HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, HEIDI

YOU HAVE HAD MY BACK FOR MORE THAN A THIRD OF A CENTURY

Sometimes love is expressed with the good times – an amazing meal, a stroll through a beautiful European capital city, a shopping trip to splurge on rare luxury.

Other times, it is expressed through love, support, having your partner’s back in the most anguished and challenging of times.

I love my bride of 34 years, Heidi Johnson-Wright, for thousands of reasons.

During a recent solo lecture tour in Europe, she proved why she’s been my soulmate of more than a third of a century.

Unfortunately, it was for the latter expression of love and support.

I was hustling to change from the RER train for Charles de Gaulle Airport to the Metro M6 to reach my hotel on Place Italie.

A trio of men, all less than half my age, crash into me just as the subway doors are closing.

I bash my head on one the polls for standing riders to grasp and fall forward.

Even though I was blindsided and injured, my only thoughts were on the wallet I neglected to hide in my book bag. It was gone along with a lot of cash, all my credit cards and other key documents.

Waiting a few hours to get an English-speaking detective at a Paris Police station, I called my indefatigable wife back in Miami and she assisted with canceling credit cards and closing a now exposed bank account.

Heidi is the point person for all things under the Americans with Disabilities Act in Miami-Dade County and oversees several employees and assists dozens of ADA coordinators in myriad departments.

She is a very busy person, but took the day off to help me.

She wired Euros to a Western Union near my hotel.

She added me as a cardholder on one of her credit cards.

She reminded me to put her card on my phone’s wallet app, so I could pay without the confusion of lacking a physical credit card in hand.

She closed a compromised joint checking account and started a new one.

When I returned from working in Paris, Lyon and beyond – Heidi had one neat envelope full of fraud squad correspondence, new credit cards and other important documents such as a temporary medical ID card to replace the stolen one.

We celebrated our 34^th wedding anniversary yesterday.

Knowing after all these years, that Heidi has my back in a time of crises – makes me love her even more.

  

THANKS MAYOR DANIELLA LEVINE CAVA

FOR ENSURING WHEELCHAIR ACCESS IS PART OF DIVERSITY/EQUITY/INCLUSION

My companion of more than a third of a century – Heidi Johnson-Wright – has been an expert ADA coordinator for two decades.

She is a lifelong public servant.

She has used a wheelchair for mobility her entire adult life.

Mayor Daniella Levine Cava truly supports people with disabilities and their many needs as constituents of Miami-Dade County.

The latest accolade is Miami International Airport being named the overall winner of the 2021 Airport Accessibility Award during the 6th Annual Airport PRM (Passengers with Reduced Mobility) Leadership Conference, after earning 50 percent of the votes from the virtual conference’s 159 attendees from 42 countries.

“Congratulations to MIA for being recognized as a global leader in passenger accessibility by its industry peers. Miami-Dade County is committed to ensuring all our residents and visitors can access our airport facilities, including people with diverse abilities and disabilities. I'm extremely proud to see MIA leading the way in expanding accessibility and inclusion worldwide.” Levine Cava said.

“We have made a concerted effort at MIA to engage with the local disability community, understand their needs and provide a smoother travel experience for them. We are honored to receive the 2021 Airport Accessibility Award because of those efforts, and to be recognized by other industry leaders from around the world,” added Ralph Cutié, MIA Director and CEO.

The full story is at:

https://news.miami-airport.com/mia-wins-top-accessibility-award-at-global-leadership-conference/

HAPPY 33RD WEDDING ANNIVERSARY TO HEIDI

WHAT MAKES A SOULMATE? A ONE IN A BILLION PARTNER WHO:

Believes in you when you start Weight Watchers at age 55, 100-plus pounds overweight and fat for more than four decades running.

Takes joy in your overseas trips -- to exotic and fairly difficult or impossible for accessibility – places.

Supports your healthy lifestyle by marinating chicken breasts, grilling finfish, making salads with berries and splurging with thin crust, lots of red pepper, low fat cheese/sauces and turkey ‘roni home baked pizzas.

Makes wonderful homemade birthday, anniversary and Valentine’s Day cards with stories narrated by cats and historical figures.

Finds cool documentaries, great music and other cool things to share with you.

Loves cats. Period. Indoor, outdoor, at cat cafes, in Rome and Istanbul, in cartoons and YouTube clips.

Our actual anniversary date is June 11, but because of calendar conflicts we are celebrating this weekend.

Miami International Airport adds wheelchair charging stations

My wife, Heidi Johnson-Wright, leading the way. Miami International Airport added 10 wheelchair charging stations.

MIA is one of the first airports in the country to take this measure to make air travel more accessible to people with disabilities.

https://youtu.be/igt7d13eR_s

https://www.local10.com/news/local/2021/05/05/miami-airport-leads-the-charge-with-wheelchair-power-stations/

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SOULMATE HEIDI

 WE HAVE CELEBRATED OUR BIRTHDAYS

 FOR MORE THAN A THIRD OF A CENTURY TOGETHER

I love Heidi for thousands of reasons.

She always has my back.

She has helped me grow as a person in countless ways.

Right now, during the pandemic, I especially love Heidi for the way she takes care of our Siamese rescue cat HoneyBear.

She manages all vet appointments, vaccinations, check-ups, medicines, prescription food, etc.

She plays with HB at least twice a day.

Happy 56th birthday, from your loving husband and cat.

FIRSTS: COMING OF AGE STORIES

BY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

My wife, Heidi Johnson-Wright, contributed a chapter to this anthology.

Check out Oleb Books at:

http://olebbooks.com/firsts-coming-of-age-stories-by-people-with-disabilities/… 

Check out Heidi's tweets @GimpGirl64 

Her blog: http://earthboundtomboy.blogspot.com 

FIRSTS: COMING OF AGE STORIES

BY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 

Join Heidi Johnson-Wright in the anthology "Firsts." 

It collects the most thought-provoking and exciting stories of our time by people with disabilities. 

Check out Oleb Books at:

http://olebbooks.com/firsts-coming-of-age-stories-by-people-with-disabilities/… 

Check out Heidi's tweets @GimpGirl64 

Her blog: http://earthboundtomboy.blogspot.com 

FIRSTS: COMING OF AGE STORIES

BY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 

Join Heidi Johnson-Wright and take a step back in time with some of the best writers with disabilities as they recount the first time the unexpected treaded into their life. 

Enter to win a copy here:

https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/284174-firsts-coming-of-age-stories-by-people-with-disabilities … 

Check out her tweets @GimpGirl64 

Heidi's blog: http://earthboundtomboy.blogspot.com

FIRSTS: COMING OF AGE STORIES

BY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 

Join Heidi Johnson-Wright and take a step back in time with some of the best writers with disabilities as they recount their first adventure.

Enter to win a copy here:

https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/284174-firsts-coming-of-age-stories-by-people-with-disabilities … 

Check out her tweets @GimpGirl64 

Heidi's blog: http://earthboundtomboy.blogspot.com 

FIRSTS: COMING OF AGE STORIES

BY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 

Heidi Johnson-Wright contributed to--

Firsts: Coming of Age Stories by People with Disabilities.

Edited by Belo Miguel Cipriani! 

Win a free copy: 

goodreads.com/giveaway/show/284174-firsts-coming-of-age-stories-by-people-with-disabilities … 

Check out her tweets @GimpGirl64 

Or her blog: http://earthboundtomboy.blogspot.com

FIRSTS: COMING OF AGE STORIES

BY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 

Heidi Johnson-Wright contributed to--Firsts: Coming of Age Stories by People with Disabilities, edited by Belo Miguel Cipriani! 

Win a free copy: 

goodreads.com/giveaway/show/284174-firsts-coming-of-age-stories-by-people-with-disabilities … 

Check out her tweets @GimpGirl64 

Or Heidi's blog: http://earthboundtomboy.blogspot.com 

FIRSTS: COMING OF AGE STORIES

BY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

My wife, Heidi Johnson-Wright, contributed her memoir to this anthology.

You can win a copy from goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/284174-firsts-coming-of-age-stories-by-people-with-disabilities 

Check out Heidi's tweets @GimpGirl64

Her blog: http://earthboundtomboy.blogspot.com 

FIRSTS: COMING OF AGE STORIES

BY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 

So excited to share that my wife, Heidi Johnson-Wright, is an author to the collection, Firsts.

You can enter to win a copy here:

https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/284174-firsts-coming-of-age-stories-by-people-with-disabilities 

Check out her tweets @GimpGirl64

Her blog: http://earthboundtomboy.blogspot.com 

175,000 READERS

TODAY WE CELEBRATE OUR 175,000 VISITOR TO THIS BLOG

Before this month ends, we will have posted more than 2,000 articles - all illustrated with vivid images.

More than 90 percent of the photos -- like these in our hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, were taken by Steve Wright with his various Nikon digital SLRs.

These images show off Cleveland's amazing cultural amenities, such as the Natural History Museum (top) with Heidi Johnson-Wright, Steve's wife of 30 years.

The picture below is Heidi inside the amazing atrium expansion at the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is free to visit every inch of the collection that is not a special exhibit.

Visit Heidi's blog at http://earthboundtomboy.blogspot.com/

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT 28TH ANNIVERSARY

CELEBRATED BY MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

INTERNAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT 
This July marks the 28th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by President George H. W. Bush.

The ADA is the most broad-sweeping federal civil rights law to protect people with disabilities from discrimination in many aspects of life, including access to local government services and programs.

In honor of this anniversary, the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners passed a resolution declaring this July and every July hereafter as Disability Diversity Month.

To celebrate, the Miami-Dade County Internal Services Department is hosting an event on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at 12pm in the lobby of the Stephen P. Clark Center.

There will be special guest speakers, a disability history and culture display, artwork by children with disabilities and live music by the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind jazz ensemble.

"I'm proud to be part of this special event to honor the ADA, since disabled persons are the largest minority group in this country," said Internal Services Director Tara Smith.

This free event is open to everyone. 

Sign language interpreters will be provided.

Should anyone need an ADA accommodation to participate, please call the Miami-Dade County Internal Services, ADA Office at 305-375-2013 or by email: hjwrig@miamidade.gov

Media Contact: 

Heidi Johnson-Wright

hjwrig@miamidade.gov

786-564-5160

WALKER TO WHEELER -- 6

By Heidi Johnson Wright

Now that I’m over 50 and have had more than two dozen orthopedic surgeries, I use my chair from dusk ‘til dawn. The only time I’m out of it is to walk short distances several times a day. If I don’t, I get too achy, stiff and fatigued. This means that my co-workers sometimes see me up on my feet.

People are especially puzzled by someone who mostly uses a wheelchair yet sometimes walks. They think it should be an all-or-nothing thing. When you’re not in the chair, you’re bound to get smiles and comments like: “How nice, you’re getting better!” My typical response is to smile and nod, while thinking: “Fuck off, asshole! There ain’t no ‘getting better’ for me. New, healthy joints don’t just magically appear like leprechaun gold.”

But I refrain from such comments. I’m comfortable now with who I am: a virtually full-time wheeler. When I can’t get into a restaurant or book an Uber ride, I don’t find fault with myself. I place the blame squarely where it belongs: on a society that continues to devalue disabled folks by designing only for the temporarily non-disabled.  

Temporarily, did you ask? Yes, because karma is a bitch.

Serialized from New Mobility Magazine Digital

http://newmobility.unitedspinal.org/NM_Mar_18/#?page=34

WALKER TO WHEELER -- 5

By Heidi Johnson Wright

Part of me still bought in to the idea that to use a wheelchair was a sign of failure. Perhaps I simply wasn’t trying hard enough, wasn’t soldiering through the pain like I should. I’m ashamed to admit it, but on days I did take the chair to class, I hid it.

I would arrive early, find an adjacent empty classroom, park it there, then walk over to my class. That way, I could stride into my classroom as if nothing was wrong. (Or, as if nothing was wrong with me.)

Outside of class, I struggled to meet guys who could look past the chair and see me. I had lots of male buddies, but rarely did things progress beyond friendship. Then I met my husband. We fell hard for each other.

Before I got too far in, I secretly gave him a test to pass. The first time we went out together, I held his hand, making it clear to passers-by that the chick in the chair was dating the guy who walked. He gladly took my hand, even kissed me, and never flinched. He passed with flying colors, and we got married two years later. 

Serialized from New Mobility Magazine Digital

http://newmobility.unitedspinal.org/NM_Mar_18/#?page=34

WALKER TO WHEELER -- 4

By Heidi Johnson Wright

I had to admit that the wheelchair’s very presence eased my mind. I was comfortable using it in my dorm. I lived in my university’s gimp ghetto: the only floor of the only dorm accessible to girls with disabilities. I was among friends.

Still, I had to mentally sort out for myself exactly what relationship I would have with the chair. But the rules I developed for when and where to use the wheelchair were crafted not strictly by common sense. I was fighting a very personal inner battle about how I saw myself and how I wanted others to see me. There was something about planting my butt in that chair that seemed to lower my status as a potential friend and more importantly, girlfriend. The bottom line was this: wheelchairs were boner Kryptonite.

If I had a major spinal cord injury, I’d have to use a chair for mobility – there’d be no room for debate. But I inhabited a realm betwixt those who walked all the time and those who never did. There was no “how-to” guide for someone like me, or at least I’d never seen a book titled Sometimes Your Ass Walks, Other Times it Rolls: a Guide to the Wheelchair Netherworld.

It was all pretty ridiculous, since even when I was up and walking, I would never be mistaken for an able-bodied person. Standing or seated, I was still a gimp. But to a lot of people, a wheelchair is a prison, a sign of tragedy, a symbol of defeat. The chair is as a mechanism of freedom and empowerment that can make the difference between getting an education or not, holding a job or sitting at home, exploring hillside towns in Spain or never traveling beyond one’s front stoop.          

Serialized from New Mobility Magazine Digital

http://newmobility.unitedspinal.org/NM_Mar_18/#?page=34

WALKER TO WHEELER -- 3

By Heidi Johnson Wright

My pain and limited mobility made getting up from chairs or desks really tough. I often had to rock back and forth to get enough momentum to stand. I strained hard, holding my breath in the process. For a few seconds, my brain was deprived of oxygen to the point where everything around me got fuzzy and faint, making me feel like a spray paint huffer.

The rest of my high school years included multiple surgeries, rehabs, temporary parent-approved wheelchair use and striving to get back on my feet. It was an ongoing cycle of pain, shame and struggle to become mobile enough to go to college.

I bought into my parents’ belief that using a wheelchair equated with tragedy and failure. It was all I knew.  And when they moved me into my college dorm room during freshman week, I was a teary-eyed, nervous wreck. I was uncertain how much walking I would have to do each day.

What if the walking was simply too much? What if I had a flare or sudden pain that kept me off my feet? What if I missed too many classes and flunked out? My anxiety ratcheted up so much that I was vomiting each morning and crying every day. Finally, my parents woke up to the reality of my situation.  

After freshman year winter break, I returned to school with a very basic Everest & Jennings sling-seat power wheelchair. My parents made it clear that I must walk whenever possible. They felt certain that if I used a chair even part of the time, I would grow lazy and stop walking altogether.

Serialized from New Mobility Magazine Digital

http://newmobility.unitedspinal.org/NM_Mar_18/#?page=34

WALKER TO WHEELER -- 2

By Heidi Johnson Wright

My dad took me to school my first day back. The school administration suggested we come in through the loading dock, then pass through the boiler room. I was cargo to be unloaded, like a case of industrial-strength rat poison.

Most of my classmates had no idea I was returning to school at all, and I’d told only a couple of close friends that I’d be using a wheelchair until I regained the ability to walk. I could see the shocked looks of students and teachers as my dad and I entered the corridor.

I’d attracted plenty of stares and snickers before the surgeries, with my leg brace and crutches. But in the chair, I had reached a whole new nadir of gimpdom. Funny how sticking your ass in a 25-pound metal, vinyl and rubber contraption can bring about a new world order.

By the start of sophomore year, I was no longer using the chair. But six years of severe arthritis had transformed my gait from one of long, speedy strides to the side-to-side, slow waddle of a penguin. Three minutes was barely enough time for me to change classes.

To accommodate me, all of my teachers agreed to let me leave class a few minutes early. But that solved only one of two problems. The first was my slowness in getting from here to there. The second problem how to get from a seated to a standing position.

Serialized from New Mobility Magazine Digital

http://newmobility.unitedspinal.org/NM_Mar_18/#?page=34