I Lied!

I lied about making my last post for the first half of the year! I was interviewed for this article on spinal cord injuries and it's now online. I just received the article from She Knows.com magazine and they quoted me accurately, twice! I had to share it with you.

You've heard the phrase, "Any pub is good pub." Well, I'll take it. You can read the entire article in She Knows.com by clicking here. Don't worry, it's short.


I welcome your comments.

Later,

Mike

The Longevity Game

I thought I would end the first half of 2009 with a fun, little post.

I came across this game the other day and decided to put it up so everyone can try it. It's done by an insurance company, so take it for what it's worth. You know what they say about getting what you pay for. Some of you may like the results, and, obviously, some of you may not.

Personally, I liked the results. But, I know my results are going to be a bit skewed since I don't think they have made any allowance for spinal cord injuries and all of the health issues I've had to deal with. However, they do have a disclaimer on pre-existing conditions before you play the game.


You can take The Longevity Game by clicking here.

Remember, if you don't like the results, don't get mad at me. I didn't live your life and answer the test for you. I'm just the messenger!

As always, I welcome your comments.

Later,

Mike

The "Invisible Workforce"

I have been disabled for almost thirty-eight years and have been dependent on someone to help with my daily needs every one of those days. I could not survive without my personal care attendants (PCA's). Recently, our governor has decided to cut funds to the state-run program that pays for the roughly 40,000 PCA's in Minnesota.

Those people take care of approximately 14,000 Minnesotans who are in need of daily assistance much like I do. There is a tremendous difference in age and what these people need. But, the point is, we all need help of some sort or another.

It seems to me a very short-sighted solution to a problem that will get much worse if we cut back on this program and the people with disabilities who benefit from them end up in hospitals and long-term care facilities because their needs are not being met which leads to more problems that don't allow those individuals to live in their own homes.

Gail Rosenblum wrote a great piece in the Minneapolis StarTribune last month outlining the issue. You can read the article by clicking here. There are also some good comments following her column.

One of the things I especially liked about the column was the fact Bridget Siljander was quoted. I'm proud to say Bridget was one of my PCA's when she first started in this field twelve years ago. It's very rewarding to see how she has grown into a responsible and tireless advocate for her peers and people with disabilities.

She has even gotten very involved in the leadership of a national organization for direct service professionals called the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals. You can learn more about their organization by clicking here.

I welcome your comments.

Later,

Mike

I'm Not A Green Bay Packer Fan, But ...

This story takes place in Green Bay, Wisconsin and has nothing to do with the Packers. I've just always wanted to write those seven words.

I was talking to my mother tonight and she told me about young Kennedy Corpus who skipped school on the last day of fourth grade to go to an event with her father, John.

I hadn't heard of the story, so I decided to see just what happened. It turns out, she got a note for her teacher that was a once-in-a-lifetime event for ten-year-old Kennedy.

Since I rarely watch the main stream media any more, I get most of my news from the Internet and discussions with friends and family. Yes, Google is my friend. This is a precious video and story from the Green Bay Press-Gazette on June 11th. To read the story and watch the video, click here.

I'm guessing young Kennedy had a hard time sleeping that night.

I welcome your comments.

Later,

Mike

National Sports Center For The Disabled

In 1980, I had the opportunity to go downhill skiing in Winter Park, Colorado at an organization called the National Sports Center for the Disabled. Little did I know just how large and successful it would become. Now, almost thirty years later, they are an incredible organization with year-round activities in Winter Park. They also have offices in Denver and Kansas City.

You can learn all about their summer and winter programs by going to their website. Just click here.

Their website reads, "The NSCD offers a variety of exciting winter adventures, including alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, Nordic hut trips, snowshoeing, and ski racing ... The NSCD offers a variety of exciting summer adventures, including NSCD Sports Camps, rafting, kayaking, canoeing, special camps, horse pack trips, therapeutic horseback riding, mountain biking, overnight river trips, fishing, camping, and rock climbing."

I love to see how programs and organizations for people with disabilities that were started around the time I had my accident, are prospering and helping people with many different issues. It's great to see people with disabilities being offered new and exciting opportunities.

I think this is a FANTASTIC picture:

If you have a disability, check out their website, see what's available, what activity may interest you and take advantage of their programs. Or, if you are able-bodied and you know someone with a disability, send him or her the NSCD's website.

There is another similar organization right here in Minneapolis doing many of the same activities and then some. They have trips that go all over the world! Check out Wilderness Inquiry and see what they are doing. Just click here.

I welcome your comments. Especially, if you have experience with either organization.

Later,

Mike