Blech...

Hopefully some new posts coming soon - I am very, very sick.

Chock Full of News

I have run across so many important news pieces this week, and have decided to share them with you!

First, the White House has tapped a new disability liaison, and the buzz is very positive: Claudia Gordon Appointed

**********
Next, the Americans With Disabilities Act turns 23 this year! Check out this ADA Anniversary Toolkit for a wealth of information and videos!


**********
This is an oldie but still a goodie - an article about Ending Disability Segregation.


**********
A new documentary set to premiere on PBS this coming Monday takes a look at life with autism from the perspective of those with the developmental disorder. Be sure to check out "Neurotypical".

Watch Neurotypical - Trailer on PBS. See more from POV.

**********
I've written about Jenny before, a woman with Down syndrome who seeks power to control her own life. Her case is scheduled to resume on July 29th, and the Washington Post had a very good article last weekend about it. Please be sure to keep Jenny in your thoughts and prayers. This case could have a long reaching impact for the future of people with disabilities.

**********

And finally, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this article from the BBC! The 10 jargon phrases used for the writer's autistic son hits the bullseye square on. I've heard them all in relation to my children, and I bet you have also.

Special Exposure Wednesday

These two could play tug-of-war for hours, or at least until the toy is shredded (which usually comes first!).  That's Lewis on the left, 10 months old and a lab/border collie mix, and Cooper on the right, 18 months old and a big ole' baby of a lab.

The Last Places I Expected

In this day and age, I am constantly surprised by the doctor's offices and medical facilities that are not equipped to serve people with disabilities.  My children's pediatrician's office is one example.  Although a couple of the doctors (and it is a large group of doctors) specialize in the treatment of children with disabilities, the two large, heavy doors leading into the practice do not have an auto-open feature.  It's a real struggle to get the doors open while pushing a wheelchair.  And, that same medical office keeps telling me they don't need to provide an interpreter for my son who is deaf.

Even when a medical facility is accessible from the outside (ramps, adequate handicapped parking, auto-open doors), I more often than not discover that their waiting rooms and exam rooms are not at all accessible.  From doorways that are too small to so many chairs crowded into a waiting room that it is impossible to find a place to 'park' a wheelchair to exam rooms with high stretchers that can't be lowered, getting medical care for my two children who use wheelchairs is quite challenging.

The following article appeared in the New York Times last May, and it is spot on describing the challenges.

Disability and Discrimination at the Doctor's Office

What about you?  Have you encountered similar difficulties, and if so, have you taken any action to try to change things?  I know that in my area there are not a lot of doctors who accept Medicaid, and as a result, I am often reluctant to complain about anything.  But that's really not excuse - it's time the medical profession realized their obligations and made some changes.

Scentsational??

I love the way Ashley smells, especially right after a shower and having had her hair washed.  She has taught me to use all my senses to the fullest, and smell is one of the strongest.  I'm particular about the laundry soap I use, the shampoo, the body wash, and nothing smells better than my house on a Sunday afternoon after a marathon cooking session.  But the things that stir my senses the most are the way Ashley smells.  Unfortunately, there are times when her scent is overpowered by the scent of others.

I know that a person who is deafblind needs support and that support often means hands-on.  So, at the end of a day when Ashley has been at school and in the community, her scent is overpowered by that of many other people.

There's the bus aide in the morning whose scent is a little like stale bread, and the bus driver, an Indian gentleman who often smells of curry and spice.  I don't know how many people have their hands on Ashley during the school day, but it may be up to 5 people or more.  If each of those people, often women, come to school with perfume or scented lotion, they all seem to mix on Ashley.  Then the home aide comes into the picture - 2 or 3 different people during the week - all of whom have their unique scents.  Sometimes it is stale cigarette smoke, or heavy patchouli-based cologne, or the sausage and peppers preferred by another.

The result is that the scent that is uniquely Ashley is lost, mixed into a dozen different scents that taken all together are not pleasant.  That's why I so look forward to her shower at night so we can reset and bring Ashley back to me.  I truly appreciate the help of so many people, but I do wish it didn't have to assail my sense of smell so drastically all the while altering that which is so Ashley.

Carly's Cafe

This is a must see video and must read posting.  The posting on Babble comes from Monica Bielanko, one of my favorite bloggers.  Take a minute to read her post on Babble, and then have a look at the video below.

Special Exposure Wednesday

During our vacation, we took a ferry from Hatteras Island to Okracoke Island, and were joined by a flock of seagulls.  It was probably the crackers we kept throwing in the air!  Chip took these great pictures, and yes, the birds really were this close to us - almost as if they were posing for their pictures!