Top Tweets for #SmallActsofCourage

Thank you for this post. Although we have a big bark, the reality is that most businesses, governments, and decision makers don't tend to listen to people with disabilities. Or they do, and they make excuses to leave things inaccessible. A lot of people are quick to support the idea of inclusion and accessibility. Until it involves their favorite coffee or ice cream shop or neighborhood pub. If these places happen to be inaccessible, then a lot of people suddenly are OK with excluding those who are physically different. A business that we can't safely get into isn't overly concerned about losing us as customers. However, when someone able bodied goes in and speaks to them about accessibility, it has weight. It's not just businesses, though. Schoolyards and playgrounds are often still inaccessible. Kids with disabilities still get left on the sidelines. Parents and family members with disabilities can't play with their children. Teachers with disabilities can't utilize these areas. Housing is very seldom visitable (meaning the main floor has an accessible entry and reasonably accessible bathroom), and housing that is barrier free to reside in is almost impossible to find. Community housing has a small percentage of barrier free units, but there's usually a wait list, and they often aren't ideal environments. Change is really slow to happen. But the more people that bring it up, the more likely it is change will happen. That might mean asking local businesses to become more accessible. It might mean talking to city councilors about inaccessible areas. It might mean reporting things that are barriers, like uncleared snow or a ramp that's blocked. The more people that promote removing barriers, the sooner it happens. And one day, that will make a big difference to you or someone you love. Being able bodied is only temporary. Age will change your abilities. An accident or illness can make your world inaccessible right away. It doesn't need to be that way. We advocate for accessibility because we need to. We push for inclusion because we'd love to be part of our community, but we can't visit people in their homes, we can't get into a lot of businesses and there's stuff we'd love to participate in but there's too many barriers. But in our eyes, the superheroes are the people who don't face those same barriers, yet take the time to advocate for those of us who do. True super heros are doing little things to make the world better for better for others.

Mom here: This week brought a flood of emotions I was unprepared for. I had prepared myself mentally for Sampson's retirement, and had gone though the process methodically. Upon returning from New York, and having the film crew leave our house, I felt a heaviness in my chest, and tears that I wouldn't allow to fall. Thinking I was just exhausted I pushed it aside. But the realization finally set in. The tears fell. I was prepared mentally, and stoic about the decision to retire Sampson, the reality is, I was unprepared emotionally. Simply put - I miss my partner. The floofy face that was my guiding light for 9 1/2 years, the bond we have, and the love. I counted on his presence every second of those 9 1/2 years, and Sampson loves his job. He and I have traveled a road fraught with obstacles, and triumphs - side by side. While it may be perceived that retirement is a liberation of sorts, this human sentiment of retirement may not be similar to how assistance animals experience retirement. Sampson did not perceive his working role as arduous work he wished to escape in the traditional sense that some people do. However, the trip took a toll on him, and I had to be consciously aware of his limitations, and act as HIS advocate. Seeing his excitement to put his vest on, I will continue to allow him to work in a reduced capacity and do small excursions. Although, we will be traveling to Palm Springs, Fl, for the big Gala in January. I am blessed to have Pax come into my life, and look forward to our future together. We are looking forward to next weekend heading to Las Vegas for the Marine Corps Ball, and he is just a loyal, work driven goofball; our bond and partnership will grow over time. But the transition is hard. The emotional conundrum of retiring an assistance animal is an issue every handler must confront at some point of the animal's life. The cessation of a working career should be perceived as a well-deserved, positive celebration and a guarantee that the animal will enjoy the remainder of his or her life. However, retirement also marks finality and can be a difficult road for both animal and handler to navigate physically and emotionally. The life and welfare of an assistance animal should always be kept in the highest regard. The assistance animal lives a humble life of purpose and can be the essential lifeline for a human being, a fate that nature could have never commanded. There is no question that the assistance animal must be honored treated with the utmost respect in every stage of life. As the animal transitions into retirement, the lives of both animal and handler change, but the memories and history between the two lives do not. Robert Frost (5) once stated, “The afternoon knows what the morning never suspected.” As I do, to try and make sense of things I don't understand - I turn to science and words. Please check out my new blog post in "Musings of a Disabled CEO": The Path Toward Retirement for Assistance Animals: Transitioning Lives https://t.co/bUKCE8VMhT

The other night we tried to get to this garbage can but the leaves made it impossible to see where the grass ended and suddenly the human had sunk a wheelchair wheel into playground sand and was firmly stuck. Thankfully HumanFriend rescued her. Accessible playgrounds prevent stuff like this.