TZUTC: -0400
MSGID: 70.abled@1:275/100 251a81b9
REPLY: 3.fido-abled@1:153/757.2 2513bd48
PID: Synchronet 3.14a-Win32  Dec 31 2006 MSC 1200
TID: SBBSecho 2.11-Win32 r1.182 Dec 31 2006 MSC 1200
  Re: Re: Greetings
  By: George Pope to Carol Shenkenberger on Wed May 26 2021 10:37 am

 >  > I am disabled with spinal issues.  Progressive Degenerative Disc Disease.
 >  > Every year, I lose a little bit more mobility. I got damaged in a speed
 > boat
 >  > attack in the Gulf but already had issues.
 > 
 > Ouch! You had your lifejacket on?
 > 
 >  > I sumetimes have to use a wheelchair such as the long lines to get my
 > Covid
 >  > shots (limited standing capability at 15 minutes pretty much).  I
 > sometimes
 >  > use a cane.  I was blessed with extremely high pain tolerance so it works
 >  > out with 7 herniated discs.
 > 
 > I'm not much for standing long either, so I appreciate having my powerchair
 > when out in the community (shopping, etc); Typically I'll ber in line for a
 > cashier & some older gent(or lady) will offer to let me go first. Io reply,
 > "Thank you, but you go ahead. I'm sitting down so it's easier for me!" (I
 > well recall prior to my chair being in line with a cane & the pain & concern
 > I'd suddenly drop.)
 > 
 > I have an exploded disc myself (a family thing, it seems); a local
 > chiropracter offered to fix it, after a free assessment for his spinal
 > decompression service, but at $8K (not covered by my government health
 > insurance, probably because chiropracters are butchers &/or tend to be
 > chronically needed for life once you begin)
 > 
 > I'm on Gabapentin to stop the nerve pain & neuropathy in my legs.
 > 
 >  > Yes, I work.  Did 26 years Navy then 10 years military contractor and now
 >  > Government Civilian (GS).
 > 
 > Pre speedboat incident?
 > 
 >  > ADANET founding member, I was the technical advisor.  (American Disabilit
 >  > Network).
 > 
 > I have begun reading the ADA, to prepare for advising on the recently passed
 > Accessible Canada Act.
 > 
 > Only one problem with your ADA - cedrtain less than ethical lawyers use it.
 > 
 > I Cali, they use Google Earth to identify hotels with swimming pools, then
 > hire a person in a wheelchair to go to the hotel to stay & file a suit for
 > non-compliance for inaccessible pool (most are, apparently)
 > 
 > We don't leave room for that, but we do have the ability to fine a non-
 > compliant federally regulated player (e.g airline) up to $250,000/day until
 > the problem is resolved.
 > 
 > It;s still quite new, so it remains to be sesen how well it was set up.  The
 > person in charge is focusing first on ensuring equal employment
 > opportunities, regardless of ability barriers.
 > 
 > I'm spending most of my t ime working with local government & non-profits to
 > ensure true inclusion for all, regardless of age, disability, &/or poverty.
 > My pet foci are housing & employment.
 > 
 > I don't get dirtectly paid for this, but I do receive provincial(equiv to
 > your state jurisdiction) disability benefits & I consider his my pay that I
 > work in the community to justify. I'm looking for a paid career, hopefully i
 > community service, as I've built a strong personal network of decison makers
 > & advocates.
 > 
 > Had my shot(Pfizer) a couple weeks ago -- no line, the nurse came to my home
 > 
 > Nice to meet you *bow*
 > 
 > Whereabouts are you? I'm an hour north of Seattle, WA, in Vancouver, BC,
 > Canada. . . (home of the shameful 2010 NHL riot & 2010 winter olympics)
 > 
 > What do you do for fun/laughs?
 > 
 > 
 > Your friend,
 > 
 > <+]:{)}
 > Cyberpope, Bishop of ROM

Hi George, sorry for the bad quoting.

My back was having issues before the speed boat. That just made it worse.

I am well south of you in Virginia Beach.  Probaby 4,000 miles SE of you. 
Might be more.

For laughs, I mostly garden (container type), watch youtube, and am engadged in
local issues and helping others out.  I adopt older medical issue dogs and cats
that no one else will.

Once I retire, I may go back to being foster-meowmie for cats.  

  xxcarol
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