I'm determined to make use of my other wheelchair. Not only is it mine, so I may as well use it, but since it's bigger getting me in and out of it will make me stronger in the prosess. It's not an in-house chair cause it's too powerful, so I will ride it to the bus stop and take it from there. I have nothing better to do so I will attend the pancake breakfast for "Autism Speaks" at Applebees and the Chilli Cook-off downtown. I will be proud of myself because I will have more strength but not have to lift weights doing it, I just lift myself in and out of wheelchairs.

I'm concerned about the online disability magazine I'm involved with. The founder is a wonderful girl and she did all the hard parts of establishing the publication but she's too patient with her "staff." The people say they want this to thrive yet there are so many delays and problems that I think people will not renew their subscriptions. It has so much potential and people say they're interested but that is it. One of the subscriber's happens to have a huge position at Proctor and Gamble. I tried to tell the founder that there is huge potential there that must be cultivated. I would like to devote alot of time to it but instead it continues to flounder.

I wrote to support groups about doing presentations. The facilitator at Easton Hospital will be the leader of the Rotary Club. I was told they make great venues. My "new" motorized wheelchair is getting better. First of all I got the footplates raised so I'm not as afraid to lean over. Then I got a soft material to cover the sharp edge of the seat. Then I found an old, much lighter battery charger that seems to be compatible with the chair. I'm afraid I can ruin the chair if the battery charger is not the one it came with. This chair will save me so much money cause I can wheel over to the bus stop and through the streets of the Lehigh Valley for $1. I'm not getting a bolt for driving, that alone would cost $800.

I really want to run groups and work with individuals who have special needs. There are so many kids and young adults who are babysat over the summer. I have to figure out how I can reach them. Life skills programs to keep them from regressing over the months can be so meaningful. I just have to figure out the most effective way to reach them. There are doctors and therapists who meet with this population all the time. I just have to approach the right person not just put an ad in the paper.

It really doesn't matter exactly what kind of disability you have. Not only does everyone have to deal with strategies for coping but also many of the symptoms are the same for different disabilities! I spoke to someone who had a stroke and her memory is affected just like someone with a brain injury. I spoke with someone with cerebral palsy who lost their vision just like someone who had a stroke who I know.

The Flip Side

Driving is the most freeing experience but it's expensive, complex, and frustrating. I just had to get my van towed cause it made a strange noise and two different liquids were dripping from it. The process of getting it towed and taking it to the shop is a big deal cause I must explain how to drive it on the flatbed to someone who has never done it. I look on the flip side and say 1)At least I have another motorized chair to use and can put the usual one with the van so now I can drive it home. 2)It happened after at home so I have a good body shop and the money to pay for the repairs. 3)I can get rides to wherever I need to go (the NYC event I planned on attending will happen again).

moving forward

I think I finally got my family to start encouraging my sister, who has a brain injury, to start planning the future. I said something that they didn't like and it got them talking. My parents have been enabling her so much but now I've pointed it out about three times and they're sick of hearing about it. I was told to keep at it and maybe now it's finally sunk in. It's been a year-it's time.

The presentation went well but I will make alterations for the next programs I have for other support groups. The theme of this one is good, it unites people with disabilities because they realize that the differences due to the types of problems is not as big as you originally think. Furthermore, many people do have physical disabilities but they are not as pronounced. Last night I discovered that one person, with a brain injury, was in a wheelchair for awhile but he was able to walk again. He had alot of sensitivity to my situation. If I had given a regular speech I may not have known that.

Today is the first support group presentation- I hope of many. The people do not have physical disabilities so I couldn't use my usual writings. That forced me to think of how I could reach people, who have other issues, more effectively. I always talk about how I want to work with others, now I can. My presentations for disabled individuals will no longer be directed just toward the disability and will increase my chances of working with people afterwards. It will still be interactive because that is the best way to ensure people's interest. I will ask, "What is your most helpful coping skills? " and discuss what people say.

Another unexpected opportunity

A family friend has a son who teaches the special education class in the elementary school down the street. What an opportunity! I realize that he can't just promote me through the school but I'm sure he's got enough clout to connect me with others who can help and/or tell a few of his kid's parents about my desire to work with a few of them over the summer. Skills programs vs. babysitter- which is better? Now I don't have to pay to advertise, I'll already have someone to help.

If it's a passion it will be successful

Disability awareness is for the purpose of educating and connecting people who have disabilities, or those care about the issue. I really believe that even though money is crucial and it's expensive to drive all over to give presentations, I still can't emphasize the money aspect. Suddenly, a potentially huge venue just fell into my lap and all I did for it to happen was help someone. A local mall is holding a blood drive to benefit a local disability agency. I expect to be there to help but I just learned that I am welcome/encouraged to "advertise" my disability programs. Since 1 of my programs is all about coping and I have a masters degree, I am certain that I will end up with some counseling experiences afterwards.

Today I'm going to locate as many Lehigh Valley support groups as possible. I will send letters on the topic of "coping." At the conclusion of each program, I will offer to work with anyone individually and design strategies with them for coping. This idea is unique enought to succeed I just have to market it. I still believe that if you do something that is your passion, it will be successful- I'll see how true it is.

i.d.e.a.l. Magazine

I'm Marketing Manager and reporter of an online publication for young adults who have disabilities. It's great to meet the people involved who live all over the country. There is so much potential for this magazine because many people with disabilities don't take the initiative to initiate something like this. I am making connections all over and learning about all sorts of things.

Coping: The Universal Challenge

I always believed that regardless of your specific disability we all have common thread. I am giving a talk at a support group for people with brain injuries and I just finished a book written by a lady who was a doctor. Basically I have confirmed my point, the biggest challenge we ALL face (in addition to the prejudices of people)
is the challenge of coping. We must all find a way to accept the situation and move on, otherwise what is the point? That is what I will emphasize and I will do it with other suppoert groups as well.

I'm helping a magazine, geared to urban youths with disabilities, to get ad space. I really enjoyed writing the articles but other people were interested in doing that so I decided to focus on marketing. Regardless of how good something is if nobody sees it, it may as well not exist. It's important for people with disabilities to be connected to each other and supportive regardless of their type of disability. I will still write some articles, I promised to feature people who buy ad space, in the paper. It's also a great way to meet people.

Last night I went to a lecture by the author of 'When Bad things Happen to Good People." The Rabbi encouraged friends and family to "be there" for the person at their times of need. He said God has no authority over nature or science and people have free will to make decisions, therefore we should not blame God. It's all about how one copes with a tragedy (disability). A person has the free will to cope as (s)he chooses. The choice could be to accept it or not. But it is a choice and others should not be blamed for one's own life. This seems hard to grasp when one is treated differently due to a disability and one sees others enjoying life.

I just saw the movie "Soul Surfer" the movie about a surfer who was seriously maimed by a shark. Her arm had to be removed completely. In my opinion the movie went too quickly into the character,Bethany's, recovery process. However, it showed the importance of a good attitude and supportive friends & family. Often people are stuck in the initial "why me" stage and very slowly move beyond that. That does not have to be the case.

I am interested in starting a summer program for kids with speacial needs. What often happens is that kids sit home and watch television or go to get "babysat" and lose all of the skills they learned during the school year. There are also many others who graduate and remain on the extensive waiting list for a program. Those kids also lose their skills. It is crucial that they practice their skills rather than waste their time. I will contact the Learning Support Teacher at the vocational technical school and the High Scool to get my name out.

The "new and improved" Infobility

I realize that I have stopped writing in this blog for awhile. I relocated and am breathing new life into this program that I will never let die. I have met military who are connecting me with injured veterans; I have begun counseling people with challenges; and I have partnered with another person who can offer a different view of disability. His name is John and he has a hidden disability- a brain injury. Together we are contacting schools and youth groups to offer awareness programs. It will be better than ever.