THE DERBY CITY NSCIA NEWSLETTER

Message From the President

Dear Members & Friends-

As of this writing, no speaker has been scheduled. If one is not available, a video will be shown. Pizza and soft drinks will be provided. Please note the meeting location change in the calendar. We are now meeting in the 10th floor dining room.

July's meeting will be dinner at Kingfish River Road. See calendar for specific address and time.

- David Allgood

MS. WHEELCHAIR KENTUCKT 2007 PAGEANT

The Ms. Wheelchair Kentucky 2007 Pageant will be held Saturday, November 11, 2006 at the Rudd Heart & Lung Center in Louisville. Application and entry fee must be in by Monday, September 11, 2006. Call Stephanie Sharp at (207) 302-2054 or email her at jane19828@hotmail.com. You can also visit www.mswheelchairkentucky.com to learn more about the program.

From Reader's Digest, January 2006-ed

THE INVENTOR

Determined to create the world's cheapest wheelchair, Don Shoendorfer, a mechanical engineer from Orange County, California, tinkered in his garage for three hours every day before work. The chair would have to traverse mountains, swamps and deserts, and endure heat and frost. Around the world many of the poorest people live on less than $2 a day and could never dream of buying a Western-type wheelchair. Finally, one day he hit on just the right design: the ubiquitous white plastic lawn chair, with two sturdy bike tires.

Today the chairs can be shipped anywhere in the world for just $41.17. Sheoendorfer's nonprofit group, Free Wheelchair Mission, has delivered more than 75,000 to people in Angola, India, Peru, and even Iraq. With more than 100 million disabled poor in developing countries, he says, “I have a small goal. Twenty million chairs given away free by 2010.”

From the Internet -ed.

TRAVELERS TIPS FOR TRAVELERS
WITH DISABILITIES

First, ask your friends with disabilities for referrals, then ask other friends friends. Getting a good recommendation could help you avoid novice agents and/or those who know nothing about disabilities. Visit at least two of the agencies and interview the agents about their knowledge of your chosen destination(s). Veteran agents are more likely to remember a hotel with an elevator or recall a museum's access. But remember, travel agents are there to book hotels and flights, not to measure bathroom doors. (Source: Global Access - A Network for Disabled Travelers)

Traveling with a disability takes a great deal of planning. First, decide what you need on a daily basis but on a much smaller scale. If you are an ambulatory traveler, try to manage with just one carry-on piece of luggage. If you're a wheelchair traveler, take an additional carry on for wheelchair parts, charger, etc. and a wheelchair backpack. If you do use a wheelchair, take the narrowest one you can find. If you can cope without a motor chair, your luggage will be minimal. If not, you might want to consider a motor add-on device that fits your lightweight chair. Major chair parts can

(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
Jill Farmer

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

Visit Our Website at
www.DerbyCitySpinalCord.org

The Derby City Area Chapter newsletter is brought to you through the generous support of Frazier Rehab Institute.

TRAVELING WITH A DISABILITY, CONT'D

be on-board with you at all times, and you needn't be concerned about mishandling in the airplane baggage department. Let your batteries travel in the cargo after being boxed and labeled. New wheelchair batteries are also essential if you're taking a power chair. The airlines love gel cells. But the manufacturers tend to pack them to resemble a suspicious looking package, so get used to being searched. (Source: Global Access - A Network for Disabled Travelers)

Traveling can be a tiring experience even if you're in the best of health. If you require medication, take extra bottles along and a written prescription from your doctor. Also, taking along an able-bodied friend or attendant will make your trip a lot smoother, especially if you plan to use rental cars and hand controls aren't available. If your disability requires a lot of personal care, don't travel with anyone who is not familiar with your needs. (Source: Global Access - A Network for Disabled Travelers)

With proper planning, traveling with oxygen can be accomplished comfortably and safely. Simply make your arrangements well in advance and be willing to take the extra time to confirm details prior to your trip. All U.S. airlines require a doctor's letter for traveling with oxygen since the FAA requires a physician's statement of your oxygen needs in order to fly on a commercial airline. You cannot bring your own oxygen on board, you must use airline-supplied oxygen. Requirements vary from carrier to carrier but all require that arrangements are made in advance and all charge for in-flight oxygen. Some airlines require only 48 hours advance notice, while others require seven-day notice. Additionally, many airlines charge for oxygen either by flight (with each time you change planes being considered a separate flight) or by the amount of oxygen used. So, if possible it is better and can be less expensive to take a direct flight. Also, airlines don't provide oxygen for in-terminal use. These arrangements must be made separately. But it is important to note that some first-aid stations in airports do have oxygen available. To make arrangements for oxygen at your destination, start with your local oxygen dealer. National chains usually can assist by contacting their other offices in your destination to make the arrangements, and because many local dealers belong to a network of oxygen providers, most can assist with the arrangements. For more information on traveling with oxygen, contact the American Lung Association at: 1740 Broadway, New York, NY 10019-4374, Phone: 1-800-586-4872 (Source: Access-Able Travel Source)

THE DERBY CITY NSCIA NEWSLETTER

Refrigerator Calendar
*2006

JUNE

5th - Elderly & Disabled Advisory Council Meeting
Mon 1:00-2:30 p.m.; TARC; 1000 W. Broadway; Board Room.

19th - Derby City Chapter Meeting, 10th floor dining room; 6:30 p.m.
Mon Frazier Rehabilitation; 220 Abraham Flexnor Way

17th - Metro disAbility Coalition Meeting; 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.; PVA Office on Goss Avenue.
Sat

JULY

3rd - Elderly & Disabled Advisory Council Meeting
Mon 1:00-2:30 p.m.; TARC; 1000 W. Broadway; Board Room.

17th - Dinner at Kingfish Restaurant; 30021 River Road; Louisville.
Mon Dinner is in lieu of regular meeting at Frazier Rehab. Meals paid for by Chapter for dues-
paying members.

15th - Metro disAbility Coalition Meeting; 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.; PVA Office on Goss Avenue.
Sat

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

THE DERBY CITY NSCIA NEWSLETTER

TRAVELING WITH A DISABILITY, CONT'D

Under the ADA, privately-owned businesses that serve the public such as restaurants, hotels, retail stores, taxicabs, theaters, concert halls and sports facilities are prohibited from discriminating against individuals with disabilities. The ADA requires that businesses allow people with disabilities to bring their service animals onto business premises in whatever areas customers are generally allowed. The ADA defines a service animal as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. If they meet this definition, animals are considered service animals under the ADA regardless of whether they have been licensed or certified by a state or local government. The ADA takes priority over any county health department or state or local laws regarding service animals. All service animals must be permitted to accompany the individual with a disability to all areas of the facility where customers are normally allowed to go. An individual with a service animal may not be segregated from other customers. A service animal is not a pet and the ADA requires that all businesses modify their "no pets" policy to allow the use of a service animal by a person with a disability. (Source: The U.S. Department of Justice, 1996)

For information about the Air Carrier Access Act, visit http://www.disabilitytravel.com/

PLANNING FOR SUMMERTIME FUN

Planning summer vacations and activities can be exciting, but it can also be stressful. The Internet provides a wealth of information on accessible travel spots and recreational and sports activities for people with disabilities. Unfortunately searching the net can be a time-consuming and sometimes frustrating endeavor.

In order to make it easier to find your desired vacation spot or activity, the best way to search is to type in specifically what you are looking for. A generic search of “accessible travel” is likely to net more advertisements and research articles that anything else. On the other hand, typing in “Florida vacation spots with access for the disabled” can produce wonders.

To find activities in your area or elsewhere, type in that activity and the name of the area you are looking for it in.

Have fun planning!! - ed

From e-bility.com-ed.

CHAIR WITH A VIEW
By Judith Geppert

Over the last 50 years cerebral palsy has not stopped me from getting the most out of my life. I have scaled the heights of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, experienced the thrill of tandem skydiving and hot air ballooning, co-piloted a Ferrari racing car, notching up speeds of 200 kph and on most Saturdays, a solo sailor around Manly Cove. The only drawback is that I have had to face the world, in a wheelchair, looking at people's 'butts' and 'navels'.

But not anymore….I have finally found the solution……

I bought myself a new highly maneuverable power drive elevating wheelchair; with a cantilever lift system (12 inch vertical lift). It has a compact design superb for indoor use and a sport-trac suspension for a smooth and stable ride over challenging terrain. With the assistance from the highly skilled technicians at the TASC Workshop (The Spastic Centre), solutions were made for the mounting of the foot controller and a switching device which has given me the ability to operate this chair to its full potential.

Now, my environment has opened up- I can do so many things that many people take for granted. I can sit at a kitchen counter, reach the supermarket shelves, am able to see over people in crowds, at sporting events or rock concerts, access the high counters in banks and some government offices, reach for books and CDs at the library and most importantly, have social contact with the general community at eye level.

As a motivational speaker and lecturer at the University of Sydney I can now sit tall at the podium and deliver my speeches, like any other person. This chair also affords me more independence, which I cherish, to mix socially with friends or work colleagues for an after work 'happy hour' at the local bar.

My plans for the next 50 years? There will be no more being looked down on, no more being left out of conversations, and no more eyeballing people's butts.

THE DERBY CITY NSCIA NEWSLETTER

From the Internet-ed.

WHEELCHAIR DANCING
By Avery Rogers

Just because you can't walk doesn't mean you can't dance. Believe it or not, wheelchair dancing is an up and coming sport pursued by people with disabilities in 40 countries around the world, including the United States. IPC Wheelchair Dance Sport is a great resource for internet users to the major organizations around the world that promote wheelchair dancing on both the recreational and competitive levels.

Organizations such as Axis Dance Company and Full Radius Dance are helping to bring together the dance community and the disabled community by promoting change in how people view disability. Wheelchair users can pursue square dance, line dance, ballet and jazz. Additionally, Combi-dance style (a wheelchair user dancing with a non-disabled partner) allows people with disabilities to participate in standard dances, such as waltz, tango, Viennese waltz, slowfox and quickstep as well as Latin American dances such as samba, cha-cha, rumba, paso doble, and jive. Duo-dance is the style where two wheelchair users dance together, and group-dance is wheelchair dancers and non-disabled dancers dancing in formations or free performances.

Also known as integrated dance, wheelchair dance has been in existence for over two decades. Integrated dance companies have been forming around the world since about 1980, and the first international dance competition took place in Japan. In the United States, one organization of particular note is Dancing Wheels, a pioneer dance company located in Cleveland. Annually, it presents 120 performances, workshops for educators and healthcare professionals, and residences. Full Radius Dance, a company located in Atlanta, has a Positive Motion dance program which caters to adults and children with disabilities and which focuses on the creative and artistic qualities of dance. In addition to wheelchair users, visually impaired people also participate in classes which help the students with directionality, following directions, balancing, and purposeful movement. It is first and foremost, a creative performing arts company which perceives disability as being only a secondary characteristic to graceful dancers.

Aside from helping to integrate disability and dancing, wheelchair dance is a sport which provides its participants with inspiration as well as health benefits. Wheelchair users have reported feeling more confident and able-bodied, and some have even reported needing less physical therapy, due to the workout they get during practice and performances.

FOR SALE!!!!***

97 Mercury Sable LS; station wagon. Leather interior; 6-cylinder; 6-passenger seating; rear-facing third seat; Braun wc topper; Monarch hand controls. 93,000 miles. Price negotiable. Call Ruth @ 239-9754 after 5 p.m.

2001 Dodge Intrepid. 30,000 mi; leather interior; automatic transmission; Braun overhead wheelchair carrier & hand controls. Call Ruth at 239-9754 after 5 p.m.

*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; Invacare 900 Action Power Chair; 4 yrs. Old; $600. Call 448-5296.

*Cookbooks for Sale: Recipes compiled by Chapter members; $10:00. Call David @ 589-6620.

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

***If assistance is needed to pay for any of the above items, contact Kentucky Assistive Technology Loan Corporation at  for information on loans at 5% interest to qualified candidates.

For information on wheelchair dancing in Louisville, contact All That Dance at 502-671-7874 (this came up as a link to wheelchair dancing on the 'net.. Wheelchair dancing isn't mentioned in their website, however. Call for more information).

Also, email chasandjohnnie@email.msn.com for information on wheelchair dance clubs in Louisville.

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