Forgive my delinquency, but I've been side lined by a severe respiratory infection for over a week now. Breathing is underrated.

As for the article I spoke of last time, it was a disappointment. First of all, the reporter I was told wanted to interview me didn't even show up. Only the photographer arrived and he had no idea hat was going on or what sort of images were wanted for the article. As My attendant and I were requested to be available at the same time, we staged a few poses of him taking off my shoes. And still, the only thing that was published even remotely related to our issue was an article regarding the attendant union, Service Employees International, and its dealings with Pima Health System. No mention was made of the clients, of course. I have no idea if the reporter or her editor had more to do with the final product. And I have also not heard whether there might be a future article of some sort.


It's another media disaster. As far as I can tell, the media refuses to publish even a small part of the information concerning the clients and the closing of the attendant care program. They continue to show regard for the attendants who may lose jobs or get transferred, but no concern at all for the clients who WILL be affected. It's difficult not to feel invisible.

In other parts, I have been asked to participate with the Pima County Interfaith Council's 2008 Community Summit. It's scheduled for this coming weekend, April 4th and 5th. They are holding several workshops on many different topics, including the attendant care program issue. They've asked me, my attendant Jerry, and several members of the union to attend. Apparently we will have about 90 seconds to speak, so I will have a little something written by than. Wish me luck.

I'll be back here again soon and let you know how it goes.