Outdoor Buddies is an all volunteer nonprofit organization, relying on  able bodied volunteers to help disabled individuals and disadvantaged youths enjoy the best of what Colorado's natural resources have to offer.  

Outdoor Buddies was founded by representatives of Craig Hospital and Colorado Parks and Wildlife who wanted to provide outdoor adventure experiences to mobility-disabled outdoor lovers. The founding president was Sid Sellers, a hunter safety instructor with the Colorado Division of Wildlife. The organizational efforts were initiated primarily because of a need to find therapeutic recreational opportunities for patients who had suffered debilitating spinal cord injuries. Through the years, Outdoor Buddies has
expanded its programs to include all mobility-disabled persons and a youth program.

        I am adding a new feature to the Navigating Disability Road website. A Guest Author page provides visitors a rest stop from reading my perspective and brings in another  writers experiences, style and perspective. I hope you will enjoy it. If you would like to submit an article, please let me know.

    While the pain medications can be prescribed quickly and easily abused, they can be a valuable part to making life better. Finding the right dose is the key. For example, I found that taking a whole pill made me a little wobbly which increased  safety concerns. However, a half pill was perfect. That dose took the edge off but still enabled me to perform my transfers more safely. Of course, stopping my time at the computer was a good move, too.
        Hey doc, it  hurts when I do this. Hey Steve, don't do that. Thanks, doc

        We are at a time in our culture that if you mention that you have pain to your doctor, they eagerly prescribe a pain medication. If that pill doesn't take away the pain, many people whine and get more medication. Let's not forget to find out the cause and treat it before we numb our brains.
        Medications can be part  of a treatment program, but, should not be expected to  be the cure. I write this as my shoulder is screaming at me. I could take a pill. Maybe I'll just stop writing...

       " Disney is offering new details about changes to its policy for accommodating  theme park visitors with disabilities.
        Starting Wednesday, Disney parks in Florida and California will roll out a new pass known as the Disability Access Service Card for visitors with special  needs who are not able to wait in traditional lines. It will replace the Guest  Assistance Card.
             Company officials said the change comes after its existing program — which often allowed visitors with disabilities and their guests to skip to the front of long lines for park attractions — was “abused and exploited.” Disney said the  problems were “widespread and growing at an alarming rate.”
         “After careful consideration, and with the needs of our guests with disabilities as our foremost concern, we are modifying the current program so that we will be able to continue to serve those guests for whom the program is intended,” said Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Operations, in a statement.
        Under the new program, those with disabilities will not have to wait in line, but will instead be given a return time for each ride based on current wait times. Visitors will then be able to return at the designated time or anytime after, but will only be allowed a return time for one attraction at a time.
         In order to obtain the new Disability Access Service Card, guests will have their photo taken and the individual for whom the pass was provided must be among those who board each ride at the designated return time, officials said.
         Visitors to Disneyland will be able to reserve return times for attractions at guest relations kiosks located throughout the park. At Walt Disney World, however, return times will be scheduled at attractions.
         As in the past, Disney said no doctor’s note or other proof of a person’s disability will be required to obtain a pass, with the company citing legal restrictions around asking for such information."

From disabilityscoop by Michelle Diament

        As I speak with people who have disabilities and people who are retired, they seem to have trouble figuring out there 'purpose'. I think it's great that even if they don't know what that is now,  they did at one time. 
        I wonder whether they are confusing the idea of having had a job, family, extra curricular activities; these tasks; a full to-do-list with the fact that these tasks are no longer there. Is it possible that we are defining ourselves by being involved, being creative, being productive? Is that how we determine our purpose?
        Those with a more spiritual perspective would argue that our purpose is determined by our creator who bestows certain gifts on each of us. Our purpose then is to use these  gifts to improve the human condition.
        Which ever you believe, or, some combination of the above, if you don't take action you'll never know. Each of us is responsible to keep ourselves going, being involved, active and productive. Using our gifts and skills to make this world, or at least your little corner of the world, the best place it can be. 
        Do you have (a) purpose?