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Showing posts from 2019

Thank Goodness Santa Claus doesn’t have Wheels on his Sleigh!

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This past August I had to request a new power wheelchair. My chair was very worn after five years of use -- going to work in Manhattan, New York, traveling on aircraft and going about my daily living activities. Basically, I beat up my wheelchair as I used it 12 hours each day, seven days a week throughout the years. I had to repair my wheelchair quite a few times during 2018-2019, changing batteries, the wheels, upholstery and armrests. I banged up the chair pretty good in New York City while riding to work in Manhattan for about 3 1/2 years. Wheelchair Storm Models My Invacare-Storm wheelchair is durable and gets me around quite well. If you are a wheelchair rider, you know what I mean, because the chair is not only your mobility in the real world, it’s also your unique pair of "legs."And, when you’re working full-time as I am, people expect you to be in the office or at meetings when you are  supposed to be there -- especially when you're leading the  meeting

U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Formation and Membership of the Air Carrier Access Act Advisory Committee

As many of you know, many in the disability community have been looking to help usher in a new travel modality as we fly commercial aircraft.  With the help of the PVA , government and the airline industry,  the U.S. Department of Transportation has announced a new Air Carrier Access Act Advisory Committee to " identify and assess disability-related access barriers encountered by air travelers with disabilities, evaluate the extent to which DOT’s programs and activities are addressing these disability-related access barriers, and recommend actions to improve the air travel experience of passengers with disabilities."   This is a watershed .moment for me, and I am sure for my colleagues also named to this committee. The press release, launched yesterday, can be accesed via this link. https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/us-department-transportation-announces-formation-and-membership-air-carrier-access-act WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Transportatio

Veronique: The passing of a quad's best friend -- 2007-2019

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Veronique, a certified service dog, died this morning to due complications with cancer in Pembroke, Massachusetts. . Veronique was with us for 10 years-- I got her when she was two.  I've included a previous post about Veronique, below, when I was trained to become her "handler" at the Canine Companions Training Center in Medford, Long Island (New York). She became a member of our family and was a favorite with our two children and granddaughters. Her passing touched my wife and I deeply, and I didn't realize how much emotion --love-- one could feel for a pet as we did for Veronique. Every time I pushed the start button on my power chair, Veronique would come to attention and accompany me as I began my ride to any destination a wheelchair could get to -- as well as ride with me in any mode of transportation that was accessible. She gave me confidence, helped me become more social -- everyone loves a service dog-- and taught me how to be more