The High Cost of Wheelchair Transportation
When you become disabled, the price of "everything" goes up by 400%, including transportation. In a perfect
world, everyone in a wheelchair would be able to afford a wheelchair van, at a cost of about $12,000 for a
good used van, to more than $70,000 for a new van. In reality, if you're on Medicare/Medicaid finding a ride to
anywhere is going to be an investment.
Johnson County provides transportation to mental and/or physically challenged persons at a fair cist, but the
trade off is the ride itself. You can go "almost anywhere" in the county, but the ride itself jars my body into
submission anytime I use it. I generally plan to spend the day in bed after I utilize "The JO Special Edition"
because the type of mini bus they use has no real suspension. You would think that Johnson County, recently
rated the 43rd wealthiest county in the US, would have the money and resources to get the best vehicles. They
are invested in obtaining the best vehicles for their regular service. I have long referred to the Special Edition
as "adequate at best." It's true, the service hours, days and vehicles don't accommodate the rider as much as
they accommodate the county. I've tried on several occasions to get someone within the management to take
the problems seriously, even offering common sense solutions, but in my opinion, they could care less.
Currently their is an advocacy group looking into the Special Edition for what they offer and what they don't. We
should know in a few months whether or not the county will conform to the suggestions made by the advocacy
group.
THE PRIVATE SECTOR
I went to a visitation this past December for a good friend. The Funeral Home was exactly 4.0 miles from my
residence, the cost to attend the visitation - $154.00 round trip. Seriously... How can someone, anyone afford
to get out and do anything when such prices are charged, just because I'm in a wheelchair. They can charge it
because their is no major competition and the cost for such vehicles, with insurance, is very high.
THE SILVER LINING
After a stay at the hospital, I was informed about Kansas non-emergency transportation. A no-cost ride to and
from the hospital and/or doctors office, provided by Kansas Medicaid. I have used the service on three
occasions now and have found it to be a cost-effective form of getting me to my doctors appointments. But
what about all the other times and other places I want to go. I don't want to pay $150 to go to a social function!
The Silver lining came in the form of that ride home from the hospital. The driver of the van informed me of his
new disabled transportation service, Care Cab, LLC. The owner, Cary Christie saw a need, so he and his
wife started the service to fill the gap. His charge is $20 for the first 10 miles and then $2.00 for each additional
mileage. Finally, a service that could get me to where i want to go without breaking the bank. Cary's company
is located in Olathe, but covers the entire metropolitan area at almost any hour. Here is the information for his
company: Care Cab, LLC (913) 764-8345 for reservations and information. He's got a website that offers
more information: www.carecabinfo.com
Finally... I can go where I want, when I want. Thank you Cary for giving me the freedom I missed so much!
An Open Letter to Kansas Gov Sam Brownback
Dear Gov Brownback,
Why is it that when the budget needs to be cut, the first place politicians look is social programs? I was recently
informed that social workers at the SRS office in Overland Park have had more cuts and therefore, have been
saddled with more than 700 clients per employee. Do any of the employees in any other branch of Kansas
government have that much responsibility? I doubt it very seriously.
The budget cuts expected this year will take a system that is badly damaged and turn it into an unimaginable
mess. Life for the estimated 13% of Kansans that are enrolled into the Medicaid program, is going to get
worse before it gets better. Honest, hard-working people like myself, that paid our taxes (and still do) into the
system, are not getting a fair return on our investment.
I have made several attempts to notify your office, the Lt Governor, other politicains in the state and
management at the Kansas Health Policy Authority, about a plan that would fund Kansas Medicaid entirely and
put people back to work. The response I've had from Topeka is.... Silence! No one wants to talk about the
problems and the possible solutions. The nursing home lobbyists and other lobbying groups against Medicaid
reform, have all of Topeka in their back pockets.
I would love the opportunity to speak with you and/or the LT Gov about a plan that would fund Kansas Medicaid
well into the future, without any majoer opposition. Are you interested?
Sincerely,
Gary A. Carson
Tackling disability discrimination takes more than wheelchair ramps
You're in a restaurant; dressed up, with friends, family, maybe a partner and halfway through your slap-up meal
there's a tap on your shoulder and "do you mind moving? it's disgusting, no its just … you're dribbling – it's
putting me off my food". Had that said to you? Or been the one saying it? Or even just thinking it?
Postwar history taught us that the mindset of western civilisation was that individuals needed to adapt to
existing environments and that wheelchairs were obstacles to participation, not steps and kerbs. The late
1960s and early 70s saw action taken for infrastructure to adapt to accommodate the needs of people with
disabilities and encourage inclusion. Visibly, there are obvious procedures and policies, ramps and electric
doors to demonstrate this progression.
However, these physical alterations only take into account the physical needs of those they intend to assist. We
may have automatic electric doors for people in wheelchairs, but how would we react to someone on a cold
windy day asking to have an outside door wedged open because their autism makes them fear being locked
in? I wouldn't want to be sat in a cold draft, would you?
Having worked in a retirement village where there are residents with extra care needs and those without, and
working within school and youth settings where again there are children with and without registered disabilities,
there is still a divide. There is a repulsion in canteens or restaurants if the person with a disability is "dribbling"
or "making a mess"; it is something that "we do not want to look at" but it is OK if it is "over there" or if "they
are out of the way".
In the era of Rosa Parks' stand against racism, where the segregation of white and black people was clearly
marked with signs, an "us and them" ethos was not only accepted but lawful; being "over there" was
mandatory. Nowadays, on the whole we would judge this as disgusting, so even without signs on seats, why do
we promote the same outcome for disability? Why do people feel the same way now as we did 60 years ago?
Perhaps the reason is that there are no signs, nothing written, and nothing tangible to stand up against. Instead
the segregation lies in hushed tones and is actually more corrosive.
This segregation is justified by saying disabled people need to be "over there", because that's where their
special needs can be met. I am not saying there is not an element of truth in that, however needs also involve
social interaction, inclusion and the capacity to participate as equals.
We find security in the process of pigeonholing people into easily identifiable groups. Take, for example,
someone with mobility problems such as paraplegia, which has become an "acceptable" disability through the
social construction of the "wheelchair". We know not how to react to the medical condition and its implications,
but the wheelchair itself – we move out of the way, we hold the door open and so we feel we have engaged
correctly while avoiding having to address the disability directly.
Cerebral palsy, on the other hand is still classed as "socially unacceptable", as it is difficult to identify. That
person hobbling home, unbalanced, is surely just drunk? And why would we publicly want to associate
ourselves with a rude drunk? What would that do to the non-disabled image? We'd be lying if we said those
thoughts hadn't even fleetingly crossed our minds.
So, how do we battle this segregation? It starts with acceptanceof the stark reality we live in and what we
actually think of disability, but are too ashamed to admit. Change comes from understanding and accepting
disability, together with embracing the person as an individual.
Maybe we can start with me? I have cerebral palsy; it's mild, but I'll probably limp back to my seat, unbalanced,
and awkwardly work through my meal later on, but how would I have been taken if I was dribbling throughout or
if autism meant that my language abilities were impaired? Disability isn't cool or fashionable, but it is real and
it is now. The apartheid culture and the Rosa Parks era has not left our reactions towards disability and still
limits people's lives today.
• Matthew Harper works at Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust's Hartfields Retirement Village in Hartlepool and
wrote this piece for the Young Thinker of the Year Award of the Young UK and Ireland Programme, for which he
was named runner up
BACA - Bikers Against Child Abuse
My good friend Aaron Byrd and an amazing organization known as BACA. Please watch the video...
A Cure for Cancer?
Can it be true, a real cure for Cancer? Maybe! It depends on who you want to believe.
Have you ever heard of Max Gerson? With its whole-body approach to healing, the Gerson Therapy naturally
reactivates your body's magnificent ability to heal itself - with no damaging side-effects. Over 200 articles in
respected medical literature, and thousands of people cured of their "incurable" diseases document the
Gerson Therapy's effectiveness. The Gerson Therapy is one of the few treatments to have a 60 year history of
success.
If Gerson Therapy is so effective, how come it's not readily available? The answer my surprise and terrify you at
the same time. The US Pharmaceutical Industry would rather keep Gerson and his therapy a big secret
because, "you can only sell a cure once!"
The Gerson Therapy is a state of the art, contemporary, alternative and natural treatment which utilizes the
body's own healing mechanism in the treatment and cure of chronic debilitating illness. When it was introduced
to the world by Max Gerson, M.D., the dietary therapy was so far ahead of its time that there were almost no
rationales available in the scientific literature to explain how it could produce cures in chronic as well as
infectious diseases. But, because it did cure many cases of advanced tuberculosis, heart disease, cancer and
numerous lesser conditions, the Gerson Therapy was established as a major contribution to the medical field,
through the publication of articles in peer reviewed medical literature
http://cancer-research.net/GersonPubs.html.
Gerson first published on the topic of cancer in 1945, almost forty years before the adoption of the current
official U.S. National Cancer Institute program on diet, nutrition, and cancer.
Max Gerson treated many hundreds of patients and continued to develop and refine his therapy up until his
death in 1959, at the age of 78. His most famous patient was Dr. Albert Schweitzer, whom Gerson cured of
advanced diabetes when Schweitzer was 75. Schweitzer returned to his African hospital, won the Nobel prize,
and worked past age 90. Schweitzer wrote "I see in Dr. Gerson one of the most eminent geniuses in the
history of medicine."
Most recently, Dr. Gerson was recognized as a pioneer in his field when he was inducted into the
Orthomolecular Medicine Hall of Fame in Ottawa, Canada on May 14, 2005. He joined seven other giants of
medicine whose seminal work has been influential in the medical and scientific worlds, and are considered
pioneers in their respective fields.
It is rare to find cancer, arthritis, or other degenerative diseases in cultures considered "primitive" by Western
civilization. Is it because of diet? The fact that degenerative diseases appear in these cultures only when
modern packaged foods and additives are introduced would certainly support that idea. Max Gerson said
"Stay close to nature and its eternal laws will protect you." He considered that degenerative diseases were
brought on by toxic, degraded food, water and air.
The disclaimer provided by the FDA; The Gerson therapy has not been approved by the FDA for use as a
treatment for cancer or any other disease.
For most cancer patients, nutrition guidelines include eating a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits,
vegetables, and whole-grain products. However, general guidelines such as these may have to be changed to
meet the specific needs of an individual patient. Patients should talk with their health care providers about an
appropriate diet to follow. Information about diet during cancer treatment is also available from the Cancer
Information Service (1-800-4-CANCER [TTY: 1-800-332-8615])
Available scientific evidence does not support claims that Gerson therapy is effective in treating cancer, and
the principles behind it are not widely accepted by the medical community. It is not approved for use in the
United States. Gerson therapy can be dangerous. Coffee enemas have been associated with serious
infections, dehydration, constipation, colitis (inflammation of the colon), electrolyte imbalances, and even death.
If you look at it from the perspective of Max Gerson, he's spot-on! If you look at it from the point of the US
Pharma industry, it will kill you. Is this yet another case of profit over humanity?
As I've stated before... "A can only sell a cure once!"
Corporate Greed - At the Expense of Wheelchair Users
Every teenager dreams of the perfect form of transportation. While some dreamt of a Corvette, a Mustang, a
Ferrari or a Porsche, there were others who dared to dream about the iBOT. The creation of technological
wizard Dean Kamen, the iBOT was the "dream machine" of wheelchair users that had a number of features
distinguishing it from most powered wheelchairs.
The iBOT was doomed to fail from the very beginning, due mainly in part to the greed of Johnson & Johnson.
By not utilizing the full benefits provided in the wheelchair market, J&J was only looking out for itself and not the
well-being of wheelchair users in general. What is so special about the iBOT compared to other wheelchairs...
By rotating its two sets of powered wheels about each other, the iBOT could "walk" up and down stairs, much
like a cog railway or a rack and pinion with the two wheels as the "teeth" of the gear. The wheels could roll
slightly at each step to compensate for a wide range of stair dimensions. When stair-climbing without
assistance the user required a sturdy handrail and a strong grip. With an assistant neither a handrail nor a
strong grip were required. Watch this VIDEO.
The iBOT was capable of tethered remote control operation, useful for loading the wheelchair up ramps into
vehicles, or "parking" out of the way when not occupied.
A special software package called iBALANCE received data via various sensors and gyroscopes, allowing
the iBOT to maintain balance during certain maneuvers. For example during curb climbing the seat remained
level while parts of the chassis tilted to climb the curb.
It allowed the user to rise from a sitting level to approximately 6 ft. tall, measured from the ground to the top of
the head, depending on the size of the occupant. It did this by raising one pair of wheels above the other to
elevate the chassis, while a separate actuator raised the seat slightly more than usual. In this configuration the
device was on two wheels, and the 'iBALANCE' software and gyroscope signals control the iBOT to maintain
equilibrium, balancing much like the Segway scooter (which was a spin-off from the iBOT development). The
user was also able to travel in this "standing" configuration.
It could climb and descend curbs ranging from 0.1 to 5.0 inches and was capable of traveling through many
types of terrain, including sand, gravel, and water up to 3" deep.
So what happened to the "dream machine" for wheelchair users?
The official answer from Independence Technology, a division of Johnson & Johnson was; "due to an inability
to make the business model for the iBOT profitable or even reach a break even point, Johnson & Johnson
ceased selling the iBot in December 2008." The reasons behind this decision aren't so cut and dry...
The real story is that J&J wanted to own the market exclusively and unlike other wheelchair manufacturers, did
not allow any other wholesaler and/or retailer to carry the product. That was only one sticking point. The other
was the fact that J&J didn't market the wheelchair to Medicare.
DME, or Durable Medical Equipment is a classification used by Medicare/Medicaid, to aid persons with
disabilities, by providing the means to get what they needed. By not utilizing this system, J&J expected its
clients to pay the full amount of $26,100 to receive an iBOT. Had J&J utilized DME through Medicare, almost
anyone that was wheelchair bound could have received the product.
The failure of J&J of not utilizing all the marketing potential of the product, through DME and as a wholesale
product available through the thousands of DME providers, lead to the demise of the iBOT. The retail price of
$26,00 for the wheelchair was nothing compared to other brands. For instance, my Invacare TDX-SP cost a
little more than $32,000. It tilts and reclines to allow me to shift my body weight away from my hips and spinal
column to relieve pressure. Sure, my TDX can spin on a dime, but it can't climb stairs, nor can it utilize a 4X4
function to get me through the toughest terrain. My wheelchair can't rise up on two wheels, to put me level with
able-bodied persons.
Some would dare to ask, why would you need all the features of the iBOT? Well, it's really quite simple. The
iBOT "did it all" for one main reason... To allow the wheelchair user to be less dependent on others, such as an
aide. The cost of hiring a person to tag along averages out to about $9.00 an hour. I know this because I
require an aide and she has, on more than one occasion, had to push me along when my wheelchair couldn't
make it through rough terrain. But Gary, "rough terrain?" Why not use the sidewalks, you ask? Let's go back to
this past Winter when the snow was piled so high on most sidewalks they were impassable by even able-
bodied persons. I invited several news organizations out to witness what is was like for a person in a
wheelchair to navigate snow covered surfaces... You can't! Had I been on an iBot, I would have never made the
call to the media... But then again, I couldn't afford the $26,100 needed to obtain my freedom.
In closing, I want to thank William C. Weldon (CEO) Robert Wood Johnson, James Wood Johnson, Philip B.
Hoffman and the other Board of Directors of Johnson & Johnson, for putting the needs and the expense of
wheelchair users, behind the need to earn a profit.
10 Tips for Fundraising Publicity
If you run a not for profit organization or a type of business or other firm that could use some funds raised, then
you need to consider fundraising. This is a fun and sometimes highly successful way of raising funds while
often time also offering something beneficial to those who donate to your cause. Here are ten tips for getting
the word out on your fundraising event.
-Get the word out early. The more people you reach and earlier you do it, but not too early, the better chance
you will have of getting a better amount of donations.
-Be specific in your publicity. Tell potential donors what it is you stand for, what it is you need and how they
would benefit from donating to your cause.
-Consider writing up a news release. This is a formal letter explaining your event that reporters can cover on
television, the radio, in print publications or on news websites.
-Word of mouth is very important. Tell as many people as you can verbally about your fundraising event and
also ask that they tell as many of their friends and family members as possible. If your fundraising event seems
worthy to them, chances are you can get a very promising turn out this way.
-Type up and print a flyer advertising your event. Bring a copy to your local photo copy center and have several
hundred printed up. This is a largely inexpensive way for you to manually post and pass out these notices in
your local community.
-Form a mailing campaign. Take your photo copy flyer idea and mail them to local home owners, businesses
and other recipients who you feel would be interested in your event. Make sure you can afford to budget this in
to your fundraising project.
-Start an email campaign. Instead of the costly method of sending flyers via snail mail, you can also email all of
your internet contacts with a copy of the flyer. In this case also ask recipients to forward the email to their
contacts and thousands of people can be reached this way.
-Appear in public. If you are running the event, check with local authorities first and then set up a table in public
so you can inform local passers by about your event before it happens.
-Hire someone else to appear in public or another person who is helping out with the event.
-Create a funny or silly slogan advertising your cause. It will get people talking and possibly even lead them to
information on your fundraising efforts.
Clearly there are many different ways in which you can inform potential donors about your fundraising event. If
you approach it with a little creativity and lots of energy, you have the potential of reaching thousands of people
and translating that into thousands of dollars of donated funds. If you need the funds, why not try all of the above
methods to see which if not all work for you? There is not much to lose by trying.
- From Fast Track Fundraising Tips
An alternative to high food prices for low income persons in need.
My good friend Maria told me about a source I knew nothing about, Angel Food Ministries. It stands to reason
that higher food prices impact those who are on food stamps, a lot more than it does for able-bodied folk, for
the simple fact that we are only allotted a fixed amount to spend each month.
With a heart to help others and a generous spirit, Joe and Linda Wingo founded Angel Food Ministries in 1994
to provide food for friends and neighbors who were struggling financially. Today the Angel Food program now
is helping provide food relief to more than 500,000 families each month.
Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to providing food relief and
financial support to communities throughout the United States. The program began in 1994 with 34 families in
Monroe, Georgia (between Atlanta and Athens), and has grown to serve hundreds of thousands of families
every month across 45 states. Angel Food Ministries crosses denominational lines and has spread the good
news of the gospel of Christ through salvation tracts that are placed in each food order.
Go to the site and see if your state participates in this wonderful program... And thank you Maria!
http://www.angelfoodministries.com/
When you become disabled, the price of "everything" goes up by 400%, including transportation. In a perfect
world, everyone in a wheelchair would be able to afford a wheelchair van, at a cost of about $12,000 for a
good used van, to more than $70,000 for a new van. In reality, if you're on Medicare/Medicaid finding a ride to
anywhere is going to be an investment.
Johnson County provides transportation to mental and/or physically challenged persons at a fair cist, but the
trade off is the ride itself. You can go "almost anywhere" in the county, but the ride itself jars my body into
submission anytime I use it. I generally plan to spend the day in bed after I utilize "The JO Special Edition"
because the type of mini bus they use has no real suspension. You would think that Johnson County, recently
rated the 43rd wealthiest county in the US, would have the money and resources to get the best vehicles. They
are invested in obtaining the best vehicles for their regular service. I have long referred to the Special Edition
as "adequate at best." It's true, the service hours, days and vehicles don't accommodate the rider as much as
they accommodate the county. I've tried on several occasions to get someone within the management to take
the problems seriously, even offering common sense solutions, but in my opinion, they could care less.
Currently their is an advocacy group looking into the Special Edition for what they offer and what they don't. We
should know in a few months whether or not the county will conform to the suggestions made by the advocacy
group.
THE PRIVATE SECTOR
I went to a visitation this past December for a good friend. The Funeral Home was exactly 4.0 miles from my
residence, the cost to attend the visitation - $154.00 round trip. Seriously... How can someone, anyone afford
to get out and do anything when such prices are charged, just because I'm in a wheelchair. They can charge it
because their is no major competition and the cost for such vehicles, with insurance, is very high.
THE SILVER LINING
After a stay at the hospital, I was informed about Kansas non-emergency transportation. A no-cost ride to and
from the hospital and/or doctors office, provided by Kansas Medicaid. I have used the service on three
occasions now and have found it to be a cost-effective form of getting me to my doctors appointments. But
what about all the other times and other places I want to go. I don't want to pay $150 to go to a social function!
The Silver lining came in the form of that ride home from the hospital. The driver of the van informed me of his
new disabled transportation service, Care Cab, LLC. The owner, Cary Christie saw a need, so he and his
wife started the service to fill the gap. His charge is $20 for the first 10 miles and then $2.00 for each additional
mileage. Finally, a service that could get me to where i want to go without breaking the bank. Cary's company
is located in Olathe, but covers the entire metropolitan area at almost any hour. Here is the information for his
company: Care Cab, LLC (913) 764-8345 for reservations and information. He's got a website that offers
more information: www.carecabinfo.com
Finally... I can go where I want, when I want. Thank you Cary for giving me the freedom I missed so much!
An Open Letter to Kansas Gov Sam Brownback
Dear Gov Brownback,
Why is it that when the budget needs to be cut, the first place politicians look is social programs? I was recently
informed that social workers at the SRS office in Overland Park have had more cuts and therefore, have been
saddled with more than 700 clients per employee. Do any of the employees in any other branch of Kansas
government have that much responsibility? I doubt it very seriously.
The budget cuts expected this year will take a system that is badly damaged and turn it into an unimaginable
mess. Life for the estimated 13% of Kansans that are enrolled into the Medicaid program, is going to get
worse before it gets better. Honest, hard-working people like myself, that paid our taxes (and still do) into the
system, are not getting a fair return on our investment.
I have made several attempts to notify your office, the Lt Governor, other politicains in the state and
management at the Kansas Health Policy Authority, about a plan that would fund Kansas Medicaid entirely and
put people back to work. The response I've had from Topeka is.... Silence! No one wants to talk about the
problems and the possible solutions. The nursing home lobbyists and other lobbying groups against Medicaid
reform, have all of Topeka in their back pockets.
I would love the opportunity to speak with you and/or the LT Gov about a plan that would fund Kansas Medicaid
well into the future, without any majoer opposition. Are you interested?
Sincerely,
Gary A. Carson
Tackling disability discrimination takes more than wheelchair ramps
You're in a restaurant; dressed up, with friends, family, maybe a partner and halfway through your slap-up meal
there's a tap on your shoulder and "do you mind moving? it's disgusting, no its just … you're dribbling – it's
putting me off my food". Had that said to you? Or been the one saying it? Or even just thinking it?
Postwar history taught us that the mindset of western civilisation was that individuals needed to adapt to
existing environments and that wheelchairs were obstacles to participation, not steps and kerbs. The late
1960s and early 70s saw action taken for infrastructure to adapt to accommodate the needs of people with
disabilities and encourage inclusion. Visibly, there are obvious procedures and policies, ramps and electric
doors to demonstrate this progression.
However, these physical alterations only take into account the physical needs of those they intend to assist. We
may have automatic electric doors for people in wheelchairs, but how would we react to someone on a cold
windy day asking to have an outside door wedged open because their autism makes them fear being locked
in? I wouldn't want to be sat in a cold draft, would you?
Having worked in a retirement village where there are residents with extra care needs and those without, and
working within school and youth settings where again there are children with and without registered disabilities,
there is still a divide. There is a repulsion in canteens or restaurants if the person with a disability is "dribbling"
or "making a mess"; it is something that "we do not want to look at" but it is OK if it is "over there" or if "they
are out of the way".
In the era of Rosa Parks' stand against racism, where the segregation of white and black people was clearly
marked with signs, an "us and them" ethos was not only accepted but lawful; being "over there" was
mandatory. Nowadays, on the whole we would judge this as disgusting, so even without signs on seats, why do
we promote the same outcome for disability? Why do people feel the same way now as we did 60 years ago?
Perhaps the reason is that there are no signs, nothing written, and nothing tangible to stand up against. Instead
the segregation lies in hushed tones and is actually more corrosive.
This segregation is justified by saying disabled people need to be "over there", because that's where their
special needs can be met. I am not saying there is not an element of truth in that, however needs also involve
social interaction, inclusion and the capacity to participate as equals.
We find security in the process of pigeonholing people into easily identifiable groups. Take, for example,
someone with mobility problems such as paraplegia, which has become an "acceptable" disability through the
social construction of the "wheelchair". We know not how to react to the medical condition and its implications,
but the wheelchair itself – we move out of the way, we hold the door open and so we feel we have engaged
correctly while avoiding having to address the disability directly.
Cerebral palsy, on the other hand is still classed as "socially unacceptable", as it is difficult to identify. That
person hobbling home, unbalanced, is surely just drunk? And why would we publicly want to associate
ourselves with a rude drunk? What would that do to the non-disabled image? We'd be lying if we said those
thoughts hadn't even fleetingly crossed our minds.
So, how do we battle this segregation? It starts with acceptanceof the stark reality we live in and what we
actually think of disability, but are too ashamed to admit. Change comes from understanding and accepting
disability, together with embracing the person as an individual.
Maybe we can start with me? I have cerebral palsy; it's mild, but I'll probably limp back to my seat, unbalanced,
and awkwardly work through my meal later on, but how would I have been taken if I was dribbling throughout or
if autism meant that my language abilities were impaired? Disability isn't cool or fashionable, but it is real and
it is now. The apartheid culture and the Rosa Parks era has not left our reactions towards disability and still
limits people's lives today.
• Matthew Harper works at Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust's Hartfields Retirement Village in Hartlepool and
wrote this piece for the Young Thinker of the Year Award of the Young UK and Ireland Programme, for which he
was named runner up
BACA - Bikers Against Child Abuse
My good friend Aaron Byrd and an amazing organization known as BACA. Please watch the video...
A Cure for Cancer?
Can it be true, a real cure for Cancer? Maybe! It depends on who you want to believe.
Have you ever heard of Max Gerson? With its whole-body approach to healing, the Gerson Therapy naturally
reactivates your body's magnificent ability to heal itself - with no damaging side-effects. Over 200 articles in
respected medical literature, and thousands of people cured of their "incurable" diseases document the
Gerson Therapy's effectiveness. The Gerson Therapy is one of the few treatments to have a 60 year history of
success.
If Gerson Therapy is so effective, how come it's not readily available? The answer my surprise and terrify you at
the same time. The US Pharmaceutical Industry would rather keep Gerson and his therapy a big secret
because, "you can only sell a cure once!"
The Gerson Therapy is a state of the art, contemporary, alternative and natural treatment which utilizes the
body's own healing mechanism in the treatment and cure of chronic debilitating illness. When it was introduced
to the world by Max Gerson, M.D., the dietary therapy was so far ahead of its time that there were almost no
rationales available in the scientific literature to explain how it could produce cures in chronic as well as
infectious diseases. But, because it did cure many cases of advanced tuberculosis, heart disease, cancer and
numerous lesser conditions, the Gerson Therapy was established as a major contribution to the medical field,
through the publication of articles in peer reviewed medical literature
http://cancer-research.net/GersonPubs.html.
Gerson first published on the topic of cancer in 1945, almost forty years before the adoption of the current
official U.S. National Cancer Institute program on diet, nutrition, and cancer.
Max Gerson treated many hundreds of patients and continued to develop and refine his therapy up until his
death in 1959, at the age of 78. His most famous patient was Dr. Albert Schweitzer, whom Gerson cured of
advanced diabetes when Schweitzer was 75. Schweitzer returned to his African hospital, won the Nobel prize,
and worked past age 90. Schweitzer wrote "I see in Dr. Gerson one of the most eminent geniuses in the
history of medicine."
Most recently, Dr. Gerson was recognized as a pioneer in his field when he was inducted into the
Orthomolecular Medicine Hall of Fame in Ottawa, Canada on May 14, 2005. He joined seven other giants of
medicine whose seminal work has been influential in the medical and scientific worlds, and are considered
pioneers in their respective fields.
It is rare to find cancer, arthritis, or other degenerative diseases in cultures considered "primitive" by Western
civilization. Is it because of diet? The fact that degenerative diseases appear in these cultures only when
modern packaged foods and additives are introduced would certainly support that idea. Max Gerson said
"Stay close to nature and its eternal laws will protect you." He considered that degenerative diseases were
brought on by toxic, degraded food, water and air.
The disclaimer provided by the FDA; The Gerson therapy has not been approved by the FDA for use as a
treatment for cancer or any other disease.
For most cancer patients, nutrition guidelines include eating a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits,
vegetables, and whole-grain products. However, general guidelines such as these may have to be changed to
meet the specific needs of an individual patient. Patients should talk with their health care providers about an
appropriate diet to follow. Information about diet during cancer treatment is also available from the Cancer
Information Service (1-800-4-CANCER [TTY: 1-800-332-8615])
Available scientific evidence does not support claims that Gerson therapy is effective in treating cancer, and
the principles behind it are not widely accepted by the medical community. It is not approved for use in the
United States. Gerson therapy can be dangerous. Coffee enemas have been associated with serious
infections, dehydration, constipation, colitis (inflammation of the colon), electrolyte imbalances, and even death.
If you look at it from the perspective of Max Gerson, he's spot-on! If you look at it from the point of the US
Pharma industry, it will kill you. Is this yet another case of profit over humanity?
As I've stated before... "A can only sell a cure once!"
Corporate Greed - At the Expense of Wheelchair Users
Every teenager dreams of the perfect form of transportation. While some dreamt of a Corvette, a Mustang, a
Ferrari or a Porsche, there were others who dared to dream about the iBOT. The creation of technological
wizard Dean Kamen, the iBOT was the "dream machine" of wheelchair users that had a number of features
distinguishing it from most powered wheelchairs.
The iBOT was doomed to fail from the very beginning, due mainly in part to the greed of Johnson & Johnson.
By not utilizing the full benefits provided in the wheelchair market, J&J was only looking out for itself and not the
well-being of wheelchair users in general. What is so special about the iBOT compared to other wheelchairs...
By rotating its two sets of powered wheels about each other, the iBOT could "walk" up and down stairs, much
like a cog railway or a rack and pinion with the two wheels as the "teeth" of the gear. The wheels could roll
slightly at each step to compensate for a wide range of stair dimensions. When stair-climbing without
assistance the user required a sturdy handrail and a strong grip. With an assistant neither a handrail nor a
strong grip were required. Watch this VIDEO.
The iBOT was capable of tethered remote control operation, useful for loading the wheelchair up ramps into
vehicles, or "parking" out of the way when not occupied.
A special software package called iBALANCE received data via various sensors and gyroscopes, allowing
the iBOT to maintain balance during certain maneuvers. For example during curb climbing the seat remained
level while parts of the chassis tilted to climb the curb.
It allowed the user to rise from a sitting level to approximately 6 ft. tall, measured from the ground to the top of
the head, depending on the size of the occupant. It did this by raising one pair of wheels above the other to
elevate the chassis, while a separate actuator raised the seat slightly more than usual. In this configuration the
device was on two wheels, and the 'iBALANCE' software and gyroscope signals control the iBOT to maintain
equilibrium, balancing much like the Segway scooter (which was a spin-off from the iBOT development). The
user was also able to travel in this "standing" configuration.
It could climb and descend curbs ranging from 0.1 to 5.0 inches and was capable of traveling through many
types of terrain, including sand, gravel, and water up to 3" deep.
So what happened to the "dream machine" for wheelchair users?
The official answer from Independence Technology, a division of Johnson & Johnson was; "due to an inability
to make the business model for the iBOT profitable or even reach a break even point, Johnson & Johnson
ceased selling the iBot in December 2008." The reasons behind this decision aren't so cut and dry...
The real story is that J&J wanted to own the market exclusively and unlike other wheelchair manufacturers, did
not allow any other wholesaler and/or retailer to carry the product. That was only one sticking point. The other
was the fact that J&J didn't market the wheelchair to Medicare.
DME, or Durable Medical Equipment is a classification used by Medicare/Medicaid, to aid persons with
disabilities, by providing the means to get what they needed. By not utilizing this system, J&J expected its
clients to pay the full amount of $26,100 to receive an iBOT. Had J&J utilized DME through Medicare, almost
anyone that was wheelchair bound could have received the product.
The failure of J&J of not utilizing all the marketing potential of the product, through DME and as a wholesale
product available through the thousands of DME providers, lead to the demise of the iBOT. The retail price of
$26,00 for the wheelchair was nothing compared to other brands. For instance, my Invacare TDX-SP cost a
little more than $32,000. It tilts and reclines to allow me to shift my body weight away from my hips and spinal
column to relieve pressure. Sure, my TDX can spin on a dime, but it can't climb stairs, nor can it utilize a 4X4
function to get me through the toughest terrain. My wheelchair can't rise up on two wheels, to put me level with
able-bodied persons.
Some would dare to ask, why would you need all the features of the iBOT? Well, it's really quite simple. The
iBOT "did it all" for one main reason... To allow the wheelchair user to be less dependent on others, such as an
aide. The cost of hiring a person to tag along averages out to about $9.00 an hour. I know this because I
require an aide and she has, on more than one occasion, had to push me along when my wheelchair couldn't
make it through rough terrain. But Gary, "rough terrain?" Why not use the sidewalks, you ask? Let's go back to
this past Winter when the snow was piled so high on most sidewalks they were impassable by even able-
bodied persons. I invited several news organizations out to witness what is was like for a person in a
wheelchair to navigate snow covered surfaces... You can't! Had I been on an iBot, I would have never made the
call to the media... But then again, I couldn't afford the $26,100 needed to obtain my freedom.
In closing, I want to thank William C. Weldon (CEO) Robert Wood Johnson, James Wood Johnson, Philip B.
Hoffman and the other Board of Directors of Johnson & Johnson, for putting the needs and the expense of
wheelchair users, behind the need to earn a profit.
10 Tips for Fundraising Publicity
If you run a not for profit organization or a type of business or other firm that could use some funds raised, then
you need to consider fundraising. This is a fun and sometimes highly successful way of raising funds while
often time also offering something beneficial to those who donate to your cause. Here are ten tips for getting
the word out on your fundraising event.
-Get the word out early. The more people you reach and earlier you do it, but not too early, the better chance
you will have of getting a better amount of donations.
-Be specific in your publicity. Tell potential donors what it is you stand for, what it is you need and how they
would benefit from donating to your cause.
-Consider writing up a news release. This is a formal letter explaining your event that reporters can cover on
television, the radio, in print publications or on news websites.
-Word of mouth is very important. Tell as many people as you can verbally about your fundraising event and
also ask that they tell as many of their friends and family members as possible. If your fundraising event seems
worthy to them, chances are you can get a very promising turn out this way.
-Type up and print a flyer advertising your event. Bring a copy to your local photo copy center and have several
hundred printed up. This is a largely inexpensive way for you to manually post and pass out these notices in
your local community.
-Form a mailing campaign. Take your photo copy flyer idea and mail them to local home owners, businesses
and other recipients who you feel would be interested in your event. Make sure you can afford to budget this in
to your fundraising project.
-Start an email campaign. Instead of the costly method of sending flyers via snail mail, you can also email all of
your internet contacts with a copy of the flyer. In this case also ask recipients to forward the email to their
contacts and thousands of people can be reached this way.
-Appear in public. If you are running the event, check with local authorities first and then set up a table in public
so you can inform local passers by about your event before it happens.
-Hire someone else to appear in public or another person who is helping out with the event.
-Create a funny or silly slogan advertising your cause. It will get people talking and possibly even lead them to
information on your fundraising efforts.
Clearly there are many different ways in which you can inform potential donors about your fundraising event. If
you approach it with a little creativity and lots of energy, you have the potential of reaching thousands of people
and translating that into thousands of dollars of donated funds. If you need the funds, why not try all of the above
methods to see which if not all work for you? There is not much to lose by trying.
- From Fast Track Fundraising Tips
An alternative to high food prices for low income persons in need.
My good friend Maria told me about a source I knew nothing about, Angel Food Ministries. It stands to reason
that higher food prices impact those who are on food stamps, a lot more than it does for able-bodied folk, for
the simple fact that we are only allotted a fixed amount to spend each month.
With a heart to help others and a generous spirit, Joe and Linda Wingo founded Angel Food Ministries in 1994
to provide food for friends and neighbors who were struggling financially. Today the Angel Food program now
is helping provide food relief to more than 500,000 families each month.
Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to providing food relief and
financial support to communities throughout the United States. The program began in 1994 with 34 families in
Monroe, Georgia (between Atlanta and Athens), and has grown to serve hundreds of thousands of families
every month across 45 states. Angel Food Ministries crosses denominational lines and has spread the good
news of the gospel of Christ through salvation tracts that are placed in each food order.
Go to the site and see if your state participates in this wonderful program... And thank you Maria!
http://www.angelfoodministries.com/
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