My next book is finally done! After waiting for 10 years!!! Some of you know my first book was originally published in 2010 and redone last year.

Super Cyclist goes to his next adventure protecting the city while continuing to teach children the importance of believing in themselves.

Super Cyclist Battles Stinkball Man

Super Cyclist Battles Stinkball Man Super Cyclist Battles Stinkball Man

30th anniversary of the ADA

Today is the 30th anniversary of the passing of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).  I was 15 years old when it was passed.  I have to say that it has had an enormous impact on my life.  I was born with spina bifida and have always used a wheelchair.  When I was growing up in the 80's I remember times when I was either unable to go places due to inaccessibility or had to rely on family or friends to carry me up steps to access things everyone else could.  Even sidewalks were not accessible due to the lack of curb cuts.  One of the reasons I learned how to do wheelies in my chair was so I could go up and down curbs due to the lack of curb cuts or businesses with a step at the entrance.  When I graduated from high school in 1993 and went to college the ADA was still relatively new.  Many businesses, schools, curb cuts and other services were not accessible yet. Since I didn't always have people around to help like I did when I was a child inaccessibility and segregation more noticeable to me.  

Since then I have noticed the wonderful impact that the ADA has had on my ability to access things and be a contributing member of society.  I have had the opportunity to watch communities improve.  Places are more accessible and attitudes toward people with disabilities have changed for the better. Of course it has also shown me how much work still needs to be done.  It has shown me that some segregation against people with disabilities still exist.  Not only do communities still lack physical accessibility but  people with disabilities still lack access to things like adequate health care and adequate health insurance.  As a social worker and a Certified ADA Coordinator I hope to continue working on the wonderful progress that our country has made toward inclusion for people with all disabilities and hope to continue to work on fixing the problems that still exist. 

Having a Support Network

Having a support network is very important.  It doesn't matter if you have a disability or not.  

When I started living on my own I thought that independence was living in an apartment by yourself or with friends and making decisions on your own.  As time went on I noticed life is full of times that we need a support network.

For me this includes times I am dealing with medical issues, financial issues or even times I just need someone to talk to and support me when I'm feeling down.  I also started to realize that I already have one.  I have family, friends and doctors etc. 

The people I have in my network have different roles.  For example I wouldn't necessarily go to my doctor for financial or emotional support and I wouldn't necessarily go to my friends and family for medical advice unless they are doctors or nurses themselves etc.

Support networks are different for everyone  Sometimes it may be a caseworker or a counselor to support you with financial issues or housing or living situations just to name a few.

Things To think about with support networks:

1.  Emergency: this can include ambulance, police

2.  (General support: friends and family)

3.  Medical: this includes all of your doctor, pharmacy

4.  Finances

5.  Counselor Or Caseworker

When setting up a support network it is important to put things that enable you to contact them. This includes the NAME, NUMBER and sometimes ADDRESS

Putting your support network somewhere that you can see or easily access is very important.  Ideas include on the refrigerator and in your cell phone and/or your iPad.