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November is National Family Caregivers Month in the USA

(Note: This issue of the PABIA-NEWS will be posted on the web soon.)

Inside This Issue:

• Editor's Note

• Upcoming Meetings

• Internet Support Links

• Using Your Head

• Soldiers Return from Iraq With Serious Brain Injuries

• Client Assistance Program (CAP)

• Does a Clock Help Make the Most of Your Time? by Sarah T. Woosley

• 2005 Fair Market Rents for Voucher Programs

• INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTERS

• Free Support Group Development Tools

• Cognitive Dissonance XVI

• Thank You!

• PABIA-NEWS Subscriber Policy

• Subscribe/Unsubscribe Instructions

• ETC.

Internet Support Links

Brain Injury Association of America
http://www.biausa.org

Soldiers Return from Iraq With Serious Brain Injuries

According to the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C, traumatic brain injury accounts for at least 14 percent to 20 percent of surviving casualties during times of combat. Good things like better armor, diagnostic tools and medical staff who are better trained to determine and treat brain injuries has meant more permanent head injuries. It is reported about 65% of soldiers coming through the hospital with wounds have suffered life-changing brain injuries.

The Brain Injury Association of America estimates that every dollar invested in brain injury rehabilitation and support saves $35 in future medical costs. Other than distant VA hospitals for our veterans, there are few local resources that individuals with a brain injury or their family members can contact.

Without community-based resources to provide services to the survivors, individuals with brain injuries are in danger of slipping through the cracks. Some end up in the criminal justice and mental health systems, which costs more than paying for community-based services.

If you are a VA beneficiary or active duty military who has sustained a brain injury, please register with Defense and Veterans Head Injury Program (DVHIP) at http://www.dvbic.org/. If they don't know you are out there, they cannot help you!

http://www.dvbic.org/

Print out the Form from their website and mail to:
Attn: Dr. Deborah L. Warden
Defense and Veterans Head Injury Program
Building 1, Second Floor, Room B207
Washington, DC 20307
Phone:(800) 870-9244 or (202) 782-6345
FAX: 202-782-4400
Attn: Dr. Deborah L. Warden

Brain injury often is called the silent epidemic. There can be instances where the individual may appear unaffected, but experiences subtle difficulties cognitively, emotionally or physically.

Related News Links

Soldiers Return from Iraq With Serious Brain Injuries
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/health/july-dec04/wounded2_7-16.html

BRAIN INJURIES LEAD IRAQ WAR INJURIES
http://tbrnews.org/Archives/a1024.htm

Brain trauma takes toll on soldiers
http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/tallahassee/news/world/8766903.htm

The Effects of War—
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder After Traumatic Brain Injury
http://www.neuropsychiatryreviews.com/apr03/npr_apr03_PTSD.html

Walter Reed Treats Casualties with Brain Injuries
http://www.armymedicine.army.mil/news/mercury/04-01/braininjury.cfm

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from: http://www.equalemployment.org/

CAP is an advocacy program for people with disabilities administered by the Center for Disability Law & Policy.

CAP helps people who are seeking services from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Blindness and Visual Services, Centers for Independent Living and other programs funded under federal law.

CAP help is provided to you at no charge, regardless of income.

The Center for Disability Law & Policy is dedicated to ensuring that the rehabilitation system in Pennsylvania is open and responsive to your needs.

You Can Count on The Client Assistance Program...

*  To provide you with information and advice about rehabilitation programs.

*  To advise you of your legal rights and responsibilities.

*  To Help you resolve problems that may arise while you are seeking services from rehabilitation programs.

*  To help you pursue administrative and legal remedies to protect your rights.

 

2005 Fair Market Rents for Voucher Programs
The Four Steps - Info Bulletin #74 - 10/04

Section 8 vouchers have been a hot topic nationally and within the
disability communities. On 10/1/04, HUD published the new Fair Market Rents (FMRs) for 2005. The FMRs determine the Section 8 payment amounts established by HUD for your counties and apply to both renewal rents and initial rents for voucher holders. If you want to know the FMRs for your county by bedroom size, they are listed at www.huduser.org/datasets/fmr.html.

Knowing the FMRs, at least for persons who require accessible units in
any federally-funded housing program (public housing, HOME, CDBG, HOPE VI, etc), is just the FIRST STEP.

As was explained in previous Information Bulletins, your local Housing
Authorities have discretion to set the payment standard between 90 percent and 110 percent of the published FMR. You should make sure that AT LEAST the payments are set at 110 percent. That is STEP TWO.

For persons who are disabled, the payment standards can go up to 120
percent of the published FMR "as a reasonable accommodation for a family that includes a person with disabilities." By federal regulation, HUD has this discretion if your Housing Authority requests an "exception payments" up to 120 percent of the FMR. 24 Code of Federal Regulations 982.503(c ) (2).

STEP THREE is to find accessible units that might accept a Section 8
housing voucher and ask your Housing Authority to request the HUD Field Office to approve payments up to 120 percent as a reasonable accommodation. Some Housing Authorities may balk at your request. Tell them EITHER to find an appropriate accessible unit that rents within the 90 to 110 percent of the FMR OR approve the reasonable accommodation request.

If, at the 120 percent FMR level, you still cannot find an accessible
units that meets the disabled family's needs, then the HA should request from national HUD approval of the "exception payment standard amount" ABOVE 120 percent of the FMR - again as a reasonable accommodation. This is STEP FOUR.

How much above 120 percent??? That depends. We suggest that advocates look around your county and come up with a list of accessible units. How much rent do they charge? 130, 140, 190 percent of the FMR??

If there are no accessible units, for example, at less than the 150
percent of the FMR, the meaningful access for PWDs requires the FMR be set at that level. If, however, the Housing Authority can find appropriate accessible units to participate in the Section 8 program either at less than120 percent and such units are actually available, then 120 percent might be appropriate.

It is important for advocates to find accessible units that will participate in the Section 8 program. Many landlords with accessible units might
participate IF they can be paid what their market rent actually is. It is also
important for advocates to not settle for INaccessible units just because they are within the payment range set by your Housing Authority.

Remember that both the ADA and Section 504 are to achieve equality for
persons with disabilities. Equal choice, equal opportunity and meaningful
access might require- for PWDs who require units with specific accessibility features - that the section 8 housing voucher payment standard be substantially higher than the payment standard for non-disabled persons.

Steve Gold, The Disability Odyssey continues

Back issues of other Information Bulletins are available online at
http://www.stevegoldada.com with a searchable Archive at this site divided into different subjects. To contact Steve Gold directly, write to stevegoldada@cs.com

 

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Cognitive Dissonance XVI
Drill Instructor's Attitude Adjuster

The subtitle, “Drill Instructors’ Attitude Adjuster” seemed like a strong one for this piece. However, this writer believed he could not change it and maintain the integrity of this series of essays. The title caused me some dissonance. I wondered why I chose it. As I’ve written before, this series of essays is an ever evolving work. After editing each part of the series, I decide, sometimes impulsively, upon a subtitle for the next

Here I sat dealing with cognitive dissonance. On one hand, I was bothered by the idea that I did not believe that I knew enough about drill instructors. How could I write anything about what they do to adjust the attitudes of recruits? On the other hand, I wondered if anyone could relate or would even want to relate to the idea. This caused some stress. It was painful. I wanted to escape the pain. So I started writing. This essay is a compilation of different writings I’ve previously penned, research about Drill Instructors and the ideas I’ve used to ‘sew’ them together. It has served to help me overcome the dissonance I experienced at the start of this endeavor. And it helped me to command some negative thought soldiers to line up, single file and return to their barracks.

Welcome to Boot Camp
The Drill Instructors (DIs) are the first people the new recruits see when they enter basic training and they remain with the recruits through training until graduation. Recruits are individually and intensely directed, instructed and commanded by their DIs from the early a.m. bugle call of reveille until the bugler sounds out Taps. The DI has the greatest influence on the recruits during their transformation from ordinary citizens to soldiers.

The DI is a teacher and guidance counselor. Sometimes the DI is a father figure or brother. To qualify as a Drill Instructor, one must pass rigorous performance standards. They must complete an intense training course. The Drill Instructor serves as a role model for the recruits by their presence, manner, and professional knowledge. It is their sole responsibility to take people and transform them into basically trained soldiers for the branch of service they are enlisted in. They are literally with the recruits 24 hours a day.

The DI is trained to teach and train the recruits to the best of their ability. Their goal is to mature them into smartly disciplined, physically fit, basically trained troops. They thoroughly indoctrinate their recruits in love of their branch of military service and their country. They demand the highest standards of morality, personal conduct, and professional skill.

The DI teaches a sharp focus by being focused. Recruits are trained to be mentally tough. This is absolutely necessary. Self-confidence is a must. It permeates all aspects of the recruits’ transition. They learn a lot about themselves. They learn how to capture their mind, harness willpower and exert their control over themselves to do anything. They learn that they have more heart than they might ever realize otherwise.

Drill Instructors teach the recruits discipline through dress code, physical fitness, mental alertness and a host of other means. Drill is an important part of military life. Discipline, smartness and teamwork are goals which are achieved through the process of basic training. Drill is the most efficient way of moving a number of people from one place to the next. Instead of having a disorganized group of individuals ambling slowly, Drill produces an organized, efficient team with a distinctly defined function and direction. It is an extremely good exercise in teamwork. This is how attitudes are adjusted. Instead of focusing only on the ‘self, ’ recruits learn how to think as a team.

Drill teaches recruits to follow directions. Every member of the team relies on the next person for timing to get it right. There are no individuals in a team. Everyone performs the techniques, turns and movements in exactly the same time. All of this teaches recruits to set aside their personality, indeed, their individuality, for the group. The confidence, mental fortitude and discipline become lifelong assets. Honor, courage, problem solving and commitment are also products of the Drill Instructors’ attitude adjustment process.

Drill Instructors are firm. However, friendliness has been introduced as a means to moderate firmness. The drill instructor always sets the example for the recruits. That includes everything from having the best uniform, to having exemplary conduct and demeanor both in and out of uniform. Instructors must be loyal to the course. They must appear to have a unified front in all aspects, at all times. The Drill Instructor’s voice is one of the key ingredients to his effectiveness. Commands must be delivered “from the gut” without wavering. This is another attitude adjustment tool.

Motivation of recruits is the most important aspect of successful drill instruction. In this context, motivation can be defined as giving the recruits the chance to succeed to their fullest potential. A drill instructor accomplishes this by appearing enthusiastic. They set high standards at the start of the course and relax them slowly so that the trainees can gain a sense of accomplishment. In short, the Drill Instructor is the commander of the recruits from the start of day one through their graduation ceremony.
 

You-The DI
Drill Instruction is standardized using common sense, simple interpretations of the principles. DIs must have a positive attitude, be sincere and have dignity. To be effective, the instructor must maintain direct, personal contact with the trainee. This is an easy task when you are the Drill Instructor adjusting your own thought soldiers’ attitudes. You will speak directly to your troops when using the power statements.

When reciting power statements, use proper and varying volume and pitch to emphasize teaching points and enunciate your words clearly. No need to degrade yourself when a setback occurs. Move through set backs with dignity, knowing that you are learning to overcome the sentries stationed at the gate to your thought garden. Cultivating and using a positive attitude becomes easier with practice. This is where repetition comes into play. Like Drill Instruction prepares men and women to overcome the enemy as a team, so will your personal Drill Instruction train your thought soldiers to perform for you.

With the tips I’ve provided throughout the Cognitive Dissonance series of essays, you can follow a standardized set of instructions. Unlike military drill instruction, the tips contained within these pages are not regulations. Instead, think of them as a map or as guidelines to aid you in the process of overcoming the dissonance causing enemy of your peace of mind.

You must remain firm all through this process. Wavering is a sure sign of weakness that will be exploited to your disadvantage. It will serve to undermine and slow the process. When you find yourself struggling, wavering or weary; Stop, rest and regroup. Find a source of motivation outside of yourself. After resting, get back into the battle with renewed energy. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Know that with persistence, you will succeed. And carry on.

Become committed to the process of cleaning and clearing your thought garden. Muster the courage each day to do what it takes to embed new ideas into your garden. Use the strategies you have learned to solve this problem. Challenge conventional wisdom. It is honorable to make positive changes happen from within your thought garden.

Hitting the Ball Outside of the Box
Not long ago, people who experienced paraplegia were limited in their mobility device options. The cumbersome, chrome steel “dinosaurs” as I’ve heard them described, were their only option.

 

For decades, no one even considered other possibilities. However, along came a man who liked to be able to stand upright after experiencing an accident that left him with paraplegia. He decided to think outside of the box so-to-speak. I heard him in an interview tell of how people who were still able bodied asked him why he wanted to stand. They were locked into patterns of cumbersome, chromed steel. He wanted a mobility device that could navigate through small doorways and that would allow him to present himself eye to eye with other human beings. And he wanted to golf. The conventional wheelchairs made golfing impossible.

Instead of buckling under the dissonance and accepting the limitations as they existed, he challenged the conventional “wisdom” and created the Hi-Rider mobility device. Instead of adapting the whole world to paraplegia, he adapted paraplegia to the world. Now he uses his idea to reduce barriers to his full, productive living in society. And he uses it to play golf.

The company that bought his idea has improved upon the design and accessories tremendously by listening to the end users. There are approximately 54 million Americans with disabilities. It has been estimated that 35% of people with disabilities are interested in playing golf. The major golfing organizations estimate that if 50% of them begin playing golf and play one round, it would create more than $344 million in greens fees and cart rentals. Talk about incentive to think outside of the box!

The National Alliance for Accessible Golf was created in July 2001 to address some of the policy issues, increase awareness and encourage participation of people with disabilities in the game of golf. The Alliance brings together leaders in the golf industry, representatives from disability organizations and golfers with disabilities. No one would have dreamed this possible only a couple of years ago. Someone changed the attitudes of the entire golfing industry. They used inclusion strategies, overcame obstacles, and successfully won the battle. I would be willing to bet that they had to overcome a great deal of cognitive dissonance during the research and development process.

The vision of the Alliance for Accessible Golf is such that “through the game of golf individuals with disabilities become actively engaged in the social fabric of a community, and derive health benefits that improve quality of life.” What better way to break barriers? This is a powerful example of how overcoming cognitive dissonance can improve the lives of millions of people with disabilities throughout the world.

Traveling Light
A hang gliding expert was left with paraplegia after a hang gliding accident. She was also restricted by the cumbersome, heavy chromed steel monster chairs with wheels. This caused massive amounts of dissonance. She fought it by commanding a combination of her experiences.

 

Using her experience with lightweight gliders, she approached manufacturers with an idea for lightweight chairs that improved independence and mobility. Together, they created lightweight chairs with wheels that greatly improve the lives of people who use them.

 

My sister-in-law uses one of these chairs with wheels. She was paralyzed from the waist down after being shot in 1992. The lightweight chair helped her complete her Master’s program by reducing the barriers to her full participation in her schooling. She is able to wheel herself to her car, slide herself in and fold up the chair and store it in her back seat while she drives using hand controls.

When she found herself sitting out in the aisle during graduation ceremony as a well-known, self-proclaimed disability rights advocate gave the Keynote address, she didn’t complain. Even when she had to figure out a way to get on stage to accept her diploma, she didn’t grumble.

 

The lightweight chair made it easier for her to wheel herself around to the back of the stage as the ceremony was embarrassingly halted to wait for her to find a way to get up to the staging area. And this was the school of social work of a prominent Pittsburgh University! They should know better than to hold their ceremonies in an inaccessible manner.

 

If not for her lightweight chair, she might not have been able to participate at all. She was able to overcome the dissonance caused by the violation of her civil rights through the use of this lightweight chair. It took deliberate, commanding of her thoughts to fight off the emotional disturbance caused by the dissonance. She was the DI.

Applying your DI
Maybe you didn’t care to keep your thought garden clean because you were not taught to do it. Perhaps you were systematically instructed to enlist these insidious insiders. Or maybe you do want to uproot the negative thought soldiers stationed at the gate to your thought garden, but do not know how. In any case, as you realize the need, you must begin to form mental images of the cleaning process. Imagine yourself unrestricted by physical bounds, uprooting and raking away the debris. You do not want to fail at this do you? No, you don’t, or you would not have read this far.

For example, if you want to lose weight, fight the thought soldiers that combat you. Having the extra dessert will hurt. Extra helpings are not Ok if you want to lose weight. You do not need the extra nutrition. If you believe you do, grab a vitamin. You will not burn off the extra calories. You will not get sick if you walk. Whatever the hidden soldier tells you, you are the commander, enforce your position. Dig out the supporting lies.

Remember that you have planted the negative thought soldiers. Now you are reaping the harvest. Upon your satisfactory dismantling of these thought barriers you will find it easier to drop a few pounds and you will be able to decide to diligently patrol your thought compound, indeed, your thought garden, and commend the thoughts to obey you. You have the power.
 

Next Time: Drill Instruction-Dissonance Reduction Through Orderly Procession

 

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Remember this: Love is an action word. Actively love others today.

It is written that God is love.

Love is all we need.
 

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