What are you grateful for?
Public Thnx4 Journal
Seth
- November 15, 2023
After writing my entry for yesterday, I decided to look further into accessibility in the airline industry. After my research, I realized that I am not just grateful for the general notion of new accessibility changes, but the individuals and organizations behind said changes. Delta Flight Products and UK organization Air4All, for example, have already made prototypes for seats that allow people in power wheelchairs to stay in their chairs while on flights. All Wheels Up, a US accessibility organization, too, have continued to pressure the US Congress and US Department of Transportation [DOT], and likewise the DOT has announced distinctly partial accessibility reforms surrounding the lavatories of certain classes of commercial planes that were not required to be accessible before. I am grateful for these efforts, especially as I learned more about them yesterday. I am grateful that I have never had my wheelchair so severely damaged before by airlines, though that does not mean it does not happen. The conversation to balance the safety of passengers and the need for accessibility is very much ongoing: both DOT and the airlines themselves have used safety regulations as a barrier to implementing accessible solutions as mandatory for decades. There are very much powerful interests at work here, both DOT and the airlines themselves, that built this inaccessible system. This fever is finally seeming to break.
These efforts benefit me as a person with disabilities. Though I do not know the next time I will fly, it appears that the Department of Transportation’s regulations will apply to all the major US airlines over several years’ time. As the US, according to my research yesterday, has historically been a leader in aviation globally, I benefit from these efforts if I ever travel globally. Importantly, this benefits me in that I believe it sends a message (of defiance, hope, whatever emotion you would prescribe to this moment) that society will no longer accept unreasonable excuses for ableism in industry, which airlines have previously been one of the most particularly egregious in that airlines are not covered by the ADA. Instead, the Air Carriers Act of 1986 and politics within the Department of Transportation have allowed the industry to create a separate system of standards that is clearly no longer adequate or just to passengers with disabilities. In the context of my November 9th entry, a subset of people with disabilities are interested in documenting their traveling experiences from the lens of accessibility.
Marquita
- November 15, 2023
Just thankful for everyone present in my life.
It makes me feel better just knowing they are here
Dr. Nicole
- November 14, 2023
I believe in grace and Guardian Angels and today I experienced both in a fantastically practical way!
Despite thinking it was the wrong day ALL DAY today, this included not noticing the correct date in my digital calendar, I was nudged to check "yesterday". Once I saw that yesterday was today I was able to get to a much needed wellness appointment...ON TIME no less!
Seth
- November 14, 2023
Since I am a person with disabilities, and I've been thinking about my disability a lot lately before and since my first entry on November 9, I am grateful for the wheelchairs I have. I received my first power wheelchair when I was three at the recommendation of medical professionals. Though my parents were concerned then I would get hurt in my first power wheelchair, the amount of freedom this accessibility invention has given me is truly life-changing. Mobility, in my case, is vital to my freedom of movement. I am also grateful for my current wheelchair: as I've gotten older I have had to understand that really nice electric wheelchairs cost thousands of dollars, and not everyone is as lucky as I am to have insurance options that cover this cost. From my perspective, casually at least, there is an economic question here, especially concerning disability needs and health insurance. My family and I have always tried pass on the gift of mobility to others, we always donate the previous wheelchair I do not use anymore after I upgrade to Shriners Hospital for Children.
My wheelchairs are beneficial in many ways, the most essential way to distill their impact used to say did they have given me the freedom of movement. Wheelchairs allow me to go places that I could not possibly go without them. This can be as simple as around my own house or the walks that I have mentioned earlier on November 10. Moreover, I know that one can usually also request special manual beach wheelchairs for beaches, and there are full outdoor power chairs designed for off-road hiking as some of the latest iterations on the true extent of this technology. The airlines, which I've mentioned earlier on November 9, also have narrow manual wheelchairs designed for the aisles of a plane, which is how planes are currently accessible barring pushes for new accessibility rules for the aviation industry. I am grateful for all the accessibility options available currently in my country and around the world, allowing me the freedom of movement enjoyed by all other people.
Ginger
- November 13, 2023
Recognized my efforts to take care of him.
Good
evelin
- November 13, 2023
Consegui fazer a prova de PPI.
Posso ficar tranquila quanto a passar de ano.
evelin
- November 13, 2023
minha mãe veio me fazer companhia.
Me deixa mais calma com os trabalhos e provas de fim de ano.
Seth
- November 13, 2023
Although I am not a professional creative writer, I am grateful for and admire those who are professional creative writers. Many of my fellow graduate students in my classes, too, are student creative writers. I see the value, and I'm grateful for, the people who craft stories that speak to human experiences — necessary and fulfilling work, especially after the Writer’s Guild of America [WGA] that ended just several weeks ago. Though to my knowledge WGA primarily covers screenwriters (for movies and television), at least anecdotally I know that there are hard-working authors and editors out there who believe in stories that are valuable and must be told, especially considering the state of society today.
These people actions have benefited me in two ways: (1) by crafting my favorite stories regardless of medium, and (2) because I am a writer in a different field, the strikes itself perhaps raised awareness for the importance of writing, at least indirectly. As someone who wanted to be a professional creative writer for a long time until I found my current career path, it was beneficial to me to place myself in the striker’s shoes as a thought exercise: I was grateful and sympathetic to the plights of the strikers. (Which speak to the creative writing industrial complexes at large.)
Seth
- November 12, 2023
Yesterday, on one of my walks (see November 10 entry) one of my neighbors said hello to me as I was walking by. I forget if I waived to low first or if she said hello to me first, honestly. I explained to her why I take walks, and how good the weather was this weekend. Still, in an individualistic culture of “minding one's own business,” I was grateful for that friendly interaction as something that seems rare in modern times. (I try to say hello to strangers from time to time, too.)
I don't really know if there was a benefit to me talking to my neighbor, other than maybe the awkwardness of me saying or waving hello with no response. I forget if she was busy with something else when I stopped to talk, but I do appreciate such openness even if she had other thing is to do or on her mind.
Seth
- November 11, 2023
I am grateful for my mother and father. They have been both my parents and my caretakers for all of my life, even after I have turned 18 (the nature of my disability makes me reliant on other people to help me complete everyday tasks.) Recalling my life in terms of not just memories for me but the expenses needed for my care, I am currently fortunate to have them, a fact that I do tend to overlook due to the fact that I have always been cared for by them all my life. I think that such a feeling of existentialism that I receive as I wrote the previous sentence is healthy, to express my gratitude in a different area of my life that I have not discussed here.
My mother and father's actions have benefited me and truly countless ways. If I have to find a specific example, at times when I've had to figure out what was next in my life deluded myself into thinking I was alone and helpless in making such consequential decisions (for my undergraduate education, and even whether or not to go to the graduate school I am in now) they have always been there for support. In terms of my educational decisions, although the curiosity of what could have been is still there, as I reflected on that decision over time, I realize that I am happy where I am now as opposed to the other options for college I had available.
As a brief aside, since I depend on other people for personal care, or have otherwise been cared for, I would say that the concept of gratitude as a method for happiness might also have to do with decision-making, as I depend on other people I believe I would wager that I have a more difficult time making important decisions without consulting my caretakers first. I am not a therapist or psychologist, but this is just something that I'm thinking about. Especially for those who risk losing their own sense of independence: what decisions can you make to practice autonomy? What truly makes you— and only you — the happiest?
As a brief aside, since I depend on other people for personal care, or have otherwise been cared for, I would say that the concept of gratitude as a method for happiness might also have to do with decision-making, as I depend on other people I believe I would wager that I have a more difficult time making important decisions without consulting my caretakers first. I am not a therapist or psychologist, but this is just something that I'm thinking about. Especially for those who risk losing their own sense of independence: what decisions can you make to practice autonomy? What truly makes you— and only you — the happiest?
evelin
- November 11, 2023
Me senti agradecida por ter amigos para sair comigo no sábado.
Me fazem mais acolhida em um grupo e me traz sentimento de pertencimento.
evelin
- November 11, 2023
Fiquei feliz de poder dormir com ar-condicionado ligado no calor.
Não passei calor e pude dormir bem.
Joshua
- November 11, 2023
I got to hang out in a witchy store for a day with Savanna while she worked
I got to work on my math and listen to some interesting conversations.
Ginger
- November 11, 2023
Able to attend our research symposium, in person. Received some great information.
Able to be more aware and mindful.
denise
- November 10, 2023
I had a day off, Vet Day holiday. Went to SLOMA to see Leslie's exhibit and that other great "immersion" light one that Emma had a Cuesta. Red and white, lacey light. Amazing.
Being with art, in person, lifted my spirits!
evelin
- November 10, 2023
Minha amiga me ajudou a fazer esse trabalho e mexer no site.
Seth
- November 10, 2023
In my neighborhood, I have the opportunity to go for strolls in beautiful weather. I have the opportunity to enjoy the sunshine of the region where I live and the nature of my particular street (on some properties on my street, large trees grow, creating the illusion of an actual forest barring the man-made infrastructure, obviously) that I know that many other people do not. Especially, I am grateful that our neighborhood is safe enough that I can go for walks alone unarmed, a luxury that I can almost guarantee that not everyone has access to: feeling safe enough to simply go for a walk around the neighborhood or, for that matter, having access to nature directly where they live. I am not a hiker at all, I just like the warmth of sunshine and feeling of fresh air on the trees. Is also quite interesting to see cars: a lot of cars on my street specifically are parked in the street, so I can see them close. What cars, vans or trucks are there can change each time I go, as I live next to a college, so people are always coming and going.
As a creative writer, I can use this time to imagine my stories or vocalize dialogue scenes. It sounds strange, but to vocalize a scene in different voices for different characters is some ways faster than sitting down then writing a novel for me. Doing voices outside allows me to express my story ideas for only myself, which I need as a certain creative outlet. Though I don't have all the details to share here, two ideas that I had for long time would be a supernatural space opera taking place in a time of political turmoil following young apprentice heroes during their mentorship and (as a person with disabilities myself) the lasting consequences of the relationship between a young actress and her disabled lover during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Though the stories would definitely require a huge amount of suspended disbelief (especially the Hollywood one) and are nowhere near finished, I am grateful then I am able to play with them during my walks. Though my walk started out as a way to calm down after I was angry or stressed about work, they are something that I find myself doing occasionally for more positive or constructive respite from work.
Solangel
- November 9, 2023
I woke up feeling a bit under the weather, but got to wake up at 10 and now I am being able to work
I got active and felt better
Seth
- November 9, 2023
I'm a person with disabilities. As I think about what I'm grateful for now, I am grateful for the people who supported the American disability civil rights movement. I've been learning about the individuals who took it upon themselves to lead (Judith Huemann, Ed Roberts, Kitty Cone, and others) at a time when people with disabilities did not have access to public accommodations and basic civil rights. For those unaware, the disability rights movement from the 1960s to the 1990s changed political and social attitudes concerning people with disabilities: mandating accessible architecture and accommodation, raising awareness about disability discrimination in employment, beginning deinstitutionalization away from asylums, segregated schools and hospitals, and desegregating public schools based on a student’s ability. This movement changed not only laws (including the ADA of 1990), yet also the discussion around disability from sickness, euthanasia, fear and pity to one of social equality, opportunity and humanity.
The actions of these people have helped me immensely. As a graduate student, I joke that I owe Judy my bachelor’s degree, and will owe her my master’s degree once I receive it. Without the actions of this movement, I would not have access to the levels of pre-secondary education I have in public school, and post-secondary education at a public university. When I apply for a job then I'm qualified for, there are requirements and social resources to help me succeed in that position. I have access to rooms in hotels, table at restaurants, seats at movie theaters or stadiums, curb cuts in sidewalks, and elevators in buildings. I can go on buses (school buses and public transportation). I can hop on a train if I'm ever in a region of my country that has train service. I also hear news that some airlines, previously one of the industries most resistant to accessibility reform, have made progress in accessible seating. Social attitudes have changed, and I realize that I am grateful for continued efforts to access to all people with disabilities, across communities, sectors, and industries.
Dr. Nicole
- November 7, 2023
Bottomline: I had someone say thanks but no thanks to a partnership and after some insight and coaching from my spouse I was able to see what a gift the 'no' was as it helped me clarify what I really wanted with much greater specificity rather than trying to force a mismatch to work.
I am so grateful for that 'no' because it helped me very quickly galvanize, strategize, seek additional guidance, and seek out a much better choice for me!
denise
- November 7, 2023
Extra busy day: cats to vet and car repair on top of classwork.
But, it was accomplished and all is well.
But, it was accomplished and all is well.
A push of energy all at once.
But, a relief to have all done and with clean bill of health (cats and car).
But, a relief to have all done and with clean bill of health (cats and car).
Hanxue
- November 5, 2023
I had my first counseling today and that made me feel better. Took a bus to go home with soft wind.
Make me have courage to face my life.
stephanie
- November 5, 2023
He stopped on Halloweens to help a demented elderly man hit by a car that didn't stop and he was the only one
The man was miles from his home and he would surely have died had he not stopped.
The man was miles from his home and he would surely have died had he not stopped.
Made me grateful
Lorraine
- November 5, 2023
She called me for my birthday
Made me feel important
Lorraine
- November 5, 2023
I got to sit in the sun today
Relaxation and rest. Cleared my mind.