While others joyfully celebrated Christmas, a woman sobbed uncontrollably in a dimly light shed pleading with God to spare the life of her youngest son. That woman was my mother …
Nature’s Balance
In September, Beth and I are riding an Alaska ferry to Skagway. We’ll spend a little time in Juneau and four days in Ketchikan. We’re booked. We’re going to take …
Awarding Insanity
The settlement over my son’s death finally came through. The city referred to it as an “award,” one of the stranger definitions of that word. I’ve begun spending it. As …
New Wheels Should Feel Like Comfortable Shoes
If, like me, you use a wheelchair on a regular basis, then you know that one of the hardest things to do is upgrade to a new chair. I’ve had …
A Night Out: Purple Heart Part 2
Rick and I had been playing wheelchair basketball and it seemed like his mind was elsewhere. If you read part 1, you’ll remember that I suggested he and I forget …
Politics and Poltroons
Once in a while, it helps to vent. When it appears things in Washington have settled down for a while, I try to pick an issue I care about and …
Changes in Altitude, Changes in Attitude
Back when it was time to stop drinking and doping myself into oblivion or worse I started attending 12-step meetings. No one ever said people with disabilities couldn’t have these …
Terri Schiavo on My Mind
Let’s talk life and death. Most specifically, the life and impending death of Terri Schiavo. Here are the facts, as I know them, and what I think about them. Fifteen …
Terri Is Gone But Infotainment Lives On
I’m sick of the high-profile news stories: Scott Peterson, Robert Blake, Michael Jackson, the courthouse shooter, and now the Schiavo-Schindler family fracas. “Infotainment,” I’ve heard it called. The Terri Schiavo …