Tag: disabled people

Access Lynx Passenger Almost Arrested

by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

I’ve been a client on Access Lynx on and off, for as many years as I’ve lived in Orlando. They’re the para transit service run by the local bus service that helps people who’re disabled get around town. As with other share-ride systems that pick up multiple people at a time, it encounters problems related to scheduling, and other issues.

I was appalled this week when I saw the story of Joyce Rosa on the news. Ms. Rosa had a stroke, and uses a wheelchair as a result. The driver of the van Ms. Rosa was riding in called 911 on her because she was a dollar short on her fare. The article says Ms. Rosa refused to get off the bus but, honestly, in order for her to get off the bus, the driver would’ve had to help her.

The driver could have used their discretion and not called 911. I’ve been on the bus before and have seen people not have the right fare. As a result, the driver didn’t call the police on them.

The newscast also talked about the drivers receiving additional training because of this incident. While I understand passengers need to pay the fare to use the service, some sort of common sense should be exercised by the driver in each situation.  Since the majority of clients are repeat customers, they could implement a procedure where the person signs a sort of “IOU” for the next time they use the service. They’d probably use the service again very soon, like to get home, for example.

I’ve also had to file complaints against Access Lynx. Although, as with everything else, there’s a process that needs to be followed, it’s the best way to get your issues with them resolved. Either way, I hope they come up with a viable solution to this problem, so that if it happens again, there’s a more logical resolution than calling the police on the passenger.

If you’d like to find out more about this story, check out the link below:

http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/lynx-driver-calls-911-disabled-passenger-over-1-di/ngTj3/?ecmp=social_20140627_26876706

Thanks for reading..

cr

Adoption of Special Needs Kids

by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

I’ve thought about this subject for a while.  There are so many kids that need good homes and for whatever reason, few people are given the opportunity to adopt them.  I was watching “The Little Couple” the other day and saw that Jennifer and Bill had adopted a child with special needs from another country.

Adoption in general takes someone who has the resources to go through the expensive process but, how many people are willing or even think to adopt a disabled child? There’s a family in Colorado that has done just that.  They’ve also tried to bring awareness to the fact that there are many disabled children in other countries that can be adopted.  I know that caring for a disabled child can be costly and emotional but they deserve a home like anyone else.

I know there are lots of children in need of homes and good people who want to take care of them.  Adoption of a disabled child is an option even in this country that few people consider but really should.  The rewards can be many for not only the adoptive parent but, the child as well.  Kudos to the family in the story below for trying their hardest to make a difference in the lives of so many children.

What further information would you need to know about this type of adoption to lend your support?

For more information check out the link below:

http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/why-this-huge-colorado-family-is-so-special-220947752.html

Thanks for reading..

cr

New “Dancing with the Stars” Cast Announced

by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

Today, while checking out “Good Morning America”, I saw the announcement for the new cast of “Dancing with the Stars”.  If you’ve followed my posts before, you know that I’ve commented on the happenings of the show as it relates to disability awareness.  Any show that’s going to positively impact the way the disabled population is viewed by the general public should receive praise.  The show is always giving people with disabilities the spotlight as people first.

One of the new celebrities for this season is Jack Osbourne, the son of Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne.  Since the ending of the reality show “The Osbourne’s” on MTV, the public has learned that he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis not too long ago.  In the past, “Dancing with the Stars” has had such celebrities with disabilities like Marlee Matlin and Heather Mills-McCartney, so they’re no stranger to making accommodations for the disabled celebrity when necessary.  It’ll be interesting to see what accommodations or obstacles Jack will overcome in order to compete on the show.

I know that Multiple Sclerosis affects everyone differently, just like every other disability but, I’m hoping that Jack’s appearance on the show can make those who have any disability see that just because you have a disability doesn’t mean that your dreams aren’t attainable or even that you still can’t participate in fun activities because that’s far from the truth.

Kudos, yet again, to “Dancing with the Stars” for being an inclusive show.  Also for demonstrating to the world that no matter what your limitations, not only will they give you the opportunity to compete but, that dancing can make a difference in anyone’s life.

Seeing shows like “Dancing with the Stars”, how have they helped you realize your potential?

Thanks for reading..

cr

For more on this story, you can go to:

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/dancing-stars-2013-season-17-cast-announced/story?id=20145315

Disney Jr.’s Handy Manny More Diverse than you Think

by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

As we watched “Handy Manny” on Disney Junior the other day, I noticed there were and in the past have been a few episodes that had supporting disabled characters in the show.  Whether it’s the person walking down the street with their guide dog or the person who needed a ramp to go play basketball in the gym with the other kids, Disney Junior seems to be moving with the times.  I know that it’s a bilingual show, which is great too, but it also seems to come with an underlying benefit for others too.

I know in the past, “Sesame Street” has always tried to be an inclusive show, even when I was younger, which like I’ve said before, you didn’t see back then that often.  The importance is that the more exposure disabled people get in the media that targets younger children and kids, it seems to me, the more acceptance of diverse groups can be forged in the future.

This type of exposure gives way to the possibility of less bullying in schools and different environments too.  One result of this could be that the issue of disability won’t be so rare when our kids meet in school, or anywhere else.  If you’ve read my earlier posts, just like with “Dolls for Downs”(posted April 6, 2013), the fact that these characters are being shown to younger people also gives them and their families a way in which to discuss the topic of disability.  I know that I’ve been in the store sometimes and kids that are 6 or 7 years old will be staring at me and try to ask a question.  When I stop and encourage them to ask, it seems like their parent is more afraid than the child is to ask.  Maybe if children see kids with different limitations in their cartoons, they may even be able to help their mom or dad not be so apprehensive about approaching the subject too.

What benefits might come from more media exposure of different disabilities?

Thanks for reading..

cr