Veterans

Misc.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: Degrees of Separation
DIRECTOR’S NOTES: Keeping Faith
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Number Crunch
PROGRAM NOTES: November 2006
LEGAL AFFAIRS: Kleo King Promoted
MEMBERSHIP: Florida Service Office Opens for Business

LEGISLATIVE NEWS: November 2006
Social Security: Proposed Cuts Would Hurt People with Disabilities
The ADA at 16: A Congressional Hearing
RESEARCH FRONT: November 2006
The Effects of Fampridine-SR on Walking in People […]

I think it safe to say that there is less than “six degrees of separation” between any given American and another who is presently in the service; and even fewer degrees to one who has served in the military in the past. But does this mean Americans appreciate the service our veterans have given for […]

When United Spinal Association expanded its membership beyond the veterans for whom this organization was founded 60 years ago, some worried that we might forget our roots. I am proud to affirm that this has not happened.

Several months ago, I invited Action readers to participate in an online survey to give us an idea of how well you think we’re doing. Responses trickled in. The reviews were positive, but the sample was so small for so many months that I could not consider it an accurate indication of what the readership […]

LEGAL AFFAIRS: Kleo King Promoted
Kleo King, Esq., formerly United Spinal’s program counsel, has been promoted to the position of Associate Executive Director. King has worked in the accessibility field for 18 years as a legal advisor and attorney, primarily in the areas of housing, air transportation, and access to public accommodations. In her role as […]

Social Security: Proposed Cuts Would Hurt People with Disabilities
People with disabilities have long complained about inadequate service from the Social Security Administration (SSA): lengthy delays in applying for disability benefits, poor administration of work incentive programs, and, of course, the ever-present long lines and wait times on the 800 number. Now these problems threaten to […]

The Effects of Fampridine-SR on Walking in People with MS
Acorda Therapeutics, Inc., recently announced positive results from its Phase 3 clinical trial of Fampridine-SR on walking in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Statistical significance was achieved on all three efficacy criteria defined in the Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). […]

James Lathan Jr.’s experience is like those of thousands of other spinal cord injured vets from previous wars. His attitude makes him rare.

by Michael Lee

James Lathan Jr., with son James III, is back home in Omaha after six months of rehabilitation for a spinal cord injury sustained during a mortar attack in Iraq.

When James […]

Among all applicants for Federal benefits, only veterans are denied the right to legal representation over claims. Legislation before Congress can give vets the same legal advantage others enjoy.
by Leonard J. Selfon, Esq.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) claims process involves many complicated legal requirements, as well as heavy evidentiary burdens. The U.S. Court […]

Standard Taxi unveils its prototype at a trade show in Seattle.
By Terry Moakley

The author rolls out of a Standard Taxi prototype during a trade show in Seattle.

I had the good fortune to attend the unveiling on September 18th in Seattle of the first-ever, wheelchair-accessible, purpose-built taxi, known as the Standard Taxi.
What is a purpose-built […]

United Spinal is partnering with PepsiCo to create a model corporate culture for people with disabilities.
By Dominic Marinelli
During the past year, United Spinal Association has worked with the PepsiCo family, which includes Pepsi, Frito-Lay, Quaker Oats, Gatorade and Tropicana, to improve employment opportunities and accessibility for people with disabilities inside the company.
The initiative began […]

By John M. Williams
Three times within the past year, I have witnessed the new Microsoft Windows Vista’s accessibility features being demonstrated. Each time increased my appreciation of the Windows upgrade, which is due for general release just after the New Year, and I now rate the new accessibility features higher than the original Windows accessibility […]

By Victor Freedman

As an insurance agent, I have to follow certain rules and regulations that I may not like all the time, but I have to work within them. I need to ask a lot of questions to match a client with the right insurance product. As we talk, my mind is searching, and […]

By Tamar Asedo Sherman
One of the first questions someone who sustains a spinal cord injury (SCI) is likely to ask, is: Will I ever be able to return to work? There are many factors involved in answering that question. For example:

• How old were you when you were injured?
• How long since you sustained the […]

By William Peace, PhD

In 2005, I wrote a series of columns for this magazine about parenthood and disability. Each column had a specific theme that addressed issues I have encountered as a single father with a disability raising my son. (If you’re interested, you can read them on-line at by clicking on “Parenting” in […]

By Ed Lash

Having MS is like the weather. We have our ups and downs; we have good days and we have bad days.
Of course, other people have these experiences as well, but with MS it seems to be more pronounced and more confusing as to the “whys and wherefores.” MS is a mystery disease and […]

By Kathleen M. Muldoon

Yvette Silver ysilver@erols.com

I first met Diane at an annual picnic that the fire department sponsored for mobility impaired people in my community. She was pretty hard to miss, not only because she’d decorated her wheelchair with zillions of tiny American flags, but also because of the big button on her t-shirt. Red […]

A classified ad running in our current issues (November and December 2006) has incorrect contact information. The correct information is provided below:
Help Wanted
Manager, Storage Facility–Located in Cutchogue, New York (Suffolk County). Full-time position. Live-in option. Handicap Accessible. Call 631-734-2177, ask for Marty.

If you’re traveling to London in December, please consider including in your itinerary Able Voices - an exhibition of photographs taken by disabled people in Bangladesh, Cameroon and the UK, timed to take place the week following the International Day of Disabled Persons 2006 (December 3rd) at the Hoopers Gallery in Farringdon. The photographs were […]

By Jennifer M. Rodriguez-Khadir
6th Annual MLB Wheelchair Softball
Tournament at Shea
Despite the steady rain throughout the games on Friday, September 15,
each team came to proudly represent the wheelchair softball
counterparts of Major League Baseball teams. United Spinal fielded
three teams: Mets I, Mets II and the Yankees. The rest of the contenders
included the NEPVA Red Sox […]