I am writing to express my thoughts and feelings regarding what I see as an unjust situation. It is my hope that, as a result, it will alter agency 'rules and regulations.' I am writing due to the agency's recent unreasonable restrictions on my physical movements with particular focus on my ability to leave my home for anything but the absolute bare necessities -- doctor visits, grocery store, etc. This completely destroys my or any other client's ability to live as normal a life as possible. Please hear me out. There are people such as myself who live life with a disability. We should be able to live life, with the limitations, but yet be able to enjoy daily activities to the fullest extent possible -- doing the things we love rather than being forced to stay at home other than the 'bare necessities' mentioned above. I do not understand the reasoning behind these guidelines, particularly when I am prepared to provide my own car, gas, and have any caregiver with me when going out. I'm 32 years old and, previously, was just like everyone else with the ability to walk, drive, and come and go. I led an energized, productive, hard-working life. Then, when I was 27 I had my accident, became paralyzed, and am now a quadriplegic. These realities do not change the fact that I am still young, have a mind, desires, appreciation for people and the world around me, and have needs like everyone else. I am already a prisoner in my body but these recent restrictions make me a prisoner in my own home. All I want is a reasonable ability to choose LIFE. As I face the future with the body I now have it is a doubly bleak prospect to face life without normal places, people, and experiences. Based on reasonable guidelines this would seem to be a bare minimum. There is so much I can still do: family, friends, outings, concerts, movies, coffee even haircuts and oil changes. Participate in community events like lighting the Christmas tree, enjoying fireworks on the 4th of July. It seems like these things would pretty basic -- understanding that, to do any of these things, for me, the effort is significantly greater than for someone without my disability. While I have been and continue to be willing to make that effort, these new restrictions make it impossible. I work hard to maintain a positive attitude. I have an email list of 600 +/- friends who receive my fairly regular personal updates. I always receive positive feedback from these updates with friends indicating what an inspiration my messages are. I have recently launched a blog site and a podcast radio station on the web called Insignia Radio. It is my effort to be in the real world and make a creative contribution. But I have to admit that circumstances like these recent restrictions in my ability to travel are very, very depressing and cause me to lose hope. Put yourself in my position. You've had the catastrophic accident which I experienced which has completely altered your life. You now have to make a massive effort just to function much less live a 'reasonably normal' life with people, places, events, and everyday experiences. Then you had someone say to you, "I'm sorry this happened to you but we can't let you go on enjoying these basic pleasures and experiences of life anymore." I'm sure you would find it extremely difficult. That despite your efforts to not feel 'trapped' and to rise above your situation, you would feel imprisoned and rapidly lose hope. I trust you can, at least for a moment, put yourself in my place. And, in doing so, will re-consider these restrictions. My life at 27 was radically altered. These restrictions make it impossible. I am prepared to work with you or any other representatives of the Agency in any reasonable way to regain some basic flexibility in regulations regarding my movements. I thank you. Brendon McCallum

Links