Letters: December 2016


Tammy is Deserving
My friend Dan Bauer feels this piece in NM about Congressperson Duckworth was very informative

[“Tammy Duckworth: Our Champion in Congress,” October 2016]. His recommendation: Ms. Duckworth deserves the honor of being named NEW MOBILITY’s Person of the Year.
Patricia Hendren (for Dan Bauer)
Louisville, Kentucky

Chill Mitchell
I was there the night he had his accident, I called 911, I got down on the ground and tried to comfort him [“Actor Chill Mitchell Conquers Hollywood,” September 2016]. I made the police know who he was and saw them perk up when I said he was an actor on The John Larroquette Show. His grandmother and my dad were cousins. I am so happy to see how he has not allowed what happened to handicap him.
Patricia Aiken Nelson
via newmobilility.com

Chill’s Attitude
“No time for crying. I can do that Later.” Love it [“Actor Chill…”].
Kareema Lee Marie
via newmobility.com

Rx for Diabetes
Unless induced by chronic steroid use, type 2 diabetes is generally thought to be caused by the inability of the pancreas to make sufficient insulin to regulate glucose metabolism when insulin resistance is present in muscle, liver, and fat cells [“Diabetes and SCI: Control Your Carbs and Exercise,” October 2016]. What drives insulin resistance? Physical inactivity, excess abdominal fat, certain foods, poor sleep, stress, tobacco use, and chronic inflammation, among other things. Knowing your risk for T2D can help you prevent or delay the onset.
Diabetes Community Action Coalition
Fulton County, Georgia

SCI Not the Cause
It is misleading to say SCI increases the risk of diabetes [“Diabetes and SCI …”]. It is the secondary weight gain that is the cause. If rehabs would spend time educating people about this risk and how to avoid it, you would see it decrease.
Carole Herbster
via newmobility.com

My Parking Solution
My husband made a great gadget for me [“… Van Parking Spaces”], a traffic cone about 18 inches high. He attached a rope to it about 10 feet long and attached the other end to the front passenger seat. He bought adhesive black letters with a reflective background, so they are visible night and day, that say “RAMP.” I pull that cone out whenever I must take two spaces to park because a van-accessible space isn’t available. It has worked 99 percent of the time.
Diane Mettam
via newmobility.com

Smaller Parking Spaces
With reduced widths of handicapped parking I can no longer “enter” or navigate “leaving” my van [“What Happened to Van Parking Spaces,” Everyday Advocacy, September 2016]. There is not enough room with my power chair with my side ramp deployed. I can’t navigate. Very, very frustrating. It actually takes away the independence I once had. There is no reasonable excuse.
Jim Beitz
via newmobility.com

They Think: ‘I Can Get Away With It’
The other night I parked in the very last parking space in the lot, so no one would park next to me. When I came out someone had parked in the driveway, blocking my clearly marked van doors. As I drive from my wheelchair, I had to find someone to move my van so I could access my lift. People just don’t care, as they think, “I’m just going to be here a short time, so I can get away with it.”
Robert Wiese
via newmobility.com

Accessible Vegas Condo
I have an accessible Las Vegas condo/van that I list on Srin’s Accomable.com — a great website run by a smart, great guy! [“Making Peer-to-Peer Lodging Work for You,” September 2016]. I’ve been lending my condo out to other folks with disabilities for almost 10 years now and like the feeling of setting a traveller up to have a fun, accessible vacation so they will want to come back again and again!
Barry Lindemann
via newmobility.com

Ervin’s Gift
On the nose! Mike Ervin has mulled over, written and posted essays before I’ve had time to scrunch up my eyebrows in consternation about a topic [“Of Movie Scripts and Butt Wiping,” October 2016]. I appreciate his prose. Insightful, educational, and just plain witty enlightenments bring me back time and again. I’ll always recommend and read Mike’s work.
Mary Ellen Robee
via newmobility.com

Wry Symphony
A fine piece by one of my favorite writers, Mike Ervin, who makes a symphony out of wry. See more at smartasscripple.blogspot.com.
Janine Bertram
via newmobility.com


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