. Just like my presentations from the Interact Grant, it will grow steadily. I'll volunteer for AmeriCops, United Disability Services plus Adult Jewish Growth + Tikkun Olam with my temple so I'll be living my philosophy "helping others helps oneself." Cub Scouts is not going to happen much longer. As I said to Chief Garipoli "it's now or never."

Wheeling with new wheels

I reached out to a local chamber of commerce and I received a response. I was asked to send some information and I did. All I need is a few interested businesses than I can grow. I will order the video so I can be more motivated to succeed. I wrote to a lady in Illinois who has a program for individuals. She wants others to help her expand and I said I was interested. I then found a really respectable and busy charity to work/volunteer with doing outreach- right up my alley. Hopefully I can grow that way. I need to do this differently then others do it cause I am so unique. I won't give up, maybe I'll put out a notice online.