In This Election Year...

I would like politicians not to say, my opponent is not fit for job/office because bluh bluh bluh bluh bluh.

Or

On my first day in office I will change bluh bluh bluh bluh law. If one person can change a law on the first day of the job, me thinks that would be a dictatorship.

I know, only in my dreams!

Why do not many politician talk more about the disable vote. The only time you hear about the disabled vote is on the local level. Here are some fact on Disability Voters in America according to, Yahoo News and People with Disabilities and Voting.

Here are some important dates for Marylanders'
MD Board of Elections
The deadline for the general election is October 16, 2012.
Absentee Voting  the deadline is Tuesday, October 30, 2012. Your request must be received by 8:00 pm if you mail or deliver the application or 11:59 pm if you fax or email it.

Another Fork In The Road Update (2012 House Projects)

On Friday, I had my yearly IP meeting with UCP and Service Coordination. We were still waiting to hear if I got the funding for the stair lift. I decided just to come and tell them that we are moving, even thou I knew it could but the whole process at risk.  At best they could say I had start the application process all over.  I know at worse they could say since we are moving I would be disqualified from the program.

As it turned out, it would be the worse of the two. Without talking to anyone I would be disqualified from the waiver, because we are moving into a rental property.

When Dena and I got home, I received a letter from Mrs. Martinez stating the funds have been approved from the Community Pathways Waiver.  Dena and I called Mrs. Martinez to make her aware that we are moving to a rental property. She said, they do not give funds unless we own the place, but there is a change that I could still obtain the funds. Mrs. Martinez said, I can submit a letter from my doctor and the property owner before they make a finally decision. That is where I stand at this moment, this week hope to have the two letters to Luan. So she can forward them to Mrs. Martinez.

This is like when I had give up my full ride to UNC for my MFA, because I could not get a care provider paid while living out of state. I have been dealing with red tape since I was 18!

Another Fork in The Road

As you may be aware of, Wifey helps her friend who is 100 +.  Dena is worry about what she can do for her next job that is why we got into the jewelry business. That is going good, but would be better if we had a store. Dena also loves auctions and thrift/consignment stores. She found a place in Towson/Parkville that could be a store and home.  It would be cheaper then living here. The house/store was built in the 70's, so I'm starting from scratch as far as accessibility.

I have been full of emotions, because we have done a lot to make our current house accessible.  I finally have my perfect shower.  I do feel a bit guilty, because a lot of people help us get the accommodations that have been done.  I do not want to seem ungrateful for their time and effort. I also do not want to seem greedy and assume every time I move, there would be funding to make another place accessible.

On the other hand I do have a limited income and can only contribute so much and the rest is up to Wifey. If we stay in our current place she will not be home, in order to pay for the house. That is not what we want as a couple and would take a toll on any marriage. That is why we are always thinking of businesses that we can start, so we feel as equals.

As Wifey started to describe that the living part is in the basement. She says, the bathroom already has a walk-in shower, but the kind with a door.  My hopes are that this chair will fit into the shower. Also the stairs are narrow and curved. That is downer that the stair lift that has been put in could not work. Could we buy different piece of track for it, if the stair way is not too narrow?  Could another option be to put it out side, would it need to under cover or enclosed in? These are the things going through my mind as Wifey is talking. At the same I am feeling excited, guilt, scared and nervous.

We have already spooked with the owner and he said we could build a ramp outside. Be sides that the owner really would like to make the property ADA friendly even thou it is grandfathered.  So Friday are meeting with Eric from http://accessiblehousingservices.com/ to do an assessment. I already told Eric, the equipment we cannot use I hope he can pass on to other people.

This is just another adventure to keep our lives interesting!

search local office here http://www.sba.gov/content/find-local-sba-office and call them about ADA tax breaks/loans.

http://www.ada.gov/taxincent.pdf

http://www.ada.gov/taxcred.htm  

Questions with A Twist

Questions with A Twist

When I usually receive questions from students most of the time the questions focus on my physical limitations.   This group of O.T. student were coming from a mental health point of view.

  1.Do you feel someone who does not know you or your story overlooks/stereotypes what is genuinely there? What is going on in your head when this happens?

When I am out in public, all of my accomplishments and successes are meaningless. If people are not aware of how I am, they still see my disability first and not me as a person.  They still talk loud and slow as if I am mentally challenged. It depends on the situation, most of the time I just want to get away from situation and go on with my life.  I am thinking they have not been educated and don’t know the wiser.

Then there is the disrespectful situation and I just go into a rage and make a total scene.  When I do this, I may only make them right. But at least they feel my wrath, when I yell nobody can understand me.  I end up biting my tongue, or lip and bleed. I realize that I end up looking like a total mental case in their eyes, but at least they know how I feel about their ignorance.

At Baltimore City's auction of The Senator Theatre on July 22, 2009, the auctioneer mysteriously moved the auction outside with less than 5 minutes notice. Weeks ago, the auctioneer had requested Tom Kiefaber's permission to hold the auction inside, it had been agreed between the auctioneer, the city, and Mr. Kiefaber that the auction would be inside, and it had been advertised as such and reported in the news media as such. Why did the auctioneer suddenly change the venue, creating a lot of confusion in the process?

2.       2.Currently, there has been debate in the special needs community about the concept of "labels" for the primary reason to purposefully address who the person is not what the person is.  For example you would never address a child with autism as an “autistic child”. Even with your success, how do you feel about the label of "cerebral palsy" being attached to you? Do you accept it as part of your identity or do you see yourself or label yourself as "Dan the artist"? 

I think I am the wrong person to ask about the using labels, or being PC.  I mean I call myself gimp, not everyone is thrilled about that. Some people think it is wrong, other people feel like it tribal and strong.

I embrace my CP, I even conceder it as part of my personality.  CP really makes me who I am.  How else do I introduce myself, I’m Dan and I have C.P.  why be a shame of it.  Professionally I’m “Dan the artist”

3.       3.Dan, do you think art keeps you mentally healthy? How? Can you give us some examples please? 

Yes, if you look back at my art over the years you can see the ups and downs in my life by the colors I use and the subject matter I choose.  Art gives everyone the tool the to express the inner self the may scare people, or they do not know how express what they feel with words.  I am sure I express things in my art would worry people if I but said it in words.

4.       4.Dan, we all are interdependent with someone in our lives no matter our backgrounds or abilities. Even as an artist, there is some sense of interdependency through collaboration. In your situation, how important physically and mentally is this concept of "interdependency" and support throughout your daily life?

Without help nobody can be in-depended I might get a little more then most people, but we all are depended on someone.  When people look at my art, they just see the work I do.  The do not think about the assistance that I get in my studio. My help mix the paint, cut the canvas, even put out drink, or gives me a snack to keep me going.  The assistances even stay longer than what they get pay for. To the out sider, it would seem that I am the only one benefiting from this arrangement.  My assistances see how determined I am to do my art and I would like to think they carry that determination over into their own life.

5.       5.Dan, as future occupational therapists our job is to modify tools and the environment in order for individuals to enjoy activities that are meaningful to them. What was going in your mind when you first had the chance to really dive into your passion?  

This is what I want to do with my life.  I did not care that it did not pay much, or if I did not achieved fame until I died.  It was important that I get to express how I feel about my world.  I think if every finds their passion in life, the world, as a whole would benefit.

6.       6.As future OTs', from your experience and condition, what is some advice you could give us in order for us to more efficiently assist individuals physically and mentally with CP?

I hope you don’t think this is cheating, but I wrote this last year and think it relates to this question.

http://dan-kinggimp.blogspot.com/2010/09/ot-class-project.html

2012 House Projects

We are working on some new projects for the house. The first one I  might have already mention, a curved staitlift from first to second floor. We are trying to get that funded through the DDA.

Second project has to do with toilet hygiene, of course everyone has a bit of trouble in that area. With the help with our friends at www.accessiblehousingservices.com we came up with the solution of the Bide't toilet seat.  Shara is the O.T. that work with Accessible Housing Service, she only put one other seat in for a Client.  She said this seat is popular in Europe, but mostly for the upper class.

The Problem with the Bide't toilet seat is the controls are located on the side of the seat.  if I use the remote, I still would be  in the right position for the seat to work efficiently.  I contacted V-LINC to see if they will help redesign the controls.  They notified me today that they will take on the project.

Christmas 2011

I had a very good and humorous Christmas: Brooke gave me some had blown straws that are wider to drink soup with.  Now it gets funny, Wifey gives me her gift, with my first rip. I tare the corner of the paper and see an image of a baby stroller.  Wifey said my face started to ask a hundred questions.  Her gift was a cup holder to put onto my chair. Then I open Michael’s gift, the shirt is a funny on facebook. It says “your face” 3 million dislikes. This is the most I ever laughed opening my gifts.

How Long Does Plastic Really Stick Around?

Swallowing plastic is a weird sensation, when one does not have use of both hands other devices are used to open plastic and chip bags.  I have tried using the popping method; you push the air to one end until the bag pops open. You end up with a big mess, the contain flies out and most of it is crush.  On occasions both ends pop open, so you just have a food tunnel and keep eating until the chips stop falling out.

I end up using the hand and mouth method, the only problem is that sometimes pieces of bags get stuck in my teeth. It may take hours to work this little piece of plastic out with my tongue and/or by toothbrush. By the time I do get the plastic dislodge, it is to far back and end up swallowing it. I can feel the invader go half way down as it hits the side of my throat. I usually take a long drink to make sure it gets all way down.