National Council on Disability Meeting

Yesterday I attended the National Council on Disability quarterly meeting that was held in Boston. It was an informative meeting that had experts presenting information on emergency preparedness, accessible technology, universal design, and many other issues of importance to people with disabilities.

There was a public comment session held yesterday at the end of the meeting where people could add input into the Council report. Many people in attendance voiced issues they asked the Council to consider, such as transportation, rights of disabled parents, brain injury inclusion, and more.

People can add their own written public comment to the NCD at any time via their website: ncd.gov.

Above, the crowd attending the NCD meeting in Boston yesterday. Below, I had a chance to catch up with my old colleague Steve Spinetto, Commissioner of the City of Boston's Disability Commission.

BCIL Annual Meeting 2007

Tonight I attended BCIL's Annual Meeting where I had the opportunity to meet and listen to Jean McGuire, the Massachusetts Assistant Secretary for Disability Policy and Programs in Deval Patrick's Gubernatorial Administration.

Assistant Secretary McGuire is a champion of disability inclusion and she supports BCIL's advocacy efforts. I currently volunteer on the BCIL Advocacy Leadership Council and Neighborhood Access Groups (NAGs). I helped to form a NAG in South Boston about five years ago to work with community residents in addressing access issues.
I also had the opportunity to meet Charles Carr, the new Commissioner of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission. He was recently appointed by Governor Patrick to replace long-time Commissioner Elmer Bartels.
Liz Casey, one of BCIL's dedicated access advocates, received a Community Leadership Award for all of her hard work on NAGs and the PCA Program.

For more information on BCIL, log onto http://www.bostoncil.org/.

Stepping Forward - Staying Informed, 3rd Annual SCI Research Conference

I attended the 3rd Annual SCI Research Conference sponsored by Boston Medical Center today at the Massachusetts Convention Center in Boston. This year's "Stepping Forward - Staying Informed" conference had presentations on stem cell research, weight management, emergency preparedness, and sexuality for people living with SCI. It was very informative, as usual.

Check our www.bmc.org/rehab for information on the conference.

Interviews With The Presidential Candidates

I had the privilege today to interview three of the Democratic Presidential Candidates at the "National Forum On Equality, Opportunity, and Access" held in Manchester, NH. I spoke with Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Senator Joe Biden (D-DE), and Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT). I asked them about their opinions of issues such as funding adult stem cell research; supporting employment incenties such as tax breaks for businesses; and their positions on universal health care and Medicaid Buy-Ins for people with disabilities.

Each candidate voiced their support for all of the above issues, which are of critical importance to people with disabilities. They also support the ADA Restoration Act, which is pending. I was also able to speak with Andy Hiller, the political correspondent for 7News in Boston. It was an unbelievable experience to get to meet the candidates personally. You can see footage of the interviews at http://www.endeavorfreedom.tv/ sometime next week, and you can read my article on the interiews in the November issue of "Solutions" e-Magazine at http://www.hireds.com/ next week.

Thank You for Support - Kevin & Linda Callahan

Last week I was treated to a wonderful dinner at Masa in the South End during Boston's Restasurant Week by Kevin and Linda Callahan, a generous couple who were the winning bidders of an auction prize, "Have Dinner with Ms Wheelchair Massachusetts" at a fundraiser last April.

The fundraiser was for Partners for Youth with Disabilities, a non-profit organization that matches disabled adult mentors with disabled kids and teens. I agreed to be 'auctioned off' to help raise money for this cause as well as to raise awareness about people with disabilities. At dinner, I spoke to the Callahans about all the advocacy work I've been doing. They were very supportive of all my work, and I had a great time...

Thanks for your support and generousity, Kevin and Linda!

Advocates Rally for Access

Today I joined a group of approximately a dozen advocates from BCIL on a walk through downtown Boston to raise awareness about inaccessible sidewalks and curbcuts. We gathered at the intersection of Tremont and School Streets to hand out fliers that listed some of the ADA violations the City of Boston currently has.

We made our point loud and clear, as we pointed out these inequities to pedestrians who passed by. Some of the issues we were addressing included: ramps that are too steep, a temporary wooden ramp that has nails sticking out of it, and broken-up brick sidewalks.

It was great to see so many advocates working together to improve access!

First the advocates gathered to make leaflets and posters (below). Later, we spoke to law enforcement officials about our concerns (right).

Great Time at GBC Cookout & Adaptive Sports Event!

Last night I attended a great event at Spaulding Rehab. The Greater Boston Chapter (GBC) of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association hosted its 3rd annual Cookout & Adaptive Sports Event on the pier behind the hospital. It was a blast!

There was tons of delicious food, good company, and perfect warm and hazy late-summer weather. A lot of new friendships were formed, as hospital in-patients with acute SCI were able to meet Chapter members living with chronic SCI. As for adaptive sports, there was a choice of canoeing, windsurfing, handcycling and basketball.

My friend Lisa spent an hour on the Charles River in a canoe learning some new paddling techniques and helping to encourage others in her canoe who weren't as experienced. Way to go, Lisa! (check below for her in the pictures)...



Can't wait until next year!

More on the Monkey's First Fenway Pitch...

A monkey named Ayla threw out the ceremonial first pitch before last Saturday’s game at Fenway Park against Texas. It was part of the Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers for Disabled, Inc., outing at Fenway.


Recently featured on NBC Nightly News and in Reader’s Digest, Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers for the Disabled is a not for profit organization that raises and trains capuchin monkeys that assist those who are permanently paralyzed or with other mobility limiting conditions. These highly trained monkeys are more than companions for people with disabilities; they are adept at adept at performing simple tasks, such as retrieving a beverage, scratching an itch, or loading a CD player. Helping Hands relies on private contributions to provide life-tie support to our monkey helpers and their recipients free of charge.

A Visit with Veterans...

Castle Island is a picturesque spot in my hometown neighborhood of South Boston. Its name is deceiving - it is not an "island" and it does not contain a "castle." It is a peninsula that is home to a decommissioned fort.

Castle Island is located on the harbor and it is comprised of parks, playgrounds, and walkways. Its main attraction is the Civil War-era fort, affectionately called 'the castle.' The castle, a National Historic Site, is open to the public and is staffed by volunteers who give guided tours filled with history and lore.

Many of the volunteers at Castle Island are veterans. Yesterday I stopped by to visit and talk to some disabled veterans and visitors about my advocacy work as Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts. They were happy to meet me and learn about my work on behalf of people with disabilities.

Washington Nationals Baseball Game

While on our trip to DC, my husband and I were treated as guests as the Washington Nationals baseball game as they played the Pittsburg Pirates. It was an exciting game that the 'Nats' pulled out in the bottom of the ninth inning for the win. I was given a "game ball" by some of the players who were happy to meet Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts.

Special thanks to NEMED for inviting me to the conference and sponsoring my trip as well as the game. I had a great time!

MEMORIAL DAY 2007

Today is a national holiday honoring all the brave American men and women who have ever served in the military to protect our great country. I attended the Memorial Day Observance Ceremonies in Falmouth, Cape Cod, in honor of our veterans.










Below is one of my all-time favorite poems, written on a battlefield in 1915.


FLANDERS FIELDS

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Written By Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

Upcoming Event - May 28, Memorial Day Services, Falmouth, Cape Cod

Monday, May 28th, is Memorial Day, the day on which we honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. On this Memorial Day, let us also remember the men and women who became disabled in service to our country.


The American Veterans Disabled For Life Memorial, which will soon occupy a two acre site within full view of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., will be dedicated to both the living and the deceased veterans of all branches of our armed forces.

Join me on Main Street in Falmouth this Monday at 10:00 A.M. as I participate in the Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony in honor of our deceased and disabled veterans.

Disability Awareness Day at the State House

Today I joined other disability advocates from the Boston Center for Independent Living at the State House in support of Disability Awareness Day.

We began the day in an assembly where we coordinated a strategy to advocate for two amendments that are vital to the well-being of people with disabilities: funding for housing vouchers, and PCA benefits and wage increases.

After our assembly, we broke into groups and went to visit our Senators and Representatives to ask them to vote in favor of these ammendments. Our group of advocates made a lot of visits throughout the afternoon, and we will continue to monitor the outcome of today's vote.

The Personal Care Assistant (PCA) Program

I attended an event at the State House today in support of PCA wage increases. This event was well represented by disabled people, advocates, and disability organizations.

What is a PCA?

A PCA is a person who is recruited, hired, and trained by the consumer. PCAs do things that consumers cannot physically do themselves. They are a vital link to independence for people with disabilities.

What are Personal Care Attendant services?

A Personal Care Attendant can provide physical assistance with activities of daily living (ADL's) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL's) to individuals with disabilities. These can include but are not limited to:
* Mobility such as transfers, walking, or using equipment to get around
* Assistance taking medications
* Help with bathing or grooming
* Help with dressing and undressing
* Range of Motion exercises
* Eating, preparing meals and clean-up
* Household services, such as laundry, shopping and housekeeping
* Help with other special needs, like maintaining wheelchairs, etc.

Congratulations to the athletes of the 111th Boston Marathon!

Yesterday, despite some of the worst weather conditions in recent history, a great Boston tradition was held - the 111th running of the Boston Marathon. I always enjoy watching the athletes race, especially the wheelchair athletes, because I can identify with many of the challenges they face. But this year, the event had special meaning to me. I got to know a wonderful group of runners who ran to raise money for the non-profit agency I work for, the South Boston Neighborhood House. I helped to organize many of the fundraising events that these 14 volunteer runners held throughout the community, and saw firsthand their dedication, generousity, and committment to charity. They all finished with great times, and succeeded in raising significant money to help fund essential programming for the South Boston community. Way to go Team SBNH!