taking on devastating hits

Good Morning,

On October 16, Rutgers University offensive tackle Eric LeGrand sustained a paralyzing spinal cord injury. The very next day, in the NFL there were at least four incredibly violent head to head collisions in which players wobbled off the field with concussions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYL5ltBZZlg&feature=related
(a link to one of these hits)

Last week the sports talk world exploded with debate over the culture of football and these devastating injuries. I am a HUGE sports fan. I watch and embrace college football and the NFL as a land of giants and heroes. I've also however experienced a "devastating injury"--a spinal cord injury delivered by the deadening impact of a large white station wagon! In this regard, I'm motivated to add my voice to some of the aftermath and discussion.

I really take issue with Mike Golic a former NFL defensive tackle and host of "Mike and Mike in the Morning" on ESPN radio's indignation when posed the idea of asking defensive players to aim lower in their tackles (and not to target the defenseless receiver's head).

Golic incredulously cried, "Now you want me to take a shot at the knee? If I get hit with a concussion, I’m out for 2 weeks. If I get hit in the knee, I’m out of the league!"

It was 5 in the morning. I listened still a bit numb to what I'd heard...I thought...

Try telling this to the guy on Rutgers who just broke his neck. Ask him would you rather blow out a knee or take a shot in the head? It only takes one hit. How arrogant to suggest that life begins and ends with “the League.”

Another voice I cannot get out of my head is James Harrison's. A Pittsburgh Steeler's linebacker who delivered two of these helmet to helmet blows. In a post game interview, he made a curious distinction, "I try to hurt people not injure them."

what???

According to merriam-webster.com, hurt means- to physically harm. syn. injure. Injure means- to inflict bodily hurt...

Isn’t it harder to mentally maintain this distinction than to adjust tackling technique? I say if James has the time to consider hurt vs. injure before leaving his feet he surely has the time to drop his shoulder and extend his arms.

Changes need to be made.

For the most part, the NFL agrees and is taking action. They've stepped up enforcement of existing rules and started handing out harsher penalties and fines.

Surprisingly, Mark Schlereth a 12 year veteran of the league who's racked up 29 surgeries for multiple injuries including several concussions argued strongly against disciplinary action.

http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/tag/mark-schlereth/ (for full analysis of his screed)

A day after James Harrison received a steep $75,000 fine, Mark Schlereth went on ESPN to give a rant about the the NFL as the "national hypocrites league." I cannot remember any of his points only the thought why am I listening to this man whose nickname is "Stink?"...given to him for preferring to pee on himself rather than leave the field of play for a restroom break...which i'm sure his QB did not appreciate...

anyway...

Unfortunately, just greater enforcement of existing rules is probably not enough for real change to occur. ALL can agree the culture of the BIG HIT in football must change. This will require a change in the mentality of the NFL players.

I've given it some thought. Here are my 10 suggestions to the NFL for how this can take place.

1. Stop trying to re-label these hits as "egregious" and go back to calling them devastating. That’s really more encompassing of their potential result. Ask Eric LeGrand.

2. Put more So You Think You Can Dance dancers on Gatorade bottles!

+ = Athlete!

...expanding players' idea of athlete and what's cool. (okay maaaybe not...)

3. Try embarrassment. Stick a big testicle sticker on the player's helmet for each of the devastating hits he makes.

4. Unleash the injured player's mother on the offending tackler.

5. Have a repeat offender spend the day with Muhammad Ali reading him his books and helping him pen his autobiography.

6. Send the offending player to Spain to take part in the running of the bulls.

7. Issue everyone a single bar kicker's helmet. I don't know how anyone feels menacing in this.


Lastly 8,9...try a few cosmetic changes to the field: let the grass grow knee high and put out some orange barrels. This slows traffic waaay down EVERYWHERE...

AND if all else fails...

10. Allow every team to sign at least one unicorn at wide receiver.

Coming to blows with a pointy horn should do it.

Happy Monday,

Amanda

fashion statement...

Good Morning,

I have a problem. I have the unique opportunity to get involved with a group of women who are developing an on-line community for women with disabilities. I’m not sure my role yet with mobilewomen.org but I am on-board! As I’ve been perusing the site, I’ve noticed something others might have missed…but you as my friends, family, and loyal readers would know. I am not very “girly.”

I'm hoping the editors let me bring my own sense of quirky style and humor to disability, beauty, and fashion…this morning I thought I'd take a stab at it.

My first piece of advice. Scuff your shoes up a bit.

One of the most depressing realizations in my recovery occurred when I looked around the rehabilitation hospital’s therapy gym. Thanks to the department stores generous buy and return policy, I had just been fitted with a new pair of sporty looking tennis shoes…

As I looked around at the other patients lying on the mats, it occurred to me. We are not bonded by age, ethnicity, injury, will to succeed…but by the simple fact that we all have white shoes. I mean really white, glow in the dark teeth bleaching white.

Just because you’re not going around tromping through puddles or walking the streets does not mean you want your tennis shoes to yellow with age. Ask a good friend whose hygiene you trust to go for a walk in them a couple times or if you’d rather give them to your service dog and ask her to bury them and bring them back.

After this, find a good hoodie- The hoodie wear for the most part gets overplayed but it is a wardrobe essential.

Number three? Get a hat.

Chances are good that someone else is doing your hair. There is no guarantee that they are having a good day or that they have taken all of their medication. I had a certain routine down that involved a little bit of mousse, a little bit of blow drying…that was pretty much it. After my accident, I sat and watched as various care-givers played beauty shop nervously on my head. Making their task more difficult, I had a halo vest they had to work around. The result was always some approximation of what I would have done but…some sort of follicular sensory memory on the scalp would tell me this is just not right! That layer belongs over here!

A good hat allows you to correct these mistakes. It leaves only an inch or two sticking out to create your stylish look and once removed throws you into the mix with everyone else experiencing fun and creative hat hair.

Number 4. Keep the food dribble off the hoodie. Simply put keep your clothes clean and practice good hygiene.

Five?

Designer socks. It may be that your foot is misshapen and will not fit into a shoe and yet you know about the backlash against those “cripples” who just wear socks. This issue has been debated recently on the Ouch Talk Show. Click here to find more on the shoe vs. no shoes debate. http://www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/podcast/ouch_talk_show_56_-_early_october_2010.shtml

In this instance, where you really must go shoeless, I’d recommend something in between. You know like this...a sock that looks like a shoe : )



No really, if there is one piece of advice I could give to any woman in any fashion situation it’s this...

Number six- Do not show up in just your bikini for adaptive swim class.

I once watched as a young woman showed up at the check-in desk in just her bikini in her power chair…She wore goggles, flipper fins, a two-piece and an attitude that said I’M HERE!

The front desk worker, teased and snickered at her co-worker. “Uh John your 10 o’clock appointment is here.” The two shared looks and giggles all the while I stood by helplessly feeling like “disability cop.” I wanted to throw myself around her like a blanket. Equally, I wanted to punch the big kid/teen bullies in the nose for their laughing.

So, in selecting your swim suit here’s what I’d recommend: don’t let the suit be what attracts attention to you but rather the attitude and life you give to it. If you want to present confident, secure wear a simple cover up.

Number 7- This is not a good look. photo of self in high boots.



Number 8- Take a firm stance on kitty apparel (...and Christmas sweaters). I was reminded last week of the "ageless" way strangers approach someone walking with a cane or in a wheelchair. As I made my way to the checkout counter at Quik Trip (the gas station) with my fountain drink, a woman with arms full of "booty" stopped me repeatedly with a well-practiced phrase "Can I help you sweetie?" and "Let me get that for you baby doll." More confused than grateful I let her walk me to the counter... then my car. Clearly I thought this woman thinks I'm twelve. I nodded and thanked her for her heroic efforts as finally the basis of her good deed was revealed, "I have a son like you" she said. She then continued to mother me asking where I lived and if I had someone waiting at home to help me carry in my purchases...

okay, my point? all I can think about now is this woman's poor son who she might dress up like a baby doll. dressing him in a way that reflects her cares and interests in the world. Before this happens in your world...



I think it's wise to explore your personal style and set boundaries and limits to what you'd like to wear.

For Number 9- I borrow from Wendy Crawford, founding and managing editor of mobilewomen.org who also happens to be an experienced fashion model. Number 9!!!!... Don’t accessorize your chair with stuffed animals, fuzzy dice or balloons. Instead, redirect the focus and accessorize you! By adding one great piece like a colorful scarf, interesting earrings or necklace (there are so many beautiful yet affordable pieces right now), you can completely transform a basic outfit without spending much.

what i think this means is: Make the statement don’t be the statement or curiosity.

And lastly, Number 10-Don't drop the ball at the gym. I'm not a public nude person but am always amazed by the number who are. At the gym, there's always a nude conversationalist in the locker room targeting disabled people. I've found the older nude woman walking around in the locker room...fresh out of the showers to be very friendly but extremely difficult to talk to...model for her and everyone good fitness attire. Try wearing a t-shirt and fingertip length shorts, a simple white towel wrap will make a fine dress and smart fashion statement after you hit the showers too.

Alright. Hope this helps.

Happy Monday,

Amanda

Stevie Wonder's song for literacy

Good Morning,

Stevie Wonder.

I love this man.



knowing you can always count on Stevie…for sure that’s what friends are for : )

Recently, he has been caught employing a unique strong arm tactic.

In lobbying the United Nations for better copyright rules for the blind, he vowed "change your ways Intellectual Committee or I am going to write a mean song on you!"

I love Stevie Wonder but I worry about his qualifications in this area “My Cherie Amour” and “I Just Called to Say I Love You” are not going to do it.

I don’t think Stevie realizes he is too nice…

“Overjoyed?”

Over time, I've been building my castle of love
Just for two, though you never knew you were my reason
I've gone much too far for you now to say
That I've got to throw my castle away

Or…

“Knocks Me Off My Feet?”

I don't want to bore you with my trouble
But there's something 'bout your love
that makes me weak and knocks me off my feet.

I’m afraid Stevie’s words might not pack the necessary political punch…

According to the World Health Organization, over 300 million people worldwide have significant visual impairments or blindness. With only 5% of printed material available in a readable form for the blind or visually impaired (e.g. Braille, audiobooks) that’s A LOT of people “living in darkness…” (those are Stevie’s words not mine).

In Stevie’s speech before the UN’s 184 member World Intellectual Property Organization he threatened that he’d return in one year and perform a song “about what you didn’t do!” should they not heed his call to ease up global copyright laws.

So, by the powers invested in me by the MMN I thought maybe I could help Stevie out (I mean that’s what friends are for right?)

What Stevie needs I decided was to sit down with a more militant voice. Someone not afraid to stick the digit to the establishment…You know, what would happen if Stevie met with arrogant rap artist Kanye West? I got a 1st hand glimpse of lyric sheets

“Runaway” (as performed at the MTV video music awards)

http://idolator.com/5626322/kanye-west-runaway

(Stevie's edits are in bold)

And I always find, yeah, I always find somethin’ wrong

You/we’ve been puttin’ up wit’ my/this sh*t just way too long

I’m so gifted at findin’ what I don’t like the most

So I think it’s time for us to have a toast

Let’s have a toast for the windbags
Let’s have a toast for the a-holes,

Let’s have a toast for the dumbags Every one of them that I know

Let’s have a toast to the 
turkey boss That’ll never take work off

Baby, you got a plan Run away fast as they can…from responsibility.

No seriously, while others laugh I give him credit for having the guts to perhaps work the lyrics

“Pro-visually impaired global copyright laws” into a song.

If there is anyone who can impact the course and direction of visually impaired literacy through song, Stevie can. Look at what he did in the 80's. In reaction to apartheid, he single-handedly penned, "It's Wrong" and turned South African and world sentiments on its ear. Okay maaaaybe not. I've never heard this song but it is kind of catchy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqVGyLtqQCk. and i'm sure impactful at the time.

What I'm trying to say is let's not give the guy too much razzing (unless of course the song is blatantly awful and promotes participant clapping, group hugs and swaying). Let's give it a chance and get behind the song...whatever it may be. I mean come on anyone who can dedicate "I Just Called to Say I Love You" to Nelson Mandela in prison and have it sound cool deserves our support.

Now that's cool!

Keep shining knowing you can always count on me. Happy Monday,

Amanda
Messenger for Peace : )

hidden thoughts of car purchasing

(drivin's for the birds...)

Good Morning,

My head has been floating in a strange otherworldly bubble the past couple days. my car died...

my motor expired unexpectedly last week on the highway. thankfully i know very little about what happens underneath the hood of a car because it wasn't pretty...little gray puffs of smoke and by the time i had her pulled over i felt her give way beneath my white knuckle grasp

i loved the Protege 5 and will admit I cried.

so i needed a new vehicle before i O.D. on the smell of the rental car's Febreeze!!! (yuck...)

This lead me to those awkward and uncomfortable conversations this weekend with overly slick men of the USED car lot.

As i sat in the cubicle awaiting Ed to do business, i realized I had penned down my research on my negotiating sheets (the back sides of my day-by-day kitty calendar). it's a nice touch to see photos of cats saying "Do I hear the can opener?" and "Yuck! It's the wrong brand!"

while my side read

Kelley Blue Book Prices
Consumer Reports Review...gas mileage, safety records, engine
Car Fax notes- recalls, reliability

trade in values...

my mind was filled with other thoughts or questions i really wanted answers to. i've pared it down to seven you might use on your next car buying trip.

1. Given the unexpected and sudden nature of my last car's demise, I appreciate all this talk about service and Warranty but should this outlay of costs present itself again in short order...

Can I sleep in it overnight to see how it feels?

2. The car I'm interested in the Honda Fit is advertised as economical and roomy. Can we see how many balloons we can fit in it?

3. Would I like to take a test drive? Not really but i'd like to hide stuff in it and see how long it takes me to find it. That's the reeeal test.

4. What am I really looking for in a car?
Good cup holders and singing acoustics.

5. she died just after i'd just filled her up with a full tank of gas...just seems somewhere in there i should be able to recoup that cost...

6. Can i have some assurance the previous owner did not have passengers that put their sweaty feet on the dashboard?

7. Can i bring my cat over to see if she likes the ride and if it has belts to fit her Pet Taxi?

okay, that's all i have for this morning. i'm off to seal the deal! safe driving and

Happy Monday to all,

Amanda

p.s. 2008 Honda Fit Sport i'll post a picture : ) it's red!