Letters: October 2016


Great Travel Destination
As a quadriplegic for over 33 years, I was fascinated to read the “Wheeling in Cuba” article [August 2016]. Approximately 15 years ago I traveled to Key West, and at that point I thought to myself that Cuba, only 90 miles away, would be a great travel destination. This article shows that although accessibility is very limited, the time is now for Cuba to become a wonderful destination for individuals with physical disabilities. The article also made me appreciate so many of the accessibility amenities that we have in the U.S. as a result of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Sheri Denkensohn-Trott
via newmobility.com

Now We See
What is Cuban life really like? Now we finally get a glimpse, along with three wheelers with SCIs who set off on a quest of a lifetime to get a firsthand look at Cuban society through their unique lens [“Wheeling in Cuba”]. I began reading the piece with an idea that I would encounter frustratingly chuckle-worthy accessibility disasters as the travelers recounted tales from an archaic land. There were some, but many more delightful surprises than not.
Richard Bagby
via newmobility.com

Parking Abuse Issues
The problem is not “regular” people using disabled parking spots without a decal, it’s all the fake disabled people using accessible parking spots [“7 Hard-Core Parking Abuse Strategies,” August 18, 2016 blog]. It is very rare that I go out and can find a parking spot reserved for disabled persons. I have a lift on my vehicle that swings out on the driver’s side, and I need a lot more space than a “regular” parking spot to be able to get in and out of my truck. However, these reserved spots are always taken, and not by other people using a wheelchair.

I would say, without being scientific, that roughly 95 percent of the people having a wheelchair license plate or a disabled placard have no mobility disability. I see them everyday walking or running away from their car without any help, any problem, any limping or anything wrong! When I confront them, they all become angry and rude and give me the finger while saying this is not my “freaking” business. An “invisible” disability is not a mobility disability. The other 4 percent I see using these disabled parking placards or plates are either just old people or fat people — neither a disability on their own. Only 1 percent are genuine disabled people using a wheelchair or a walker.

Can we have the wheelchair plates and wheelchair placards issued only to people with a wheelchair or walker? Maybe those who claim they have problems walking a quarter of a mile could get another type of placard? Having a mental problem, a stomach condition, headaches, or being overweight by itself doesn’t qualify for a wheelchair placard.

Law enforcement, states and counties need to do something about this. Too many people have disabled placards or plates, but they can walk without any problem. Leave accessible parking spots and the placards to real disabled people.
Bernard J. Noel
via newmobility.com

Even Police Get Theirs
I just thought I’d relate one of my tactics, which is not unlike that of the person blocked by a motorcycle [“7 Hardcore Parking Abuse Strategies”]. I simply drop my lift into their door, raise it, and drop it a few more times. Once the offender was a police car. When I called into the school to have him paged, he emerged a bit ticked off that I’d damaged his vehicle. I explained that I start deploying my lift as I approach my van, with the assurance that nobody will be parked in the “no parking area” next to it. Then I simply said that if he hadn’t been illegally parked, his vehicle wouldn’t have been damaged. He grumbled. I raised my lift … and he moved his car.
Alan Bronstein
via newmobility.com

Family Caregivers
Regarding the letter writer of “Partner-Caregivers: A Bad Idea” [August 2016 Letters] — she must have had a bad personal experience.  I am a 54-year-old C5-7 incomplete quad, happily married for over 40 years. Would not have anyone else but my wife care for me. The same goes for a great friend of ours. And many, many others. Are we the exceptions to the rule? I think not.
Harry Kember
Pompano Beach, Florida

More on Botox
Thank you for the follow up on this issue as it did greatly concern me [ParaMedic—“Anticholinergic Medicines and Dementia,” August 2016]. I have been taking Ditropan for over 30 years due to SCI with great success and manageable side effects. I am currently working with my urologist to see if Botox might be a better alternative for bladder management. I’m 67 and fear the onset of dementia/Alzheimer’s. This article has calmed my fears to some degree. An article about the use of Botox by people with SCI would be great.
Chuck McAvoy
Via newmobility.com

EDITOR: Please search “Botox” on newmobility.com for our archive on this subject. Also, see the Bully Pulpit column.


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