Riley gets a sister!

Last week I adopted a 2 year old female American shorthair mix (tabby on white) named Kady from the rescue shelter that saved Riley. Because he's settled in so well and is still young, I thought it would be nice for him to have companionship.

Things have been busy around here, but Kady has settled in nicely! Right now both cats are hanging out with each other, taking turns at the window and occasionally chatting. They're not playing together yet, but that'll be next. Riley is showing Kady his toys, hitting balls and mice toward her.

No pictures of them together yet, but I'll get some as soon as she's more comfortable.

Guest Post from musician Brent Flicks

JUST A THOUGHT
By: Brent Flicks You can find Brents sites at
www.bflix.ca & www.weareautumn.com

Life...What is life? For some life is a destination, for others it’s all about the journey. Life can lift you up, or tear you down, all in a matter of seconds. Life can sweep you off your feet when your limbs are unstable, or it can come around the corner, out of nowhere, and punch you in the gut when you’re looking the other way. Life can be a companion, or it can be the most lonely feeling in the entire world. Whether you believe you came from somewhere, or believe you came from nowhere, life is something we all experience. It has been said that we all live, but not all of us feel alive. It has also been stated that the only constant in life, is death. But where do we go when death arrives at our feet? Well, some believe that we are taken to a much higher, and better place, where we are reunited with past friends and family. Others believe that we are transformed, and reincarnated, coming back into another life, as another form. Some believe that we’re just gone. Every individual has their own definition of life, and what it means to feel alive. Some believe that a career is the most important aspect in life, others believe that simply happiness is the way to go. Some plan for the future, near or far, and others live each day one step at a time. One of the best quotes of all time, comes from a former Beatles member, and incredible songwriter, John Lennon. Lennon once said, "When I was 5 years old, my mom always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘\pard fs28 happy.’ They told me I didn’t understand the assignment and I told them they didn’t understand life."
Sometimes life throws you a curve ball, and you have to step out of the batter’s box, take a deep breath, reset, and step right back in, prepared to slam the ball out of the park. The path that you thought would lead you to your destiny, doesn’t always stay straight, it often has forks in the road, and even completely different roads altogether. Joseph Campbell once said, "You must give up the life you planned in order to have the life that is waiting for you."
Whatever life is to you, wherever you want to go, or don’t want to go, just remember that our time on earth is short, and for some of us, even shorter. Tell people close to you that you love them. Share your dreams and beliefs with anyone that you feel will listen. Chase your dreams and never give up. Trust your instincts and never be redirected by others’ opinions or ridicule. Take chances to reap rewards. Never, EVER, let your fear, or nerves come between you and a possible life changing experience. Live your life as if it’s an opportunity to achieve greatness and change the world. Lastly, and most importantly, live your life as if nobody is watching. That’s what’s on my mind...what’s on yours?

Siblings of people with disabilities

This 28 minute video from Attitude TV explores relationships between siblings and people with various disabilities.

The only problem is the suspension....

...says an Australian cattleman who has quadriplegia and is crossing the Tanami Desert in his power chair. You can read more about it here.

PSA: Spread the word to end the word

via YouTube:

"Not Acceptable" is a powerful and compelling 30 second television PSA which gives voice to a variety of diverse communities each of whom expresses that it is not acceptable to call them by what were once common words, but are now recognized as offensive slurs. It culminates in actress and self-advocate Lauren Potter from "Glee" stating that it is not acceptable to use the word 'retard' and she and "Glee" co-star Jane Lynch make a call to action to stop using the word and to promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to make their pledge online at http://r-word.org.

The PSA was launched by the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign, an on-going initiative from Special Olympics and Best Buddies to eradicate the derogatory use of the word "retard(ed)" from everyday use and promote the inclusion and acceptance of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Adapting a Violin

George Muller, born with aphalangia, won violin lessons but couldn't play the instrument right-handed. A teacher came up with a solution: she reversed the strings and moved the chin rest, but the sound wasn't right.

Claire Givens designed her first left-handed violin for George, which was made in Beijing. George is now playing along with his teacher. We wish him many happy hours with his new instrument!

It's my life: Life as a disabled person in a mainstream world: What are the effects that the Media has had on Dis...

It's my life: Life as a disabled person in a mainstream world: What are the effects that the Media has had on Dis...: "Disability in the media has always played an important role in shaping the lives of disabled people. For many years the only stories shown w..."

Losing some posts

These days I'm not quite sure when I put a post up that it will stay there. Hopefully the issues will be ironed out soon. In the meantime I'll continue to blog because my,philosophy is always to light a candle rather than curse the darkness

Sticky Love Notes

A couple meets in the park and exchanges sticky notes as they flirt....no, I'm not going to give away the ending...

Test post

Blogger has been down so just putting this up as a test. More to come hopefully

Later

Asking for help

Victoria Mavis talks about her disability and asking for help tying her shoes in the grocery store.

A message from Riley: Feline Update

Hey everyone! Hope you're enjoying Spring. Just a short message from me, the rescue kitty, letting you know how well things have worked out just in case you're thinking about letting a rescue pet rescue you.

I'm happily settled into my new home after a long winter. Can't believe it's taken me all this time to train my so called owner and the aides, but I have things the way I want them at last.

1. It's everyone's job to feed me. No exceptions Even if you're paralyzed. Use an assistive device. Geesh
2. I now have three napping areas set aside for me, aside from the bed. Finally folks got their act together an d have put down plush blankets in all three spots.
3. My cat toys are no longer in the way. Everyone is trained to roll and walk around them.


I still don't like storms since i was left out and abandoned during a thunder storm, but no one has figured out how to make those stop. I meow until someone picks me up but I'm less scared than I was. I prefer snow because it makes no noise.

My so called owner was a mess when I got here after she lost her cat Buddy. She's doing much better now that I'm around.

I hope someone reading this decides to check their local animal shelters for a cute pet like me. I wasn't in great shape when I was adopted (everyone kept calling me a handful, whatever that means), but with a little patience and love, my so called owner says I'm just as happy now as Buddy was.

And I think that's a very good thing.

[image description: A photo of Riley, a tabby on white, looking at the camera, cocking his head as he stands in front of a window.]

The good folks at Animal Allies took good care of me until I was adopted. Please consider helping them continue their good work with a donation.

Christopher Duffley performs at Annual Gala

Meet Christopher Duffley, a young musician who was born blind and with autism. He performs at the Triangle Annual Gala in this video.

Not being able to get in

Yet another email from a Catholic on wheels whose local parishes all lack access. So sad. Every time I hear about folks who want to go to Mass but can't get inside, I say a prayer that some day our institutions will reflect the true Body of Christ and include all.