You Can't Get Blood From A Stone...Or A Disabled Person

I know this sounds incredible...

....but it is absolutely true.

I know of two disabled individuals, both of whom were more than happy to contribute their blood.

And were told they couldn't.

The reason why?

They couldn't transfer from their chairs to a bed.

Come on now!

Really?

A lot of disabled people are shy about contributing to anything, or feel that they won't make a difference by doing so.

Giving blood is the perfect opportunity to make a difference!

And I know there are solutions to this, other than a transfer!

I know because I get my blood taken about once a month.

In my room.

In my chair.

So there must be a way to gather blood in a similar fashion.

Come on, Canadian Blood Services!

It's in you to give Alberta's disabled community this opportunity!

Your Partner In Life

Disgusting. Just disgusting.

http://ca.shine.yahoo.com/blogs/parenting/disney-world-scheme--entitled-families-hire-disabled-guide-to-bypass-lines-194555620.html

This is disgusting.

Just disgusting.

These spoiled Manhattan Wives  need to immediately realize two things about the disabled:

1) We did not ask to be born disabled. We just were.

2) I can almost guarantee that those disabled that have tasted more than a bit of what life has to offer are not standing in line going, "Just look at those poor able-bodied slobs! They have to wait two hours to get into Magic Mountain! Watch me as I speed by in my scooter, suckers!". Yet that is basically what the unnamed Richie Rich Mommy quoted in the story was overheard bragging when her daughter got into It's A Small World in minutes instead of two and-a-half hours like the other kids, by using a fraudulent disabled "guide".

3) And most importantly, Richie Rich Mommy and Daddy, if you or your children were actually disabled, you would likely be very humbled and appreciative of the service. So why aren't you now? Just in case?

Additionally, what the hell are you teaching your kids with all this? That it's OK to cheat and lie to get ahead? Do we really need another Real Housewives/Gossip Girl/Jersey Shore generation of amoral nitwits in ten to fifteen years?

No way!

Come on now. You can do better!

By now you may be thinking: Are there disabled people out there who just happen to be jerks? Just as in any other group, creed, or walk of life, yes there are. But thankfully, they are rare in my experience.

And to the disabled "guide": Not knowing much about the programs and safeguards in place for disabled Americans,  I can only assume that you are in some kind of financial distress and went for the easy money. In whatever way your transgression was or will be dealt with, hopefully you have rethought your actions.

So I'm giving you a pass.

This time.

Your Partner In Life

Wayde Lever: In On The Ground Floor

On May 5, Wayde Lever, Wildrose Alliance candidate for Highlands-Norwood, visited the Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta Adult Support Group at our monthly meeting. It is a common complaint among the disabled community in Alberta that:

a) The government dosen't know or care about our issues.
b) They never listen to us anyway.
c) Is it even worth getting involved?

Wayde countered with three points of his own:

a) If you've ever complained to a citizen action center, or about a late DATS bus, you are involved.

b) If the government doesn't know or care about our issues, it is because they are unable to see them from our perspective. Wayde stressed that under a Wildrose government, an opportunity exists for us to be heard and understood.

c) The Wildrose policy as it currently stands is fluid and open to change for the better. So if we have a desire to get involved, we have a real opportunity to get in on the ground floor and help make social policy decisions in the coming decades.

It was a very informal and informative meeting, not a "vote for me and send money" pitch of any kind, and somewhat of a "coming home" for Wayde, who for many years served as the fundraising assistant for the CPAA. Thank you Wayde for your time and energy.

Your Partner In Life