Tag Archive for accessability

Nothing Should Stop You

| November 11, 2011 | No comments

I was out in town this week and saw many people with disabilities. People with disabilities are finally deciding to get out in the world and not stay at home.  That is great.

Here is my week.  This shows you that I do not let my disability keep me at home.

Monday – I went food shopping.  I saw others with disabilities shopping as well. (They have to eat too)

Tuesday – I went to the mall to hang out all day.  While I was eating my lunch, a lady in a wheelchair comes rolling by.

Wednesday – I was just hanging in town and saw at least 5 people with disabilities.

Thursday – I stayed at home to work on MoonScapes Web Solutions my business.

Friday – I went out to Amscot and when I was getting back in the car a lady pulled up who had a disability and her car was all rigged up so she can get her chair in and out and transfer to it.

What a great week!

This shows that yes even though people with disabilities have struggles, with the proper accommodations, they can live a normal life.  After reading this are you going to get off your butt and get out of the house?

I know you can do it and every day encourage you to! I went water skiing, am taking a class on scuba diving and next will probably try parasailing.

No more excuses!!! You can do it and the world can include you and treat you like anyone else. Squeak those wheels until it happens.

Category: Being Disabled, Growing Up Disabled, Living With A Disability | Tags: , , , , , , ,

The Disabled Can and Should Vote

| November 4, 2011 | No comments

From our friend at WaiverProvider.com

Florida Unites is launching an aggressive campaign to get people who are interested in disability issues to vote. Please fill out this survey regarding your status as a voter. It is a one question, multiple choice survey.

If you are not yet registered to vote, please register.
Voters Application Form-
http://election.dos.state.fl.us/voter-registration/voter-reg.shtml

People with disabilities can and do VOTE. Their votes COUNT. Their caregivers, family members, and advocates vote too. Florida elections are often close. Your vote can turn the tide.

Your vote tells elected officials what you think about how they
are running the government. It tells your elected officials that
you approve or disapprove of their actions. It tells your elected officials that you are paying attention. Vote for people who care about and fund the programs that keep you healthy and safe.

Not everyone who should have a voice at the polls has been able to have their voice heard. The disability community can be a powerful voice for change. Vote.

Voters Application Form-
http://election.dos.state.fl.us/voter-registration/voter-reg.shtml

*** Be advised that there are new laws for anyone who collects voter registration applications. Not following these laws may result in fines. ***
http://election.dos.state.fl.us/voter-registration/third-party.shtml

Keep squeaking those wheels – get out and vote. You can make a difference.

Category: Being Disabled, Disabilities, Living With A Disability | Tags: , , , , , ,

SportsAbility in Ocala 2011

| October 17, 2011 | No comments

Me Water Skiing

Before I talk about my experience and all, you are probably wondering what SportsAbility is. It is the premier event of the Florida Disabled Outdoors Association (FDOA). This event is about enhancing the lives of people with disabilities by promoting active living.

SportsAbility provides first hand access to resources and demonstrations of activities

Horseback Riding

designed to encourage participation regardless of age or ability level. People who attend SportsAbility learn about the value of recreation and active leisure for everyone – especially people with disabilities.

People discover the latest in equipment, trends, and resources. This event provides an opportunity for people to network with people with disabilities, resource providers, and community organizations. There is NO CHARGE to participants.

Here we go; I arrived on the first day at the Ed Crowsky Center and signed in as a participant and a volunteer. I got a few pictures taken and then went inside to look at all the wonderful vendors. I went to the Marion County Disability Alliance table to work it until 11 am. I decided to go outside at 11 and see what all was going on. I head down to the horses and on the way I passed tennis, golf, bocce, disc golf and much more. I arrived at the horses and signed the release form so I could ride a horse. While waiting to ride, I met my friend Melissa who also rode the horse. We chatted until it was time.

The volunteers rolled me up the ramp so they could help me on the horse. I haven’t ridden a horse in a couple years so I had to hold on for dear life! I had a blast and it shows that anyone can ride a horse.

I went back inside to get ready to demo scuba diving at 1 pm. The person helping me put on my scuba suit had to do it twice, because the silly man put it on backwards the first time. I headed out to the pool where I demoed the scuba diving. I had a blast and while waiting for them to do the other people. I floated around and swam in my scuba suit. Everyone can go scuba diving. If anyone tells you know you can’t do scuba diving or anything else, they are so wrong.

That was the end of the first day so I went home and rested. I got up on the second day, ready for more fun and living.

The second day of SportsAbility was at Carney Island County Park. I took a hay ride that transported people to the other side of the park. Over there I went water skiing and then watched people shoot bow and arrows, go canoeing, kayaking, and more.

Afterwards, I went back have lunch and talk to some friends, new ones and old ones. This was a great event and I want you to remember that if someone says you can’t do something, they are dead wrong. You can show them this video of people with disabilities doing and having fun.  Video

SPORTSABILITY is much more than fun. It is a wonderful occasion to help educate the public about the importance of physical activity and about recreational opportunities while also providing valuable information of other important community resources available to people, including those with disabilities.

Remember to live your life to the fullest and squeak out all of the negatives that say you can not do!

Category: Disabilities, Growing Up Disabled, Living With A Disability | Tags: , , , , , ,

Friendship is Huge

| October 12, 2011 | No comments

I don’t know if you ever thought about how friendship is a major part of life!

Living with a disability and making friends can be very difficult. People assume you are nothing so they don’t even take the chance to come up to you and start a conversation. This needs to change because people with disabilities are like anyone else and can make wonderful friends.

Let’s take my life for example.  I am in a wheelchair and people rarely approach me until I approach them. This is frustrating, but over the years I have made some awesome friends.

One friend I knew from college reconnected and we started chatting about 10 months ago. We went to a couple charity and business events, and had a great time! We became such great friends that we started hanging out a lot.  I even made her dinner. She is such a great friend and friends like her are what make your life better. I just want to say thank you for being my friend!

I also met my good friend Judy who was on the Florida Developmental Disability Council. I met her through my dad and we are hopefully going to be working together on some disability awareness projects.

I also want to mention a few more friends that I have done things with.  We go to the movies, to the comedy club, to events and more. Shout out to two ladies I met through my friend Joel Weisner from What’s Up Ocala.

I been feeling lately that I have to do some soul searching and find a relationship.  However, I have decided that finding friends is more important right now.

I want you to know that great friends are important and will go far with you. Sometimes when you are with your friends both you and they forget about your disability and you are just another one of the guys.

Go out and make you some friends and remember to keep squeaking you wheels!

Category: Being Disabled, Disabilities, Growing Up Disabled, Living With A Disability | Tags: , , , , , , ,

Who Needs People?

| October 5, 2011 | One comment

I was going around today and this popped into my mind. Are women, men and all people just out there for themselves and not giving a crap about anyone else?

Some people open up there lives and let you into it. They help you in times of need, pray for you, fight for you, and sometimes die for you.  They basically give up a lot of their life to help someone else.  They give up part of their life to give someone a better life.

Most people still blow them off and do not act thankful.

Let me give you some examples in my life. I have a disability which is a major obstacle in our society.  I usually open up my heart to everyone and try and help them have the best life they can.  However, I find that even though I do that, people just shrug me off.

I find this interesting.  People say they admire me, look up to me and like what I do.  However, when they need something they know I can help them with, rather than go with me or sometimes even talk to me, they go with someone else. How so very frustrating!!!

People with disabilities try to live like everyone else in this world. We want to be part of society, help the economy and so much more. We just want to be like everyone else.  What is wrong with this world?

I am getting to a point that if it continues this way, I will stop opening up my heart and do whatever the heck I want! I try and help everyone I can.

Sometimes I want to be more apart of people’s life but they keep pushing me to the side. I am sick of it!!!! This world needs to wake up. We can all be better human beings!!!

Look at yourself and the world.  Keep squeaking until the world finally wakes up.

Category: Being Disabled, Disabilities, Growing Up Disabled, Living With A Disability | Tags: , , , , , ,

Fun At BFE In Ocala

| September 28, 2011 | No comments

CDT The Heatwave

I was at BFE with Joel Weissner of Whatsupocala.com and Clifford Nembhard, Manager of the group Casual, Dot, Truda (CDT).  BFE is located in the heart of downtown Ocala and features great entertainment. A group of local talented musicians and fans packed their building.

Thursday night, generally reserved for 80’s night, was a bit different. A photo set, live music, and a large group of local fans came to show their support for CDT’s CD release party.

I got to BFE early around 6 pm and order some food and get on my laptop to spread the last minute word on Facebook. BFE treated me like any other customer and helped me when I asked for it. The show was scheduled to start at 9 pm so I sat back relaxed and listened to music playing in the background.

I got to meet the group CDT and we hit it off right away. The party started at 9 pm and DJ Don Mecca provided us with some awesome entertainment. He got everyone up and dancing.  I was even out there busting a move in my wheelchair!

CDT “Heatwave” got on around 10:30 and put on a fantastic show until 11 and then the awesome DJ took back over while the group took a break. I danced and partied some more.  I had my picture taken with a tipsy young man in the photo booth.  This was provided by the skilled Map City Designs. I was having a blast!

The group was back on about 11:30 and took us into the night until 1 am. The group packed up and we all said our good byes.

This group is great even though I not usually into Hip Hop/Rap I did enjoy the show. You can check out one of their songs, I Work Hard online.

I had a blast and felt like one of the crowd. You can read more about this event on Whats Up Ocala.

Get out there and live your life, even if you have to squeak your wheels!

Category: Being Disabled, Growing Up Disabled, Living With A Disability | Tags: , , , ,

Eating Out With A Disability

| September 5, 2011 | 2 comments

Have you ever wondered what it would be like, going to a restaurant and eating out with a disability? Will people stare at you, help you, make fun of you, pull a chair out for you, etc?
I just pulled up to Cracker Barrel in Ocala Florida and got to the door.  It was so heavy that when I went to open it I barely got it open. (Did you know doors have to be a certain weight according to Americans With Disabilities Act? Otherwise they are in violation of the ADA.)
I got in the door and went through the store to the restaurant.  The hostess seated my friend and I. She politely pulled out the chair so I could sit at the table in my wheelchair.
The waitress came up and took both of our orders. She took my friends order and then rather than ask my friend what I wanted, like restaurants do for some reason.  Rather she turned straight to me and asked me what I wanted to eat.
We finished eating, paid and then left.
I was treated so nice and normal. I don’t know what your experience will be but please go out, then come back respond with your experience, on this blog.
Squeak, squeak, squeak!

Category: Being Disabled, Disabilities, Growing Up Disabled, Living With A Disability | Tags: , , , ,
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