Having a physical disability, or any major noticeable difference, you get noticed. People will stare or act differently. A mom will stand in shock and shame if their child loudly questions, “Why does that guy look so strange?” Or, I’ve heard of people hanging up on someone when the person happens to stutter when asking a question or trying to order a pizza.

The thing is, whether born with a disability, like myself, or becoming disabled later in life due to accident or other method, is something you have no control over. In some instances you can adapt fairly well, but you still have a disability.

So instead of trying to do like a movie star and wear dark shades and a hat, I confront head on. Ask me anything. I’m not shy about talking about my differences. I don’t hide inside just because of my disability. You’ll find me many places. Check out my About page just for a glimpse of places you might find me. I’m not going to let something I have no control over stop me from enjoying my life. And if I can help someone else better understand life’s little and big differences, that’s a plus.

For my friends that may stutter a little. Be bold, go out and share it with others. Show others that the stuttering doesn’t define who you are. For many stuttering can be a very minor inconvenience that happens when they are nervous and disappears when content and happy. Others, like Mel Tillis, can sing without a single stutter, yet when having a conversation, then it may show up. For others, working with a speech therapist works and for others it doesn’t.

My shades are off. I’m ready to meet my fans. Oh, hi mom.

The race debuted at the Winter X Games in 2005 and became a medal event in 2007. The Mono Skier Cross is now a centerpiece of the Winter X games, the first global sporting event to include disabled athletes.

A mono ski is a bucket seat on a metal chassis with shock mounted on a single alpine ski with hand outriggers for balance. The average mono ski weighs about 50 pounds.

During the 2010 Paralympics some of these same X-Games athletes will be competing in Downhill, Super-G, and Slalom skiing.

Kevin Michael Connolly competed at the most recent X-Games and brought home the Bronze. In a previous year he garnered a Silver. At 24 years old, he is looking for Gold at the 2010 Paralympics.

The reason I say he is the one to watch, is not only is he from the U.S., not only is he a great athlete, but he also has a drive of ambition. Born without legs, he gets through the day mostly on his skateboard. Don’t pity or don’t call him a role model, just watch the skill he uses on the hill.

You can also catch this recent college graduate in his book: Double Take A Memoir. He gives you a look into his life and into some photos he took while traveling the globe. Kevin may or may not be used to getting stared at, but he’s got his own twist on it now. While touring, he would take photographs of people staring at him. The photographs were part of a traveling exhibit which garnered much praise.

I’m glad the X Games have pulled all athletes together. One day, maybe the Olympics will include all athletes instead of having a separate Paralympics.

Photo from: kevinmichaelconnolly.com

UPDATE: OK, So I had some wrong information. I had thought Kevin was going to compete at the Paralympics this year, but he has corrected me. Thank you. But I’m sure we haven’t heard the last of this great athlete. Check out his webpage to keep up with his latest endeavours. He also commented and left a link to all the other U.S. athletes that will be competing. Congrats again on the X Games Kevin!

See larger image Double Take: A Memoir (Hardcover) By (author) Kevin Michael Connolly List Price: $19.99 USD New From: $8.75 In Stock Used from: $8.95 In Stock Release date October 13, 2009.

Self-service came along and offered drivers a chance to save some money. Pump it yourself and the extra money stays in your pocket. Self-service caught on and full-service stations started to go out of business.

Those that wanted their gas pumped for them had to shop around just to find a full-service station. People in their Sunday best and people with disabilities were being short changed by the convenience of the day.

Just a few months ago, there were still 3 full service stations in the Green Bay area. Now there is only one I know of.

Even without the Americans with Disabilities Act, some self-service stations realized through their customers that some people needed help with pumping their gas. Stations with two or more attendants on duty were more than happy to come out and help pump gas. The drawback to this type of service was that the person asking for assistance had to get out of their vehicle to ask for assistance.

Now there is a solution to that problem as well. Just as you have “pay at the pump” convenience, on some pumps there is a button to let the gas station attendant know you need assistance. While this sounds like a good idea, there’s one drawback.

From the pumps I’ve seen it on, the button is placed rather high on the pump. If you’re driving a full sized van the button is probably just right. You just need to park close enough to reach it if you can. If you’re driving a smaller vehicle or can’t reach the button from the van you’d have to get out just to press the button.

I applaud gas station owners that are taking the initiative to creating solutions for people with disabilities. It’s hard to find a perfect solution, but to be looking is where it starts.

The latest idea off the drawing boards and in a select few gas stations are the fully automatic gas stations. It’s similar to an automated car wash.

You drive up and pay for how much gas you want. Then the machine takes over. It scans your car type to determine where the gas tank is. It opens the gas tank and unscrews the cap. After pumping the gas, it screws the cap back on and closes the tank cover and away you go.

While this new type of gas station isn’t in Wisconsin yet, you can be ensured it will be. The people dressed in their Sunday best won’t have to get out of their cars again. It’ll be just like the old days.

Technology can really improve our way of living, but only when it includes everyone. Don’t be surprised that if in your lifetime you hear about a car that does all the driving for you. Yesterday’s science-fiction is today’s technology.

Before you Leave, make a list and start planing at least three months ahead of time. From selecting the right suitcase to selecting the airline, airplane, rental car and hotel, select those that will be of most help to you. Planning will help cut down your frustration level, as well as heighten the enjoyment of your trip.

Don’t take the kitchen sink! Make a list of what you’re going to take. Lay it out then discard, discard, discard. Take first, what you like to wear and is comfortable. Then consider the climate and itinerary. Remember you don’t want or need 2 heavy bags that others might have to cart for you.

Packing Tip: Take one small bag onto the plane, with any medication or medical apparatus that you might need, or that you would definitely need if your bag gets lost. Plus one change of cloths. You never know how fast the rest of your luggage will catch up to you.

Travel Agents are convenient and there are some excellent agents that specialize in disabled travel. I would rather have more control over my actual arrangements, it somehow empowers me. So I do all my own reserving. When making reservations, get the person’s name as well as time and date. This is a great backup if there are problems. Or if you have an iphone or smart phone, transfer any confirmation numbers or emails to the phone as a backup.

Most hotel chains have 800 numbers, but you can save more money by calling the hotel directly to make your reservations. They will usually have special rates, the 800 numbers will not be aware of. It gives you an opportunity to ask heaps of questions about their facilities. Even if you are not in a wheelchair, but are a little unsteady or slow, request the “Handicap room”. Usually it is bigger and definitely more convenient.

In a pinch, though, if a handicap room is not available, try this. Get a regular room. Usually the room door itself is accessible and you can wheel as far as the first bed. However, it is the bathroom door which usually doesn’t meet ADA requirements. But most hotels do have a public bathroom in the lobby or if they have a pool, near the pool which would have accessible doors. For basic needs of a bathroom, this will do.

There are a couple places that rent cars and vans with special adaptations for you if you need them. My recommended choice for a vehicle would be a mini van. It’s easier to maneuver and has enough space for a wheelchair and luggage. If you have a handicapped placard, don’t forget to bring it along. If you rent a vehicle, it will not have any disabled plates.

When booking airline reservations, advance reservations are cheaper and better. When booking the seats, ask for the bulkhead seat. It is the first seat and is a must if you need leg room. Your next choice should be an isle seat, for ease of getting in and out of. Tell them your needs in advance, including dietary needs. Remember they are available to assist but not to dictate, make your own decisions.

Where would you like to go? The 2010 Paralympics? London? New York City? Green Bay?

Travel expands experiences. It’s a glorious eye opener and a mind expander. It is just great to go out and experience life for ourselves.

If you are disabled, travel can even do more for you. It can supply you with a reprieve from dependence. Traveling can replenish your confidence and set you free if not in body, in spirit and soul. It can increase your imagination and open your heart. What it boils down to is this: that’s a big old world out there, so go and experience it!

1. A grass roots group, or a media team, are spending a lot of effort in trying to get Betty White on Saturday Night Live (SNL) to host it. In her 88 years, she has yet to host it, although she’s older than the show is. She says, although maybe coyly, that she isn’t pursing an appearance. Others are taking time and effort to make it happen.

2. I’ve seen parts of a show on MTV that has bight young men running around DC with the sole purpose of playing a game of basketball with President Obama. They spent time on the radio, chasing down congressmen, and more in pursuit of this one thing. Granted, spending time with the President, because of who he is, would be cool.

However, these people obviously have a drive and tenacity for getting things done. How about putting these talents to work helping others in need? Or designing or inventing the next great tool to help solve a problem? Let’s harness this energy. How about you? Find something you’re passionate about. That is what will give you the attitude of success over failure. Keep trying. These are the values these people are putting into practice. While I’m not pursuing a game of basketball with the President, I am pursing helping others understand better the differences they see around them.

• Rearranged the main page
• Put a tool bar on the bottom – now you can find the latest tweets there instead of on the page and a link to my Facebook Fan Page
• Put the News link on the toolbar
• Now you can chat via Meebo with me. It will even send me your chat so I can respond later if I’m not online at the time
• The toolbar also has a button to translate my site, if you don’t happen to read English

As always, more great blog topics and content to come. If you have an idea for a topic related disabilities and positive attitudes, let me know. I’m here to help others learn things they may not have known and share my experiences. Thank you for being here.

Recently I had moved my blog and somehow when you clicked on any link it just gave you an error message. This has been fixed. If you find any missing links, let me know via the contact us page or if unable to, contact via twitter. Thank you.

- Hope a baby in a stroller isn’t drinking from their baby bottle while going over these.

- Or hope a person in a wheelchair has a seat belt on, so they don’t get ejected.

- Or that the paperboy has a firm grip on his bike and paper sack so the news doesn’t go flying.

These bumps actually serve a really good purpose. For people who are visually impaired or blind and use a walking stick they provide a textured notice that the edge of the sidewalk has been reached and to be prepared to cross a street.

Now if only they came with heaters. Shoveling snow off of them is not that easy.

Image: http://www.detectablewarning101.com

March 2, is Dr. Seuss’ birthday, yet 14% of the population could not even read this sentence. 774 million people worldwide can not read or write. Only 12% of legally blind children in the United States can read braille. This is down amazingly from 50% who could read braille in the 1960’s. On a positive note, 90% of jobholders who are blind, are braille literate.

One would think with all the cell phones and twittering and texting going on that we must be more literate now than ever before. But one only sample some of that texting to see grammar,  spelling, and even correct use of abbreviation errors abound.

Another revelation coming out of the economic crisis is that factory workers being laid off and suddenly their dark little secret is out in the open: they can’t read. (Not all of them, but many) And now learning to read classes are cropping up. But…and tell this to all the young adults and teens out there you know…it is harder to learn to read later in life than it is when you are young. Good paying jobs these days require more than a high school education.

Challenges come with or without sight. Reading and writing are essential parts of communication. It doesn’t matter if you are reading black and white text or letters made from braille. What matters is this is a challenge worth taking. Learning to read is not just for communication and job related activities, but also because there are many beautiful stories out there worth reading.

We’ve talked about a glass of water, appearance, and emotions. Here is my top five list of ways to keep yourself and others on a positive high of self-esteem, while keeping it realistic.

Remember, anything you do, including those you do for others, has an impact on your self-esteem. You choose the direction with every action or lack of action you take. And sometimes the lack of doing something speaks louder than words.

When I’m waking up, when a challenge appears, when I feel down, these are the top 5 things that I remember and then choose to put into action. Each day is new and can either be positive or negative. Whether you’re doing these for yourself or to help others, make a point of doing them often and choose to be positive.

1. Catch other doing something right. So often we can tell others when they do something wrong. “My food is too cold”, “You’ve screwed up on this assignment again”, or “Why can’t you be more like…”.

Step away from the ordinary and spot someone doing something right. It will make you feel good about helping someone else. It will help them feel good about what they do, even if it is something they do every day, it is what makes them special. When they get recognized, or you, for doing something good, they’ll wanna keep doing good things because it gives that unexpected high of life. In school or work life, appropriate praise and recognition go a long way to keeping students on task, or keeping quality employees.

2. Unconditional acceptance starts with yourself. The world around us is full of differences. It doesn’t matter if you’re home schooled or living on the streets. No matter your circumstances, start with accepting you for yourself. I was born with a disability. Certain things I can not change. I accept that. For everything else, I learn to adapt to the different environments I’m in throughout the day.

With the internet pulling people from all over the world closer together, it’s more important to be aware of these differences and embracing them. It doesn’t mean you have to forget about yours to accept theres, it’s finding a harmony of all the differences. When we can work together with our differences, we can find more solutions because of the different backgrounds we bring to a project.

3. Choose your direction. Part of a low self-esteem is not doing anything. Sitting back and not choosing a path to go down. One of the things I was told early on in high school is when you are looking for a career, think of the things you like to do. Think of it this way; imagine yourself in a job where you don’t like what you’re doing; this is it for the next 40 plus years of your life.

This thought is what drove me to seek out college and the areas in my life that I enjoy. Speaking; creating graphics, videos and theatre; writing; and sharing knowledge. If you were to look at my resume of experiences, you’ll see elements of each of those. And all this coming from someone who doctor’s said early on would not live long.

4. Share what you know. Ever like those feel good moments when a good friend tells you something personal? Or how about the light bulb moment in class when you finally get it? Sharing what I know with others and learning from them gives me both knowledge and satisfaction that someone else can move in a positive direction.

5. Plan ahead to be on time. Anyone that knows me knows I like to be on time. There are many reasons for this, but let me break it down a bit. Being on time or even early affords you a moment or two so you don’t feel rushed. Every book or story on interviewing for a job always mentions being on time for the interview. If you’re late, then the interviewers time is now late and thus he is late to the next interview who then has to apologize to the next person and the negative flow keeps going and going. What you do, does affect others.

Secondly, being on time or early can also get you seated at a table faster than rushing late to a restaurant you know usually has a long wait. It also gives others a sense of trust in you that they can count on you. When running a business, do you want the person that opens your store in the morning to be there on time all the time or be late one morning, then the next really late? Granted unexpected things do come up that can affect this, but overall, a track record of being on time is awesome. If you know you’re going to be late, communication is key. Let someone know.

Planning ahead can also win you some tickets, help you spend less money on a vacation, or even reward you for your time. Planning ahead lessens the stress in your life of having to speed to work or wait in line. Don’t overload your day. Stress only lowers your self-esteem. Planning ahead will raise it.

What are your top 5?