Hydrocephalus Association Walk

Derived from two Greek words that together mean "water head," hydrocephalus is the rapid collection of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain. This makes a person's head larger than normal. The most common treatment for hydrocephalus is implanting a shunt, a tube that transfers some CSF from the brain to another part of the body. I was born with hydrocephalus, but fortunately, it corrected itself quickly, so I didn't need a shunt. Last Saturday, the 2017 Orlando Walk to End Hydrocephalus took place at Dr. P. Phillips Community Park. The Walk raised over $19,000, which will go toward research, education, advocacy, and community support networks. For more information about hydrocephalus and its Association, go to www.hydroassoc.org.

Spotlight: Brett Leake

Brett Leake is a "sit-down" stand-up comic with muscular dystrophy. He uses humor as a way to deal with problems. The first comedian with a physical disability to appear on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Leake has also appeared on Entertainment Tonight and the American Comedy Awards. He is a National Humor Treasure Award winner along with comedians such as Gilda Radner, Bob Newhart, and Leno. He participated in the Brevard Achievement Center's inaugural E2A (Employ, Empower, Achieve) Community Awards at the Hilton Rialto last Wednesday. To learn more about Leake, go to http://brettleake.com/.

 

Brett Leake

Ohio Casino Hosts Poker Tournament for the Deaf

A month ago, Hollywood Casino Toledo hosted the Ohio Deaf Poker Championship, which consisted of two tournaments. After being asked to do so by regular players who are deaf, the casino held its first poker tournament for people with hearing impairments on March 11. Communicating through sign language, the players were appreciative of the opportunity to participate in a poker tournament tailored to them. There are very few poker tournaments held for deaf people in the United States. The Ohio Deaf Poker Championship is a friendly poker event that makes the deaf players comfortable. As a recreational poker player, I appreciate Hollywood Casino Toledo's efforts at inclusion. For more details, go to http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2017/09/16/Local-casino-s-deaf-poker-tournament-gives-players-feelings-of-community.html.

Pocket aces and poker chips
(image via www.pokernews.com)

New Medicare Cards

Due to the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is in the process of removing Social Security Numbers (SSN) from Medicare cards. The SSN-based Health Insurance Claim Number will be replaced with a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier. This change is being made in an effort to prevent medical identity theft of recipients. The new cards will be sent in April 2018. You may have recently seen a commercial about the new Medicare cards. For more information, go to https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/New-Medicare-Card/index.html.

 
The new Medicare card
(image via AARP)

2017 Disability Equality Index Results

With October being National Disability Employment Awareness Month, this is a good time to review the results of the 2017 Disability Equality Index (DEI), which lists 68 of the best places to work for people with handicaps. Companies that scored 100% on a set of criteria include AMC Theatres, ManpowerGroup, and Walmart. I can see why they received such high scores, for I have friends with disabilities who work at AMC Theatres and Walmart. I went to ManpowerGroup when I was looking for a job four years ago. Other companies that scored high on the DEI are MetLife and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. My parents bought insurance from MetLife. Whenever we go on a cruise, it's with Royal Caribbean. This is the third year the DEI was conducted. To see other companies on the Best Places to Work list, go to https://disabilityequalityindex.org/top_companies.

  

DEI Logo

(obtained from aapd.com)

Characteristics of a Handicapped Accessible Van

This is the season during which the previous year's vehicles are phased out and the current year's vehicles become available for sale. Wheelchair users shop for vans with certain features that accommodate their needs. The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design describe the characteristics of handicapped accessible vans. For example, the lift door opening height must be at least 56'', and there must be a 30" x 40" wide clear platform for the handicap lift. The wheelchair attachments must be able to withstand 2,500 pounds per square inch of pressure per leg, and the seat belt mechanisms must consist of 4-point tie-downs with lap and shoulder belt. Interior lighting should contain one foot candle of illumination. For more information about these standards, go to https://www.ada.gov/2010ADAstandards_index.htm.

 

A handicapped accessible van

Spotlight: Victoria Arlen

I hope all of my readers are doing well after Hurricane Irma. My parents' house in which I live lost power for six days, but thankfully, there was no damage. Life is coming back to normal.

Victoria Arlen is a model, actress, motivational speaker, and ESPN sportscaster. At age 11 in 2006, Arlen contracted two rare conditions, transverse myelitis and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, which left her in a vegetative state for almost four years. She competed as a swimmer at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, winning one gold medal and three silver medals. Arlen regained her ability to walk during the last two years. She created the Victoria's Victory Foundation, which awards scholarships to individuals to help them overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. Arlen is competing with professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy on Season 25 of Dancing with the Stars premiering tonight. For more information about this inspirational young woman, go to https://www.victoriaarlen.com/.

 

Victoria Arlen