Is This 2010 Update

We just talked to the hotel manager in NC, he did apologized and saw that the stuff did make mistake, but had the right to be concern. The situation did get out of control and should have known we were quests when Dena walked in with our bags and dinner.

The hotel has already scheduled sensitivity training, but not with us, we offered our services. They of the option of using the everyday training service, or get an experience that people will remember for a lifetime.

Team Work Does Pay Visit To UNCC

Last week we had to travel in between storms for a speaking gig at UNCC. It snowed the night before we left on Wednesday, so there was no telling if we would get the early start as we wanted. Dena and I were on the road by 9 and did make any stops until NC.
About 2 hours into our trip, we saw a Volvo station wagon towing a plywood wonder breadbox. As we past him the back was full of puppets, so one could figure he was a clown. We honked our horn and gave him two thumbs up. The next thing we knew he putted on a clown nose. He could not keep up, so we went on our ways.
About 2 hours from our “hotel” we started to see signs for a big discount store and one sign is for cosmetics, so we decided to stop. I could tell Dena was disappointed with the selection, so we were back on our way. As we past one rest stop Dena sees the wonder bread wagon. To reach him we had to make a mile circle getting on and off at exits. Dena thinks what if he already got back on the road. He did not; he is a puppet master on his way to Martigra from Maine. We made his day catching him 4 hours later.
This engagement was a year in the making from the office of Student With Disability Service to their adviser committee. It sounds as is the student on the committee did most of the legwork. They did multiple fundraisers, even on the day of the presentation they were putting up signs to promote the presentation. They also set up the reception after ward and planned all of public relation before hand.
It just goes to show you what can be accomplished when people work together for a commond goal. I had one moment where one says I’m not the old, am I? The student that did the introduction said she watched King Gimp at the age of 10.
Dena and I what to stay another day to relax, but we had to race the storm him. In the pictures you can see what we had for breakfast. Ah the life of road worries.

What a difference 48 hours makes.

Dena and I reached MD just as the snow started come down. We went to the market to get some food for the next few days. As we were checking out in was in front of Dena holding onto the cart with the food already bagged. Dena was busy paying and did notice.

The security guard at the market made the gesture to offer me help getting out side. I shook my head to say no, they turned my head to point to Dena. Without saying one word the guard knew whom I was with and that I was ok.

This happened 48 hours after the hotel, now who looks like the idiots?

is this really 2010

I am going to share this story to express my frustration and use this as a learning experience. Trust me, I will see this through the King Gimp way!

I went to University of North Carolina-Charlotte for a keynote speaking engagement. We left early and arrived about 8 hours later. I have not been to the bathroom since we left. Dena dropped me off at the lobby and asked the door man where was the restroom was located. I went into the hotel independently and managed everything on my own. Dena then went to get dinner in the community. I sat in the lobby for few minutes to get my bearings. I moved twice to get out of the way because the lobby was crowded.

The doorman did ask me if he could show me to the bathroom?

I said no.

So I went to the bathroom, when I left the mens room the doorman past me and said, “there you are”!

I replied, “yeah”. This correspondence shows that communication was not a barrier between customer and the Bellman, how is it that this couldn’t be an example to ALL the staff.

An hour later Dena returns and doesn’t look happy.
This is the conversation that took place the moment she drove up to the hotel property.

Security-Are you with the man in the wheelchair?
Dena-you mean Danny? It is strange that you ask me in that term, is everything all right?

Security-What is his story?
Dena-His story…what do you mean?

Security-I mean, what is his disability?
Dena-Danny has Cerebral Palsy-why are you asking me this?

Security-Why doesn’t he have a caretaker with him?
Dena-Do you have a caretaker?

Security-No, but we are not talking about me.
Dena-Why do you think that Danny needs a caretaker? He is fiercely independent and the idea that you feel he needs one is passing judgment. Let me tell you something, Danny is probably more intelligent that you and I put together.

Security-Do you see where we are coming from here?
Dena-No!

Security-It looks as if someone just dropped him off and left him, we didn’t know if anyone was coming back and it looked like one of those circumstances that we didn’t know what to do with him.
Dena-I have been gone an hour to get dinner for us how are you to turn this around, you are OFFENDING me, I mean us. I need to speak to your Manager.

Security-It is my job to protect and see things through. We TRIED to communicate. We asked him if he was here with anyone, will anyone be back for him and if he had a care provider and he couldn’t answer to anything.

Security-You are lucky, we were minutes from having him “taken away”.
Dena-Stop speaking with me immediately I am deeply offended and will not speak with you at all.

We entered the lobby and had finished this conversation front and center. The lead Manager in charge, the Security Guard, Dena and I along with 60 + guests that were observing this dual.

They (Manager and Security Guard) said they were concerned. Dena asked were you so concerned that asked Danny if he were o.k. or if he needed anything or needed to call 911. This is what concerned people do, inquire the problem. Dena then asked me, “did anyone approach you to ask you any of these questions?” I said, “NO”! The whole hour no one spoke to me. We challenged their timeline and caught them in a lie. The Security Guard had told Dena I was incapable of corresponding to the questions that they had asked.

I made the statement I am here because the University invited me to be their Keynote Speaker, this event inspires others how to break these typical stereotypes. This can go away if you both come and participate. They both laughed it off.

They called the police; Dena and I were making our way out. The security was pushing people out of my way, as if I would run them over. I kept yelling I could do it myself, by this time I just wanted to explode. But it would just play into their hands. Dena and I are now out side, standing. Four police cars arrive all having attitudes because they felt it really wasn’t a “real problem”. One Officer said, “that you have no legal rights and it’s only a civil matter”. The Manager spoke up and said, “if the events got louder then we can press charges” the Police Officer agreed. Clearly, we couldn’t understand how a hotel had more legal backing over abrupt conversation and would have more protection then discrimination with the disabled. We were told to leave because you are still on ‘hotel property’. When we drove off they remained laughing, as if we were jokes. Let’s see if they are laughing in court.

I do not blame UNCC for any of this, in fact they already pulled out all of the college accounts with this hotel. They also offered to set me up with a local legal advocate, which I am doing. In addition, I will be working with my network of advocates and am weighing out all my options. I want freedom of speech and awareness to bring everyone in the mind set of 2010.

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.