Cindy's Blog

My home on the web since 1995

recent posts

  • People First Campaign: A Day of Action

    Tomorrow, Tuesday, October 20, 2009, the Arc of Massachusetts and a number of other statewide disability advocacy groups will participate in a virtual protest against further budget cuts to human services for our most vulnerable residents of the Commonwealth. More than ten thousand individuals with disabilities have already lost some or all essential services this budget year ($45 million cut in the Department of Developmental Services in FY’2010). These cuts included employment, day programs, family supports, and transportation, all of which are central to people’s lives. Many families are already struggling and in need of help. More cuts will push many families to the brink and could actually be life-threatening. If these cuts go through, it will mean the dismantling of the Safety Net for tens of thousands of people with disabilities statewide.

    Why is it that when times are tough, services for people with disabilities shoulder a disproportionate burden of budget cuts? Advocates fight so hard for vital services, yet these services can be taken away in the blink of an eye. The Governor and the legislature must understand the potential dangers of making any further cuts to human services. What does it say about our society when our most vulnerable citizens are left without vital services?

    If you work in the human services field, if you know someone with a developmental disability (such as the Bissell boys), or if you simply care about our most vulnerable citizens, here are a few things you can do to help:

    * Use this Action Center to send an email to the Governor and EOHHS Secretary Judy Ann Bigby.
    * Make phone calls to the Governor (617-725-4005), your senator, and your representative (you can find who they are and get contact info at the Action Center).
    * Share your concerns on the Governor’s Facebook Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/GovernorPatrick
    * Contact your local newspaper and tell them that you are participating in the People First Campaign.

    Tell whoever you talk to that you are concerned about the harm already inflicted on services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and that further erosion of the Safety Net cannot be withstood. Thanks.

  • Rock & Shock

    We took Aaron and a couple of friends to Rock & Shock 2009 at the Worcester DCU Center last night. Rock & Shock is a Horror convention that mixes artist and vendor displays with rock music. We didn’t do the music part, we went primarily because Aaron is a huge horror/thriller movie buff. As I’ve mentioned before, he does his own thriller show on local cable TV, so he just loves dressing up and going to events like this.

    Where he got this interest in horror movies, I have no idea. Rich and I are not fans of this genre. In fact, I avoid scary movies as much as possible. Real life is plenty scary enough for me! Rich tolerates them for Aaron and usually takes him to the movies he wants to see. I decided to come to this event since it’s the Halloween time of year and also brought Eric along. I figured, if it was too much for him or I, we could just leave. As it turned out we all had a great time. Eric loved all the action and especially enjoyed the people dressed up in costumes.

    There were lots of horror film actors, directors, make-up artists, costume designers, film makers and distributors there. You could get an autograph and photo taken with lots of horror celebrities (usually for a price). I was excited to meet Malcolm McDowell who was the villain in Star Trek Generations among other films. I confess, I’m a Star Trek nerd and I would surely fit in better at a Star Trek convention.

    Some people actually thought that was my real hair!

    In addition to actors, there were also tattoo artists, toy and model makers, costume contests, horror industry professionals and vendors, comic book artists & vendors, film screenings, CD and DVD vendors, models and actors in costume, and many other artists and vendors. Aaron came home with lots of new props for his movies and also did some networking with a couple of local film makers.

    Aaron, Katie, Eric and Ryan

    Aaron, Katie and Ryan are big fans of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Here is Aaron as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, Ryan is Brad. Eric is wearing his prisoner Halloween costume. Hey, must always keep a sense of humor!

    Katie was thrilled to meet Jason Mewes
    The highlight for Ryan was meeting Adrienne King from the original Friday the 13th.
    Eric grabbed Gunnar Hansen around the collar and wouldn’t let go! He was very nice about it, except to say, “You’ll be next!” Gunnar Hansen played Leatherface in the original Texas Chain Saw Massacre. LOL!

  • A Country Divided

    Here is today’s headline from CNN: “Does ‘strengthening diplomacy’ warrant Nobel? Americans split” OK, I’ve just about had it with the conservatives in this country. Here’s the real deal: We are a country divided. It is really quite amazing how polarized we are as a nation. Maybe this is caused by our two-party system, I don’t know. But I do know that President Bush made matters much worse.

    So, Obama gets elected in part because Bush was so bad that the majority of Americans realized we needed big “change”. The conservatives are saying he doesn’t deserve this award because he hasn’t done anything to deserve it. Gee, why is he struggling to get things done…because half the country is fighting against him. Obama’s biggest mistake – in my opinion – has been trying to work with the right and bring the country together. Yes, a noble idea (or should I say ‘Nobel’ idea), but it isn’t going to work, at least not at this time in history.

    Sadly, if Obama really wants to accomplish anything, he is going to have to ignore the republicans and work with the House and Senate majority. The conservatives are so pissed off right now that they are not going to back Obama on ANYTHING! This has become so obvious that it’s actually laughable. The really crazy right-wingers have even said publicly that they want our president to fail. Isn’t that nice!? So, it comes as no surprise that America is split on Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize.

    Of course, he deserves this honor. Even though half of America disagrees, a vast majority of the World knows that he deserves this award. Why was he given this honor? According to the Nobel committee, Obama was given the prize for his “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” To understand this, you need to look beyond Fox News at the rest of the world. In just one year, he has changed the world’s perception of the US from one of arrogance and belligerence toward one of understanding, mutual respect and peace. President Obama has inspired millions around the world with his message of hope and peace; that alone is deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize.

    Congratulations, President Obama!

  • Meet Ardi

    Ardipithecus ramidus

     

    Ardi was a 110-pound, 4-foot female who’s fossil remains were found in Ethiopia. She is an early member of the human family tree that lived 4.4 million years ago, more than 1 million years earlier than Lucy. This is a truly amazing discovery that will add a treasure trove of information to our knowledge of human evolution.

    Ardi has surprised scientists with many traits which do not appear in living African apes or in humans. Most surprising, scientist did not expect such an old human ancestor to walk upright. They expected them to be more of a knuckle walker like a chimpanzee. Ardi shows that humans and apes evolved quite differently from their common ancestor of about 6 or 7 million years ago.

    Weird that this discovery was announced the same day I mentioned Lucy in my previous post about “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”. Although the discovery of Ardi was officially announced on Oct 1st, the research has been going on for many years and involved 47 scientists from 10 different countries.

    It will be interesting to see what the creationists have to say about Ardi.

  • In Memory of Poppy

    Shortly before he died, Dr. John Koomey recognized a transportation problem for students with special needs at our local high school. The high school has a Functional Academic School-to-Work Program, but due to a lack of transportation, the student’s access was limited to establishments within walking distance of the school.

    Dr. Koomey’s family said he often talked about doing something about this problem. But sadly he passed away before he had time to address the situation with the school district. After his death, Dr Koomey’s family decided to follow through with his wishes and they purchased a wheelchair accessible van for the school department. The donation also includes funds to maintain the van.

    Dr. Koomey was fondly known as ‘Poppy’ by his grandchildren, two of whom are special need students in the Grafton public schools. The words “In Memory of Poppy” are inscribed on the back of the van.

    I was personally touch by the incredible generosity of this family. What a wonderful tribute to Dr. Koomey! This gift will benefit many children for many years to come, including my boys. A BIG Bissell thank you to the Koomey Family!

    Eric – in his stander at the far left – with his classmates