View From the Chair

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

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, 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