A bit about me. Know that I believe in business. I believe in an economy that gives people the incentive to gain financial rewards for providing products and services that people need, at a price that is fair in exchange for the value. I’m a capitalist at heart.

I am not a usual reader of the "Wall Street Journal"; it's just too conservative for me. But last week, I encountered an excellent article by arts critic Terry Teachout. Mr. Teachout brought up a topic that has been on my mind for quite a while, but I never thought that anyone else would voice my thoughts in such a well-written article. The subject of the article was what Mr. Teachout feels is the decline of PBS.

One act of kindness can change a life. Here is a great story I came across about a disabled woman who was stranded at the Chicago Airport and a friendly stranger helped her. I think that most people are kind, although some really are heroes and extraordinary.  Chloe Magazine would like to commend this man and his family for helping this lady on her travels.

To the disability community and allies:

Happy New Year!  ADAPT is working to improve our outreach this year so that we can continue to organize like never before.  Help us learn how to stay in better touch with you by filling out a short online survey.  Understanding what people know about ADAPT and our communications will only help us all better work together.  In addition, there is a space for any general feedback that you would like to give ADAPT.

One lucky survey participant will win a free Chicago ADAPT t-shirt with the original logo by Anna Stonum and the slogan “ADAPT or Perish!”  If you want to be considered for the t-shirt prize, you MUST leave your e-mail or phone number in the comment box for survey question number 10.  

To go to the survey online, please click on this link:

If you have trouble accessing the link or the survey itself, please contact Amber Smock of Chicago ADAPT at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The survey will be open online until 5 pm CST Tuesday, January 26.  We value your feedback and look forward to working with you to FREE OUR PEOPLE in 2010!

The ADAPT Community

It came across a disability support list.

Woman: "People stare at me whenever I go anywhere. I try to ignore them, but I'm embarrassed. Any advice?"

Man: "You are wrong to feel embarrassed.. The people who are looking at you are admiring your courage in adversity. That shouldn't embarrass you - it should make you feel proud and happy that people recognize your bravery. I bet if you speak kindly to any one of them, you'll strike up a conversation during which they will acknowledge your courage."

Dear Friendly Stranger,

I just wanted to drop you a note to remark on our wonderful encounter over the weekend.

I must apologize for my extreme rudeness. Had I not been in such a rush, I would have taken the time to answer your questions about my sex life, my disability, how I go to the bathroom and the countless others that you shouted at me in slow motion while I was shopping.

Many people who are disabled will tune into Joyce Bender of Disability Matters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. You can hear all her shows on line also on the link below. Joyce is not only an advocate but an excellent roll model for all disabled women. I hope that you tune into her program and learn what it takes in todays world as a woman or a person with a disability.

Joyce A. Bender is the CEO and Founder of Bender Consulting Services, Inc., and Bender Consulting Services of Canada, Inc. These companies provide technology consulting services to their customers and competitive employment opportunities for people with disabilities. As well, Joyce is the CEO of Bender and Associates International, Inc., an executive search firm that has over 25 years of experience specializing in technology and management search.

Link to Disability Matters with Joyce Bender

The Not-Me! System is made up of three major components: Strategy, the Mind Body Emotion Principle, and Tactics & Techniques. The first is a comprehensive strategy that encompasses all phases of self-defense from start to finish. The second draws upon your motivation, emotions, and will to survive. Lastly, there is the use of verbal and physical tactics & techniques to implement the Strategy.

The Not-Me! Strategy Summarized
The purpose of the Not-Me! strategy is to enable you to survive an encounter with a violent aggressor without significant injury. Therefore, you prevail if:

1 the aggressor is deterred from attacking
2 the aggressor disengages his attack
3 you escape from your aggressor
4 others come to your aid
5 your aggressor is unable to carry out his plan and you are not seriously injured.Not Me!!! A great website that will give you some information on

Click here to See website

Sometime, people in our community - you know, the ones where the select few of us are thrust into - this community sometimes really amazes me with regard to the true aspect of human will and tenacity.  Mitch is one of those people. Just going along in his life, and wham, it happens.

I met Mitch at an Expo or an event I attended, or heck, it might have been during one of my rambling moments when I grab some poor unexpecting individual and just say, “hi,” or start a conversation with them.  Anyway, here is his inspiring real life blog that he works on. I have always said to people in general, “Never think you won't become disabled; it is a matter of when.”  Some of us have accidents that really tick us off; others are inflicted with bodily fate and a disabling disease.   Others just think it is old age when disability takes over. We have only one choice, and that is the will to live, to love and to be whoever we wish to be.   Mitch is one of us, and I hope you enjoy his blog, "Enjoying the Ride."

(Excerpt) "Before my diagnosis I had a Chemical Engineering degree, an MBA, and a promising career. I had an amazing wife and two wonderful children (still do). I had a nice house with a swimming pool, a big lawn, and a bunch of toys. I was living the dream. I enjoyed a variety of physical activities such as golf, camping, hunting…operating the brake and gas pedals with my feet, typing, and standing in the shower. Then one day as I was jogging on my treadmill I noticed that my left foot went slap, slap, on the treadmill, whereas my right foot smoothly transitioned from heel to toe, heel to toe. After a year of visits to an assortment of specialists, I was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis, a particularly disabling variety of MS. Eight years later I sit here in my power wheelchair, dictating to my computer because my hands won’t allow me to type more than a couple of sentences. I can’t work anymore, and my wife now doubles as my caregiver. I’ve started this blog to help me pass the time while engaged in a productive activity- advocating for the disabled community, of which I am now a reluctant member. I am Mitch, and despite everything I am simply enjoying the ride."

Enjoy the Ride Blog

Inspiration can happen in a photo or actions of many.  Veiw this site, and you will be inspired within yourself or through the lives of many others. Viewing the many faces of disability on thise site will inspire us to work on issues, obtain employment, and live our lives.

The Victor Pineda Foundation (VPF) is an educational non-profit organization that promotes the rights and dignities of young people with disabilities. Our fieldwork and research initiatives further an inclusive human and civil rights approach to disability programs and policies. We work to build inclusive societies where young people with disabilities can develop their talents, skills and abilities and reach their full potential.

"It's Our Story" Flag is a conceptual art presentation of how disability has touched our lives over the past 50 years. It represents a work in progress. "And what's the work? The work is to ease the pain of living, everything else, drunken-dumb show."