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In Defense of the Veteran By Paul Sherbo
Some time ago, an aspiring novelist visited the VA Office of Public Affairs (OPA) Regional Office in Denver to get some information for a book she wants to write. The plot? A Vietnam veteran involved in a gruesome murder ... and I said, "Oh, please."
In the summer of 1998 1 wrote an article for our OPA newsletters on the facts versus fiction about veterans. I am far from being the only one who talks about this. I drew all my facts from research done by many much bigger players with far more resources.
I would like to tell you that, as a result of those studies and research, the media and public image of veterans (and specifically, Vietnam veterans) has turned for the better. I would like to tell you that, but it would not be true. Consider the following items:
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Posted by Admindonon Saturday, July 05 @ 09:19:54 CDT (45 reads)
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LIVES REMOTES!
We now have the ability to come out and do LIVE REMOTES. Since we are only on Saturdays from Noon till 2 that will be the time frame that we can do this LIVE REMOTES.
So, if you are having an event coming up and you might like to have us come out and be part of the event, then please contact us via the web or call DON at (904) 786-9094.
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Posted by admindonon Monday, September 10 @ 06:43:55 CDT (277 reads)
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FREE WEBSITE PROMOTES SUPPORT GROUPS
There is a
new, easy way for support organizations and support groups to get the word out
to the public that they exist and for the public to find help. It’s
www.mysupportjax.com a free website with a simple purpose – to help people.
On the Home Page you will find over 70 categories containing close to 300
listings. Click on a category and then the specific listing to learn what’s
offered. Best of all, you will also find a live link to that organization’s
website as well as an active email address of the contact person. For example,
categories currently listed include: Active Seniors, Adoption, Alcoholism,
Al-Anon, Alzheimers/Related, Blind or Low Vision, Cancer, Disability Services,
Divorced/Separated, Employment Services, Family, Fatherhood, Fibromyalgia,
Grief/Bereavement, Household Item Abuse, Kids, Mental Health, Mentoring,
Mothers, Multiple Sclerosis, Pornography Addiction, Restless Leg Syndrome,
Stroke, Suicide, Victims of Crime, and many others.
If you are
a person in need of help, check out the site. You might find exactly what you
are looking for.
_______________________________________________________
For more
information about the development and operation of
www.mysupportjax.com call me, Tom Golatz, at 904-382-6250 or email me at
mysupportjax@mysupportjax.com. I would be happy to provide additional
information for a public service announcement and am also available for an
interview or to make a presentation.
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Posted by admindonon Sunday, September 02 @ 15:39:38 CDT (212 reads)
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Las Cruces Resident with Disability Sues Mall for Banning Segways
Anonymous writes "Las Cruces Resident with Disability Sues Mall for Banning Segways
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 29, 2007
CONTACT: Whitney Potter (505) 266 5915 ext. 1003 Cell (505) 507 9898 or Joleen Youngers (505) 541-8000
Las Cruces, NM—A man with a disability is suing the corporation that manages Mesilla Valley Mall in Las Cruces and its local manager for prohibiting him from entering the mall on his Segway, a self-balancing, two-wheeled transportation machine. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico claims that Jones Lang Lasalle, Inc. is violating John R. Funk’s rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Funk, who suffers from severe scoliosis and spinal stenosis, uses the Segway as an alternative to a wheelchair as his principal assistive transportation device.
“Mr. Funk prefers to use a Segway over a wheelchair because it allows him to stay at eye level with other people,” said ACLU executive director Peter Simonson. “The mall is penalizing him for trying to overcome the effects of his disability in this way. Too often, people with disabilities are treated as second class citizens, shunned and segregated by physical barriers and social stereotypes.”
The local mall’s manager has refused to reasonably accommodate Mr. Funk’s disability and allow him access to the mall. Funk has enlisted Las Cruces attorney Joleen K. Youngers and the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico to sue the mall’s management. Ms. Youngers and the ACLU have requested a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction so that Funk may be allowed back into the mall while the case is pending.
Segways have become popular among come veteran groups because of the advantages that they present over wheelchairs for severely injured servicemen and women. In September 2005, a group called Disability Rights Advocates for Technology (DRAFT) launched a nation-wide campaign (Segs4Vets) to provide Segways to every U.S. soldier who has been disabled by an injury while serving our country.
As part of the lawsuit, Funk seeks an order compelling the mall to modify its policy to allow Funk and other people with disabilities to use assistive mobility devices such as the Segway, and not only traditional, and less agile, devices such as wheelchairs.
ACLU of New Mexico cooperating attorney Joleen K. Youngers of Almanzar & Youngers, P.A. and ACLU of New Mexico staff attorney George Bach filed the lawsuit yesterday in the Third District Court in Las Cruces. The case has been assigned to the Honorable Robert E. Robles.
Local DRAFT Advocate:
Alan Maccini
904-234-4587
www.DRAFT.org
AMaccini@DRAFT.cc
"
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Posted by admindonon Wednesday, August 15 @ 14:59:35 CDT (218 reads)
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Segs4Vets-Keeping our Disabled Vets moving.
Anonymous writes "With the large military presence here in Northeast Florida I thought that our Segs4Vets program may be of interest.
In September 2005 Disability Rights Advocates For Technology ,DRAFT, launched the Segs4Vets program with the goal of providing Segways to every United States Soldier whose service to our country resulted in disability and difficulty walking.
This is done by "Grass Roots" fundraising worldwide.
After I suffered a Spinal Cord Injury in 2004 my wife and I decided to dedicate some time and money to a related cause.
That's what brought us to the Segs4Vets program. I know what use of the Segway has done for myself and others with a wide variety of mobility related problems.
These American Heroes deserve the same so we are proud to be donating a Segway to this upcoming ceremony. We are also honored to be invited to attend the event.
The presentation ceremony on December 6 2006 will be a part of the Severely Injured Marines and Sailors Initiative Luncheon at the Army Navy Country Club. SIMS is a program that was started by the Secretary of the Navy in an effort to cut through all of the red tape and bureaucracy faced by our severely injured military personnel. All of the federal agencies which deal with programs to assist our severely injured are represented in this initiative and every month they gather to work together to find solutions to issues which they can apply system wide. Even though this initiative is under the Secretary of the Navy I believe all branches of service are participating in this very common sense approach. Assistant Secretary of the Navy, USMC Colonel William O'Brien left a private law practice in California to return to Washington, DC to head up this initiative and he is passionate about serving all of our severely injured military personnel.
The luncheon will be presided over by Assistant Secretary of the Navy Barney Barnum and the Segs4Vets presentation will be made by General Ed Eberhart who retired on January 1, 2005. At the time of his retirement General Eberhart was
the Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command, and the United States
Northern Command. Our Segs4Vets program was conceived and started with the assistance of General Eberhart who is currently president of the Armed Forces Benefit Association headquartered in Alexandria Virginia.
WE ARE ALSO THERE FOR EVERY DISABLED PERSON.
The development of new technologies has profound implications for people with
disabilities. It is creating products and environments offering them the opportunity to more fully participate in our society and enhance the quality of their lives.
Disability Rights Advocates For Technology is dedicated to promoting the increase in access to, provision of, and funding for, assistive technology
devices and assistive technology services, in order to empower individuals with disabilities so that they can achieve greater independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion within the community and the workforce.
Please visit our website for more information .
www.DRAFT.cc
Thank you for your time and have a Happy Holiday Season.
Regards,
Alan Maccini
Local Advocate for DRAFT
Segforlegs@bellsouth.net
"
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Posted by admindonon Tuesday, March 27 @ 11:58:50 CDT (366 reads)
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