Disability Discrimination

We often hear about discrimination in many forms. We sympathize with those who are discriminated against and try to be understanding. However, until it happens to us, we don't really know how it feels or what impact it has on our lives.

About a year and a half ago, the VA provided me with a power wheel chair since I can no longer walk more than a few feet at a time with assistance. I then sent a request to the corporation that owns the apartment complex, for a special door closer to be installed on the door to the rear entrance of my apartment building that complies with ADA regulations for barrier free access to my building. Since then my repeated requests have gone unanswered and have been ignored.

I've contacted my city alderman and had a visit with him and another city official. They have not done anything for me either. It seems they have no authority to enforce any laws to comply with with fair housing or the ADA regulations.

So I'm stuck here in my apartment with no way out except when I can get someone to open the door for me to allow me to get in and out. How fair is that? No one can imagine how depressing it is to look out the window knowing that you can't get out to enjoy the outdoors.

If I could afford an attorney I would definitely file a lawsuit for discriminating against me. I feel that I've run out of  options now. I could try having it installed myself, but then I run the risk of getting myself in trouble for doing it.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

When you see someone at a disadvantage because of circumstances beyond their control, be understanding and sympathetic. Try to  help if you can. They will certainly appreciate it and I will too.

-Ed

Free Kindle

Yesterday, I just got my Kindle, for free! No, I'm not kidding, this is not a joke. I received an e-mail from Amazon announcing a new free Kindle application for the PC. That's right; Amazon has now offered the free Kindle application that you can download and install on your PC running XP, Vista, or Windows 7. Anyone with an Amazon account can now have the Kindle on their PC to download their books and have their library with them where ever they go.

 
I'm really excited about mine. I right away went to Amazon's Kindle store, searching the catalog for books that I may be interested in. To my surprise, I found hundreds of the great old classics that are totally free. Others that are in the catalog are greatly discounted for the Kindle. I quickly 'purchased' three of the free ones for my Kindle that I had read as a youngster. How nice it is to find these books and read them again. When you go to the Amazon Kindle store I think you'll be surprised at the selection of books you can purchase for your Kindle.
The Kindle for PC doesn't have all the features of the actual Kindle reader; but who cares? You won't be able to download magazines or newspapers, or be able to print out selections. But for reading your books, highlighting text, and bookmarking pages, I think this will serve you well. Although I don't own a Kindle reader, they say if you have one, you can even synchronize you Kindle reader with the PC one.
Now that you know it's there, if you have an Amazon account, get yours. If you don't have an Amazon account, I'd recommend that you open one and get yours too. Amazon is probably my favorite online store where I make many of my purchases. I've never been disappointed.
Now that I've got you to thinking, I have to go to my Kindle and continue reading an old classic that I hadn't read since childhood, 'Treasure Island'. It's still a good read.
-ED