Jay's Disabled Online Blog

Medicare shouldn't do this

2008-03-05T10:46:00.000-08:00

I know I haven't been here lately, my bad. I just received an e-mail I would like to share with you. I hope you will sign the petition, it's very important we said Medicare a strong message. Here is the info from the e-mail I received:

"Here are the sites to sign a petition to suspend Medicare Competitive
Bidding...I would appreciate you consider signing it too. I believe
Medicare Competitive Bidding puts our country's Medicare beneficiaries
in an unfair position and the quality of their care for items such as
wheelchairs will go to the lowest bid provider...the company with the
lowest price will win the government bid...how can the quality of care,
service and product remain at the current high levels of service and
quality? They will not.

As Americans we have always enjoyed some choice in deciding our
healthcare professionals, insurance programs, places of care and
suppliers...this is a step by the government to lower their costs and
move to a socialized approach to government controlled healthcare.
Please sign and also consider writing your local, state and federal
government issues to suspend this program.

One other bit of information....we all agree that healthcare costs and
insurance costs have grown to astronomical numbers...by 2017 HOSPITAL
spending will double to more than $1.3 trillion dollars as a provider
group, making up roughly 30% of all healthcare spending according to
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as reported by Modern
Healthcare ALERT, (February 26, 2008, 8:44am EDT). That 30% is by far
the largest sector of costs within the federal healthcare
budget...doesn't it make sense to focus on the largest sector rather
than one of the smallest? I think so!

Click on the link, "Medicare DME Competitive" when you go to the main
home
page... http://www.thepetitionsite.com/health/all

OR Go directly to it by clicking this URL
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/141840894
Thank you for your consideration..."
Jay

Happy National Pie Day

2008-01-23T15:58:00.000-08:00

Today was National Pie Day (or something like that), anyway, at the restaurant, Baker's Square, they were giving away any slice of pie... absolutely free! Needless to say, I was all over that special! Chocolate peanut butter cup pie, come to Papa!

I was really pleased with the outcome of Disabled Online's latest interview. The questions were excellent and I felt the true message about the website totally came through. In case you missed it, here is the link: Disabled Online Interview

Still tinkering with our streaming video. Hoping to get more variety, Youtube is taking forever to help with this! I know, I know, patience...**inhales**...... (holds breath)...**exhales** okay, I'm better now.

More later!

I know, I'm late

2008-01-12T15:21:00.001-08:00

I know, you don't have to say it... it's been awhile. I do apologize... sometimes I'm just lazy. Don't feel like writing, have nothing important to say. I'm more of a stream of conscious writer.

Anyway, I was sick last week. Actually, I was in the hospital, but I'm very much better. I'm really feeling over the hill, some of the residents in training, were way younger than me. Quite easy on the eyes , as well. Blah, it's so hard to be charming while dry heaving and having allergic reactions from antibiotics. Doctors, gotta love em! Thanks for the bad diagnosis, big props!

Other than that, my stay there wasn't bad. Decent food, cable TV... it was even an LCD screen, can you believe that? Now I know my medical bills are so high, forget the medicine, more HDTV!

Okay, I promise I won't be such a stranger. Thanks for reading, Happy Belated New Year!

busy busy busy

2007-11-14T15:27:00.000-08:00

just posted the interview from Disability News Radio. Monica rocks! Want to listen to it? I knew you would: http://www.disabledonline.com/index.php?act=viewNews&docId=11

Busy weekend, hanging out with friends I haven't seen in quite some time. Not only that, I'm bringing with my other friends who haven't met my older friends. So... its going to be a smorgasbord of friends! I love getting together friends from different circles, then they meet and become friends, at least I hope so in this case... I'm sure it will, I know good peeps!

Don't worry, I will let you know how it goes.

Be good!

Time flies when you're working

2007-11-02T15:29:00.000-07:00

wow, where does the time go? It's been over a week since my last post! I'm totally slacking!

Well, I do have a decent excuse, I've been working like a madman. New products and features are being implemented on Disabled Online (in case you forgot,
http://www.disabledonline.com ) I'm hoping you all like the new additions, they are still a few weeks away from being officially launched.

In other news... the flu season is here! Have you had your flu shot? Yes, I've had mine... and it was quite painful. Yeah I know, I'm making a big deal out of it... me and syringes just don't get along.

Anyway, from my positive of the week: Halloween candy! It rocks!! Especially Nestlé crunch :-)

Complaint of the week: flu shots are too pointy... you can poke an eye out if you're not careful!!

Okay, thanks for reading, drive carefully... buckle up.

soaring to new heights

2007-10-25T16:07:00.000-07:00

hiya,

Did anyone catch last night's NBC nightly news? They had a great segment about a program that offers individuals with disabilities to take flight in a glider plane. Freedom Wings is the name of the organization. Yes, they are reciprocal link exchange partners with Disabled Online! Anyway, it was really exhilarating to watch... can't imagine how thrilling it must be to actually take flight.

Interested? Here's their link on my site: http://www.disabledonline.com/recreation/freedom-wings-florida/prod_4191.html

Plus, here is the link to the NBC segment: http://dailynightly.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/10/24/428365.aspx

Sure, you're welcome :-) well... this leads me to my positive/negative of the week.

Positive: Freedom Wings! Cool program for cool people.

Negative: Asthma :-( show of hands, anyone else have asthma? Well, with the weather being drippy, I've been wheezing like there's no tomorrow.

Okay, have a great weekend... don't forget, new episode of The Office tonight. So far, it's been an excellent start to the new season!

Later, Crocodiles

checking in

2007-10-19T10:00:00.000-07:00

hi there! Any plans for the weekend? Nah, no plans for me. The weather is quite drippy and windy, major drag! I'll probably watch some football over the weekend, too bad the Bears are so bad :-(

Anyhoo, I've just been chugging away a Disabled Online (http://www.disabledonline.com/) , adding new features (stay tuned for details).

More later, be good!

second thoughts?

2007-10-16T08:32:00.000-07:00

Maybe I was a bit harsh in my previous post, I meant no offense. I hope you get the gist of what I was saying... I know you care, really I do. It's just that... well... when you get asked that same question, over and over and over, it starts to get on your nerves, know what I mean?

Okay, I'm glad we cleared that up... and I know you feel much better too!

*High Five!!!*

what's up with that?

2007-10-15T17:22:00.000-07:00

How are ya? I'm not bad, thanks for askin! Anyone out there with a physical disability?? Show of hands......... anyone?? Well, as you all know... I'm a proud card-carrying member of muscular dystrophy... well... perhaps not proud.

"Hi, my name is Jay... and I have muscular dystrophy!" (Now you say... "hi Jay")

Anyway... for those who do have a disability like yours truly, what bugs ya? I will tell you what bugs me... when people ask, "how are you able to manage without giving up?" Truthfully, I HAVE NO IDEA. But I don't say that... I just say "I just do what I can" which is absolutely true. But what kind of question is that anyway? What choice do I really have? I don't have options, do you? No, I didn't think so.

**sighs** thanks for listening, I needed to vent... could you tell?

I think I'm going to make this a weekly topic... I will have one complaint and one positive (balance is one of the keys to a healthy life)... okay, so the above was my one complaint, now I need a positive**thinking**

Okay, I got one! I just got my brand-new voice-recognition headset! Yes, I use it to operate my computer, it's quite nifty. If you need the website to where I ordered it, just drop me a note.

So let's review... compliant: no more "how I do it" I just do it (like the Nike slogan... hope I don't get sued). Positive: new headset!

Till next time, don't forget to buckle up!

House Review

2007-10-10T09:52:00.000-07:00

Okay, thanks for waiting...Here is my review:
I do credit the writers for tackling this subject matter. As I said before, it's not every day when you get to watch a primetime TV episode with a storyline involving SMA. Perhaps I am too critical since this topic hits close to home... I thought the episode was fair.
The actor did a decent job portraying someone with SMA. But, haven't we seen this before? The sharp-witted, single, dying disabled dude with his trusty and loyal doggie by his side. Throw in the attractive female medical interns making sympathetic googoo eyes at him, as he lies in his hospital bed, gasping for his final breath.
No, I'm not saying they should have made out, or he should have survived to live happily ever after. But come on, he has no family to visit him? No friends stop by to say "adios amigo"? HOGWASH!!!
I feel that was a serious flaw in the show. The Disease doesn't just affect the individual, but the family and friends as well. Trust me, when my funeral comes around... it will be standing room only, GUARANTEED. Get your tickets in advance!
I am just going to stick to my show, The Office and let other shows fall by the wayside.
There you have it, hope it was worth the wait!!

2007-10-09T17:15:00.000-07:00

Tonight on Fox, an interesting episode of House will air. The story revolves around a patient with SMA. That's subject matter you don't see often, I'm intrigued.

Anyway, I'll give you my review... probably, tomorrow. I know, I know, it's not fair to keep all of my fans in suspense, but Damages is on immediately afterwards, so I'm afraid you'll have to wait until manana. I hope you'll be able to sleep tonight... pop an ambien or count sheep, I hear that works (I'm not a doctor, but I play one online.)

Okay then, don't forget to watch... thanks for coming, see you tomorrow!

must-see TV

2007-10-04T19:12:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen the show The Office? It's quite spectacular, I highly recommend it. ER is now on... you know, I've been to many ERs in my day. I've never experienced one with so much tumult as the show portrays. It's a lot of gobbledygook, if you ask me.

Anyway, no hot topics for tonight, I have a headache. Oh, but I would highly recommend you check out an awesome blog here (be right back, let me find a link....*theme music to Jeopardy* okay, I found it) http://www.the19thfloor.net/ Mark Siegel is almost as engaging and witty as yours truly, and that's saying something!

It's awesome! Enjoy!

we meet again!

2007-10-02T15:58:00.000-07:00

Welcome back! Wow, I can't believe you decided to return after my introductory post...you must be a glutton for punishment.

Have you been to my website?
http://www.disabledonline.com/ (Shameless plug) well, I hope you like it :-) it's a definite boost to my already massive ego!

Anyway, I suppose I should talk about disabled stuff, since I am trying to tie it in with my website. Not sure where to begin or exactly what you're interested in learning.

Well... I was diagnosed with SMA (spinal muscular atrophy) when I was only nine months old. So, we've been together now for over 30 years. Quite a relationship, it takes work to keep it going. But seriously, it is a form of muscular dystrophy. I don't know the exact definition... be right back, let me Google it...**theme music to Jeopardy**... back, sorry for the delay, hope you weren't waiting long. "SMA is a term applied to a number of different disorders, all having in common a genetic cause and the manifestation of weakness due to loss of the motor neurons of the spinal cord and brainstem "(gotta love Wikipedia).

Basically, I can't walk. Never have, never will. Yes, I know you're not supposed to never say never... well.. I'm staying it... NEVER!! Plus, I have scoliosis (curvature of the spine), so it becomes uncomfortable sitting up for long periods of time.

Jealous, right? Don't be, despite the decent parking, being disabled ain't all it's cracked up to be. To be honest, I'm quite lucky. I have a very supportive family and I possess a somewhat decent mental capacity.

Alright, that's enough about me... let's talk about you. What do you think of me?

selling my soul

2007-09-28T16:01:00.000-07:00

that's right... after a great deal of consternation and procrastination, I have decided to join the dark side. Not that I'm an anti-blogger, but what can I possibly say that hasn't already been said? It's not like the Internet is pining away for my thoughts... or is it? Well, I suppose I'll make an attempt to conjure up some thought-provoking tidbits to find out if anyone in cyberspace actually gives a hoot.

You've been warned... buckle up!