View From the Chair

Déjà Vu : This column was originally published in the Journal-News, a newspaper distributed in Rockland County, New York, October 22, 1990 .  I'm re-publishing this column as part of my online blog because apple picking season is upon us. I still believe the message is appropriate today and is an example of the activities many of us with disabilities can enjoy in the United States, and perhaps around the world.  Photos were added to this posting from my collection or the web, as noted. Some of the organizations and programs mentioned here may have changed or no longer exist in New York State as of this writing.  I hope you find this column helpful and informative. I have found another thing I can do from a wheelchair: pick up apples. As a boy from the Bronx, I didn't think I'd enjoy it. Boy, was I wrong!  I had so much fun. I can't wait to take the family out again next year. We didn't plan it, we just did it on a whim. We had driven to Chester, N.Y. t

This blog wraps up summer here in Massachusetts, and marks our first year as New England residents since leaving New York State. Photos taken by Maggie Sinocchi, unless noted. After 35 years of paralysis due to spinal cord injury and a work career of nearly 40 years, I have tried to live as “normally” as possible.  But living in an “ablebodied” world has presented challenges and restrictions hindering full participation in society for people like me. As you know, that’s what this blog is all about.    Because I put myself in situations or events where disabled people are not expected or cannot participate due to physical limitations, I either have a good time without incident, something unexpected happens, or I get into trouble. This is the essence of living with a disabiliy. The Bay State is disability friendly based on my personal standards So far, I have found Massachusetts mostly “ pro-disabled ” and “ disability friendly .”  My disability standards,

Déjà Vu : This column was originally published in the Journal-News, a newspaper distributed in Rockland County, New York, November 19, 1990 .  I'm re-publishing this column as part of my online blog because football season is upon us. I still believe the message is appropriate today and remains part of the disability experience many of us still face in the United States, and perhaps around the world.  Photos were added to this posting from wikipedia, a Metlife Stadium Google image and a free disability site. Some of the organizations and programs may have changed or no longer exist as of this writing.  I hope you find this column helpful and informative. I saw three able-bodied men recently sitting in wheelchairs, pretending to be disabled, in order to get free and good seats at a football game. Imagine, pretending to be disabled. Before I say more, let me describe the circumstances. For several years, the management of the New Jersey Meadowlands sports complex has gra