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Jodie and I with a free Saturday. Eric is finishing up his mission trip to Las Vegas with the high schoolers from church.
Jodie wanted to go to the fair. The Washington County Fair has free admission, that is always a draw to us. Funny though, I think those six dollar corndogs probably covered the admission price. They were really good though - footlong, deep fried...not the kind the Obama girls would ever be allowed to eat.
Part of the fun of going to the fair for me is parking in the disabled parking lot and seeing adapted vehicles of all kinds. A guy who parked near to us had a small truck with a crane in back. He used it to hoist out a powerchair for his wife.
We usually take Eric to the state fair in Salem. We go pretty much every year. Jodie has her powerchair, I have my scooter, and Eric gets tired...;) He use to ride on my lap when he was tired, but now he is over six ft. Today, Jodie and I were free to go and not have to wait for our able bodied son.
Jodie and I watched a couple rides. This one ride raised the riders a few stories off the ground...and then dropped them...one time and the ride was done. The ride next to it was much longer and seemed like a much better ride for the buck. It was a roller coaster in a circle. The cars kept going higher and higher on each side until it went clear around the circle with the riders upside down.
We enjoyed a dog show. We kept hearing Clint Black tunes (no vocals) coming from the amphitheater area. We would have loved to have seen his show, but we did not want to stay that late.
We did take in a western show in one of the side tents - the Marty Davis show, The Legend of the Pioneers. He was very good! He did a great job with "Ghost Riders in the Sky." It was pretty hot outside. This guy moved a table for us so that Jodie and I could get in, then he offered us water...really nice!
We went through a couple barns to see the animals. Twice we saw cows relieving themselves. I guessed I had never witnessed it before, but with their rear ends pointed toward us, it was, well, gross!
Before we left, Jodie wanted to get some kettle corn. We circled the fairgrounds looking for it. Jodie wanted to give up looking, but I knew we would find it somewhere...and we did.
On the way home we stopped at Buffalo Wings for dinner, then we watched a Cary Grant movie when we got home.
It was a beautiful Saturday!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Pass around the blessing...
I was in my final years of college. Annette, a dear friend of mine who helped me find Jesus and who took a bus up from Ashland just to go to my prom with me - she had come down with Hodgkin Disease, a form of cancer that had taken her dad's life.
I took a train up to Tacoma to see her and cheer her up. I met a guy on the train named Wes. We hit it off and we talked the whole trip. He was going to Oregon State University also, and he was on his way to see a friend also. Wes was from Hawaii. When we got back to OSU, he invited me to a luau. It was a beautiful production put on by the Hawaiian club.
I'll never forget the night that Wes came by with a buddy with his buddy's 4 by 4 classic black Cadillac. It was four feet off the ground! Needless to say, I was hoisted in!
Anyway, me dear friend Wes sent me a Facebook message with the video below. Wes lives over in Hawaii. He is a triathlete like the one guy in the video. I am like the other guy with cerebral palsy...not quite as bad.
Wes always says that I inspire him. That always makes me feel a tiny bit squeamish. My foibles are many...just ask my coworkers who have all abandoned me, leaving my side of the building empty!
Wes inspires me. He runs marathons and triathlons, but he finds inspiration in a guy like me for whom getting out of bed in the morning and getting to work is like running a marathon.
Watch the video. The song it plays, "I can only imagine" is one of my favorites...it chokes me up a bit. Each man in the video is a inspiration. Together though, there is power...a miracle is born...there is blessing.
I took a train up to Tacoma to see her and cheer her up. I met a guy on the train named Wes. We hit it off and we talked the whole trip. He was going to Oregon State University also, and he was on his way to see a friend also. Wes was from Hawaii. When we got back to OSU, he invited me to a luau. It was a beautiful production put on by the Hawaiian club.
I'll never forget the night that Wes came by with a buddy with his buddy's 4 by 4 classic black Cadillac. It was four feet off the ground! Needless to say, I was hoisted in!
Anyway, me dear friend Wes sent me a Facebook message with the video below. Wes lives over in Hawaii. He is a triathlete like the one guy in the video. I am like the other guy with cerebral palsy...not quite as bad.
Wes always says that I inspire him. That always makes me feel a tiny bit squeamish. My foibles are many...just ask my coworkers who have all abandoned me, leaving my side of the building empty!
Wes inspires me. He runs marathons and triathlons, but he finds inspiration in a guy like me for whom getting out of bed in the morning and getting to work is like running a marathon.
Watch the video. The song it plays, "I can only imagine" is one of my favorites...it chokes me up a bit. Each man in the video is a inspiration. Together though, there is power...a miracle is born...there is blessing.
Friday, July 01, 2011
A very lovely first of July scene
On our way home from the baseball tourney today, we wanted to stop by the river and see the scenery. We tried to do this in Hood River, but we kept going the wrong way and could not find a place.
As we headed home, we stopped off at Cascade Locks. We found a boat ramp with people, all shapes, sizes, and colors - they were lining the banks fishing.
A very lovely first of July scene:
As we headed home, we stopped off at Cascade Locks. We found a boat ramp with people, all shapes, sizes, and colors - they were lining the banks fishing.
A very lovely first of July scene:
Jeez!
Our son has a baseball tournament in Hood River this weekend. Today was day one.
The games are being played at Hood River Valley High School. Other than having to maneuver Jodie's powerchair and my scooter (with a weak battery) over a bunch of grass to get to the jv field, accessibility was not bad.
After the game, we stopped at Shari's Restaurant to eat and, well, Jodie and I don't do outhouses.
Jodie went into the restroom. The handicapped stall was not large enough to accommodate her powerchair. She parked it outside the stall and went in to do her business.
As Jodie was making her way back to her powerchair, a lady came into the restroom and was mad because Jodie's power chair was blocking the other stall.
"Jeez!" the woman said, very upset.
Jodie hurried as best she could. She was not able to wash her hands an that really bothered her. We are going to get hand sanitizer for her to pack on her wheelchair.
Disability is inconvenience...there is no question about that. We work hard to make sure that it inconveniences us only and not other people. Sometimes we cannot pull that off.
If we were to stay home and go nowhere, we probably could pull it off. God has blessed us with a rich life filled with many gifts that does not give us that option.
Next time we are in your way, blame God.
The games are being played at Hood River Valley High School. Other than having to maneuver Jodie's powerchair and my scooter (with a weak battery) over a bunch of grass to get to the jv field, accessibility was not bad.
After the game, we stopped at Shari's Restaurant to eat and, well, Jodie and I don't do outhouses.
Jodie went into the restroom. The handicapped stall was not large enough to accommodate her powerchair. She parked it outside the stall and went in to do her business.
As Jodie was making her way back to her powerchair, a lady came into the restroom and was mad because Jodie's power chair was blocking the other stall.
"Jeez!" the woman said, very upset.
Jodie hurried as best she could. She was not able to wash her hands an that really bothered her. We are going to get hand sanitizer for her to pack on her wheelchair.
Disability is inconvenience...there is no question about that. We work hard to make sure that it inconveniences us only and not other people. Sometimes we cannot pull that off.
If we were to stay home and go nowhere, we probably could pull it off. God has blessed us with a rich life filled with many gifts that does not give us that option.
Next time we are in your way, blame God.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Curb cut, Mr. Mayor
Eric's baseball team had a game at Overlook Park in north Portland last night. We played David Douglas. Not sure why two eastside teams had a game way over there...
The parking lot was taken over by an outdoor festival. We drove down Overlook on the north (?) side of the park. We parked at the corner of Melrose and Overlook. We were lucky to get a corner spot so we had room to let are lift down.
The baseball field was close, but there was no curb cut on the corner. I thought about the pothole signs around the city that the Mayor had posted for people to alert the city of potholes that need fixing. A public park should have curb cuts at every corner. There should be a phone number for that!
Jodie and I motored wheelchair and scooter down Overlook, over the giant speed bump, until we found a driveway. We drove on the sidewalk back to the field. The sidewalk was old cement tiles crumple by huge tree roots. One had a 4 inch drop! I'm not going to complain...I realize this world is not made for us.
We sat on a very high, steep hill over looking the field. Coach saw is and asked if we were going to come down the hill...with a grin on his face.
Turned out the son of dear friends of our were on the other team. We had a wonderful visit with Barby and Larry, and her parents, Jim and Judy.
Big unit pitched an inning. One hit...then 3 outs...bang, bang, bang!
The parking lot was taken over by an outdoor festival. We drove down Overlook on the north (?) side of the park. We parked at the corner of Melrose and Overlook. We were lucky to get a corner spot so we had room to let are lift down.
The baseball field was close, but there was no curb cut on the corner. I thought about the pothole signs around the city that the Mayor had posted for people to alert the city of potholes that need fixing. A public park should have curb cuts at every corner. There should be a phone number for that!
Jodie and I motored wheelchair and scooter down Overlook, over the giant speed bump, until we found a driveway. We drove on the sidewalk back to the field. The sidewalk was old cement tiles crumple by huge tree roots. One had a 4 inch drop! I'm not going to complain...I realize this world is not made for us.
We sat on a very high, steep hill over looking the field. Coach saw is and asked if we were going to come down the hill...with a grin on his face.
Turned out the son of dear friends of our were on the other team. We had a wonderful visit with Barby and Larry, and her parents, Jim and Judy.
Big unit pitched an inning. One hit...then 3 outs...bang, bang, bang!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Onward, Elizabeth Hovde, onward
I am a fan of Elizabeth Hovde. She is a conservative columnist for The Oregonian. I am not exactly a conservative, for anyone who knows me. I don't believe all truth lies in one camp. I like to read all sides.
Elizabeth is a conservative with a heart and a brain.
I sent her an email last May when she wrote about how special that foster parents are. I thanked her for making such an important point, and for the way her writing has of making me feel and think.
My heart was broken when I heard of her skiing accident last January 11 that left her with a traumatic brain injury. I have been praying for her since I heard about it.
Oregon Public Broadcasting interviewed her the other day. I missed it when it was on the radio, but I found it online: http://www.opb.org/thinkoutloud/shows/elizabeth-hovde/
I applaud her courage for doing a radio interview. Life is different for her now. Two young kids and a husband. Life is different for all of them. Something like this could happen to any of us at any time.
Elizabeth wrote back to me last May. I think the words of encouragement she wrote me is a wonderful prayer of hope back to her:
"Keep up the writing, the humor, the love of life. Onward, Elizabeth"
Onward, Elizabeth, onward.
Elizabeth is a conservative with a heart and a brain.
I sent her an email last May when she wrote about how special that foster parents are. I thanked her for making such an important point, and for the way her writing has of making me feel and think.
My heart was broken when I heard of her skiing accident last January 11 that left her with a traumatic brain injury. I have been praying for her since I heard about it.
Oregon Public Broadcasting interviewed her the other day. I missed it when it was on the radio, but I found it online: http://www.opb.org/thinkoutloud/shows/elizabeth-hovde/
I applaud her courage for doing a radio interview. Life is different for her now. Two young kids and a husband. Life is different for all of them. Something like this could happen to any of us at any time.
Elizabeth wrote back to me last May. I think the words of encouragement she wrote me is a wonderful prayer of hope back to her:
"Keep up the writing, the humor, the love of life. Onward, Elizabeth"
Onward, Elizabeth, onward.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Barriers will not keep us from Eric's game
Eric's single A legion baseball team has been playing tournament this weekend.
Gilmore Field in Salem. Beautiful ball fields with berms around them.
Friday's game was at the varsity field. Jodie and I motored all around to find a way up the berm. It is just too steep. We did find a spot where we could get on top of the berm, but I feared that a homerun ball from the one field could nail us, so we went down into this little hole behind the benches. We almost feel like buying batters hard hats ourselves to protect our heads from foul balls.
After the game we gingerly motored our way up the berm, across, and back down. The feeling of driving a scooter and a power chair on a steep slope - it is scary. You feel like you are going to tip. I rolled my scooter once and it was not fun. Jodie in her power chair...the prospect of her tipping frightens us to death.
Today's first game was at the jv field, which sits down below a berm. Jodie and I stayed at the end of the right field line. I used my walker today to increase my agility to maneuver the berm, but it greatly decreased my ability to go very far. I told Jodie she could probably get over the berm at one place, but she did not want to try...and she wanted to stay with me.
The second game today was at the varsity field. I just muscled my way up the berm, across the top, and over to the bench. Jodie followed. She kind of freaked when she stopped. We were on top of a narrow, steep berm. Bob, the dad of one of Eric's school friends...and a friend of ours, was with us. He walked with Jodie, helping her turn around and go back to a low spot where Jodie could get down. People had a tent up and were watching the other game in the spot where Jodie had gotten up the berm. The people were willing to move, but Bob was able to guide Jodie down the berm.
Places we need to go to support our son in his sports are often not accessible. It does not stop us. We wish places were more accessible, but we realize that many places just aren't. I am thankful for the kindness of friends, like Bob, and strangers, who help us around the barriers we come across.
I just wish that the designers of kids sports venues would be aware there might be a kid playing with a parent in a power chair, a scooter, or a walker.
Gilmore Field in Salem. Beautiful ball fields with berms around them.
Friday's game was at the varsity field. Jodie and I motored all around to find a way up the berm. It is just too steep. We did find a spot where we could get on top of the berm, but I feared that a homerun ball from the one field could nail us, so we went down into this little hole behind the benches. We almost feel like buying batters hard hats ourselves to protect our heads from foul balls.
After the game we gingerly motored our way up the berm, across, and back down. The feeling of driving a scooter and a power chair on a steep slope - it is scary. You feel like you are going to tip. I rolled my scooter once and it was not fun. Jodie in her power chair...the prospect of her tipping frightens us to death.
Today's first game was at the jv field, which sits down below a berm. Jodie and I stayed at the end of the right field line. I used my walker today to increase my agility to maneuver the berm, but it greatly decreased my ability to go very far. I told Jodie she could probably get over the berm at one place, but she did not want to try...and she wanted to stay with me.
The second game today was at the varsity field. I just muscled my way up the berm, across the top, and over to the bench. Jodie followed. She kind of freaked when she stopped. We were on top of a narrow, steep berm. Bob, the dad of one of Eric's school friends...and a friend of ours, was with us. He walked with Jodie, helping her turn around and go back to a low spot where Jodie could get down. People had a tent up and were watching the other game in the spot where Jodie had gotten up the berm. The people were willing to move, but Bob was able to guide Jodie down the berm.
Places we need to go to support our son in his sports are often not accessible. It does not stop us. We wish places were more accessible, but we realize that many places just aren't. I am thankful for the kindness of friends, like Bob, and strangers, who help us around the barriers we come across.
I just wish that the designers of kids sports venues would be aware there might be a kid playing with a parent in a power chair, a scooter, or a walker.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Ben Comen - CP'er cross country runner
You fall down...you get back up. Pretty much summarizes cerebral palsy.
The story of a true champion.
Thanks Kathryn for sharing this with me.
The story of a true champion.
Thanks Kathryn for sharing this with me.
Friday, May 20, 2011
I am ready for the Rapture!
We saw the Weinermobile today at Wood Village Fred Meyer. I have now seen it all.
I am ready to be raptured!
I am ready to be raptured!
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| From BLOG |
Friday, May 13, 2011
Seth Reder, new artist with amazing voice
My work cube neighbor's nephew is out with his first demo. Great acoustics and vocals!
Please give a listen:
Please give a listen:
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Sunday, May 08, 2011
I am an "Important Person!"
We husbands say stupid things all the time. It is part of our job description.
When Woman #1 is mad, you say nothing. Husbands know that. Total no-brainer.
Yesterday I slipped.
Eric's varsity baseball team had a game in Tualatin at Horizon Christian. We thought our favorite third string catcher might get to catch, but instead a junior was pulled in from the outfield for the catching duties.
Jodie likes to position her powerchair as close as she can to home plate.
Horizon has a beautiful baseball field. When we first got there we saw the team folding up the tarp that covered the whole field. Dugouts were nicely built with cinder block. There was a low cable fence separating the field from the parking lot. From the backstop to the outfield fence, it was a beautiful field.
Behind the backstop, the ground was rock and hilly. There was a eight inch curb. The only curb cut was blocked by shrubs at the top. There was no way for Jodie to get up to the spectator area.
Jodie was upset. She could not believe the lack of accessibility to get up to the field.
We parked in the lot down by third base. We could see everything from there except the most important part of the field - home plate.
I told Jodie, "This is terrible that there is no accessible way to the field. If there was an important person on the board or at the school that needed access, there would be access."
Jodie shot back "I am an important person!"
Ouch! I said the wrong thing!
A big fault of mine is that I can see many sides of things. Accessibility is spendy, and how many disabled come to watch baseball games?
Jodie totally did not share my sentiment.
I moved our van over behind the backstop, as close as we could get, which was not very close. We could see parts of the batter, depending on which way the crowd was moving.
Jodie was not happy not being able to see much of the game, but people watching is always priceless.
There was a couple dogs at the field. A lady brought her dog behind the crowd. The dog did his duty #2. The lady covered it with the bark that was covering the ground. She used her toe to lightly cover it. The lady looked up and saw Jodie and I watching her. She shrugged and giggled with a 'oops' look on her face.
We then watched a multitude of people walk over that spot and tried to guess who got the surprise on their shoe.
We lost the game to Horizon 5 to 3. Portland Christian's first loss of the season.
I don't think it's possible for a non-disabled person to understand a barrier of an eight inch curb. Until you are in a wheelchair and you can't get somewhere you really want to get, you won't understand.
Us "important people" understand.
When Woman #1 is mad, you say nothing. Husbands know that. Total no-brainer.
Yesterday I slipped.
Eric's varsity baseball team had a game in Tualatin at Horizon Christian. We thought our favorite third string catcher might get to catch, but instead a junior was pulled in from the outfield for the catching duties.
Jodie likes to position her powerchair as close as she can to home plate.
Horizon has a beautiful baseball field. When we first got there we saw the team folding up the tarp that covered the whole field. Dugouts were nicely built with cinder block. There was a low cable fence separating the field from the parking lot. From the backstop to the outfield fence, it was a beautiful field.
Behind the backstop, the ground was rock and hilly. There was a eight inch curb. The only curb cut was blocked by shrubs at the top. There was no way for Jodie to get up to the spectator area.
Jodie was upset. She could not believe the lack of accessibility to get up to the field.
We parked in the lot down by third base. We could see everything from there except the most important part of the field - home plate.
I told Jodie, "This is terrible that there is no accessible way to the field. If there was an important person on the board or at the school that needed access, there would be access."
Jodie shot back "I am an important person!"
Ouch! I said the wrong thing!
A big fault of mine is that I can see many sides of things. Accessibility is spendy, and how many disabled come to watch baseball games?
Jodie totally did not share my sentiment.
I moved our van over behind the backstop, as close as we could get, which was not very close. We could see parts of the batter, depending on which way the crowd was moving.
Jodie was not happy not being able to see much of the game, but people watching is always priceless.
There was a couple dogs at the field. A lady brought her dog behind the crowd. The dog did his duty #2. The lady covered it with the bark that was covering the ground. She used her toe to lightly cover it. The lady looked up and saw Jodie and I watching her. She shrugged and giggled with a 'oops' look on her face.
We then watched a multitude of people walk over that spot and tried to guess who got the surprise on their shoe.
We lost the game to Horizon 5 to 3. Portland Christian's first loss of the season.
I don't think it's possible for a non-disabled person to understand a barrier of an eight inch curb. Until you are in a wheelchair and you can't get somewhere you really want to get, you won't understand.
Us "important people" understand.
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Garmin...Google Map...where am I going?
Eric is on the varsity and the junior varsity baseball teams for his school, Portland Christian. He counts the hits, is the warm up catcher, and backs up first for the varsity team. He does not see much playing time for varsity, but Jodie and I don't miss a game.
Yesterday, there was a game at Western Mennonite High School. I put the address into our Garmin. It directed us to go over the Wheatland Ferry. I didn't want to go over a ferry with our big Sprinter van. I went to Google and got a map that directed us to take Highway 99, to 18, to 221. It seemed simpler. If I missed a turn, we'd wind up at the casino...not so bad.
I was not in the right lane for the Tualatin exit off I-5. I could not get over. I've gone that way many times...no idea what I was thinking. I took the next exit and made my way back to the Tualatin/Sherwood Road.
We made it down Highway 99. The Garmin kept telling us to turn everywhere. I left it on so that when we got close to the school, it would let us know.
We got caught in that bottleneck area on Highway 99...took us forever!
The school is on Highway 221, northwest of Salem, between Lincoln and Hopeveil, two small towns I did not know existed. Farmland, fresh air, a very beautiful setting for a school.
We made our way to the parking area. It was a grave lot, except for a couple cement slabs for disabled parking. I parked in one of the slabs. Jodie moved her chair onto the lift. I let her down. The gravel was a slight down hill slop. The lip at the end of the ramp would not go down. I had Jodie get back into the van and I drove to the other disabled spot. Save for the nasty mud hole I had to slog through to open the back doors of the van, I was able to unload Jodie in her powerchair and my scooter without trouble.
People were looking on with curiosity as we unloaded. I got the feeling the the disabled parking spots don't get used much at that school, and they probably don't see many lift vans there.
The boys won. Eric counted the hits. Jodie was not sure about letting Eric drive us home, but I knew he could do it.
We followed the team bus into Salem. We grabbed dinner at a Dairy Queen drive-thru, parked to eat, watched a guy bum some change from a gal sitting in her car a few spaces from us. We watched him go into the market across from us, come out with a brown paper bag, and disappear behind the Tru Value store.
Eric drove us home and did a fine job.
Now, I need to find LaSalle high tomorrow, Sherwood high on Friday, and Horizon Christian on Saturday.
Ahhh...baseball season...
Yesterday, there was a game at Western Mennonite High School. I put the address into our Garmin. It directed us to go over the Wheatland Ferry. I didn't want to go over a ferry with our big Sprinter van. I went to Google and got a map that directed us to take Highway 99, to 18, to 221. It seemed simpler. If I missed a turn, we'd wind up at the casino...not so bad.
I was not in the right lane for the Tualatin exit off I-5. I could not get over. I've gone that way many times...no idea what I was thinking. I took the next exit and made my way back to the Tualatin/Sherwood Road.
We made it down Highway 99. The Garmin kept telling us to turn everywhere. I left it on so that when we got close to the school, it would let us know.
We got caught in that bottleneck area on Highway 99...took us forever!
The school is on Highway 221, northwest of Salem, between Lincoln and Hopeveil, two small towns I did not know existed. Farmland, fresh air, a very beautiful setting for a school.
We made our way to the parking area. It was a grave lot, except for a couple cement slabs for disabled parking. I parked in one of the slabs. Jodie moved her chair onto the lift. I let her down. The gravel was a slight down hill slop. The lip at the end of the ramp would not go down. I had Jodie get back into the van and I drove to the other disabled spot. Save for the nasty mud hole I had to slog through to open the back doors of the van, I was able to unload Jodie in her powerchair and my scooter without trouble.
People were looking on with curiosity as we unloaded. I got the feeling the the disabled parking spots don't get used much at that school, and they probably don't see many lift vans there.
The boys won. Eric counted the hits. Jodie was not sure about letting Eric drive us home, but I knew he could do it.
We followed the team bus into Salem. We grabbed dinner at a Dairy Queen drive-thru, parked to eat, watched a guy bum some change from a gal sitting in her car a few spaces from us. We watched him go into the market across from us, come out with a brown paper bag, and disappear behind the Tru Value store.
Eric drove us home and did a fine job.
Now, I need to find LaSalle high tomorrow, Sherwood high on Friday, and Horizon Christian on Saturday.
Ahhh...baseball season...
Saturday, April 30, 2011
BADD 2011 - Be aware of My Best Buddy
To be honest, it is hard for me to be honest. I am a glass-half-full kind a guy. I like to tell people what they want to hear.
Life goes easier that way, people are happier.
In my college days, I had a weekly column in the Oregon State University "Daily Barometer" titled 'Witticisms' - imagine that! My thought was that if I could get people to smile, or feel anything, I could get them to think.
One time, it was disability awareness week. I felt a burden to promote the awareness. I was up all night. I was ranting and raving about accessibility problems around campus, and how tough it was to be disabled and going to college. I looked at what I had and I realized nobody was going to read my angry words.
I took a different tact. I took my readers, sat them down, and gently put a pair of my shoes on their feet. I told a story of my best buddy. I told of some of the obstacles that my best buddy faced in the course of the day and the ways he got around them.
People who knew me knew right away who "my best buddy". They were affected by my words. The sports editor, who I barely knew, called me and told me how much he like the column.
My best buddy. Twenty four years out of college now. Twenty one years working as support staff for child welfare.
Life has been good to my best buddy. Twenty one years ago he married a girl he had met at a elementary school for disabled kids. Their life goal was to not have kids, but to take care of each other without relying on outside help.
Five years later, God surprised them with a son. Family and friends were there to help. The pregnancy, birth and early years, but there was never a lack of love and support behind them.
One time my buddy and his wife tried to by a lot in Beaverton on which to place a manufactured home. The owner would not sell it to my buddy and his wife because he did not think my buddy could work, even though he did have a job.
On the other side of the spectrum, a few years ago when my buddy and his wife needed a larger van to haul both of their scooters, my buddy found the perfect van on the internet. My buddy, his wife, and their son drove to Seattle to look at it. It was decked out with a ramp and restraints. It was expensive, but the dealer and the bank worked things out. A week later the van was their's, one of the simplest transactions in their lives.
My best buddy's wife is now in a powerchair full time now. At first she felt that laying down her crutches was a form of giving up. It has proven to be a much greater level of independence for her. Even so, it has been a surprise to her how many local business don't have automatic doors. She has to struggle with the door herself, or wait for the kindness of strangers to help.
My best buddy uses a walker much of the time these days. It bothers him sometimes when people are in such a hurry to get around him that he does not have time to get out of their way. It bothers him that walkways are narrow and/or cluttered in such a way that hurried people can't get around him. It bothers him that he always needs to get out of the way.
Forget being aware of my best buddy's disability - be aware of my best buddy!
This is my contribution to Blogging Against Disableism Day 2011.
Life goes easier that way, people are happier.
In my college days, I had a weekly column in the Oregon State University "Daily Barometer" titled 'Witticisms' - imagine that! My thought was that if I could get people to smile, or feel anything, I could get them to think.
One time, it was disability awareness week. I felt a burden to promote the awareness. I was up all night. I was ranting and raving about accessibility problems around campus, and how tough it was to be disabled and going to college. I looked at what I had and I realized nobody was going to read my angry words.
I took a different tact. I took my readers, sat them down, and gently put a pair of my shoes on their feet. I told a story of my best buddy. I told of some of the obstacles that my best buddy faced in the course of the day and the ways he got around them.
People who knew me knew right away who "my best buddy". They were affected by my words. The sports editor, who I barely knew, called me and told me how much he like the column.
My best buddy. Twenty four years out of college now. Twenty one years working as support staff for child welfare.
Life has been good to my best buddy. Twenty one years ago he married a girl he had met at a elementary school for disabled kids. Their life goal was to not have kids, but to take care of each other without relying on outside help.
Five years later, God surprised them with a son. Family and friends were there to help. The pregnancy, birth and early years, but there was never a lack of love and support behind them.
One time my buddy and his wife tried to by a lot in Beaverton on which to place a manufactured home. The owner would not sell it to my buddy and his wife because he did not think my buddy could work, even though he did have a job.
On the other side of the spectrum, a few years ago when my buddy and his wife needed a larger van to haul both of their scooters, my buddy found the perfect van on the internet. My buddy, his wife, and their son drove to Seattle to look at it. It was decked out with a ramp and restraints. It was expensive, but the dealer and the bank worked things out. A week later the van was their's, one of the simplest transactions in their lives.
My best buddy's wife is now in a powerchair full time now. At first she felt that laying down her crutches was a form of giving up. It has proven to be a much greater level of independence for her. Even so, it has been a surprise to her how many local business don't have automatic doors. She has to struggle with the door herself, or wait for the kindness of strangers to help.
My best buddy uses a walker much of the time these days. It bothers him sometimes when people are in such a hurry to get around him that he does not have time to get out of their way. It bothers him that walkways are narrow and/or cluttered in such a way that hurried people can't get around him. It bothers him that he always needs to get out of the way.
Forget being aware of my best buddy's disability - be aware of my best buddy!
This is my contribution to Blogging Against Disableism Day 2011.
Friday, April 29, 2011
World's Last Typewriter Factory Closing Its Doors | News & Opinion | PCMag.com
World's Last Typewriter Factory Closing Its Doors | News & Opinion | PCMag.com
Momentous day. Last typewriter factory closing.
I learned to type when I was seven at Holladay Center. My handwriting would get me nowhere fast...I can barely read it!
When I was mainstreamed in the fifth grade, a typewriter followed me from class to class. In high school, my typewriter was in the special resource room.
At home I had my brown IBM. I used the white paper corrector stuff...such a mess! I then got a Facit self-correcting. In college I always had to make special arrangements with my professors to use a typewriter for tests.
The hassles of disability. Such an understatement. Gotta embrace it and roll on...or you go crazy.
In my work life, I have had a typewriter follow me around. Now that the IV-E adoption assistance and guardianship assistance forms are finally on the computer, I really have no use for it. And we no longer have a contract for getting it fixed.
The only thing I handwrite now is my signature on those pesky receipts. For any other handwriting I need to gulp down my pride and ask for help.
The end of an era. I would not have gotten where I have without this technological bridge to the computer.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
I finally got one...
I have wanted a Kindle electronic book reader for years. Mom got one for my stepdad, John.
I have been using the pc version of Kindle on my netbook for awhile.
My reason for not getting one for so long is that I don't read a lot of books. I consume news and blogs. I am addicted to Twitter, Facebook, and Google Reader. On my Twitter I follow many news outlets, reporters, and favorite people. Google Reader I follow disability feeds, google trends, national and local feeds. On Facebook I follow family and friends. I find out more about what's happening at work off Facebook than anything I hear at work.
I am an informational junkie.
Any books I read are non-fiction - "Angel Face" about Amanda Knox, and "The Case for God". I am not that good of reader because I speed through everything. I am just looking for the facts.
Well, my new 3g Kindle has surpassed all my hopes. I did not realize that I could access the internet with it. It handles Twitter, Google Reader and Facebook wonderfully, and the mobile connection is free! My Gmail is not very easy to navigate on the Kindle, though I did finally find the best link to use.
The keyboard on the Kindle is not very "Troy" friendly. Punching in my passwords is not as easy as I like. The mousepad is small and tricky for me to use.
Even so, my Kindle is proving to be quite the dream for this info junkie.
I have been using the pc version of Kindle on my netbook for awhile.
My reason for not getting one for so long is that I don't read a lot of books. I consume news and blogs. I am addicted to Twitter, Facebook, and Google Reader. On my Twitter I follow many news outlets, reporters, and favorite people. Google Reader I follow disability feeds, google trends, national and local feeds. On Facebook I follow family and friends. I find out more about what's happening at work off Facebook than anything I hear at work.
I am an informational junkie.
Any books I read are non-fiction - "Angel Face" about Amanda Knox, and "The Case for God". I am not that good of reader because I speed through everything. I am just looking for the facts.
Well, my new 3g Kindle has surpassed all my hopes. I did not realize that I could access the internet with it. It handles Twitter, Google Reader and Facebook wonderfully, and the mobile connection is free! My Gmail is not very easy to navigate on the Kindle, though I did finally find the best link to use.
The keyboard on the Kindle is not very "Troy" friendly. Punching in my passwords is not as easy as I like. The mousepad is small and tricky for me to use.
Even so, my Kindle is proving to be quite the dream for this info junkie.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Eric and the order of the towel
This is Holy Week. Tonight we had a Maundy Thursday service at church, a commemoration of the Last Supper.
Three of our high school freshman, including Eric, took part in washing people's feet. These kids have been through a peer ministry course, equipping them to listen to and serve other kids their age who need help.
Eric and Robert were at one of the foot washing stations. Jodie went up in her power chair. Eric took one of her shoes off and they washed her foot. Jodie does not have toes; she has a couple stubs. A big reason she has had to use crutches her whole life is because she does not have toes.
It took courage for Jodie to go up for a foot washing. Just as the disciples were not all that comfortable with having Jesus wash their feet, neither was Jodie with having her son and Robert wash hers.
Jesus set the example of what it is to be a servant of all, pretty much opposite everything our culture sees as success.
Tonight Eric earned his towel; success that is out of this world.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Being disabled in time of trauma
Being disabled is never a picnic, but sometimes it can be really frustrating and downright scary.
People who know me can generally understand me. Throw in some trauma and people who don't know me and...well...lot's of luck.
Ten years ago when I had back surgery, I was recovering I the hospital. I needed help with something. I hit the call button and said "I need help. " All I got back was "We can't understand you sir." With cerebral palsy, the harder you try to talk, the worse it gets. Involuntary motions.
Help never came. When Jodie came in, she was furious.
Marriage is about pooling strengths. Throw in disabilities, like CP, as in the case of Glenda and Darrell, and Jodie and I, marriage goes beyond convenience. We depend on each other. We use our abilities to overcome the other's disabilities...if that makes any sense.
A few patients and accompanying companions followed the nurse into the secured treatment area. The nurse indicated that Darrell would have to go back to the waiting room because there wasn’t room for two wheelchairs.
Darrell explained that I needed him for speech purposes. But, once he relayed how the injury occurred and other necessary medical details, he was told to leave. The nurse assured him that she would come get him if he was needed. None of the other companions were forced to leave.
Do It Myself Blog – Glenda Watson Hyatt » The Foot as a Brake: Do Not Attempt This at Home
Healing and peace my blog buddy Glenda!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Concatenate
I had never seen the word "concatenate" until today.
I was trying to merge multiple columns into one in Excel, in an effort to squeeze a two page phone list onto one. Microsoft help screens are terrible; I always have to go to Google for real help.
I was trying to see if I could have different text formats within a concatenated cell. Don't try to figure this one out...I am always trying to figure out the impossible.
Today, on my Don Quixote-like quest, I hit a computer virus...a bad one. The computer ran a scan, then took me to a place to pay. I knew that was not right.
I put my technical smarts to work. Geek prayer - "Please God", geek trick- turn computer off...turn computer back on.
Didn't work.
I called the help desk. Karen, our computer tech, came over. I told her I was Googling to figure out how to concatenate. She laughed and said "that just sounds wrong!".
She had to re-mirror my computer. It took quite awhile.
Sigh...
I was trying to merge multiple columns into one in Excel, in an effort to squeeze a two page phone list onto one. Microsoft help screens are terrible; I always have to go to Google for real help.
I was trying to see if I could have different text formats within a concatenated cell. Don't try to figure this one out...I am always trying to figure out the impossible.
Today, on my Don Quixote-like quest, I hit a computer virus...a bad one. The computer ran a scan, then took me to a place to pay. I knew that was not right.
I put my technical smarts to work. Geek prayer - "Please God", geek trick- turn computer off...turn computer back on.
Didn't work.
I called the help desk. Karen, our computer tech, came over. I told her I was Googling to figure out how to concatenate. She laughed and said "that just sounds wrong!".
She had to re-mirror my computer. It took quite awhile.
Sigh...
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
Rockwood Child Welfare support staff...R.I.P.
Me and the hot babes of Rockwood Child Welfare.
We are now combined with East Multnomah, but we will never forget the sizzle we were...
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