THE DERBY CITY NSCIA NEWSLETTER

Message From the President

Dear Members & Friends-

In lieu of this month's regularly scheduled meeting, we will have our annual picnic at Camp Crooked Creek on September 26 at 12:30 in the afternoon. We will eat at 2:00 p.m.

It should be a great time and I hope to see you there. For directions to Camp Crooked Creek, see the box below.

October's meeting will be held at Frazier Rehab, 4th floor dining room. Social hour: 6:30; speaker at 7:00 p.m. Refreshments provided.

- David Allgood

REMINDER!!!

The last day to register to vote is
October 4.

The last day to fill out an application for an absentee ballot is October 26.

Absentee ballots will be accepted
until election day.

The following article is from ADA Pipeline, Volume 13, No. 3, 2004. –ed

SERVICE ANIMALS AND THE ADA
By Mary Morder

Service Animals and the Law: Sally Conway of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) acknowledges that, although the ADA was enacted 14 years ago, persons with disabilities still have difficulty obtaining equal access to public and private facilities and services when they have a service animal. In most instances, qualified persons with disabilities who use service animals have the right of equal access to any place of business, state or government facility or program, as persons without disabilities. According to Ms. Conway, the rights of persons with disabilities who use service animals "remains a very significant problem throughout the country in all sectors of business and governmental entities." People who use service animals still have problems obtaining equal access under the law.

The Definition of a Service Animal Under the ADA: According to DOJ regulations, a service animal is any guide dog, signal dog or other animal individually trained to work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including but not limited to: guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds,

(Continued On Page Two)

THE DERBY CITY NSCIA NEWSLETTER

Derby City Area Chapter
of the
National Spinal Cord Injury Association

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

The Derby City Area Chapter of the N.S.C.I.A. is a membership organization for individuals with spinal cord injuries, their families, and health professionals. Founded in 1984 as a Charter Member of the N.S.C.I.A., it was incorporated under IRS Section 501 (c) 3 as a not for profit organization. The Board of Directors consists of the Officers, Past President and the Board Members At Large.

***

OFFICERS

PRESIDENT
David Allgood - (502) 589-6620

VICE PRESIDENT
Adam Ford - (502) 425-2206

TREASURER
Tom Stokes- (502) 957-5865

LIAISON TO FRAZIER INSTITUTE
Dr. Bill Kraft – (502) 582-5865

FUNDRAISING CHAIR
Betty Perry—(502) 647-0368

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY/WEB MASTER
Michael Feger- (502) 647-0368

PAST PRESIDENT
Adam Ford- (502) 425-2206

BOARD MEMBERS AT LARGE-
Mike Perry
Kelly Young

NSCIA
DERBY CITY CHAPTER
NEWSLETTER

Editor- Barbara Davis

Contributor- David Allgood

ONLINE VOTING REGISTRATION

If you are not already registered to vote, you can register online at www.dontblockmyvote.org. If you register online, you MUST show proper ID at the election site. ID can be in the form of a state issue ID/driver's license, utility bill, bank statement, or Section 8 voucher. Contact your Board of Elections for more details. As stated on page one, the last day to register for this year's election is October 4.

THINK YOUR VOTE DOESN'T MATTER?
CONSIDER THIS...

• In 1801, one vote in the U.S. House broke the tie between presidential candidates Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr.
• In 1839, one vote made Marcus Morton governor of Massachussettes and earned him the nickname, "Landslide."
• In 1868, one vote saved President Andrew Jackson from being removed from office
• In 1876, one vote in the Electoral College gave Rutherford B. Hayes the presidency.
• In 1941, one vote extended the active service provision in the Selective Service Act (Draft) just four months before the attack on Pearl Harbor.
• In 2000, we had one of the most closely contested presidential elections in American History, and people are still arguing about who won.

THE DERBY CITY NSCIA NEWSLETTER

Refrigerator Calendar
*2004

SEPTEMBER

6th - Elderly & Disabled Advisory Council Meeting
Mon 1:00-2:30 p.m.; TARC; 1000 W. Broadway; Board Room.

26th - NSCIADerbyCity Area Chapter Picnic; 12:30 p.m. Camp Crooked Creek.
Mon See page one for directions; takes the place of our regularly scheduled meeting.

18th - Metro disAbility Coalition Meeting; 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.; PVA Office on Goss Avenue.
Sat Speaker to be announced; if questions, contact Terri Leasor at 589-6620 or at mdclouky.org

21st - Louisville Metro Sweep for Access
Tues Crescent Hill Library; 2762 Frankfort Avenue

OCTOBER

4th - Elderly & Disabled Advisory Council Meeting
Mon 1:00-2:30 p.m.; TARC; 1000 W. Broadway; Board Room.

18th - NSCIADerbyCity Area Chapter meeting, 6:30 p.m., Frazier Rehab.
Mon 4th floor dining hall; speaker to be announced.

16th - Metro disAbility Coalition Meeting; 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.; PVA Office on Goss Avenue.
Sat Speaker to be announced; if questions contact Terri Leasor at 589-6620 or mdclouky.org

19th - Louisville Metro Sweep for Access
Tues Crescent Hill Library; 2762 Frankfort Avenue

For More Information Call
David Allgood, 502-589-6620

THE DERBY CITY NSCIA NEWSLETTER

The following is from the internet (Article ARCHIVE Sex & DISABILITY) - derived from the key words dating and disability—ed.

TALKING ABOUT DISABILITY ON A DATE
By Dr. Linda R. Mona

Discussing your disabilities on a date can be difficult: your new partner is probably curious about the extent of your sexual abilities. Can you have intercourse? What special needs do you have? What are your limits or particular talents?

The hardest part of this conversation is when to have it. How does one lead into the subject? Do you talk about disability at the onset of the first date, or wait until the second, third or fourth meeting?

People living with disabilities tend to worry about saying too much or not enough. Place these feelings of anxiety aside! Discussion about a person's disability typically comes up naturally within conversation. For example, a conversation could begin around a modified van, a Seeing Eye dog, the use of sign language or prosthetic device or mobility aide. When these subjects arise, respond honestly and openly to questions, and your partner will understand you are comfortable discussing your disability.

Ironically, while you are worrying about how and when to bring up the limits imposed by your disability, your date is no doubt struggling with questions, afraid of offending you, but wanting information. For example, your date may wonder what arrangements need to be made to accommodate your evening out. Can you walk a few steps unaided, or do you require your wheelchair at all times? Are you comfortable with having a menu read to you, or would you prefer to dine only in restaurants that offer Braille menus?

If he or she is unfamiliar with dating a disabled person, as many people are the first time they do so, your date may simply blurt out, "What is your disability, and what do I need to do to arrange a date?" Although some individuals feel comfortable with this direct approach, others may not know how to respond to such a remark. Be compassionate, and try not to be offended. Remember, your date is simply trying to ensure you both enjoy yourselves.

It is important to remember that these questions also come up when two people with disabilities date each other. Contrary to popular belief, the disabled are not all alike—we do have questions about our friends and dating partners with different types of disabilities.

Given the uneasiness that can surface, here are some helpful hints for people with disabilities, as well their able-bodied and disabled dating partners.

· Discuss your disability, don't lecture an audience . Treat a date like any other social situation. Talk about your disability as it naturally occurs in conversation. If you are asked directly about it, answer with details that are informative, but don't launch into a 30-minute speech about your condition. If this date turns into a more serious relationship, you'll find plenty of time to discuss the specifics of your disability.

· Talk from a script . If you feel ill at ease discussing your disability, think about what you may want to say ahead of time. Sometimes people practice with a friend how they plan to discuss their disability. If you prefer to practice alone, use a tape recorder or even a mirror to get an idea about how you come across and what words bolster your confidence.

· Plan your response to questions . If it makes you feel better, think what you might say if you were asked directly about your disability. Some people have a standard response they always give to questions. For example, someone may say, "I am deaf and this is why my speech may seem different to you." Others may want to take this a step further and say, "I have 20% hearing ability in my right ear, so if you sit on my left side, I think we'll have a more enjoyable conversation." Think about what feels right to you, and go for it!

· Talk about your dating partner's disability . Creating an environment open to discussion helps the person with a disability feel a sense of power over a potentially uncomfortable situation. Try something like, "I'm not sure if you feel comfortable answering this question, but I was wondering if you would mind discussing your disability?" This phrasing gives the person with a disability the choice of whether they'd choose to engage in these issues, and shows him or her you are comfortable discussing the matter.

· Refrain from asking overly personal questions on the first date . Some people assume that it is acceptable to ask people with disabilities very personal questions. For example, it is not uncommon for people to be asked, "How do you go to the bathroom?" "How do you shower?" or "Can you have sex?" While many of us think that it is not unreasonable to ask for such personal information, it is important to keep in mind that people with disabilities are entitled to the same amount of privacy as anyone else.

THE DERBY CITY NSCIA NEWSLETTER

The following is from the internet –ed.

STAND-UP (ACTUALLY, SIT-DOWN) COMEDY

Alan Shain's comedy has attitude, and you won't forget his act very quickly. His disability is obvious and his brand of comedy is unique. Alan uses humor to attack the idea that disabled people are passive and helpless, which is reflected in the name of his company, Smashing Stereotypes Productions.

Alan's stand-up comedy is suitable for a wide variety of venues. A hysterical rebuff at public attitudes to disability, he attempts to answer burning questions such as `Do wheelchair people ever go to the bathroom? Are all wheelchair people related to each other? Do they ever think about sex?' You'll probably learn just a little bit more from Alan than you really wanted to know.

After getting his start in comedy in 1989 at Yuk Yuk's comedy Kabaret, Alan has since toured his shows extensively across North America and Australia . He blends comedy with a strong flavor of honesty and truth, and attacks stereotypical attitudes towards people with disabilities.

"My brother and I went out to eat," Alan says, "and the waiter asked my brother how many menus we wanted. I answered the question with, `There's two of us at the table, so I think we'll take 4 menus.' The waiter did, in fact, bring us 4 menus."

Since first touring the comedy club circuit, Alan now also tailors his shows for high schools and middle schools, colleges and universities, as well as community events and festivals.

A FEW REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD VOTE.

"Suppose you were an idiot...and suppose you were a member of Congress...but I repeat myself."
— Mark Twain

"It's no exaggeration to say that undecideds could go one way or the other."
— George Bush

"I want to thank each and every one of you for having extinguished yourself." Gib Lewis , TX Speaker of the House to a group of wheelers on Disability Day

"This is unparalyzed in the state's history." Gib Lewis , TX Speaker of the House

Taken from Funny Quotes website –ed

FOR SALE !!!!***

2003 Ford F-250 lift-equipped green/gray van; leather seats, TV, DVD player. Playstation hookup, am-fm radio. Rick Miller, 937-2245.

Shower Chair; 2 yrs old, negotiable; 2 RoHo cushions; low profile; $150 each; Invacare 900 Action Power Chair; 4 yrs. Old; $600. Call 448-5296.

*RoHo High Profile 16x16 cushions; $160; 589-6620.

*Wheelchair ; 20" wide; adjusted petals; standard wheels; asking $2,2500. Quickie wheelchair; 19" wide; asking $2,000; needs batteries. New bedside commode; used; $75.00. Call 502-636-4043.

*1984 Dodge Ram ; handicap conversion; Crow River lift w/exterior/interior controls; heightened roof/door; captain chairs; exchange driver's seat; hand controls; AC; AM/FM cassette & CB radios; wheelchair lock down/ties; rear bench; 2 spare captain chairs; 86,584 miles; good condition. Call 859-734-6852.

*2002 Dodge Caravan "Entervan" (Braun modification) ; app 18,000 mi; remote operated oil recently changed; mechanic confirms excellent condition; used only a little more than 2 mos.; $34,000. Call 859-492-7971.

*Ford 1997 Econoline Van; 100,140 mi; $16,000. Hunter Green-gray; new tires & brakes; "loaded"; call 270-786-4547; ask for Dale.

*1994 Dodge Caravan , equipped with lock down for driving; cruise control; tinted windows; 56,000 miles; good condition; $14,000; contact Ina Hogan at 241-7849.

*Hoveround MPV4 ; used only one year; 36" long; 23 1/2" wide; load capacity 300 lbs.; two direct drive motors; turning radius 17"; speed 5 mph. Asking $5,000 or best offer. Call 671-7656.

*Jazzy Electric Wheelchair ; $2,000; 812-867-0137.

*1985 Komfort Koach Van with Power Lift ; V-8; 350 BB; 5 liter engine; wheelchair safety straps; hook; television; power window and door locks; 127,000 mi; excellent condition; new tires; AC/front and rear vents; cruise control; AM/FM radio; tape deck; CB radio; game table and window shades; trailer hitch. Asking $2,995. Call 425-0314.

*Heavy Duty Scooter; used less than 50 hours /2 new batteries; $1200. Call (502) 348-9305.

* Liberty Stairlift/Set for 13 steps ; $1500 soft; 937-9492

*Video tapes for sale . Various topics related to spinal cord injuries. Call David Allgood or Buddy Lawson.

THE DERBY CITY NSCIA NEWSLETTER

You are cordially invited to join us!

The Derby City Chapter of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association
consists of people with spinal cord injuries and similar physical conditions, their family members, friends, and
professionals or other interested parties.

We meet:

WHEN- Third Monday of every month from 6:30 to 9:00 PM
WHERE- Frazier Rehab Center , 4th floor Dining Room
220 Abraham Flexner Way

If you wish to be a member, donor, and/or be on the mailing list of the Derby City Chapter of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association please complete and mail the following form to the address below