As an Advocate, one must be ever vigillant, because Big Brother and Uncle Sam will always try to pull a fast one...
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Action Alert: CMS Trying to Change the Rules for the Nursing Home Waiver!
Background
New York State has prepared an application for the Nursing Home Diversion Waiver Program. This program, based upon funding structure and regulations of other community based waiver program, allows a livable monthly income for spouses of individuals receiving community-based waiver services. Now, the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) want to change the rules, which would force people to choose between a sub-poverty standard of living, or placing their spouse in a nursing home! We need to send a message to the Directors of CMS not to change the rules!
Action
1. Follow this hyperlink to CDR's website http://capwiz.com/rochestercdr/issues/alert/?alertid=8788736&type=CU&azip=14609&bzip=4115&show_alert=1
2. Go to Nursing Home Waiver in Jeopardy. Press the Take Action button.
3. Type your name and address in the blank boxes.
4. Send this message to a friend!
It is VERY IMPORTANT that the disability and senior communities, and those who care about seniors and people with disabilities take action on this critical issue!
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It is the song that never ends
And it goes on and on my friends...
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Monday, May 22, 2006
Where Universes Intersect...
As I review my blog postings to date, I wonder what someone browsing this would think? SO many different threads, that seem unrelated...
But I have found a point where the lines of academia and advocacy intersect...
I was reading the Ragged Edge, BAADD Stories and came across a posting that was not too unususal: where is the commitment to advocacy, civil rights and social protest?
Here is the response I posted:
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The core issue is what I am calling grassroots leadership. In my studies of leadership emergence, I am thinking it crops up like strawberries. They can be planted, and take root, but do not bear fruit for three years after planting. Strawberry plants are also very susceptible to frost, cold and harsh winters, and can die off easily. New leadership is a lot like strawberries. There is a need some someone to be planting new plants (IL leaders) tending to them through the harsh weather (funding challenges, discrimination and institutional racism) that kills off many plants (promising people quit or give up). I am studying Frederick Douglass, and Susan B. Anthony around this topic, but I think it will be applicable to a variety of social activism movements, including IL. We tend to put those who take those big risks integrating public transit, creating access, changing legislation, etc. as BIGGER THAN LIFE. We forget they started with no tools, skills, or training in the issues, like a spindly strawberry plant in the Home Depot or Builder's Square. Someone had to nurture, feed, and tend to them over time, to product the strong, effective leaders we see.
SO all need to get a trowel, a watering can and help tend to some plant; they may be the next leader to take disability rights to the next level.
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If you wait long enough, and keep a sharp eye out, all roads lead to Rome.
But I have found a point where the lines of academia and advocacy intersect...
I was reading the Ragged Edge, BAADD Stories and came across a posting that was not too unususal: where is the commitment to advocacy, civil rights and social protest?
Here is the response I posted:
_________________________________
The core issue is what I am calling grassroots leadership. In my studies of leadership emergence, I am thinking it crops up like strawberries. They can be planted, and take root, but do not bear fruit for three years after planting. Strawberry plants are also very susceptible to frost, cold and harsh winters, and can die off easily. New leadership is a lot like strawberries. There is a need some someone to be planting new plants (IL leaders) tending to them through the harsh weather (funding challenges, discrimination and institutional racism) that kills off many plants (promising people quit or give up). I am studying Frederick Douglass, and Susan B. Anthony around this topic, but I think it will be applicable to a variety of social activism movements, including IL. We tend to put those who take those big risks integrating public transit, creating access, changing legislation, etc. as BIGGER THAN LIFE. We forget they started with no tools, skills, or training in the issues, like a spindly strawberry plant in the Home Depot or Builder's Square. Someone had to nurture, feed, and tend to them over time, to product the strong, effective leaders we see.
SO all need to get a trowel, a watering can and help tend to some plant; they may be the next leader to take disability rights to the next level.
__________________
If you wait long enough, and keep a sharp eye out, all roads lead to Rome.
Occam's Razor or the Law of Averages?
I have wondered why how my Doctoral journey has managed to avoid major obstacles and drama. Well, life, time or something has caught up with me.
My doctoral committee is why one approved member. So, I now have to wait for the University to go through their mysterious alchemy, to select/approve/bless one of the two candidates I have presented. (So what if I did all of this last year? Why should that count for anything?)
I still have to suffer through an irony of having all four members of the committee approve my proposal, but be unable to submit it, because I do not have three official committee members, only two.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
The Season of Hope and Renewal: Dissertation Proposal Resubmission
The Season of Hope and Renewal: Dissertation Proposal Resubmission
One of the things about Spring that people love is the idea of renewal. As the grass, shrubs, and flowers come into full bloom, we feel refreshed, energetic and optimistic at another round of possibilities.
So, I have sent off my proposal – for another round of review. I am optimistic that this may be the final or second to final review by my committee. I await the response of He Who Shall Not be Named. Pending his approval, I can then move forward.
One of the things about Spring that people love is the idea of renewal. As the grass, shrubs, and flowers come into full bloom, we feel refreshed, energetic and optimistic at another round of possibilities.
So, I have sent off my proposal – for another round of review. I am optimistic that this may be the final or second to final review by my committee. I await the response of He Who Shall Not be Named. Pending his approval, I can then move forward.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
technical glitches
As I continue to master the fine art of blogging, I have wasted an obscene about of time trying to import pictures from the web!!! Why is this so difficult? Is my learning curve turning into a plateaeu?
Motivational Frogs
This is a great allegory, used by Barb Forgione in a learning tool on personal motivation. We so often let others steal our air, metaphorically, as we strive to attain goals and objectives. We have to keep our eyes on the prize, and be strong, focused and undetermined.
http://www.lacanadvocates.org/pdf/motivational-frogs.pdf
As a doctoral student/candidate, I know this all too well.
http://www.lacanadvocates.org/pdf/motivational-frogs.pdf
As a doctoral student/candidate, I know this all too well.
On Frederick Douglass and other musings..
I await my feedback from my de facto doctoral chair-- He Whom Shall Not Be Named-- as I ready myself for what shall surely be my fifth round of proposal corrections. In the mean time, being one who is on a mission to finish by September or in the words of Tony Bennett, ABD (All By December) I push onto transcribing key Frederick Douglass speeches I seek to analyze. If my dissertation does not become a sensation, at least I can say I contributed to the body of knowledge by transcribing Douglass' longest speech into Microsoft Word!
Each time I read Douglass speeches, his various biographies, writings and publications, I am humbled.
Each time I read Douglass speeches, his various biographies, writings and publications, I am humbled.
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