This is an amazing informative article on the future of Spina Bifida. A must read, in my opinion!

https://www.thedailybeast.com/spina-bifida-could-vanish-with-this-experimental-fetal-stem-cell-therapy?source=TDB&via=FB_Page

Assistive Technologies you may find helpful

This past weekend, I attended the Abilities Expo in Edison NJ. While I was there, I had the opportunity to speak with a couple people from an organization called Advancing Opportunities. This is an organization that provides many types of services to disabled people and their caregivers. I was especially impressed with their Technology Lending center. This program allows people to borrow different types of assistive technologies to try out before investing money into something that may or may not be appropriate for their needs or their child's needs. I also asked if other states offer similar services, and they do. I have provided two links below for your convenience, the first one being for my home state of New Jersey and the other for the services offered in other states. I hope you will find this information useful.

http://advopps.org/

http://www.atconnects.com/at-act-programs

https://www.youtube.com/user/assistivetechcenter

See ME!

I am amazed at how rude and disrespectful people can be toward the disabled. Too many times I have heard stories of disabled people who have experience situations like this. Contrary to what some people believe disabled people are not invisible or stupid.  It’s no wonder some of us retreat from going out in public or don’t even consider applying for a job for fear of rejection or disrespect.

While talking to a couple Facebook friends, they were telling me about their jobs. One friend, who has Cerebral Palsy, was treated as if she was not even there some days. She was given less and less responsibility and eventually pushed out of her position. This is someone with a bachelor’s degree.

Another friend, who uses a wheelchair, works for a movie theatre in his area. He’s the guy who rips your ticket in half and directs you to which theater your movie is showing. He tells me all kinds of stories. Some are funny or interesting, while others are a lesson in patience and self - control. He gets talked down to, ignored, disrespected and even tripped over!  People walk right past him without stopping to get their tickets ripped, he gets talked to as if he doesn’t know what he is doing or in a very patronizing manner. And my favorite example he gave, “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t see you there.” Seriously? You can’t see a big ‘ol power wheelchair right in front of you?!

I have noticed since the introduction of the Americans with Disabilities Act, people are responding better to the needs of the disabled. More consideration is given when we apply for jobs and with regards to accessibility into areas of the community. But we still have a long way to go to truly be accepted into the non-disabled world as a whole.

I would like to encourage all of you to share your experiences on this topic so we can learn from each other and find ways to handle situations like these in the future. Thanks.