Paul Campos comment on Helping Americans... post

I wanted to say something about the post Helping Disabled Americans Overcome Incredible Obstacles. It is interesting that the article speaks to those in the workforce who become disabled after working for a number of years. I am interested to know how many are applying for work that have been disabled all their lives. I mentioned in my follow-up to the op-ed I wrote on August 27 of this year that there needs to be a revamping of the rules and regulations with all entitlements. I believe that if there is to be Social Security reform, it has to make sense so that the number of people with disabilities applying for new jobs will increase dramatically. People with disabilities want to work, but only if they are allowed to save money and plan for the future just like those who are not physically disabled. I'm not saying that those who have become disabled later in life are not in the same category with those who are born disabled, but I do think people who have been working and become disabled, definitely have an advantage because they already have work experience. By allowing the disabled community to compete on an equal level, with the chance to save money and get ahead, you will see a trend that will show an increase in the number of people applying for jobs. This can only be good for the economy. I wonder if there is anybody in Congress thinking about any of this. If they are not, which is likely the case, there should be a concerted effort by people with disabilities to make sure that they are thinking about these things. Social Security reform that makes sense for the economy and for everyone affected by that economy, makes sense for America period.

‘An Exclusive from "The Sentinel" -- My Dream’ - Rights of the disabled (film)

All of the 84 performers have some form of physical disability. Some cannot see, some cannot hear and speak, and some are physically disabled. All this hardship did not stop them from artistic expression. The performers have traveled to more than 40 countries and have become a symbol and inspiration of for disabled people across the globe.

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Swimming: Special motivation for amputee swimmer

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Helping Disabled AmericansOvercome Incredible Obstacles

How do you plan to observe National Disability Employment Awareness month? Unless you're in a wheelchair or know someone who is, you probably weren't planning to observe the month at all.

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Super Zoe's Beijing dream

"I am practising all the time and training really hard to try and make the Beijing Paralympics" Zoe said
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Op-Ed Follow up, by Founder, Paul Campos

On August 27th, 2007 I wrote an Op-ed piece about the treatment of our wounded soldiers returning from Iraq and how they are victims of mismanagement by the federal government, not unlike the treatment that people with disabilities have been dealing with most of their lives. Someone told me that I was just ranting about what's wrong with the system instead of coming up with some ideas that might help. Let me take a stab at making suggestions.

First, there should be a judge or a group of judges in charge of overseeing the decision-making process involved in the rehabilitation of our soldiers. Our soldiers who have volunteered to put their lives on the line should get whatever they need in order for them to "fully recover" from whatever condition they suffer in battle. As I said in the op-ed piece, the money that is allocated for the war should definitely include what is needed for the soldiers coming back home physically and mentally wounded.

Second, there should be a revamping of the rules and regulations that determine who is eligible to receive entitlements as well as the rules that allow a disabled individual to work. In other words, the rules and regulations should be written in a way that would give incentives or encourage individuals to be a part of society, work, and pay taxes like everybody else. I also think that Medicaid, SSI, Social Security and other entitlements should all be on the same page. Right now, if someone is working in a job, Social Security allows an individual to make up to $900 a month without it affecting their benefits. Medicaid, however, wants an individual to pay back 150% of the amount that you're making if you are working. For example, if you are making $600 a month, Medicaid wants you to pay them $900 back. No one in the working world would ever accept a health insurance plan that would make you pay 150% of your salary so that you can keep your insurance. Let's face it, this is complete insanity! It's bad enough that these rules affect people with disabilities who have not gone to war. I can't imagine what these rules would do to someone who has just come home from fighting for our country.

Another rule that doesn't make sense is the one that says that if you marry and one of you has a disability, the spouse that is not disabled, and has a career, must give up their career and their salary so that they can take care of the individual who is disabled. Let me just say that whether a disabled individual who needs home care is married or not, their need for home care doesn't change. I could understand people paying into Medicaid if a married couple's income is above a certain amount. It would work much like the spend-down program under the SSI (supplemental security income) entitlement. Let's say you're making $60,000 or more per year. For every two dollars you get from Medicaid, through SSI, you pay one dollar back into the system. As you can see, the precedent is already in place so that the changes can be made quite easily. There just needs to be a mandate for it.

Anyway, this is what I could come up with so far. I wonder what kind of response I would get from those who are on the inside track (like those in Congress), if they read this. I'm sure if enough noise is made someone would be able to come up with more sensible rules and regulations that can do more than the Bush administration's feeble attempt to reform Social Security. We can do this!

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PWDs I think, most of them believe, special equipment for the mobile phone is way too expensive I guess, isn't true providers are there to assist.
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GB blind team claim Beijing spot

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Student Athletes with Physical Disabilities

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Disabled people smoke more

Here is an article is not an inspire one but it is one to thinkj about it.
PWDs are smoking more than anybody else. not good! My opinion though!
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Disabled student stars at top fashion show

Sasha Hardway
Disabilities have left her constrained to a wheelchair for most of her life.
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Brain Music Points to Mouseless Future

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CPaul Says -- Now This Is Just an Incredible Thing! For Someone Who Has a Severe Disability, Like Myself, Something like This Will Definitely Improve My Life As Well As Many Others! Like the Article Says, We Are Approaching an Exciting Era!
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Here is a follow up article...
Great gadget GPS-1
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Photographer inspires formation of club for PWDs

Kay's brother says"Not everybody can be an athlete, but it doesn't take that much effort to take a picture,".

Wow, I think it is a terrific idea
Hey, this thing is big, many are doing something about it. was doing some research I found out a bit more about Shutter Bugs club there is a ton of info out here. Wonder, What we can do to help this cause?How come this is the very first time I ever hear about Shutter Bugs photography club. What could we do to help this terrific cause?
Here is some links you may want to check out
Shutter Bugs Home page
eG forum
Community blogs
Shutter Bugs Wanted
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Permission Given to Create Human/Animal Hybrid Embryos

another step closer on this research
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