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Ms. Wheelchair Nebraska 2008
February Report

Greetings to everyone and hope that you are feeling well or on the mend. My home experienced a roller coaster of the flue type A - B - Z. I named "Z" myself because it encompasses all the other symptoms that my children, attendants, and myself survived this past month.

This month I made contact with several hotels throughout Norfolk, Kearney, Lincoln, Omaha, and Iowa to learn if their beds would accommodate a Hoyer lift. I have learned that one must have the specific measurement of how high the clearance will need to be and then ask the front desk to put you through to housekeeping. So far the managers of housekeeping have been very helpful and supportive of my inquiries as I am letting them know that I am making a list for people to know what hotels are truly accessible. With this information, I will put my list in March's minutes and also will mail with an article to Quest Magazine, which is a publication for persons with neuromuscular diseases. I also make it a point to have them look at the bathroom to know if the toilet is straight in from the door for a Hoyer lift or if the circumference of the turn the Hoyer needs to make will fit the bathroom.

In addition to the accessibility of hotels, I have had an individual come to me to advocate about the purchase of accessible vans. If one buys a used vehicle, they are often made aware very soon why it was for sale. Many mechanical problems, and the lift, which is the asset, is about out of commission. Assisstive Technology will not help in the purchase of a new lift or installation if the vehicle is not a current model. Current model accessible vehicles are running from $30,000 to $54,000. For a person that is unemployed and living on a fixed income this is impossible. I called Easter Seals because that was the only program that presented the opportunity to help with purchase of modified vehicles and found that one "MUST" be employed and they apply for a low-income loan. I have personally, along with my sister, applied for this program in the past and have both had been rejected. So how does someone purchase a "dependable" modified van? My van is a 1988 and the sliding door falls off every other week leaving me stranded until my dad can come, or my attendant can wedge it well enough as we drive home with the door open and hanging on the side of the car. I am lucky the police haven't seen this yet! My mother put herself in a medical study program to earn money to buy my van for me. This is a huge problem for persons with disabilities. I was mortified to learn what my mother did and sacrificed for the purchase of my wreck. Any input on this issue would be appreciated. I have sent out a second round of letters seeking financial contributions and have already gotten responses coming in. I am scheduling speaking engagements to fill up my calendar. As of this date, I can confirm March 28th in Columbus for the ARC, and April 25th with The Visually Impaired Support Group in Grand Island. This closes February minutes and will talk again in March.

Lorinda