RIP Stella Young

Osteogenesis Imperfecta Educational Film

This film from the UK's Brittle Bone Society is worth a look.

The Wheelmap app will take you places

Donald Barrie

Back in October, I (Donald) got to interview Raul Krauthausen, creator and developer of the Wheelmap app. Krauthausen is a 34-year-old social activist and communications specialist from Germany, who, in 2010, released an app that maps out what public places provide accessibility to people who use wheelchairs.

Wheelmap, according to Krauthausen, “is based on the principle of a cooperative community – many people collect and share their information on the wheelchair-accessibility of public places. For this purpose, the map uses a simple traffic light system which is easy to understand for everyone. Wheelmap.org is based on the geo-data of OpenStreetMap.org and works in all parts of the world. It is now available in 22 languages.”

Here are some of the questions I asked him, with his responses.

DB: What led to the creation of this phone app? Has there been anything like this before?

Raul Krauthausen

RK: The idea developed from an actual everyday life situation: A friend complained about having to meet in the same café every time. We both didn’t know in which café it’d be possible for us to meet. In this situation I thought that a map which shows the wheelchair accessibility of places in the surrounding area would be helpful.

There were and still are various local applications of maps which have focussed on the accessibility of a city or a region. However, they are widely lacking the knowledge of the crowd, meaning the data had been collected and administrated by a central institution.

DB: How has your app enabled people with disabilities?

RK: Thanks to Wheelmap, millions of people with mobility impairments have a guide for wheelchair-accessible places now. With Wheelmap it is easier to discover new places in everyday life and to meet other people, impaired or not.

DB: How has Wheelmap impacted Germany?

RK: It would surely be overconfident to claim that Wheelmap.org has triggered a real change in society. However, I hope that people understand Wheelmap as a tool that contributes the perspective of innovation and self-determination to the topic of inclusion. More and more local initiatives in or outside of Germany rely on the possibility to become active themselves and take accessibility into their own hands.

DB: Would you describe Germany as an accessible country for people with disabilities?

RK: The level of accessibility still varies from city to city and region to region in Germany. In Berlin the public transport is quite good for people with disabilities considering the low-floor buses and the ramps that are available on the underground platforms. However, there are still elevators missing – or elevators that don’t work. The latter is also the topic of another project, called brokenlifts.org. (It launched on October 8.)

Last but not least, Berlin is also shaped by a lot of old buildings where sometimes only one step makes a location inaccessible. That’s why we’ve started the initiative “1001 ramps” and the shop wheelramp.de as an easy solution for the amount of only-one-step-places.

DB: Can you tell me how you’ve been able to navigate through the area of the country you live in, as a person with a physical disability?

RK: I use a wheelchair all day and every day. My daily route from my home to work and back is a quite navigable distance of 3 kilometers in each direction. There is only one bus line that I can take to work. But I only take the bus in winter because the bus takes longer than I do with my wheelchair. When I travel to another city I always check the website of the local public transportation provider to see if the train station is wheelchair accessible. If it isn't I have to rethink my route. I don't have a car or a driver's license.

DB: You obviously take an interest in technology. The name of the blogsite I contribute to is called Technology Enables Me. How has technology enabled you as a person with a disability?

RK: Starting with my electrical wheelchair, which affords me a level of independence and mobility that would otherwise not be possible, over my smartphone and my laptop which enable me to carry out my internet based work, technology is omnipresent in my life.

DB: Do you see the app catching on in other countries?

RK: Yes! There are ‘wheelmappers’ everywhere, from Japan to England to Switzerland. It’s great to see that so many people use the app and map places everywhere. And the app is particularly useful when abroad.

DB: What do you like most about Wheelmap?

RK: The app contributes to my personal freedom and happiness by making my everyday life simpler. Mobility is a major aspect of being able to lead a happy life, and the app provides information that allows me to be more mobile and participate in “normal” situations and events.

You can learn more about Wheelmap and download it at http://wheelmap.org/en/.

Donald wishes you a Happy Halloween!

RIP Gerry Parkes, the Doc from Fraggle Rock

Post by Muppet Wiki.

My message from Christopher Reeve

Last Friday (Oct. 10) was the 10th anniversary of Christoper Reeve's passing. Last week I shared this email on my Facebook page for the first time. In 2002, I wrote a 50th birthday message to Christopher Reeve, through his Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. There was an open invitation to visitors of its website to send him a birthday message (his b-day was Sept. 25). I received a warm thank you note, which apparently came from the man itself. 

A few years after his death I met two people from the foundation in Toronto. I asked them if his email came from him personally, and they believed he did take the time to thank people individually (w/ help from his staff). I choose to believe this is true.

Here is the message typed out in case you have trouble reading the original:

Thursday, September 19, 2002 12:15 PM

A personal note from Christopher Reeve

Dear Don,

Thank you so much for taking the time to send an electronic card for my 50th birthday! Your support means the world because it demonstrates your concern for me and millions of other people afflicted by spinal cord injury and other disabling conditions.

As you read, an anonymous donor has pledged to donate $1 to the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation (CRPF) for every card sent, and this will significantly impact our cutting-edge spinal cord research and quality of life programs. I hope that you will stay informed about our progress and help spread the word about CRPF.

With warmth and gratitude,

Christopher Reeve
(dictated, not signed)

RIP Jan Hooks

Jan Hooks is one of my favourite Saturday Night Live cast members from the '80s.

RIP Fr. Benedict Groeschel

Jose Feliciano at the CNE Bandshell

In August I saw Latin American folk singer Jose Feliciano play a show at the CNE Bandshell (Toronto). At 69, he is still in good, strong voice. Here is a clip from the show, where he revisits his cover of "California Dreamin'."

My favourite song of Summer 2014

During the summer, Chicago, one of my favourite bands, released their 36th album, Now (aka Chicago XXXVI). The title track became my favourite song over the summer. The song connects deeply with me, and I take its message to my heart and mind. I listen to it often, because I wish to apply its message to my life every single day.

Though Chicago's newer songs get less attention than their older material, I believe "Now" blends in well alongside their classic '70s and '80s hits. If you listen to this song 'now' you'll understand what I mean.

Chicago must be doing something right since their music continues to be enjoyed by fans old and new. They still record and tour frequently. I like how Chicago sounds... now.

The Corries' "Flower of Scotland"

Inspiration for Innovation: How disabilities are changing big business

Meeting the man behind Big Bird (and Oscar the Grouch)

Me with Caroll Spinney, plus two of his closest friends from Sesame Street

On April 27 of this year, a documentary film called I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story made its world premiere at the HotDocs festival in Toronto. In case you don't know who Mr. Spinney is, you've likely grown up hearing his voice on the now 45-year-old children's TV show Sesame Street.

Spinney has performed both Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch since the series began. At 80 years old, he is the last of the original Muppet performers who can still be heard regularly on the show every weekday morning. He has lived an extraordinary and rewarding life, and I highly recommend seeing his movie. I don't like to give spoilers, except to say that through some dramatic highs and lows, Caroll Spinney has managed to maintain his artistic integrity as an actor, animator, singer and comic performer.

One of my favourite moments in I Am Big Bird is his fond remembrance of Jim Henson, his late mentor and best friend.



Spinney, like Henson, comes across as a gentle genius. I saw the film four days after its premiere with a packed audience. After the screening, he and the two directors appeared and took some questions from the audience. I even got to ask him a question about a book I loved as a child, How to Be a Grouch. Spinney, who wrote and illustrated the book credited to Oscar the Grouch, shared that he came up with the book's concept as a self-book for aspiring grouches.

A few minutes after leaving the theatre, I got to meet him! He was warm and friendly, and genuinely pleased to meet with some of his lifelong fans. At one point during our conversation, he asked me if I had the same physical disability as Tarah Schaeffer, a former child actress who acted on Sesame Street during the '90s. The question didn't bother me because I remembered seeing her on the show. In fact, I was honoured he mentioned her because I told him I had made contact with her on Facebook. He seemed quite impressed!

Here is a profile of Caroll Spinney done by CBC earlier this year.



I enjoyed meeting Spinney and watching his film. Meeting him and seeing I Am Big Bird is an early nominee for personal favourite moment of 2014.

As I said goodbye to Caroll Spinney, he said, as Big Bird, "Nice to meet you," followed by "Have a rotten day" in his Oscar voice.

My trip to Indianapolis

This summer I took a road trip to the USA. The main reason was to attend a conference in Indianapolis for people living with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), or brittle bones. It was my third conference with the Maryland-based Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation. 

My trip actually began in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where my parents and I spent the night before going to Chicago, Illinois. The most notable thing about Kalamazoo is that it is mentioned in a famous big band song by Glenn Miller, called “I’ve Got a Gal in Kalamazoo.” Needless to say, I did not get a gal in Kalamazoo. I did however have a good meal at Applebee’s and a restful night’s sleep at the hotel we stayed at.

The following day we drove to the north side of Chicago for a baseball game between the Cubs and the Colorado Rockies. The game was played at the historic Wrigley Field. At 100 years old this year, Wrigley is one of the last of the old ballparks still standing. I enjoyed the experience of being at Wrigley Field. It was a dream come true for me to watch a game there, and right at centre field. Wrigley is accessible as can be, despite the fact that it is old and not designed for accessibility. All visitors with disabilities require assistance getting on and off the lifts, because they cannot be operated easily.

What I liked most about Wrigley Field, aside from seeing a baseball game, was the friendly staff. They were eager to help anyone, and didn’t hesitate to greet people with a wave and a smile. The Cubs won the game 4-2.

Donald inside Wrigley Field in Chicago

Getting in and out of Chicago wasn’t as fun due to bridge congestion on the south side. It was worth seeing Chicago again for the second time in my life. The long waits in and out of the city were worth it.

Late that night we arrived in Indiana. The conference began the following day, a Friday. At the opening address, the guest speaker said Indianapolis is one of the most accessible and disability-friendly cities in America. I put that theory to the test throughout that weekend.

A few hours before the conference started, I went on one of the city’s buses operated by the IndyGo transportation service. I wanted to explore the city by venturing outside of the downtown area where our hotel was located. IndyGo requires all wheelchair users to be tied down when boarding a bus. That was the best part of going on one of their buses. The worst part of the ride was making frequent stops on a ride that should have only been 20 minutes long. I decided instead to go back to the hotel. What I discovered, however, was that some of the streets do not have sidewalks. This made crossing the road dangerous and scary. Fortunately some kind residents guided me along to the other side of the street. I arrived back to the hotel safely by bus.

I love going to OI Foundation conferences because it keeps me updated on the latest research on OI, and also gives me a chance to reconnect with other people who live with this condition. It also provides opportunities to meet new people with OI and their families. It is estimated that this year’s conference drew in 800 participants. Though most of them were from the U.S, there were other people from Canada who attended. I also learned there were visitors from England, Denmark and Norway, giving the conference some international representation.

One of the highlights for me was meeting Robby Novak, better known to the world as the Kid President. He’s a 10-year-old boy from Tennessee who posts inspirational pep talks in a series of videos on YouTube and Facebook. He is just as lively and energetic as he presents himself in his videos. When I met him, I let him know I am a fan. (Robby, along with his sister Lexi, has OI.)

Donald meets the Kid President

In-between conference events I explored some of downtown Indianapolis. This included a unique bike and pedestrian pathway at a park across from the hotel. The Indianapolis Cultural Trail is eight miles long, and promotes accessibility to people with disabilities by including the wheelchair symbol along its paths. The pathways opened to the public in May 2013. 

One of these paths leads into the White River State Park. This park includes several attractions, one of which is the National College Athletic Association (NCAA) Headquarters and Hall of Fame. We stopped in briefly to look around, but didn’t stay for any tours. It is an impressive-looking building I think most sports fanatics will enjoy.

We took in a baseball game between the Indianapolis Indians and the Toledo Mud Hens. The OI Foundation sponsored the game played at Victory Field. A bonus that evening was getting to see the visiting San Diego Chicken, the Padres’ mascot! This popular major league mascot visits several minor league ballparks during the baseball season, with Victory Field being one of his favourites. The game went into 10 innings. Fortunately the Indianapolis team won 4-3!

Does this former Indy ballplayer wear his sunglasses at night?

The conference concluded with an awards dinner and dance. The foundation also announced that the next conference will take place in Orlando in 2016. I hope I can make it to that one.

As for my informal assessment of Indianapolis as a disability-friendly city, I believe it is a welcoming and inclusive city. The people I met were all friendly and I sense that the city has applied the Americans with Disabilities Act effectively, with more improvements to come. Though it has some shortcomings, particularly with the absence of some much-needed sidewalks, Indianapolis is impressive overall. I’m glad the OI Foundation picked it as the site for its 2014 conference.

RIP Joan Rivers

Much (MuchMusic) is now 30 years young

David Letterman remembers Robin Williams

RIP Don Pardo, the voice of Saturday Night Live

My experience with the WESP employment program

In April 2014, I was depressed. It had been more than a year since I had been employed. Seeking employment is often twice as hard if you’re a person with a disability. Fortunately, there is a program that has helped me get back on track.
 
The Workshop Essential Skills Partnership (WESP) program is an initiative of the Canadian Council of Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW). Held at the Canadian National Institute for the Bind (CNIB) in Toronto, WESP is for people with various physical disabilities who are either struggling to find work again, or are looking for the first time. I had heard of WESP through a friend who had gone through it about five years ago.
 
I had been accepted into WESP four years ago, but dropped out due to coming down with a sudden illness. When I recovered, I managed to find employment again on my own for a while. At the beginning of this year, I looked at WESP again, hoping it would help me rebuild my sagging self-confidence, and give me a fresh perspective on the types of careers and jobs I should be pursuing.
 
My professional background includes the journalism field, as well as office positions involving data entry, information and referral and webdesign. My main goal in WESP was to find a position that would complement one or more of my varied skills sets and talents.
 
In March 2014, I was re-admitted to WESP the same day I had my intake interview. It was one of the happiest days of my adult life. My program began in April, for four weeks. In those four weeks, I learned (or re-learned) how to write effective resumes and cover letters that conform to today’s expectations from working professionals. I was also enlightened on preparing interviews and doing mock interviews, networking, labour market trends, and got tips on how to stay motivated in the job search.
 
One of my favourite activities during my time at WESP was doing an informational interview. I did my assignment with an acquaintance who works as a social media specialist for an organization that provides rehabilitation services for children with and without disabilities. During my visit with him, he told me that having something that stands out will often get you a job. For him, it was podcasting, writing a book and hosting an online support group for people who stutter. He also said that, if possible, taking courses to upgrade and advance your skills and knowledge (in a relevant area) will help your professional development.
 
There were a total of 12 job seekers in the group I was in.Two of them were lucky to find employment before the program ended. When we started I didn’t know any of the other job-seekers. Since then we have managed to keep in touch and update each other on our respective journeys. The three main workshop facilitators were always kind and helpful, and made themselves available for questions and one-on-one consultations.
 
I learned a lot in my four weeks as a WESP participant. Here are some important pieces of wisdom that can help anybody regardless of where they are in their journey:
 
- Believe in yourself
- Never give up
- Make realistic goals, but anticipate changes, and be open to them
- Don't take rejection personally (I'm still working on that one)
- Don't be scared of the future, because you don't know what it will bring!
- The past is in the past--let it go!
- Keep in touch with your references periodically
 
Since my WESP term ended, I have managed to find employment again. I worked as an Information Officer for the Ontario election, and also for a federal by-election under Elections Canada. At the end of July, Toronto Staffing Solutions hired me as a part-time data entry clerk, where I still work today. I also have work lined up as an Information Officer for the upcoming Toronto municipal election. Things are looking up! Meanwhile I still look for other opportunities, and keep in touch with the WESP staff, including their job developer.
 
WESP is a worthwhile program for any job-seeker with a disability. Though WESP does not guarantee employment by the end of the program, it does empower people to keep active and informed in the job-hunting process.
 
To learn more about WESP, you can contact them directly at 416-486-2500 x8605 or aparusis@ccrw.org.

RIP Lauren Bacall

Jimmy Fallon pays tribute to Robin Williams

RIP Robin Williams

Merry Christmas in July!

Rankin/Bass-historian: Merry Christmas in July!

RIP Dick 'Dickie' Jones, the voice of Pinocchio

I remember where I was the day Michael Jackson died

It was five years ago today that Michael Jackson died at his home in California. I remember watching the local CTV newscast with my attendant at the time when news broke he was being rushed to hospital by ambulance. Less than 10 minutes later, a newscaster announced that he had died. (The cause of death was later reported as a drug overdose, which I won't describe in detail because it is too sordid, complex and disturbing.)

That night I remember writing on my Twitter account, "I can't believe he's gone." I still can't believe he's gone, though so much time has passed now that I, like the rest of the world, have come to accept the news, and have moved on.

Five years later, a younger generation has come to discover and enjoy his music, just like with other musical greats such as Elvis Presley and The Beatles. It's good that fans around the world are keeping Michael Jackson's musical legacy alive.

RIP Casey Kasem

Kid President's 5 Things That Make Summer Awesome

Three great Maya Angelou quotes

Maya Angelou (1928-2014)

Actually, Maya Angelou had many great quotes. Here are three I'd like to share that have touched me.

"Friendship. It keeps you alive. It keeps you awake. It keeps you trying to be the best." 

There are times when I yearn to have more normalcy in my life. This is what Dr. Angelou had to say about that:

"If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be."

Last, but not least, this is one of my favourite quotes of all time:

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

I hope I made you feel good today. I liked Maya Angelou, and her work and wisdom will always be around.

This is one of my favourite Maya Angelou quotes

Tim Hortons Official 50th Anniversary TV Commercial #Tims50th

Barbara Walters - Final Farewell - The View 5-16-14

Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake - Love Never Felt So Good

RIP Nash The Slash

John Tesh - Beware of What You Put on Facebook

AMI story on employment for people with disabilities

Tommy Hunter - No Charge

Les Crane - "Desiderata"

Jim Caviezel - Inspirational video

RIP Bob Hoskins

Craig Ferguson announces his departure from The Late, Late Show

Personality Test Result: What Kind of Fruit Am I?

Take the What Fruit Are You? test by Ellen!

Happy 50th Anniversary to It's a Small World!

Trailer for I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story

David Onley looks back on time as Lieutenant Governor of Ontario

Jimmy Fallon's Top 10 List: Why Letterman's Retiring

David Letterman announces his retirement from the Late Show

Mark Wafer: Enabling the Disabled

2014 Paralympics in Review

Another Winter Paralympic Games came to an end on Sunday, March 16, and everybody on Team Canada has returned home. Canada had a strong showing at these Games, winning 25 medals (includes 10 Gold), and finishing third place in the medal standings.

Among the stars was veteran Paralympic skier Brian McKeever. He won three gold medals in his three individual events. He also became the first Canadian Winter Paralympian to win 10 gold medals in a career.

Sit-skiing veteran Josh Ducek won gold in the super combined and silver in the downhill. Ducek would go on to be Canada's flag-bearer in the closing ceremony.

Mac Marcoux made his Paralympic debut by winning three medals, including a gold one in the giant slalom. It was also exciting to see Mark Arendz win silver in the biathalon. The visually impaired biathlete collected Canada's first medal of these Games. He went on to win bronze in the 12.5K three days later.

The most surprising moment may have been Chris Klebl. The alpine skier took gold in the men’s 10K sitting cross-country race. It’s surprising because almost no one predicted the 42-year-old Paralympic veteran would win after having come up short in his previous two Winter Games.

The curling team returned to claim another gold medal in one of Canada's most popular sports (the first being hockey, of course). Their victory proved to the world once again that Canada has the best wheelchair curling team. They entered as defending Paralympic champions and as world curling champions.

The most bittersweet moment for many was when the sledge hockey team was forced to take home a bronze medal. While it still counts as a moment to be proud of, expectations were high that they would win gold. Their popular rivals Team USA claimed gold when they beat Norway (who claimed silver). Canada’s Adam Dixon scored four goals, the most goals of the 2014 tournament.

Canada’s other medalists of these Games were Caleb Brousseau (bronze), Kimberly Joines (bronze) and Chris Williamson (bronze) for their respective alpine skiing events.

Trailer for Muppets Most Wanted

The difference between jealousy and envy

During a Bible Study I did four years ago, I learned the subtle distinctions between jealousy and envy. I thought the two words were interchangeable and meant the same thing. Apparently not so.

Jealousy seeks to have what another person has. Envy, however, seeks to destroy what another person has. The act of jealousy is considered passive. Envy is about putting jealousy into action. Envy is one of the seven deadly sins, next to pride, avarice, wrath, lust, gluttony and sloth. 

Jealousy is not considered a 'capital' sin, as outlined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, because it does not engender other sins and vices. God is described in the Old Testament as "a jealous God" (Exodus 20:5) whenever people focus their attention away from Him in favour of worldly things, including other gods.

I post this blog for three reasons: 1) I need to be reminded of these distinctions again, 2) I've been wrestling with these unhealthy feelings of jealousy lately, and 3) I want to share this distinction with others, including those who may be experiencing a similar trial. I'm dealing with my jealousy issues now, and have faith that I will recover from them soon.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Canada takes Bronze in sledge hockey finals

In a rematch with Norway, Canada claimed the bronze medal in sledge hockey this afternoon, in a 3-0 score.

Team Canada came back with a vengeance at Shayba Arena after a heartbreaking loss to Team USA on Thursday. They did not allow the Norwegians to dominate the game, even in a scoreless first period.

The game caught fire when forward Brad Bowden scored the first goal 30 seconds into the second period. Canada upped the intensity when Billy Bridges got the second goal during a power play midway through the game. Bridges also scored the final goal during the third period.

Bridges, it should be noted, is the all-time leading point-getter in Canadian sledge hockey.

Canada goal Corbin Watson spent most of the game worry-free, as most of the play occurred near Norway's end of the ice. He finished the game with 10 saves to post the shutout.

Norway's loss today means it is the first time they have failed to medal since sledge hockey was introduced to the Paralympics in 1994. That year it was played in the Norwegian city of Lillehammer.

In other sledge hockey action, the US team won gold in a 1-0 final against the hosts Russia. This makes the US team back-to-back Paralympic champions.

A bittersweet victory to be sure, the Canadian team have no need to feel ashamed. They are a young team with a bright future.

You can watch this game in its entirety below.