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Approved-By:  Bill McGarry <wtm@SHELDEV.SHEL.ISC-BR.COM>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.l-hcap
Date:         Tue, 21 Jul 1992 14:48:51 EDT
Reply-To:     Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
From:         Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
Subject:      Handicap Digest # 2808
X-To:         LHCAP <l-hcap@VM1.NODAK.EDU>

                             THE HANDICAP DIGEST

                                 Issue # 2808

                           Tuesday, July 21, 1992

Today's Topics:


                                ******


                              Re: PAY PHONE TTS
                          Tdd communication lang..
                              Wont be around !
                                 Re: POLL...
                           comp and working & SSDI
                                    Trip
                                 Air travel.
                               A success story
                            Back in Abilene, Tx.
                              Re: Indolight(sp)


                                ******


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                              Bill McGarry (Moderator)
                              (203) 337-1518



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Subject: Re: PAY PHONE TTS
From: Jack.O'keeffe@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Jack O'keeffe)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/26 - SoundingBoard, Pittsburgh PA


[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

 LL> I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I didn't
 LL> think that the FCC had jurisdiction on whether text telephones
 LL> use Baudot or ASCII.

To the extent of stipulating protocol(s) that must be supported
by ADA-mandated public services such as TRS and 911, FCC is most
definitely involved.  Otherwise, we'd have utter chaos.  Think
about it.  Would you realistically expect TRS to handle your call
no matter what code you elected to use?  If so, try Morse :-)

 LL> Both of them run over regular telephone lines, and do not
 LL> require a special transport protocol, so I didn't think they
 LL> would be involved in that.

But, at least for the present, one must have a compliant terminal
on the other end of the line.  Visualize a 911 emergency service
capable of recognizing and communicating with whatever code the
caller happens to be using.  Quite a challenge, but not entirely
beyond the pale.  Even if such capability existed, a half-duplex
protocol (Baudot) would be unsatisfactory for emergency services.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!26!Jack.O'keeffe
Internet: Jack.O'keeffe@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Tdd communication lang..
From: Kimberly.Bobrow@f488.n141.z1.fidonet.org (Kimberly Bobrow)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:141/488 - Alice's Restaurant, Branford CT


In a message to Kimberly Bobrow <07-12-92>, Ann Stalnaker writes:

 AS> What Jeff is saying is what I tried to point out a while back
 AS> as one of the reasons why I felt ASL was not as good of a
 AS> communication mode to use.  I've had quite a few calls myself
 AS> from those who use ASL and their conversations are in ASL
 AS> structure, not English.

Well, you an I both know we agree to disagree on this subject
<smile>  I am fully aware of the inadequate english skills of many
deaf/Deaf youngsters - and I've seen hearing youngsters with
terrible english skills as well.  Lousy education is the only thing
they all had in common - only some of them used ASL.  I also know
many people whose primary language is ASL who have excellent
english skills.

If those who are supposed to be educating our youth would more
consistently find a way to reach each kid, I think we wouldn't need
to have arguments about which method is better, etc.  Each method
has its advantages for different types of individuals.  Oralism has
a reasonable chance of success if a child has usable residual
hearing, and ASL has a much greater chance of success with kids who
aren't able to get that kind of information.  Horror stories abound
in kids placed in inappropriate settings - and I feel there's no
excuse for that.  There will be exceptions of course - but all the
evidence, and my own personal observations corroborate it, show
this to be true.

 AS> I use shortcuts all of the time - just like I do here but
 AS> several Relay Agents have asked me what I meant (BTW is
 AS> one of the most commonly asked ones - can you believe it???)
 AS> and since I use TT a lot instead of TDD, they often think
 AS> I accidentally left off the Y!  ARGH!

Really!  Try to be hip, and they think you're old fashioned <g>

 AS> I had a very interesting chat the other night with an old
 AS> friend I had not been in touch with for over 16 years via
 AS> Relay Texas - the agent had me ROFL describing what was
 AS> being picked up on the RA side - come to find out it was
 AS> a parrot raising all kinds of ruckus simply because he
 AS> didn't like the fact my friend was on the phone.  I plan
 AS> to meet this parrot soon!

That's funny!  Hey, did you use 'ROFL' with the agent? <g>  Bet
they haven't a clue what that sort of thing means!  That's one of
the things that's cool about this medium - we've all developed all
these little shorthands, BBSisms that are fun to use.  I have a
pen-pal (actually, a stylus-pal) who I exchange braille letters
with - and since we met on the BBS, we can use little BBSism in
braille <silly stuff - and I can't make a smiley :-) but I can
ROTFL!>

 AS> personal stuff first) as it's a bit late to do it now -
 AS> gotta return to the salt mines after being off for 10 days.

Back to work Annie!  'Nuff goofing off!

 AS> So, it's beddy bye time for this lady!!!

Nighty night - sleep well!

--Kimberly

P.S.  You near Dallas?  I'm gonna be there later this summer and maybe...
___
 * PMQWK 1.00b5 * If we all put in our two cents, I'll call Domino's Pizza!
--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!488!Kimberly.Bobrow
Internet: Kimberly.Bobrow@f488.n141.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Wont be around !
From: Peter.Deafy.Haskins@f37.n342.z1.fidonet.org (Peter "Deafy" Haskins)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:342/37 - Deafy's First Post , Stony Plain Alta


[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

Tomorrow, I am off to Calgary for surgery at Peter Lougheed
Hospital, so it mean I will be out of circulation for a while .
They said at least 4 weeks before I can start chasing hot red
Tomatoes!

Regards,
Peter "Deafy" Haskins
Deafy's First Post Office

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!342!37!Peter."Deafy".Haskins
Internet: Peter."Deafy".Haskins@f37.n342.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: POLL...
From: Jack.O'keeffe@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Jack O'keeffe)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/26 - SoundingBoard, Pittsburgh PA


[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

 LG> Do you have any suggestion how I can get the Pennsylvania
 LG> Relay Center to establish a Customer Service number?

Laurel, they have one (though it hasn't been widely publicized).

Call 215-975-3624 TT.  That is the number of the PA relay "outreach"
manager in Wayne, PA.  (This was Ann Marie Mickelson, but I understand
that she has been promoted.)  If no satisfaction there, ask for Nancy
Miller.  Nancy is the Manager at the PA Relay, an extremely competent
person, and very nice.  She would be sincerely interested in your
comments.

It helps all of us if relay users provide feedback on problems like
this.  They can't fix 'em if we don't tell them they are broke :-)

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!26!Jack.O'keeffe
Internet: Jack.O'keeffe@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: comp and working & SSDI
From: Allison.Cozzi@f3216.n161.z1.fidonet.org (Allison Cozzi)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:161/3216 - Computer Communicat, Concord Ca


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

->      Thanks for the info.... do you know (or does anyone) if you get
-> that instead of comp or in addition to..... right now, since I'm cons

   Social Security will reduce your SSDI payments because you are also
receiving Workers' Comp benefits. However, when it comes to tax time,
they will send you a form reporting the amount that you have to put on
your tax form. They actually take the amount that they ACTUALLY pay you
and then the portion that they DIDN'T pay you because of your WC
benefits and add them together and that is the amount you have to claim.
Really riles me that they can get away with that. What it does,
effectively, is to raise your amount of potentially taxable income by
changing the status of some of your non-taxable income. Now, this may or
may not affect you in the long run. If your income is under a certain
amount (I think $25,000.000), then you still pay no taxes on that SSDI
money. But, if you, for instance, have a total income of $26,000.00,
some of the amount that Social Security DID NOT pay you will be taxed
rather than remaining as a non-taxable amount as Workers' Comp. I didn't
lose you on that, did I?  I think the whole thing is a royal rip-off but
not much I can do about it. I just *know* this message will make your
day. :)
                                                      Allison

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!161!3216!Allison.Cozzi
Internet: Allison.Cozzi@f3216.n161.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Trip
From: Allison.Cozzi@f3216.n161.z1.fidonet.org (Allison Cozzi)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:161/3216 - Computer Communicat, Concord Ca


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

-> meant to. One other thing I must mention is that never was I more awa
-> the presence of God during this trip than at any time during the past
-> years, and it didn't make any difference whether I was out on the roa
-> middle of nowhere or admiring the intricate detail of something large
-> life that seems to touch that part of us that says there must be a Go
-> wish everybody could have or will have such an experience.  Ph

     I can't find the words to tell you how your description of your
recent trip made me feel, Keith! Thanks *so* much for sharing it with us
in this way. I was one of the ones before you left that questioned the
sensibility of undertaking such a trip by yourself. I'll admit to that.
I'll also admit to backing out of some things in my life because of the
fear and the "what if?". I was struck, however, by the metamorphosis you
went through from confronting your fears of the trip to making it a
reality. I know each person who read your account of it all accompanied
you through those changes and growth. I know I sure did. Thanks for
taking me on your journey with you, if only in my mind.

                                                    Allison

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!161!3216!Allison.Cozzi
Internet: Allison.Cozzi@f3216.n161.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Air travel.
From: Linda.Cummings@f34.n375.z1.fidonet.org (Linda Cummings)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:375/34 - Batteries Included, Montgomery AL


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

Hi Marc!

 >    Need to know the law about taking my elec. Wheelchair on a
 > airplane. I'm going to Chic for a week. I NEED MY WHEELS to get
 > around..

Since you're going so soon, the best I can offer is "call the
airline" you'll be flying on and ask them.  It shouldn't be a
problem.  However, depending upon which airline it is, they may
have to store the wheelchair and you sit in a regular seat for the
flight.  I'll forward this message onto Handilaw and hopefully
you'll get a response.

Linda

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!375!34!Linda.Cummings
Internet: Linda.Cummings@f34.n375.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: A success story
From: Lisa__Nofzinger@hikssrv.lib.purdue.edu (Lisa Nofzinger)

A SUCCESS STORY

On August 17, 1990, I had an asthma attack and have been sick with
chronic bronchitis and asthma ever since. What a way to start grad
school! However, on July 17, 1992 (23 months later), I successfully
passed my thesis defense and am now an MA!  I could not have done
so well in my classes and on my thesis if it had not been for
diligent taking of medication and medical attention when
necessary.  I acknowledged the school health center and pharmacy in
my thesis and dedicated it to my friends and students with
disabilities. I've been so inspired by the people with disabilities
I know who have achieved despite their limitations.  We can do so
many things!

Lisa Nofzinger
Purdue University

Lisa__Nofzinger@hikssrv.lib.purdue.edu (note:  until July 31)






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Subject: Back in Abilene, Tx.
From: Wayne.Briggs@p3.f26.n392.z1.fidonet.org (Wayne Briggs)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:392/26.3 - Star Express, Abilene Tx


[This is from the Amputee Conference]

Today, 7-15-92 we returned to Abilene from El Paso. The throat
infection I got from the last stellate gangilion block thru by neck
at Parkland about three weeks agon hasn't cleared up despite some
$150 a week antibiotic & then Augmentin. Because of this, I  was
unable to have surgery of any kind. The doctor at El Paso wan't to
do some that three other orthopods told me to not have done because
it proably would make better for a short whilw, then would have to
be removd in 6-9 months with the results being more pain &
additional problems.  at A NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL in Abilene that will
open August 17, 1992 with lots of new computers, softwerar, books &
magazines in boxes.

Dr. Mary Beth Ezcaki had seen me 7-6-92 and agreeed to do a
shoulder disarticulation at PArkland August 17,1992 IF Parkland
will give the OK. I had asked her thru her secretary to "put it on
hold" until I could find out about an earlier date because of my
wife's situation.

Besidess Augut 92 being when she opens a new school; August 91 was
about when our house caughton fire, she started having a major
depression (since improved) & when her mom started encuraging her
to divorce me; 8-12-90 was when I was attacked by the dog.  I was
trying to avoid overloading unpleasant annaversary dates &
Charlotte having the major stress of opening & new school on the
day my shoulder disarticulation was scheduled at Parkland. I was
also wanting Charlotte to be there the day before, the day of, and
the first day after surgery.

Last week she had screaming nightmAres 3 nights in a row and then
they stopped. She has been very supportive.

I hope Dr. Ezcaki is able to help me August 17th or when ever. I5t
is complicated because she no longer has  her own upper extremity
service at Parkland, must ask others for time & approval, and the
senior person she want to assis is avaiable August 17th. Everr
since she told us she would do the shoulder amputation, I've felt
much better. I hope hope or either feeling better and perhaps going
back to work.

MENTAL STATUS IMPROVEMENTS: improved memory, can now remember a 7
digit phone number long enough to either dial it or write it down,
I've gone from crying 3 times a day to generally not crying, mood
is improved, I'm less angry at the guy whose dog attacked e, & we
are enjoying not just supporting each other but being with each
other more. The only time I cried was whenm by surprize Chgarlotte
ask what I missed most and I said "Having two hands to hold you.
Nothing else matters.

However, we had a lot of fun in El paso & took a midnight drive.

I'm ready & after the disarticulation I'll be able to go on with my life.

Charlotte has been very supportive and now thinks daily of adaptive
things like a holder so I can take a drink of pop when stopped at a
stop sign or driving with my thighs when there are no other cars
around, etc.  I really feel loved.

We are both looking forward to August 17th & praying Dr. Ezacki
does the disarticulation that day. The swelling of my arm continues
to get worse even though I'm wearing the Varney sling that supports
the bottom of my humerus & elevates my right hand to my left
breast.

I had a false pride about how I had been able to driver our 5 speed
740 Turbo with only my left arm working. Twice I broke off gear
shift knobs & the mechanic said he had nbever seen 1 broken before
and that I must be shigting some unusual way to put so much force
to the knob & shift lever. Saturday we bought a 90 Tarus with an
automatic. Now I think I had been desperately trying to prove to
myself & others that I didn't need to adapt or bdo things
differently and was being unusually macho.

I had no idea back then, how scared I really was. I'm no longer
scared and am glad to adaapt rather than creating problems for
myself. EXAMPLE: Saturday I drove 400 miles round trip  Abilene to
Dallas & Sunday drove 180 miles to Midsland. My left shoulder was
aching & the muscles or tendons were strained enough that when I
coughed badly from the sore throat, my good left shoulder felt like
it was starting to dislocate. I'm no longer going to push it and
I'm no longer trying to see how much luggage I can carry. Nobody
else really cares & I've just been being stupid. I now intend to
take good care of my left arm. Besides, it is the oinly one that
that works for being ffectionate with my wife, combing my hair, and
wipping my fanny.

I haven't been written in my journal even though I took the
Macintosh with me.  I did not intend tto say much except were back
& praying the surgery is August 17th.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!392!26.3!Wayne.Briggs
Internet: Wayne.Briggs@p3.f26.n392.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: Indolight(sp)
From: Drew.Dunn@f337.n202.z1.fidonet.org (Drew Dunn)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:202/337 - Yak Attack BBS, La Mesa CA


[This is from the Amputee Conference]

-> I'll have the energy foot and flex ankle also.  I'll still be using s
-> socks and a sleeve to help hold it on.  Hope to have it by this comin

My wife (Val) has one and loves it!  After 5 or 6 legs that did
absolutely no good, she can wear this one for hours on end.  In fact,
she says that it is the closest thing to a real leg that she's felt
since the "original".

Hers, however, was about $7000....why are they so expensive out there?

dd

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!202!337!Drew.Dunn
Internet: Drew.Dunn@f337.n202.z1.fidonet.org




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                  End of Issue # 2808 of the Handicap Digest

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