Disabled workers may be forced to fold last flag

Dozens of disabled workers face layoffs after Huntsville flag manufacturer’s federal contract ends

WAFF 48 News
By McKinley Strother
June 28, 2019

“We’re for employment of all persons. We want to make sure people with a disability have a seat at the table.” Wes Tyler

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) - A federal court ruling ends a 25-year flag contract for a Huntsville-based company. The court upheld the U.S. Veteran Administration’s Rule of Two, meaning that veteran-owned companies will be given priority over AbilityOne nonprofits as bids are awarded.

Phoenix in south Huntsville has been producing interment flags for Veterans Administration since 1994. The company primarily employs disabled or veteran flag-makers.

“The contract was cancelled and the final shipment will be made in about 10 days," said Wes Tyler, Phoenix’s VP of Manufacturing and Business Development.

The AbilityOne Program has its beginnings in a 1938 law that allows nonprofits to be awarded certain federal contracts as long as they meet quality and pricing requirements, and 75 percent of the employees are people with disabilities. Through its AbilityOne contracts, Phoenix employs 791 people, 75 of which are veterans.

Nearly two dozen people work on Phoenix’s contract with the VA to manufacture interment flags, 95 percent of whom have a significant disability. Phoenix has produced more than 2.1 million flags since beginning the contract.

“People have come and gone but we still have a lot of folks like myself that have been here 24 years," said Wanda Duboise.

Duboise is worried about her professional and financial future. “I’m still trying to be optimistic that someway or another it can turn around for us," said Duboise.
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Hundreds of runners support healing Ironstone farm

Hundreds turn out for annual Ironstone Derby 5K in Andover
Eagle Tribune
By Kelsey Bode
8 hrs ago

ANDOVER — Nearly 300 runners gathered Sunday beneath a clear, blue sky to raise money and awareness during the fifth annual Ironstone Derby 5K.

“Happy Father’s Day to all the dads,” said Deedee O’Brien, executive director of Ironstone Farm. “We are really happy to be here.”

The 5K helps support programs at the farm, which serve children with disabilities, people of all ages with autism, veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, those diagnosed with cancer, and teen development programs, O’Brien said.

“We really appreciate everybody turning out this year for Ironstone,” said Neil Fater, the farm’s marketing director.

Fater pointed to a farmhouse being renovated to house veterans for weekend programs.

“People coming here for retreats can stay here,” Fater said of the farmhouse. “For veterans, having an immersive experience is really powerful. We appreciate people coming out to support kids and veterans. There are lots of great fathers here.”
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ADL Service Dog Missing in Shelton Connecticut

Reward offered for missing service dog in Shelton 
WTNH.com 
Staff
Published: September 24, 2017

SHELTON, Conn. (WTNH) — A $500 reward is being offered for a missing service dog in Shelton. ADL Service Dogs says a poodle named Raven disappeared last night from Wellington Restaurant in Shelton. 

The company thinks the dog was stolen, so they do not know if he will be wearing a collar. Raven is described as a brown male standard poodle with a few white hairs on his back. He has been training to help and live with a disabled Southern Connecticut State University student. 
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Young Man With Tumor Wants Help to Be "Normal" And Join the Army

He wants to join the Army, but can't afford to pay to have face tumor removed

Associated Press

August 9, 2017

He has turned to the internet for help and set up a GoFundMe page with a goal of $40,000.Removing the tumor would not only give him a normal life, but also allow him to pursue his dream of joining the military, McCulley said.

NAMPA, Idaho — An Idaho man with a large, rare tumor that dominates the right side of his face is asking for help with the medical costs to remove it.

Lucas McCulley of Nampa was born with a rare lymphangioma tumor that was not detected during his mother's pregnancy, KTVB-TV reported.

"I was born at Mercy and they life-flighted me at two days old to Salt Lake City and they had never seen any case like it before I got there," he said.

Before he reached the age of 10, McCulley underwent 24 surgeries and the last one nearly had a fatal outcome.

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Combat PTSD Veteran Wins Battle For All Others With Service Dogs

St. Augustine veteran wins battle with major airline; immediate changes ordered
Florida Times Union
Julia Jenae
January 12, 2017

Veteran Sgt. Kevin Crowell and Bella are pictured. (First Coast News)

A St. Augustine combat veteran’s fight with an airline that forced him off a plane due to his service dog is bringing about change across the country, according to Times-Union news partner First Coast News.

The U.S. Department of Transportation released a consent order Monday, finding American Airlines violated the Aircraft Carrier Access Act by failing to properly train employees on disabled passengers with service animals. The order requires American Airlines to implement new training for all gate agents and reservation agents within 30 days.

Sgt. Kevin Crowell, a disabled combat veteran, filed his formal complaint against the carrier in 2014. Crowell was traveling to Key West with his wife along with his service dog, Bella.

According to the complaint, a flight attendant told him pets were not allowed in the bulkhead (front of plane), referring to his registered service animal. Despite having reserved an airline ticket online as a passenger with a service animal, an error in proper coding created a dispute on the flight. Crowell was asked to deboard the plane, an action his complaint said aggravated his post-traumatic stress disorder.
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Ground Zero Responder Turned Away From Hospital Because of PTSD Service Dog?

Ground Zero Worker Turned Away from Hospital When He Brings Service Dog
NBC New York
By Lori Bordonaro
September 23, 2016

Hazan later told NBC 4 New York, "At a mental health care facility, it makes it an egregious violation of human rights."

A ground zero first responder suffering post-traumatic stress disorder was turned away from a New York City hospital when he tried to bring his service dog to a therapy session, he says. Fifteen years after responding to ground zero, former New Jersey EMT Jamie Hazan had finally gotten the perfect prescription for his post-traumatic stress disorder: Bernie, a service dog.

He takes Bernie nearly everywhere, including doctors appointments. But when Hazan arrived at New York State Psychiatric Institute hospital in Washington Heights for his therapy session Tuesday, he was told Bernie wasn't welcome.

Hazan began recording the exchange on his cellphone.
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Bogus Service Dogs Hurt Those Needing Real Ones

DOG DAZE: BOGUS SERVICE ANIMALS HURT THOSE WHO NEED HELP
ABC 7 News
By Chuck Goudie and Barb Markoff
Monday, January 11, 2016
January 11, 2016

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The ABC7 I-Team investigated why people who disguise their pets as service dogs are making it more challenging for those who really need the help.

A Vietnam vet told the ABC7 I-Team he received "questionable service" before boarding a recent American airlines flight at O'Hare. This was the third time the veteran had trouble with the airline and the issue, he says, was his service dog "Gander."

"If I'm super stressed out, he'll get right in my face," Lon Hodge said.

Hodge is a Vietnam veteran who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and has some mobility issues from an autoimmune disorder. Four years ago he says his PTSD was so debilitating, he couldn't leave his house.

"I was in a lot of trouble physically and emotionally and was having up to five, six panic attacks a day," Hodge said.

That all changed when Hodge received Gander, a labradoodle with $35,000 worth of training from Freedom Service Dogs. The organization rescues and trains dogs, then matches them with veterans and others with disabilities.
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Vietnam Veteran helping handicap people live better lives

Vietnam vet becomes hero to hundreds at home
CBS News 6
BY GREG MCQUADE
JULY 10, 2014

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. – As a new addition arrived at Emily Hicks’ home, the 84-year-old woman could not contain her excitement. An army of volunteers installed for her a bridge to the outside world — a streamlined wheelchair ramp.

“I think it is a God sent blessing,” Hicks said. “I fall so much I need it bad.”

What used to take a day or two to install, can now be up and running in just a few hours.

The modular ramp was created by Joe Doetzer. The units are built in a warehouse and delivered in sections.

“We do it in stages,” Joe said. “Each takes about half a day.”

Joe has installed hundreds of ramps for the non-profit Project Homes since 1998. Over the years, Project Homes has helped the elderly and less fortunate with home renovations.

“Well, you’ve got to put yourself in their shoes,” Joe said.

The ramps help people with disabilities live a normal life. It is an issue close to Doetzer’s heart. The 68-year-old U.S. Army veteran was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s Disease in his 30′s, not long after being exposed to Agent Orange serving in Vietnam.
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Man in wheelchair stabbed to death at MacDonald's

Felon accused of fatally stabbing man at McDonald's
By Amy Pavuk
Orlando Sentinel
December 26, 2012

Orlando police said a felon who was released from prison last week — who has a history of stabbing people — killed a disabled man at a McDonald's restaurant Christmas Day.

(the attacker), 38, made his first court appearance Wednesday and was ordered to remain jailed without bond.

A report released Wednesday said (the attacker) stabbed a man in a wheelchair about 7 p.m. at the McDonald's on West Colonial Drive near John Young Parkway. Police will publicly identify the victim after his next-of-kin is notified.

A McDonald's employee told police she saw (the attacker) try to take money from the victim's hand. When the victim refused to hand over his cash, (the attacker) stabbed him several times with a "butcher's knife."
read more here along with the name of the attacker. Tired of glorifying people accused of things like this.

Senate GOP vote against disabled treaty

Despite Dole appearance, Senate fails to ratify disabilities treaty
Posted by
CNN Senior Congressional Producer Ted Barrett

Washington (CNN) - Senate Republicans blocked ratification of a United Nations treaty aimed at promoting the rights of disabled people around the world, despite an appearance on the Senate floor by former Republican Sen. Bob Dole, in a wheelchair, making a last-minute effort to garner GOP support.

Conservatives warned it might allow the U.N. to impinge on the rights of disabled people and their families in the United States.
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DAV helps Vietnam Vet and family after double tragedies

Vietnam vet and family who lived through 2 tragedies gets new home
WAVE3.com
Posted: Oct 15, 2012
By David Williams

GEORGETOWN, IN (WAVE) - A couple lived through two tragedies in the span of just a few months. Now, a southern Indiana family who was forced to live in a trailer finally has a new home to call their own.

Clifford Allen Woods, a Vietnam war veteran, his wife, Jerri, and their disabled children's home burned down on June 10.

Tragedy struck again on July 27, when Jerri's 86-year-old father, a World War II veteran, fell and accidentally shot and killed himself. The family had to live in a trailer near their home for months.

"Every day was a trial," Jerri said.

Her husband, Clifford, said "I'll never go camping again. It's been really hard."
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Disabled workers in VA losing jobs

If it is a choice between veterans working for the VA or civilians, I'll side with the veterans everyday. After all, this is the Veterans Administration. It should hire veterans first. I also think the VA and Goodwill should do everything possible to find other jobs for these disabled individuals. Why weren't these jobs Federal jobs in the first place?

Disabled workers on way out at Veterans Administration Medical Center
By PAT GROSSMITH
New Hampshire Union Leader
August 19. 2012

MANCHESTER — Sixteen disabled workers employed in the mail room and on the switchboard at the Veterans Administration Medical Center soon will be out of work, their jobs filled by eight full-time federal employees.

“What we are doing is converting to federal positions,” said VAMC spokesman Stella Lareau. The conversion will be completed after a contract with Goodwill Northern New England Employment Services, which employs the disabled workers, expires on Sept. 30.

Michelle Smith, communications manager for Goodwill based in Portland, Maine, said the VA has not told her agency who will fill the jobs.

“I imagine it may be veterans,” she said.

Peter Gerrard, one of the disabled employees who works the switchboard, said employees only learned they would be laid off when someone saw their jobs posted on the U.S. government jobs website.
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Partially paralyzed woman rescued by neighbor from high rise fire

Fire safety focuses on the disabled
Recent blaze at high-rise indicates challenges faced during evacuation
By ALLAN TURNER
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
Aug. 24, 2008, 11:24PM

From her 25th floor apartment in the Greenway Condominiums, Pam Singer had a killer view. Downtown's spires, the Galleria, Allen Parkway and the meandering bayou — all formed the backdrop for the life the retired clothing boutique owner serenely shared with her golden retriever, Louie.

Singer's serenity recently was shattered, though, when a fire alarm sounded on the building's upper floors, warning residents to get ready to evacuate. For frantic minutes, the partially paralyzed Singer, who relies on a motorized wheelchair, wondered if she would die.

"I grabbed my dog and went into the hallway and yelled, 'Help!' " she recalled. Within minutes, her plea was answered by her neighbor, TC LeNormand, who carried her down the stairs to the lobby.

"He just picked me up and took me," the 49-year-old Singer said. "I was so afraid he was going to hurt himself."

Singer's story had a happy ending.

The fire, confined to a clothes dryer, was extinguished before firefighters arrived. And the City Council honored LeNormand, 52, a hypnotherapist, for his actions.

For advocates for the disabled, however, the recent Greenway fire underscored the challenges emergencies pose to disabled residents of high-rise buildings.

"I'm very concerned about this issue," said Michelle Colvard, director of the mayor's office for people with disabilities. "It's important to raise people's awareness. They need to think about what they would do to evacuate way ahead of time. They should practice with friends and family."
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http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/5963943.html