ecrowley

DJ Gregory's Golf Tournament Challenge: Man with CP's Quest to Walk All PGA Tournaments

2009-05-19T17:31:00Z

"If I fall, I fall. It's just another challenge."

These are the words of 30 year-old DJ Gregory, who lives in Savannah, GA and was born with cerebral palsy. Gregory's parents were told that he would never walk. Neither Gregory or his parents were content with this diagnosis, and after mutiple surgeries and intensive physical therapy, Gregory was able to move from army crawling to a walker to a cane.

Gregory was an avid sports lover growing up, and started playing golf when he was 9. Last year, in 2008, he decided to attempt to walk every hole of every round of every tournament (45 tournaments in 45 weeks). Check out the video below to watch Gregory's story and see how he fared in his quest.

National MS Society (Colorado Chapter) Refresh & Renew Retreat: Registration Deadline May 15th!

2009-05-05T22:14:00Z

Some of my recent blogs have recounted my experiences with the National MS Society's Denver Walk MS, which took place this past weekend.The Colorado Chapter of the National MS Society also has another big event coming up in October, a retreat called "Refresh & Renew: Balancing Your Life." This retreat is taking place October 10-12, 2009, at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort up in the mountains. The National MS Society details the retreat as follows:

The speakers and exhibitors will provide you with the best information and motivation to overcome obstacles, balance your nutrition, build a support network, manage stress, get moving and so much more. Bring a guest to enjoy the weekend and develop a wellness plan together! Experience a world class chateau-style resort set in our majestic Rocky Mountains: The Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa.

Your package includes amenities such as a state of the art fitness center and the Aqua Sanitas pools. Cost for the entire weekend package is just $265 per person. This cost includes hotel accommodations, education program, amenities, and meals excluding dinner on October 11th. Spa services are available with a 20% discount!

A $100 deposit is required for registration by May 15th. Visit the website to check out the retreat agenda and register!

Denver Walk MS: May 2, 2009

2009-05-04T20:48:00Z

I wanted to post a quick wrap-up of the Denver Walk MS this past Saturday and share a couple of pictures from our team! It was supposed to rain on Saturday, but luckily the rain held off and though it was cloudy and a little bit chilly, it wasn't too bad. Daniel and I arrived at City Park in Denver, where the walk was taking place, at about 8 am. The walk wasn't until 9 am, but there were already a ton of people there! Plus, because of how much money our team raised last year, we had our own tent! I brought my dog, Bleeker, and there was a "Pooch Place" tent that had water, dog treats, and orange bandanas for the participating dogs.

(caption:Bleeker, my black lab mix, with his orange bandana on from the Denver Walk MS)

Our team, Stompin' Out MS, ended up having about 40 people (and a few pooches too!) who walked. It was amazing to have so many friends and family show up for Daniel to support him. What was even more amazing was the amount of money our team managed to raise. The team raised over $9,000 last year, which was impressive enough, but this year we blew that number out of the water and ended up raising over $13,000!

(caption: Our Walk MS team, Stompin' Out MS)

Our fundraising was a real accomplishment and it was even better that all of the people that took the time to fundraise also took the time to come out early on a Saturday morning and do the 5k loop around the park. There were people cheering the walkers along all the way, with stations for food, water, and water for the dogs (a very dog friendly event!) At the finish line, members of our team linked arms to walk across together. All in all, it was a very memorable event and an honor to participate in.

(caption: Our Walk MS team crossing the finish line)

When Good Intentions Go Awry

2009-05-01T16:13:00Z

While browsing the news on the Internet this morning, I came across a story about a planned "Disability Day" at a primary school in Australia. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness about disabilities and to fundraise for a children's clinic in Bangladesh that repairs cleft lips and palates. Sounds great, right?

Unfortuntely, problems arose with the way that the school administrators decided to celebrate the day. A letter was sent home with children informing them that there would be a costume contest, complete with prizes, for "the best students dressed as a person with a disability" (Moscaritolo). Maria Moscaritolo of South Australia News reports:

Principal Barry Niven said the idea had been to raise student awareness of what it is like to cope daily with a disability but the idea had not been conveyed well in the newsletter.

The intention of the fundraiser, devised by the school's Student Representative Council, had been for students to come in with a bandaged arm or leg, he explained. He said a new letter would be sent to parents explaining the idea more clearly.

Paralympic gold medallist Matt Cowdrey said while he was sure the school's intentions were good, he didn't "think this is the best way to raise attention".

"People with disabilities want to be treated and should be treated no different to anybody else in the community," he said.

Barry Niven, the school's headmaster, had wanted to keep the"costume contest" once its meaning was cleared up, but eventually decided to cancel it due to outrage. Students will wear bright colors and smiley face buttons instead.

It seems obvious that the school was trying to raise money and awareness with good intentions, but it is also deeply concerning that while trying to raise awareness about disabilities, the administrator's idea of disability was a bandaged arm or leg. While physical disabilities may be easier to portray, this leaves out the whole gammut of "invisible" disabilities such as Fibromyalgia, TBIs, Autism, and more. Also, I'm personally unsure of how coming to school with with a bandaged arm in order to win a costume contest would help children to better understand disabilities. What are your thoughts?

Why I Walk: Denver Walk MS

2009-04-17T18:27:00Z

First of all, a big kudos and congratulations to Disaboom member Michael Gerber (Michaelbgerber) for raising awareness about MS and the Walk MS. If you haven't checked out Michael's recent blogs, his team for the L.A. Walk MS has raised over $6,000, and Michael's story has been featured in print and in video by KNBC. Walk MS events, run by the National MS Society, are currently happening all over the country. Each walk is an opportunity for the community to raise funds that will assist local MSers with support programs as well as invest money to find a cure. The Denver Walk MS is happening on May 2nd, and I will be doing the walk as a part of my boyfriend's team, Stompin' Out MS. We've raised over $7,000 to date, an accomplishment I'm really proud of. Daniel was diagnosed with MS in November of 2007. Since this is a cause near and dear to my heart, I wanted to take a moment to share my story too.

It's funny to think that two years ago I didn't really know what Multiple Sclerosis was, and even a little over a year ago I was still fuzzy on the specifics of MS.

Needless to say, things are a lot different now.

I started to learn about MS while working at Disaboom, an interactive website and resource for people with disabilities. This was the first time my eyes were truly opened to all the different disabilities in the world and how many people are affected by a disability in some way.

Then, I met Daniel.

Daniel and I hit if off from the beginning. He's an easy-going, fun-loving guy that anyone would be lucky to call their friend. I'm even luckier to be able to call him my boyfriend.

When I met Daniel in February of 2008, he was already diagnosed with MS. As we got to know each other better and started dating, I learned more and more about MS.

Symptoms can include such severe things as blindness, loss of muscle control and memory loss. Fortunately, to date, Daniel's symptoms have not been this severe. On any given day, he may experience muscle aches, fatigue, tingling, soreness, numbness or cold sensations anywhere on his body. The symptoms appear without warning and can last anywhere from a few hours, to several weeks.

The facts and research can be daunting, and the scariest part about MS is there's no way to predict what will happen, and there's no cure.

In spite of these facts, Daniel continues to amaze me with his optimism and unwavering dedication to live life to the fullest. He didn't choose to have MS, but he gets to choose how to deal with it.

I think we all could use to take a page out of his book.

I walked the Denver Walk MS last year, and I'm walking again this year. The funds raised from this fun event help the Colorado Chapter of the National MS Society provide programs, education and advocacy for the 72,000 Coloradans affected by MS. Funds also support vital research that will bring us closer a world free of MS. In 2008 the
Colorado Chapter invested $974,000 in research and $3.3 million in programs and services here in Colorado.

I choose to walk because I can, with Daniel and for all the people who are affected by MS. I hope that one day we will reach the hour when no one will have to hear the words, "You have MS."

I know the L.A. Walk MS is this weekend - Michael, good luck to you and your team!

"What Defines Me Doesn't Define Me"

2009-04-15T18:20:00Z

If you've ever heard of or watched the popular NBC show "The Office," you might know the quirky character Dwight Shrute, played by Rainn Wilson. I also discovered recently that Rainn started a blog with his son, Walter, called SoulPancake. The motto of the site is "Let's talk about something real." Essentially, it encourages readers to ponder over and engage in dialogue about some of life's tough questions. One of the recent blog posts that I especially liked was "What Defines Me Doesn't Define Me." The post encouraged readers to respond to the statement "I am..." Some responded with pictures, others wrote a sentence, (i.e. "I am a dancer") and others really expanded upon how a single word shouldn't be able to define their entire existence and identity. For example, commenter MemarieLane replied:

"I'm a mother, and that's all people see of me. All they care to see. I love being a mother, but there's so much more to me as well. People used to look at me, now their eyes slide around me as I'm disregarded. "Just another lady with kids, yawn. I'd rather talk to a rock. People will think I'm crazy either way, but at least the rock won't babble about teething or shoe sizes...."

Intrigued by this post and the resulting discussion, I asked the good folks at SoulPancake for permission to extend a continuation of that post here. This is a concept that might especially ring true with Disaboomers who feel that they have been defined (or, that others define them) by their disability. So, let's hear it! You can reply with a simple "I am..." or go into more detail and what does and doesn't define you. I'll start.

I am a student. In some ways it defines me, as I've been in school from nursery school straight to graduate school, without taking any time off. Being a student and the majors I've chosen have defined my ideal career path and money stress, as I have student loans to pay back. But it is only a part of me. Life isn't all about school and work. I have hobbies, interests, passions that have nothing to do with being a student. I don't need to be a student to be a learner, either - learning is a life-long process regardless of how long you're in school.

(Image: Screen shot of SoulPancake blog post: "What Defines Me Doesn't DefineMe.")

Pumpkin Party!

2008-09-25T21:20:00Z

With Halloween about a month away and pumpkins already being for sale at the neighborhood farms and grocery stores, here are pictures of some crazy pumpkins/pumpkin carving extravaganzas.

Tiffibunny

I'd say this pumpkin is slightly evil...

Jeneyepher

"It...it wasn't me. I didn't do it."

Celine

Sadly, they don't taste like M and M's. :P

minipixel

He's pumpkin happy!

also by minipixel

Apparently, he's winking? The combination of carving techniques is really cool, though!

(c)pacifist

Rawr! Mini pumpkin of doom!

jpstanley

Pumpkin Pi, anyone?

zizzybaloobah

Awesome pumpkin patch.

Custom Paper Toys

"Luuuuuke..."

Rupert Pumpkin

They look like frogs to me.

Red Wing Fan Mike

These are wedding pumpkins. Can't say I've ever seen anything like it!

Paul Keleher

A pumpkin made out of pumpkins!

klg1309

I'm more a fan of the regular pumpkin carving, but I have to say this does look cool and definitely takes some skill.

mr_o

"Awwww, man, I told you not to eat that last piece of pie..."

Girla Obscura

A pumpkin cemetery!

iceburns

This is a picture of the Guinness World Record for the maximum number of carved pumpkins in a single space!From Boston Commons.

tamelyn

"Mmmmm, candycorn..."

kkfryer

Tiny puppy, meet equally tiny pumpkin.

uglyagnes

"I crush you!"

abaesel

This squirrel is taking pumpkin carving to a whole new level.

Are You Kidding Me? Real Call Center Calls.

2008-09-18T20:53:00Z

Customer: "I've been calling 700-1000 for two days and can't get through; can you help?"

Operator: "Where did you get that number, sir?"

Customer: "It's on the door of your business."

Operator: "Sir, those are the hours that we are open."

---

Caller: "Can you give me the telephone number for Jack?"

Operator: "I'm sorry, sir, I don't understand who you are talking about."

Caller: "On page 1, section 5, of the user guide it clearly states that I need to unplug the fax machine from the AC wall socket and telephone Jack before cleaning. Now, can you give me the number for Jack?"

Operator: "I think it means the telephone plug on the wall."

---

Caller: "Does your European Breakdown Policy cover me when I am traveling in Australia ?"

Operator: "Does the product name give you a clue?"

---

Caller (enquiring about legal requirements while traveling in Europe ) "If I register my car in France , and then take it to England , do I have to change the steering wheel to the other side of the car?"

---

Directory Enquiries Caller: "I'd like the number of the Argo Fish Bar, please"

Operator: "I'm sorry, there's no listing. Are you sure that the spelling is correct?"

Caller: "Well, it used to be called the Bargo Fish Bar but the 'B' fell off."

---

Then there was the caller who asked for a knitwear company in Woven.

Operator: "Woven? Are you sure?"

Caller: "Yes. That's what it says on the label -- Woven in Scotland "

---

On another occasion, a man making heavy breathing sounds from a phone box told a worried operator: "I haven't got a pen, so I'm steaming up the window to write the number on."

---

Tech Support: "I need you to right-click on the Open Desktop."

Customer: "OK."

Tech Support: "Did you get a pop-up menu?"

Customer: "No."

Tech Support: "OK. Right-Click again. Do you see a pop-up menu?"

Customer: "No."

Tech Support: "OK, sir. Can you tell me what you have done up until this point?"

Customer: "Sure. You told me to write 'click' and I wrote 'click'."

---

Tech Support: "OK. At the bottom left hand side of your screen, can you see the 'OK' button displayed?"

Customer: "Wow! How can you see my screen from there?"

---

Caller: "I deleted a file from my PC last week and I just realized that I need it. So, if I turn my system clock back two weeks will I get my file back again?"

---

Actual dialogue of a former WordPerfect Customer Support employee. (Now I know why they record these conversations!):

Operator: "Ridge Hall, computer assistance; may I help you?"

Caller: "Yes, well, I'm having trouble with WordPerfect."

Operator: "What sort of trouble??"

Caller: "Well, I was just typing along, and all of a sudden the words went away."

Operator: "Went away?"

Caller: "They disappeared."

Operator: "Hmm. So what does your screen look like now?"

Caller: "Nothing."

Operator: "Nothing??"

Caller: "It's blank; it won't accept anything when I type."

Operator: "Are you still in WordPerfect, or did you get out??"

Caller: "How do I tell?"

Operator: "Can you see the 'C: prompt' on the screen??"

Caller: "What's a sea-prompt?"

Operator: "Never mind, can you move your cursor around the screen?"

Caller: "There isn't any cursor; I told you, it won't accept anything I type."

Operator: "Does your monitor have a power indicator??"

Caller: "What's a monitor?"

Operator: "It's the thing with the screen on it that looks like a TV. Does it have a little light that tells you when it's on??"

Caller: "I don't know."

Operator: "Well, then look on the back of the monitor and find where the power cord goes into it. Can you see that??"

Caller: "Yes, I think so."

Operator: "Great. Follow the cord to the plug, and tell me if it's plugged into the wall.

Caller: "Yes, it is."

Operator: "When you were behind the monitor, did you notice that there were two cables plugged into the back of it, not just one??"

Caller: "No." Operator: "Well, there are. I need you to look back there again and find the other cable."

Caller: "Okay, here it is."

Operator: "Follow it for me, and tell me if it's plugged securely into the back of your computer."

Caller: "I can't reach."

Operator: "OK. Well, can you see if it is??"

Caller: "No."

Operator: "Even if you maybe put your knee on something and lean way over??"

Caller: "Well, it's not because I don't have the right angle -- it's because it's dark."

Operator: "Dark??"

Caller: "Yes - the office light is off, and the only light I have is coming in from the window."

Operator: "Well, turn on the office light then."

Caller: "I can't."

Operator: "No? Why not??"

Caller: "Because there's a power failure."

Operator: "A power .... A power failure? Aha. Okay, we've got it licked now. Do you still have the boxes and manuals and packing stuff that your computer came in??"

Caller: "Well, yes, I keep them in the closet."

Operator: "Good. Go get them, and unplug your system and pack it up just like it was when you got it. Then take it back to the store you bought it from."

Caller: "Really? Is it that bad?"

Operator: "Yes, I'm afraid it is."

Caller: "Well, all right then, I suppose. What do I tell them??"

Operator: "Tell them you're too stupid to own a computer!!!"

From the Internet

5 Tips for a Stress-Free Work Day

2008-09-17T17:08:00Z

Need a little break from the stresses of the typical work day? Here are some tips to "help" you out (all in good fun, of course). :)

1) Accident-Free Commute to Work: One of the toughest parts of the day can be the commute to work, especially if you’re making your way to the office via a crowded highway full of people all trying to get to their desks on-time as well. A solution for a more peaceful and accident-free drive? This handy little “Drivemocion” lets other drivers know how you’re feeling. Thank them for letting you into a lane, say sorry if you stop short, flash someone a smiley face – it’s all good! You’ll be happier, and so will the drivers around you…In theory. Just try not to abuse your newfound power. “Well, I know I ran that red light, but my car winked at you as I cut you off, so I think that solves everything.”

source

2) Clean Work Space: We all know it’s hard to get anything done with a cluttered and messy workspace, so to help alleviate that issue, pull out your handy dandy mini-vacuum. It plugs right into your USB port, and is perfect for sucking up various crumbs and dust that has accumulated at your desk throughout the day. With a tidier desk, you’ll feel more relaxed and ready to tackle the day’s work!

source

3) Mmmm, Lunch: An important part of a productive day is eating a healthy lunch. If you brown bag it, one of the perils of working in an office can be putting your lunch in the office fridge…only to have someone else who didn’t bring their lunch (or who thinks your lunch looks much more appetizing than their’s) stealthily steal it out of the fridge. The solution? Putting your delicious sandwich in a baggie with “mold” on it – after all, who wants to eat a moldy sandwich? You and your stomach are set.

source

4) Well-rested: Another essential part of productivity is being well-rested. Unfortunately, due to the chaos of everyday life, a good night’s rest isn’t always in the cards. So, here’s what you do: Take a quick 15 minute catnap to re-energize under your desk! To this, you might complain about the floor being too hard or uncomfortable. Not the case when you whip out your wearable sleeping bag! Now you’re good to go.

source

5) Easy Button to the Rescue: With the four tips listed above, you’ve been having a stress-free day until 4 p.m. rolls around and suddenly you’re swamped with work. No worries – pull out your easy button, you have it for a reason. Just give it a quick punch and you’ll be saying “That was easy!” in no time. After all, the buttons work just like they do in the Staples commercials…Right?

source

If Dogs Could Read...

2008-09-12T23:06:00Z

This is the first time I've seen a sign with a message to the pet as well as the owner, so I had to share.

jtkauderer

Friday Video Fun: The Coolest Squirrel Ever.

2008-09-05T19:33:00Z

This squirrel is awesome. Enough said. :)

First-Ever Multiplatform Broadcast of the Paralympics in the U.S.

2008-08-29T22:45:00Z

Good news, Disaboomers! Turns out the Paralympics *will* have some U.S. television coverage this year, for the first time ever. Most of the TV coverage will take place a month after the actual games themselves, and on the Universal Sports channel (does anyone even know what channel this is?)...but hopefully it is a step in the right direction. Susan Katz reports on the U.S. Olympic Team website:

U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, is pleased to announce that Universal Sports, a multiplatform destination for amateur sports programming, will provide the first-ever multiplatform broadcast coverage of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, presented by GE in the United States. Daily video highlights will also be webcast on the official site of the U.S. Paralympic Team, usparalympics.org.

The groundbreaking broadcast will premiere on Sept. 6, on UniversalSports.com and Oct. 8, on Universal Sports TV, followed by a special presentation of the events on NBC, Oct. 18.

The Hollywood Reporter also details the coverage:

The Paralympic Games will be available in the U.S. starting on Sept. 6 on Universalsports.com and run through Sept. 17 with daily live and delayed highlight shows. Daily video highlights will also be available at the official site of the U.S. Paralympic Team, www.USParalympics.org.

Universal Sports TV will begin coverage on Oct. 8. TV coverage will consist of three-hour segments. NBC will televise a special presentation of the events on Oct. 18. Additionally, the U.S. Olympic Network will re-air portions of the 2008 Paralympics at the beginning of 2009.

Live web coverage during the games will also be available on Paralympic Sport TV.

Thoughts?

The Numbers Speak for Themselves: Disaboom's Latest Survey

2008-08-27T17:47:00Z

The results of Disaboom's latest survey are now out. CNNMoney reports:

91 percent of people with disabilities think they receive less attention than other minority groups from the presidential candidates, according to a poll recently conducted by Disaboom (OTCBB: DSBO) (www.disaboom.com), the premier online community for people with disabilities. With the current conventions and upcoming debates, people with disabilities are looking to the presidential candidates to present opinions, insights and solutions about topics that affect them, the largest minority group in America.

A recent Kelton Research study, commissioned by Disaboom, also indicated that one in four Americans believe that people with disabilities receive less support from the presidential candidates.

"This community is made up of 54 million Americans and can significantly impact the popular vote. And still, most members of our community feel that they receive little attention from the presidential candidates and from the political system as a whole," said Dr. Glen House, founder of Disaboom and a quadriplegic himself. "Our national research indicates that our unheard voice is eager to be heard on topics such as healthcare, accessibility, veterans' issues and unemployment."

This announcement follows Disaboom's recent findings that 57 percent of people with disabilities support Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election.

...The Disaboom poll was conducted by disaboom.com using Vizu.com polling technology between July 31, 2008 and August 22, 2008 using a survey posted at http://www.disaboom.com/Community/Organizations/Polls. Poll results are based on the responses of 604 respondents. Poll technology ensured that each respondent was limited to voting once.

Read the full press release here.

Patient Left in Chair for 22 Hours, Passes Away.

2008-08-20T18:13:00Z

Back in June, a patient of a New York mental health facility passed away after being ignored for almost 24 hours. Esmin Elizabeth Green, 49, had been admnitted following a nervous breakdown. Video surveilliance showed Green collapsing after waiting almost a day to be treated. She continued to lay unresponsive on the floor for almost an hour while hospital workers ignored her.

Now, there are reports of a patient of a North Carolina mental health facility passing away after being left in a chair for 22 hours. CNN reports:

A mental patient died after workers at a North Carolina hospital left him in a chair for 22 hours without feeding him or helping him use the bathroom, said federal officials who have threatened to cut off the facility's funding.

The state sent a team Tuesday to help Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro draft new procedures to ensure patients receive proper care.

An investigator's report released Monday found that 50-year-old Steven Sabock died in April after he choked on medication and was left sitting in a chair for close to a day at the facility about 50 miles southeast of Raleigh. Surveillance video showed hospital staff watching television and playing cards a few feet away.

Federal officials have threatened to cut off funding because of Sabock's death and a report that a physician punched a patient after the teen bit the doctor.

Department of Health and Human Services spokesman Tom Lawrence said the state team also may investigate what, if any, disciplinary action should be taken after Sabock's death.

Lawrence said the Sabock incident is isolated but that officials are concerned.

"It's not the kind of thing that we in our wildest dreams would expect to happen in our hospitals -- in our wildest nightmares, I guess," Lawrence said.

Bigfoot = Rubber Gorilla Suit.

2008-08-20T05:45:00Z

Lately in the news, there have been claims (complete with photographic evidence!) of finding Bigfoot in Georgia. Turns out (surprise, surprise), "Bigfoot" was just a frozen rubber gorilla suit. AP reports:

Matt Whitton, an officer who has been on medical leave from the Clayton County Police Department, and Rick Dyer, a former Georgia corrections officer, announced the find in early July on YouTube videos and a Web site.

"Everyone who has talked down to us is going to eat their words," Whitton said at the time.

Phone calls to Whitton and Dyer went unreturned on Tuesday. But the voicemail recording for their Bigfoot Tip Line — which proclaims they search for leprechauns and the Loch Ness monster — has been updated and announcing they're also in search of "big cats and dinosaurs. If you see any of those, give us a call."

On Tuesday, Clayton County Police Chief Jeff Turner said he has not spoken to Whitton but processed paperwork to fire him.

"Once he perpetrated a fraud, that goes into his credibility and integrity," Turner said. "He has violated the duty of a police officer."