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Approved-By:  Bill McGarry <wtm@SHELDEV.SHEL.ISC-BR.COM>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.l-hcap
Date:         Fri, 28 Aug 1992 12:16:49 EDT
Reply-To:     Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
From:         Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
Subject:      Handicap Digest # 2895
X-To:         LHCAP <l-hcap@VM1.NODAK.EDU>

                             THE HANDICAP DIGEST

                                 Issue # 2895

                           Friday, August 28, 1992

Today's Topics:


                                ******


                           Re: Air Travel Booklet
           Re: Voice Output on PC tied to Mainframe (Digest #2870)
                           Re: Wheelchair Van Lift
                        Re: amusement parks & wheels
                        texts dealing w/disabilities
                   Re: Post-Polio Syndrome Info Requested
                         Jerry's Orphans Needs You!
                            Problems with the VA?
                            Re: medical insurance


                                ******


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                              Bill McGarry (Moderator)
                              (203) 337-1518



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Subject: Re: Air Travel Booklet
From: ronald@uhunix.uhcc.hawaii.edu (Ronald Amundson)
Organization: University of Hawaii


Thanks for the information on the booklet.  Airlines still do not
understand the regulations, and even if the people at the top do,
local workers often do not.

I just spent the morning talking with the Dept. of Transportation and
various United Airlines people about United's wheelchair checking
policy.  Until very recently (and even now, at least on Honolulu)
United says that it will return wheelchairs to passengers at the gate
only at the final destination or when there is more than 90 minutes
between connecting flights.  That is, if you have to change planes and
there's only an hour between flights, the airline will not bring you
your chair.  They insist on wheeling you to the connecting flight in
their own chair and transferring your chair as baggage between the
flights.

I confirmed this morning that DOT thinks that's contrary to
regulations, then confirmed with United in Honolulu that it was their
policy.  I asked for a written copy of the policy, or of the checking
tag, from the United people in Honolulu and they refused.  "Security"
they said.  Bullsh*t, say I.

So I called United Customer Service in Chicago.  (Long distance costs
are mounting.)  The guy in Chicago (Tom Sullivan by name) says that
United "recently" changed its policy so that wheelchairs will be
delivered at the gate irrespective of time between flights, and had
new tags printed up which didn't have the "90 minutes" rule printed on
them.  I told him that every flight I was on as recently as July 10
still used the old policy, and that Honolulu United people had told me
just this morning that they do too.  He said he'd call Honolulu and
straighten them out.

I don't know if they're straight yet.  But if anyone tries to tell you
they won't return your chair between connecting flights, tell them
they're inviolation of DOT regs, and (at least) United's current
policy.

Ron Amundson




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Subject: Re: Voice Output on PC tied to Mainframe (Digest #2870)
From: CSMIDHC%UCLAMVS.BITNET@VM1.NoDak.EDU (Danny Hilton-Chalfen)


Mick Shatswell (shat@ecst.csuchico.edu) of Cal State Chico writes:

"I am trying to get some information on voice output on a PC
tied to a mainframe.  It was suggested to us to try McErma(sp?).
Does anyone have any information re either McErma or any others?
We are using a 3270 coax and are open to any board with a screen
reader.  We are curretnly using DecTalk with multi voice.  We tried
Attachmats 3270 with VocalEyes without the needed results.

I would appreciate any help with this problem.  How do we do this?
What board do we use?  Which software do we need?"

Mick:   At UCLA the Disabilities and Computing Program used to do 3270
emulation via coax connection.  We used an Idea 3270 coax board with the
VOS screen reader and Dectalk on a DOS machine.  At the time I was
informated that the Irma board would also work.  Now we do all our 3270
emulation over token ring networks (with Novell netware) running PC 3270
as the terminal emulation program and Flipper as the screen reader with
Dectalk.   If you have any questions about these setups, please feel
free to contact me.

 Danny Hilton-Chalfen
 Coordinator, UCLA Disabilities and Computing Program
  csmidhc@mvs.oac.ucla.edu
  310-206-7133





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Subject: Re: Wheelchair Van Lift
From: timpson@iscnvx.lmsc.lockheed.com (Ron Timpson)
Organization: Lockheed Missiles and Space Co.

I just realized that I had no disclaimer on this article,  I said I
was new at this.  I want to make it clear that my opinion of
Mobility Unlimited relates only to my recent experience with them
as a private consumer.  Lockheed is not agreeing, endorsing or
aware of my opinion.

                                                            Ron

--
Ron Timpson   timpson@iscnvx.lmsc.lockheed.com
These are my opinions and judgements only and in no way reflect any concurrence
or endorsment by my employer, Lockheed Corporation.




------



Subject: Re: amusement parks & wheels
From: nff2355@dsacg2.dsac.dla.mil (Dale Pennington)
Organization: Defense Logistics Agency Systems Automation Center, Columbus


From article <23693@handicap.news>, by Bob.Dunlap@f360.n226.z1.fidonet.org
(Bob Dunlap):
> Index Number: 23693
>
> Saturday, i went to king's island. since i cannot walk very far, i
> had to rent a wheelchair. when i returned it, i commented that they
> could do anything more to make it unaccessable. ...
>
Don't you suppose amusement parks are subject to ADA?  If I were
you, I'd find out who is the best person to contact at Kings Island
and send them a "shame shame" letter.  Also, there may be reasons to
notify those enforcing ADA.

Dale Pennington
Internet: dpennington@dsac.dla.mil






------



Subject: texts dealing w/disabilities
From: ldonovan@milton.u.washington.edu (Leslie Donovan)
Organization: University of Washington, Seattle

I am currently working on a paper to be presented at a professional
conference in December (MLA, to be exact) on Disability issues in
university classrooms.  As a person with a disability, I have all
sorts of material to include, but one thing I do particularly want
to include is advice on texts (books, poems, novels,
autobiographies, etc.) which either include positive portrayals of
people with disabilities that instructors might use in the
classroom.  I know of a few myself, but would be REALLY grateful
(and acknowledge you personally if this paper ever gets published)
if you have any titles of works you could pass along to me that you
think might be helpful.  I'd also appreicate a brief (sentence or
two) recap of how disability appears in the work you mention.  The
works do not have to have people with disabilities as main
characters-- such characters can play minor roles.  I might also be
interested in works which include particularly BAD representations
of people with disabilities.  Thanks so much in advance for your
help in this.  You may either e-mail me
personally or through this 'Net.

Leslie


                                ******
*******
Ms. Leslie A. Donovan 			    	SNAIL MAIL:
Internet: ldonovan@u.washington.edu       	English Dept. GN-30
PHONES: 206-543-3832 (office)  	            	University of Washington
	206-246-2986 (home)		     	Seattle, WA 98195 U.S.A.

                                ******
*******





------



Subject: Re: Post-Polio Syndrome Info Requested
From: SHARPBH@appstate.edu (Bobby Sharp)
Organization: APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

In <23950@handicap.news>

text deleted

> has had both the Sabin, and the Salk vacinations as an infant,
> she has been told it is possible she contracted a mild case
> of Polio as a baby, which was treated as simply a bad cold or
> flu, and then 30+ years later started to suffer long term
> consequences.
>    She is curious to hear from others who may know about Post-
> Polio symptoms, the progression of the disease, and just general
> coping with her body's new limitations.
>    Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.
>
> Jill

An increasing amount of information is becoming available about Post-Polio
Sequalae (PPS), also sometimes referred to as post-polio syndrome.  Here
are some points extracted from literature:

--At least 66% of the 1.6 million Americans living today who had poliomyelitis
are reporting debilitating new symptoms - overwhelming fatigue, muscle
weakness and pain.

--Physical overexertion is the most common cause of PPS, with psychological
stress as the second most frequent cause.

--Motor neurons in the spinal cord that survived the original polio infection
have been overworking for around 30 years to compensate for the neurons killed
by the polio virus.

--The stress hormone cortisol prevents neurons from using glucose, which is
their only energy source, thus starving overworked spinal cord motor neurons
and causing them to function poorly.

--PPS typically occurs 30-35 years following the original onset of polio.

--General fatigue is the most common complaint, followed by muscle aching,
weakness, cramping, "jumping," and joint deformities.

--Increased weariness and tiredness is usually the first symptom observed,
with complaints of being exhausted by mid-day.

--Difficulties may be experienced in usual daily activities such as stair
climbing, walking, and dressing.

--Endurance decreased for repetitive tasks.

--Very cold extremities, predominantly those that showed clinical weakness
during the original infection, are almost always seen.

--The symptoms involving the muscles are triggered by by strenuous physical
activities, exercise, repetitive tasks, factory work, or household work.

--Several weeks may be required to recover from a bout, and recovery can only
be accomplished by rest.

--Some simple but very important guidelines for coping with PPS are:
	1.  Avoid stressful activities that may be causing the symptons.
	    What is "stressful" will vary with each person, but if you are
	    experiencing prolonged fatigue after an activity, either cut
	    back on this activity or modify your daily routine.

	2.  Avoid high repetition/high resistance exercises.  If you are
	    experiences weakness, DO NOT begin an exercise program to
	    "strengthen" these muscles.  If strengthening exercises are
	    to be recommended, isometrics have been shown to be the most
	    useful.

	3.  Pay more attention to your life-style.  This may entail
	    modifying activities, stopping them altogether, or pacing
	    yourself during the day.

	4.  Learn to better manage stress.  "Going the extra mile" may not
	    be advisable.  Adopting a more prudent life-style can be one
	    of the most important actions one can take.

	5.  Get a complete medical evaluation.  If you think you may be
	    experiencing PPS, it is recommended that a complete medical
	    evaluation be obtained.  A team of specialists--physician
	    specialists, physical therapists, occupational therapists,
	    respiratory specialists--can offer the most comprehensive
	    evaluation and appropriate treatment.

A quarterly newsletter, Polio Network News, as well as a Handbook on the
Late Effects of Poliomyelitis for Physicians and Survivors can be obtained
from:

	Gazette International Networking Institute
	4502 Maryland Avenue
	St. Louis, MO  63198

In addition, a number of PPS Support Groups have been established around the
US to provide information about PPS and to raise funds to assist persons
who are experiencing PPS.

PPS is a very serious threat to many polio survivors who have worked very
hard, physically and emotionally, to cope with the effects of antecedent
poliomyelitis.  We face the very real possibility of becoming disabled for
a second time by the same disease.

Bobby Sharp
Boone, NC




------



Subject: Jerry's Orphans Needs You!
From: janina@netcom.com (Janina Sajka)
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest)

Tired of the Telethon?

...the annual pity party that parades people with neuromuscular
diseases across the stage for money, led by a national
spokesperson who built a career out of imitating people with
disabilities????

...the message that people with disabilities are nothing more
than charity cases incapable of doing anything for themselves????

So are we!

Boycott 7-11!!  Please shop elsewhere!

7-11 is a corporate sponsor of the Telethon.  We've asked them to
change.  But they ignore our request.  Since 7-11 thinks we're so
worthless, let's spend our money at places we are welcome as
valued consumers!!

For more information about a movement against the image of people
with disabilities portrayed by Jerry Lewis and the Thon, or where
to write 7-11, contact:  Jerry's Orphans, P. O. Box 388246,
Chicago, IL  60638.  (312) 477-3120 or 1172.





------



Subject: Problems with the VA?
From: CC38%SDSUMUS.BITNET@VM1.NoDak.EDU (Larry Peterson)

I am new to this list and I have a question for you out there?

My disability is currenly listed as Labyrinthitis, which is a
disfunction of the balance network in the middle ear.  My disability
is the result of a SURGEON in a VETERAN's ADMINITSTRATION hospital.

Is there anyone out there that is also having a great time with the
VA and is having difficulties dealing with them?

I would be pleased in communicating with someone who either has
had dealings with the VA and or has Labyrinthitis.

I am looking down the road and what I want to see as positive, is not
necessarily positive.




------



Subject: Re: medical insurance
From: dashiell@nadc.nadc.navy.mil (Jude DaShiell)

What ever you do, make sure you don't become incontinent to the
point where it's a heavy flow condition and all the hospitals and
those are teaching hospitals can tell you is that you'll have to
wear $150 per set diapers for the duration since the medicines
don't work.  A friend of mine who went to the same school I did got
unlucky enough to acquire this condition and his medical insurance
won't cover any of this!  If medical insurance is going to work
like a screen door in a submarine after the torpedoe has hit we'd
be just as well off without it!

It is true that people with incontinence are abused as much by the
insurance industry as anywhere else in society.  Any of you who
read this list who have had experience with it as I have and very
probably will again because of genetic inheritance will know it's
as much a handicap and less talked about than child sexual abuse in
this country as any other handicap.

<dashiell@nadc.navy.navy.mil>




------






                                ******

                  End of Issue # 2895 of the Handicap Digest

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