Book Review: The Autoimmune Epidemic. “It is the kind of book that will scare you. It will make you [...]
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By E.M. Treston I attended the Disability Leadership and Policy Summit: An Agenda for Change in The 21st Century at Hofstra University in New York this past June (see article on page 26). These leadership and policy summits are usually held in Washington, DC. Having it come to my own backyard, I felt obligated to go. It was an all afternoon event sponsored by United Spinal Association, Nassau County’s Office of the Physically Challenged and Hofstra University. The topics included education, transportation and employment issues for persons with disabilities. By Ed Lash Editor’s Note: This column in the print edition of Action prompted some readers to believe, incorrectly, that we endorse the view expressed in the e-mail cited in the second through fifth paragraphs. To be clear, neither Action nor United Spinal Association supports the claim that aspartame “causes” multiple sclerosis or has any adverse effect on that specific condition. For more information about the safety of aspartame, please go here. While the aspartame–MS connection has been sufficiently debunked, the article cites two peer-reviewed studies that seem to show a correlation between diet soda and a non-MS–related health problem [...] Dr. Bruno on tips and techniques to help people deal with feelings that can prevent a physical disability from becoming an emotional one. [...] By Rosemarie Rossetti, PhD
Accessible Home Design: Architectural Solutions of the Wheelchair User When I’m looking for an answer to a question about a specific dimension for a universal design feature in a home, I pick up my copy of Accessible Home Design. This book is comprehensive, taking the reader through the front door and exiting them out the rear door into an accessible garden. There is considerable detail and illustrations included to show various ways to create ramps, bridges, and sloped walkways for [...] By Tamar Asedo Sherman The percentage of federal employees with targeted disabilities has declined each year since 1993 to the lowest participation rate in 20 years, despite the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act in July 1990-18 years ago-which specifically prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in regards to employment. Under the aegis of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Offi ce of Federal Operations (OFO) undertook a review of federal agencies to determine what barriers exist to the hiring and advancement of People with Targeted Disabilities (PWTD), a category which includes deafness, blindness, missing extremities, partial or complete paralysis, [...] Get out there and travel with Scot Chesney’s Plane Talk on vacationing and airline travel. This is “concrete” advice from a wheelchair user who has traveled to 38 different [...] by Andrew Morris Many Congressmen took a leap of faith when they voted to override the President’s veto of H.R. 6331, the most recent Medicare bill. For some members of Congress it was an easy vote, however, for Congressional members who are closely aligned to the Republican party it was a difficult vote to go against what their party leaders and the President wanted. This was not the first time that a veto has been overidden and it will not be the last. By Tom Scott On June 18th United Spinal Association wheelchair basketball athletes hit the court in a rematch against a team from Merrill Lynch to raise awareness about wheelchair sports and spinal cord injuries and disorders. The grudge rematch, which took place at Merrill Lynch’s Corporate Campus in Pennington, New Jersey, netted a big win for United Spinal. Final score: 48-42. Merrill Lynch staff and personnel were in attendance to support their team and discovered just how thrilling it is to play wheelchair basketball. United Spinal Board members, Thomas Cooke and Chris Fossel also attended to cheer on United Spinal. Many of [...] The Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act (CDRPA) was unanimously passed by the House of Representatives and approved by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee at the end of last year. These actions were important victories for the paralysis community, and first steps toward having this comprehensive research, rehabilitation and quality of life legislation signed into law. These Congressional actions were in large part due to the unwavering dedication and leadership of Reeve Champions Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and HELP Committee Chairman Edward Kennedy (D-MA) along with House Champions Representatives Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Mary Bono Mack (R-CA) and Gus [...] Fixing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - Senators Harkin (D-IA) and Hatch (R-UT) introduced the Senate version of the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 on July 31 with an astounding 64 co-sponsors of both parties. Why does the ADA need to be amended? Since the ADA was enacted in 1990, the courts have redefined disabilities so that many people with disabilities cannot take advantage of it. The courts have created a bizarre Catch-22 whereby someone is “too disabled” to do a job but “not disabled enough” to take advantage of the ADA – leaving people without [...] Polio survivor and United Spinal Member Kathy Galletly on her transition from getting around the hard way to using a powered [...] This United Spinal member says his two-wheeled wonder is his ticket to freedom. By Alan Maccini I am a 48-year-old male diagnosed with Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) (a neurologic condition affecting the bundle of nerve roots at the lower end of the spinal cord) which was featured in the January 2008 issue of Action. My original prognosis was that I probably would never walk again. Fortunately, after many months of physical therapy and nerve regeneration, I progressed from a wheelchair to a walker, and now I can use a cane. Needless to say, I am very limited in where I can [...] Senator McCain will participate by live satellite feed in the National Forum on Disabilities Issues and Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), a long time disabilities leader, will stand in for Senator Obama (who is out of the country). Join the webcast Saturday, July 26, 2008 – the 18th anniversary of the Americans w Disabilities Act. The National Forum on Disability Issues will feature a live, simultaneous webcast, complete with pass-through captioning and American Sign Language interpreting. by Andrew Morris Access to people’s supplier of choice for power wheelchairs and other types of durable medical equipment has been restored after last week’s landmark vote to override the President’s veto of H.R. 6331. If the veto had been allowed to stand Medicare beneficiaries in certain cities would have been forced to give up choice in where they got and received services for their power wheelchairs. More specific details from a fact sheet produced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services can be viewed at: http://www.unitedspinal.org/pdf/mppa_facts.pdf. Home is where the heart is. For people with disabilities it can also be a dangerous place. Check out these tips on how to modify your home to reduce the risk of [...] |
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