Veterans, Vocations and Values is the theme of a conference to be held October 8 and 9, in Scranton, PA at the University of Scranton. Sessions will focus on employment, education, psycho-social issues, health and wellness, and spirituality.
Richard Pimentel, a Vietnam Veteran, offers a powerful keynote presentation. By highlighting his life story, captured in the movie The Music Within, he shows how we all have the ability to make a difference. Read the rest of this entry »
In a decision on September 24, 2008, the United States District Court, District of Vermont, ruled that the “standing” option of a power wheelchair is not medically necessary and as a result insurance is not required to cover the option (Durgin v. BCBS of Vermont). The case stems from a complaint filed in Vermont by Mr. Richard Durgin who operates a small business. Mr. Durgin’s physician prescribed the standing option as medically necessary.
Durgin’s health insurer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont, denied the claim on the basis that the standing option was not a medical necessity as well as on terms of the certificate of coverage for the applicable insurance policy. Read the rest of this entry »
Senate and House negotiators have included mental health parity in an omnibus bill that will be debated on the Senate Floor on the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 1. The bill, titled the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, combines a revised financial rescue bill with other issues such as tax extenders, disaster relief, a fix for the Alternative Minimum Tax, as well as the mental health parity bill that was passed by the Senate on Sept. 23.
Mental health parity means that health insurance policies must provide mental health benefits equivalent to other medical benefits in those policies. Read the rest of this entry »
President George W. Bush signs the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008, in the Oval Office of the White House. Joining him for the signing of the law that amends the ADA Act of 1990, are, from left: Former President George H.W. Bush, Republican Rep. James Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin and his spouse, Cheryl Sensenbrenner; Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland; Republican Rep. Buck McKeon of California; Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York; Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa); Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.); Democratic Rep. Jim Langevin of Rhode Island, and U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
On September 25th, President George W. Bush signed into law the ADA Amendments Act of 2008. The ceremony took place in the Oval Office in the presence of House and Senate ADA champions and the president’s father, George H.W. Bush, who signed the original ADA in 1990.
The ADA Amendments Act tells the courts that the way they have been interpreting the ADA leaves out the very people it was designed to protect: Americans with disabilities. Read the rest of this entry »
On September 24, United Spinal Board member Lex Frieden asked for assistance in support of people with disabilities affected by Hurricane Ike. He urged friends and colleagues to provide funding to establish a call center so that people with disabilities can be routed to appropriate services in the affected area. United Spinal’s Board of Directors responded this morning with a $10,000 donation. Please see Lex’s touching account of how the funds will be used and consider making a donation.
Email from United Spinal Board member Lex Frieden:
Dear friends: Under ordinary circumstances, I would never impose on friends to request a contribution to something on which I was working. I know that all of you have your own charitable commitments, and I respect that. However, these are not ordinary circumstances in Southeast Texas.
Though the national media has generally stopped covering the story of Hurricane Ike, more than a million people are still without power, a quarter of a million homes in our city are still without running water, and thousands of young and old people with disabilities are trying to maintain their health and their independence in the face of the most challenging circumstances. Read the rest of this entry »
We received this report on the situation on the Gulf Coast of Texas for people with disabilities in the wake of Hurricane Ike from United Spinal Board member Lex Frieden of Houston:
Hurricane Ike post five days: We got power on at our home a little while ago. About half of our city is still without power, and folks from Galveston to Beaumont will be without power (and many of them without homes) for a long long time. We lost a tree and a fence.
Amazingly, our cable and Internet access seems to have survived the storm without interruption–or it was fixed before the power came back on here. Anyway, it is great to be able to charge your wheelchair in a place other than a hospital hallway or a grocery store shopping cart storage area. It will also be nice not to go on daily excursions in search of gasoline, ice and propane. Obviously, we followed directions and had our tank topped off before the storm hit.
My wife, Joyce, could be considered a kind of survivalist, so we were well stocked for this event. We have enough water remaining in bottles to keep us in good stead for about four more weeks. We have enough canned food and other non perishables to last us probably another six weeks. I have enough batteries to keep my radio going for about four more weeks - - but lanterns run batteries down really fast. We were just getting to the point that we had to go to bed before dark and get up at dawn. Now, thankfully I can resume my 7:00 AM to 1:00 AM normal schedule. Read the rest of this entry »
United Spinal Association is proud that its recent advocacy efforts will reinstate protections against employment discrimination on the basis of disability.
As the 110th session of Congress draws to a close, the House and the Senate found a common cause that they could unanimously support – the ADA Amendment Act. The measure passed both bodies by unanimous consent.
United Spinal Association helped lead the unusual coalition that reached a compromise and came together to back this bill. It has the support of 269 business, disabilities, civil rights, faith and veterans/military groups. Read the rest of this entry »
The BBC on the close of the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing:
The Mayor of London has received the Paralympic flag as Beijing extinguished its flame in the Bird’s Nest stadium.
International Paralympic Committee chief Philip Craven hailed Beijing 2008 as “the greatest Games ever” during a moving, colourful closing ceremony.
London 2012’s double decker bus made a second appearance alongside wheelchair basketball star Ade Adepitan.
British organisers offered “youth and zest” for London’s second handover, featuring a new generation of talent.
Once again, the Beijing organisers produced a ceremony packed with light, sound and choreography, lapped up by a capacity Bird’s Nest audience.
Thousands of leaves and petals fell from the sky on a still, clear evening in Beijing, exploding into a feast of colour.
Craven paid tribute to “the best ever Paralympic villages, a never-ending and self-generating supply of passion and emotion, superb organisation and wonderful volunteers” in his speech.
Justice for All’s Anne Sommers relayed this breaking news yesterday evening from the disability rights group ADAPT.
11 Disability Activists Arrested at McCain Headquarters after Staff Refuses to Accept Disability Housing Platform
From Bob Kafka, National Organizer, ADAPT:
Civil Rights done in a different way. 500 ADAPT activists have set up DUH City on the HUD Plaza in DC. WITHOUT A PLACE TO LIVE IT IS HARD TO GET A JOB. Low income people with disabilities are about 15 percent of medium income. ADAPT has developed a housing platform that they want Obama and McCain to endorse.
As I write this ADAPT activists are being arrested in Sen McCain’s office as he refused to accept the platform. Earlier in the day DNC officials accepted the ADAPT Platform.
INCLUSION, INTEGRATION INDEPENDENCE
Community First!
It’s a rivalry made famous by the film Murderball: The Americans vs. the Canadians.
The US had less success against Canada on the basketball court, but, according to the NY Times’ Rings blog, American quad rugby players tasted sweet revenge for their defeat in Athens in 2004 against their counterparts from the north. Unfortunately, it ain’t over yet: as blogger Jeff Klein notes, “a medal-round rematch seems inevitable.”
WHEELCHAIR RUGBY: In a meeting of the sport’s two greatest rivals, the U.S. team beat Canada, 37-32, to gain some measure of revenge for their loss in the 2004 Paralympic semifinal.
The Americans’ victory before a packed house at the University of Science and Technology of Beijing Gymnasium left them undefeated after group-stage play and put them into a Monday semifinal against Britain.
“We knew coming into this game it was going to be a great battle,” U.S. head coach James Gumbert said. “We had great transition in between the whistles and our guys came out with the most energy they’ve had so far in this tournament.”
The first quarter ended in an 11-11 tie, but strong pressure defense from the U.S. enabled the Amerks to take a 24-21 lead into halftime. Canada tried to stall the U.S. momentum after the break, holding the ball for the first 4:18 of the third quarter before finally scoring a goal.
But keyed by two big turnovers late in the third, the U.S. headed into the final eight minutes with a five-goal lead and never let Canada any closer. Team USA’s offense was led by Will Groulx and Joel Wilmoth, with seven goals each.
The New York Times Paralympics blog, Rings, reported that United Spinal’s own Laura Schwanger had a dramatic surge in the women’s rowing competition to win one of the first ever awarded medals for the sport, which debuted at these Games:
ROWING: Two U.S. crews made history Thursday at the 2008 Paralympic Games, winning two of the first-ever awarded medals in the sport of rowing. The mixed four with coxswain won silver, while the women’s single sculls won bronze to highlight the final day of competition at Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park in Beijing, China.
In the legs, trunk and arms mixed four with coxswain, the crew of Simona Chin (Houston, Texas), Jamie Dean (Pickerington, Ohio), Jesse Karmazin (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.), Tracey Tackett (Phoenixville, Pa.) and Emma Preuschl (Indianapolis, Ind.) clocked a 3:37.61 for the silver medal. Italy led from the start, winning gold in a 3:33.13. The U.S. crew was in third place through the 750-meter mark, but powered through Great Britain in the sprint to cross just 0.76 seconds ahead. Great Britain took bronze in a 3:38.37, with Germany fourth in a 3:41.71. China finished in fifth place with a 3:44.15, followed by Canada in a 3:45.66.
“I’m just so proud,” Preuschl said. “This was really tough and I feared the other teams around us. I expected to win gold, but it’s hard to get there. I will definitely be back at the London 2012 Paralympics.”
In the final of the women’s arms only single sculls, four-time Paralympian Laura Schwanger (Harrisburg, Pa.) sprinted from fifth to third place in the final 200 meters of the race to take bronze. Defending world champion Helene Raynsford of Great Britain won gold in a 6:12.93, with Liudmila Vauchok of Belarus second in a 6:25.44 for the silver. Schwanger clocked a 6:35.07, followed by Ukraine in a 6:40.04. China and Brazil finished fifth and sixth, respectively.
“The competition was incredibly tough,” said Schwanger, a former track and field Paralympic athlete, who won four gold medals in 1988, three silver medals and a bronze medal in 1992 and three silver medals in 1996. “I am just happy to win a medal.”
Congratulations, Laura! And congratulations to all of the athletes at this year’s Games.
Yesterday, the US Senate took critical action for people with disabilities by voting in favor of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Restoration Act. I applaud United Spinal Association’s Public Policy staff, who helped organize veterans and other disability-rights organizations and advocated to knock down yet another barrier to equality for people with disabilities.
The ADA Restoration Act restores employment-related civil rights to people with disabilities and helps to ensure that employees do not encounter discrimination on the basis of disability.
If you’re not disabled, why should you care? Well, there are actually quite a few reasons that the ADA Restoration Act is critical to the well-being of United Spinal’s membership. Read the rest of this entry »
So what happens if you’re a gifted athlete and you’re diagnosed first with multiple sclerosis and then, twenty years later, with breast cancer? Most people might contemplate giving in, but not United Spinal Board member Laura Schwanger. Laura took up rowing and just won a bronze medal at the Paralympics in Beijing.
“Dipping into the reservoir of fortitude gained from battling multiple sclerosis and surviving breast cancer, Schwanger summoned enough strength in her soon-to-be 50-year-old body to stage a furious comeback.”
The United Spinal family is extremely proud of Laura. Her accomplishments in competitive sports and in the disabilities community in general reflect her high sense of purpose and commitment. We applaud her accomplishments as an athlete, a role model, and an energetic and dedicated leader. Well done Laura!
Disability consumers and professionals unite in Orlando, Florida, to promote independence and highlight cutting-edge research in the field of spinal cord injuries and disorders.
By Tom Scott
United Spinal Association’s 2nd Annual Independence Expo–the premier event to help improve the quality of life for Americans living with spinal cord-related disabilities—returned to the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in sunny Orlando, Florida on August 9-10, 2008. Attendees, including individuals with disabilities, caregivers, and therapists, had an opportunity to explore over 100 vendor exhibits featuring life-enhancing products and services, and participate in 12 informative workshops covering a variety of disability-related topics.
“We had a fantastic turnout for this year’s Expo,” said Paul J. Tobin, president and CEO of United Spinal Association. “I’d like to personally thank everyone involved, including all of the exhibitors and attendees for making this event extremely memorable and rewarding. I am proud to have had the opportunity to gather with so many individuals within the disability community from across the country that strive to make a difference and create outlets to freedom and independence for us all. We hope to continue to host the Independence Expo for years to come and build upon its success.” Read the rest of this entry »
Highlights from the annual gathering of three associations of SCI medicine professionals meeting in Orlando in August.
By Tom Scott
Before the keynote address for the combined annual conferences of the American Association of Spinal Cord Injury Nurses (AASCIN); American Association of Spinal Cord Injury Psychologists and Social Workers (AASCIPSW); American Paraplegia Society (APS); and the Therapy Leadership Council on Spinal Cord Injury, Paul J. Tobin received a standing ovation for over 20 years of his organization’s unparalleled support and generosity.
“Without the support of United Spinal, that basically allowed the associations to rise up on the shoulders of giants, we would not be here,” said Indira S. Lanig, MD, chair of the Joint Program Committee. “We thank United Spinal so very, very much for bringing us to this point and we look forward to continuing our relationship.”
“I am very well aware as an individual with a spinal cord injury of the importance of this conference,” Tobin said. “Without the interdisciplinary collaboration that you foster, without the networking that goes on at this meeting, quite frankly my quality of life would not be where it is today. I thank all the leaders and members of the associations for dedicating so much of their time and effort into putting this truly unique program together. What we have here is something that is not replicated anywhere else and I hope and pray that this continues well into the future.” Read the rest of this entry »
A Florida family was shocked to discover the inadequate options for people with severe disabilities in major emergencies.
By Kelly Rouba
Laura George, of Coral Springs, Florida, was three months pregnant when her husband Greg became paralyzed from the waist down as a result of a hit-and-run accident in March of 2006.
As Greg recuperated in the hospital, the couple began to plan for the accommodations he would need upon returning home. The Georges also started questioning staff about how they could best prepare for hurricane season, which was just a couple months away. “And they kept saying, ‘We don’t know’,” Laura recalls.
On the day Greg was discharged, Laura brought up the subject again. Staff told her that no one had asked that question before and that they could not give her an answer. Laura was in disbelief. “It shouldn’t be that way,” she told them. “This is Florida.”
Since they moved to Florida in 1992, the Georges have practiced emergency preparedness and kept critical supplies, from bottled water to flashlights, on hand. “We moved out from Michigan to Florida two months before [Hurricane] Andrew hit, so we’ve been around here long enough to know hurricanes are rather important,” Laura says. Read the rest of this entry »
The last place Myron Rosner saw himself was on the city council. But when he realized he wanted to make a difference in his community, including for people with disabilities like himself, that’s exactly where he wound up.
By Andrea Jehn Kennedy
In 2001, Myron Rosner was injured during a fall from a three-story home during a construction job with his company, SIZ Construction based in North Miami Beach, Florida. When the doctors told him he’d never walk again, little did Rosner know that would be the first of a never-ending series of battles that would test his willpower.
Rosner spent several months at a specialist rehabilitation center in Israel, and continued to maintain his business from a laptop in his hospital bed until returning home. His inspiration came from many people, but he focused on his wife Sarah, who had helped run his business while he was gone, maintained their home with three children and a fourth on the way, and continued to run her own legal practice.
Early the following year, Sarah chose to run for circuit court judge, a nine-month, county- wide campaign that was Rosner’s second challenge. They closed both businesses and focused on a 2.2 million-voter race, with Sarah finally succeeding in November of 2002. After being thwarted by Miami city planning boards and a tight knit political community, Rosner took on his next challenge: to run for city council himself. Little did he know at the time that he chose the toughest match to overturn a 22-year incumbent who had his roots dug deep into many departments of the community. But right away Rosner saw that he was desperately needed, and began to prepare thoroughly for the fight of his life. Read the rest of this entry »
