How You Say It

The terminology used when discussing disabled people can reinforce negative stereotypes or help enhance the group status in the eyes of our society. Read my Disaboom blog for this week.

And while you are there, take a look around. Disaboom, the site destined to become the preferred destination site for the disability community, is preparing to launch. The launch is scheduled for October 1, so take pre-launch tour. Enjoy.

technorati tags: downthemspath, disabilitysite, languageofdisability,

Confucius Knew Balance Problems

Today is Confucius Day. He included sayings relevant to people with disabilities.

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do.

technorati tags: confuciusday, downthemspath, balance

Down the MS Path

There are several paths one can take, but not every path is open to you.
Claire Bloom

How do I know if a particular path is open to me? I am on my current path, which I did not choose, and I don't see another path to travel instead. Hmmm

Do not follow where the path may lead -- go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Now, I like that idea. If my path becomes a bit rocky and rough, I can blaze my own trail. It seems I might have some control here after all. And as I roll down my path, I am reminded not to dwell on the negative.

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

technorati tags: chosenpath, positiveattitude, downthemspath

Where's an MSer to Live?

St. John prohibits unrelated people from living together in a single-family home.

Now that just doesn't sound fair. I thought that when I wrote about a similar situation in Black Jack, Missouri, over a year ago. This is similar, but it is different. The prohibited resident is an MSer.

The Department of Justice is suing the city for denying a zoning variance to a person with multiple sclerosis because people with disabilities deserve access to fair housing.

I think everyone should have access to fair housing, including MSers. I have to be fair. I have to believe an MSer can live with a caregiver, a friend, a sweetheart -- because I do.

technorati tags: doj, departmentofjustice, fairhousing, housingrestrictions, zoningvariance, downthemspath

Disaboom

Here's another new site with great potential. Scheduled to premiere October 1, Disaboom is hoping to become the preferred destination for the disability community.

There is a community of disability blogs, forums, notice of jobs, events, products, restaurant reviews including accessibility issues from people who should know, and more. There is a health section with information about specific conditions including spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, low back pain, amputation, and more. Oh, and did I mention multiple sclerosis? And there is more. And even more.

This week I wrote about children's perceptions of wheelers. What do kids actually see when they see someone in a wheelchair?

Disaboom. Dis - disability. Boom - explosive impact. A disability does not make a person insignificant. A major thrust is to create power for our community, inspiring others through the knowledge gained by experience. Thanks to Tim Pointdexter for that explanation, though he leaves it open for our own interpretation.

This site is new, still in its forming stage, and open for suggestions. Visit Disaboom. Have a suggestion? Let them know.

technorati tags: disaboom, disability, disabilityblogs, restaurantreviews, productreviews, downthemspath

Revolution Health has an MS newsletter which provides links to relevant news items and a link to the many MS Foundation chat forums.

They are highlighting a new ribbon color (orange), Proceeds from products offered, including the magnetic MS Awareness ribbon, t-shirts, jewelry, and more, go to the MS Foundation. They even have a cuddly orange teddy bear wearing an MS pendant.

The newsletter also identifies free teleconferences, giving date, time, topic and telephone number for registration. This is one way to stay current on news as well as community chats on a variety of subjects.

technorati tags: revolutionhealth, msnewsletter, msribbon, msribbonproducts, msteleconferences, downthemspath

National MS Conference

Once one of the most recognizable buildings anywhere thanks to the TV show Dallas, the Hyatt Regency is the location for the 2007 National MS Conference Oct. 24 - 26.

The conference is Moving Forward Together, focusing on building volunteer leadership. Activiities include training, inspiration, recognition, networking and entertainment.

And of course there will be a Texas-style 'denim and diamonds' party.

technorati tags: ms, multiplesclerosis, msvolunteers, nationalmsconference, downthemspath

MSers Being Social

Here is another health site, but this one has a different perspective. Patients Like Me promises to be just what its name suggests -- patients helping patients improve their quality of life. This is a social network for MSers.

My favorite upright Garry found the sight, joined as a caregiver, then sent an invitation to me. The sight uses social networking among members who are chronically ill, caregivers, guests and support staff. The illnesses covered are Parkinson's, HIV/AIDS, ALS and, of course, Multiple Sclerosis -- so far.

When registering, new members complete a profile beginning with your purpose for joining -- are you a patient? What condition? There are more than 1100 MSers. WOW.

You can enter as much or as little as you wish, but the more details entered, the more benefit. In addition to a biographical summary, you can enter symptoms, treatments, weight changes and disease progress. Based on your entry, your MSRS (Multiple Sclerosis Rating Scale) is calculated. There is a list of symptoms and treatments to select, but new ones can be added so your profile can be complete.

A printable Doctor Visit Sheet is available to ensure the doctor and patient are on the same page, or the page can be corrected. When your condition changes, the profile can be updated. This is a good record of your MS progress.

You can immediately connect with others who are patients like you.

technorati tags: ms, multiplesclerosis, patientslikeme, socialnetwork, mscommunity, downthemspath, mssymptoms, mstreatments