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Approved-By:  Bill McGarry <wtm@SHELDEV.SHEL.ISC-BR.COM>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.l-hcap
Date:         Tue, 14 Apr 1992 17:27:59 EDT
Reply-To:     Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
From:         Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
Subject:      Handicap Digest # 2585
X-To:         LHCAP <l-hcap@VM1.NODAK.EDU>

                          THE HANDICAP DIGEST

                               Issue # 2585

                           Monday, April 13, 1992

Today's Topics:


                                ******


                              Re: what a mess!
                                 Tegonal ??
                            Re: Head High Tackles
                                 Pipe Dreams
                            Re: Loopholes and ADA
                                  Catheters
                                Re: Adarights
                             Re: DOG GUIDE RULES
                           Blind fold the sighted
                         Electric cars and the blind


                                ******


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                              Bill McGarry (Moderator)
                              (203) 337-1518



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Subject: Re: what a mess!
From: Kevin.Robinson@f15.n280.z1.fidonet.org (Kevin Robinson)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:280/15 - Writers' Block BBS, Raytown MO


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

Hello again, John. . .
   Yes, susceptability to eye strain is definately one of the side
effects SOME people taking Ditropan can experience.  I got some slight
mag. glasses and use them only when I have to stay at the 'puter to make
a deadline.  Well, I also use them whenever I have to have my picture
taken...they help hide the dark circles under my eyes! (We jokingly call
them my "Joe Writer" glasses!)
  You're right about my switching back and forth, though I only do it
three or four times a year (travel, duck hunting, wife having heavy week
in grad school at KU, etc.), and yes, the capacity of my bladder
sometimes changes slightly and the spasticity always increases, but
these changes are temporary.  Again, increasing the
Ditropan...occasionally up to three 5 mg. tabs. a day helps me.  Ask
your doctor....
   Yours etc.,

--
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Internet: Kevin.Robinson@f15.n280.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Tegonal ??
From: Jean.Prophet@f33.n371.z1.fidonet.org (Jean Prophet)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:371/33 - Byte Size Bits, LaBelle FL


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

      Does anyone know of the drug Tegonal (I think that's spelled
correctly).  Buddy's doctor (the one we LIKE down in Maimi) just
prescribed it for Buddy along with the Baclofen.  Anyone know of this
drug or is there anyone out there taking it??  If so, has it helped?
So far it's helped a little (at least Buddy is calmer and the spazms
aren't so bad and he doesn't feel like he has bugs crawling all over
him).  BUT, he says that it makes him feel like he ALMOST has had too
much to drink ...... Not really drunk, just dizzy like.

                              Jean & Buddy

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Subject: Re: Head High Tackles
From: The.Ranger@p0.f477.n104.z1.fidonet.org (The Ranger)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:104/477.0 - Jaguar's Networking, Denver CO


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

        I agree with parts of your message but "makeing rules" usealy
doesn't cut it.  If someone get's a reputation for (in rugby high hit's)
most teams will learn of it fast and that player will get knocked out fairly
eazy.  Do this a few timers and word tends to get round that it's not a safe
way to go.  (BTW Not all of us Yanks are ignorant of rugby, kinda like a
cross between soccer and our football without the padding.)
        Oh and if something can be prevented it's no longer a accident.
Most accidents are caused buy doing something you've done before and got
away with it, untill that one time...  Then there are the freak accidents
like slideing down one step, hitting your tailbone and becomeing a instant
para.  Spinal cords are strange critters, so strong and yet so weak.

Terry

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Subject: Pipe Dreams
From: Frank.Whitney@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org (Frank Whitney)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:261/1000 - Nerve Center, Pikesville MD


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

BG>>Hundreds of thousands of disabled  persons live outside of nursing faciliti
BG>>at the present time without the support of your attendant program. As soon
BG>>the program is  implemented, it will be abused. At  the present time, paren
BG>>of children with a disability can secure  four hours of respite care each d
BG>>from our  medicaid program.  Some parents  choose to  work, others  shop, a
BG>>still others watch TV while the home health aide cooks dinner.

BG>Excuse me,  but by saying this  you are displaying appalling  insensitivity
BG>the needs of  able-bodied care-givers; something I have noted  being done by
BG>number of disABLED individuals. I know. I  am disABLED myself, and I have be
BG>guilty of this behavior.

To bad that I missed the original thread of this message.  From what I
can gather though, I am in agreement with much of what you are saying.
I know that when my girlfriend and my family was taking care of me it
seemed like I never really appreciated what they were doing for me.
This was especially true of my girlfriend.  It seemed like the more she
would do for me the worse I would treat her.  It wasn't until we
separated that I realized what a gem I had lost.
I also think that 4 hours a day is generally going to be quite
sufficient for the parents or other care givers to get the proper
respite care that they need.  I know that when I was living at home or
with my girlfriend that 4 hours was probably the maximum time that I
needed to get ready for work and to then get ready for bed.  Much more
time then that and I wouldn't have needed any further assistance from
either my family or my girlfriend!

BG>OK, so we are the ones who are  "disabled". Fine. But it can be more stressf
BG>than many of us  realize or are willing to admit for  an able-bodied person
BG>act as care-giver, on whatever level. Why  should we begrudge them a few hou
BG>respite from  what can otherwise  seem like a life  sentence at hard  labor
BG>that is what is  needed to restore their morale? Remember,  *we* depend of t
BG>state of their morale, too.

It is true that we are putting stress on our able-bodied care givers but
as I said before, I don't really believe that my person requires much
more then 4 hours of respite time.  Of course, I am working on a
full-time job and am spreading the work of my care around.  Were I not
working on a full-time job, I don't know how I would be reacting.

BG>>Family, wives, parents all over the country are helping their disabled fami
BG>>members cope with their  needs of daily living. They do  it much cheaper th
BG>>any federal program and  with a much greater sense of love  and caring than
BG>>paid attendant.

On this issue I have to disagree with you here.  Just because they are
family members doesn't mean that you are going to get any better care.
Sometimes it is going to be quite the opposite.

BG>In many  cases, that may  be true.  In many other  cases it is  definitely N
BG>true. My father died because there was  nobody available for a couple of hou
BG>a day to  see that he got a  balanced diet and took his  medicine for diabet
BG>and cancer.  I came to check  on him whenever I  could arrange transportatio
BG>and  in every  instance I  found  freeloaders had  moved  in on  him and  we
BG>stealing his things.  No matter how many  times I ran them out,  they would
BG>back soon after I departed. Now tell me how an attendant "who didn't love hi
BG>would have  been bad  for him.  He didn't  need "love"  from an  attendant,
BG>needed service. The idea that family members can, or will, care for each oth
BG>in this age of the dissolution of the nuclear, to say nothing of the extende
BG>family is a myth that belongs  with the other fondly-recalled falsehoods abo
BG>The Good Old Days.

I couldn't agree with you more.  I'm happy that you were able to look in
on your father but I'm sorry that you always found him lacking in the
proper essentials.

BG>>If they, the disabled, are coping without the aide, then why create a progr
BG>>that will end up costing billions.

This is where my not knowing the background of the situation is not
allowing me to make a proper interpretation of the value of the program.
Personally I don't get any supplemental aid and although it would be
nice, I'm not looking for any at the present time.
Frank.
___
 X SLMR 2.1a X This message was produced using speech technology

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Internet: Frank.Whitney@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: Loopholes and ADA
From: Ron.Rothenberg@hnews.fidonet.org (Ron Rothenberg)
Organization: The Handicap News, Shelton CT (203) 337-1607


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

> BG> their premises are totally  INaccessible, then point  to the  fact
>> BG> that  they presently have NO disabled
==>customers/clients/employees  as
>> BG>  proof   of  and justification for an  "exception" from ADA

THat won't work -- frequently it is a chicken and egg problem.
A Restaurant may not have disabled clients because it is
inaccessible.  I have cruised around looking for a place to eat
with a customer, skipping dozens of restaurants until we find
one that is accessible, or at least barrier free.

==>I can give you a valid, current, real-life example of this sort of
==>thinking in action.  Credit Bureaus  effect  everybody, disabled
==>or  not, because  credit effects everybody, disabled  or not.
==>Right? Right! The local  credit bureau is up a very  steep, dark
==>flight of  stairs in an old building  with no elevator.  Totally
==>inaccessible. Yet  if one wishes to keep tabs  on ones credit
==>history, the CB requires that  one present oneself in person at
==>their counter atop the stairs. Will  they accommodate to the
==>extent of even sending  someone down the stairs to meet a disabled
==>client? Absolutely  not. Are they a candidate for an accessibility
==>complaint  under the ADA?  You bet.  Are they whining  that they
==>should receive  an exemption since they  have no disabled clients?

As one who uses credit bureaus a lot, but dislikes going there
when I can do the same by phone or mail:

To get a copy of your credit report, send a letter, including
your name, address (for the past five years, with zip codes),
social security number, date of birth, spouse's first name &
social security number (if married), current employer and
signature.

If you've been denied credit or employment during the past 60
days because of your credit record, send a copy of the bureaus
notice to you or the name of the company and there's no charge
for the report.  Otherwise, you must pay a fee.  Starting in
April 1992, TRW will be offering a once-yearly free credit
report without charge.

 *    TRW, Box 749029, Dallas, TX 75373 (214-235-1200) $15.00 per
report.

 *    Trans Union Corp., P.O. Box 7000, North Olmsted Ohio
      44070 (316-263-0166) $20.00 per report.

 *    CBI/Equifax, P.O. Box 4091, Atlanta, GA 30302,
      (1-800-685-1111) $15 for an individual report.  (report can be
      ordered by phone.)

--- Via Silver Xpress V2.28
 * Origin: The Handicap News BBS (1-203-337-1607) (1:141/420)
--
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Internet: Ron.Rothenberg@hnews.fidonet.org




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Subject: Catheters
From: Scott.Gabel@f207.n260.z1.fidonet.org (Scott Gabel)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:260/207 - The Recovery Room, Rochester NY


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

I have been reading some messages here on this conference about the
use of Catheters and I now am supposed to use them intermittently.
I was wondering, is it something someone easily adapts too?  Does
it get easier to use them as you use them more and more?  Obviously
(from my own experiences so far) its not the most pleasant feeling
in the world and I hope it gets easier.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Scott
 * SLMR 2.1a *

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Subject: Re: Adarights
From: John.Nagle@f4.n382.z1.fidonet.org (John Nagle)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:382/4 - River City MailBox, Austin TX


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

 JOHN
 JD> No way take this hot temper
 JD> explode at you. . But they got me out of that nursing home.
 I don't take it personal, but you did get out of a bad situation
 that a lot of people can't do on their own. I understand it takes
 alot of wheeling an dealing(no pun intended). I've seen a lot of
 clever schemes used to get out on your own.

 I've also seen alot of people who don't have the, (well to say it
 bluntly) smarts to think up ways out. They need help from others,
 and they need to understand that the only one who can really help
 them is themselves.

 I want to see a fed program(Nationwide) that is run at local levels
 to provide financial assistance to people who need physicial assistance
 to enable them to LIVE in the general community. Not just for people
 on medicaide/cal but set the limit to qualify high enough so  it
 does't discourage people from working. I'll never figure out how
 the goverment thinks people will go to work if they know that by
 going to work they loose what little help they are getting.

 Tell me what kind of business you are getting into, in reference
 to a post I saw from you about a non-profit getting all the grants
 you can for PWDs? I'd be interested in anything that makes money!!

 later, John

 I have a phone and an address for you.
 ADAPT of Texas
 1339 Lamar Square Dr. #B
 Austin. TX 78704
 512-442-0252 (State & Austin)

 I've known the guy who runs this org. for years he is good.

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Subject: Re: DOG GUIDE RULES
From: William.Wilson@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (William Wilson)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 CC>  pretty much understood one another well enough that I do not
 CC>  question him on street crossings, and he does not question me
 CC>  on basic commands like "sit."

Carla,
    I know that Dan got his first dog or two from Seeing Eye, and
indeed, they do suggest a daily obedience session with your partner.  Frankly
though, I sort of assume they take for granted that in many cases these
daily sessions will become weekly sessions, and then monthly sessions,
or in fact, often totally unnecessary in time!  This, of course,
was never told me while I was in training with Strider or LeeRoy, but
I'm assuming the Willie Wilson philosophy that if you want something to
occur at a given rate, you multiply that rate by a factor of about 10,
and if you're lucky, it'll happen!

 CC> As with everything doggie, your mileage may vary according to
 CC> the individuals involved!

Yes, in fact, again, the obedience sessions with Strider were about as
meaningful to him as the dates on the yogurt cartons in the
refrigerator!  Yeah, even if it had been months since our last obedience
session, he did all the little stunts right on cue, got mildly amused
when I reinforced him for his performance, then back to normal, thinking
I am sure, "God, what a ridiculous waste of time!"
     With LeeRoy, on the other hand, although I don't do the prescribed
obedience thing with him at all, I always do a variant when I take him
out back on leash to do his thing.  That is, I make him sit at the first
flight of steps, I make him rest at the top of the final three steps
till I tell him to come, and he still feels so proud of himself after
performing this miraculous task, his large labrador butt wiggles all
over the place just keeping up with his tail!
     About the only other part of the obedience routine taught us at
Seeing Eye not covered here is the fetch bit, and that one I give him
several times a day, just cause I'm a clumsy kind of guy and drop things
alot!  This, without a doubt, is LeeRoy's favorite part of the routine,
and the one that gives both of us the most joy!  Literally, I knocked an
empty tumbler off the coffee table just a half hour ago with one of my
flailing hand gestures when talking to a friend, and before either of us
could rise to get it, a black beast came galloping from the kitchen
where he had been getting a drink, snatched it up, and was pushing it at
me while his tail did a 90 mph spin that caused a stiff breeze
throughout the whole apartment!

     No, I guess what I do with LeeRoy doesn't actually qualify as an
"obedience session", but I do see some value in performing some sort of
regular tasks outside of the harness with my pooch, if just for the
entertainment value and the fun LeeRoy has doing it!
                                         Willie

... Have you smooched your pooch today?

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Subject: Blind fold the sighted
From: Steve.Matzura@f203.n2603.z1.fidonet.org (Steve Matzura)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:2603/203 - The Shop Mail Only, Flushing NY


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 > I agree with you, but i also believe that there are at least a
 > few people who "carry" themselves so well that one is
 > hardpressed to tell that they are blind. I believe SOME people
 > do have this characteristic (I aint one of 'em, and i see a
 > bit).

Well, that's what I was trying to point out in my prev msg, that if
you're totally blind, you're probably more easily detectable than
if you have some vision, even if it's not particularly useful
vision.  Also, as I think I said, them deflicted-looking eyes are a
d-e-a-d giveaway!!!

Steve Matzura

Via: FrontDoor 2.02

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Subject: Electric cars and the blind
From: Steve.Matzura@f203.n2603.z1.fidonet.org (Steve Matzura)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:2603/203 - The Shop Mail Only, Flushing NY


[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 > some sort of constant whistle, this would not only be good for the blind,
 > but also for the sighted who happened to not be paying attention, as well as
 > maybe cutting down the number of animals ashed by these machines.

I can tell you, I attended a residential school for the blind, and
it was constantly patrolled by two mobile guards using golf cart
type vehicles, and those suckers didn't make any noise at all!!!
It was lucky for the low-vision people that somebody has the
foresight to equip the carts with a wide-angle lamp that virtually
lit up its path dozens of yards in front of itself, and that kept
the partials out of trouble, but I nearly got nailed a buncha times
when these guys came around corners and I didn't hear them and they
couldn't see me because of building obstructions.  And they weren't
making any speed, either, so even if we did have a collision,
probably I would not have been hurt or even knocked down, but yes,
the whole idea of silently-speeding vehicles under the control of
people who got their drivers' licenses from the back of a
Cornflakes box scares the hell outa me.

Steve Matzura

Via: FrontDoor 2.02

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                                ******

             End of Issue # 2585 of the Handicap Digest

                                ******
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU