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Category: Role models

Independence takes teamwork

This holiday weekend the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels and the Army's Golden Knights will be performing in Traverse City. I plan to enjoy the thrilling swirls and twirls of the jets and the daring jumps of the parachutists; but for me, the air show is about more than death-defying maneuvers.

I love to watch our military's demonstration teams, because they are proof of what can be accomplished when a dedicated group of people collaborate to achieve a common goal. For many of us with mobility challenges, it is the support of family, friends and professionals who enable us to feel as free and independent as possible. I may not have the physical strength to enlist because of my disability, but I can certainly attest to the value of teamwork. In that way, I feel aligned with the brave people upholding our liberty.

Meanwhile, to learn more about someone with a disability who is actually serving our country, read about Capt. Ivan Castro who is currently the only U.S. Special Forces officer who is blind. His story is sure to put you in a patriotic mood. Happy Fourth of July!

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Category: Government

U.S. Mint to will produce silver dollar coin featuring Braille

In 2009 the first U.S. coin with readable Braille will be available to the public.

The silver dollar will commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Louis Braille, who was born in France in 1809. He developed the alphabet for the blind.

The front of the coin will have an image of Louis Braille on it, according to a story by The Associated Press. The back will have Braille code for the word Braille, or Brl, on it along with the image of a boy reading a Braille book.

"This is going to put Braille in front of people in a very dramatic way," said Chris Danielson, a spokesman for the National Federation of the Blind, said, according to the AP.

The U.S. Mint will strike 400,000 coins, with some money from the sale of each coin going to benefit programs that serve the blind.

Category: Relationships

Babies enhance Joy with Friends and Family

Like many women with disabilities, I can not have children due to the severity of my disability and the effects of my medical condition on my body. Of course I could in the future adopt if I choose to however the decision is not something I am able to consider at this time in my life. My current role as "Aunt" Neeru to the many cute children of my friends and future children for our family really has brought a new level of joy and fun to my relationships. Anytime I visit with many of my close friends it now includes kisses and hugs and events revolving around their children.

This new found role for me to be still a part of my friends lives and enjoy the fun that children have brought has added a new dimension for me. I enjoy buying gifts and visiting with the children. The parents who are my friends have really blossomed as people with new responsibilities and their bonds with their children. Of course not every day with children is easy or fun so I of course have heard and seen some of the difficult moments too.

Life is about stages and even if your disability does not allow you to experience some things first-hand do not deny yourself the joy in sharing it with those who love you. They will feel good in being able to bring important parts of their lives to yours and you in turn can bring much appreciated support and love to the situation too. With many people in my life now learning about diapers, pre-school, and Dora-the-Explorer; it is another aspect of relationships for me to cherish. And yes rides with "Aunt" Neeru's on her wheelchair are free!!

NEXT ENTRY: VISITING THE DOCTOR: TIPS TO CONSIDER

Category: Public policy

U.S. House Votes to Amend the ADA

Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). As passed last week, the new legislation would expand the the law's civil rights protections for workers as well as those individuals with epilepsy, cerebral palsy, diabetes, or other disabilities that that can be treated through medication.

According to a recent NY Times article, "...the bill says, courts should generally not consider the effects of "mitigating measures" like prescription drugs, hearing aids and artificial limbs. Moreover, it adds, "an impairment that is episodic or in remission is a disability if it would substantially limit a major life activity when active."

The chief sponsor of the bill, the House Democratic leader, Representative Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland, said the situation was now bizarre. 'An individual may be considered too disabled by an employer to get a job, but not disabled enough by the courts to be protected by the A.D.A. from discrimination,' Mr. Hoyer said."

The law also expands the protections by newly defining disability as "an impairment qualifies as a disability if it 'materially restricts' a major life activity like seeing, hearing, eating, walking, reading or thinking.

This broadens the current definition of disability which says a condition is a disability if it 'substantially limits' a major life activity.

Since it was enacted in 1990, many advocates thought that the orignal intent of the ADA had been undercut by several Supreme Court cases that limited the law's protections.

Category: Public policy

Insensitivity to those with disabilities is punished

Wheelchairs -- and the people who abuse those who use them -- were in the news this week.

FIRST, came this story about a Wichita County, Texas, judge who ruled that the local historical society was wrong for denying a Kaelei Kennedy, who uses a wheelchair, access to a historic house to see Santa Claus.

People who worked at the home were concerned that Kaelei and her wheelchair would break things. The historical society's director also claimed (falsely, the judge found) that the Kell House didn't need to follow the ADA law. The judge said the historical society showed "studied indifference" to ADA rules.

THE SECOND one was this story about a jail deputy in Florida who it looks like won't go to jail for dumping a quadraplegic out of his wheelchair onto the jail floor. The victim, Brian Sterner, said a program for first-time offenders -- not jail -- was the way to go in disciplining Charlette Marshall-Jones.

The victim in this horrific incident showed a lot more compassion than the deputy did.

This story was all over the news when it happened earlier this year. See the video below.

Category: 2008 Paralympics

Water Cube is a must see in Beijing

In less than 9 weeks I will be heading to Beijing, China for the 2008 Paralympic Games. In addition to The Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, and the Forbidden City, I am also looking forward to seeing the Water Cube, the site of the Olympic and Paralympic swimming competitions.

The Water Cube is being hailed as a architectural masterpiece. Soap bubbles were the inspiration for the structure which was jointly designed by Chinese and western architects. It resembles a rectangular box covered in iridescent bubble wrap. The view at night is even more spectacular; when the entire building is lit it appears as if the walls are made of water.

The $200 million Cube features three pools and has seating capacity for 17,000. The Water Cube's thick, bubbled surface allows 90 percent of sunlight into the venue and acts as a greenhouse to save energy.

For months my husband has had the photo of the Water Cube as our screen saver, now I can't wait to see the real thing.

Category: Employment

A heartwarming tale about three men and their jobs

It's not often that you come across a story about people with disabilities that isn't written from the "Look at what they can (or can't) do!" perspective.

But this story by Dan Berry of the New York Times is a wonderful tale about a day in the life of three men who have lived in a group home for as long as they can remember and the jobs that they do every day maintaining the grounds of rest area in Connecticut.

It's not glamorous work, but the important job with the Department of Transportation "says to the world: I made it," says Dave, one of the men featured in the article.

Category: Neil Sauter walks on stilts for CP

Day 56 - The big finish!

Friday morning I had the pleasure of beginning my last 15 miles with my father by my side. Later in the morning I was joined by my mom, sister, and my fiancee. I was overjoyed to share my experience with my family and incredibly sad that my journey was coming to an end.

As I walked through Bessemer the high school band interrupted their practice in order to march with me down the road creating quite a parade.

As I approached Ironwood my grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousin arrived and stopped to say hello.

Once in town several signs declared, "Congratulations Neil!" and other messages of inspiration. Stopping a mile short of the border I spent the remainder of the day visiting the waterfalls of the Black River with my family.

Saturday morning the Comfort Inn hosted a breakfast for me and my fans. I had the great pleasure of being joined by Joe Bowen, the man who walked from California to Kentucky on stilts in 1980.

The last mile I was accompanied by family, friends, and a police escort. After many pictures we all walked back to the welcome center where the city of Ironwood and UCP has organized a reception in my honor. I shared a few of my favorite memories of my trip before receiving some special acknowledgements for my efforts: A key to the city of Ironwood and a plaque, a tribute from Jennifer Granholm, an honored membership as a Kentucky Colonel (delivered by Joe Bowen), and a scrapbook from UCP.

I couldn't help but tear up. It was a beautiful day and a fantstic ending to my unforgetable trek across Michigan.

Thanks to my sponsors and host:

Lincoln Park Elementary of Mona Shores, New Bedford Academy of Lambertville, Abigail & Aiden Richardson.

For more information about my completed 830 mile stilt walk across Michigan visit www.stiltstory.org or www.ucpmichigan.org

Category: Neil Sauter walks on stilts for CP

Day 54 - Almost There

After getting a ride back to my starting point from Amanda of the Ewen Medical Clinic I was greeted this morning by an encouraging note on the sign I stopped at.

I walked briskly for 11 miles before taking my first break in Bergland. My pack was taken ahead for me and there was plenty of cloud cover despite the heat. I was invited into lunch at Antonio's.

My afternoon walk was very enjoyable as I was joined for 2 miles by Sarah from Ontanogan who drove about 30 miles just to walk with me. In the evening my parents and sister Renae arrived and I was thrilled to see them again. Renae walked with me for another 5 miles bringing my total to 28 for the day and leaving me 15 miles from the border!

For more information about my 830 mile stilt walk across Michigan visit www.stiltstory.org or www.ucpmichigan.org

Category: Role models

Congrats to these winners of NMSS scholarships

The Michigan chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society awarded $2,500 scholarships to four 2008 graduates who have moms with MS.

While their lives have been touched by a disability that impacts mobility, these recipients from across the state are making strides toward their aspirations.

Angela Gusmano has plans to be a high school counselor. Jeremiah Colborn said he thinks he wants to be a veterinarian. Matthew Carter will be majoring in pre-medicine, and Ashleigh Harris will be studying communication and mass media arts.

They were the top four scholarship candidates selected out of 90 applicants from Michigan. To learn more about the NMSS Scholarship Program, call (800) 344-4867 or visit http://www.nationalmssociety.org.