Document text
Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 4, 2005 Fair celebrates those with disabilities By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune In spite of her 51-year struggle with cerebral palsy, Geannie Powell will have much to celebrate today at a fair for disabled persons at Medford’s library. "I think it’s good to make people aware that just because we have limitations, it doesn’t mean we’re not capable of doing things," said the 51-year-old Grants Pass woman. "Everyone is capable of doing something." The "Independence Day" event celebrates both Disability Awareness Month and the 15th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. An Independence Resource Fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a planning session for Medicaid-sponsored employment services for people with disabilities will be held from 2:15 to 4:30 p.m. today at the library, 205 S. Central Ave. Local Reps. Dennis Richardson and Peter Buckley will make presentations, and some of the topics at the event include chronic disease self-management and stories of disabled persons who live productive lives. Advertisement Powell, who can’t use her left hand and walks with a limp because of cerebral palsy, said she relies on an electric vehicle to get around Grants Pass. She said she found a ride to today’s fair in Medford. Connie Salda�a, a planner with the Rogue Valley Council of Governments’ senior and disability services, said the event not only helps those with disabilities but also brings awareness to the community. "It helps break down that feeling that it’s ‘them and us,’ " she said. "It will get the word out that we’re all in this together." Salda�a said that 19 percent of the population has some degree of disability, and almost everyone knows someone who has had a stroke, diabetes or is going blind. In Southern Oregon, RVCOG serves 11,000 people with disabilities, which includes 2,600 who need long-term care. Salda�a said much has been done to improve the quality of life for those with disabilities, although there is still more to be done. "People are not forced to stay at home anymore," she said. "Now the battle is much more subtle." While there are obvious changes that have benefited the disabled, like better access to bathrooms, Salda�a said Oregon Department of Health and Human Services budget cuts mean less funding to go around. Thanks to the disabilities act, disabled parking is commonplace, but Salda�a said there have been some efforts recently to cut back or do away with it. "We thought we won that battle long ago," she said. One of the event’s planners, Linda Hildebrand, said she is particularly interested in hearing what legislators did for disabled persons in the last session. The 47-year-old Medford woman, who has Lyme disease and other diseases, said one of the themes of the event is that the disabled can be productive. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail Fair celebrates those with disabilities ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations Casinos Canada dvd-r Generic Viagra Myspace Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Student Loans Sudoku Online Advertisement s Advertisement