Hello friends!
I’ve wanted to share some fun updates around here. If you follow me on Instagram you’ve likely heard about all of this, but I still like keeping a record here. .jpg "This Little Miggy || Updates + Wheelchair Life")
One of the most exciting piece of news is that When Charley Met Emma landed on Laura Bush’s 2021 summer reading list! Not only is Mrs. Bush a former first lady, she was an elementary school teacher and librarian. It means a lot to me for When Charley Met Emma to be on her list with these other amazing books. This is seriously such an honor for me. Thank you for all your support for Charley and Emma.
In other, less fun news, Lamp’s wheelchair was accidentally submerged in a community pool during a class fieldtrip last week. I have already spent a lot of time and energy talking all about this on Instagram, and you can catch up by reading the posts, here, here and here. Additionally be sure to check out the wheelchair life highlight on my IG homepage .In short it is a big, BIG deal when someone’s wheelchair is damaged. Lamp’s chair is just as expensive as a car–over 50K–but wheelchairs are much more integral to daily living than a car. And they are much more difficult and take much more time to get either fixed or replaced.
.jpg "This Little Miggy || Updates + Wheelchair Life")
The reason I share this here is two-fold. 1) The timing of this accident couldn’t have been more uncanny as there have been many videos shared the past week wherein a person’s wheelchair was damaged by an airline. Since airlines are not subject to the ADA, and there are no set protocols for accountability, and in training airline employees in how to handle wheelchairs this is an ongoing problem, and more than “a problem” its a civil rights issue. Please click here to support the Air Carrier Access Ammendments Act. This bill would establish the following:
- Airline Passengers With Disabilities Bill of Rights
- Advisory Committee on Disability at the Department of Transportation
- Better Stowage Options for Assistive Devices
- Safe & Effective Boarding & Deplaning Process
- Increased penalties for damaged wheelchairs/mobility aids or bodily injuries, and allowing air travelers to sue in court to recover damages
- Higher standards for accessibility, safety and airport and airline employee training
2) I also want to hightlight, once again, the incredible work of a local non-profit here in Cincinnati called May We Help. The only reason this story of Lamp’s chair being damaged hasn’t been more traumatic is that we were able to get a short term loan of a power wheelchair the very next day after the chair accident. I cannot impress upon you enough how that just does not happen. This is nothing but sheer luck to have such an amazing organization in our backyard.
.jpg "This Little Miggy || Updates + Wheelchair Life")
In addition to building custom solutions for people with disabilies, May We Help also holds an annual adaptive equipment swap where they GIVE AWAY FOR FREE adaptive equipment that other individuals and families have donated that they no longer use. (Of course they only accept equipment that is still in good working condition.) Their next adaptive equipment swap is here in Cincinnati June 27th from 12-4. Not only do they have equipment, but there will be Therapists on hand to make sure the equipment is fit for the person who needs it, AND they will have their technicians on hand to make any modifications and adjustments as needed.
Thanks for all your support! I appreciate you so much. I have some exciting things going on behind the scenes and am excited to share some more good news soon!
XO,
Miggy
