RIP Charles Krauthammer

Conservative political columnist and commentator Charles Krauthammer passed away from small intestine cancer at age 68 in Atlanta, Georgia, last Thursday. Born in New York City and raised in Montreal, Canada, Krauthammer became paralyzed from the waist down after a diving accident during his first year at Harvard Medical School in 1972. Despite 14 months of hospitalization, he graduated on schedule with a doctorate in psychiatry. Krauthammer became the director of psychiatric research under President Jimmy Carter in 1978. Two years later, he was involved with the publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders III and became Vice President Walter Mondale's speechwriter.

In 1985, Krauthammer began writing his column in The Washington Post for which he won the Pulitzer Prize two years later. He was also an author and made multiple appearances on Fox News. Survived by his wife, son, and mother, Krauthammer didn't let disability stop him from having a successful career. For more information about him, go to https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/charles-krauthammer-conservative-voice-pulitzer-prize-winner-dies-68-n885581?icid=recommended.

Charles Krauthammer

(image via Wikimedia)

Spotlight: Center for Parent Information & Resources

With today being Father's Day, this is a good time to feature the Center for Parent Information & Resources (CPIR). CPIR serves as a hub of informational materials (in English and Spanish) for parent centers and families of children with disabilities. Users can observe archived webinars on various topics, subscribe to the bi-monthly newsletter Buzz from the Hub, and follow CPIR on Facebook and Twitter. The parent training and information center that serves Brevard County is the Parent Support Network (PSN) Project located in Dunedin, Florida (fndusa.org/contact-us/programs/psn). To access all of the resources from CPIR, go to www.parentcenterhub.org.

The CPIR logo

(image via parentcenterhub.org)

Spotlight: ROTH Mobeli Grab Handles

ROTH Mobeli grab handles are used by senior citizens and other people with physical disabilities in the bathroom. Made in Germany, the grab bars are easy to attach to the wall by the bathtub or shower and the toilet. All one has to do is press the two suction pads with a 120 mm diameter onto a flat, non-porous surface and then press down the vacuum rocker arm to lock the grab handle in place. This is demonstrated in a Facebook video. The Mobeli holding grips include a safety indicator that shows whether they are secure after application. The grab handles are portable, so they can be easily removed from the wall and packed for travel. Mobeli also sells grab bar accessories. For more information, go to https://www.mobeli.com/.

A ROTH Mobeli grab handle

(image via careprodx.com)

Spotlight: Morgan's Wonderland

Some families like to go to amusement parks this time of year. Unfortunately, these parks are not completely handicap accessible for children in wheelchairs. Morgan's Wonderland in San Antonio, Texas, is unique in that it is ultra accessible; even wheelchair users can go on the rides. This explains why Morgan's Wonderland (sponsored by Toyota) was selected as the 2017 Park of the Year by the newspaper Amusement Today. The park, opened in 2010, is named after its founder Gordon Hartman's daughter Morgan, who has a form of autism as well as physical challenges. Admission is free for people with special needs, so donations are needed to keep the park open. The Academy at Morgan's Wonderland, a school for students with disabilities aged 12-24, opened in 2011. Last year, an accessible water park named Morgan's Inspiration Island was added to Morgan's Wonderland. Extended summer hours for Morgan's Inspiration Island begin on Friday, June 8. For more information, go to http://www.morganswonderland.com/.

(Image via Wikipedia)

Spotlight: Nathaniel's Hope

Nathaniel's Hope is a ministry that serves children with special needs, who are referred to as VIP Kids. The organization runs six programs: Buddy Break (respite), Make 'm Smile and Keep 'm Smiling (fun family events), VIP Birthday Club, Hall of Hope (a memorial for deceased children with special needs), and Christmas with Nathaniel's Hope. Beanie bears stitched with the Nathaniel's Hope logo are given to the VIP Kids for free. Marie and Tim Kuck founded Nathaniel's Hope in memory of their son, who was born prematurely with multiple medical issues on June 6, 1997, and passed away more than four years later. The 16th Annual Make 'm Smile Festival will take place at Lake Eola in Downtown Orlando from 7:30 A.M.-1:00 P.M. on Saturday, June 2. Nathaniel's Hope will be one of the many exhibitors at the 20th Annual Family Cafe at the Hyatt Regency Orlando June 15-17. (For those of you attending the Family Cafe, Speechless star Micah Fowler and his older sister Kelsey, an actress, will be the guest speakers during the morning of June 17.) For more information about Nathaniel's Hope, go to https://www.nathanielshope.org/.

(Image via nathanielshope.org)

Spotlight: Variety - the Children's Charity

Variety - the Children's Charity is an international non-profit organization that provides necessary equipment and services to kids in need, including those with disabilities. Founded 90 years ago by 11 theater owners and showmen in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Variety runs four programs: Care, Freedom, Future, and International Children's Fund. Paramount partnered with Variety in the creation of limited-edition gold heart pins that featured the movie Sherlock Gnomes in March. Proceeds from the pins went to Variety. Earlier this month, Variety held its World Conference in Adelaide, South Australia. There is a Variety chapter in Florida. For more information or to donate, go to usvariety.org.

Variety's logo

(image via Facebook)

Happy Global Accessibility Awareness Day!

Today is the seventh Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). The purpose of GAAD is to encourage people to think about digital access and inclusion for individuals with different disabilities, especially visual impairments. The idea for this day of observance came from a blog post by Joe Devon, a web developer in Los Angeles, in November 2011. Jennison Asuncion, an accessibility professional in Toronto, worked with Devon to make GAAD a recognized day. Events are being held today all over the country as well as the world and online. GAAD is observed on the third Thursday of May every year. For more information, go to http://globalaccessibilityawarenessday.org/.

The Global Accessibility Awareness Day logo

(image via Facebook)