Shame on You, Mayor Bloomberg

As my family will attest, I rarely say "I told you so." (Come on, guys, support me on this one!) But this is just too good to pass up. New York's Taxis for All Campaign recently issued a public letter to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo that tells it like it is on the subject of accessible cabs in NYC. They're necessary and they're the right thing to do, period.

Unfortunately, neither the letter nor Gov. Cuomo could make magic on this one. Yesterday, NYC's Mayor Bloomberg and Nissan representatives introduced the "Taxi of Tomorrow," which is scheduled to fully replace all New York Taxis beginning this coming October. It's definitely NOT accessible to wheelchair users, and Mayor Bloomberg likes it this way. I just don't agree.

Less than 300 out of 13,000 yellow cabs are currently accessible to wheelchair users in the Big Apple. The subway doesn't cut it, as our family well knows, and buses are not an ideal option much of the time -- which is why 13,000 cabs remain in business, except to serve wheelchair users, of course. Similarly, if you are non-ambulatory and would like to hire a livery car, only 23 vehicles out of a fleet of 35,000 can accommodate you. Really? Really!

The Taxis for All Campaign's rather obvious assertion is that most ADA improvements help people with disabilities AND many others, including parents with strollers, older persons with mobility issues, and delivery people pushing carts, to name a few. We've all appreciated the lack of a step at times, I'm sure. It's simple universal design, and that's why it's called "universal."

Since my choice for Tomorrow's Taxi, the Karsan Kab, is out, I had high hopes that Mayor Bloomberg would be pursuaded by clear thinking and common decency as he made an important decision about public transportation and the future of the Big Apple. Alas, he didn't get it right and now people will continue to struggle -- unless they move to London, where all cabs are accessible and it doesn't seem to be an issue or a challenge. Maybe I should just rethink the American Revolution and try remembering why the US is better than the UK. Nah. I think I'll just go make dinner instead.

New Year! New Me?

Happy 2012! With the start of the new year, I've committed to a variety of new things (please don't call them resolutions), including building this blog and creating a robust, supportive and informative (possibly informed?) virtual community through it, too.

I've had this delusional goal before, but life always seems to get in the way. Here I sit, though, on the second morning of the new year, really wanting to do this -- wanting it more than many of the things that I spend my day doing, and I do believe it will be time well spent. Interestingly, as I type this, our 15-year-old-son is completing his application to a summer conference in which he could learn more about self-advocacy and leadership. I think it's time for Mom to lead and self-advocate a little more, too. So...blogging it is.

My call for help is that I'd really love your advice and ideas on how to build readership, comments and general interest in this blog -- no idea is a bad one, I promise. What topics to cover? How much ranting is too much? Who else would you like to hear from? How can I make this vehicle most useful to other families and individuals?

Out with the old habits and in with the new. Posting every six months just isn't good enough. Life gets in the way, sure. But if that happens again, it's a sign I need to stop blogging, I think.

Won't you please start you new year off right and let me know your suggestions?

Can I Have This Dance?

Talk about heartwarming. This one makes your chest sweat. And it reminded me of several important things:

1. Kids just want to be "normal." Many teenagers want to go to their school dances, even if they can't "cut the rug" like the rest of the gang. They want someone to ask them on a date, or accept their invitation. They just want to participate and make special memories.

2. Siblings of kids with special needs "get it." JT Thomas understood Joslyn Lovell before they even shared a conversation. He has watched his brother grow up and struggle. He has empathy and a different perspective. He is a better person for it.

3. There is good news in this world, we just have to look harder for it. Most of the news stories surrounding this year's prom season centered around drinking and driving. This one got buried, but it's worth digging deeper to have your heart warmed.

Rolling Protest

Most people don't choose to be disabled. And not many pretend to be just so they can receive government benefits. In my experience, the vast majority of people with disabilities want to contribute to society and lead full and independent lives. It's just harder for them. And, as one participant of last week's London march put it, "Life is more expensive for them, too." Amen.

Governments in the UK and US need to carefully and cautiously monitor the funds they provide to assist people with disabilities, not cut them.

Kudos to the brave people who turned out last week in London. While it wasn't as beautiful as the royal wedding, it certainly is newsworthy and hopefully impactful, too.

Is This Progress?

32 acres acquired for Jacksonville community for special-needs adults | jacksonville.com

Some call it a much-needed "true" community for people with disabilities. Others see it as a major step backwards on the road to full inclusion. From my perspective, this may be a wonderful lifestyle option for people who want independence, but are limited in terms of physical or intellectual capabilities. We've always assumed, because of his disabilities, our son will need to live in an urban environment with easy access to public transportation, entertainment, work opportunities and social activities that he enjoys. This might be a high rise apartment that he shares with a few other young men. But it could also be a planned living development that works hard to create a sense of community for its residents and the people who care about them. If we've figured out a way to provide for the needs of our aging population in this way, why not take a closer look at how such a "center-based" approach might benefit people with disabilities? If someone can live on their own, great. But if they need services and resources that are more cost-effective when shared, or if they're social and fearful of being marginalized in a group home or shared apartment -- well, this may be the living arrangement of their dreams. Choice is the key for so many of life's challenges: religion, public education, affordable health care. Shouldn't we consider this possible choice, as well????

What are you looking at?

Hooray for parents who expect the most from their children, no matter what challenges they may face. This young girl has a world of obstacles ahead; however, her mother maintains that happiness is their top priority. Good for them.

Regardless of how optimistic they are, however, this family will likely get stared at a lot. Even though people come in all colors, shapes and sizes -- those that look different elicit stares almost daily. Thoughts on what do if people stare at someone you know and love:

1) Find the courage to start a conversation. You may be able to enlighten them about disabilities, human emotions or just the simple joys of being friendly.

2) Wave or say hello, even if it's awkward. At the very least, this will probably cause them to stop staring.

3) Invite them to speak directly to or ask a question about the person they're staring at. This works especially well with kids. I will sometimes ask a young child, "Is there something you'd like to say to us?" They'll usually talk about Andrew's wheelchair or ask "why doesn't he walk?" Then, Andrew can explain for himself.

4) There's no denying it -- rude people exist in the world. If all else fails, stare back. We have made this a real art in our family.

5) Never lose your sense of humor. This holds true for just about everything in life, doesn't it?!

Two Thumbs Up

Kenmore native wins his OWN TV show: wivb.com

This is so exciting. Doesn't need much commentary from me. Many friends had told me about this guy. I was too busy to even search him on Google. Then, low and behold, Oprah gives us all a chance to get to know him so much better. He is wise beyond his years, funny and will now doubt teach viewers so much. A new show, hosted by Zack, will soon air on the Oprah Winfrey Network and profile people with disabilities who travel the world. Amazing! Groundbreaking! Inspiring! And entertaining for sure! Oprah is smart. I can't wait for the first episode.