Patti's Blog - Advocate for Elders, People with Disabilities and Their Families

Disabled Scout leader, council battle in court

From Florida Today:

For years, life in the Rasmussen household has revolved around Scouting...Palma Rasmussen, who uses a wheelchair most of the time because of various physical ailments, said she and the other families are being retaliated against because of a civil rights lawsuit she filed under the Americans with Disabilities Act against the Central Florida Council.

Patti's Comments:  This saddens me...

Charitable Magic

From The Economist.com:

Harry Potter and the Hugely Profitable Sketches

LOT 311A in Sotheby's sale of English literature and children's books will follow the auctions of works by W.B.Yeats, Samuel Taylor Coleridge and J.R.R. Tolkien, among others. Preceding it are a couple of stern and unusual injunctions. "The buyer may not publish or reproduce this work or any extract from it," states the catalogue. Although it will be exhibited in New York and London before the sale, the book will be kept in a sealed glass cabinet.

It is humble piece by an author who has sold more copies and has more uncritical admirers than any living author, which means it must be by J.K.Rowling, author of Harry Potter and all his works. The work at auction was not just written by her. It was handwritten by her.

Patti's Comments to JK: I know lots of kids with disabilities that would love to meet you, or benefit from any other work or art work you want to donate....You know, I watched a great movie, Bruce Almighty, (while recovery from neurosurgery). The God figure, played wonderfully by Samuel L. Jackson, suggested that to make a difference in the world you just need to engage in Random Acts of Kindness (RAK)- I congratulate you, JK, for yours!! Keep up the good work and motivation of the rest of us!!

Justice Stevens Corrects the New York Times

From the ABA Journal:

Justice John Paul Stevens has read the profile about him published by the New York Times Magazine - and he has written to "correct certain misunderstandings."

Patti's Comments:  Not many folks feel like they can correct the New York Times, and I respect him for attempting to do so, and for claiming to be a conservative.  If there were only more like him.  I thank him and Justice O'Connor for their services.  Cannot say I will feel the same about others.

P.S.  I miss my Thurgood Marshall!

Girls with Autism Spectrum Disorders

For those of you who can stay up later than I, check this show out below. If you are a wimp, like me, maybe your nice family member or husband will tape it for you. Happy Holidays --we have lots to be thankful for!

Nightline is slated to run a piece on Girls with Autism Spectrum Disorders tomorrow, Tuesday Nov 20th, on Nightline 11:35pm. ABC - New York, Channel 7.

O’Connor Family Volunteered for Personal Alzheimer’s Story

From ABA Journal:

A Phoenix television reporter is defending her decision to broadcast a story about the husband of retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who formed an attachment to another woman at the Alzheimer’s facility where he resides.

Patti's Comments:  I did not always agree with her, but man, Sandra Day has some guts - my hat is off to her for sharing her very personal story!

Study Finds Higher Costs for Caregivers of Elderly

From the New York Times:

"The out-of-pocket cost of caring for an aging parent or spouse averages about $5,500 a year, according to the nation’s first in-depth study of such expenses, a sum that is more than double previous estimates and more than the average American household spends annually on health care and entertainment combined."

Patti's Comments:  This is almost as much as it costs for substandard care in a nursing home...

New State Rule Would Cut Medicaid Payments for Disabled Kids

News Flash from Cleveland.com:

A rule proposed by Gov. Ted Strickland's administration would limit some specialized services for disabled children who are eligible for Medicaid payments, causing an outcry from parents of children with autism, mental retardation and developmental delays.

Patti's Comments:  This is already in process in Michigan and other states. Maybe I am working too much but it appears that policy makers are attempting to start a fight between kids with disabilities and seniors needing long term care services...

"Harry Potter" Author Goes Back to School

Earthtimes.org Press Release:

WASHINGTON, DC -- 11/16/07 -- The people have cast their votes. The celebrity America would most like to have as a substitute educator for a day is J.K. Rowling, creator of the "Harry Potter" fantasy series.

Patti's Comments:   I had to think long and hard about this post, as my first comment was going to be: "I want JK Rowlings to be my teacher, not just a substitute teacher."  I would vote for JK Rowlings for anything!!! I love the comments from the NEA President - and I would love to hear from you all out there as to who you would vote for and why.  ALL FAMILY MEMBER TEACHERS ARE EXCLUDED FROM THIS VOTE AND THIS INCLUDES CHRIS WALKER.

Probe Finds Medicaid Providers Owe Back Taxes

From the Nashua Telegraph:

A Senate panel is asking why more than 30,000 Medicaid providers – doctors and others in the health-care field – owe at least $1 billion in back taxes, yet they still receive federal payments for their services.

Patti's Comments:  Another little nugget of information that we the non-Medicaid users usually do not hear.  This nugget is suddenly being heard LOUD and CLEAR.  As it appears, the tax man cometh...  You know, Al Capone*...now Medicaid providers...what will they think of next?  In my opinion, jail seems to be an easy answer, and how can they pay their debt, either dead, or in jail for not paying taxes???

For info on book referenced "Al Capone Does My Shirts" see the blog page "Dudek Girls Book Reviews."

Book Burning!

From "The Blingdom of God"

Harry Potter Burned by Russian Orthodox Nationalists

Patti's Comments:  I am disguted by this...as a member of the eastern orthodox church (Greek Orthodox, really)- I am saddened by such a reaction to a book that teaches such important values to children. Some of you may recall that I wear a braclet that says, "I read banned books"- that lists some other books that were banned or burned at some time: it includes: To Kill a Mockingbird; The Color Purple; Alice in Wonderland; and others.  II guess you just add this wonderful, life-altering set of books to this distinguished list.....

To anyone reading this that thinks burning these books is a rational response, I want to make sure you have read all of the books, and what you think about the values being taught in these books, and how those can be bad for anyone-

Peace to you all, and keep on reading banned books! Patti