Friday, December 30, 2016

OLD-SCHOOL WHEELING- HANDICAPPED PARKING SPOTS

I wrote this article for publication in The Phoenix on February 10, 2006

There was a story recently in the news about a woman from New Jersey who was going around her small town and taking pictures of cars illegally parked in handicapped parking places. Apparently she is the mother of a disabled child, and just became frustrated with cars without handicapped placards or license plates parking in these special spots. So she would snap a photo of the car and license plate and take it to her local police for further action.

This story came to light because, allegedly, two of the cars involved were owned by a pair of Philadelphia Eagles football players, Donovan McNabb and Jeremiah Trotter. Both players denied wittingly knowing their cars were parked in handicapped places.

Kudos to this lady for taking some action. The police can't be everywhere. I can feel her frustration. It is one thing when all handicapped spaces are filled with viable disabled drivers or passengers. First-come, first-served...But it is quite another matter when spaces are filled by able-bodied people who just want to occupy the spots as they run in a store or whatever is their purpose.

It is hard for someone who may be disabled or elderly,especially, when the weather is bad, to wheel or walk very far. The handicapped spots are often close to buildings and ramps. Not being able to use these parking places just makes getting around so much more difficult.

So please, if you see someone illegally parked in a handicapped spot, let them know it's not only against the law but it's just not fair to a person who really can use that spot. Say something to the store manager or business owner. And if you are able-bodied and driving, please think twice before sneaking into a spot, even if it is only for a moment.

Thursday, December 29, 2016

PHILLY SPORTS CORNER-HAPPY NEW YEAR

Sports thoughts as 2016 winds down..

The Eagles play Dallas this Sunday in a meaningless game. Even if the Birds win, equaling their 7-9 mark from last season, they still need a lot of work to get back to the playoffs, let alone contend with the Cowboys in the future. It starts with free agency in March, and it looks like WR DeSean Jackson wants to come back to Philadelphia. He would gibe the Eagles the deep threat they miss, but the team should draft a young speedy receiver in the draft as well, maybe in the this or fourth round. If they don't have the money to get Terrill Pryor as well, they need more than Jackson to give Carson Wentz the weapons he needs.

Running back is also becoming a priority, as it looks like Ryan Mathews won't return next year. I would go defensive back in the first round, then pass rusher, then receiver and running back in next spring's draft. Having a go-to running back would keep the heat off Wentz and help to control the ball.

It becomes clearer what a bad coach, general manager and jerk Chip Kelly really was. I fault owner Jeffrey Lurie for hiring him in the first place, and not wetting him properly. I'm sure he never would've hired Kelly if Lurie knew how much control he wanted, how he would destroy the team with bad free agent signings, terrible trades and awful draft picks and talent evaluation. Plus. he was a bad guy who wouldn't talk to anyone.  The Eagles would be a far different team if they still had Pro-Bowl running back LeSean McCoy, and game-breakers Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. Instead of tearing the team apart, Kelly did not add to the core of players he had.I'm glad he is only 2-13 in San Francisco. I give him another here with the 49ers before he heads back to college where he belongs.

For the first time since 2003, the two teams in the previous Super Bowl, Denver and Carolina, won't even make the playoffs. Usually, one or the other squad won't get to the post-season the following year. The winner of the Super Bowl has a 1 in 6 chance of winning it again, whereas the loser only has a 1 in 23 shot at winning it the next year. It's really hard to win the big game, and shows what an achievement it is just to get there again. Psychologically, it's tough to get back after struggling all year to climb that mountain, overcoming injuries, with a dose of luck, only to end up losing and having to start all over again.

Carson Wentz and Mike Trout have been hanging out a lot lately, going hunting together and sharing breakfasts. That is good. Maybe not only will Wentz help to lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl someday, he might have a hand in the Phillies getting to a World Series too. The American league MVP Trout, a native of Millville New Jersey, is a season ticket holder for the Birds. He is only 25 and I'm sure would love to play for the Phils. But unless the Angels decide to trade him and re-stock their depleated farm system, he can't become a Phillie until 2020 at the earliest when he becomes a free agent. By then, the Phils should have their young prospects in place and will need a veteran superstar like Trout to put them over the hump to a world championship, something Trout surely won't get if he stays with Anaheim.

My wishes for each team in 2017..For the eagles- I wish they start filling their many holes during the off-season. realistically, it may take a few drafts to build the team, but with an easier schedule next year, and a little luck, the Birds may do what the Cowboys did this year- go from worst to first in the NFC East...For the Phillies- play their young kids this summer. See what they have- who can play and who can't- before venturing into the deep free agent pool during the upcoming two free agent signing periods.  As long as the team shows improvement and [progress in 2017, I'm OK with a 81-81 record..For the Flyers- continue to play the young kids with the vets, and sort out their goal tending. With both Mason and Nuwirth due to become free agents after this season, the Flyers need to make a decision who to invest in and who to let walk. ..For the Sixers- a wish to get a top 3 pick in June's NBA draft, plus the Lakers pick, then draft a point guard or top shooting guard. They also need to trade Noel and/or Okorfor before the February trade deadline. They can't play with Joel Ombiid, and even though the Sixers won't get back in return what they were once worth, they should get what they could. Hopefully Ben Simmons turns out to be the player they think he can be, and build around Ombiid and Simmons in the years to come.

I will offer my NFL playoff predictions next time. Happy New Year!

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

MY FAVORITE THINGS- Vol. 2

More of my favorite things...

FAV. BEATLE
1- Paul
2- George
3- John
4- Ringo

FAV. BEATLES SONG
1- I'll Follow The Sun
2- Twist and Shout
3- Should've Known Better
4- I Will
5- Things We Said Today
6- Ob-La De Ob- La Da
7- Yesterday
8- Things We Said Today
9- The Two of Us
10- Please Please Me
11- I Want To Hold Your Hand
12- Here Comes The Sun
13- Penny Lane
14- Let It Be
15- I'll Get You

FAV. PHILLY SPORTS TEAM
1- Phillies
2- Eagles
3- Flyers
4- St Joseph's Hawks
5- Sixers

FAV. TOM HANKS MOVIE
1- Forrest Gump
2- The Green Mile
3- Sleepless in Seattle
4- Castaway
5- Big
5- Saving Private Ryan
6- You've Got Mail


FAV. BALLPARK FOOD
1- Hot Dogs
2- Popcorn
3- Ice Cream

FAV. ITALIAN RESTAURANT
1- Olive Garden
2- Maggiano's
3- Valley Forge Tattorina

FAV. BOARD GAME
1- Yahtzee
2- Monopoly
3- Trivial Pursuit
4- Scrabble
5- Road Trip

FAV. POTATO CHIPS
1- Grandma Utz
2- Ruffles
3- Pringles
4- Lays
5- Herrs

FAV. HOLIDAYS
1- Christmas
2- Easter
4- Thanksgiving
4- 4th of July
5- Valentine's Day

WIP SPORTS RADIO HOST
1- Steve Trevelise
2- Howard Eskin
3- Glen Macnow
4- Rob Cherry
5- Angelo Cataldi

FAV. CONCERT HALL
1- Mann Music Center
2- Wells Fargo Center
3- Citizens Bank Park

FAV. DAY TRIPS
1- Cape May
2- Peddler's Village
3- Longwood Gardens

FAV. ALL-TIME PHILLY SPORTS PLAYER
1- Brian Dawkins
2- Mike Schmidt
3- Bobby Wine
4- Darryl Dawkins
5- Bobby Clarke

10 CELEBRITIES I HAVE MET
1- Richard Marx
2- Bobby Rydell
3- Barry Manilow
4- Bernie Parent
5- Jim O'Brien
6- Barack Obama
7- Matt O'Donnell
8- John Ritter
9-Pat Croce


Tuesday, December 27, 2016

OLD-SCHOOL WHEELING- MOVIES

This article appeared in The Phoenix on January 20, 2006...

With the recent passing of Oscar-winning actress Shelly Winters, I was reminded of one of her best films, in fact the movie she won her second Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. It is a 1965 film called "A Patch of Blue, and it still remains one of the finest movies to deal with the subject of disability and discrimination.

The movie stars the great Sidney Poitier, Elizabeth Hartman, and Ms. Winters. The story is about an uneducated teenage blind girl (Hartman) who lives an isolated, impoverished existence, controlled by a racist, over-protective mother (Winters). The girl strings beads all day to make money for her family, cleans up in their ratty apartment, and generally leads a Cinderella life, enduring all sorts of verbal and physical abuse from her mother.

Until one day she meets a professional, well-educated black man (Poitier) in the park. They strike up a friendship, and despite racial and disability discrimination, he helps her to lead a better ;life, seeking the education, happiness and respect she deserves.

It is a wonderful film, set in the mid-60s, when both racism and prejudice against the disabled were still very much prevalent. It is refreshing in its honesty and hopefulness and it is a story of overcoming hardships. Its a story of a man and a girl, captive in their own worlds, finding escape in each other.

If you ever get a chance to rent "A Patch of Blue", or see it on TV, check it out. It may be appearing more often now, since the death of Shelly Winters.

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Also, speaking of DVDs, the documentary "Murderball" is now available to rent. It is the story of wheelchair rugby players, a great film which won outstanding reviews last year, and won acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival.

You' ll find it is a very entertaining and insightful film to enjoy.

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Finally, a film called "The Ringer" came out in theaters during the holidays. It deals with the Special Olympics and the mentally impaired in a humorous way. It isn't a great film, and will probably disappear from theaters and end up on cable and DVD soon. There was some controversy about doing a comedy regarding the mentally challenged, but the Special Olympics gave their blessing to the script.

What makes the film funny yet politically correct is that the disabled athletes in the film are in on the jokes. You tend to laugh with them, not at them.

Again, it is what it is, not a great movie, but it shows that its OK to do a comedy about disabled people, as long as it is done with taste and is not degrading to those it portrays.

Friday, December 23, 2016

CHIRPING BIRDS- Week 15

My opinion on the Eagles victory over the New York Giants last night..

1st division win  last night..the Eagles needed a win badly- not that it will matter this season, but psychologically, for next year. Beating Dallas next week will give the birds a 7-9 record- same as last year-and with two home and division victories, makes the end of the season a little less bitter.The Cowboys will have nothing to play for, since they have already clinched the NFC East crown and the number 1 seed in the playoffs. The Giants should still get in, but they will have to work harder for a playoff berth and they don't clinch on the Eagles' home turf.

I like Doug Pederson's aggressiveness, but you also gotta be smart, and I didn't think his decision at the end of the game- throwing the ball on 3rd down instead of making the giants use their final time-out, was a smart decision. The play call was bad, like usual, calling a pass that was unlikely to be completed, one which stopped the clock and saved New York's last time-out. Why not either run the ball or try a safer pass play which would give you a chance at the first down to seal the game, but one which would have kept the clock running? Stupid..which doesn't really strengthen my faith in the coach going into next year..

Despite Nelson Agohol's touchdown reception, the Eagles know they need to overhaul the wide receivers. That, along with a corner back, should be top priorities in the draft and free agency.Sign 1 or 2 receivers in free agency, draft a defensive back in the 1st round (in a draft rich in defensive backs), and add depth to the offensive and defensive lines.. Another running back wouldn't hurt, that's why it will take the Eagles at least two more good drafts to contend.

I will make my playoff predictions after next week. It's sick to think that Dallas will only be two home victories away from getting to the Super bowl. Seattle, with their top-notch defensive can beat the Cowboys; Green Bay is hot, and a hot team going into the playoffs seems to have an edge; and Atlanta can score with anyone, so they will always have a chance. Just anyone but the stinkin' Cowboys!

Enough about Philly and Santa Claus. That incident of a few fans throwing snowballs at Santa was way back in 1968. I was only 12 years old. A lot of fans back then- including the Santa who was victim of the snowballs of the snowballs- are no longer with us. The media gets lazy, and every holiday season they trod out the tired, old tale of Philadelphia Eagles fans throwing snowball at ol" St. Nick. It happened close to 50 years ago...Other fans around the league have done far worse since then. Yet the legend continues...

The Giants will be one and done in the playoffs, if they get in. They benefited this year form an easy schedule. They seem to know how to beat Dallas, however, so if they match up - which is possible if New York wins their wild card game- it could be interesting.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

OLD-SCHOOL WHEELING- THE BEATLES & DISABILITY

This article appeared in my Wheeling Around Phoenixville column on December 16, 2005...

Recently legendary area newscaster Larry Kane was in town to promote his new book, "Lennon Revealed," about his friendship with The Beatles and especially the late John Lennon.

First, I have been a Larry Kane fan since the 1970s, when he, along with Joe Pellegrino and the late, great Jim O'Brien, turned Channel 6 Action News into the powerhouse local news broadcast it still is today. So I was thrilled to see he was coming to Phoenixville.

Second, I am now a big Beatles fan. Funny, I grew up during Beatlemania. I watched them on the Ed Sullivan show along with millions of other Americans in February, 1964. I even remember the Philadelphia disc jockeys breathlessly reporting as The Beatles crossed the Atlantic before they finally touched down at Kennedy Airport in New York. "The Beatles are only two hours away! The Beatles are coming!" I remember the years of hysteria which followed until their breakup.

But I was never a big Beatles fan back then. They were more of a curiosity than anything else. The majority of Beatle fans back then were teenage girls, not six-year-old little boys.

But as I grew older, as with most good things in life, one learns to savor and appreciate what is good in life, and that's how The Beatles and their music affected me. I can now appreciate their greatness.

I have read several biographies about The Beatles over the years. The best, in my opinion, is a now 20-year-old book called "The Love You Make...An Insider's Story of The Beatles" by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines. Peter Brown was a member of The Beatles' "inner circle". The book is a fascinating look at their lives-before and after fame.

One part of the book which I found particularly interesting was how The Beatles viewed the disabled back in those early days, an odd relationship, yet one which touched The Beatles in many ways over the years. The Beatles were young, rich and good-looking- what on earth would they have in common with the physically challenged?

Ringo himself was a very sickly child, in and out of hospitals, even during his teenage years. In fact, he became interested in music and playing the drums from one of his frequent hospital stays, during which the young patients formed a "band".

Paul was often referred to as the "cute" Beatle, and even now, makes most women swoon. It's fair to say, especially in his younger years, Paul wouldn't have a problem getting a date. But his current wife, Heather, is physically challenged. A beautiful model, Heather was involved in a terrible accident years ago, which resulted in an amputation of one of her legs. She now wears a prosthesis, still models, and is a world-known activist for the disabled.

John seemed to have a much more tormented relationship with people who seemed "different." As peter Brown wrote, John often doodled drawings of "crippled" individuals during his days as an art student. For some reason he had this obsession with the deformed of society. It seems John had his very angry, bitter moods as a young man, even more so after his mother died. When he indulged in alcohol or drugs, he would even approach a disabled individual on the streets of Liverpool, England and mock him. Making cruel jokes to a hapless paraplegic was John's idea of "fun" when he was high, once asking a fellow "Where's ya legs go, mate? Run away with your wife?"

John was either an immature, insensitive bully, or someone who masked his own insecurities and pain by teasing others who could not defend themselves.

Ironically, as The Beatles rose to fame and began touring, each one was forced to face his fears, hang-ups, or whatever nightmares they had about the unfortunate in our world. Again, according to Peter Brown, when The Beatles were on tour they were presented at each city "children crippled with various horrible diseases, blind children, the retarded, and the terminally ill."

It was the "crippled children" who occupied the first five rows of every Beatles concert, thus The Beatles looked out  over a sea of wheelchairs every night on tour. Even more personal, many backstage passes went to these disabled fans' parents begging The Beatles to meet and sign autographs for their loved ones. It was as if The Beatles were miracle workers, if not physically, then spiritually.

But what may have happened was that The Beatles themselves were the ones who ultimately were affected by these meetings. It brought The Beatles face-to-face with reality, and in the ;long run, perhaps it made The Beatles appreciate their success and health even more, realizing they truly were lucky compared to others.

To be fair, it had to be hard for them, young men from a tough, working-class city, thrust into situations they may not have been ready to encounter. So, in a strange way, although their music and popularity brought them happiness and wealth, it also forced them to deal with far more important aspects of life.

I can't say how John Lennon would've treated a physically challenged individual now. I can only "imagine" he would be a voice for disabled rights, as he was in his later years for those less fortunate and people treated unfairly in life.

MY FAVORITE THINGS- CHRISTMAS

My favorite things....

Fav. Christmas Song -Traditional
1- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
2- Silent Night
3- What Child Is This
4- Joy To The World
5- Deck The Halls
6- It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
7- O Come All Ye Faithful
8- O Holy Night
9- The First Noel
10- O Little Town Of Bethleham

Fav. Christmas Songs- Non-Traditional
1- Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
2- Silver Bells
3- I'll Be Home For Christmas
4- Let It Snow
5- Holly Jolly Christmas
6- Let There Be Christmas
7- Christmas Mornings
8- Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
9- Jingle Bell Rock
10- Believe

Fav. Christmas Album
1- Rocky Mountain Christmas- John Denver
2- Christmas- Michael Buble
3- Christmas- Josh Groban
4- Christmas Spirit-Richard Marx
5- You Just Gotta Love Christmas-Peter Cetera

Fav. Christmas Symbols
1- Snowman
2- Christmas Tree
3- Manger
4- Christmas Lights
5- Wreath

Fav. Day In Holiday Season
1- Christmas Eve
2- Christmas Day
3- Thanksgiving
4- New Year's Eve
5- Black Friday

Fav. Christmas Movie
1- A Christmas Carol
2- Polar Express
3- Bad Santa
4- Miracle On 33rd Street
5- A Christmas Story

Fav. Christmas Activity
1- Opening Gifts
2- Christmas Shopping
3- Christnas Dinner
4-Midnight Mass
5- Christmas Parties









PHILLY SPORTS CORNER

The take on the current Philly sports scene..

PHILLIES- I'm not a big Obdubal Herrera fan. But I get why the Phillies signed him to a 5 year contract, which is very team friendly. He's not that great of a defensive center fielder; he makes too many base-running mistakes and chases too many bad pitches at the plate; but most alarming is the fact he dogged it last summer after making the all-star team. He got full of himself, and even refused to sign autographs. Herrera is only 25, so hopefully he continues to develop. In two years, when CF Mickey Moniak is ready to make the jump to the majors, the Phils can trade Herrera., especially if he becomes complacent after getting his big money.

The trade for starting pitcher Clay Buchholtz was OK. It's an insurance policy in case Aaron Nola and/or Zac Efflin don't come back from their injuries. The logjam with the starters- Hellickson, Buchholtz, Thompson, Efflin, Nola, Valasquez, and Lively- will work itself out in spring training, through injury or demotion to triple A. At least the team has depth at starting pitching compared to only two years ago when the Phils struggled to find competent starters.

With so many players on one-year contracts ( Hellickson, Buchholtz, Blanco, to name a few), the team will have bargaining chips for trades in late July. Meanwhile, they need to let their prospects play to see who can and cannot play before diving into the free agent market over the next two off-seasons. Watching kids like Crawford, Williams, Couzens and Alfaro play this summer will give the fans some much-needed excitement and hope for the future.

EAGLES- There is no way the Eagles fire Doug Pederson after one season/.They knew he would be a  coach going through on-the job training. They also knew the team was still rebuilding and wouldn't be very good this season. Firing Pederson after one season, even if he finishes 5-11, would admit the front office made a mistake. So look for Pederson to get at least one more year to prove he is the future coach for the Birds.

FLYERS- The winning streak couldn't last forever. Now, after losing two in a row, the Flyers need to right the ship before going on their annual Christmas road trip. Sean Courtier should be back soon, which will help. Regardless, the squad continues to play fun, exciting hockey, and the 10 game winning streak put them in the mix to at least make the playoffs again this year.

SIXERS- They need to resolved the 3-headed center problem sooner or later. Look for Nerlens Noel to be traded. Again, the key is the upcoming NBA draft in the spring, where the Sixers could conceivably have 2 picks in the top 5. Taking two of the best guards in a guard-rich draft would keep the progress rolling. Add a free agent or two, and suddenly the Sixers are contenders for a playoff spot in 2018.

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

OLD-SCHOOL WHEELING- DICK CLARK & COURAGE

This article was originally published in The Phoenix on Jan. 6, 2006...

Seeing Dick Clark on New Year's Eve really touched me, as I',\m sure it did millions of others around the world.

I'm also sure it may have been somewhat of a downer for some on such a festive night. Reality is sometimes hard to face. Mr. Clark suffered a stroke in early 2005 and hasn't been seen or heard from since.

I remember Dick Clark from his days of hosting American Bandstand from Philadelphia. We saw him over the years everywhere from hosting game shows to commercials. He was always described as "never getting old, forever youthful". And he was always there, in one way or another, a reliable rock in a world of instability.

Speculation ran wild over his condition. When it was announced he was coming back to host his annual New Year's Eve bash on ABC, rumors swirled. Of course, ABC built up the suspense until his first appearance became like a sideshow act. I admit, there was a strange sort of curiosity in the air before he was seen. What would he look like? Would he be able to walk? Talk? Would he be confined to a wheelchair?

Exactly what would he be doing, either in chilly Times Square or in the warm safety of a studio? Acting as host like so many years before, or merely a puppet on the stage for all to see/?

They even had his eventual replacement, Ryan Seacrist, on board, I'm sure to ease the responsibility of the evening, as well as a way to "ease" the new host in with the New Year, for many years to come.

I wondered how Mr. Clark really felt about that. I would thin it would be a source of comfort, yet also an odd feeling, knowing your replacement for the next, oh, 30  years or so, was standing by, jus tin case you couldn't cut it anymore.

But life goes on, as the old years dissolve into the new. Symbolic, sort of.

Anyway, when Mr. Clark finally appeared he looked fairly well. But his speech was noticeably effected by the stroke. It was slurred and garbled, yet I could understand almost every word.

Seeing him for the first time brought me a sense of sadness, not pity, but also relief. The icon was back. I didn't really care about his youthfulness anymore. I really didn't even care if I couldn't understand his words. I cared about him. I just felt happy that he was OK.

Several things struck me that night. First, I admired Mr. Clark's immense courage, not only for battling back from what must still be a long, hard road of recovery, but for appearing on the show. It's not easy to admit you may not be what you once were. Physically, he has changed. But more importantly, he showed that he stil has a lot of fight left in him to overcome this tough challenge. He is an example of never giving up.

He also reminded us that nothing lasts forever. We should appreciate what we have in our lives, especially our loved ones, while we can. Even famous people get sick. Sickness and disability is, unfortunately, a group which anyone can join at any time.

But he proved that, slowly but surely, you can do the best with what you have in life. You start a new chapter in your book, and move on.

Finally, his appearance reminded me that above all else, one's health is  most important in life. Without good health, nothing else matters.

So. as another year vanishes into the history books and a new year descends upon us, let's all hope for a healthy, hapyp new year. And I hope Dick Clark is still around for many more New Year's Eves to come.

Monday, December 19, 2016

CHIRPING BIRDS-Week 15

Reflections on the Eagles 27-26 loss to the Baltimore Ravens...

I didn't have a problem with coach Pederson going for two points at the end of the Eagles-Ravens game. I did have a problem with the lay-call and the reason Pederson gave for not kicking the extra point to tie the game and send it into overtime.

The Birds were running the ball successfully all game, yet they choose to throw the ball on a slant to Jordan Matthews at the goal line to win or lose the game. Even if the ball wasn't tipped, do we know Matthews would not have dropped the pass? Why wasn't Ryan Mathews in the game for that play, after running for a career high 128 yards? Pederson said the Baltimore defense dictated that the Eagles use five receivers on that last play. But that doesn't explain why Ryan Mathews was out of the game for six minutes before.

Pederson has tried to be too cute earlier in the seasonHis play-calling is questionable at best.

Pederson said he went for the two-point conversion because the Ravens have a great field goal kicker. That's true- but it also says that Pederson doesn't believe in his own defense or kicker. What if the Eagles win the coin toss in overtime and accept the ball, and score a touchdown? The Baltimore kicker would not have nattered, nor would the Philadelphia defense.

Carson Wentz finally took the team down the field at the end of the game- something he failed to do in several earlier games this season. Give Wentz some weapons next year and see what he does.

The Eagles' schedule next season projects to an easier schedule, with games against losers like  Jacksonville, San Francisco and Chicago. Seattle and Kansas City are always tough places to play on the road, but two other good teams- Oakland and Denver- come to the Linc.

As Dallas turned their season around with a great draft and easier schedule, the Eagles can do the same thing. This off-season will be crucial for GM Howie Rossman, Coach Doug Pederson and the entire Eagles franchise. Speaking of the Cowboys, it is the Eagles' worst nightmare that Dallas will be only two wins away from a Super Bowl. Cowboys- Patriots ?

WR Paul Turner was inactive yesterday. Nelson Aglohor was a ctive and did nothing. I can't wait for the end of the season when the team can mercifully pull the plug on Aglohor and start revamp their wide receiver corps. Another Chip Kelly bust.

At least they played hard...has been the excuse for not winning. Shouldn't it be a given that the team plays hard? The Eagles are falling into a trap of making excuses for not winning, of accepting mediocre play.So much for the "gold standard" [philosophy to a winning franchise...

Finally, Baltimore may sneak into the playoffs if they beat Pittsburgh next Sunday, but they look like a one and done squad, especially since they will be on the road through out the playoffs.

Saturday, December 17, 2016

IN THE NEWS- NEW LAW EXPANDS ACCESS TO SPECIAL NEEDS TRUSTS

From Disability Scoop..

Tucked inside a larger bill signed by President Obama this week is a tweak to federal law that's designed to make it easier for people with disabilities to save money.

Under the new law, individuals with disabilities cn create a special needs trust for themselves rather than relying on others to do so.

Previously, such trusts needed to be established by a parent, grandparent, legal guardian or a court.

The change outlined in the bill known as the Special Needs Trust Act was approved unanimously by the U.S. Senate last year and passed the House of Representatives in September.

But due to some difference in the House version, the measure returned to the Senate and was ultimately bundled within the 21st Century Cures Act, which Obama recently signed.

The option for people with disabilities to create their own special needs trusts takes effect immediately.

:This provision replaces an antiquated law that was unfair and outmoded in its treatment of people with disabilities," said Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, who sponsored the Special Needs Trust fairness Act.

"Those who want and need to set up a trust to help pay for their care should be able to do so, plain and simple," said Grassley. "This measure allows individuals to act in their own interests with their own assets without having to rely on a family member or the courts."

Thursday, December 15, 2016

IN THE NEWS-IMPROVED AIRLINE ACCESSIBILITY IN THE WORKS

This article is from the website Disability Scoop...

The U.S. Department of Transportation is planning to move forward with new regulations mandating greater accessibility for people with disabilities when they fly.

After seven months of negotiations, an advisory committee tasked with addressing accessibility issues for the Transportation Department said it has reached a consensus on how best to move forward with rules designed to improve access to in-flight lavatories and on-board entertainment.

Currently, accessible lavatories are only required on planes with more than one aisle. That can present challenges for individuals who use wheelchairs since most domestic flights involve single-aisle aircraft.

The agreement provides a road map for change through incremental improvements and an eventual requirement that single-aisle planes include accessible lavatories.

In addition, the ACCESS Advisory Committee- comprised of representatives from the airline industry, people with disabilities and other stakeholders- is calling for captioning and audio descriptions to be available for most in-flight entertainment and greater safety and maneuverability standards for on-board wheelchairs.

The committee was not able to reach a consensus on issues related to service animals, the Transportation Department said.

"The agreement reached by the ACCESS Advisory Committee is an important step towards ensuring that air travelers with disabilities have equal access to air transportation," said Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx.

"It is unfair to expect individuals with limited mobility to refrain from using the restroom when they fly on single-aisle aircraft, particularly since single-aisle aircraft are increasing used for longer flights. It is also unfair for passengers who are deaf or blind not to be able to enjoy the same entertainment that is available to other passenger," Foxx said.

The Transportation Department said it will proceed with developing new regulations, with a proposal expected in July 2017..

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

IN THE NEWS- FEDS TARGET DISPARITIES IN SPECIAL EDUCATION

The following news is from Disability Scoop..

With a new rule, the Obama administration is looking to make sure that minority students aren't over represented in special education.

The U.S. department of Education said this week that it will finalize regulations first proposed earlier this year targeting disparities.

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, states must identify school districts with "significant dis proportionality", or unreasonably high rates of students from particular racial or ethnic groups that are places in restrictive settings or experiencing particular discipline.

However, with varying measures across the country used to assess these trends, few districts are flagged, the Education department said.

The new rule is designed to change that by holding all of the nation's school districts to a uniform standard.

"Children of color with disabilities are over represented within the special education population, and the contrast in how frequently they are disciplined is even starker," said U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. "This important step forward is about ensuring the right services get to the right students in the right way."

In circumstances where a school district is found to have over-identified or under-identified students from particular backgrounds for special education, placement in segregated settings or discipline, the regulations will require a review of policies and practices to identify causes and possible changes.

What's more, the rule offers school districts that are identified as having "significant dis proportionality" increased flexibility in how they spend some if their IDEA funding.

Currently, such districts must put aside 15 percent of their IDEA money for early intervening services for students who are not yet identified as having disabilities beginning in kindergarten. Under the changes, districts will be able to use the funds to help kids with and without disabilities starting in preschool.

The rule is expected to be published in the Federal Register soon and the regulations will begin to take effect July 1, 2018.

IN THE NEWS-WALMART, AMAZON IN HOT WATER OVER "RETARD" MUG

The Houston Chronicle is the source for this item...

Recently, shoppers noticed a mug with an offensive phrase scrawled on it for sale on both Amazon and Walmart. It spelled out: "got retard?" on one side.

Hallie Levine, who's written for New York-based Daily News about Down syndrome, took to Facebook to express her disgust. She wrote: "This is unbelievable. I just called and gave them an earful. And I am never shopping at Walmart again. Instead, I'm giving my money to companies that support progressive causes- like Target."

Levine's 8-year-old daughter was diagnosed with Down syndrome. She told the Daily News that it's made her sensitive to the word "retard."

"I think that in our culture it's still somewhat acceptable to use the word retard as a joke," she said. "It's horrible."

Levine is not the only shopper who's upset with both retailers. Several others have posted comments on Walmart's site.

"This is sickening. I am very upset that this is a thing. I thought that people were finally starting to realize how hurtful this word was towards so many people. Please reconsider buying/selling this product. Think about it from another perspective."

As of last evening, Walmart stopped selling the item, and edited the live image to no longer reflect the slur.

A Walmart spokesperson reportedly told the Daily News that the item was being featured by a third party seller, and that it violated the store's policy.

Amazon has also removed the mug from its site.

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

OLD-SCHOOL WHEELING- CHRISTMAS

I wrote this article for publication in The Phoenix on December 23, 2005...

Being a social worker in a nursing home during the holiday season has both its ups and downs. There is plenty of joy in the air, as visitors from Girl Scout troops to church groups bring much-needed cheer to the often lonely residents each day. Carolers roam the halls, filling the place with beautiful Christmas songs. Even those in pain and battling illness seem to perk up, if only for a little while, when a memory-filled carol like "Silent Night" is sung. along, as the Christmas spirit seems to bring folks together in many ways.

One wishes that the holiday season could go on forever.

But the season also brings a tear or two, when reflections of holidays past are recalled. Many residents do not have families to visit, so any visitors, Christmas or not, are so welcome. Worse yet, there are some residents who do have family, but they don't visit. And if they do, it may be an obligatory, brief few minutes, just because it is Christmas.

I currently work at Parkhouse Providence Pointe in Royersford, but for many years I was a social worker at the formerly- known Phoenixville Manor nursing home. I worked there for close to 10 years, so I saw a few holiday seasons come and go. I could imagine how the residents felt about receiving visitors during the holidays and looked forward to something different in their lives. Maybe the residents couldn't celebrate as in the past, but I always felt they appreciated Christmas so much and realized the true meaning of the holiday, now, in the twilight of their lives.

More than the fruit, cards or candy, which visitors brought as presents, the residents appreciated the time spent just saying hello. They appreciated the fact that they were not forgotten, that someone did remember them.

One of the groups we most looked forward to seeing each Christmas season was Mr. Kelley and the students from Phoenixville Middle and High Schools. Mr. Kelley was a teacher at the middle school and every year he dressed as Santa Claus, and along with a posse of young people, visited the residents. They would hold a Christmas party, but would not forget those residents who were confined to bed or their rooms, roaming the halls, singing carols and wishing each resident a Merry Christmas.

That was back in the day when it was still OK to say "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays.'

One of the favorite parts of each visit was every resident could take a Polaroid photo with Santa. Now, with the new HIPPA confidentiality laws, one almost has to sign one's life away just to agree to a simple pleasure. But a picture with Santa was always a highlight of Mr. Kelley's visits.

There was a resident named Teddy who lived in the nursing home for almost 15 years. He loved Christmas,and every season he could be found entertaining and cheering his fellow residents by playing Christmas carols on his beloved harmonica. Teddy loved carols so much it wasn't uncommon to hear a somewhat off-key, yet touching rendition of "Away in a Manger" in the middle of summer as I passed by Teddy's room.

Teddy especially looked forward to Mr. Kelley's visits with the kids. Every year he tacked his new photo with Santa on his bulletin board beside his bed. He had at least 10 different photos with Santa taken over the years, and he proudly displayed them all year long.

I always thought it was very cool for young people to interact with senior citizens. So much could be shared and learned from each other. The true meaning of Christmas- sharing, giving, and joy-was never more evident.

 And maybe visiting a nursing home during the holiday season made the students realize how lucky they were. it was always nice when a student would come back to visit after Christmas, or volunteered, or participated in the Adopt a Grandparent program. Sometimes the effect of a simple Christmas visit lasted forever.

People like teddy and Mr. Kelley made Christmas even more special to me. Those memories could never be forgotten. I'm sure Mr. Kelley knew how much his visits with the students meant to the residents. If no one ever said it before, thank you Mr. Kelley for caring.

Even though teddy is gone I'm sure he, along with every other resident who was touched by the kindness of Mr. Kelley and his students over th years, felt the love of Christmas. And isn't that what Christmas is all about?

Merry Christmas everyone!

Monday, December 12, 2016

IN THE NEWS- ORDINANCE RESTRICTS HOUSING OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

The following article is from the Minneapolis Star Tribune...

West St. Paul passed an ordinance in November restricting where some  people with disabilities who receive government rental assistance and support services can live, barring them from areas zoned for townhouses or apartments in the future.

City officials say their police department has been overburdened with calls from apartment buildings filled with people with disabilities who qualify for state-provided rent subsidies and county support services.

Disability advocates contend the ordinance is discriminatory, and Dakota County officials say it "severely restricts choice" for those with disabilities.

Roberta Opheim, the state ombudsman for mental health and developmental disabilities, said the ordinance may conflict with federal fair housing rules.

"A person with a disability has a right to live anywhere they choose, just like any other person would have," Opheim said.

West St.. Paul officials said the ordinance is aimed at companies that are providing the apartments- not people with disabilities.

"It's not the people we're regulating-we're regulating the business, and that's how we had to view it,"said City Attorney Kori Land.

She said it's not fair to the rest of the community to allow some housing units to tie up police or other public services.

The ordinance comes after a yearlong West St. Paul moratorium on issuing new group home licenses, which began in summer 2015.

Land said the ordinance only will be enforced in buildings in which a majority of residents receive services, though the ordinance doesn't specify that.

The ordinance allows existing properties to stay.

If a property is "under my radar," Land said, "I don't care if they continue to exist- they're providing a good business, then."

Residents who receive benefits that the state calls "registered housing with services" live independently but qualify for services such as transportation, money management or nursing assistance.

The company that owns the buildings in which they live also might administer the services they receive.

Recipients might be elderly, have mental illness, cognitive or physical disabilities or be recovering from addiction, according to state law.

Dakota County officials count about 400 seniors and 100 people with disabilities who live in "registered housing with services" in West St. Paul.

Police Chief Bud Shaver said service providers are buying apartments and receiving state dollars to administer those services, but some are mismanaging the buildings.

"Some of them are providing services very well; some are slumlords," Shaver said. "(Residents) are not getting the support services they need, and that help is ending up on the backs of police officers."

Shaver said these buildings generate up to 10 times the police calls of a building with mainly market-rate tenants.

He compared two mostly market-rate apartments buildings with two buildings housing mostly people with special needs.

Each had 22 units, but the buildings housing those with special needs generated 85 calls in the past six months while the market-rate buildings prompted nine, Shaver said.

Police have received calls about yelling, urination, screeching tires, drinking outside buildings, fights, loud cars, short-term traffic indicative of drug dealing and suspected prostitution at the buildings, he said.

Shaver said the county has a "real lack of a plan" when placing needy residents in communities.

Andrea Zuber, county social services director, wrote West St. Paul a letter objecting to the ordinance. Zuber said that Minnesota's  Olmstead Plan, mandated by a 1999 U.S. Supreme Court decision, emphasizes that people with disabilities must be allowed to choose appropriate places to live within a community.

The pln is a road map that widens Minnesota's range of living options for those disabilities, mental illness and people with developmental disabilities with severe behavioral problems.

It applies to thousands of individuals, including those in the state's sex offender rehabilitation program, with the goalof moving them into the least restrictive housing.

Zuber said the county will work with residents with disabilities who still want to live in West St. Paul by exploring alternate programs and funding sources.

"I think it will be challenging," said Gene Martinez, a senior public policy advocate for The Arc Greater Twin Cities, a nonprofit that advocates for people with disabilities. "A lot of people are waiting for housing  right now."

It's unclear how many cities in the state have taken the same route because the League of Minnesota Cities doesn't track this type of ordinance.

South St. Paul Mayor Beth Baumann said her city is considering  similar restrictions.

Some St. Paul residents pushed the city this year to put more limits on the proximity of "sober houses" that provide support to recovering addicts, but the City Counsel refused.

The U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Housing and Urban Development released a statement Nov. 10 warning that the Fair Housing Act says cities and states can't make zoning laws that restrict where people with disabilities can live.

Cheryl Pray, the CEO of the Association of Residential Resources in Minnesota , a nonprofit association advocating for disability services, called West St. Paul's ordinance "concerning."

Sean Burke, an attorney with the Minnesota Disability Law Center, said federal and state anti-discrimination laws are designed to ensure that people with disabilities have the same housing access as anyone else.

"Local zoning ordinances that intentionally discriminate or have the effect pf discriminating against protected classes of people, such as persons with disabilities, may be in violation of such protections," said Burke, who has no clients challenging the ordinance.

CHIRPING BIRDS & PHILLY SPORTS CORNER

Writing about the Eagles and other Philly sports topics...

The Eagles can start thinking about next year after their home loss to the Washington Redskins. Coach Doug Pederson will most likely return, but owner Jeffrey Lurie is getting older and wants a Super Bowl soon. You gotta ask yourself- is Pederson the right guy to lead the team to the playoffs, let alone the Super Bowl? So far, the answer seems no.

Changing coaches every year would lower the Eagles into the level of a Cleveland Browns franchise, so I bet Lurie gives Pederson at least another season. Firing him after the season, unless the wheels really fall off, would admit that the Eagles front office has no clue what they are doing-which may be true anyway.

The bottom line is the team just isn't good enough. They need lots of help, starting with the secondary. They need to draft a young corner back and stop with the temporary free agent guys they go for. They need at least one, probably two wide receivers. They have the money, why not sign DeSean Jackson, Terrell Pryor as free agents and draft yet another young wide out. They need weapons, and even bringing in another running back or two wouldn't hurt, as I doubt Ryan Mathews will be back next year.

Chip Kelly continues to haunt the franchise, form his stupid trades to poor free agent signings to terrible player evaluation in the draft to bad on-field coaching. I fault Lurie for giving him so much trust, and that's why he hired a rookie like Pederson who doesn't want all that power and control. But again, is he a good coach or merely a puppet?

BY losing their last 3 games, the Birds would get an easier schedule next season, but it wouldn't improve their first round dratf pick next spring. Their pick goes to Cleveland, who should have the number one overall selection, plus a high pick form Philadelphia. The Eagles get the Minnesota Vikings pick, which now looks like it will be mid-round.

If the Eagles do change coaches again either this season or next, why not consider Seth Joyner? He brings fire and passion to a lackluster squad, toughness and discipline to a team that lacks both. He's an Eagle all the way, a smart football guy, starting with defense.

The Flyers have won 9 in a row with no end in sight.They are playing exciting, fun hockey, winning games 6-5 and 1-0. Rookie goalie Anthony Stolarz looks like a solid back-up to Steve Mason, and if Mason leaves via free agency after the season, Stolarz could be their man guy going into the future.

The kids aer playing great, and maybe this will give confidence to GM Ron Hextall to continue to have faith in the [top prospects, as the Flyers have more kids on the way, espcecially on defense.

The Sixers are winning a few more games,e specially on the road, but really who cares? What I want to see is Ben Simmons playing with Embiid, Okofor and Noel-all together.The Sixers need to see whta these young players can do before venturing out into free agency and selecting another high pick in the NBA draft next June.

The Phillies are in the same boat as the Sixers, as the Phils need to let their prospects play this year, if only to see what they have for the future. The free agent class in baseball after the 2017 and 2018 seasons is bigger and better, so the Phils will have tons of money to spend. By then, they need to know what free agents to go after and what young players they can count on for the long haul.

Plus bring up kids like J.P. Crawford, Nick Williams, Jorge Alfaro and Dylan Cozens give the fans some excitement and something to look forward to down the road. Fans need a reason to go out to the ballpark other than Dollar Dog night. Some will succeed and some will fail, but at least the Phillies will know what they have going forward.

Villanova Basketball is number 1 in the nation this week, with a record of 10-0. They play temple this week, looking to sweep the Big Five again and win their incredible 18th game in a row in the City Series. No team in the city has a better coach or recruits like the Wildcats and it could be that way for years to come. Who can beat them?

Saturday, December 10, 2016

IN THE NEWS- INCLUSION GAINS TRACTION OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

This article appeared recently in the Seattle Times newspaper..

Kendall Foster was the King's High School robotics teams' biggest fan. She loved coming to practices to see her sister, Delaney, when Delaney was a student at the private Shoreline school.

Kendall's friends were interested in robots and the robotics team, too. So Delaney started researching what might be available for her sister, who has autism.

She didn't find any robotics team that were open to students with cognitive disabilities, and she didn't even find anything related to STEM- science, technology, engineering and math.

"There wasn't anything here," said Delaney, who is now 18 and a freshman at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. "There wasn't anything even around the country."

So last year, Delaney brought her King's robotics team to work with students at Seattle's Roosevelt High, where Kendall was a student. The partnership was a success, and the program, now called Special Olympics Unified Robotics, has spread  to 12 other schools in Washington state.

Those schools all recently came together for a tournament at the Pacific Science Center, the culmination of Unified Robotics' first season.

Unified Robotics is part of a growing effort to include students with cognitive disabilities in more high-school activities. Special Olympics has offered sports for decades, but now some schools, including Roosevelt, offer drama activities that are open to students with special needs. Companies in the STEM industry also are hiring more applicants with autism, recognizing they have skills that might not be apparent in traditional job interviews.

In the first King's-Roosevelt project last year, King's teacher Mike Thompson found everyone benefited from the program. The Roosevelt students' abilities were far-reaching, so their contributions varied. One student would spend half an hour trying to put a peg into a hole. Another had significant social- interaction challenges but could solve calculus problems.

"The coolest thing was not just the impact on those kids, but with the partner students," Thompson said. "They're getting exposed to people they would normally write off, but who in reality are tremendously gifted and just given opportunities to explore what they are capable of doing.

"For my kids, who are probably in the next decade going to be industry leaders, their world view has been radically altered."

Special Olympics Washington CEO Dave Lenox, who started as a skeptic, also said he quickly learned how much all the kids were learning. One student, Lenox said, related how his Special Olympics partner had asked questions about the robot he would have never thought of.

"They were able to view the challenge through a different lens," Lenox said. "They weren't ti3ed down to the normal constructs about how it works or why it works."

People with disabilities, specifically those on the autism spectrum, often have strengths in their ability to analyze and categorize information, said Dr. Gary Stobbe, a clinical associate professor in the University of Washington departments of neurology and psychiatry.

"A common thing that's said is the autism brain is the engineering brain," Delaney Foster said. "It's very black and white."

At Seattle's Franklin High recently, students in that school's Unified Robotics club spent an afternoon preparing for competition.

One pair, Endalew Dessie, 15, and Hassan Dahir, 17, spent about two weeks designing, programming and building their robot, which is like a sumo wrestler. Built with LEGO bricks, it uses wheels, sensors and lights to try to push other robots outside of a black ring.

Dahir says he helped with the design, but Dessie did most of the work. Dessie nods.

"We had good teamwork," Dessie said. "It's going to do good."

The Franklin students spent an equal amount of time talking about the robots and the time they had worked with each other. Junior Sarah Lam, 17, built her robot with freshman Kayley Ka, 14. While Lam held the robot and explained its different functions, she would look at Ka and ask if Ka wanted to explain some of the functions herself.

The best part was working together, they said.

Delaney Foster wasn't able to be at the tournament because of final exams, but was able to follow along on a competition live stream. Teams in Texas, Maine and Toronto also said they'd be watching, so they can have their own Unified Robotics competition.

"I'm excited about the growth," Delaney said. "Just how much interest people have really shows the need for something like this."

And it may eventually lead to jobs for the participants. Last year, Microsoft started a pilot program focused on hiring more people with autism.

"These people that are diagnosed, even though they may not be able to get hired through the normal hiring process, they're still very capable," said Thompson, the King's teacher. "We just need a different model of hiring them. Unified Robotics is part of the pipeline for them to move into a career that is something different than they're normally shoved into, like cleaning tables in the cafeteria."

One Roosevelt student realized he was interested in STEM after he joined the King's-Roosevelt team last year. He's now at Bellevue College, studying computer science.

Thursday, December 8, 2016

IN THE NEWS- EDUCATION DEPT.. SEES RISE IN DISABILITY COMPLAINTS

From Disability Scoop..

In a year when the U.S. department of Education fielded a record number of civil rights complaints, new data indicates that allegations of disability discrimination are up dramatically.

Nearly 6,000 complaints of disability discrimination were submitted to the Education Department's Office for Civil Rights during fiscal year 2016, which concluded in September. That's up from 4,8000 the year prior.

The figures come from an annual report released Thursday detailing a skyrocketing number of complaints received by the Office for Civil Rights, which is charged with ensuring equal access and prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability and age in education programs.

Overall, there were 16,720 complaints in fiscal year 2016 compared to 10,392 the previous year. Disability-related complaints accounted for 36 percent of those received in 2016, according to the report.

The vast majority of disability complaints related to the right to a free, appropriate public education, or FAPE, followed by allegations of retaliation and exclusion or different treatment. Several complaints touched on more than one of the 18 categories that are tracked, the agency said.

Over the course of the year, the Education Department said that it successfully resolved 5,232 disability-related complaints.

"We thank our school communities for palpable progress toward realizing the promises Congress has made decade after decade to our nation's students that their educational experiences should be fundamentally equal," said Catherine E. Lhamin, assistant secretary for civil rights. "Our investigations confirm ongoing need to safeguard those rights, as well as daily commitment from educators across the country to our core democratic value of fairness."

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

IN THE NEWS-FAPE CASE DRAWS FLURRY OF ATTENTION


From the website Disability Scoop..

As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to consider how much educational benefit schools must provide students with disabilities, everyone from lawmakers to states and advocates are weighing in.

A dozen amicus briefs have been filed in the case known as Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District since the high court said this fall that it would take up the matter.

The case marks the first time in more than three decades that the Supreme Court will hear arguments about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act's mandate that public schools provide children with disabilities a free appropriate public education, or FAPE.

The suit was brought by Joseph F. and Jennifer F. after the removed their son with autism from his Colorado school district and placed him ina private school. The parents sought reimbursement from the Douglas County  School District arguing that the boy, Drew, was not provided FAPE.

However, a hearing officer and two lower courts sided with the school district, determining that FAPE was provided because Drew received "some" educational benefit.

The family subsequently appealed to the Supreme Court asking for clarity on how much benefit FAPE requires citing differing standards from courts across the country.

With the matter now set to go before the high court, the case is garnering attention from all corners.

A half-dozen former U.S. Department of Education officials, including those who worked on special education policy under both Democratic and Republican administrations, filed a brief asking the justices to support a high bar for FAPE calling the standard relied on by lower courts in this case "contrary to the terms of the statute."

meanwhile, 118 current and former Democratic members of Congress are urging the court to side with the family, insisting that "Congress intended the requirement that states provide an "appropriate" education to mean one that meaningfully benefits the student."

A separate brief filed by attorneys general from Delaware, Massachusetts and New Mexico expresses similar sentiments.

The Supreme Court has also heard variety of advocacy groups including the National Disability Rights Network and the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates among other stakeholders.

The case is expected to be heard in January.

OLD-SCHOOL WHEELING- PLAYING THE SYSTEM


The following article was published in my column in The Phoenix on December 2, 2005...

In one of my recent columns, I mentioned the statistic of a 79% unemployment rate for the disabled. Think about it. 7 out of 10 people with a disability are out of work.

Now, I'm sure most of those 70% really can't work, or at least can't hold downa job which society deems as being "gainfully employed" ( a term I never really understood). Many people with a disability can't even get out of bed, let alone hold a job. I understand that situation. I've been there before, in fact, quite recently after my accident. So, in that instance, a disability check every month is a necessity to keep living.

However, I am also sure there is a small portion of that 70% statistic that refuse to work. Un fortunately, I have encountered a few of these cases in my life.

In my social work career, I remember meeting a man who came into the office seeking help. He looked to be in his 30s, maybe 40s at the most. He looked young, husky and strapping. He could walk, and I would never have guessed he had a disability of any kind.

He told me he was on disability during our conversation. At first, I looked at him with suspicion, as again, he didn't appear to have any sort of handicap. But then I thought, well maybe he has a hidden disability, something which does keep him from doing gainful work, maybe some sort of disease not visibly apparent. Just because I get around in aa wheelchair and my physical challenge is obvious doesn't mean that this gentleman doesn't have his own problems, maybe even worse than mine. Who was I to judge?

By the end of our talk I felt better- until his parting remark was that he had to go home to "rip out a wall." Apparently, he was renovating his house- and doing most of the work himself. Painting, wallpapering, you name it. Hard, physical work, even for someone who is healthy.

Disabled? Yet renovating your home? Even if he did have a hidden disability, would his doctor approve of knocking down a wall?

Here I was, in a wheelchair, yet making the effort to go to work each day, when I could be home collecting a monthly check, and here he was, able to walk, seemingly healthy, even admitting to renovating his own home, yet not working and collecting a check each month.

What's wrong with this picture?

I had a similar experience with a former "friend" of mine. She was then in her early 30s and was on disability for "depression." Now, I admit that mjkor depression can be a very serious illness, not only mentally, but physically as well. I have known people who were so depressed they isolated themselves in their house for weeks, let alone work.

But my friend could still function. That is the key. Does your disability impair your ability to function, even doing a normal, everday task, such as getting  out of bed and getting dressed each morning?

I believed she was depressed, but I also believed she could work if she wanted to, even if it meant flipping burgers. At least it is a job.Sometimes pride has to come into play, but for some people, laziness overwhelms simple pride.

She wasn't "depressed" when she went to a concert, or did something fun. But mention employment to her and she reminded the world what a bummer life was and how her moods wouldn't allow her to work eight hours a day.

That's a shame, because not only does an attitude like that destroy you, not only is it unfair to society, who has to pay for that monthly disability check, but it makes it bad for the people who really need that check, those who really can't work. It makes it tougher on them to receive their check. You may have a lifelong disability, but after every so many years, you still have to prove that you are disabled, that your condition hasn't changed and you really need your monthly disability check. For someone who really can't get around, someone who really is physically ill or severely in firmed, it's a hassle to do all the paperwork involved without some help. I know. I've been down that road before as well.

In fact, not long ago, my para transit application was up for renewal. I use para transit to get back and forth to work each day since I can't drive. It allows me some sort of independence, and not have to be dependent on family and friends for transportation needs.

Anyway, despite the fact that my disability hasn't changed, and really never will change, I still had to physically go to Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital to prove I am still unable to drive or even get to a bus stop to use a regular bus. Ironically, I had to take para transit to Bryn Mawr to prove that I still need para transit to get around.

I eventually had my card renewed.. It was annoying to have to take time off from work to travel to Bryn Mawr just to prove I really need this benefit. But again, I reminded myself this was only protecting my own self, and others who are truly in need of help, from those who take advantage of the system- and hence, make it bad for everyone.

The system is great for those who really need the help. But like everything else in life, if you abuse it, you may lose it, and that would be a shame for people who really do need some help just because some individuals decided it was easier to rip off the system.

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

IN THE NEWS- MOVIE THEATERS TARGET OF NEW ADA MANDATE

Another good article from Disability Scoop...

The Obama administration is implementing a new regulation that will require the nation's movie theaters to do more to accommodate people with disabilities.

Under a final rule published in the Federal Register this month, theaters will be required to provide closed captioning and audio description for any digital movie that is distributed with such accessibility features.

Though the Americans with Disabilities Act has long mandated auxiliary aids and similar accommodations at public facilities, the U.S. department of Justice said it moved to clarify the obligations of movie theaters in response to widespread complaints from the disability community about the lack of captioning and audio description at cinemas across the country.

The new regulation is more than six years in the making and since the Justice Department first signaled in 2010 that a rule would be forthcoming, the agency said it has received more than 1,500 comments on the issue.


"The disability community and movie theater industry provided comprehensive insight on this important regulation," said Vanita Gupta, head of the agency's Civil Rights Division. "The Justice Department's regulation establishes a nationally consistent standard and ensures that, in theaters across the country, people with hearing and vision disabilities can fully enjoy watching movies with their families and friends."

To comply, theaters must make equipment available at a person's seat so that captioning or audio description is only available to the individual who requests it. In addition, movie theaters are required to notify the public of the availability of such technology and have staff on hand to assist with the equipment.

Theaters that show only analog movies are exempt from the new mandate. There are also exceptions for circumstances in which complying with the regulation "would result in an undue burden or a fundamental alteration."

The new rule will take effect Jan. 17, 2017 and movie theaters must be in compliance by June 2, 2018.

IN THE NEWS- KEEPING DISABLED KIDS AT HOME

Disability Scoop provides this article..

Pediatricians are being encouraged to help families of children with developmental disabilities find solutions if they're struggling to care for their kids at home.

In new guidance, the American Academy of Pediatrics said that home with family is the best place for kids with significant intellectual and developmental disabilities and complex medical needs.

However, acknowledging that such situations are not always workable, the pediatrics group says its members should serve as a resource for families.

"Pediatricians can serve as advocates for their patients and their families to access community-base services and to increase the availability of resources to ensure that the option to live in a family home is available to all children with complex medical needs," states the clinical report published recently in the journal Pediatrics.

The information builds on similar guidance issued two years ago advising doctors on how to assist families considering out-of-home placements.

Those recommendations focused on congregate care settings such as skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, specialty hospitals, residential schools and medical group homes, but pediatricians asked for more information on other out-of-home options which led to the new report.

In addition to congregate settings, the guidance indicates that parents may consider host families, shared care arrangements, voluntary foster care or placement with other relatives if they are unable to continue providing assistance at home for kids with complex medical needs that often involve 24-hour care.

Doctors should also help families navigate offerings through Medicaid home and community-based services waivers and other programs that may help them get the support they need to allow even those with complex issues to remain at home.

"Children with significant disabilities and complex medical conditions, like all children, need stable homes with loving families and caregivers who provide the essential physical and emotional resources to promote well-being," according to the report. "Family life with caring and loving caregivers should be the goal for every child with disabilities and medical complexity."

Monday, December 5, 2016

PHILLY SPORTS CORNER-DECEMBER

My take on the current state of Philly sports..

PHILLIES_ I was at last Saturday's Phillies l Christmas tree lighting, my first time at the annual event.It was cold, but fun, seeing the ballpark in the doorstep of winter (the grass looks pretty good!). The Majestic Clubhouse store was open all day and had various sales. I met Phils broadcasters Tom McCarthy and Larry Andersen. Larry was a niece guy and took a lot of time with the fans. I was able to ask him several questions, including: When we will see Dylan Couzens and Phys Hoskins ( the two power hitting prospects in Reading)? His answer was..probably not til September, or 2018. Couzens didn't have a great winter ball experience, plus he got into a fight with a teammate, so unless he lights the world on fire in spring training and in the early spring, he may be spending the entire season in Lehigh Valley.

I also asked him if the rumors involving American League MVP and Millville, NJ. product Mike Trout being traded to the Phillies had any validity. LA's answer was "zero". The Angels, although desparate to restock their weak farm system, aren't ready to unload Trout. Maybe the year before his contract expires in 2020.It would take a boatload of young prospects to get him, which the Phils now have, plus GM Matt Klentak does have connections with the Anaheim front office. Trot is a local Philly sports fan, so if the money is right, I think he would jump at the chance to come home-but not until 2021. He will still only be 28 years old, in the prime of his career. So, a trade for Trout  , or signing the big center fielder as a free agent, may be on the horizon.

Charlie Manuel was at the tree lighting, said a few words, then quickly scampered out of the cold and probably high-tailed it back to warm Florida. Still, it was nice he attended- and the red and white sparkly tree is beautiful.

FLYERS- I also attended the Saturday afternoon game between the streaking Flyers and the Chicago Blackhawks. A good game, the Flyers are playing real well, winning 5 games in a row. Goalie Steve Mason is playing better, and the young kids are stepping up Defenseman Ivan Provohov scored two goals on Saturday. The kids bring speed and enthusiasm to the hockey club. With 3 home games this week before heading west for their annual holiday trek, the Flyers have a chance to extend their winning streak and rise in the standings.

SIXERS- The recent fiasco involving their game vs Sacremento being canceled because of condensation on the basketball court was embarrassing. It wasn't the Sixers fault, but they didn't tell the fans the game was off until almost an hour later, instead letting their fans sit, wonder, and buy food. The Sixers are a truly bad, dysfunctional organization. Forget the terrible basketball, and their philosophy of losing games to get higher draft picks. They have an owner who doesn't care about anything but making money, and the organization below him are clueless. I wouldn't waste my time going to a 76er game or giving them money, not only for a shoddy product, but for their incompetence as a business.

VILLANOVA_ The Cats are again number 1, and they have won an amazing 16 Big Five games in a row, with no end in sight. Could they repeat as national champions? No reason why they don't have as good of a shot as any one else.The rest of the Big Five teams can't compare, basketball, recruiting, etc...As much as I hate the Main Line elitism of Villanova, you can't argue with their success and class.

EAGLES- As stated in today's previous post of Chirping Birds, the Eagles have given up and probably won't win another game this season .They will finish with a record of 5-11, which isn't far off most pre-season predictions. We knew it was going to be a rebuilding year with a rookie coach and a rookie quarterback. But after winning their first 3 games, and the way they are getting worse than improving as the season winds down, it's disappointing and depressing for the future.

The Birds will get a last place schedule for next year, which should help. They will get a decent draft pick next spring, but remember their pick goes to Cleveland in the Carson Wentz trade. They get Minnesota's first round pick from the Sam Bradford deal, so hopefully the Vikings' record is worse than Philadelphias. They need help everywhere on the team, but especially at defensive back and wide receiver. Hopefully Wentz doesn't get killed for the remainder of the year, with a  weak offensive line.Plus hopefully his confidence doesn't get shot. All hinges in Wentz, for if he turns out to be a bust, not only do the Eagles QB situation become uncertain again, but the steep price they paid in getting Wentz-while Dallas dramatically improved- will haunt the Eagles for years to come.

IN THE NEWS-WANDERING BILL


This article is from Disability Scoop...

A last-minute twist that caught advocates by surprise is threatening to derail legislation to create new federal resources for those with autism and other developmental disabilities who are at risk  for wandering.

The bill known as Kevin and Avonte's Law would expand an existing program designed to help those with Alzheimer's disease who are prone to bolting to include kids with developmental disabilities too.

The legislation, which was approved by the U.S. Senate in July, would authorize $2 million annually for the U.S. Department of Justice to issue grants to law enforcement agencies scross the country to provide tracking devices, training, and other resources to address wandering.

A markup was scheduled this week in the House Judiciary Committee but the hearing was abruptly postpone this morning it was set to take place.

Judiciary Committee aides initially blamed the postponement on a scheduling conflict, but later acknowledged that more may have been at play saying "we have worked with members to identify fixes to address the privacy concerns."

The delay came after the conservative group Americans for Limited Government put out a statement opposing the bill suggesting that it would "allow for the attorney general to authorize tracking chips to be inserted involuntarily into people."

Disability advocates who have long pushed for the legislation said that nothing could be further from the truth. The bill makes funding available for wearable tracking devices- no chips or anything that would be inserted- and it specifically forbids the use of such technology if an individual objects.

Families with children at risk of wandering could request the trackers from participating law enforcement agencies. Devices are not actively monitored, but can allow law enforcement to locate a child who is reported missing, advocates said.

"This program has already been in place for 20 years with Alzheimer's and we're just trying to get it opened up to people with developmental disabilities too," said Lori McIlwain, chair of the National Autism Association and head of the Autism Safety Coalition, which is comprised of a dozen disability advocacy groups supporting the bill.

Roughly half of children with autism have wandered away from a safe place, researh suggests.And according to the Autism Safety Coalition, over 100 peple with autism or Down syndrome have died in eloping incidents since 2011 alone, with a new death reported just last week.

McIlwain cited an example of a family in Michigan whose child with autism perished after wandering away. The family subsequently sought a tracking device for their other child on the spectrum, but was told that a law enforcement program providing such technology in their community was limited to individuals ages 65 and up.

"This is a common-sense bill. It helps prevent deaths in our community and it helps law enforcement find people quicker," she said. "There's a lot of misinformation out there. We're just trying to get people to read the bill."

Judiciary Committee aides said no new hearing is currently scheduled.

McIlwain said she's hopeful that the bill will by[ass the Judiciary Committee and go directly to the House floor so that it can be considered in the little time remaining before the end of this Congress.


CHIRPING BIRDS-Week 12


Dissecting the horrible Eagles loss to the Cincinnati Bengals..

Once again, the Eagles weren't ready to play. Blame the coach. He's in over his head. No discipline..Too many penalties..no anger, no enthusiasm..Teams take on the personality of their coach..and this team has given up.

Sooner or later the Birds will need to make another change..I can't see Doug Pederson taking the Eagles to a Super bowl, let alone future playoffs. He's a rookie coach, but is he learning from the "learning experience" each week? He makes the same stupid mistakes as his team ("Team Dumbass) and shows no leadership. If there is a future change- and I don't think Owner Jeffrey Lurie will make a change this season- the Eagles ar ein danger of falling into the Cleveland Browns mode of changing mediocre coaches every few years and having to start over. No consistency, but can you stay with a system that doesn't work and has a -not-so-promising future?

Again, it's the owner's fault. He hired a rookie coach who needed on-the-job training..who made questionable play-calling decisions as an offensive coordinator, as coach who didn't get an interview with any other team in the off-season, only the Eagles. Did the league know something that Lurie didn't?

Lurie is a loser, both in Hollywood and in football. He gave the keys to the car to Chip Kelly, and he destroyed the franchise to the point where it will take years to rebuild. Looking up at the Dallas Cowboys in the standings may be an annual ritual for the next 4-6 years.

Lurie hired Pederson because he wanted a puppet who wasn't going to cause trouble- the exact opposite of Chip Kelly. Lurie was burned with Kelly (who is 1-11 in San Francisco) and now he can't get it right with an Andy Reid-clone.

Paul turner finally gets a ball thrown to him-and he catches six passes. Do the coaches know what they are doing? Can they evaluate players and talent? Obviously, the team needs an overhaul in wide receivers and cornerbacks, but are GM Howie Roseman and Pederson the guys to draft , trade and sign free agents?

Three home games remain-against divisional foes Washington, New York and Dallas- and they are meaningless. The schedule-makers didn't do the Eagles any favors this season. The bye week was too soon and killed the team's early momentum. They played at least four teams coming off bye weeks. And the schedule was back-loaded with home games, which will mean nothing. Fans will attend the games because, like last year, you won't be able to give away the tickets.

Fletcher Cox is again a no-show on defensive. The secondary sucks. Carson Wentz has taken a step backwards. He has no faith in his coach, his shaky receivers and his patchwork offensive line.

Lane Johnson helped to screw up this season. The biggest play of the year may have been Ryan Mathew's fumble late in the game vs. the Lions. The Eagles were on their way to going 4-0 when Mathews coughed up the ball late in the Detriot contest, and the Lions pulled out a victory. That started the downhill slide. Pederson also made a questionable call on that play, which spiraled into a bad loss to the Cowboys.

Someone needs to get mad on this football team They are going through the motions, despite what the coach says to try and save his job. The team has quit. If the Eagles players don't care, why should the fans?


Friday, December 2, 2016

IN THE NEWS- RHODES SCHOLAR THRIVES WITH SERVICE DOG'S HELP

From the newspaper, The State...

The University of South Carolina's first Rhodes Scholar in 16 years did not plan for the new friends and extracurricular activities typical of college life.

Jory Fleming, 22, has autism, which makes social interaction difficult. "I didn't really expect to do much of anything," he said.

He could not have been more wrong.

Fleming recently won one of academia's most prestigious awards, the $68,000-a-year Rhodes Scholarship, for students who succeed inside and outside of the classroom. With the help of a service dog named Daisy, the Columbia resident has thrived at USC.

Now, Fleming is preparing for his next adventure, two years studying at Oxford University in England, starting next October.

"I don't know if it has quite sunk in it,"said Fleming, a USC senior double majoring in geography and marine science. "I was a bit surprised...But it really made me reflective of my time at USC and all the people that have helped me get here."

Fleming, who was homeschooled before attending USC, is quick to deflect praise- to his mother, advisers, professors, friends, and, of course, Daisy.

Plenty of credit goes to the 5-year-old English lab who has given Fleming a chance to grab college by the horns.

Trained and donated to Fleming by the local nonprofit Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services, Daisy can alert him when his medical feeding pump- necessary because of a genetic condition- is not working correctly.

She helps him stand or pick things up when he is tired. And she knows to apply pressure to certain pressure points on Fleming's body when he is stressed.

But Daisy also helps out in social environments. It turns out having an adorable dog always at your side is a great icebreaker.

"I certainly get a lot of attention as a result of having Daisy and have met people I otherwise wouldn't have," Fleming said with a laugh.

With Daisy at his side, Fleming has bloomed into the prototypical Rhodes Scholar.

Each year, 95 winners from around the world, including 32 from the United States, are chosen for their academic records, leadership skills and public service efforts.

Past winners include former President Bill Clinton, astronomer Edwin Hubble and ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos. Fleming is USC's 10th Rhodes Scholar since the program began in 1904 and its first since 2000.

"They're looking for this perfect combination of a leader, an academic scholar and a public servant," said Novella Beskid, director of USC's Office of Fellowships and Scholars Programs. "It's hard to bat a thousand in all three of those categories, but Jory does."

USC professors marvel at Fleming's mind and work ethic.

He has a perfect 4.0 grade point average. He has been involved in a wide range of research at USC, both with marine science and geography faculty. Last summer, he worked on creating three-dimensional data visualizations of sea level rise during an internship in Charleton with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

"He's thoughtful. He's a self-starer,' said Jennifer Pournelle, a research associate professor at USC who has researched urban sustainability with Fleming. "He knows what he wants to accomplish."

He is the only USC student ever to win both the Barry Goldwater and Harry S. Truman scholarships, and was an honorable mention for the Udall Scholarship.

"Just the focus and dedication that Jory has demonstrated through applying and winning all of these awards is beyond any other student I've ever worked with." Beskid said. "But he's done it in a kind and compassionate, thoughtful way."Fleming's freshman-year University 101 class hammered home the importance of getting involved, and the message stuck.

He took some of USC's quirky courses, including a cooking class, And he got involved early with USC's fellowships and research offices, setting himself up for down-the-road opportunities.

Fleming attends USC's sporting events and volunteers with Cocky's Reading Express, taking trips to elementary schools to read to children.

He also coordinates education outreach for USC's Students Engaged in Aquatic Sciences organization, teaching kids in schools about marine science.

In addition, Fleming helped form the Cocky's canine PAALS group at USC, which raises money and coordinates volunteers to support the nonprofit that donated Daisy.

Professors say he is quick to help other students struggling with difficult programs or concepts.

"It's just great to watch someone flourish in college and take every advantage their university has to offer," said Jean Ellis, a USC associate professor who has mentored Fleming. "I have never seen a student completely exhaust every resource an institution has for an undergraduate."

With Daisy t his side, he has picked up a lot of friends along the way."

"That's been one of the best parts of my college experience," Fleming said. "If you told me that four years ago, I would not have believed it."

Fleming says he is now ready for a new adventure at  Oxford, one of the world's best schools. Though he has never traveled outside of the United States, Fleming is moving to England next year and plans to pursue a master's degree in geography.

"They say they're the No. 1 school in the world for geography," Fleming said. "I'm really excited about that. The school is just huge. They have geographers from every area in the field."

And Daisy will be right there with him.

Thursday, December 1, 2016

IN THE NEWS-SPECIAL ED CHILDREN

The Houston Chronicle brings us this article...

Facing increasing criticism over its special education enrollment benchmark, the Texas Education Agency this month told schools that they must provide services to all eligible students with disabilities and that they will no longer be penalized for serving too many children.

In a five-page letter, Penny Schwinn, the agency''s deputy commissioner of academics, advised school districts that a federal provision known as " child find" requires them to locate and evaluate all kids who live within their boundaries who might qualify for services such as tutoring, counseling and therapy.

"A school district's failure to meet the child find requirements is a serious matter," Schwinn wrote. "Furthermore, the failure to identify a child may entitle the child to compensatory education or tuition reimbursement."

Schwinn told the districts that the TEA eventually would end the decade-old benchmark that has set 8.5 percent as the ideal rate of special education. And effective immediately, she wrote, exceeding the target would not "adversely affect" district performance levels or determinations about whether districts are audited.

A decade of audit threats related to the target has left Texas with the lowest rate of special education in the country. If the state was at the national average, more than 250,000 more students would be receiving services.

But as in the past, Schwinn also defended the policy, saying it was not a "cap" on enrollment and did not seriously punish districts for failing to comply.

"It has been alleged that some school district personnel and others may have interpreted the (benchmark) to mean that districts are required to achieve a special education enrollment rate of no more than 8.5%," she wrote. "This interpretation is incorrect."

The letter followed through on a promise to the U.S. Department of Education, which last month ordered the TEA to end the enrollment target and remind schools about the requirement to provide special education services to children with disabilities.

The department's involvement, which is still ongoing, was prompted by a Houston Chronicle investigation that revealed the target and showed that the TEA had quietly implemented it in 2004 while facing a $1.1 billion state budget cut and without consulting state lawmakers, federal officials or any research.

No other state has ever set a target for special education enrollment.

In the years since the Texas policy took effect, the percentage of public school students in the state receiving services has dropped from near the national average of 13 percent down to 8.5 percent. That is the lowest in the country- by far.

Texas schools have used a variety of tactics to cut enrollment, including mass purges of special education rolls, the Houston Chronicle has found. Some districts have also delayed services by requiring teachers to go through a new instructional program called "Response to Intervention" (RTI) before requesting that a student be evaluated for special education. The federal government has explicitly condemned that practice.

In its letter, the TEA told districts that it would be "inconsistent"with federal law for a school to "delay an initial evaluation on the basis that a student has not participated in an RTI framework."

The agency also announced it would create a new unit dedicated to providing additional technical assistance to districts struggling with special education laws.

But some advocates and lawmakers said the TEA's message was undercut by its refusal to accept responsibility for the benchmark.

"TEA says it understands the complexities of schools differentiating between problems due to disability and other factors," said Dustin Rynders, of Disability Rights Texas. "In reality, the complexity is deciphering the mixed messages TEA sends schools."

"We welcome the reminder that schools should evaluate those suspected of needing special education, however TEA is the cause of the problem," he added, arguing that "TEA has no credibility" because it "keeps trying to sell its preposterous story that the 8.5 percent indicator was not a cap or a goal for the percentage of students receiving special education, while offering no explanation for why they awarded their best performance level to districts that served fewer than 8.5 percent of students."

Texas Senate Minority Leader Jose Rodriguez, who has introduced legislation to eliminate the benchmark permanently, said he also doubted the TEA and would continue to push the bill.

"This guidance from TEA would not have been needed if the agency hadn't created this misguided performance indicator in the first place," said Rodriguez,D-El Paso. "Yet the agency refuses to acknowledge that they contributed to a culture that incentives schools to keep their special education numbers down. I don't think that culture will be changed by a letter, and I don't have confidence that rule making via this agency will correct it. The legislature needs to step in."

OLD-SCHOOL WHEELING- ENABLING EVERYONE & LANDMARK BIRTHDAYS

Another article I wrote for The Phoenix back on November 18, 2005...

My thanks to a loyal reader named Margarette from Phoenixville for suggesting the following topic.

If you ever hear the name John Hockenberry, please stop, look and listen. John is an award-winning tv commentator, radio host and foreign correspondent. John became a paraplegic in an auto accident when he was 19. He now lives in Brooklyn, New York with his wife and 4 kids.

I have read many of John's commentaries, and his view of the world, as a husband, father and just a so-called "regular" guy, who happens to be physically challenged, is amazing. He has been on "60 Minutes" and has even been a news anchor. For years, even his viewers had no idea he was in a wheelchair. When you are reading the news it doesn't matter if you can't walk.

I love his work because he can see things in such a simple, yet powerful way. For instance, I read a recent article John wrote about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) marking its 15th anniversary.

Wow...15 years already! I think of all the changes in my world since the act was passed. More handicapped parking places, more job opportunities, more ramps and cut curbs, more access to public buildings, more transportation options.

Is the law perfect? No. A truly inclusive world for the disabled will not only depend on the determination and courage of the disabled to keep fighting for what is right, but also for the non-disabled world to help us join them in sharing the freedom and independence which they enjoy.

 Society at large must get involved to make sure things like the ADA kaw are upheld and expanded. After all, the Civil Rights Act of 1964- which had the backing of the courts, the police and the National Guard- still has not wiped out racism. Much work is still ahead. for instance, employment for people with disabilities has not improved significantly since the passage of the ADA. Disabled employment has stood near 70 percent for the past two decades.

John's article pointed out that social awareness of the ADA law, and just basic, simple, common sense viewpoints of the disabled are truly becoming more apparent in society. Today you are just as likely to see a disabled person on the ski slopes as you are at your workplace. The ADA law has helped disabled people become more accepted in life. Able-bodied folks seem more comfortable around people who are "different" somehow. Sure, there will always be some sort of prejudice, discrimination or just plain ignorance. Bit I have personally noticed over the years that things are better. Maybe because the media now isn't afraid to tackle disabled-related issues in movies or on TV. It seems to be the "in thing" to include someone with a disability on your work staff or in your movie script, when appropriate.

John noted this one particular personal point in his article. He was riding a subway in New York City when an emergency occurred and the conductor was ordered to stop the train and ask all the passengers to exit the train. He did so, including John in his wheelchair and several mothers with baby strollers. John found out that the station they stopped at did not have an elevator (one of many similar stations in New York City, he mentioned). The conductor never offered to help John up the flight of steps to ground level. John was prepared to hop out of his chair and crawl up the filthy steps on his bottom, suit or no suit. I have had similar instances in my life, and believe me, there cannot be a more humiliating experience, as others stare at you like you are an animal in a zoo.

But before John hopped out of his chair to the dirty ground below, several of the stroller moms spoke up."What's your plan for this man? Is he just supposed to stay down here forever? Is that your plan? We are not stupid people. There's a law that says you have to have a plan. Everyone knows that..."

The conductor went from ignoring a solitary man in a wheelchair to having to deal with a demanding group of New York moms. he finally decided to take the group to the next station, which he knew was accessible.

So, here was an example of social awareness, and of people who were brave enough to support a fellow disabled passenger. In that way, the ADA law will continue to serve its purpose and empower everyone, disabled or not, to make the world a better place for everyone to live.

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I recently celebrated my 40th birthday. After a few days of being 49, I soon found it to be a strange age. First, everyone always asks how old you are when you start to advance in age. But when you're honest enough to admit your age, not too many people believed me. "You're not really forty-nine,"was the typical answer. I guess that's a good thing. It must be the dimples. So I don't argue anymore if someone insists that I'm really 35.

49 is like the last exit ramp on the Great Turnpike of Life, before one hits the Big 5-0. The comic Jack Benny always wanted to stay 39, dreading turning 40. But I never had a problem with landmark birthdays. Life is what it is. You take each birthday, each decade as it comes. Think positive! Hopefully you are much more settled and wiser at 50 than at 20 ( we won't talk about the wrinkles and the gray hair).

In my situation, when the doctors didn't think I would make 16 let alone 49, I think of each additional birthday as a blessing. More years to enjoy life, to make life special, to do some good for other people.

The lifespan for someone with Osteogenisus Imperfecta is a mere 25 years, so for me, each additional year is gravy. I've beaten the odds for over 20 years so far. So, the Big 5-0 next year should be a time to look ahead and celebrate, not a time for depression or seeing life as becoming more limited.

To me, the best is yet to come. Still, I won't rush my last year in the 40s. There is a certain finality to it- my LAST year ever in the 40s. Gulp! But I hope to savor it, enjoy it, and hope it is a happy and healthy one.

49 has a nice ring to it after all.