EP Position on the Ashley Treatment & other misguided ideals

Exceptional Parent Magazine Position Statement to Organizations
When the Slippery Slope Becomes a Mudslide

This EP Position Statement was prepared by:
Joseph M. Valenzano, Jr., CEO and President Rick Rader, MD, Editor In Chief
Tricia Luker, Editorial Director-Organizational Relationships
Jan Carter Hollingsworth, Managing Editor

In its thirty-six year history, EP magazine has rarely taken a position in areas of controversy or differences of opinion. We prefer, as a matter of journalistic principle, to present objectively all sides to a given argument and debate, adhering to our mission of providing credible information for and on behalf of those involved in the care and development of children and adults with disabilities and special needs. We have, however, taken a rather strong stance on issues such as: extending the benefits of the Orphan Drug Act, condemning a policy that endorses the use of restraints, and supporting the expansion of newborn screening utilizing tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). We thought long and hard about taking stands on these issues, and we did what we felt was the right thing.

Now we find ourselves met with yet another great challenge the very essence of human life and dignity and our conscience dictates we do the right thing once again. In January, the story of Ashley and her "treatment" burst out in the national news. Ashley, who is now nine years old and has significant and lifelong disabilities, was given "growth attenuation" surgery and medication when she was six years old to keep her from growing to a full adult size. Her parents, in a decision that they say in their website "was not difficult," found physicians willing to surgically remove Ashley's breast buds, her appendix (even though nothing was wrong with it), and her uterus. She was then treated with high doses of estrogen to stunt her growth. These procedures were performed without either court or ethics committee approval. Indeed, the institutional ethics committee that the family and physicians consulted prior to placing Ashley under the knife, decided to leave the decision in the parents' hands, rather than engaging in the comprehensive, ethical debate the procedure deserved.

As one might expect, the story of the "Ashley Treatment," the name the parents themselves coined for the procedure, generated brief but bitter debate. Things have now quieted down again. Barely three weeks after Ashley's story hit the press, Switzerland's Supreme Court, to virtually no groundswell of public outcry and very little public notice, ruled that it is now permissible in Switzerland to allow assisted suicide for persons with serious mental illness, even if their condition is not otherwise terminal. Switzerland already permitted assisted suicide for people with terminal illnesses at the time this decision was announced. The "Ashley Treatment" and Swiss assisted suicide stories came along about 15 months after a Netherlands facility announced the creation and implementation of the "Groningen Protocol." The Groningen Protocol, named for the pediatric hospital at which it was devised, described a five-step process physicians are encouraged to follow to sanction the euthanizing of infants who are born with serious, potentially life-threatening disabilities. The end step in the Groningen Protocol is that the physicians inject medication to kill the infants, rather than letting the infants pass away as a result of their disease or defect running its course. The Groningen Protocol physicians, at the time of announcing the Protocol, also announced that they had implemented the Protocol to euthanize four infants even before the Protocol was announced. One of those was a child with Down syndrome. Despite the implications of what the Groningen physicians call "a deliberate, life-ending procedure," the story received no substantive coverage in America outside of the medical community.

The deafening silence now accompanying the not-so-subtle threats that people with disabilities face because of procedures like "Ashley's Treatment," mental illness based assisted suicide and infant euthanasia is appalling. Ashley's story emerged three years after the major part of her surgery had been completed. Four infants were euthanized using the "Groningen Protocol" before the public even knew the protocol existed. How and why does this happen? And why does the Ashley story suddenly surface? History has shown us that children with disabilities have been victims of involuntary sterilization, institutionalization, and widespread abuse, neglect, and death. Historically, society had little or no expectations for children with disabilities, and their families frequently felt shame. In the last 50 years, parents and professionals have united to reject these inhuman practices and to insist that our children have the same opportunity for lives of dignity and achievement that we expect for ourselves.

EP magazine has been a leader in fighting to preserve the human dignity of life itself a life we all share, regardless of the existence or degree of disability we might encounter individually. These dramatic news stories do not represent isolated instances of hard choices in hard times. Each story represents a conscious attempt to expand the number of life-ending or life-altering procedures available to physicians and parents who would choose to use them and, in so doing, rob the child of her or his human dignity. The creators of these procedures want them to be adopted and used by physicians and families throughout the world. The utilitarianism they promote in the name of compassion is nothing other than new language and new ideas designed to encourage the systematic denigration of those with disabilities, stripping them of the basic human right to life and dignity. Over sixty years ago, millions died to rid the world of people who perpetrated these same shameful acts in the name of bogus science. Have we now ignored that sacrifice and the lessons they taught us?

It is an outrage that no court or ethics committee engaged in the soul-searching debate a procedure like "Ashley's Treatment" should have generated. It is an outrage that society should countenance extreme surgical procedures and hormone injections as a solution to the challenges of caring for a six year old with complex disabilities. It is a shame and an affront to the human dignity of every one of us to permit these procedures on even one child. We need to make it right and make sure it never happens again. We are heartened that so many organizations within the disability rights movement in America have acted swiftly to condemn "Ashley's Treatment." Their actions are justified on several fronts. But we all must become more zealous in our efforts to expose and condemn all similar affronts to human dignity posed by practices like the Groningen Protocol and the use of assisted suicide to address serious mental illness.
We see "Ashley's Treatment," the "Groningen Protocol," and the Swiss assisted suicide decision as thinly veiled attempts to objectify and desensitize the value of human dignity.

It should never be acceptable in America for a care-providing parent or guardian to authorize and procure "Ashley's Treatment" for a child and have the decision be "not difficult." The difficult action, and the action we at EP choose to take, is to fight for the human dignity we all have the right to possess. Taking that away should not just be difficult; it should be impossible. And it should make us all angry that these efforts to strip human dignity are happening all around us in relative secrecy. We cannot let these stories fade away or our dignity fades away with them. We need to be ever mindful of the words "all that is needed for evil to prosper is for good men to stand by and do nothing."

Please, for our children's sake, their children and generations to come, let us not stand idly by. Let us do something. We urge the following:

* EP calls upon all professional medical, dental, and other health care related organizations, associations, and societies to come forward with a statement denouncing these treatments and sanctioning those who take part in it.
* EP asks private foundations as well as federal and state agencies and departments to consider cutting off all grants to those hospitals or institutions that allow such procedures to take place.
* EP calls upon all of science and medicine to denounce publicly the Groningen Protocol, Ashley Treatment, and the Swiss decision on assisted suicide.
* EP encourages all disability organizations that have not yet issued statements to join with us in this effort. And what will we, EP magazine, do as a publishing and communications company? We will do what we do best, publish and communicate. And what form will this take, specifically?* EP will continue to offer articles in its print publication and on it website that inform and educate parents and professionals about resources and best practices. The operative words are inform and educate. We are not in the business of inciting.

* EP will explore hosting an EPLiveOnLine seminar series <http://www.epliveonline.org/> http://www.epliveonline.org/ which will explore topics such as:

- the history of human rights and medical abuses perpetrated against those with disabilities
- the protocol and principles employed by modern day ethics boards and committees
- a review of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights

* EP will re-dedicate itself to constantly scanning the disability landscape, nationally and internationally, for murmurs of abuses such as the Ashley Treatment, the Groningen Protocol, and the Swiss assisted suicide issue. When found, EP will bring these issues to the fore, endeavoring to keep them from slipping beneath the public radar screen.
* EP will encourage, through verbal and written communiquis, the primary care physicians, pediatric and adult neurologists, psychiatrists, occupational and physical therapists, developmental disability nurses, physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists and other allied health care professionals with whom we have relationships and contacts to take every opportunity available when they teach and present to mention the "slippery slope" phenomena discussed in this article.
* EP will develop and provide, upon request, a brief PowerPoint presentation that presents modern day issues that are too reminiscent of past abuses and horrors.
* EP pledges to provide comprehensive, written materials and specific informational pieces on how to access relevant community supports and services and how to navigate federal and state special education law. These will also be made available on the EP website.

* In its continuing effort to be open and responsive to its readers' most pressing and prevalent questions and needs, EP will set up a special channel on its website where readers can pose questions on how to access community supports and services.

* EP will give voice to advocates by providing an abbreviated version of this Position Statement on its website and allowing website visitors the opportunity to express their support by signing their names to this statement online.Source: Exceptional Parent Magazine <http://www.eparent.com/newsletter/StatementToOrganizations.htm> http://www.eparent.com/newsletter/StatementToOrganizations.htm________________________________________________________________

Reauthorize Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [IDEA]-- Comments Sought

Parents, advocates and school staff:

Please send comments on the need to reauthorize Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [IDEA]. This is the basis of most special education plans, programming as well as building based services and accommodations.

Let your legislators know that you want this Act to stay in place to educate children with disabilities.

----------

Improving Youths with Disabilities Outcomes for Postsecondary and Employment
John H. Hager, assistant secretary of the Office of SpecialEducation and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), U.S. Department ofEducation, is pleased to share with you an important message regarding a Notice of Proposed Priority and Definitions for Special Demonstration Programs-Model Demonstration Projects-Improving the Postsecondary and Employment Outcomes of Youths with Disabilities.
----------------------------------------------------------

The 2004 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) called for states to set measurable targets for the progress of students with disabilities. Together with the No Child Left Behind Act, the IDEA is holding schools accountable for making sure students with disabilities achieve to high standards. We must ensure that all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, graduate from high school with theskills they need to successfully transition into post secondary education and the workforce.Youths with disabilities face significant challenges both in the school environment and in their transitions to adult life.National studies and reports have shown that, compared to their non-disabled peers, students with disabilities are less likely to receive a regular high school diploma; drop out twice as often; enroll in and complete postsecondary education programs at half the rate; and, up to two years after leaving high school, aboutfour in 10 youths with disabilities are employed as compared to six in 10 same-age out-of-school youths in the general population.

These and other related findings on the secondary and postsecondary outcomes of youths with disabilities have spurred federal and state efforts to improve transition policies and practices.Federal and state efforts to improve the postschool outcomes ofyouths with disabilities have resulted in some important gains over the past decade, including graduation rates, enrollment in postsecondary education and the number of youths entering theworkforce; however, despite these gains, far too many youths with disabilities continue to experience difficulties in achieving successful post-school outcomes. We are making progress, but we still have work to do.

Toward that end, I am excited to share with you the Federal Register notice inviting public comment on the Notice of Proposed Priority and Definitions under the Rehabilitation Services Administration's Special Demonstration Programs Model Demonstration Projects Improving the Postsecondary and Employment Outcomes of Youths With Disabilities. This priority is intended to improve the post-school and employment outcomes of youths with disabilities. We invite you to submit comments to help ensure that it does.

The NPP is open for public comment until Mar. 19, 2007.


Sincerely,

John H. Hager
Assistant SecretaryOffice of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
U.S. Department of Education
--------------------------------

The World of Autism-- the Dark Side

No matter what services are available, and improvements in quality and quantity, we must be ever vigilant...

-------------------
Men Charged After Autistic Boy Dies in Van
Schenectady Center Resident Allegedly abused in 2004 at previous school

By MICHELE MORGAN BOLTON and TIM O'BRIEN, Staff writers

Friday, Februa 16, 2007

COLONIE -- The 13-year-old child who died while being transported from the O.D. Heck Developmental Center was the same boy who was allegedly abused while a resident of the Anderson School in Dutchess County in 2004, his parents confirmed to the Times Union today.
Mike and Lisa Carey said authorities told them their son, Jonathan, was inappropriately restrained by two O.D. Heck workers in a transport van Thursday night going through Colonie and couldn't be revived.

``We are devastated,'' Mike Carey sobbed. ``He was such a special human being. Jonathan loved Jesus. And maybe this is the Lord's way of getting Jonathan's law passed as soon as possible.'' The two center employees -- identified by town police as Edwin Tirado, 35, of 1634 6th Ave., Schenectady, and Nadeem Mall, 32, 9 Plaske Drive, Schenectady -- have been charged with second-degree manslaughter. The two men drove around for 1 1/2 hours after the boy stopped breathing said Colonie Police Chief Steven Heider in an afternoon press conference. They went to a Hess Mart for drinks and then drove to a toy store in Mohawk Commons, a short distance from O.D. Heck, to buy a video game and drop it off at Tirado's Schenectady home.

Mall was driving a van to take the 13-year-old and a 14-year-old patient from O.D. Heck to Crossgates Mall. They first stopped at the Hannaford on Wolf Road so that Mall could get cash from an ATM. When he returned, Heider said, Tirado was restraining the boy in the back seat of the van. The boy soon stopped breathing. ``The two adults rendered no aid and they did not return to O.D. Heck for an hour and a half,'' Heider said. More than two hours after they left for the mall, they finally returned and told O.D. Heck workers they had a medical emergency. Efforts were made to revive the boy there, and he was then taken to St. Claire's Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

``The 13-year-old succumbed to what we're alleging were improper and wrongful holds placed on him,'' Heider said. Tirado, who had worked at the agency for six years, was the person restraining him, but Mall had an equal responsibility for failing to provide or get medical assistance, he said. The combination of the improper hold, and their failure to either provide or seek medical attention, resulted in the manslaughter charge, he said. The Times Union profiled the Careys earlier this year and their quest to not only learn who had physically abused the severely autistic and mentally retarded boy at the Dutchess County facility but also get his records unsealed. Jonathan was nonverbal and couldn't tell them himself. That law, he said, would give families the right to access their own children's records to be sure the state is held accountable for their care.

The World of Autism

There have been a number of articles and updates on the Autism Spectrum Front. Check out the latest research on the genetic level http://mail.rochestercdr.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/health/6369347.stm

This is progress of a sort, but not really helpful in the short term for parents, family and people with the spectrum. Gene links--genetic markers-- how does that help someone know not to go out a window, fire burns or how to look someone in the eyes when they talk? (Sigh)

60 Minutes also did a piece on autism research, which I didn't get to see. But it looks like more science experiments on people with disabilities. Check it out, and see what you think:
www.cbsnews.com/stories/1998/07/08/60minutes/main13502.shtml
A video and a text version of the story will be posted there as well after it airs.

There is also some good news-- of a sort. A study that being a sibling of a child or children with a disability does not psychologically scar you for life. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/18/magazine/18autistic.t.html?ex=1172466000&en=50b0fa56f2c82f04&ei=5065&partner=MYWAY

That was the old rationale for putting kids 'in the home'-- protect the abled bodied children. Now research shows it doesn't hurt, sometimes it makes a more sensitive, caring sibling, and sometimes sibs end of stressed and neurotic.

A mixed bag-- just like being anyone's sibling...

Ashley Treatment Update

I had a prior post regarding the protest in Chicago by the activist groups FRIDA. (The group Not Dead Yet and ADAPT, both disability civil rights activist group, protested with FRIDA at the American Medical Association headquarters.)

The latest developments-- the AMA has agreed to a meeting, to discuss concerns over the ethics of the Ashley Treatment.

A Disability Community Thumbs Up to...

1. The Fallen Heroes Center

A world-class state-of-the-art physical rehabilitation facility for wounded warrior opened January 29, 2007. http://www.fallenheroesfund.org/The Center will serve military personnel who have been catastrophically disabled in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Center will also serve military personnel and veterans severely injured in other operations and in the normal performance of their duties, combat and non-combat related."

2. End of use of term Mental Retardation by influential journal

After almost 5 decades of beingcalled Mental Retardation, this influential journal in special education changed names to Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities under the leadership of Editor Steven J. Taylor. The journal's name change is a microcosm of society's ongoing struggle to find a socially acceptable way of addressing persons with an intellectual disability. The new name comes close on the heels of the name change of its publisher, the American Association onIntellectual and Developmental Disabilities, formerly AAMR, the world's oldest organization representing professionals in developmental disabilities.

For all those who ask, "What's in a name?" Dr. Taylor says, "The term intellectual and developmental disabilities is simply less stigmatizing than mental retardation, mental deficiency, feeble-mindedness, idiocy, imbecility, and other terminology we have cast aside over the years." However, Taylor acknowledges that the crux of the issue here goes beyond language and terminology into the deeper issues of inclusion and acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities in society. He explains, "Anyone whobelieves that we have finally arrived at the perfect terminology will be proven wrong by history. I am sure that at some future point we will find the phrase intellectual and developmental disabilities to be inadequate and demeaning."

3. Braille Making a Comeback

In March 2007, blind grade-school students from across New England will travelto Newton to test their skill in reading Braille. The competition, called the Braille Challenge, measures students' Braille reading speed and accuracy,with the top finishers in the regional events going on to national finals this June in Los Angeles.

The Braille Challenge is in its sixth year, and there's been a steady rise in the number of competitors. It's a sign of a growing resurgence in Braille, a writing system that not so long ago seemed headed toward extinction.

AAPD Online Forum Launched

Starting February 1, AAPD will join some of the nations leading legal analysts and commentators in regularly weighing in on the issues making headlines in a new online blog and discussion forumcalled Talking Justice, at www.justicetalking.org. The new feature is a project of Justice Talking, the award-winning NPR program that airs in nearly 100 public radio markets and in 140 countries around the globe via NPR Worldwide and Armed ForcesRadio Network.

Each day of the week, a new, timely commentary from a distinguished contributor will be posted at Talking Justice. Bloggers from organizations as diverse as the American Tort ReformAssociation, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Family Research Council, the National Council of Churches, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the National District Attorneys Association and the satirical group the Capitol Steps will offer up their views about law and American life. Some of the best legal blogs, websites and newspapers, including SCOTUSBlog, FindLaw, theNational Law Journal and Jurist will post content as well. AAPD will be featured on the 13th day of the month but has also put upan initial post just yesterday.

That initial post, entitledKeeping the World Safe for Disability, can be viewed at:http://mail.rochestercdr.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://communities.justicetalking.org/blogs/day13/default.aspxListeners and readers also are invited to participate in thedebate via discussion forums centered around topics aired onJustice Talking programs. Justice Talking, hosted by veteran NPR correspondent Margot Adler,has won 18 national journalism awards. Each program features intelligent conversation with activists and analysts, personalstories of those affected by the law, and lively debate on todays legal issues. A project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center ofthe University of Pennsylvania, Justice Talking is made possible with the support of the Annenberg Foundation.We invite you to visit the Talking Justice blogs upon its launch, and offer your feedback at comments@justicetalking.org or 215-573-8919. You can stay up to date on whats happening on the show bysigning up for their weekly podcasts or e-newsletter athttp://mail.rochestercdr.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.justicetalking.org. And be sure to check in on the 13th of each month to see the latest contribution from AAPD.

Recruiters Seek Disabled Students

A fad or a real attempt to level the employment playing field for people with disabilities? You decide.
---------------------------------------


Untapped' pool of potential employees called on to fill posts
By Jimmy Tobias
January 30, 2007

As Fortune 500 companies continue to diversify their offices with different types of top-tier students, candidates with disabilities may prove to be the next target audience.Last week, PepsiCo - the parent company of Pepsi, Frito-Lay and Tropicana -visited the University specifically to recruit students with disabilities,both physical and mental, for employment positions.The recruitment effort, which included a dinner and formal presentation, was facilitated by Morris Street Partners, a New York-based organization that currently has projects with PepsiCo and Merrill Lynch and aims to increasethe number of disabled persons in the corporate workplace.To help companies draw in students with disabilities, Morris Street Partnershosts events that are just like standard on-campus recruitment ones but are exclusive - and tailored - to disabled students.Last week's initiative was PepsiCo's first disability-focused recruitment project with Morris Street Partners, said PepsiCo Director of ExecutiveStaffing John Delpino, who heard about Morris Street Partners through a disabled executive at PepsiCo.After deciding to "get [their] tail wet," Delpino said, PepsiCo officials deemed the disabled a "very important population" and decided to go afterit.And those students taking advantage of Morris Street Partners' services are singing the company's praises."The idea behind the company is inspiring," said College freshman Julie Gutowksi, who does marketing for the company on campus."Hopefully, [it] will take hold on college campuses, as well as in the business world," she said.Gutowksi began working at Morris Street Partners after attending one oftheir recruitment sessions last semester with Merrill Lynch.One Wharton senior, who is currently utilizing Morris Street Partners'services - and who refused to disclose her name because of the sensitive nature of her own disability, an auditory- processing disorder that impairshearing - is currently in the early stages of recruitment at PepsiCo. She called Morris Street Partners' work "very insightful," adding that, "aslong as the disability does not affect [the person's] performance as an employee," why not hire them?

Still, officials at Morris Street Partners say they are not offering these services just for the sake of being considerate."It is not about being nice - it is about being smart," said Susan Lang, theCEO of Morris Street Partners.Lang added that the non-profit organization approaches its work from abusiness perspective.Rich Donovan, who started the organization last March, added that "Morris basically aims to bring disabled individuals into the market economy."Donovan, who has cerebral palsy, called the disabled a significant national minority and pointed out that "this is something that hasn't been attempted before in a meaningful way."Morris Street Partners is active on five campuses and is in contact with 15 others. It will return to campus next year with a new, although not-yet-chosen, name.Career Services, which typically organizes on-campus recruitment events,advertised this event, but most of the planning was done by Morris StreetPartners themselves, Barbara Hewitt, associate director of Career Services,wrote in an e-mail.

The Daily Pennsylvanian

Paretal Tool Kit for Children with Disbilities

New CD Released: Tool Kit on Teaching and Assessing StudentsWith Disabilities: Parents' Materials"John H. Hager, assistant secretary of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), U.S. Department of Education, is pleased to share with you an important message abouta newly released CD, Tool Kit on Teaching and Assessing Students With Disabilities: Parents' Materials.
----------------------------------------------------------
I am pleased to announce the release of a CD version of the ToolKit on Teaching and Assessing Students with Disabilities: Parents' Materials designed to assist parents and states in their effortsto work together to raise the achievement of all students with disabilities.The Parent Tool Kit compiles materials identified to augment the previously released CD, Tool Kit on Teaching and Assessing Students with Disabilities, and offers a collection of resources on the same substantive areas addressed, including assessment, instructional practices, behavior and accommodations. These new documents were written specifically for parents and include information they need as they work with schools to ensure thattheir children are receiving a quality education. Materials included in the new Parent Tool Kit provide information that willhelp them become active and informed participants in IEP discussions and other decision-making meetings that support students with disabilities and their families.

To encourage broad dissemination of these materials, we havelaunched a new Web site, www.osepideasthatwork.org/index.asp,which includes the materials in the Parent Tool Kit. The website will continue to be updated with additional materials as they become available.This Parent Tool Kit is an example of the Department of Education's ongoing commitment to ensuring that states, local school districts, schools and families have the most current and relevant information about practices that will improve and enhance education opportunities for children with disabilities throughout the nation. We appreciate the time you commit and the work you doevery day to improve the academic achievement of students with disabilities and hope you find these materials useful in advancing achievement through strong accountability and assessments for all students.

John H. Hager
Assistant Secretary
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
U.S. Department of Education

A Mad, Mad, Mad Disability World- A Thumbs Down to...

#1 The Dutch Dating Programme for the Visibly Disfigured

Reuters January 27, 2007

The Netherlands, the country that has pioneered reality shows like Big Brother, is planning a new first - a dating programme for the visibly disfigured. The broadcaster SBS 6 is seeking candidates for its Love at Second Sight show due to be launched on February 20. "Do you have a visible serious handicap and are you looking for a partner?" says an appeal on its website. "The programme is a platform for people with such problems to share experiences and feelings in a positive way with the rest of the Netherlands and to show that they are absolutely not pitiful," the broadcaster said.

"The main aim of the programme is to remove prejudice about these people, to create more acceptance and respect and, of course, to find the love of their lives." But the majority of Dutch viewers are turned off by the show that was initially set to be called Monster Love. A poll by the mass circulation De Telegraaf daily showed 85 per cent do not like the idea, with only 9 per cent in favour.

#2 DC/NYC bus driver Disallows Seeing Eye Dog

The Washington PostSunday, January 28, 2007

"No dog , no dog," shouted the driver and another worker when District resident Joe Orozco and his guide dog tried to board a Todays Bus fromWashington to New York. Orozco protested that the company is required by lawto accommodate service animals, but the workers continued to block his entryand laughed, he says, when he threatened to call police. Once he called police, the workers said he could ride if the dog was put in the bottom ofthe bus with the luggage. They relented after police came.When Orozco tried to board the return bus the next day, a Todays Bus employee in New York yanked his ticket away and tried to return his money,he says.The bus pulled away. After Orozco called police, workers said he could take the next bus but ordered him to sit in the back. He complied, but he is filing a complaint with the Justice Department, which enforces the AmericansWith Disabilities Act (ADA). Todays Bus did not respond to four telephone messages left for the manager and owner.

The ADA guarantees interstate service to disabled passengers; that includes providing access, with advance notice, to people in wheelchairs. But many ofthe companies that pick up passengers curbside -- the so-called "Chinatownbuses" -- simply ignore the law. In 2004, regulators checked 14 companiesthat operate between Washington and New York and cited 11 of them for violating the ADA. The Justice Department launched an investigation inOctober 2004."Wecontinue to work on it," spokeswoman Cynthia Magnuson said last week.Gathering evidence seems quick and easy to CoGo, who recently called Todays to ask about wheelchair access. The man who answered refused to give hisname, but his answer was clear: "No wheelchair."To register a complaint, call the Justice Department, 800-514-0301.__.
------
#3 The US Treasury Department for Keeping Money Inaccessible to the Blind

Hartford Courant, ConnecticutWednesday, January 24, 2007
Why Keep The Blind In Dark About Money?By CYRUS HABIB

Blind Americans may soon find themselves able to use money just like anyone else. That is unless the Treasury Department is successful this month in its appeal of a recent federal court order that paper currency be made recognizable to the blind, who are currently unable to distinguish onedenomination from another.I, for example, rely on the generosity of cab drivers, baristas and storeclerks each time I make a purchase with cash. That I have rarely been ripped off is a testament to their honesty or my charm, but I cannot help butprotest the perpetual necessity for either. After all, there are 180 countries in which this is not the case, because their currency is designed to be distinguishable by all.

U.S. District Judge James Robertson asked the Treasury Department to determine the best means of making money distinguishable by the blind,citing the myriad solutions proposed by the organization that filed thelawsuit, the American Council of the Blind. These included using raised ink, modifying the size of certain bills and producing a tactile mark to indicatea bill's denomination. The Treasury Department has objected to all such solutions, claiming that the $75 million price tag is simply too high. Of course, Treasury's lawyers fail to mention that the cost would have beenfar lower had the department acted voluntarily when the $20 bill was redesigned in 1998 and the $10 bill was modified last year. Instead, it has decided to spend our tax money fighting the blind in court, appealing Judge Robertson's decision even before a final judgment on the nature of asolution could be reached.

Blind people in the United States suffer from a staggering 70 percent unemployment rate, and a disproportionately high percentage of those who are employed work in the low end of the service sector. There is no questionthat the catastrophic poverty of America's blind requires a solution. Why not begin by giving us access to money at the most atomic level? How canblind Americans become truly independent, achieving the success we deserveand leaving behind the stigma of federal and state aid, without being able to differentiate between a dollar bill and a fifty?

The Treasury Department suggests using debit and credit cards, disregarding the fact that the lives of many blind Americans hinge upon financial exchanges for which plastic is often useless, such as catching a crosstown bus, purchasing a cup of coffee or getting change for laundry. These basic day-to-day experiences may not constitute reality for Treasury SecretaryHenry Paulson and his team, but they certainly do for millions of blind andlow-vision Americans. Some have called the lawsuit frivolous, arguing that blind people havemanaged to survive for years by relying on others for help. Such reasoning does more than ignore the overwhelming poverty and hardship that plague the blind community; it dishonors the sacrifices millions of disabled Americans made to help bring about passage of the landmark Americans With Disabilities Act.

Money is essential to a person's participation in society. Its accessibility to blind people should be considered as important as that ofwheelchair ramps or Braille in elevators.When it comes to accommodating disabilities such as blindness, let uscontinue to lead the world in practice as well as in principle. Moreimportant still, let us tell the world that we, too, believe that blindnessshould not be an obstacle to financial independence. In doing so, let usalso take a significant step toward ameliorating the living conditions of blind Americans, now and for years to come.The Treasury Department should obey Judge Robertson's order and show us themoney

Ehler-Danlos Syndrome should not be used for media titilation

There is a special this week on ABC (Medical Mysteries) about Ehler-Danlos Syndrome which is causing an uproar in the disability community. Read on and go to ABC's website and express your concerns and thoughts...

There is also a pre-formulated Action Alert for response:
https://secure2.convio.net/apf/site/Advocacy?%20%20pagename=homepage&page=SplashPage&id=201&JServSessionIdr001=2i1pn86n52.app6b

Assistive Technology Design Competition

For those who tinker in the basement, or have friends, family that do....
---------------------------------

Cash Prizes to be Awarded to Undergrads Designing AssistiveTechnology

First prize $5,000, Second prize $2400, and a Third prize $1200,will go to undergraduate students who successfully create aprototype of a new assistive technology/tool that enables peoplewith cognitive disabilities to accomplish activities of dailyliving more effectively and independently.

Letter of intent is dueThursday Feb. 1, 2007 and prototype is due Friday, June 1, 2007.

For submission instructions and more information follow the linkto the Student Research Competition at http://mail.rochestercdr.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.rerc-act.org.Funded by the National Institute of Disability and RehabilitationResearch.

Source: Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for theAdvancement of Cognitive Technologies (RERC-ACT)__________________________________________________________

For more news issues, see:http://mail.rochestercdr.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.aapd.com/docs/news.php

The Importance of Penmanship...

I ran across another interesting article. http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1578074,00.html
It has been documented that doctors:
1. do make mistakes
2. their mistakes kill people

Lesson:
1. everyone is accountable
2. the Internet is leveling the playing field of accountability
3. penmanship DOES count...

Disability Rights 2006- the year in review

Here is a list of top disability rights news stories from 2006, I would like to share. (Thanks to the Inclusion Daily Express)

http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/top2006.htm

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Today is a national holiday, recognizing the contributions of Martin Luther King, Jr. to peace, freedom and Civil Rights. A lot of people think the civil rights era is long gone--ancient history. But there are those who keep the flame of civil rights and non-violent activism alive and well in the disability and activism communities.

Click on some of the links, and learn a bit more about MLK and what you can do to promote peace and justice at home.

Disability Community is Taking Action on the Ashley Treatment!

ACTION ALERT! STOP THE ASHLEY TREATMENT!

BACKGROUND:

Ashley is a nine-year-old with a severe cognitive disability. In order to keep her small and more easily cared for by her family, doctors at Seattle Children’s Hospital are having her undergo hormone “therapy” to stunt her growth. In addition, they surgically removed her breast buds, uterus and appendix. The “Ashley Treatment,” as her parents call it, is a medical “fix” to serious social problems we face in America today.

The first of these problems is a lack of quality home-based services for people with disabilities. The second is the social attitude that people with disabilities are less than human and therefore fair game for experimentation. The third is a lack of understanding of disability vs. illness: as Joe Hall of South Carolina has stated, “When I was born my parents knew that I would never walk, but they would have never thought it would be acceptable to cut my legs off.” Feminist Response in Disability Activism (FRIDA), with the support of Chicago ADAPT, the national ADAPT community and Not Dead Yet, urges you to speak out about the “Ashley Treatment.”Our Targets: Seattle Children’s Hospital staff involved in the case of nine-year-old Ashley’s growth attenuation and sterilization, as well as Melinda Gates, chair of the Seattle Children’s Hospital fundraising committee and Susan Macek, Director of Communications for Seattle Children’s Hospital. We need to let the Seattle Children’s Hospital and its fundraising chairperson know that the Ashley Treatment has not gone unnoticed by those of us who live with disabilities.

ACTION:

Email OR Call the people below.

Tell them to:

-Oppose their permission of what is now known as the “Ashley Treatment,” and
-Condemn further permission of such “treatments” for children with disabilities.

Dr. Douglas DiekemaPhone: 206-987-2380B-5520 – Emergency Medicine4800 Sand Point Way NESeattle, WA 98105Fax: (206) 987-3836E-mail: Douglas.diekema@seattlechildrens.org

Dr. Daniel F. GuntherPhone: (206) 987-2380M1-3 – Endocrinology4800 Sand Point Way NESeattle, WA 98105Fax: (206) 987-3836E-mail: Dan.gunther@seattlechildrens.org

Melinda GatesPO Box 23350Seattle, WA 98102Phone: (206) 709-3100Fax: (206) 709-3252Email: info@gatesfoundation.org

Susan MacekDirector of Communications, Seattle Children’s HospitalPhone: (206) 987-5201Pager: (206) 469-6310E-mail: susan.macek@seattlechildrens.org

OTHER INFORMATION

To review Ashley’s parents’ blog, please see:http://ashleytreatment.spaces.live.com/

To review other articles on this topic, please see:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/6229799.stmhttp://www.dredf.org/news/in_news.shtml

MS General Information

There are some links to a variety of topics about MS. Please feel free to share these with anyone who may need it.
----

( http://www.webmd/. <http://www.webmd.com/content/tools/1/multiple_sclerosis_quiz> com/content/tools/1/multiple_sclerosis_quiz) _Arm Yourself against MS_

( http://www.webmd/. <http://www.webmd.com/content/tools/1/multiple_sclerosis_quiz> com/content/tools/1/multiple_sclerosis_quiz) Learn new therapies to help you_ manage your symptoms._ ( http://www.webmd/.

<http://www.webmd.com/content/tools/1/multiple_sclerosis_quiz> com/content/tools/1/multiple_sclerosis_quiz) _Vaccine to Reverse the Effects of MS _

( http://www.webmd/. <http://www.webmd.com/content/pages/26/115077.htm> com/content/pages/26/115077.htm) _Get WebMD-trusted information when you Google!_

( http://www.webmd/. <http://www.webmd.com/content/pages/26/114984.htm> com/content/pages/26/114984.htm) _Early Results Promising for MS Drug_

( http://www.webmd/. <http://www.webmd.com/content/article/127/116686.htm> com/content/article/127/116686.htm) _Treating the Patient, Not Just the Pain_

( http://www.webmd/. <http://www.webmd.com/content/article/121/114108.htm> com/content/article/121/114108.htm) _Controlling a Relapse_ ( http://www.webmd/.

<http://www.webmd.com/hw/multiple_sclerosis/hw191022.asp> com/hw/multiple_sclerosis/hw191022.asp) _Join the MS message board_ ( http://boards/.

<http://boards.webmd.com/topic.asp?topic_id=59> webmd.com/topic.asp?topic_id=59) _Quiz: Living Well with MS_ ( http://www.webmd/.

<http://www.webmd.com/content/tools/1/multiple_sclerosis_quiz> com/content/tools/1/multiple_sclerosis_quiz) _Don't Let Overactive Bladder Embarrass You_

( http://www.webmd/. <http://www.webmd.com/content/tools/1/quiz_quality_of_life.htm> com/content/tools/1/quiz_quality_of_life.htm) _Romance, dating with MS: No need to hide_

( http://www.webmd/. <http://www.webmd.com/content/Article/120/113800.htm> com/content/Article/120/113800.htm) _Diagnosis MS: Early Treatment is Best_

( http://www.webmd/. <http://www.webmd.com/solutions/diagnosis-multiple-sclerosis> com/solutions/diagnosis-multiple-sclerosis) _Living With MS: MS in the Workplace_

( http://www.webmd/. <http://www.webmd.com/content/Article/117/112732.htm> com/content/Article/117/112732.htm) _Find a Physician_ ( http://www.webmd/.

<http://www.webmd.com/pages/dir/toc.asp?sponsor=core&z=1827_00000_2209_wk_03> com/pages/dir/toc.asp?sponsor=core&z=1827_00000_2209_wk_03) _ How Does Geography Affect MS?_ ( http://www.webmd/. <http://www.webmd.com/content/healthwise/60/15015.htm> com/content/healthwise/60/15015.htm) _Resources for Caring for Someone with MS._

( http://www.webmd/. <http://www.webmd.com/content/article/57/66149.htm> com/content/article/57/66149.htm) Questions about your medication?

Guide Dog for Deaf/Hard of Hearing in Need of a Home

Is there anyone who needs a hearing/service dog? This pup is in a shelter. Here's a copy of the e-mail I received and I agreed to passon info Please forward the announcement.

http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=6365572

This dog is a Katrina survivor and is an owner surrender. that hasbeen checked out. This dog knows sign language and should go to someone who needs a hearing dog. He is far too big for Fay she only weights about a 100 lbs. I did talk to her about him she still wants her Hunter. I thought maybe you would know some one or a group thecould place this dog with someone who could really use him.Thanks for your help.

How to Legally Mutate Your Child--Pillow Angel

I donot have the words for this article. But read, click and decide how far it too far for elective surgeries and treatment for children with disabilities.... I posted some comments here

Frozen In Time: The Disabled Nine-Year-Old Girl Who Will Remain A Child All Her Life*

Parents fiercely criticised over 'offensive' surgery* Disability groups say case raises troubling issues. (The Guardian Ed Pilkington in New York Thursday January 4, 2007.)

Ashley's parents call her their Pillow Angel, a moniker that is a reference to the love and joy they feel for their nine-year-old daughter and the severe disabilities she has suffered from birth.She cannot sit up, walk or talk, is fed by tube, and, as her parents put it, "stays right where we place her - usually on a pillow."Ashley won't know this, as she is brain-damaged and has the awareness, her doctors say, of a baby, but she has become the subject of a passionate argument in disability circles and beyond.

Her name is becoming synonymous with the debate about the acceptable limits of medical intervention in the care of disabled people.The cause of the controversy is the "Ashley Treatment" - a course of surgery and hormone supplements devised for her at her parents' request and with the blessing of doctors - that will for ever keep her small. It involves surgical operations, including a hysterectomy, and hormone prescriptions that will, in effect, freeze-frame her body at its current size. Although she has a normal life expectancy, she will, physically, always be nine years old.

Her growth has been suspended at 4ft 5in(1.3 metres), rather than the 5ft 6in she would probably otherwise have become. Her weight will stick at around 75lb (34kg) rather than 125lb.This week Ashley's parents, who have chosen to remain anonymous and have only let it be known that they are "college-educated professionals" living in Washington state, have posted on the internet a lengthy explanation of their desire to stunt her growth.

It is the first time they have given a public account oftheir actions. The explanation is accompanied by a gallery of photographs showing Ashley over the years, from her as a smiling baby a few months old, through to today when she is seen nestled in a sheepskin rug. She was diagnosed, they explain, with brain damage with unknown causes just after birth and has remained at the same developmentallevel since about three months. Three years ago she began to show early signs of puberty, and they grew anxious about the impact of fertility and of her rapidly increasing size and weight on the quality of her life.

In discussions with doctors at Seattle Children's hospital they devised the treatment: removal ofAshley's uterus to prevent fertility, excision of early buds onher chest so that she would not develop breasts, and medicationwith high doses of oestrogen to limit her growth by prematurelyfusing the growth plates of her bones.The parents insist that the treatment, carried out in 2004, was conceived for Ashley's benefit and not their own ease orconvenience. With a lighter body and no breasts, Ashley will have fewer bed sores and lie more comfortably. And a smaller Ashley can be cared for and carried. "As a result we will continue to delight in holding her in our arms and Ashley will be moved and taken on trips more frequently instead of lying in her bed staring at TV or the ceiling all day long," they write.

But as news about the treatment became known, Ashley's parents were surprised by the virulence of some of the response. Comments on chatboards have included:

"Ouch - this smacks of eugenics";

"I find this offensive, truly a milestone in our convenience society";

"This smells, I can't agree with this".

Outrage has also been expressed by organisations representing disabled people across the US, with many asking why a course of treatment that would not be countenanced for an able-bodied person should be allowed in this case. "People have been horrified by the discrepancy," said Mary Johnson, editor of Ragged Edge, an online magazine for disability activists. She said she felt for Ashley's parents and could understand why they had made the decision. But she feared that the treatment would open a Pandora's box that could have adverse effects for other children.

"What will now be said in the case of a child with spina bifida, who you could argue has the same physical challenges but whose brain is fully functioning? This is very troubling."Debate has raged among doctors and medical ethicists. JeffreyBrosco of Miami University has co-written an editorial in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine criticising the procedure as an experiment without proper research controls. "This is a technological solution to a social problem. I work with severely disabled children and know how hard it is on families,but what we need most is better federal funding so that they canbe cared for properly."State help for caring for disabled people is available throughMedicaid, which is restricted to poor families. Ashley's parents would not qualify, and say it is impossible to find carers they can afford.

The ethical row is likely to deepen as the Seattle doctors, led by Daniel Gunther, say they are considering other children for similar treatment, though only after monitoring by the hospital's ethics committee. The doctors accept that Ashley's hysterectomy was contentious, given the dark history of sterilization ofdisabled people in Europe and America, and that there were risks involved in the operations and estrogen doses. But they argue the benefits outweigh the risks.

Ashley has, they admit, been "infantilised" but question the harm that would do a person whose mental capacity "will always be that of a young child".Ashley cannot say what she thinks. But in a telephone interviewwith the Guardian last night, her father said that many people had assumed he and his wife had to agonise over their decision."We didn't. It was easy," he said. "We clearly saw the benefits toAshley's quality of life. We have also been criticised for harming Ashley's dignity. But for us, what would be grotesque would be to allow a fully formed woman to grow up, lying helplessly and with the mentality of a three-month-old."

Hormones
There is a long history of hormones being used to control growth in children. In some cases they are used to counteract a hormonal imbalance or genetic disorder. But there have also been sustained attempts to control body size for cosmetic reasons.In 1956 MA Goldzieher became the first to report using high doses of estrogen to treat exceptionally tall girls. Over ensuing years thousands of tall girls were prescribed estrogen to prevent them tipping over the 6ft mark, protecting their marriage prospects. As the stigma against tallness in women has declined, so has the practice, though it still continues. Boys considered to be shorter than the norm have recently begun tobe treated with a growth hormone, often for cosmetic reasons. US federal restrictions have been loosened, allowing private paediatricians to offer the treatment that can cost up to $40,000a year.
----------------------------
There are several message boards and blogs on this story; some are so full they have been closed, but messages can still be read:

Wheelchair Dancer
Penny Richards at Disability Studies, Temple U.
Mary Johnson of Ragged Edge
Cory SilverbergArthur Caplan, Ph.D., director of the Center for Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania
Thirza Cuthand at Fit of PiqueI'm Funny Too at Did I Miss Something?

Least Restrictive Environment LRE

Everyone loves freebies, so here is one
---------------------

Guide to Resources for Promoting Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) Practices


http://www.tacommunities.org/ev_en.php?ID=7564_201&ID2=DO_PRINTPAGE

Please also share with others you know who might find this useful --- Thank you.

Best regards ~ RWS
PLEASE FORWARD/CIRCULATE WIDELY WITHOUT FURTHER PERMISSION FROM THE AUTHOR:Folks - Below is link to a really gorgeous new resource - produced for OSEP - and it relates to a ton of things, not just "LRE" per se. There is a section in here on PBIS which includes a piece on how to evaluate a school-wide PBIS project/program; much on curriculum-based measurement (i.e., frequent objective tests/quizzes/"probes" to see if a student is learning what s/he is supposed to be learning ...These materials can be used in two distinctly different ways: 1) Since they're "official," i.e., OSEP-sponsored, they can be used to help convince school/district/SEA folks to do what's in them, the way they suggest, and 2) They can be used in hearings and litigations to show that a school/district (or even individual teacher) is NOT using a best practice, or recommended method/procedure ... There's even a link to a web page which tells parents how to go about getting curriculum-based measurement (objective!) implemented for their children ..Since these materials are written for school folk, they're pretty much done in very plain language, with complicated concepts explained in very simple, easily-comprehensible ways.Dee Alpert, PublisherSpecialEducationMuckraker.comhttp://www.specialeducationmuckraker.com
http://www.tacommunities.org/ev_en.php?ID=7564_201&ID2=DO_PRINTPAGE

Readers are encouraged to review materials developed by and/or shared through:
OSEP's Regional Resource, Regional Parent TA Center, and Federal TA&D Network, (http://www.rrfcnetwork.org)
The Office of Elementary and Secondary Education's Comprehensive Center Network (http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/oieresearch/edresources_5.html)
The Office of Elementary and Secondary Education's Equity Assistance Center Network (http://www.edgateway.net/pub/docs/262)

Eliot Spitzer and Day One- the Short Version

New York State governor, Eliot Spitzer, gave his first State-of-the-State address - similar to the presidential State of the Union. As far as disability issues go, it was pretty light. He spoke about the needs of seniors to get out of nursing homes and into community care.

He never mentioned PWD (persons with disabilities).

The pols were so busy trying to impress and stay on his good side, there was no critical discussion, questions or debate. The Governor even heckled the audience, when he thought they were not applauding and cheering enough.

Sigh...

So much for One New York.

Christmas Tales from the Disability World

I have no new thoughts on Christmas. But while the huband and kids are out doing last minute holiday errands (taking chairs and disposable party tableware to relatives) I wanted to share some excellent disability Christmas carols and Christmas tales from some of BBC message board's most illustrious disability bloggers.

The Real Meaning of Christmas..

There is a compliation CD that has a song entitled, "The Real Meaning of Christmas". I heard it this morning and it was a nice reminder as we finish up the last minute shopping, holiday eating, festivities and post Christmas Boxing Day, that we should take a few minutes to rest, reflect and be greatful for all we have. We forget and overlook our many blessings--so, give someone a call, send one of those sloppy sentimental email cards and practice random acts of kindness.

Peace

Don't Mess with Me-- I have a 504 Plan!

I have created a Teenage Advocacy Monster!

He prowls the hall of a public school, that shall not be named:

1. seeking lairs to use for private test taking
2. bouncing other kids from the library study carrels
3. running teachers from unofficial break areas

He marks his territory:

1. setting up time to use the computer lab for his test modification that can be administered
2. setting up time after school or during study halls to have his extended time test modification

He stalks him prey:

1. commanding the Building Specialist (code language for Special Education Teacher) to get get him out of class based tests
2. ratting out teacher non compliance to the Building Coordinator of Special Education
3. demanding his test modifications from teachers
4. reminding teachers about his test modifications
5. demanding again his test modifications

He takes his prize:

1. He gets his test modifications
2. He doesn't feel the need to explain his test modifications to peers
3. He brags about his test modifications when he gets good grades and others fail
4. He brings home his test and quiz grades-- WITHOUT BEING ASKED

I have created a monster.

I am so proud!!

How do you spell Elliot (Spitzer)?

Today was the last day of the legislative calendar in New York State. Legislators returned to the Capitol Building Complex (euphemistically called 'The Egg') to pass a flurry of end-of-the-session, go-out-with-a-bang, give-ourselves-a-quick-raise, and not-pass-too-much-that-while-l make-those-who-didn't re-elect a lot of us happy.

So, we are left, like a prom date, after the big fanfare, hoopla, and romance are done, wondering "What comes next?"

We have a New Governor (Eliot is spelled with one L) and Lieutenant Governor Patterson-- the first blind or visually impaired official at this level. There are more websites (election, write in your opinion, transition team, inauguration, online ads, and Hevesi spin doctoring) and levels of social marketing in this administration than you can shake a stick at. The inauguration is shaping up to be uber PC-- with representation from organizations, vendors, business across the state, to make Jesse Jackson's concept of the rainbow coalition look monochromatic.

Meanwhile, we are still wondering if this 'relationship' with Eliot is going to work out or not.....

Stay tuned.

Disability Carnival #3

Check out the Disaiblity Carnival #3. There are several great poems, and essays on the theme of Spirituality.

How to Engage a politician-- Part IX

On Friday September 22, 2006 a band of forty ADAPT members met at Rundell Library, in downtown Rochester. Under the ADAPT ‘invisibility cloak’, we were ‘hidden in plain sight’-- just a group of people with disabilities on a field trip, chatting amicably while watching the Dick Cheney motorcade of regional law enforcement, come to town. Vice President Cheney was coming to Rochester to support Congressman Randy Kuhl at a fundraiser. There were sharpshooters on the roofs of the Convention Center, police on all floors of the parking garage, and four square blocks were cut off to pedestrian and car traffic. A protest action looked impossible. Nevertheless, ADAPTers tightly lined up, and marched across the police line at South Avenue and Broad Street, in to the Vice Presidential Security Zone. RPD met protesters, physically moving wheelchair users and grabbing people by the arm, to pull them back behind the line. Bruce Darling was restrained, face down, on a police car, but that did not stop the ADAPT crew. Norita Darling, Bruce’s mom, saw the incident, but kept on walking. Aware that there were larger issues at stake, she focused upon what needed to get done by ADAPT. Unable to get through the police barricade, the ADAPTers did an about face, and marched off, down the Broad Street Bridge.
We headed for Main Street, wheelchairs leading the way. The group attempted to cross over Main Street, to enter the Convention Center, but was met in the middle of the street by police, effectively stopping traffic. RPD redirected protesters, routing wheelchairs back to the yellow line, in the middle of the street. The ADAPT contingent filled in, urging the group forward, but the police brought in barricade fences. Eventually, the group agreed to go onto the sidewalk, next to other quiet protesters, where we stayed. Several officers were assigned to ‘watch’ us, to make sure we did not attempt to cross the street and enter the Convention Center. (One person literally "took it on the nose" for ADAPT, getting ‘bumped’ in the face with her camera, from a hostile employee of the Rochester Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. In the true spirit of non-violent protest, she did not respond in kind, but she has his picture!)

Q: What does ADAPT do when we are going to be somewhere for awhile?
A: Chant!

Anita ‘O’Brien and Susan Norwood led the group in a variety of chants including:
What do we want? MiCASSA!
When do we want it? Now!
Our homes, not nursing homes!
Free our brothers, free our sisters, free our people now!
Settled into a tight group on the sidewalk, we continued chanting. RPD brought in the mounted patrol, forming a Line of Five in front of the Convention Center. Several Cheney reception attendees and Convention Center staff peered out the windows at the demonstrators. Rochester ADAPT was situated in the front of the crowd. Users of power chairs/scooters were on the frontline, facing the Convention Center. Meanwhile, in the rear of the crowd, members of Rochester ADAPT passed out flyers about the need for Randy Kuhl to sign onto MiCASSA. After about an hour, the anti-war groups in Washington Square Park marched down Main Street, and joined us, in front of the Convention Center. This group was composed of Metro Justice members, college students, gay activists, and anti war activists. Cars driving by honked their horn, in support of our demonstration.
As the protests continued in the non-violent manner, the police became friendlier, asking questions about MiCASSA, tapping their toes in time with our chants, and nodding their heads in support of our cause! At the end of the fundraiser/picture event with Dick Cheney, a special bus was brought in for the Republican fundraiser guests, so they could scurry to safety, fearful that people across the street, behind barricades might ‘get’ them!! While leaving the event, Kuhl staffers and others leaving received a rousing round of “Boo’s!!” from the anti-war protesters.
While the protest was in its last hour, others hit the parking garage with MiCASSA leaflets. The Convention Center was empty, as Vice President Cheney and fundraiser guests were gone. However, a group conversation was in progress in one of the meeting rooms. Being curious, both Mike and Bruce walked in to see Randy Kuhl doing a press conference. Ever ready with a question, Bruce Darling cut off a reporter to ask why Kuhl did not support MiCASSA and would not meet with ADAPT. (Mike Volkmer added that it was much more cost effective than nursing home placements.) Congressman Kuhl replied that this was a staffer oversight and he would be interested in getting more information and MiCASSA sounds like something he would like to support! Bruce got his business card and agreed to follow up.

In reflection, this action was another ADAPT victory! The karma of success in unexpected places continues for Rochester ADAPT!

Question: How do you spell power?
Answer: A-D-A-P-T!

Candidate Forums and Elected Officials

The Center for Disability Rights is hosting an Election 2006 Forum, not a debate. Each person get four to five minutes, to come and explain their platforms, and how it impacts people with disabilities.
-----------------
The Center for Disability Rights and The Regional Center for Independent Living will be hosting a Candidate Forum on Disability Issues for Election 2006. This forum will focus upon key issues that impact people with disabilities.

Do Housing, transportation, and healthcare and education matter to you?
Do you want to know more about the Candidates views on disability issues?

Then come join us!

Monday, October 23, 2006
5:30PM-8PM
Kate Gleason Auditorium
Bausch and Lomb Public Library Building
115 South Avenue
Rochester, New York.

The forum will present Candidates for the offices of:
NY Governor, NY Attorney General, US Congress and NYS Legislature.

The Bausch and Lomb Public Library Building is wheelchair accessible.
Sign language interpreters will be provided.

If you have any questions, or need more information, contact Arlene Wilson at (585) 546-7510 or awilson@rochestercdr.org.

-----------------

This should be interesting, as many never thought through a platform to this degree, even the Gubenatorial candidates. But, as most politicians, they are fast on their feet, and seeking to make hay while the sun shines.

Future DocWilson’s Book Meme

I have seen this great idea on The Goldfish's website, so I wanted to add my two cent...

Future DocWilson’s Book Meme

1. One book that changed your life?
The Autobiography of Malcom X, would be at the top of the list. I man whom American history is just starting to consider for his oratory and personal triumph or adversity.

2. One book that you have read more than once?
Well, I would have to concur with The Goldfish, about The Bible. Not only is it a religious text, but is the source of many philosophical (Proverbs), and cultural (Creationism versus Evolution) concepts and ideas.

3. One book you would want on a desert island?
I do not think one book would do it, so I would have to hedge this one, and go with a completed works set, in a leather binding. I think the collected speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. These speeches are motivational, and insightful. I would also go with the Complete Works of Tolstoy.

4. One book that made you laugh?
I'm sorry, I can not restrict myself to one. If I choose The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy then that means I have to neglect Puckoon, and Three Men in a Boat, and No Bed for Bacon, and Clive James's Unreliable Memoirs, and My Family and Other Animals, and The Cat Who Came in from the Cold, and Pickwick Papers, and....so I won't choose any.

5. One book that made you cry?
One Thousand Years of Solitude. A strange book, that tells the story from the end, and threads its way backwards, to explain tragedy. Gabriel Garcia Marquez has the power to find the paintful, private truth of life and love. gem.

6. One book you wish you had written?
Roots, by Alex Haley. This book created a whole academic specialities around genology, travel through the African Diaspora to slavery sites, and increase the number of African American family reunions. It also helped to decrease several prevalent myths around the dynamics of slavery, and slave families. Fascinating.

7. One book you wish had never been written?
Mein Kampf. It creates a platform for serious consideration of racism, antisemetism and other Ayran disfunctional constructs.

8. One book you are currently reading?
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, by himself. This is a great book, which gives insights on slavery, and American political thought of the 1800’s. It also is inspiring on how far someone can come, by grit determination and a few random acts of kindness.

9. One book you have been meaning to read?
I have hear and seen various versions of Homer’s the Oddessey. Any book that have been so copied, parodied and retold is a must for required reading.

10. Now tag five people.

Illogical Syllogisms and the Dissertation

Five months of revisions, rewrites, edits.
Done.
Committee approved.
Just when I thought there might be smooth sailing ahead, the dissertation process runs into another snag...NEW procedures implemented.

Q: Was the doctoral student told in advance of submission?

A: No.

Q: Then the doctoral student is grandfathered in under old standards, right?

A: Wrong

Q: SO what happened to due process, uniformity of standards and accountability?

A: Do you want this doctoral degree, or not?

Special Education Determination- A Paradigm Shift

Some good news on the special education front for parents...

August 4, 2006
The New York Times
By Diana Jean Schemo

WASHINGTON, D.C. For more than 25 years, federal law had required that schools nationwide identify children as learning disabled by comparing their scores on intelligence tests with their academic achievement. This meant that many students had
to wait until third or fourth grade to get the special education help they needed.

In regulations issued today after changes to the law, the federal Education Department said states could not require school districts to rely on that method, allowing districts to find other ways to determine which children are eligible for
extra help.

It was the final step in the federal government's repudiation of the old approach, which had come under severe criticism from advocates for children with disabilities, testing experts and eventually federal officials themselves. Advocates for those
children applauded the change.

"If you talk to principals and special ed directors, there is pent-up demand for better ways to serve struggling kids than waiting until they crash and burn in third and fourth grade," said James H. Wendorf, executive director of the National
Center for Learning Disabilities. The new rules also require schools to alert parents as they begin exploring whether children may need special education, another change that won praise from advocates for children with disabilities.

The regulations come after Congress updated laws covering special education for some six million schoolchildren nationwide in late 2004.

Comparing intelligence tests with academic achievement, known as the discrepancy model, came under intense criticism in the debates over the law and over special education.

Federal officials and advocates for children with disabilities contended that the practice of waiting for children to fall behind on tests in third or fourth grade before getting them extra help consigned them to failure, and opened the way for
the disproportionate numbers of poor and minority children to be labeled as needing special education.

The 2004 law abandoned reliance on that approach. And the new regulations favor alternative methods of identifying children who need services, like evaluating the response of struggling children to extra help before the third grade.

The 2004 law also streamlined procedures and reduced the paperwork involved in providing children special education services, and relaxed burdens on schools when children with disabilities had behavioral problems.

A draft of the regulations published in June 2005 prompted an outpouring of 5,500 letters and comments to the Education Department from advocates for children with disabilities, as well as parents, teachers' unions, and state, district and
local education officials.

The department posted the final regulations on its Web site today, along with answers to each of the comments it received. The final regulations will be published in the Federal Register on Aug. 14, and will take effect 60 days later. In unveiling the new rules, Education Secretary Margaret Spellings said her priority was "that we not lose our vigilance for educational attainment for every child."

Advocates for children with disabilities said they were disappointed that the regulations did not address some problems they saw in the 2004 federal law. For example, the law says that instead of reviewing each disabled child's educational plan every year automatically, schools could review them only once every three years, provided parents agree to the change. The regulations do not help ensure
parents are properly notified, advocates said.

"But who is going to make sure that parents now know what they're giving up if they agree to that?" said Ricki Sabia, associate director of the National Down Syndrome Society Policy Center. "The department could have made clear what constitutes
that agreement."

------------------

But it goes to show that constant vigilance is always required....

The Future Doc Wilson: The Season of Hope and Renewal: Dissertation Proposal Submission

The Future Doc Wilson: The Season of Hope and Renewal: Dissertation Proposal Submission

Update:
The Future Doc Wilson has submitted an updated proposal to her dissertation committee...

Stay tuned.

Mastering The 504 Plan

It is that time of year—parents start buying school supplies, putting overpriced sneakers on layaway and developing a new strategy for dealing with teachers, administrators and various other academic interveners, disguised as well meaning and caring purveyors of public school education.

So here is my Five Step Survival Guide to special education advocacy:

1.Have a building based plan. Many districts require special education services to go through a central office. If you can avoid this, by all means do. These people do not know you child, and only have his/her psychological testing, social work evaluations to go by. (Have you ever wondered how you would be described in an evaluation done by a perfect stranger asking you things you don’t tell you best friend?) While this snapshot may be clinically acceptable, it is only a snapshot—you child needs should be based on more than that. If you cannot avoid going through a central committee, still pursue an unofficial meeting with the building based team leader—it may be the speech, OT or PT. In the worst-case scenarios, someone is usually the carryover year to year, and is the de facto coordinator of special services.

2.Know your legal rights. Well meaning administrators and teachers tell parents so much bad, subjective and completely wrong information, its scary. Parents have been mandated to medicate children, allow aversive therapies (electro-shock), deny medication (insulin), etc. that is critical parents have a copy of the IDEA law, the 504 section of the ADA, and the mandatory guide to special education services, which is required (but seldom seen). Learn the appeals process, the grievance process, etc.

3.Know your legal options. There are lots of treatments, therapies and services that are available outside of the school district. Some health departments’ offer home based services to children at the pre-school stage, or children with serious medical conditions. Many health insurance plans cover speech, OT, PT. There are also services through the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities for children with less severe issues (respite, summer camp, special play groups, equipment rental, etc.) If you have to try to wrangle services form the school district, there are disability advocates through centers for independent living (CIL’s), VESID and other local disability rights organizations; let you finger do the walking through the Yellow Pages.

4.Get a second opinion. You child’s kindergarten teacher may know finger paints and nursery rhymes, but that does not apply to disabilities. Most teachers are not required to take any classes about disabilities, or any cognitive impairment. Those fortunate enough to be at a school with a minor or electives have a limited selection, and little or no practicum. Always get a psychological evaluation outside of your child’s home school. This local person never can give a truly unbiased assessment, when they have the feedback of peers, teachers, and building neighbors.

5.Develop your own plan. The Internet had leveled the playing field between parents and practioners. Anything you want to know about any issues, illness or disability is yours for the reading. Gather information, go the libraries and support groups, to bounce ideas around. Use parenting experience to document your child’s strengths, weaknesses, responses to stimuli, etc. This information should be distilled to a one page report to give to new teachers; share the long various with the building based special education/support services team.

Not everyone will value your level of preparation and knowing what you want, but one person will benefit—your child.

Sing Amen, Somebody!

This is a day early, but tomorrow is the 16th anniversariy of the ADA. and I found this song, which would be nice to hum or pass along tomorrow. It is composed by the late husband Justin Dart, who worked so tirelessly and valiantly for passage of the
ADA and who was seated beside President George Bush at the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26,1990.
__________________________________________________________

Happy 16 ADA!

LEAD ON!

A tribute to you, the patriots of empowerment! A tribute to
your power!

Dedicated July 26, 2006, ADA 16th Anniversary

(Lyric- the words of Justin Dart, compiled by IDAR Dart,
adapted to the tune of Amen by Jester Hairston)

LEAD ON!
LEAD ON!
LEAD ON! LEAD ON! LEAD ON!

LIVE THE DREAM!
LEAD ON!
FIGHT FOR FREEDOM!
LEAD ON!
THE WORLD IS WATCHING!
LEAD ON! LEAD ON! LEAD ON!

NOWS THE TIME!
LEAD ON!
WE CAN WIN!
LEAD ON!
WE HAVE THE POWER!
LEAD ON! LEAD ON! LEAD ON!

LOVE FOR ALL!
LEAD ON!
HAVE THE VISION!
LEAD ON!
SAVE DEMOCRACY!
LEAD ON! LEAD ON! LEAD ON!

WE ARE ABLE!
LEAD ON!
TRUTH IN ACTION!
LEAD ON!
WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE
FOR ALL! LEAD ON! LEAD ON!

Let us use all our creativity to explode the truth in the face
of the nation.

- Justin Dart

The Doctoral Journey and the Search for GPS Mapper

Well, I still continue proposal revisions, and reserach in new directions around the emergence of grassroots leadership. Of late, my travels have taken me to the Motherland in search of provenance for the phrase "It takes a whole village to raise a child." I have also develed into the world of advanced geometry, trying to better understand triangulation.

Keeping in contact with my fellow doctoral travelers, through group lists have been helpful, reducing frustration and giving me perspective. While only half a handful have made it to proposal approval, it does provide hope.

Bioethics: a primer for academics on civil rights and open discourse

Here is my journalque entry of a protest I was involved in last week:
____________________

The morning of July 13th, 2006 started with a consistent wet rain drizzle covering the City of Albany NY. To support “Not Dead Yet”, a busload of Rochester activists traveled to the state’s capital to make their voices heard at the Alden March Bioethics Conference being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. They were joined by others from Binghamton, Albany, and the Chicago area.

At 10:00 AM, Bruce Darling greeted the Rochester ADAPTers as they disembarked from the bus. From the bus, the forty-plus activists ventured across the street to stay dry under the awnings of the Ten Eyck Building. A few staff and security appeared nervous, and inquired if the group was there to protest (perhaps at the Office of Disabilities, located in the building). However, the group was focused upon getting into the local cafeteria, to use the facilities and get something to eat. Around 11:30 AM, the group enjoyed hamburgers and fries. About an hour later the group gathered themselves, into a single line outside, to wait. The weather cooperated, as the rain finally stopped, and the sun heated up the city and the group.

At approximately 1:30 PM, the group, wearing a colorful array of T-ADAPT and Not Dead Yet T-shirts marched single filed up the steep hill of State Street, to their destination -- a side entrance of the hotel. Bruce Darling and Steven Drake led the way, as the group marched silently into the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Disability advocates such as Christie Willson and Frank Johnson, entered the building with determination, walking briskly in a tight formation, down a long hallway, past the conference registration tables, and right into Ballroom A. The group strode single file in front of the conference presenters, podium, and 6’ x 6’ Power Point projector screens, filling the front of the hall. At first conference attendees looked shocked. The group pulled out protest signs with slogans such as “Not Dead Yet”, “Democracy not Dictatorship”, “ADAPT” and perhaps most importantly “Nothing About Us Without Us!” Chris Hilderbrant led the group in a loud chant “NOTHING!! About us… without us!” The group chanted as loud as they possibly could.

The conference had not yet begun. While Frank Johnson was leading his section in a loud, spirited chant, Paul Recor and a few other advocates went through the conference room, to pass out flyers about the lack of involvement of the disability community in a conference about bioethics issues that so critically affect our community.

Half of the conference attendees seemed confused, leaving the room at a brisk pace. The other half of participants seemed unsure of whether to take the flyers, but the majority took them, to read and discuss with their neighboring conference attendees. Others approached the group to ask questions and find out more about the issues around disability rights. A few took out cell phones and began taking pictures and video streaming the events as they unfolded!

At one point a receptionist from the Crown Plaza tried to find the leader of the group in order to force the group out, but the advocates stayed focused and strong. Bruce Darling, Shelly Perrin Mike Volkman and Stephen Drake approached conference organizers, and became the negotiating team with the conference organizers.

As a result of their discussions, Stephen Drake was able to speak in front of the fully attending conference. As Bruce put it, “He actually became the Keynote Speaker for the conference!” Stephen spoke of the mission of NDY and how people with disabilities have been dismissed by both sides of the “cultural war”. He gave personal examples of how people with disabilities are critically affected by bioethics issues, including the story of Rochesterian Joe Bonomo and the difficulty he had getting his own doctor to serve him at home after he had his series of strokes.

Stephen also shared other examples including the story of a 4 year-old girl with autism who was murdered by her mother. Instead of sympathy being garnered for the murdered girl, the media empathized with the mother whom killed her! That is why the disability community needs to have its voice heard at the bioethics table.

When Stephen ended his speech, he was met by powerful applause followed by contemplative silence. The activists slowly made their way outside as the conference recessed for a short period. Stephen Drake was invited to stay but elected to leave with rest of the group. A numbers of attendees came forward express their support of the action; other conference attendees asked group members more about why we were here. We left them with flyers and information and website links that would helpful be insightful.

Q: So, what does a group of disability rights advocates do in Albany, New York when it is only 2:30 PM and the bus home does not leave until 6 o’clock?

A: Go somewhere else to advocate!

After success at the Bioethics Conference, the group decided to pay a visit to Bob Sherman, from the Long Term Care Restructuring project, who is working on a “mega-waiver”. Chris Hilderbrant and the crew walked the distance from the Crowne Plaza past the Capital, up the mighty hill, to 99 Washington Avenue, also known as One Commerce Plaza. The crew entered the plaza and, in small groups, went up to the eighth floor.

We were headed to the office because just the day before Bruce had participated in an Advisory Group meeting about the waiver. Bruce was deeply concerned because it was clear that the waiver was being designed to meet the needs of various groups, like the counties and provider agencies, but that the needs of consumers, particularly those with the most significant disabilities, were being overlooked.

Once situated, Bruce called Bob Sherman, the head of the Long Term Restructuring initiative to see if he would come out and talk to the group. Bob asked how many people were with Bruce. Bruce replied, “about 40.” Bob retorted, “Really Bruce, how many people are there?” Bruce held the phone out and asked everyone to say “hi” to Bob. The crowd shouted back “Hi, Bob!”

Bob told Bruce he would be right out.

When he came out his office, you could see the awe in his face gathering us all in, and having to listen real stories about the importance of personal care. Bob Sherman promised the group that if we scheduled a formal meeting, he would attend to listen even more.

To finish off their trip to One Commerce Plaza, the gang went down the hall to visit Melanie Shaw, the Executive Director of the New York Association of Independent Living. The group thanked Melanie and her assistant Nell Brady for their support and the good work they do.

The group also reminded Melanie that the Center for Disability Rights was the only Center NOT to get any of the $1 million in state independent living funds. In fact CDR get NO state funding. Frank told Melanie, “We’re getting hammered. It’s just wrong.” She pointed out that the Association supported CDR getting funds and agreed to continue to work on it!

The group made their way back to the lobby and was able to get snacks and drinks from a near-by market and Dunkin Donuts. The bus finally came about and the Rochester crew was on their way home. We arrived in Rochester at an early 8:30 PM.

It was a LONG day for Rochester activists, but it was very successful! It demonstrated the power people can have if they want to make their voices heard. By the way, that’s “power” spelled A - D - A - P - T!

What a Wonderful World

My oldest son has received his first paycheck, from his first job! He is quite prooud of himself, as am I, having grovelled, beggged to get him his shot.

But as he is singing Louie Armstong's "What a Wonderful World" in the home office, it is well worth it...

"The Lives They Left Behind: Suitcases from a State Hospital Attic

The Community Consortium has just completed a website and a traveling exhibit entitled "The Lives They Left Behind: Suitcases from a State Hospital Attic," based on research into the lives of people whose suitcases were found in an abandoned attic at Willard Psychiatric Center in New York State. The website and exhibit present the lives of the suitcase owners in all their richness and complexity, and examine the history of psychiatric institutions during the early-mid 20th century through the eyes of those who spent decades within their walls.


The website is at www.SuitcaseExhibit.org and information about the traveling exhibit is at http://www.exhibitionalliance.org/documents/48.doc

Thanks,

Darby Penney
for the Community Consortium

********************************

This is a very moving and informative exhibit. It shows how far we have come as a society, and how far we have yet to go, when it comes to mental health stigma and treatment.

Professional Despair

My proposal has not been approved by the academic review board.Sigh...
I know I was told that they NEVER approve someone the FIRST time...Sigh...
Yet, I am sad and despondent. This picture is a great metaphor though..I am going through a bad patch, but I am still moving, and can look stylish, professional and well turned out.And yeah though I watch through the Valley of Death...

Loosing Momentum...I think I need a Pepsy

I am well on the way to chapter four of my dissertation:
I have my note cards for Grounded theorizing,
I have my data categorized, with section tabs, in specific binders
I have drafts of my proposal on CD, thumb drivers and my PC and laptop
I have seminal reference texts...

But I am alone and tired...
I am missing the interaction of the group for meetings, chatroom discussions, IM cross conversations...sigh.

I have been looking at the sculpture of Susan B. and Frederick Douglass entitled "Let's Have Tea" by Pepsy Kettavong. I have gone and seen it in person, several times, and it motivates me. I am hoping to meet with him to get permission to use it for a metaphorical imagery in my research.

Metaphors motivate me. (Three M's...oooh!)

Welcome to the Summer Solstice

I wanted to share this lovely photo from Diary of a Goldfish
As the summer season officially begins, and we are the closest to the Sun we will be all year, I could not think of a better way to reflect and show appreciation and joy for life, love and my son passing Living Environment (9th grade science). Enjoy the time on the porch, back stoop, 3rd story walk up window or fire escape.

The Season of Hope and Renewal: Dissertation Proposal Submission

I have submitted my proposal and it has passed muster with the forms review of A.B. It has been sent onto the Academic Review Board-- I must wait up to fourteen [14] days for a dispensation.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11.......

The Season of Doom and despair

This doctoral journey can be compared to a rollercoaster ride, or a the experience of bipolar disorder, without the personal chemistry.

I achieved committee approval of my proposal, only to be tormented in new, and creative ways by the ARB process. I have submitted by proposal packet four, count them, four times to the forms review chick.

Ways to thwart the Doctoral Student in the ARB Process

1. DO NOT tell them what is required on the forms

2. DO NOT explain how to subscribe to the newsgroups to submit a proposal packet.

3. When documents do not meet standards, do not tell the student why they are deficient.

4. Do not send any helpful information in writing.

5. When a student calls, do not provide any information, unless directly asked.

The further I go in the process, the more I understand why doctoral students:

1. Get depressed
2. Get manic
3. Quit.

The Future Doc Wilson: Occam's Razor or the Law of Averages?

Occam's Razor Cuts Like a Knife

I have met my Waterloo. I have now submitted by proposal application packet to the University Academic Review chick FOUR times. Yes, count them, four. You ask why, gentle reader? That is because there are sand traps, quick sand and sinking sand all along the way. This is the desert of Forms Review. (No one tells you about this part, alas and alack.) This is now this game is played:

1. Require items you do not tell the student about.
2. When the student omits something, do not tell them
what is it, only that they are missing something.
3. Do not put anything that may be helpful in writing.
4. Make them call for clarification.

The Future Doc Wilson: Occam's Razor or the Law of Averages?what it is