Are You Going to Finish Strong?

It is so easy to get caught up in the mediocre problems of life. In these times we find ourselves fighting over healthcare reform, unemployment, the deficit and we bicker and rant amongst each other harming feelings and the weight of overwhelming responsibility can make us want to give up.

As a disabled person with my own day to day challenges these feelings of hopelessness affect me as well. Lets face it, with a disability everything can be twice as hard but that isn’t always the truth. Sometimes, I have it easier. For example, I can sit in line at the grocery store and my feet will never grow tired. I can travel for miles in buildings such as offices and department stores and it is all with the push of a button.

This evening had been a evening of discouragement and the overwhelming weight of my responsibilities were crushing my spirit. Then out of the blue came a video from a friend that changed everything for me. (No I am not selling snake oil or get rich quick schemes.) But prepare for a change in perspective and then join me in replacing all those doubts and discouragements with one simple question; “Are YOU going to finish strong?”

New Lines of Communication as Voice Recognition Gets Better

Although we live in a time that is especially financially challenging for people with disabilities it is still an exciting time to be disabled. Now, I realize how that sounds and it is certainly not something I would wish on anyone but if you are human and growing older challenges are inevitable. So we all can celebrate the evolution of technology that is opening new doors to people with disabilities.
One awesome technology that is getting more sophisticated is voice recognition software. I have just written a blog on the new 3G iPhone that was just released this month and one of the features that the iPhone has is a voice recognition software program. The touch screen technology can be a challenge for some users who have difficulty with hand control and voice recognition can be a helpful alternative. I myself have not had the pleasure of experiencing the 3G first hand so I cannot speak on its accuracy but I have heard wonderful things about this feature.

While Windows Vista comes with voice recognition that can potentially operate navigation on your computer and dictate. As a writer with double jointed fingers and spastic muscles I was particularly attracted to dictation and the potential of cutting my blogging time in half; but like all things Vista it has left a lot to be desired. I have been working with Vista’s program for a few days now and I can say the more I use it the better it behaves so training is an important part of the set up. I still have my doubts that I will ever be able to use it for everything but I have discovered that my relationship with Vista has evolved beyond my at first, cynical expectations.

I know money is tight for everyone and it is especially so for people with disabilities and upgrading to Vista may be costly so I recommend experimenting with Tazti (tasty) which is a free program that helps with navigation of your computer. Even though it does not have dictation capabilities I was extremely impressed with its functionality and user friendly navigation. It is totally free of adware and annoying emails. I encourage you to try it out.

For those of you that have Vista don’t give up. It is a little temperamental but I have been persistently working at it and training it to my voice and it is getting better. Of the two programs Vista offers so much more potential though it may take some time to get to it and then again there is always Windows 2007. = )

Have you had experience with either of these programs and want to share your experience? Leave a comment. I will look forward to hearing from you.

The Gateway to Lenovo

In search of the right computer package that was economy friendly ended with a Lenovo K220. I was looking to get away from the old clunky LCD monitor that our old Gateway and E-machine had and replace it with a nice wide screen. I was also looking for storage and a faster processor. I work with a lot of graphics and photos and space is a must. I had never heard of Lenovo until I started shopping for a computer but once I found out that there was a long history with IBM it put me at ease. I found a fantastic package for under a thousand that had almost everything I was hoping for. Check out these specs:
LCD Size: 22.00 in
Speakers: LCD Sound bar
Operating Systems: Windows Vista Home Premium
USB Ports: 8
Microphone Jacks: 2
VGA Ports: 1
DVI Video: 1 DVI on Graphics Card
Processor: Intel Pentium Dual Core E5200 2.50GHz Socket LGA775
Memory : DDR3 2x2GB
Total Memory: 4.0GB
Memory Speed: DDR3-1066 (PC3-8500)
Hard Drive Capacity: 640GB, 7,200RPM
Interface: SATA
Optical Drive Type: DVDRW Dual Layer ,
Optical Drive Class: DVD±RW DL
Media 16-in-1 Types: MicroDrive SecureDigital Memory Stick Multimedia Card Memory Stick Duo Memory Stick PRO Duo Memory Stick PRO xD Compact Flash II Mini SD Compact Flash I SecureDigital High Capacity, RSMMC, MMC Mobile, MMC+, Mini SD High Capacity
Audio Description: Integrated Audio
Graphics Description: Integrated Graphics GPU/VPU: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500 Video Interface: DVI
Communications Description: Integrated LAN Support
Monitor Mount Webcam

As you can see the Lenovo is pretty loaded and with a price of around $700.00 it is a great package for basic computer needs. The performance thus far has been fantastic and my biggest complaint is the quirks of vista. I look forward to getting comfortable with my new PC environment and being more productive.

How New Nikon D5000 Brings a Little Accessibility to Photography

When I first saw the Nikon D5000 it was love at first sight! As it happens I have been shopping for a new digital camera to replace my Nikon D50 and at first glance it appeared to have everything I am looking for and then some! However, writing for a technology rental firm has taught me to study reviews and talk to other users before buying the next big thing.

So I set out to find out what the Nikon D5000 had to offer and I found myself with quite the dilemma. The Nikon D5000 has a swivel display with LCD cover built on it and I found this feature reason alone to want to go and buy it. As a wheelchair photographer there has been many times that I have been in a crowd and needed to get my camera up over my head to get my shot; usually missing that “moment” due to shooting blind. I have wished for something like this for some time. After all, this feature was available on camcorders, why not a still shot?

The D5000 is a 12.3MP and has the same type sensor as the Nikon D90 and the upper level D300 which promises great images even in low lighting. The Nikon D5000 also has a lot more shooting modes so that beginning photographers have the opportunity to be more creative.

Unfortunately, this fairy tale doesn’t have a happy ending for me. Because despite the swiveling LCD screen, movie making capabilities and many cool features borrowed from the D40, D40x D60 and D90, the Nikon D5000 has a few issues that are a deal breaker for me. The biggest issue here is no remote flash capabilities for studio lighting so while this camera is on the edge of being on a professional level it was mostly designed for the consumer who wanted extra features that a point and shoot does not offer. Here is a wonderful review that I found listing all the amazing features and the limitations of this new camera from Nikon.

Bottom line is if you want creative possibilities and have some extra cash the Nikon D5000 has all the bells and whistles you could want. However it is not for the professional who wants to work with remote flashes and studio lighting. So my love affair with the Nikon D5000 turned out to be a really big crush. Gosh it’s hard to find true love these days. ;)

Campaign Launch for Marijuana Has Legalization Back on the Table

The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws Foundation (NORML Foundation) a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy organization, established in 1997, has launched it's first pro-marijuana ad campaign to air on select cable outlets like CNN, CNBC, Fox News Channel, Fuse, FX Networks, G4, MSNBC, CNN’s Headline News and Spike TV. This brings a lot of hope for chronic pain sufferers.

NORMAL reports that:

Since 1965, over 20 million Americans have been arrested on cannabis-related charges—90% for possession-only; over 900,000 cannabis arrests are expected again this year.

Millions could be saved in tax dollars if these people were never arrested to begin with and most have chronic pain and no criminal background other than possession.

On a personal note, my husband who has suffered with chronic pain for 12 years, could benefit greatly from its use. After seven back surgeries he lives on a drug regimen of 35 pills a day, including two different kinds of morphine. Despite the array of medications available to him not a lot of relief has been gained. We like the idea of having a more natural alternative or at least supplement. My biggest concern is the potential of addiction and it becoming a gateway to heavier drugs. NORMAL advocates with strict regulations, education and age restriction, legalizing and decriminalizing marijuana could be beneficial.

Here is the ad:

Stereotypes, Counter Productive Super Sensitivity and Empowerment

I tried to avoid writing about it but after tons of email in my box about the subject I decided it was time to inject a different perspective here. Obama flying without a script and the eloquence that we are all used to in his speeches, made a reference to the Special Olympics and his low bowling score. After the show he immediately called the Special Olympics and made an apology. Since then I have seen demands for public apology.

I must confess, the first thing I thought of when I heard of Obama’s joke on Leno, was Brittany Spears. How many jokes and crude references have been made at her expense? Jessica Simpson has also been the target of many jokes. These are the “poster girls” (please pardon the expression) for “dumb blondes.” This shows that women are still under the scrutiny of ethnocentric thinking. I bring up this comparison to say that people are always going to make stupid jokes at the expense of someone else. I’m not saying it is right, in fact I think Brittany and Jessica deserve apologies too and all the blondes for the blonde jokes, and all the Hispanics, the elderly, gays, African Americans and Indians and for the horrible jokes about Catholic Priests and small boys. Who defends their pain and embarrassment? Yet, everyone, even perhaps yourself makes a joke at the expense of someone else. We as disabled people have developed our own ethnocentric thinking about able bodied people. We make assumptions about what people are thinking when they look at us based on stereotypes all the time without considering that we might be wrong. Keeping our guards up and missing the opportunity to make a connection in fear we might get our feelings hurt.

It is important to speak out against all kinds of derogatory and hurtful things However super sensitivity can be counter productive to our cause. Now before I start getting a bunch of hate mail I just want to say that I get it. I understand. If I had a dollar for every time someone told me to stop speeding, or asked me if I’m going over the speed limit or some silly one-liner to that effect, I could pay the federal deficit and my daughter’s college tuition. Sometimes it is annoying, after all it is hard to feel sexy or attractive when people are constantly eyeing your wheels. Some times it is embarrassing when people call attention to our infirmities. But I have learned the context of their remarks most of the time is simply trying to make conversation, or they are trying to lighten up the anxiety of what they are feeling in efforts to put their self and believe it or not you at ease. I view it as this, joke gets made as an expression of acceptance from them (as misguided as it is) and by joking back it is an unspoken acceptance from you to them. It allows a real connection and puts people at ease and people really appreciate that. I know some people are just plain mean but the ignorance of those who fear is something all races, sexes and religions and body types have to deal with.

My point here is that when you are quick to put up defenses you are pushing people away and to really make a difference we need to meet people half way and draw them in, let them get to know us. Laugh with them, joke with them and don’t take it all so seriously. Eventually it will hit these people that we are not so different after all and maybe they will even get past our disabilities and see how gorgeous we are ;)

Want to do something about the stereo type? Why don’t we consider the Special Olympics? The term “special” has become some what of a derogatory term when referring to people with disabilities. I remember the references to “special” education and the automatic referral to those people who attended was “r.” Why don’t we give the Special Olympics a more empowering name like “Ablelympics?” By making changes in the dynamics in how we introduce ourselves to the world we present a new picture of association. The media COULD be more of a help in this area but we have to start with ourselves and eventually people will hop on board.

I realize I am challenging our disabled community to think differently about things and I am aware that my views are not going to be the most popular. However the brutal truth of the matter is we own the responsibility to change perception. We own the ability to shape the new stereotype any way we want and I have seen it happening with our art and athletics and our progress is something to be proud of. In closing I want to say that those with intellectual disabilities are a huge target to many horrible jokes and acts of hate. I believe that stereo types need to be changed. I hate for anyone to be poked fun of out of meanness. In Obama’s case it was a temporary moment of ignorance. What Obama said was wrong, and he apologized. I am sure he understands the weight of stereotypical thinking and he is truly sorry for the incident. We should let this one go and choose our battles for the most positive outcome and be proactive in our own cause; because we are not helpless or powerless.

I’m Sorry Isn’t the Hardest Thing to Say

Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, regression and retaliation the foundation of such a method is love – Martin Luther King Jr.

One of the hardest things to say, is I forgive you. When someone important to us wrongs us and hurts us deeply it is much easier to hold on to anger. Anger gives us strength, it gives us the illusion that we are in control of ourselves and nothing can touch us again, hurt us again and we begin to feel that we will never hurt again.

In most religions, at least, the constructive ones, we learn that anger is like your first experience with cocaine. It gives a feeling of invincibleness and strength and it empowers; but as we continue to "use" it and breathe it in, it becoms an addiction and to embed itself within our being. It begins breaking down what is good in us and begins destroying our relationships with other people and within ourselves.

This is something I learned from my experience years ago when someone I loved was hurting me. I know what it is like sitting in waiting for the opportunity to get my revenge. I also know what it is like to take that revenge out on myself as if I deserved more pain for allowing it to happen.

I forgive you

It is the place where the heart begins to beat again and where new dreams are born. It is the place where you let back in the people who love you and say goodbye to those toxic people who have to figure it out for themselves. The important thing is to set yourself free from a drug that not only has the power to destroy the beautiful person you are but the family and friends who love you.

I write this with survivors in mind and a friend who is lost in the proverbial "drug," but it applies to anyone

Brightest of Blessings My Friends

Love Etha