Subj : Re: Greetings
To   : Carol Shenkenberger
From : George Pope
Date : Wed May 26 2021 10:37:09

 > 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 Disability
 > 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 in
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
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Linux
 * Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (1:153/757.2)

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