HYPOCRISY EXPOSED

BEACH WHEELCHAIR ACCESS DENIED

City of Miami Beach and Miami-Dade County officials will not allow wheelchair accessible mats over the sand anywhere near the water.

Environmental impact is the excuse. 

But when millions are to be made from boat and food shows, giant buildings pollute the sand.

The MobiMat that provides access over the sand for people with disabilities — ends at the sand dunes.

This is up to 100 feet from the water’s edge and where families picnic.

They are segregated from the public beach they have every right to.

Construction for fat cat VIP tents introduces heavy trucks and a litany of environmental hazards that hurt avian and marine life.

But a little wheelchair access is the enemy?

NATALIE BARNHARD: UNITED SPINAL’S 2021 FINN BULLERS ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR

 REALIZING A DREAM FOR IMPROVED REHAB ACCESS

Barnhard said the work will continue far beyond the opening, as she works to raise funds to create an endowment to cover the costs for everyone to be able to attend as well as pay for and maintain modern equipment and the overall facility.

“My goal is to make changes here in my community. God has only increased my passion is to do this. It has allowed me to be a therapist again. I get to help people again,” she said.

With a Memorandum of Understanding, the center will officially collaborate with the University of Buffalo on research and education. It is partnering with a local trauma hospital to help patients and their families with care navigation, resources and advocacy.

“I don’t know why, but I have been given an opportunity to improve lives,” Barnhard said in a reverent and humble tone. “When you can make positive changes that will create a legacy that last beyond your own life -- that’s profound.”

NATALIE BARNHARD: UNITED SPINAL’S 2021 FINN BULLERS ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR

 REALIZING A DREAM FOR IMPROVED REHAB ACCESS

For years, Barnhard had a dream to start a local rehabilitation facility in Buffalo. Through fundraising and a significant amount of her own money, the Natalie Barnhard Center for SCI Rehabilitation and Recovery will open its doors in June and celebrate a grand opening with VIPs in September. The center is supported by the Motion Project Foundation, the new name for the new focus of the former Wheels with Wings.

“It is like any fitness center or gym where you go to work out – but everything is geared to people with SCI or related needs,” she said. “The equipment is adapted and the trainers understand what the goals and expectations are. It’s not like going to PT in an institution, it’s going to a warm, colorful and fun place.”

The 6,000-square-foot facility includes the rehab/workout area, a treatment room, kitchen, offices and spaces for caregivers and support groups to meet. Barnhard spent more than a year looking for a location that features lots of accessible parking, transit access and a prime location near the airport, hotels, restaurants and amenities.

NATALIE BARNHARD: UNITED SPINAL’S 2021 FINN BULLERS ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR

 REALIZING A DREAM FOR IMPROVED REHAB ACCESS

“I was at work when a 600-pound weight machine toppled over on top of me, injuring my spine at C-5/C-6. I was 24 at the time, she said. I remember in rehab crying in bed and telling my mother that ‘I was given a gift to help people heal using my hands. Now I’m paralyzed and I can’t physically help people in any way. So, what am I going to do now?’ My mother said `Natalie, you can’t change what happened, but you can change what you do going forward by trusting God’ And I found a purpose.”

Barnhard quickly learned that she could still assist countless people. She started Wheels with Wings, a nonprofit for other people with SCI/D. It awards quality of life grants for wheelchairs, sports equipment, rehab, modifications to homes, accessible vehicles and other items often not covered fully or at all by insurance plans as well as focusing on advocacy and resources for those newly injured.

“I saw the need for funding wheelchairs, vehicles, shower chairs. How could anyone declare a shower chair an unnecessary item?,” Barnhard added. “No medical necessity to get clean? It’s appalling!

NATALIE BARNHARD: UNITED SPINAL’S 2021 FINN BULLERS ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR

 REALIZING A DREAM FOR IMPROVED REHAB ACCESS

If Natalie Barnhard was put on this earth to be a change agent who produces results measurable in bricks and mortar – then she has found and fulfilled her purpose.

Barnhard is a community activist, speaker, entrepreneur, advocate for people with disabilities, and the Founder and President of the Motion Project Foundation, Inc. Based in Buffalo, she founded and serves as a member of the Western New York Chapter of United Spinal Association.

Barnhard’s tireless advocacy, from creating a nonprofit to participating in several United Spinal Roll On Capital Hill events, has earned her the honor of Finn Bullers Advocate of the Year Award. The late Bullers was a journalist and advocate who fought for Medicaid expansion, ratification of the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities and getting cities to adopt the modern, in motion disability icon.

Prior to her SCI in 2004, Barnhard was a physical therapist assistant and a licensed massage therapist. She used her hands to help people heal.

NATALIE BARNHARD: UNITED SPINAL’S 2021 FINN BULLERS ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR

 REALIZING A DREAM FOR IMPROVED REHAB ACCESS

Earle and Kathy Powdrell, 2018 Finn Bullers Award Winners

Powdrell, of Houston Texas, suffered a brain stem stroke in 2009 that left him with “locked in” syndrome – resulting in being virtually paralyzed with the exception of eye movements.  The aerospace engineer was honored with his wife Kathy for their advocacy leadership and dedication to state and federal policy issues impacting the SCI/D and broader disability community. Speaking via a voice synthesizer that read his award acceptance speech, which he composed using eye tracking software, Powdrell, explained how his advocacy work with United Spinal changed his life. He praised Rafferty Laredo, the president of United Spinal Association’s Houston chapter, for finding technology that gave Powdrell his voice back. Powdrell, who championed accessible air travel and the preservation of the ADA, died in 2019.

Frances M. Ozur Cole, 2017 Finn Bullers Advocate of the Year

 

Frances M. Ozur Cole, President, United Spinal’s New Mexico Chapter, has used a manual wheelchair since 2004 and is a business entrepreneur, graphic designer and former electrical engineer. She lives with congenital narrowing of the spinal column and has had her mobility impacted by recurring herniated discs. A native of the D.C. area with politics ingrained in her blood, Ozur Cole has led Roll on Capitol Hill events to advocate for greater access to complex rehab technology and medically necessary wheelchairs. She has joined others to speak directly with legislators on issues that affect the independence and quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries and disorders and other pre-existing conditions.

NATALIE BARNHARD: UNITED SPINAL’S 2021 FINN BULLERS ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR

REALIZING A DREAM FOR IMPROVED REHAB ACCESS

ABOUT THE UNITED SPINAL ASSOCIATION’S

FINN BULLERS ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR AWARD

The late Finn Bullers was a journalist and advocate who fought for better coverage under Medicare and Medicaid for customized wheelchairs and ratification of the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. He had a progressive neurological disease, Charcot Marie Tooth, that affected his coordination. Bullers, a longtime reporter at the Kansas City Star, used crutches for mobility. He died, from pneumonia at age 56 in 2016. Bullers worked with stakeholders across the country to get local communities to adopt a modern, dynamic disability symbol, which is now known as the Accessible Icon Project.

The USA’s Advocate of the Year Award was named for Bullers beginning in 2017. Typically announced during the Roll on Capitol Hill, the honor was not given out in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic canceling the in-person Capitol Hill event.

Kenny Salvini & Rob Wudlick, 2019 Finn Bullers Advocates of the Year honorees

Salvini, of Washington State, has been a quadriplegic since 2004 after a snow skiing accident left him paralyzed from the neck down. In the summer of 2005, his “Typical Guy, Atypical Situation" blog was featured on the MSN homepage and became somewhat of a viral hit. He continues to write, for publications including New Mobility, pursuing his hope “to build a community where a group of people in seemingly dire circumstances are able to pool their collective experience, strength and hope in order to successfully achieve an enhanced, more accessible life.”

 

Wudlick of Minnesota, broke his neck in 2011 during a diving accident on a raft trip down the Grand Canyon, suffering a spinal cord injury. He has been active in spinal cord research legislative efforts in Minnesota to get a bill passed. In 2014 he was a founding member of Get Up Stand Up to Cure Paralysis Foundation. Currently, he is working to advance medical research for spinal cord injury and is a medical device consultant with AbiliTech Medical, Inc.

NATALIE BARNHARD: UNITED SPINAL’S 2021 FINN BULLERS ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR

 REALIZING A DREAM FOR IMPROVED REHAB ACCESS

We are in close proximity to the airport and numerous amenities such as hotels & restaurants. We believe that this should be an accessible place where people can come to enjoy their time in our gym but also socializing with others as well,” Barnhard said. “We have created a unique space with a fun vibrant environment to exercise in but also are creating a holistic environment with an infrared sauna for relaxation, peer support and general wellness.”

 

The foundation has partnerships with Erie County Medical Center to help with patient advocacy, provide resources at point of injury and care navigation. The foundation also is working with Greater Buffalo Adaptive Sports and WNY Adaptive Recreation.

 

“Our goal is to continue to make essential partnerships and collaborate with various other businesses and organizations to enhance the recovery process for our clients in and outside of western New York,” she said. “I believe we can not only help people within the Buffalo area but nationally as well.”

NATALIE BARNHARD: UNITED SPINAL’S 2021 FINN BULLERS ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR

 REALIZING A DREAM FOR IMPROVED REHAB ACCESS

Barnhard noted that Workers Compensation paid for most of her long stay at the Shepherd Center (Spinal Cord & Brain Injury Rehabilitation hospital in Atlanta), but she knows a lot of people do not have the funding for ongoing care and many other essentials such as durable medical equipment.

“My goal is to make changes here in my community. My faith in God has only increased my passion to do this. It has allowed me to be a therapist again. I get to help people again,” she said.

The Motion Project has collaborated with University at Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professions for research and education in the rehab center.

NATALIE BARNHARD: UNITED SPINAL’S 2021 FINN BULLERS ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR

 REALIZING A DREAM FOR IMPROVED REHAB ACCESS

“Unfortunately, insurance plans do not cover our community’s rehabilitation needs sufficiently which is why Natalie’s work fills a huge gap in this space for our community and the broader disability community and why her advocacy work must be acknowledged and recognized,” Bennewith added.

Barnhard said she is pursing fundraising, grants, donors and sponsorships to create a larger endowment “so no one ever gets turned away regardless of ability to pay.”

“I want everyone to be able to receive the care and resources they need to live their life to the fullest,” she said.

The center has state-of-the-art specialty equipment including: the Lokomat for Gait Rehabilitation robotic rehabilitation device, Armeo Spring, arm weight support for each and grasp movements, ZeroG a robotic bodyweight support system and Madonna ICARE intelligently controlled assistive rehabilitation elliptical trainer.

“The equipment is adapted (to SCI and related needs) and the trainers understand what the goals and expectations are. It’s not like going to PT in an institution, it’s going to a warm, colorful and fun place,” Barnhard said.

NATALIE BARNHARD: UNITED SPINAL’S 2021 FINN BULLERS ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR

 REALIZING A DREAM FOR IMPROVED REHAB ACCESS

“We focus on the client’s weaknesses and work on coordinating the entire body in a very functional and complete style of rehabilitation.   Most other facilities tend to focus only on the client’s current abilities and don’t work with the affected areas to improve motor function overall. Motion Project works to support the whole person to assist with advocacy, care navigation and spiritual healing,” she said.

 

“We help educate clients and families so they know what to expect moving forward with a spinal cord injury,” Barnhard added.  “Motion Project is not just about the physical gains, but we strive to work together to get clients back to work, to school, or into sports pursuing their dreams. Our goal is to support each client to reach their goals to live a full, productive, healthy life.”

 

Alexandra Bennewith, MPA, Vice President, Government Relations
United Spinal Association praised the rehabilitation center as a welcome haven for individuals with spinal cord injury, brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, and other neurological disorders.

 

“Natalie is fulfilling a dream and a passion of hers to help others in her community, this dream has driven her ever since she sustained a spinal cord injury at the age of 24.  I am in awe of Natalie’s commitment and achievement in getting this center open and am grateful to her and her family for their focus on this critical issue and happy to hear that individuals in our community now have a place to go for help with rehabilitation,” Bennewith said.

NATALIE BARNHARD: UNITED SPINAL’S 2021 FINN BULLERS ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR

REALIZING A DREAM FOR IMPROVED REHAB ACCESS

Prior to her SCI in 2004, Barnhard was a physical therapist assistant and a licensed massage therapist. She used her hands to help people heal.

“I was at work when a 600-pound weight machine toppled over on top of me, injuring my spine at C-5/C-6. I was 24 at the time,” she said.

Following her rehabilitation, Barnhard adapted the way she worked tirelessly to help others. The ultimate result was the Motion Project Foundation.

It provides funding for medical equipment, home or vehicle modifications, intense therapy rehabilitation, advocacy, or other services and activities to improve lives of individuals with a spinal cord injury. 

In less than a decade, it has raised close to half a million dollars and awarded about $350,000 in grants.

The 6,000-square-foot rehabilitation center in Buffalo takes the foundation’s work to another level.

Barnhard notes that it is not a general rehab facility, but one focused on improved function and more. 

NATALIE BARNHARD: UNITED SPINAL’S 2021 FINN BULLERS ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR

REALIZING A DREAM FOR IMPROVED REHAB ACCESS

Natalie Barnhard, honored with the United Spinal Association’s 2021 Finn Bullers Advocate of the Year Award, is celebrating the September opening of her dream project: The Natalie Barnhard Center for Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation and Recovery in Buffalo, New York.

Barnhard is a community activist, speaker, entrepreneur, advocate for people with disabilities, and the Founder and President of the Motion Project Foundation. 

Based in Buffalo, she founded and serves as a member of the Western New York Chapter of United Spinal Association.

Barnhard’s tireless advocacy includes creating a nonprofit to participating in several United Spinal Roll on Capital Hill legislative advocacy events. 

The roll on Capitol Hill addresses issues that impact the independence and quality of life of individuals living with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D).

“In a whirlwind year, being named Advocate of the Year has been amazing.

 It’s great to receive peer recognition and it provides a forum to share what we’re doing with the rehab center,” she said. 

“Before our soft opening, leading up to the grand gala opening, the closest place for rehab for folks with SCI was about 300 miles away.”

KOZA KHAN

BURSA, TURKEY

There are 50 ground-floor rooms in the han.

Those at the corners have panelled square vaults, while the others have barrel vaults oriented perpendicular to the courtyard.

There are porticoes in front of the rooms and on the four sides of the courtyard.

On the second floor, there are 54 rooms including the rooms on either side of the portal.

The portico on the upper story is covered by a series of domes supported on square pillars.

-- www.discoverislamicart.org

GREAT MAYA REEF

AUDUBON AQUARIUM OF THE AMERICAS

We live in South Florida, where great sea creatures live a few miles from our home.

We have climbed great Mayan ruins in Tikal and other parts of Guatemala.

We are big believers in sea level rise, but we can assure the reader that no part of Mayan architecture has been flooded.

...except at the Great Maya Reef in the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans.

Looking to freshen up it's two decade old experience where visitors walk through great glass tunnels to experience the sea without getting wet, the Aquarium kept the gigantic tanks.

It added a make believe world of submersed Mayan ruins.

Sounds crazy.

But somehow it all works.

From the Audubon folks' press material:

"The new 4,200 square-foot Great Maya Reef at Audubon Aquarium of the Americas opened March 8! (2014) This new experience transforms the opening exhibit of the Aquarium into a great, submerged Maya city of the Yucatan peninsula."

"The adventure begins as visitors walk through the 30-foot-long tunnel into a submerged Maya city of mysterious ruins, surrounded by exotic sea creatures. This underwater world of the ancient, flooded metropolis is alive with lion fish, yellowtail snapper, moray eels, spiny lobsters and more all at home among stunning coral, sunken artifacts and forgotten treasure."

Be sure to see the cownose rays getting fed.

It's magical for kids and adults.

The Aquarium is located on the edge of the French Quarter, facing the mighty Mississippi River at the foot of Canal St.  The entrance, at #1 Canal Street, faces the river.

The Aquarium features outstanding wheelchair access. For more information, call  (504) 581-4629

Open Tue - Sun | 10am5pm, closed Mondays.   Adult Admission  -$22.50

http://www.auduboninstitute.org/aquarium

AUDUBON BUTTERFLY GARDEN AND INSECTARIUM

A DIAMOND AT THE U.S. CUSTOM HOUSE IN NEW ORLEANS

 

We may have been the only Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium visitors without kids, but what did it matter?

Even a pair of childless Miamians celebrating their combined 50th birthdays can have a lot of fun in this very wheelchair-accessible attraction.

Displays feature outstanding barrier-free access (though we did pass on the area offering free fried, chocolate covered and other allegedly gourmet preparations of edible insects!

The largest free-standing museum in the world dedicated to all things bug and arachnid begins in the Prehistoric hallway with 30-inch insect replicas.

We loved the disgustingly realistic display of real cockroaches taking over a mocked up kitchen under glass

According to the museum:

It's always dinner time for this family of American cockroaches in New Orleans.

Known also as the palmetto bug or water bug, American cockroaches are the largest common species of pest cockroach.

So pull up a chair, relax and enjoy dinner time with these critters.

Frommer's loves the gallery that simulates the experience of being underground and exposes the tiny world living in our soil.

The Japanese-inspired butterfly gallery, full of fluttering beauty, ends the experience.

The gift shop is outstanding too.

Tue - Sun | 10am - 5pm, Closed Mondays. Admission: $16.50 

423 Canal Street near North Peters Street, New Orleans.  504/581-4629

Because it is located in a Federal building, all visitors must pass through metal detectors and have their belongings scanned.

http://www.auduboninstitute.org/insectarium