Kudos to Action
Just want to congratulate you on what you’ve done with Action. I get several disability-related publications and this one always provides interesting and useful info in a short, snapshot format-I have recommended it to several people. I like your editorial plan.
In response to your request for feedback, there are two topical areas I propose:
- 1. Under the heading of financial, I am interested in keeping abreast of tax law and precedents related to living with a disability. It is expensive to live with a disability-I have spina bifida-in terms of wheelchairs, home mods, vehicle mods, recreation, health care coverage and co-pays. Is there anything new in using health care deductions, flex plans, work-related expenses to our advantage? Other possibilities? I recently spent a chunk of cash intended for retirement on a lift-equipped vehicle. I don’t know of places to go for disability-related financial info.2. How-to articles on advocacy. What can we do to encourage all readers to do some type of advocacy? Maybe it is encouraging local gyms to have accessible fitness eqiupment; educating legislators about stem cell research; or writing letters to the local paper regarding the importance of accessible transit; or a host of other issues-there are plenty! I would love to see one-half page of each issue devoted to one simple, immediate action that readers can take-in their own communities, nationally, whatever-to improve the environment for people with disabilities.
Dorothy E. Nary, MA, NIH Doctoral Fellow, Gerontology Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas.
Editor’s Note: Great ideas, Dot! As it happens, the April issue is on the theme of Personal Finances, so we’ll be addressing some of the concerns you cited in your first point in that issue. As for your second suggestion, let’s see what other readers think. If you have a pointer or a story pertinent to self-advocacy, please send it action@unitedspinal.org.
Kudos to Volunteers
As a veteran and long-time member, I watched with regret and apprehension as money and power issues split our organization [United Spinal] apart from PVA. I watched with hope as Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association changed into the broader scoped United Spinal Association.
As the former coordinator of the Brick, New Jersey, Wheelchair Users and Caregivers Support Group, I have been grateful for the support this organization showed our local members, providing food for our monthly Deli Days, sponsorship at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games and transportation to local outings that brightened our veterans lives. I understood when change brought about adjustments in these programs that forced cutbacks such as support for the wheelchair games and deli days.
I only wish that we, as an organzation, could extend an official “Thank you” to the many volunteers who made those programs work so well over the years. For my group, it was the faithful service and comradeship of Bob Applegate, Al Ward and George Manger of the VFW that made our lives more livable. But I also salute those who helped other groups in other parts of the country. Thank you all for a job well done.
Tom Lorenc, Former Coordinator Bricktown VAMC Group, Lakewood, New Jersey.
