Aids HIV FAQ

Back from LA/can someone fill me in?

Question:

Sorry for the way things went for you at the Staples Center.   I think I would lodge a major protest with them.  Probably wont accomplish anything, but at least you could TELL them that they stink! Just out of curiosity, I wonder if you dont see the events better on TV than in person?  But on the other hand, what a thrill to be able to see in person the awesome skill of the skaters. Char "Remember, I’m pulling for ya’.  We’re all in this together."  Red Green

Response:

PAY!!! I get Pay????  cool Duckie — Remove the duck to email me privately  (.)> A duck’s quack does echo, and every one knows why. http://people.ne.mediaone.net/maroldc/Weight/weight.html – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Heya, Duckie! >      Do you get extra compensation for your "Days of Our Lives" plot > summaries? If not, ya oughta put in for it ASAP…with back pay, too. >      Who does one gotta see about dis? <g> > Gentle Hugs from Rosie

Response:

Hey Melinda, I’ve never not felt that way about LA. And Staples, well its a bit of both. Things have changed since 9/11 but I avoid Staples by basically not participating in several conferences I attend when they go to LA. Not sure exactly why, but I am uncomfortable the minute I smell LA. I have spent more than my share of months working there but in my old age have refused to go back. Glad you got home safe. johnie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > big snip < > Then I got to LA and felt like Melinda’s decent into Hell. > I don’t know if Staples is just unfriendly or if this is the brave new world > post Sept 11th. I

Response:

Actually Char, you don’t see things better on TV. Televised skating won’t show you how fast someone skates or what the ice sounds like under a particular skater’s blades.  One of my pet peeves is the closeup  of a skater’s face when she’s doing a spiral with extraodinary extension and position. I don’t need her face, I need to see her whole body.    When she jumps, I need to see her entrance into the jump, what edge she takes off on, her position during rotation and her feet when she lands-not her face. I think most sports are better in person because you can see a whole playing field but at least there are photogs who specialize in basketball, tennis, hockey, football,etc. while almost none of them specialize in skating. Plus skating fans are difffererent than other fans.  Talk about soap opera land!   You can spend a whole day at an arena and see very little competition..  You might see tons of practice sessions, warm-ups, and time when there is nothing happening on the ice at all, so people gossip.  There is literally a buzz.  This time the buzz was about Michelle  to begin with and then switched to Sasha Cohen and her aggressive tendencies on the ice during warm-ups. I love international competition in Ice Dance as everyone is watching for signaling between Eastern European judges! Also for me it is in a sense giving up to not see it in person as often as possible.  I used to live my life around skating, surfing, skiing, playing music, theatre.  When I stopped doing these things, I could still go and watch. While I’m sure there is magic watching at home, it isn’t collective magic and I don’t feel the energy of a performance.  I’m sure the day will come when it is more trouble than it is worth but that hasn’t happened yet.  I thank God and the state of California that there are such things as handicap placards and usually good parking close to the venue.  Without those things I wouldn’t have the opera or concerts.  It was actually worth the 400 mile drive down the coast and the struggles to be at nationals; I just want to make sure that it doesn’t need to be more difficult than it is.   One of the huge loses I think we all may face as a result of Sept. 11th is a heightened degree of difficulty as we try to navigate through this world.  I understand that but I also know with good training, security people can get the job done with grace and kindness. It’s a small thing to ask. We have a multiplex in SAnta Cruz that shows independant film which is more popular here than commercial film.  They are expanding and have taken over a beautiful old theatre.  I am helping them with their handicap accessibility planning.  Little things like a bench that is a little higher in the back, two chairs in the lobby with the handicap logo on them, and a sign on the concessions counter inviting disabled people to move to a partiular spot along the counter so that someone can take their order and  a suggestion box offering a free pass to anyone with a suggesstion on how to imporve accessiblity will make this one of the best accessible movie theatres in California.  It will cost them almost nothing to do these things.  It will bring disabled people out into the world with more ease. I want a whole world with this degree of conciousness and caring. M

Response:

Some easy and very tasty pies can be made with reduced fat graham cracker pie crusts and fat-free Jello instant pudding mixes, using fat-free milk. My favorite is to slice two bananas into the pie crusts,  then pour vanilla pudding in.  In five minutes it’s ready to eat.  Top with fat-free cool whip.  The variations are endless.  Another favorite  is white chocolate pudding mix and blend fat-free cool whip into that,  then pour into the pie crust…mmmmm good. Gloria

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> LOL — I need to find that old recipe I had from Dieters Workshop which > involved pie shell, cottage cheese and chocolate flavoring. Man, I > remember it as very good. And it was considered a protein. hehehe > I’m hungry > Duckie > >PAY!!! I get Pay????  cool > >Duckie > You get paid in chocolate, of course. > Since we are dieting, I’ll share my Nestle’s fat-free, sugar-free > instant hot cocoa with you. 25 calories a cup. Tastes pretty darned > good too. Nice n creamy! > Aim > — > Remove the duck to email me privately  (.)> > A duck’s quack does echo, and every one knows why. > http://people.ne.mediaone.net/maroldc/Weight/weight.html

— Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

Response:

To make this taste even richer, use fat free half n half to make the pudding

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Some easy and very tasty pies can be made with reduced fat graham cracker > pie crusts and fat-free Jello instant pudding mixes, using fat-free milk. > My favorite is to slice two bananas into the pie crusts,  then pour vanilla > pudding in.  In five minutes it’s ready to eat.  Top with fat-free cool > whip.  The variations are endless.  Another favorite  is white chocolate > pudding mix and blend fat-free cool whip into that,  then pour into the pie > crust…mmmmm good. > Gloria > LOL — I need to find that old recipe I had from Dieters Workshop which > involved pie shell, cottage cheese and chocolate flavoring. Man, I > remember it as very good. And it was considered a protein. hehehe > I’m hungry > Duckie > > >PAY!!! I get Pay????  cool > > >Duckie > > You get paid in chocolate, of course. > > Since we are dieting, I’ll share my Nestle’s fat-free, sugar-free > > instant hot cocoa with you. 25 calories a cup. Tastes pretty darned > > good too. Nice n creamy! > > Aim > — > Remove the duck to email me privately  (.)> > A duck’s quack does echo, and every one knows why. > http://people.ne.mediaone.net/maroldc/Weight/weight.html > — > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

Response:

Right-O!     Chocolate cappucchino donation comin’ right up. Gently Warmed Choklit Hugs from Rosie — "If you wanna get it done, you gotta fight for yourself." — Meat Loaf, Bat Outta Hell II

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->PAY!!! I get Pay????  cool >Duckie > You get paid in chocolate, of course. > Since we are dieting, I’ll share my Nestle’s fat-free, sugar-free > instant hot cocoa with you. 25 calories a cup. Tastes pretty darned > good too. Nice n creamy! > Aim

Response:

LOL — I need to find that old recipe I had from Dieters Workshop which involved pie shell, cottage cheese and chocolate flavoring. Man, I remember it as very good. And it was considered a protein. hehehe I’m hungry Duckie >PAY!!! I get Pay????  cool >Duckie > You get paid in chocolate, of course. > Since we are dieting, I’ll share my Nestle’s fat-free, sugar-free > instant hot cocoa with you. 25 calories a cup. Tastes pretty darned > good too. Nice n creamy! > Aim

– Remove the duck to email me privately  (.)> A duck’s quack does echo, and every one knows why. http://people.ne.mediaone.net/maroldc/Weight/weight.html

Response:

It seems to me I heard somewhere that QuanYin9 wrote in article >I am back from Nationals.  I have to first say that I had an incredible time >driving down the coast.  Camped by San Simeon, saw whales, wrote poetry, went >hiking. >Then I got to LA and felt like Melinda’s decent into Hell.  Staples is an >absolutely disabled unfriendly place.  I have seen major ice skating events all >over the country and Canada and never had the trouble I had here.  There is a >tiny amount of disable parking and I sure didn’t get a space.  I spent 20.00 a >day for parking and had to walk so far, it was a major hike. However, still a >piece of cake compared to actually getting there.

[skip rant] >Well, so much for the rant-I am deleting all the posts which are too numerous >to even attempt to wade through.  Is there anything I should know?  Are we all >at least maintaining?

Melinda, IIRC (without researching) the city of Los Angeles sank money into the Staples Center, so I’m sure they would be interested in hearing about your treatment.  From their web page: [Start] Disability Access and Services Department on Disability 333 S Spring St   Los Angeles  CA  90013 Description:   This Division Coordinates and monitors the City’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504). The ADA Compliance Officer and staff work closely with all City departments to facilitate this process, which include: Providing reasonable accommodation for City Employees with Disabilities. Providing reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities who utilize City programs, services, and facilities; and Advocating for persons with disabilities facing discriminatory treatment. [http://www.lacity.org/csdshell/index.cfm?] [End] I’ve had to shorten the URL; if there’s nothing leading to disability or ADA on the index page, I got there by entering ‘disability "city of los angeles"’ into Google. — Don

Response:

>Let’s do it!  Seriously. I’ve been thinking about this for a year.

Works for me! I thought about doing it before. Any thoughts on how you’d like to see it set up? ~KJ Akron, Ohio http://arthritisinsight.com Knowledge is power…support is essential. http://www.arthritisinsight.com/help/donationdrive/index.html AI 2001 Holiday Donation Drive

Response:

Im in…/lets get started, and yes we are teaching him to say Quanyin..>g< johnie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Johnie, > I want a website that is called gimpsgoshopping.com that posts good and bad > stores, venues, cities, etc. for disabled people.  I can just see us all with > our little business cards introducing ourselves as members of GGS (gimps go > shopping) and telling a store manager what they did right and what they need to > change after letting them know that we have a readership of millions of people > who just love to both support and boycott facilities depending on their degree > of handicapped friendliness.  We would have a four star rating system and lots > of clout so that when someone introduced themselves as a memberGGS, managment > would take note.If we get bored this winter or if I move to Tucson, will you > elp me make it happen? > Saw the newest Acacia picture-He is just too cutr for words.  You are telling > him hi from his Aunt Melinda regularly, aren’t you? > M

Response:

>I want a website that is called gimpsgoshopping.com that posts good and bad >stores, venues, cities, etc. for disabled people.

We can do this on AI. Maybe expand it to include hotels, resturants, etc. ~KJ Akron, Ohio http://arthritisinsight.com Knowledge is power…support is essential. http://www.arthritisinsight.com/help/donationdrive/index.html AI 2001 Holiday Donation Drive

Response:

Let’s do it!  Seriously. I’ve been thinking about this for a year. M

Response:

>PAY!!! I get Pay????  cool >Duckie

You get paid in chocolate, of course. Since we are dieting, I’ll share my Nestle’s fat-free, sugar-free instant hot cocoa with you. 25 calories a cup. Tastes pretty darned good too. Nice n creamy! Aim

Response:

>Johnie, >I want a website that is called gimpsgoshopping.com that posts good and bad >stores, venues, cities, etc. for disabled people.  I can just see us all with >our little business cards introducing ourselves as members of GGS (gimps go >shopping) and telling a store manager what they did right and what they need to >change after letting them know that we have a readership of millions of people >who just love to both support and boycott facilities depending on their degree >of handicapped friendliness.  We would have a four star rating system and lots >of clout so that when someone introduced themselves as a memberGGS, managment >would take note.If we get bored this winter or if I move to Tucson, will you >elp me make it happen?

I am ALLLL for this idea!!! If you ever come to Seattle let’s do it. I am serious. Seattle is surprisingly accessibe in most places, but there are a lot of old buildings and such where it is just not possible to get a chair in. Even if they technically have ramps that will fit a chair, they are too steep or go up a hallway that is exactly 2.5 feet wide. Yeah the chair fits, but not if it is a manual chair because there is no room for arms on the outside. Or you can get in and get around but there are two steps down to the bathroom, which is wedged in a triangular space too narrow to turn a chair to get in the door, and then there is a handicapped stall inside. Grrrrr.  People don’t think of such things. grrrr. Anyway, check out this website. They’re starting…. I have written one review and read many.  :-) http://www.wiredonwheels.com/ Aim

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> One of the huge loses I think we all > may face as a result of Sept. 11th is a heightened degree of difficulty as we > try to navigate through this world.  I understand that but I also know with > good training, security people can get the job done with grace and kindness. > It’s a small thing to ask. > We have a multiplex in SAnta Cruz that shows independant film which is more > popular here than commercial film.  They are expanding and have taken over a > beautiful old theatre.  I am helping them with their handicap accessibility > planning.  Little things like a bench that is a little higher in the back, two > chairs in the lobby with the handicap logo on them, and a sign on the > concessions counter inviting disabled people to move to a partiular spot along > the counter so that someone can take their order and  a suggestion box offering > a free pass to anyone with a suggesstion on how to imporve accessiblity will > make this one of the best accessible movie theatres in California.  It will > cost them almost nothing to do these things.  It will bring disabled people out > into the world with more ease. I want a whole world with this degree of > conciousness and caring. > M

One of the knee-jerk reactions to Sept 11 was across the board increase in "security".  And any tendencies to ignore how people were treated were allowed full reign in the name of safety.  However I have great faith in reason over the long haul.  Somebody somewhere will eventually start asking about security measures, what risk do they actually address.  How will doing this makes us safer.  And is the added safety worth the cost, human and otherwise. When we were in Las Vegas, there were security guards outside the casino parking garages 24/7 checking for picture ID’s to allow you to enter the building.  It was cold and windy out.  Now just who in this day and age cannot come up with a presentable looking ID for a situation like that? There are a lot of people who have enough difficulty traveling and enjoying life without being treated badly for their efforts. The theatre sounds great.  When are we going to get the European model in the States where everyone sits in recliners and refreshments are served at seats? Jo

Response:

Paul, I just saw your post on cis.dfn.de server (AOL seems to be dropping a ton of them again).  Thanks for the info-I am putting it to good use. Melinda

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->ey Melinda, I’ve never not felt that way about LA. And Staples, well >its a bit of both. Things have changed since 9/11 but I avoid Staples by >basically not participating in several conferences I attend when they go >to LA. Not sure exactly why, but I am uncomfortable the minute I smell >LA. I have spent more than my share of months working there but in my >old age have refused to go back. >Glad you got home safe. >johnie > big snip < > Then I got to LA and felt like Melinda’s decent into Hell. > I don’t know if Staples is just unfriendly or if this is the brave new >world > post Sept 11th. I

Johnie, I want a website that is called gimpsgoshopping.com that posts good and bad stores, venues, cities, etc. for disabled people.  I can just see us all with our little business cards introducing ourselves as members of GGS (gimps go shopping) and telling a store manager what they did right and what they need to change after letting them know that we have a readership of millions of people who just love to both support and boycott facilities depending on their degree of handicapped friendliness.  We would have a four star rating system and lots of clout so that when someone introduced themselves as a memberGGS, managment would take note.If we get bored this winter or if I move to Tucson, will you elp me make it happen? Saw the newest Acacia picture-He is just too cutr for words.  You are telling him hi from his Aunt Melinda regularly, aren’t you? M

Response:

So sorry to hear you had it so rough.  It is puzzling how people can be so callous. As for your question… as a Canadian, I would like to believe it is the norm.  I’m sure we have our share of horror stories, but personally I have found people to be nearly always helpful and friendly.  I can’t vouch for the rest of the country, but I know that in my children’s schools disability awareness is/was a huge part of their curriculum.   I just hope that it sticks with them as they grow older. Janet N. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have a question for the Canadians in this group.  Every large event I have > attended in every part of Canada has been very disable friendly.  I have had > people constantly go out of there way to help me and do it in a friendly manor. >  Is this the norm?

Response:

Heya, Duckie!      Do you get extra compensation for your "Days of Our Lives" plot summaries? If not, ya oughta put in for it ASAP…with back pay, too.      Who does one gotta see about dis? <g> Gentle Hugs from Rosie — "If you wanna get it done, you gotta fight for yourself." — Meat Loaf, Bat Outta Hell II

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Well that just stinks. There is handicap department for the State of > Mass — is there one for California? Then the City of LA may have one as > well — they need to be able to follow Federal guidelines for > accommodating the handicapped. If they used any federal moneys to build > the thing [bet they did] then they have to oblige. I guess you need to > show up in a wheelchair for them to consider you ‘handicap’. Would an > inflatable pillow raise you enough? Did they leave you with a cane? They > wouldn’t take away your cane would they? > Well — none of that was very helpful and I am going to be more so [not > helpful that is]. > Usually I can do a quick synopsis but I have had three days of no sleep > for some reason and I can’t seem to bring up anything. Several people’s > children? are sick; people have lost pets; Ruth is doing her thing in > the UK re getting Enbrel or Remicade for UK; And Rose is doing the same > for those in Canada; Aim made JD limp; Mama Char is trying to separate > the fighting girls by offering bribes of chocolate; Diane’s book is out > in paper back; KJ was supposed to get Kineret on Friday but Fed Ex lost > it; Nann has just found out that she has Costo which explains why she > hurts, so don’t make her laugh; Johnnie has new pics of that cutie; Mary > Z is back with new pics; and I have just added OA of the spine to my > list of stuff. Where is the return line???  Well did better than I > thought. I know I have forgotten something — I apologize just in case. > Duckie > — > Remove the duck to email me privately  (.)> > A duck’s quack does echo, and every one knows why. > http://people.ne.mediaone.net/maroldc/Weight/weight.html > > I have a question for the Canadians in this group.  Every large event I have > > attended in every part of Canada has been very disable friendly.  I have had > > people constantly go out of there way to help me and do it in a friendly manor. > >  Is this the norm? > > Well, so much for the rant-I am deleting all the posts which are too numerous > > to even attempt to wade through.  Is there anything I should know? Are we all > > at least maintaining? > Welcome back Melinda!  I did light a candle on New Years.  I watched some > of the figure skating on TV; sounds like a letter to Staples is in order. > What rotten treatment for the disabled or slightly disabled. I am way > behind on the posts so I can’t help you much there.  We have a couple > heroines in our midst, Rose and Ruth have been doing some great advocacy > work for us!  – MZ

Response:

Melinda, I was thinking of you as I watched the men’s finals on TV.  I was so pleased with the outcome; sorry you had such an awful time. Gwen

Response:

Melinda, I’m glad you went, but not glad at the treatment. As someone who sat on one of the ADA committees concerning venue accessibility, let me tell you what the law says about this idiots statement: Any public accommodation shall provide reasonable access to ALL events and activities. What this individual said to you is cause for being fired. PERIOD. Indeed, you SHOULD expect the arena to be able to accommodate your circumstances. The only possible exception might be the stool; …In fact there were probably w/c seating sections (where there is either no seat, or a removable one) where your stool would have been appropriate. I don’t know the total height of the stool and that might have been too high for visibility of those behind you in the regular areas. Your stick on the other hand should NEVER have been a question – check it for possible weapon and hand it back! NO ONE MAY BE DENIED THE USE OF AN AID LIKE A CANE, STICK WALKER ETC.!   IMO, this occurrence deserves a letter to the upper management as an education tool. It would help to keep the next from being treated the same way. If you can remember the info like gate number, time, etc. it would help them address the employee responsible. As a Theatre and venue manager for over 20 years, I can tell you that ‘paying’ customers all look green to us – so don’t let one bad apple of a low paid, ill trained idiot continue to spread this behavior! A paid ticket is a paid ticket for crying out loud! As to the security check, braces etc.,? It is a shame but in today’s climate it is necessary to check everything. Unfortunately, these places were never designed to do it, and even for the AB’s it takes forever. AND–they should have had a seat available for the prolonged examination – inexcusable! I have had the occasional airport checker tell me that I have to ‘walk’ through the scanner – without my stick – and some days I just can’t. That is when I insist that a supervisor be brought over – they can damn well do a hand held wand scan – NOW! I hope that you do write that letter! Paul – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >   I was told at one > point the event wasn’t set up for people "like me" and that I shouldn’t expect > the areana to accommodate me.  Geez, I didn’t ask for them to carry me, I just > needed the little aids I brought with me. I mean after all, I did apologize for > the uzi in my wrist brace. > I don’t know if Staples is just unfriendly or if this is the brave new world > post Sept 11th.  I found out before we left Santa Cru, that my friend has > tickets for SLC that were going to be part of my birthday present.  I will stay > comfortably at home and watch from my bedroom.  The thing is, I am so much more > mobile than so many people with disabilities.  Are we all expected to just give > up going out?

Response:

Well that just stinks. There is handicap department for the State of Mass — is there one for California? Then the City of LA may have one as well — they need to be able to follow Federal guidelines for accommodating the handicapped. If they used any federal moneys to build the thing [bet they did] then they have to oblige. I guess you need to show up in a wheelchair for them to consider you ‘handicap’. Would an inflatable pillow raise you enough? Did they leave you with a cane? They wouldn’t take away your cane would they? Well — none of that was very helpful and I am going to be more so [not helpful that is]. Usually I can do a quick synopsis but I have had three days of no sleep for some reason and I can’t seem to bring up anything. Several people’s children? are sick; people have lost pets; Ruth is doing her thing in the UK re getting Enbrel or Remicade for UK; And Rose is doing the same for those in Canada; Aim made JD limp; Mama Char is trying to separate the fighting girls by offering bribes of chocolate; Diane’s book is out in paper back; KJ was supposed to get Kineret on Friday but Fed Ex lost it; Nann has just found out that she has Costo which explains why she hurts, so don’t make her laugh; Johnnie has new pics of that cutie; Mary Z is back with new pics; and I have just added OA of the spine to my list of stuff. Where is the return line???  Well did better than I thought. I know I have forgotten something — I apologize just in case. Duckie — Remove the duck to email me privately  (.)> A duck’s quack does echo, and every one knows why. http://people.ne.mediaone.net/maroldc/Weight/weight.html – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have a question for the Canadians in this group.  Every large event I have > attended in every part of Canada has been very disable friendly.  I have had > people constantly go out of there way to help me and do it in a friendly manor. >  Is this the norm? > Well, so much for the rant-I am deleting all the posts which are too numerous > to even attempt to wade through.  Is there anything I should know?  Are we all > at least maintaining? > Welcome back Melinda!  I did light a candle on New Years.  I watched some > of the figure skating on TV; sounds like a letter to Staples is in order. > What rotten treatment for the disabled or slightly disabled. I am way > behind on the posts so I can’t help you much there.  We have a couple > heroines in our midst, Rose and Ruth have been doing some great advocacy > work for us!  – MZ

Response:

@aol.com says… > I have a question for the Canadians in this group.  Every large event I have > attended in every part of Canada has been very disable friendly.  I have had > people constantly go out of there way to help me and do it in a friendly manor. >  Is this the norm?   > Well, so much for the rant-I am deleting all the posts which are too numerous > to even attempt to wade through.  Is there anything I should know?  Are we all > at least maintaining?

Welcome back Melinda!  I did light a candle on New Years.  I watched some of the figure skating on TV; sounds like a letter to Staples is in order.   What rotten treatment for the disabled or slightly disabled. I am way behind on the posts so I can’t help you much there.  We have a couple heroines in our midst, Rose and Ruth have been doing some great advocacy work for us!  – MZ

Response:

I am back from Nationals.  I have to first say that I had an incredible time driving down the coast.  Camped by San Simeon, saw whales, wrote poetry, went hiking. Then I got to LA and felt like Melinda’s decent into Hell.  Staples is an absolutely disabled unfriendly place.  I have seen major ice skating events all over the country and Canada and never had the trouble I had here.  There is a tiny amount of disable parking and I sure didn’t get a space.  I spent 20.00 a day for parking and had to walk so far, it was a major hike. However, still a piece of cake compared to actually getting there.  One thing I have found interesting about having RA is the constant need to find strategies that compensate for my lessened mobility.  I have a great walking stick that I take everywhere I will have to climb large numbers of stairs.  I have this amazing little stool that is very portable and taller than a chair that I have taken with me to concerts, plays, skating events.  I have never had a problem with taking it(I obviously don’t set it in the aisle but I am great at finding a little corner.  It is a necessity for practice sessions when seating isn’t assigned and it is never close to full.  I was told originally when I got our tickets that I would be able to bring it with me (getting up from a low seat is one of my most painful things). I arrive at the door.  We are told there will be no passouts meaning I am stuck here for all the events my ticket covers during the day.  This is not part of my survival strategy.  I need to be able to walk around, to find healthy food (staples has the most overpriced juck food I have ever seen with small bottles of water costing 4.50).  Well, I quickly gave up that idea.  I was then told by the usher (who had the worst attitudes I have ever experienced anywhere) that my walking stick would have to be checked.  I told him I would gladly check my stick if they would change my seats from the nosebleed section to something accessible.  Got to keep the stick. However, didn’t get to keep my little portable seat.   Then I was asked to take off my wrist braces as part of their security check.  I’m not flying here-it’s a skating event for God’s sake.  It took me over 30 minutes just to pass through their security.I, of course, had to stand the whole time.  I was told at one point the event wasn’t set up for people "like me" and that I shouldn’t expect the areana to accommodate me.  Geez, I didn’t ask for them to carry me, I just needed the little aids I brought with me. I mean after all, I did apologize for the uzi in my wrist brace.   I don’t know if Staples is just unfriendly or if this is the brave new world post Sept 11th.  I found out before we left Santa Cru, that my friend has tickets for SLC that were going to be part of my birthday present.  I will stay comfortably at home and watch from my bedroom.  The thing is, I am so much more mobile than so many people with disabilities.  Are we all expected to just give up going out?   I have a question for the Canadians in this group.  Every large event I have attended in every part of Canada has been very disable friendly.  I have had people constantly go out of there way to help me and do it in a friendly manor.  Is this the norm?   Well, so much for the rant-I am deleting all the posts which are too numerous to even attempt to wade through.  Is there anything I should know?  Are we all at least maintaining? Melinda

Response:

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