I just enjoyed my first Mardi gras since Hurricane Katrina. Parking is always a…
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President Obama Says He Has Got Our Backs
A recent meeting between disability advocates and Obama Administration officials was pleasantly interrupted by President Obama. The President stopped by to encourage the meeting participants to continue their advocacy efforts and to let them know that he will be a firm supporter of their cause. The event was part of the White House Community Leaders Briefing Series, a weekly initiative designed to establish direct dialogue between local leaders and top federal officials.
The president praised the advocates for speaking up last summer during a series of tough budget talks about the importance of Medicaid and said that continued advocacy of that kind is needed. “I want you all to know that I’m going to keep fighting everyday for an America which lives up to our most basic values, not just for some, but for us all. But I need your help,” Obama told the advocates. “I’ve got your back and I’m looking forward to working with you for many years to come,” he said.
Let us hope that those words prove true moving forward and are not simply campaign era slogans designed to evoke a state of emotional glee without any substantive reward.
SEE AND BE SAFE’s Facebook Wall 2012-02-08 19:10:57
HBO is airing a difficult topic with a documentary about caregiving – Bravo to H…
The New York Times has written an encouraging article about jobs for people with…
Congrats to Disability News on the launch of their website. Their bio : Disabili…
Our intrepid friend Mitch St Pierre, once again shares his travels with the worl…
Walmart Gives Back To The Disabled Community.
It’s tax season and taxpayers and preparers alike are frenzied with accounting tasks. But this year disabled individuals and eligible families will have filing assistance via a Walmart led effort to assist eligible families by providing free tax preparation. The Walmart Foundation’s donation of $4.35 million to United Way Worldwide, One Economy and the National Disability Institute’s Real Economic Impact Tour to provide free tax filing services to eligible Americans nationwide, is estimated to return $1.75 billion in tax refunds this year. The program is called the My Free Taxes program and has helping disabled individuals and families since 2009.
In addition to the tax preparation services offered by the MyFreeTaxes program partners, taxpayers will also have access to eligibility information about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) as well as SNAP and WIC benefits. Consumers can also calculate their EITC benefits via mobile device by visiting: http://bit.ly/mytaxbackapp . To find local sites by city and state, taxpayers can dial 2-1-1.
This is one of those stories that needs to be told and retold. Danny Toumarkine…
Moving Forward from Traumatic Brain Injury
This is one of those stories that needs to be told and retold. Danny Toumarkine is one of those intrepid ski boarders who made a serious mistake, as only young people do, of not wearing a helmet when ski boarding. It only takes one time. He sustained serious brain injury but was able to overcome his injuries – sometimes it’s better to be lucky than smart. Danny was indeed lucky – he had instant attention, great care and a wonderful network of family and friends to help him get through. It’s an unbelievable story that needs to be seen. Moving Forward from Traumatic Brain Injury
Helpful info for Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions.
Greater New York Chapter of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association Mardi Gr…
Dates for Abilities Expo 2012
A Champion of France’s Dowtrodden, With Limits of His Own
One of the highest ranking civil servants in France, suffers from limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, a rare genetic degenerative disease that has, so far, paralyzed his torso and most of his limbs. With a prognosis of a life expectancy of 30 to 4o, Jean-Christophe Parisot, at 44, has attained status rank and respect for the job he has done in championing “social cohesion” in France, tending to the needs of the elderly, immigrants and the poor. He has shown disabled poeple that they can attain the highest goals. He has become an unofficial spokesman and role model for many disabled people.
More inspiring stories need to be written to highlight the travails and triumphs of the disabled. His mother, as quoted in the article, told her children (all three of whom have the disease and have attained important positions), “… even if they didn’t have their legs, they would always have their brains”. What a marvelous credo to live by. How many of us can’t see past our negatives to our positives and build on those!. This story is an inspiration!(read more)
Don’t forget about the upcoming ReelAbilities: NY Disabilities Film Festival!
SEE and BE SAFE® is very proud to have been part of the effort to encourage safe…
Wonderfully inspiring article in Saturday NYTimes, January 14…. about one of t…
Students with disabilities find spirit through cheerleading
What an inspirational article I read today…. I needed to pass this along. I was thrilled to see that Segerstrom High School in Santa Ana, California is lead by a teacher who reached out to her student body to include some of her disabled high school students on her cheerleading squad. Angie Maldonado, a special education teacher, has embraced four of her teens who have moderate to severe disabilities to participate alongside their general-education peers on the junior-varsity cheerleading team. By participating on the squad, these girls have not only benefited personally but have also given the other girls on the team a different and positive perspective on their classmates.
As a former cheerleader, I know the rush of participating in rallying teams. Win or lose, the positive energy is unequaled. For these teens, this is a very important growing experience. And while girls of this age can be so judgmental, it seems that these girls are learning important lessons as well – learning about themselves as well as those who are different. The possibilities of working together impart valuable lessons that are hard to duplicate. (read more)