What a long week this week has been. But hey it's Friday night!
Wow how things have changed, long gone are the days of coming home and putting on my jeans and boots and starting that big black shiny Road King and heading down the highway for some wind in my face. Stopping in at Maggie's on Michigan where all the real Indy bikers hung out to have a cold one with our friends...and the weekend revolved around "The Bike".
Now Friday nights go like this......
Have had all I can take at the office and head out at 4:00...load Seger in the Van (ya the Golden goes to work everyday with me) and go pick up the Dude (aka...Nash). Find out he had an awesome day and they had been having water fun all afternoon...nothing like 15 soaked kids. So we get his stuff together and load the van back up......did you notice I said VAN.....ouch that hurts....I always have driven trucks.....Jeeps and Suburbans were my choice but I did have one Ford Expedition but I hated it.....anyway....Yes I drive a Chevy Van....and for those of us from the 70's I can assure you nothing you are thinking happens in Chevy Vans anymore so get over it....
So we call momma (aka Mauzy) and divide up stops on the way for the ranch. Nash and I pick Blockbuster as our stop. I tell you I have ridden a Harley all over the US and England, Ireland, Scotland (home of the famous Kim Ayres), Holland, Germany and France....ok you got me...had to ride thru Belgium to get to France....but there is nothing quite like going to blockbuster with a 6 year old. So half an hour later after paying for 4 movies and 4 re-stocking fees from the last ones we returned late we were headed for home.....
Now it's Friday night movie time ....everyone is in their shorts and favorite t-shirts and soon the table downstairs will be full of chicken nuggets, chips, burgers and pop corn. And we can start by watching Nash's two academy award winners....Santa Clause one and two..........
And my big choice left over from the old days.....should I wear the t-shirt from Hog's Breath Saloon or Fat Boy's Rule.....
So what's my point in all of this.....Absolutely nothing......life is good, just different then it use to be and different then I planned....but if I had to choose between heading down the highway with the wind in my hair or watching a movie with Nash.... I will hang with Nash.....
Does anybody know if the new Dressers come with a DVD player in the sidecar?
PEACE DUDE!
Friday, June 29, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Chris Benoit Tragedy!
I had only been loosely following this story of WWE Professional Wrestler Chris Benoit's Families awful murder/suicide. I thought to myself, what a tragedy and I can never understand why or how people can do this. I have watched with intrigue as the media has already made this issue all about "Roid Rage". Then I got really upset when Fox News discussed tonight that the Benoit's son was their RETARDED SON!
Well needless to say I raised right up on the couch for a number of reasons.
1. First I bristled at the reference to "retarded son". Actually I more then bristled and for those that know me know I am a "Pit Bull" when it comes to person first and appropriate language when discussing individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities. And as I usually do I picked up the phone and called FOX News to let them know my displeasure and encouraged them to contact The Arc of The United States to learn more about properly reporting on individuals with disabilities.
2. The constant discussion of "Roid Rage"! Is there abuse of steroids in sports? You bet your ass there is. And if you think it's stopped in any sport due to testing then you are kidding yourself. Steroids control sports from the high school level all the way thru professional sports. Let's face it you don't grow 6'7 300 pound offensive lineman in Iowa from eating corn on the cob. So let's get over the fact that my god this man may have been doing steroids....I am sure he was! I played football in college and was around "JUICE" all the time. I have seen "Roid Rage" and some of the effects but bottom line there is no real information about long term results and the effect on individuals. A perfect example is Lyle Alzado died from supposed steroid abuse and Arnold Schwarzenegger become Governor of California. So I hope the media can dig a little deeper on this issue.
3. Then I sat back down and was quickly overcome by a pit in my stomach. Could this be more about their son then the other issues they were discussing. I did some quick research and discovered that this young man had Fragile X syndrome. What I found was that Fragile X is the leading cause of inherited mental impairment (what I refer to as intellectual disability and some may refer to as mental retardation). The pit in my stomach got a little bigger and I knew I needed to come share some thoughts or I would be awake all night.
As I sit here I wonder what caused this man with so many great things going on in his life to commit this tragic act? Was it related to drugs? Was it related to alcohol? Was it related to marital problems? Or was it something to due with how his son's disability was effecting him or his family?
What I do know is the one regret I have from when those original 8 of us started and made it an D.A.D.S.acronym for Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome is I wish we would have made it non disability specific. It works very well the way it is but this pit in my stomach tells me I wish I would have been there for this man. I have no idea how the other wrestlers around him where with his son, I am sure they were great but did they understand...I bet not. I am sure they understood the pressure of their career's and marriage etc but add the disability of your loving son and the fact that he inherited it from you.............wow....I have no idea if this had any ting to do with the decisions Mr. Benoit made over the weekend and I never will.
All I do know is life is tough, careers are tough, marriage is tough and a very high percentage of marriages that include a child with a disability end in divorce...a way too high number....
Some how we have to reach out to other DADS and let them know that no matter whether it's Down syndrome, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Fragile X or (fill in the blank) we are out here man...reach out....talk to us....lean on us...let us carry you for awhile if we need to....but we are here....we are bonded as brothers in a fraternity we never set out to join. We understand it....We get it....
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the Benoit family tonight.
PEACE DUDE!
Well needless to say I raised right up on the couch for a number of reasons.
1. First I bristled at the reference to "retarded son". Actually I more then bristled and for those that know me know I am a "Pit Bull" when it comes to person first and appropriate language when discussing individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities. And as I usually do I picked up the phone and called FOX News to let them know my displeasure and encouraged them to contact The Arc of The United States to learn more about properly reporting on individuals with disabilities.
2. The constant discussion of "Roid Rage"! Is there abuse of steroids in sports? You bet your ass there is. And if you think it's stopped in any sport due to testing then you are kidding yourself. Steroids control sports from the high school level all the way thru professional sports. Let's face it you don't grow 6'7 300 pound offensive lineman in Iowa from eating corn on the cob. So let's get over the fact that my god this man may have been doing steroids....I am sure he was! I played football in college and was around "JUICE" all the time. I have seen "Roid Rage" and some of the effects but bottom line there is no real information about long term results and the effect on individuals. A perfect example is Lyle Alzado died from supposed steroid abuse and Arnold Schwarzenegger become Governor of California. So I hope the media can dig a little deeper on this issue.
3. Then I sat back down and was quickly overcome by a pit in my stomach. Could this be more about their son then the other issues they were discussing. I did some quick research and discovered that this young man had Fragile X syndrome. What I found was that Fragile X is the leading cause of inherited mental impairment (what I refer to as intellectual disability and some may refer to as mental retardation). The pit in my stomach got a little bigger and I knew I needed to come share some thoughts or I would be awake all night.
As I sit here I wonder what caused this man with so many great things going on in his life to commit this tragic act? Was it related to drugs? Was it related to alcohol? Was it related to marital problems? Or was it something to due with how his son's disability was effecting him or his family?
What I do know is the one regret I have from when those original 8 of us started and made it an D.A.D.S.acronym for Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome is I wish we would have made it non disability specific. It works very well the way it is but this pit in my stomach tells me I wish I would have been there for this man. I have no idea how the other wrestlers around him where with his son, I am sure they were great but did they understand...I bet not. I am sure they understood the pressure of their career's and marriage etc but add the disability of your loving son and the fact that he inherited it from you.............wow....I have no idea if this had any ting to do with the decisions Mr. Benoit made over the weekend and I never will.
All I do know is life is tough, careers are tough, marriage is tough and a very high percentage of marriages that include a child with a disability end in divorce...a way too high number....
Some how we have to reach out to other DADS and let them know that no matter whether it's Down syndrome, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Fragile X or (fill in the blank) we are out here man...reach out....talk to us....lean on us...let us carry you for awhile if we need to....but we are here....we are bonded as brothers in a fraternity we never set out to join. We understand it....We get it....
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the Benoit family tonight.
PEACE DUDE!
Sunday, June 24, 2007
State waiver system frustrates families of disabled
There was an interesting article in today's Muncie Star and Press about the Indiana Medicaid Waiver System..click here to read the article.
I thought there was some interesting things in this article. Here are my comments on a few.
1. For 22-year-old Chris Eldridge, who has Down's syndrome, six years is how long he's been on a waiting list for one of the state's developmental disabilities waivers.
Response: Here in the US the proper name is Down syndrome, you would think a reporter could get it right.
2. The waiver is what his parents, Tom and Connie Honn, need to ensure Eldridge is cared for by the state when they die. It's also the document he needs to work full-time at Cannon Industries, the industrial division of Hillcroft Services, East Central Indiana's support services agency for the developmentally disabled.
Response: No wonder people are confused. First of all the waiver gives the individual the funding for services now and throughout their lives. There are many other items like a "Special Needs Trust" that lay out a families wishes on their child's life after they are gone. I would not just leave it up to the state.
The other issue that bothers me a great deal is that the waiver is a document that someone needs to go to work. This is absolutely false. If someone wants to go to work they can make that transition on their own, they can apply and receive services thru Vocational Rehabilitation which will fund the support services they need to find, be trained and be success full at the job they choose. What they missed is the Waiver is needed for Cannon Industries to get paid to offer services at their SHELTERED WORKSHOP. Now if that is what the family wants that is fine but the only thing the waiver does is get Hillcroft paid from the state. That does not prevent the person from attending Hillcroft for services...they can start right away but the family would have to pay privately for these services. Plenty of info left out of this section.
The article goes on to talk about many things the State of Indiana is going to do this and do that....under Governor Mitch Daniels administration we have heard lots of talk about more funding for waivers, improved quality and better services....What is Mitch Roob at FSSA's famous line....Better...Faster...Cheaper....or if all else fails we will give a big outside contract to one of our buddies to see what they can do to make money....
Someday individuals with disabilities and their families will unite and realize that together we could be the largest voting block in the United States and instead of always fighting for funding for IDEA, NCLB and Medicaid and Waiver services we could actually start putting together a plan that works.
Ok, if there is any elected officials out there that read this and say Ya, ya but what is the plan. Drop me a response and I will get you my contact information and I will be very happy to sit down and explain a plan that will work.
Let's get organized, let's get out and vote and let's get involved in policy making and stop all this frustration.....
PEACE DUDE!
I thought there was some interesting things in this article. Here are my comments on a few.
1. For 22-year-old Chris Eldridge, who has Down's syndrome, six years is how long he's been on a waiting list for one of the state's developmental disabilities waivers.
Response: Here in the US the proper name is Down syndrome, you would think a reporter could get it right.
2. The waiver is what his parents, Tom and Connie Honn, need to ensure Eldridge is cared for by the state when they die. It's also the document he needs to work full-time at Cannon Industries, the industrial division of Hillcroft Services, East Central Indiana's support services agency for the developmentally disabled.
Response: No wonder people are confused. First of all the waiver gives the individual the funding for services now and throughout their lives. There are many other items like a "Special Needs Trust" that lay out a families wishes on their child's life after they are gone. I would not just leave it up to the state.
The other issue that bothers me a great deal is that the waiver is a document that someone needs to go to work. This is absolutely false. If someone wants to go to work they can make that transition on their own, they can apply and receive services thru Vocational Rehabilitation which will fund the support services they need to find, be trained and be success full at the job they choose. What they missed is the Waiver is needed for Cannon Industries to get paid to offer services at their SHELTERED WORKSHOP. Now if that is what the family wants that is fine but the only thing the waiver does is get Hillcroft paid from the state. That does not prevent the person from attending Hillcroft for services...they can start right away but the family would have to pay privately for these services. Plenty of info left out of this section.
The article goes on to talk about many things the State of Indiana is going to do this and do that....under Governor Mitch Daniels administration we have heard lots of talk about more funding for waivers, improved quality and better services....What is Mitch Roob at FSSA's famous line....Better...Faster...Cheaper....or if all else fails we will give a big outside contract to one of our buddies to see what they can do to make money....
Someday individuals with disabilities and their families will unite and realize that together we could be the largest voting block in the United States and instead of always fighting for funding for IDEA, NCLB and Medicaid and Waiver services we could actually start putting together a plan that works.
Ok, if there is any elected officials out there that read this and say Ya, ya but what is the plan. Drop me a response and I will get you my contact information and I will be very happy to sit down and explain a plan that will work.
Let's get organized, let's get out and vote and let's get involved in policy making and stop all this frustration.....
PEACE DUDE!
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Let's talk Politics!
Hey, sorry I have been awol for so long....life has been crazy and work is even crazier...
Anyway some of you will know this and some of you will not but I use to ride motorcycles as my passion and hobby. Last one was a beautiful black FLHPi...for you non Harley people that would be a touring police bike converted to a RoadKing ....well those days are gone and I had to find a new passion....well it became politics and legislation. Just love that crap....
Well I am now going into my political mode and starting to talk about politics in a big way....
So here we go....The AAPD...The American Associaiton of people with disabilities along with some other national disability groups issued surveys to all the candidates for President. The results are interesting click here scroll down to the bottom of the page to read the responses.
Oh ya, when you get down there you will see very few have answered.....Hey RUDY? Hey HILLARY? Hey NEWT and FRED...if you are running.....This stuff is important to me...much more important then debating abortion...same sex marriage....Supreme Court litmus tests ect.....So fill the thing out so I know where you stand...
Right now I can say I am really looking at Senator Obama....he took the time to answer the questions.....and he definatley has someone on staff that Gets it!
More to come.....if you are not registered to VOTE...please do....the one and only requirement from my stand point to be an American is to register and cast your vote for who you believe in......it always amazes me the people well arrive in this county half naked on boats.....almost die in the desert or the back of a semi and those of us that are citizens by birth don't bother to vote.....come on folks...
PEACE DUDE
Anyway some of you will know this and some of you will not but I use to ride motorcycles as my passion and hobby. Last one was a beautiful black FLHPi...for you non Harley people that would be a touring police bike converted to a RoadKing ....well those days are gone and I had to find a new passion....well it became politics and legislation. Just love that crap....
Well I am now going into my political mode and starting to talk about politics in a big way....
So here we go....The AAPD...The American Associaiton of people with disabilities along with some other national disability groups issued surveys to all the candidates for President. The results are interesting click here scroll down to the bottom of the page to read the responses.
Oh ya, when you get down there you will see very few have answered.....Hey RUDY? Hey HILLARY? Hey NEWT and FRED...if you are running.....This stuff is important to me...much more important then debating abortion...same sex marriage....Supreme Court litmus tests ect.....So fill the thing out so I know where you stand...
Right now I can say I am really looking at Senator Obama....he took the time to answer the questions.....and he definatley has someone on staff that Gets it!
More to come.....if you are not registered to VOTE...please do....the one and only requirement from my stand point to be an American is to register and cast your vote for who you believe in......it always amazes me the people well arrive in this county half naked on boats.....almost die in the desert or the back of a semi and those of us that are citizens by birth don't bother to vote.....come on folks...
PEACE DUDE
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)