Category: Neil Sauter walks on stilts for CP
Posted by Neil Sauter on Wed, May 14, 2008 at 9:42 PMDay 10: Rainy Wednesday (again)
Thanks to my sponsors, Keith and Barb Lane, Dr. Ella Noel and Jen Bayer.
I had walked a total of 10 steps this morning when the rain began to pour down. It rained hard for about two hours, but then drizzled throughout the day. Due to the rain and because the Grand Rapids area press had not covered my walk yet, I had very few people stop to talk or make donations.
I made about 10 miles in the morning before stopping, but then struggled through another 12 in the afternoon. Once my pants get wet they become heavier and I was also carrying my backpack today.
One pleasure of the day was that I had many places to sit down without having to take off my stilts. I was able to do that four times, which is amazing considering I have only had that opportunity once or twice in the previous nine days of walking.
I was disappointed and couldn't figure out why the media wasn't interested in the walk for most the day. Only Channel 3 came out to do a story. I discovered in the evening that Barrack Obama was in town making a speech.
Overall I went about 22 miles, reaching my destination again!
Check out my Web site to learn more about my attempt to walk 830 miles around Michigan - on stilts - to raise money for United Cerebral Palsy of Michigan.
Category: Sports
Posted by McKinzie Brantley on Wed, May 14, 2008 at 8:44 PMWould-be Olympian challenges our pre-conceptions
A recent blog by Cheryl Angelelli about a would-be Olympian stuck with me.
You may recall that, in January, the The International Amateur Athletic Federation, track & field's governing body, ruled that Oscar Pistorius - a double amputee -could not compete against runners without disabilities in the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Pistorius, who uses two lightweight prosthetics in order to run, is appealing the ruling. He hopes to get an answer by the end of this month.
This is not the first time someone with a disability has petitioned the courts for the right to compete. About eight years ago Casey Martin, a pro golfer with a circulatory disability, asked the U.S. Supreme Court to allow him to use a cart so he did not have to walk the entire course.
The court ruled that using a cart did not give Martin an unfair advantage over those who walked the course.
Like Martin, Oscar Pistorius deserves to have his eligibility considered. On the other hand, if his prosthetics do actually give him an advantage, then allowing him to compete is unfair. Whatever the decision, getting a clear "yes or no" answer would be ideal.
Unfortunately, in Pistorius's case, two sets of experts already disagree over whether or not his prosthetics give him an advantage. His opponents say, "We're only protecting the integrity of the Olympics," by keeping him out.
If Pistorius can prove his prosthetics don't give him an advantage, then it may open up mainstream amateur sports to other individuals who use assistive technology, prosthetics or other accommodations. As the line between "athletes with disabilities/athletes" continues to blur, we might look back on this case, too.
Oscar Pistorius is forcing us to consider whether our definitions of competition are becoming outdated.
Category: Sports
Posted by Bethany Broadwell on Wed, May 14, 2008 at 1:29 PMWheelchair Games encourage interaction, independence
Reading about John Lee's performance in the Michigan Wheelchair Games was a reminder to me about the importance of staying active and engaged in the community. Isolation can be a debilitating side effect of having a disability. Lee described the competition, held in Macomb County, as being a venue for meeting people, having fun, testing his capabilities and proving his determination.
Lee's participation and victories in the Wheelchair Games demonstrates that people who have a passion for an activity can generally find a way to pursue their hobbies and interests. The athlete who is a quadruple amputee shot an air rifle and played billiards, ultimately earning five gold and six silver medals.
Most of all, I admire Lee's winning attitude. I love his line: "I will not stop." That's the spirit!
Category: Neil Sauter walks on stilts for CP
Posted by Neil Sauter on Tue, May 13, 2008 at 10:10 PMDay 9: Beautiful day on Portland Road
Thanks to my sponsors for the month, Keith and Barb Lane, the week, Dr. Ella Noel, and for the day, Bea Thompson.
Portland was a nice little town to walk through this morning with a beautiful riverfront. Once I left town on my stilts I spent most of the morning on an isolated portion of Portland Road. With little traffic and cool weather I made about 10 miles before stopping at 10:30 a.m. to talk with Frank from the Ionia paper.
I enjoyed my successful morning by taking my sweet time in the afternoon. I stopped for a nap in front of 96 Speedway, was brought into Morrison Lake Country Club for a lunch and just took my time talking to people when they stopped.
I stopped to take a picture with a family, but when I leaned down I lost my balance and fell to the grass. They helped me up, but my feet had come out of the straps so I fell over immediately when I tried to walk again. I felt quite foolish and uncoordinated.
My ankle was not feeling well today, which was quite an annoyance, but I made it all 20 miles. Instead of heading south into Clarksville I just ended my day about a mile west of town.
Check out my Web site to learn more about my attempt to walk 830 miles around Michigan - on stilts - to raise money for United Cerebral Palsy of Michigan.
Category: Neil Sauter walks on stilts for CP
Posted by Neil Sauter on Mon, May 12, 2008 at 10:43 PMDay 8: If you fall off your stilts, get back up
Thanks to my sponsors for the month, Keith and Barb Lane, the week, Dr. Ella Noel, and for the day, Tricia.
Leaving for my daily 20-mile trek on stilts from the Capitol Building in downtown Lanisng this morning, I was seen off by five members from the staff/board of UCP. I had hoped for a chance to meet Gov. Granholm, but there was no sign of her. (She's recuperating from surgery.) Glenn walked with me for a few miles through Lansing, explaining some of the history of the neighborhoods.
Once outside the city limits, all signs of sidewalks and shoulders disappeared and I was forced to walk in tall grass along the roadside for a few miles. I had only been enjoying the delusion that I could walk through anything for a few minutes when I suffered my first fall of the trip stepping out of the grass and onto the road. A nice man named Eric was quick to pull over and helped me stand back up.
Once I reached Grand River Avenue, the day became very enjoyable. It was chilly out so I felt quite comfortable walking. The people of the Eagle/Portland area were very nice. All day people stopped to make donations or offer me water. I was invited into Hufnagel Auto Shop for a rest, allowed to sit in the grass at Hope Lutheran Church, given cookies and taken out to dinner at the Red Tomato.
I made all 20 miles into Portland and had the pleasure of spending the evening with my fiance, Kelly.
Check out my Web site to learn more about my attempt to walk 830 miles around Michigan - on stilts - to raise money for United Cerebral Palsy of Michigan.
Category: Health care
Posted by McKinzie Brantley on Mon, May 12, 2008 at 9:25 PMCost of caring for vets with disabilities rises
Pretty interesting piece in the Kansas City Star about veterans with disabilities and the rising costs of their health care needs.
"Despite a decline in the total number of veterans -- as soldiers from World War II and Korea die -- the government expects to be spending $59 billion a year to compensate injured warriors in 25 years, up from today's $29 billion."
Category: Clothing
Posted by Neeru Sharma on Mon, May 12, 2008 at 7:14 PMDress for success despite small size
If you want to look stylish and professional but are small in size or use a wheelchair, then finding clothes can be a challenge.
I enjoy looking nice and wearing clothes that allow me to have a positive image, but are also functional and easy to wear. Luckily, since my childhood my parents have been particular that my clothes are age appropriate and that I don't look like a child even if I am small-sized adult.
My lessons on buying clothes come from many, many, many hours of shopping research, networking with other small women or wheelchair users and reading about others' experiences. Dressing nice is a great way to project your best self to the world.
Here is my advice:
1) Shop for clothes in adult petite sections when possible. It is better to wear extra small at Ann Taylor Loft than clothes from children's stores. However, pants are easier to find in the right size in the children's departments.
2) Get a tailor: Find someone good or learn how to tailor clothes when things need hemming or shortening.
3) Search catalogs and the Web. Nowadays there is so much more available.
4) My favorite stores are Macy's, Ann Taylor Loft, Lands End catalog, Nordstrom's, Target, The Limited and TJ Maxx.
5) Shoes are a major challenge if your feet are small. Great places to shop are Nordstrom and online sites catering to petite foot sizes. Lands End also has some nice stylish shoes in small sizes. Some high-end children's boutiques also sell stylish shoes.
What are some of your favorite places to get right-sized clothing and shoes?
Category: Autism
Posted by Nick Assendelft on Mon, May 12, 2008 at 1:02 PMFamilies argue autism-vaccine link
Families that have children with autism get their day in court beginning today when they argue that a preservative that contains mercury is to blame for their child's autism.
It's a compelling argument, one vehemently championed by Jenny McCarthy. Most of the medical community disputes a link between autism and thimerosal, the additive that once was prevalent in vaccines, but no longer.
It could be months before a ruling is handed down in the U.S. Court of Claims.
You can bet that when that ruling comes, whichever side wins will launch a media blitz to bolster their views. At stake is millions of dollars and the lives of thousands of children.
I'll be watching the case's progress.
Category: 2008 Paralympics
Posted by Cheryl Angelelli on Sun, May 11, 2008 at 7:42 PMPBS to air documentary on Paralympic swimmer Cheryl Angelelli
In celebration of the upcoming 2008 Paralympic Games, Disabilities Today, a half-hour television show on PBS, is airing my documentary, "Untold Dreams." The documentary chronicles my life story, from a teenager struggling to accept life with a disability, to a world-class athlete with dreams of winning a Paralympic medal.
The film was shot over a period of a year and a half in 2003 and follows my training leading up to the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens and my medal-winning performance.
The documentary will air in two parts beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 13 and Tuesday, May 20. Check the Web site for a station in your area.
Category: Neil Sauter walks on stilts for CP
Posted by Neil Sauter on Sun, May 11, 2008 at 9:24 AMDay 6: I enjoyed my day off by walking 9 miles
I would like to thank the people who are sponsoring my walk across Michigan on stilts to raise money for UCP: Month sponsors Keith and Barb Lane and my week sponsor, St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Blissfield.
I scheduled the weekends for rest or keeping up to schedule, so Saturday I had to walk 9 miles from Vandercook Lake to Napoleon to make up for miles I didn't get to Wednesday.
Walking without my backpack, in beautiful weather and country, and meeting lots of friendly people, it was the ideal day of a stilt walk across the state. Several people came out to greet me, make a donation, take a picture, offer water or give encouragement. I even got a ride home from a teacher named Shelly at the end of the day. I had planned to take M-50 but decided to take the more scenic and slightly longer back way and it was well worth it.
In the evening I was able to catch the tail end of a once a month Saturday night worship service at Concord United Methodist church, where my fiance went to church as a kid. There is a small group of people who attend regularly and it was great to see them all again, share stories and receive their encouragement.
