Information, Fun For Disabled At Forum Event Highlights Availability Of Products, Services, Activities
New technology, insurance reforms, finding a place to live, getting a mortgage, getting around town. If you think it’s difficult understanding this stuff, imagine being mentally or physically disabled.
That’s one reason the Coalition of Responsible Disabled set up the disability festival Saturday at a South Hill sports club.
The event offered a glimpse of a software program where the computer’s mouse can be controlled with a headset or by voice. There were demonstrations on telephones, cosmetics, understanding real estate, insurance, as well as videos on a disabled skiing program offered at Mount Spokane.
There also was free food, a fun run, competitive sports and a serious cadre of chess players.
Some 13 percent of the population has some sort of disability, according to the Coalition of Responsible Disabled, which has members that range from the mildly retarded to those who limp or need a wheelchair. Wiley Marks, director of the group, said it’s a misconception that people with disabilities know where to get help and know each other.
“A lot of people with disabilities don’t know other people with disabilities,” he said. “This (event) gives them a chance to come out and play - come have some fun.”
“I grew up with a disability, a birth defect, and I’m always finding out about new programs,” said Ed Kennedy, 39, a Key Tronic employee who lives in north Spokane. “I just recently found out about the parks and recreation department skiing program. I had no idea. If I had known, I would have gotten involved much earlier.”
Though the disabilities of the coalition’s members may be varied, Joe Whaley, coalition president, said some issues are common to all of them: insurance reform, cutbacks in Medicaid, access to housing and recreation.
Those at Saturday’s forum did browse the information booths, but most just wanted to have fun.
Frank Traver, 41, of Rathdrum, is in a wheelchair from a logging accident 13 years ago. He participated in a three-mile fun run and played basketball.
“I haven’t tried snow skiing yet, but I’d like to,” he said while watching the Mount Spokane videotape.
The fact that Walt Mabe, 46, lost a leg in Vietnam didn’t stop him from dominating the basketball court.
Mabe, a Cheney resident, plays wheelchair basketball as part of the West Plains Drifters and wants others to know there are always openings on teams.
At 5-foot-4, he never sunk a basket before his disability, because taller players always had the edge.
A wheelchair is a great equalizer. Now Mabe can compete with people who would be six-feet and taller if standing.
“We want to see people get out and participate,” he said. “We want to see people compete in whatever they can compete in.”
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