The challenge of the non-negotiable

I did a couple loads of laundry this morning. laundry is one of the less glamorous percs of having a home office. As I was starting the second load the felt dot I use as a guide to set the washer came loose and fell off the control dial. I can't see the lines on the controls of the washer so I must have a tactile means of setting the machine. No tactile feedback, no way to set the machine. To paraphrase and old, bad, joke: No touchy, no laundry.

 

The solution to this problem is very simple. I just need a sighted person who can put another felt dot on the washer control dial and everything will be fine for another few years. If I can't get this assistance I simply cannot use the washing machine. I don't say this to be demanding just a statement of fact.

 

It occurred to me this is a great example of the challenges disabled persons face in many settings each day. Part of the problem is the simplicity of the solution. I have a very supportive family but it simply isn't a high priority to anyone (including myself) to put a dot on a washing machine.

 

There is a fair chance I won't get the dot on the washer control until the towels and sheets are dirty and no one else feels like doing them. That's fine in a home setting but may easily reflect badly on everyone (but more likely the disabled employee) in a work setting.

 

This simple situation is an example of how a person with a disability can be perceived as being less capable of getting a job done. There's no real blame to be placed here just a non-negotiable need for a cooperative effort.

 

____________________

<http://www.DanLococo.com/>

 

 

Stripping it down in Nature

I attended a retreat yesterday called "Meeting God in the Rawness of Nature" with Richard Rohr, OFM. The day was held in Lakewood Forest Preserve, Wauconda, IL.  As with any good retreat experience it has taken a little time for the revelations of the day to clarify in my mind.

 

One of the reflection opportunities was to find a quiet place in the nature preserve and to reflect on the connection we have to what we found.  While I don't like to let my blindness be a controlling factor in my choices, I decided to keep things simple and not go too deep into the forest. I found ample opportunity to reflect at the place I was drawn to.

 

After settling myself I stood and absorbed the various textures, sounds, and smells of my surroundings. The reflection instructions asked us to identify a single object to reflect on but nothing called out to me. Instead I found myself reflecting on how the textures, sounds and smells of the nature preserve appeared to be a single monolith of input. As I paid closer attention I was drawn to the fact each element of this environment was a seemingly insignificant part of the whole. Instead of embracing the message of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 I found myself thinking quite the opposite.

 

I saw the sense of order we often prescribe to our natural environment is just a way to simply put order to a very complex system. I had to question my assumption everything has a 'purpose" in nature. By making this assumption I can infer I must have a purpose in the universe. I realized I could not assume everything has a purpose nor could I infer I have a purpose in the universe. Instead I realized each plant, bird and insect was simply doing what they do.

 

This revelation left me struggling to see where my place in the universe resides. It would be comforting to know there was a plan for me and I am merely a passenger on a ride designed by someone else. While the passenger idea has a lot of merit I've never really embraced the idea.

 

My reflection drew me to the conclusion I am an active participant in the mystery of the universe. A much harder, but far more exciting, view of the world. While this revelation is not new or novel, it reinforces my beliefs and experience. I am regularly amazed at the gifts in my life. I am also regularly surprised at how easily the gifts in my life compliment or are supplemented by the environment I'm a part of.

 

I found myself left with a need to regularly reflect on my own gifts and how I can be gift to others. While this revelation is not significant it is also not something I purposefully do on a regular basis.

 

____________________

<http://www.DanLococo.com/>

 

She kissed a girl

One of the nice things about Facebook is the opportunity to keep up to date with the people I've gotten to know over the years but don't have frequent contact with. Jean is one of those people. We served on a Board together for a number of years. Our paths cross occasionally but infrequently. I enjoy reading her FB updates and I send her a copy of the newsletter I write.

 

The other day Jean posted a link to a disturbing story about the Atlanta police harassing a group of bar patrons for no other reason than they happened to be gay. I'm happy Jean posted the link because we all need to be vigilant when it comes to civil/human rights abuses.

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-alvear/stonewall-2009-police-rai_b_286649.html

 

Jean has posted a number of links related to issues facing gay people. Some have been serious, some funny and some I've ignored. Out of curiosity I took a look at Jean's profile. Jean is in a relationship and she's gay. The world is now different and I'm not sure how to deal with this new information.

 

acknowledge or ignore: that is the question. To acknowledge Jean 's sexuality is filled with all sorts of presumptuous pitfalls. I don't want to seem  like I'm showing some sort of approval: indicating approval for someone's sexuality is kind of like indicating approval of someone's racial background: "Hey I just realized you're Asian and I want you to know I'm OK with that". Showing some sort of solidarity seems like a noble thing to do but I can't imagine being part of one of the very few groups who are openly (and legally) discriminated against so that would be a hollow gesture. Pointing out the dangers of living together out of wedlock might be useful if it weren't for the institutionalized discrimination thing.

 

I guess I'm stuck. I'll shoot Jean a copy of this blog post and hope she continues to share tidbits from her life in whatever ways our paths cross.

____________________

<http://www.DanLococo.com/>

 

The Insurance Industry fears free-market capitalism

Susan Pisano of the America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) trade group stresses two major points about health insurance plans:

 

1. The health insurance industry does not believe they could compete with a government operated insurance plan.

2. Only one percent of health care premiums go toward profits.

 

Two generally accepted points regarding health insurance administrative costs are:

 

1. For-profit health insurance have administrative costs of 15 - 30%.

2. Medicare has administrative costs under 5%.

 

When we put the position of AHIP together with what is accepted about administrative costs it is hard to see AHIP's concern over the competition a government administrated plan would provide. True, for-profit insurance plans would have to bring their administrative costs under control but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Once AHIP members brought their administrative costs under control the one percent difference (profits) would be insignificant and a free market would determine if they were deserved.

 

AHIP appears to fear free-market capitalism more than anything else.

 

____________________

<http://www.DanLococo.com/>

 

Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros are all that

In going through my e-mail yesterday morning I found a very welcome surprise. The group "Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros" was going to be in town for a show tonight. They would be appearing at Club Garibaldi, a small venue, for the nominal cost of $10 per ticket. This seemed like a chance that might never come again. My plan to see the show came together better-than-expected. Unfortunately, the show itself turned out to be quite a disappointment.

 

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros is a Los Angeles-based band led by Alex Ebert. the group plays a mix of folk, world music and acoustic music, delivered with an enthusiasm reminiscent of a tent show revival.

 

I've been following Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros through various Internet radio stations across the country.  I've heard them live in concert a number of times over the Internet.  I had put them on my (very short) list of groups to see regardless of the ticket price.  This opportunity appeared to be too good to be true and in unexpected ways it was.

 

Jeremiah Nelson (of Madison, Wisconsin) opened the night with a set of original songs.  Nelson was accompanied by a violin player and they put on a good set. A number of times Nelson noted they would do a couple more songs and then   Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros would be out. After the second time nelson said this I began to wonder if they weren't getting the stretch signal from off-stage.

 

When Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros finally did come out it was clear this was not going to be their best performance.  It became all too obvious Alex Ebert, the group's leader was performing while impaired.  My wife told me later all of the band members and the sound person were drinking quite heavily throughout the performance. 

 

By the end of the night my initial concern this opportunity to see Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros might be a one-time thing was confirmed. I had assumed the group was on a path which might leave "small markets" such as Milwaukee behind.  I never imagined the group might implode in a fog of substance abuse.

 

 

Some links to the music:

 

http://www.myspace.com/jeremiahnelsonmusic

 

 

<http://www.edwardsharpeandthemagneticzeros.com/

 

_____________________

<http://www.DanLococo.com/>

 

 

Helen and Dan on Relevant Radio

As a follow up to the article "

Couple begins every day with wedding vows"

published in the August 6th Catholic Herald  we were asked to do an interview with  Sean Herriot of Relevant Radio.

 

The interview was great fun and we had a chance to share a little bit of how we have kept our love alive for these past twenty years.

 

An archive of the interview can be found about 45 minutes into hour three of the 9/3 program:

http://www.relevantradio.com/Page.aspx?pid=1380&cid=17&ceid=3392&cerid=0&cdt=9%2f2%2f2009

 

The Catholic Herald article can be found at:

http://www.chnonline.org/

 

 

<http://www.DanLococo.com/>

 

Grace in the dangerous part of town

I took the bus down to meet my  Big Brothers/Big sisters "Little" this morning.  It was a nightmare.  The connections were lousy and it just took forever to get there and back.  The more I think of it though, the more I realize the trip was the high point of the day. 

 

I met Dennis on 27th and Wisconsin Ave.  Dennis introduced himself to me and I immediately assumed he was a pan-handler and wanted my money.  it turned out Dennis is a sweet gentleman who is known by many people in the area.  I listened to an older woman (who knew Dennis) talking on the bus about places she's worked and volunteered.  I don't get the feeling she's been invited to any fancy events lately yet she is the type of person I admire for their giving spirit.

 

It turned out the bus driver didn't hear me when I told her where I wanted to get off the bus.  I ended up going beyond my stop and having to catch a bus back south to meet my Little.  As I was getting ready to cross the road I heard a gentleman say "Cousin, help this man across the street.".  A woman took my arm and helped me across.  I could have crossed myself but thought it better not to refuse such a kind heart.  When we got across she told me we were in front of the barber shop.  She gave me the name of the owner and told me I should let him know if I needed anything.  I didn't but it was lovely to think I could go in to a place I've never been before and know I was recommended to the owner by one of the members of the community.

 

All of these very nice encounters took place in an area of town many people are afraid to go to because of the imminent danger lurking at every street corner.  I'm grateful for the bad luck that brought me face-to-face with these people.  I can only hope they would be treated as graciously in my neighborhood.

 

<http://www.DanLococo.com/>