My Fears....

last weeks visit to AU was my last engagement for this year. in 08 I had 14 gigs and this year I end up with 15. this has been excellent considering how everyone has been seeing budget cuts. I knew it was only a matter of a before I and the disability world were more impacted by the economies.

I could understand the lack of interest for planning a speaker to come presenting at schools and organizations. To me it is more alarming how programs are being cut that help the disabled community. I just learned the rolling access fund by DDA will gone by the end of the year. This program could purchase equipment not covered by Medicare, insurance, and impossible to pay on a limited income.

Also MCIL is closing up within 3 weeks, this has been a great resource and advocate for the disable in Maryland. My fears are that the cuts will go deeper and our quality of life will roll backwards.

Pets luxury or therapy?

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When Dena and I moved, we could not bring our cat, boo boo with us. Since Mike and Brook already had a dog, boo boo is a one has pet and does not like most people. She is a small cat with a big attitude. So it would hard to find her a new home.
Boo boo and Michael seems to have a good connection, so we offer him be boo boo new dad. His first reaction was joy and no doubt. Later Michael changed his mind, not because he did not want her, but rather that he would have to pay to have a pet in his apartment.
When I moved into my apartment, I would have to pay $300.00 even if I just had one gold fish. In case the apart suffered any damages. Why does the elder and disabled need to pay a free to keep pets in apartment? I would hope landlords would see the therapeutic value.
These two demographics live on a limited income. By the time monthly bills are paid, there goes 80 to 90 % of their money. By having pets a person can be save from depression and even elongate one’s life.

Trip To AZ SILC and NAU

It was one of those trips that we went to work as soon as our feet/wheels hit the ground, so we had a 5 a.m. ride to BWI. I always say to myself time to make the donuts.

Our first engagement was at the AZ SILC in Phoenix, from the outside it was a modern new building mostly glass. What surprises it had waiting on the inside. Like on any other trip I did not go to the bathroom until we arrive. Yes my friends, it was gimp heaven, all stalls were accessible, clean and slick. There was even a family room in side with the 10-gimp stalls.
You know how some buildings only have one, maybe two automatic doors? The empowerment center had them at every door; I have been to our mother ship.

This is what happens when people can build from scratch and do not have to retro fit. The real reason that this place is called the empowerment center is that it house 5 different organizations.

Our next gig was at NAU, in Flagstaff. We did a presentation for disability awareness month, typical deal. Screen the documentary and then do Q&A. but the faculty had a great idea, they past out note cards. So the viewers could right down their questions, so nobody knew whom it is was. This system worked so well that we went 20 minutes past the lowed time. In fact I already suggested this to the next places that I am appearing.

Our last full day in AZ we had no commitments until that afternoon. Flagstaff is only 80 miles from the Grand Canyon, so we had to go. This is where the D&D adventure begins. We had no car, so we tried to rent one. Nobody would rent to us since we were from out of town. To remind you it was 9:20 and we had to be somewhere by 2:30.

We went to the hotel desk to see if there were any shuttles from town to the park, no! There was the taxi, but big bucks. It turns out the service had a taxi going to the park anyway and because we worked with their schedule the rate was cut in half going, but full price on the return trip. The next thing was he dropped us off at the park, not in side. So before we took another cab into the park we went to the Imax show. We spent about 20 minute at the rim itself, but it was worth the magical view as you can see!!!! It took magic to see mother earth at her best.

Ok friend, here is my latest in search of…

We are moving to a house that is rent to own, but it multiple level a nightmare for us gimps. It has a lot pretention, as you can from my face book page I am auctioning a piece of art to start the accommodations myself. As a for, example a keyless entry to the front day and garage door opener so I can go work on art when I want.

I know I can obtain some help to modify a few things by the state of Maryland through Baltimore Co. Office of Community Conservation, I’m sure there will be limits. Does anyone know any organizations that help fund home accommodations, or purchase medical equipment to modify homes? My first communication device was purchase by the Lions club. Any ideas, or suggestions would appreciate.

i found this but can't apply on my own behalf. http://www.jillfoxfund.org/

for the Brits http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/housing/grants/accessible-homes/disabled-facilities.html

are theses for real

http://www.accessible.org/disability-grants.html

http://www.adisource.com/funding.php this one checked out

new links posted 10/26/09

www.homemods.org/directory/index.shtml


SOLUTIONS for Accessibility
119 Poplar Street
Watertown, MA 02472 USA
617.923.8877 ph & fax
877.923.8877
Dobson@SolutionsForAccess.com

http://www.vhda.com/vhda_com/template_a.asp?vhda_com_page_name=accessibilityrentalmodificationgrant
Gail Marie Braham
Community Outreach Program Coordinator
Accessibility Rental Modification Grant Coordinator
Virginia Housing Development Authority
601 S. Belvidere St.
Richmond, VA 23220
Phone: 804-343-5512
Toll Free: (877) 843-2123
Fax: 804-343-8330
gail.braham@vhda.com

National Resource Center for Supportive Housing and Home Modifications
www.homemods.org
National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association
www.reversemortgage.org
Medicaid Home and Community Based Services Waivers Program
www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicaidStWaivProgDemoPGI/05_HCBSWaivers-Section1915(c).asp
Area Agencies on Aging
www.n4a.org
State Assisitve Technology Programs
http://www.resna.org/taproject/at/statecontacts.html
Rebuilding Together
www.rebuildingtogether.org

Is Society Ready For Our Relationship?

Hell no!

Dena and I have been together for 5 year and every time we turn around it is another obstacle. If it is fear of my service getting cut, it is finding affordable accessible house. Why would our Gov. make Dena be our sole provider for everything, think of how much stress that would but on us? It is just setting to fail before we could start to enjoy each other in our lives.

I alone use to live in HUD subsidized housing because of my limited income. It was accessible because of a walk/roll in shower. I made it even more accessible by installing a keyless lock, a push button thermostat, and remote ceiling fan/light. If they knew that we live together there we would have been kicked out. We do not want a hand out, but our Gov. should

look at the whole picture and just guidelines and income. Three years ago we moved into our current place own by Bozzuto. First it take us 7 months for them to put a walk way from the parking lot to tour porch. The only way to get it done was to get producer Susan Hadary of King Gimp involved, they put the walkway in the next week.

Our next challenge was the bathroom, it has a tub instead of a walk/roll in shower. A year after we moved here the complex had to replace the tub, because of rusty drain. Dena and I thought it would be a perfect opportunity for management to but a shower in. they would only install it if we splint the cost. At the time we could not afford it, so we got another freaking tub. Being who I am, I started to go through my network and finally got connected to Baltimore Co. Office of Community Conservation. Hal that work come out for the site visit and wanted to do the project the next day. 3 months later after all of the application were done and Hal got approved on his end. The big wigs at Bozzuto said go a head with the project, but only if we restore the bathroom when we move, there is not a demand for accessible units. Can someone please explain this, on top of this our rent has gone up 4 times within the last 7 months.

Dena and I are in the process of looking for a new accessible, affordable place.

Some information to share:

http://www.accessibleproperties.net

http://www.gosection8.com/

http://www.mdhousingsearch.org/

barrierfree.org

http://www.socialserve.com/

National Accessible Apartment Clearinghouse- 1-800-421-1221 or http://www.accessibleapartments.org/website/article.asp?id=4.

life after the doc

Everyone who has seen king Gimp news I was successful when if came to me education and career as an artist. What about life?????

I am please to say I got married on April 1st 09, we had been dating for 5 years. Now I would like to share some video and pictures with you all from this hysterical event.

I and my best people entered to the Muppets O Danny Boy

My lovely bride made her enterence to the Book of Love

our first dance was to At Last

King Gimp's Wedding: The Eve from Jason Magbanua on Vimeo.

King Gimp: The Morning of the Wedding from Jason Magbanua on Vimeo.

King Gimp - The Wedding from Dino Lara on Vimeo.

After all of our guest went home, my wonderful wife and I started a working honeymoon. We packed up our WV bug, that we gave Brooke. We spent 28 fabulous days in this car go from ILL, MO, OK, TX, and TENN. And back home again without having a fight.

When we were in ILL. And MO. That was that business part of our
trip. I spoke at Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois and for the Physical
Therapy Association Anniversary Spring Conference, in MO. This is how life should be, being able spend our life together in business and relaxation.

You may ask why I want to
do more speaking engagement, of course it is nice to make an income from what
you enjoy doing. More importantly I want to let people know anyone can reach
the goals if they find their drive.

A few weeks after our return from the trip I had a stand at World of Possibilities Disabilities Expo

http://caringcommunities.org/ and met another artist named Robert Florio I think you should check him out

Every Great Man Needs A Great Woman

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This was one of our stops on our Honeymoon...
Dena and I stopped for 2 or 3 days in Springfield ILL, the home town of President Lincoln. We always try to find cheap hotels, that are night too much of a scratch n sniff. Cheap hotels means they are not accessible, but we always make due.
We stayed at a place called the Lincoln Ledge. We get up the next day to play tourist, but before we do. We needed to go find a place to fix the seat of my wheelchair. That is a story for a future blog. After fixing my chair, we make our way to the Lincoln house a museum. The house was more accessible then I thought, they give disabled people private tours and take them in the block off areas of the house. Although I could not go up stairs I touched the same railing that the Lincoln's use to climb the stairs. Also I saw pictures of the up stairs. After the tour the staff took time to talk with us and that is part of the video you see.
From we went to the museum and the Lincoln Memorial. The most interesting thing I found at the memorial is that the lock of the back gate is stuffed with pennies.