Stop, drop, and roll. Go to the lowest level of a building. Avoid unsafe situations. As children, we are taught what to do in emergency situations. We know when a situation becomes dangerous, and, most of the time, adults know what to do when circumstances become dire. Whether people need to evacuate the situation immediately, call 911 to get help, take shelter in a safe location, or do something else to immediately reduce the risk of danger, generally speaking, most adults know what to do in emergency situations. Most adults also are physically able to make efforts to get out of harms way and do their best to protect themselves and others in their vicinity. Of course, no emergency situation is the same and there are thousands of factors that could play into every situation. For the most part, though, adults are able to do whatever they can to resolve the issue or at least minimize risk of danger for themselves and others. Regardless of what it is, being in an emergency situation is scary for everyone. For people with disabilities or health impairments, there is often another layer of fear is added. Many times, unforeseen physical barriers are presented in crisis situations, and people with mobility limitations are faced with additional challenges.

On a Monday night late in January, just after I had finished dinner, pounding on my front door scares my worker and I. I have a video doorbell, so it was odd that whoever it was chose not to ring that. Thinking it was weird because I wasn’t expecting anyone, I quickly open my doorbell app to see who it is. We see it’s a police officer. I follow my worker to answer the door. The officer explained that there was a domestic violence situation two doors down and we needed to evacuate. After seeing me, he quickly realized that it would be really hard for me to evacuate and he said he’d be right back. The reason it’d be nearly impossible for me to evacuate was because the sidewalk was snow covered. I live on the end of a building, and if I turned one way on the sidewalk, I would have been right in the middle of the incident; if I turned the other way, I would have gotten stuck because that part of the sidewalk wasn’t plowed. The officer left for 30 seconds; in the meantime, my worker and I frantically call my mom and tell her that we were told to evacuate. He came back while we were on the phone with her. My mom explained that they could come up with an accessible van, but they’re 45 minutes away. The officer said no they don’t want anyone to come in the area and that they just wanted us to move as far away as possible from the front door. He said he’d let us know when it was all clear. A few minutes after he left, we heard a cop with a megaphone say something like, “come out with your hands behind your head. I repeat, come out with your hands behind your head.” Admittedly, that really scared me. During this time, my mom was texting with me trying to calm me down and my worker was trying to calm me down as well. In the midst of this, I was getting texts from friends asking if I was ok because they said posts on the Oshkosh police scanner page on Facebook about an incident on my block. Until that point, we still had no idea what was going on. Multiple friends said it was a stabbing. I kept texting my mom. I didn’t respond to anyone else at that point. The officer eventually came back and let us know everything was fine. The whole ordeal lasted less than an hour. I never found out what actually happened nor did I want to, but, apparently, someone faked a stabbing. For a few weeks after that incident, I was pretty freaked out. I didn’t sleep very well and my anxiety was through the roof. I was, yet again, so glad I already had a counselor at that time. The reason that I can talk about this now is because the neighbors recently moved out which has been a huge stress relief. There were other incidents with the people, so, with them gone, I’m in a much safer place.

Looking back on that incident, I was very fortunate about a few things. The first and most important one being that it happened when I had someone with me. What would have happened if it had happened during the day when I was alone? What would the officer had done? Years ago, I thought was a list with the emergency services to make them aware of my circumstances. I’m not sure what happened to that program, but they didn’t have me listed. After the recent incident, my mom called the police department just to see if there was anything we can do to be precautionary. My address is now “flagged” in their system which means if there are ever any calls to my specific address, emergency personnel would have a heads up about my circumstances (I have cerebral palsy, I use a wheelchair, I use an app on my phone to communicate, etc…). We also found out that I can text 911 if I would ever need to. Gosh forbid, I would ever need to get emergency help, I now know that I can text 911. Second, I was really fortunate that it didn’t happen in the middle of the night. I don’t know what I would have done if an officer pounded on my door at 2a.m. Would I open the door by pressing the button on my bed table? Probably not because I’d be in bed, and the cop wouldn’t know what to do or how to communicate with me. I’d probably text and call my parents and then they’d call the police department and explain my circumstances. It’d be a mess! I now realize that the incident could have been much worse. I’m thankful that I was very fortunate with the timing and that nothing ended up happening, but, admittedly, it shook me pretty good.

I’ve only had a few encounters with paramedics in my lifetime. One was when I was just a few hours old and was transported to a different hospital. I obviously don’t remember that one. Another one about ten years ago when my parents and I were in Florida. It was the first time I had the severe stomach pains. We went to a stand-alone emergency room on the beach. I ended up needing to be admitted, so an ambulance had to take me to an actual hospital. My mom rode with me, so she communicated my needs to the paramedics. The other time I dealt with paramedics and firefighters was my second year at UW-Whitewater. I was in Economics class on the third floor of the business building when the power went out. It was quickly realized that it was campus-wide, so classes were canceled for the rest of the day. There was only one problem—the elevator obviously wasn’t going to work, so how was I going to get out of the building? All of my classmates left, but my professor stayed with me. I don’t remember exactly how it came down, but he must have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) to let them know we needed assistance. I don’t believe that I had a cell phone yet, but one of my good friends who worked with me knew where I was. She went to my dorm room, grabbed my manual wheelchair, and brought it to the business building. If I remember correctly, it took about two hours (because other students were stranded as well), but eventually a crew of seven or eight paramedics and firefighters showed up along with someone from CSD. They had a rescue chair to put me on to carry me down the stairs. At this point, I was laughing hysterically because it was made into such a big commotion. Everyone thought I was freaking out because I was scared, but my friend had to explain to them that I was fine; I was just laughing really hard. They carried me down and put me in my manual chair. I spent the day in my friend’s room until the power came back on. It’s one of my favorite memories from college, and I still occasionally tell it when I do presentations. I laugh every time.

Living with significant physical limitations can sometimes lead to some pretty interesting situations. While most of the time, I feel safe and confident in my surroundings, there are times when I’m scared because I don’t have the physical ability to protect myself. I admit, as I get older, I find myself becoming more of a scaredy cat in different situations. Maybe it’s age; maybe it’s anxiety. I just have to try to be as cautious as I can be and be prepared for life’s twists and turns!

***The views expressed here are strictly those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of InControl Wisconsin, the Network or any of our sponsors.

Meet Rosie. This Diehard Award winning very determined survivor and author travels around the world sharing her story of hope and perseverance. Her story has helped medical professionals, researchers, and advocates create needed changes to practices in medical facilities. She’s also a big advocate for Diversity, Equality, Inclusion, and Accessibility.  We’re so fortunate to have Rosie as a member of the Self-Determination Network!

What’s your story?  Tell us a little bit about yourself.

This widow, mother, grandmother and educator is a fighter. In August of 2009, she underwent a total right knee replacement that developed into a MRSA staph infection. She explains that this healthcare acquired infection has led to 58 surgeries, over 200 hospitalizations more than 100 blood transfusions, more than 15 incidents of septic shock, a right leg amputation six inches above the knee, a total hip amputation, the removal of most of her pelvic bone and all the tissue to her waist on the right side. She shares that she also has suffered from C-dif. She developed it when she was in a coma because doctors had given her antibiotics to treat everything, they thought might be causing her infection and septic shock.

As she continues to battle this MRSA infection in her body, she’s driven to share her story of survival. “I believe in helping others with disabilities and other health concerns find their voices. I use my story to co-design with medical professionals, researchers and to advocate for patients and their caregivers,” she tells us. She has also written a book entitled, “Rosie’s Story, A Story of Faith, Hope, and Survival.” It isn’t found on Amazon because she signs every book. If you would like a copy, she says that people can email her.

How are you involved with self-determination? Why did you join the SD Network?

Rosie shares stories about living with a disability. She helps healthcare organizations and communities around the world understand the lived experience of individuals living with a disability. “As the world looks at Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), I encourage them to look at Accessibility or DEIA because without accessibility there won’t be any diversity, equity, or inclusion. Without the self-determination of individuals with disabilities change will not happen,” she says. She joined the SD Network because she believes the voices of many helps to create change for all individuals living with disabilities.

Tell us some good news – what’s the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms of self-determination?

One of the most exciting and humbling experiences that happened to Rosie around self-determination was at the Wisconsin Self-Determination Conference last year when received one of the Diehard Awards. She shares that she also values being a member of the IRIS Advisory Committee because she’s able to share not only her experiences as a participant, but also the experience of other participants. “Finally, I appreciate that I was asked to share my story, my experience as a participant, and being able to present with both people from the Ombudsman and DHS at the Self-Determination Conference the last two years respectively,” she tells us.

What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?

Rosie’s go-to resources are the DHS website or calling DHS; she also encourages people to join the SD Network directly.

For her tip, Rosie really encourages everyone to attend the Wisconsin Self-Determination Conference. “You will meet many individuals living with disabilities that live a very self-determined life and will learn about many resources available to you,” she explains.

What are some of your hobbies?

Rosie tells us that she doesn’t have a lot of hobbies, but she loves to read James Patterson books; she has read everything he has written. She also enjoys watching television series that have a police/FBI, hospital/medical, fire department, law/order, building/renovation, baking, and every 90 Day themed programs.

***We love hearing the views and opinions of Network members. We need to mention that the views and opinions expressed on this site are those of the person who is sharing them. They do not necessarily reflect InControl Wisconsin or any of our supporters and funders.

Over 38.3 million people with disabilities voted in the 2020 elections, so many people think that disability issues should be a priority to any candidate who wants to win their election. The three policy issues uniquely, though not exclusively affecting people with disabilities are public health, home and community-based services, and disability benefits and work.

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A new cafe in Racine gives people with disabilities a opportunity to use their skills. The cafe employees work on following multi-step directions and practicing their executive functioning skills which include: critical thinking, planning, time and resource management, and organization among others.The cafe makes people with disabilities feel valued.

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Voters with disabilities continue to advocate for better voting accessibility. Many polling places still aren't fully accessible and absentee voting has become more challenging in recent years.. The outlawing of drop boxes last year made it harder for people to return their ballot. Another issue is training poll workers on the accessible voting machine. Advocates continue to raise these issues with legislators.

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The US Department of Labor recently released a new resource in hopes of increasing integrated employment opportunities for people who have disabilities. The Competitive Integrated Employment Transformation Hub collects resources from the federal government to provide practical guidance, policy information and evidence-based best practices for people with disabilities, their families, employment service providers, and state agencies. 

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Hundreds of disability advocates gathered in Madison for Disability Advocacy Day in mid March. Before marching to the Capitol, advocates gathered at Monona Terrace for a briefing and to fine tune their messages. People talked with their legislators about everything from living safely in their own homes to, to transportation, to the direct care crisis . According to the CDC, 23% of adults in Wisconsin have a disability. Advocates spoke about what people with disabilities and their families need!

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Input Opportunity: Ensuring Wheelchair Users Can Fly With Dignity 

Comments due Monday, May 13, 2024

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is seeking public comments on a new proposed rule designed to ensure airline passengers who use wheelchairs can travel safely and with dignity. 

An estimated 5.5 million Americans use a wheelchair, and many encounter barriers when it comes to air travel. In 2023, 11,527 wheelchairs and scooters were mishandled by carriers required to report data to DOT. 

The proposed rule would set new standards for prompt, safe, and dignified assistance; require enhanced training for airline employees and contractors who physically assist passengers with disabilities and handle passengers’ wheelchairs; and specify actions that airlines must take to protect passengers when a wheelchair is damaged during transport.

Notably, the proposed rule would require airlines to provide passengers with two options to repair or replace their wheelchairs if mishandled by the airline. The two options are:

• The carrier handles the repair or replacement of the wheelchair with one that has equivalent or greater function and safety within a reasonable timeframe and pays the associated cost.
• The passenger arranges the repair or replacement of the wheelchair with one that has equivalent or greater function and safety through their preferred vendor and the airline pays the associated costs. 

In addition, the proposed rule would make it easier for DOT to hold airlines accountable when they damage or delay the return of a wheelchair to its owner by making it an automatic violation of the Air Carrier Access Act to mishandle wheelchairs. 

As part of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, DOT is also requesting input on two topics not currently included in the proposal: lavatory size on twin-aisle aircrafts and reimbursement of the fare difference between a flight someone could've taken if their wheelchair fit in the aircraft and the more expensive flight they had to take instead.

Comments can be submitted online, by mail or fax, or hand-delivered through Monday, May 13, 2024.

The proposed rule was announced at a White House convening on protecting the safety, rights, and dignity of air travelers with disabilities.

Read DOT’s press release for a summary of key provisions.

Attn: All Regulated Health Care Providers

Call for Presenters! 2024 FOCUS Conference.

We’re now accepting online proposals for 75-minute breakout sessions.  

FOCUS 2024 is being held at the KI Center in Green Bay on November 20 and 21, 2024. FOCUS brings together provider associations, health care providers, and Division of Quality Assurance staff to provide better care and service for Wisconsin elders and those with disabilities. FOCUS is a unique opportunity to teach, learn, and collaborate.

The conference serves:

• Aging and Disability Resource Centers
• Assisted Living Facilities
• Division of Quality Assurance
• Facilities Serving Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
• Nursing Homes

We look for proposals that apply to a variety of provider types.

The conference is intended to be applicable to administrators, case/discharge managers, caregivers, dietitians/dietetic technicians, medical directors, nurses, pharmacists, quality improvement managers, risk managers, social workers, and therapists.

Please complete the Online Proposal Form by May 1, 2024. The FOCUS 2024 planning committee will review all proposals and notify selected presenters by June 1, 2024.

Contact the FOCUS Committee for more information.