Handicapped Hotrods

Figured while I got peoples attention with this whole media frenzy (maybe a slight overstatement) I should pimp this page too. Join us today!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_77478695239&ap=1

Manic Media

So a few weeks ago I went to a local "convenience" store and, as usual, the access ramp was half blocked by a cooler and now there was an ashtray tower thing between the ramp and the door making getting in completely impossible for me. An elderly gentleman coming out as I was trying to get in say my problem and helped by moving the ashtray thing and holding the door. He then said to the manager, who was working at the time, that that thing is in the way for people who need to use the ramp. I added that that cooler partially blocked the ramp too. The manager responded with "Well I didn't build it, it was like that when I bought the place". Maybe, but that was 15-20 years ago. This stuff isn't cemented to the ground either. So, granted, I was a little pissed off. So when I got home I wrote the following letter to the local paper.

The following week I got an email from the editor of the paper asking if I would be willing to do an interview with them on the issue of handicapped accessibility around town and in general. I said I would be glad to and we met up that week. 2 weeks after my letter was published they ran the following article.

Now I do wish to point out right now that there are a few inaccuracies in this article. First, it was 11 months before I ever went home for the first time, and that was only overnight for the local car show, and I had to beg and plead with my rehab doctor for that to happen. It was over 17 months before I went home for good (or at least for longer than a few hours). Also, the Shell is just ONE of several places in town that's a pain in the ass to get in. And nothing at all was done until after this article was written. When it was just me, it wasn't important.
Anyway, shortly after that a reporter from the local news station contacted me via facebook and wanted to interview me for Access Awareness Week. The timing just worked out well. And so on June 1, 2011 the following was on the local news;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDkRDc1G4Jg

And so, the following week in the other local paper, this letter appears.

Now where did that come from? Funny thing is, none of the 4 people whos names are signed at the bottom were in any way involved with any of the rest of this. In fact, in my original letter I never even mentioned the name of the stores involved. But they had no problem mentioning my name several times in their "response". Which also brings to question, why "respond" to an article in one paper by writing to a different one? "We have helped him put his purchases in his lap and opened the door for him." So as long as there is someone to save me I'm alright? They obviously missed the point of the article and the letter and the news story completely.

Letter To The Editor

So here's what was in the paper this week.

Gimp Rant

So it's been a while since I ranted about anything, time to set that right. What now you ask?  Well, a number of things all pertaining to being a gimp.


First, let me say that the next time I hear someone say "handi-capable" I'm going to run over someones throat! Do you call black people "achromicly challanged"? What's wrong with the word "handicapped"?





Hand·i·cap


[han-dee-kap] – noun


A physical or mental disability making participation in certain of the usual activities of daily living more difficult.



Well gee, it sounds like the right word to use for the given situation. Oddly enough, "Hand-capable" returned no dictionary results. Wonder why that is? Cus it's not a fucking word! And if anyone gets offended by the word "handicapped" I suggest they go out and buy a fucking dictionary, or use one of the dozends of free dictionaries online these days. I'm more offended by the word "handi-capable". It just muddies everything. What's wrong with calling a spade a spade?


And I DO NOT need someone getting offended on my behalf! The last little while I've been watching stupid videos on youtube and am sickened by some of the comments. Comments like "This is very offensive to people who are confined to wheelchairs. my uncle is a quadrapoligic and i know he would NOT find this funny. you guys are sick for thinking that a crippled person falling down is humorous" Well guess what bitch, it is funny. Why don't you ask your uncle if he finds it funny instead of assuming his brain stopped working when his legs did. 90% of the time it's us gimps who can relate to stuff like this that find it the funniest. And would it be funny if the guy wasn't in a wheelchair? If you laugh at anyone else, but then won't laugh because "oh, the poor cripple" isn't that just like saying "gimps aren't normal people, it's not ok to laugh"? And what's this "confined" shit? I'm not in prison! I could scoot around on my ass if I really wanted, but the chair is a lot easier and faster. I USE a wheelchair, I am NOT a wheelchair, or confined, or stuck, trapped, or condemed to a wheelchair.
I don't mind someone asking if I need help, ONCE. If I say no, than the answer is no, piss off. Don't keep insisting. If I needed help, I'd ask. Although that's better than the people who just grab on to the chair without asking. Try it and you'll find out that just cus my legs don't work doesn't mean my arms don't, so if you want a smack keep it up. And for god sake an elevator doesn't mean "straddle the crippled guys legs". Not too long ago on an elevator I had some . . . lady yapping on a cell phone (one of those idiots that has to talk loud enough that everyone in a 5 mile radius can hear . . . must be long distance) get on the elevator, put one leg on either side of my frount castors and back her large ass into my face. So I turned 90 degrees and ran into her legs. she bloody near fell on me. For christ sakes, where's the brain?
Anyway, that's all I have to say about that. Gimpin' ain't easy!

Rules of Car Show Etiquette (4/18/2011)

Originally posted to Facebook on Monday, April 18, 2011

 

So spring is more or less here, which means the best part of warm weather, gettin that thing you've been dying to drive all winter out and cruising and car shows. That being said, there are some rules to live by, which should be but unfortunitly arn't common sence. So I bring you . . .
Rules of Car Show Etiquette
BE RESPECTFUL!
Look, but dont touch (without permission, that is). No collector wants a well intentioned, but overly enthusiastic, show-goer smudging or scratching their property.
BE RESPECTFUL!
Avoid wearing a lot of jewelry on your arms and hands. Rings, watches, and bracelets can easily scratch a car. It’s also possible to accidentally scratch a car with belt buckles, zippers, and buttons.
BE RESPECTFUL!
Do not to eat or drink around the cars on display. No one wants to worry about sticky sodas or greasy, ketchup-laden burgers landing on or around their precious car.
BE RESPECTFUL!
BE RESPECTFUL!
Keep your pets at home! Your dog could care less and nobody wants anyone peeing on their tires!
BE RESPECTFUL!
Bikes, Skateboards and Strollers are a scary thing to see near someone’s pride and joy. Strollers are sometimes necessary but remember to keep them as far from display vehicles as possible. Bikes and Skateboards should be kept away from show vehicle areas. This also includes wheelchairs. I know, nobody chooses to be in one, but remember to be careful.
BE RESPECTFUL!
Keep an eye on your children. By all means, bring them with you and share the hobby with them, but teach them to be careful as they enjoy the thrill and atmosphere of attending a show. By following your example, they’ll soon grow to be conscientious enthusiasts themselves.
BE RESPECTFUL!
Feel free to ask questions! People love to talk about their cars and you might catch an interesting story or tip.
BE RESPECTFUL!
Don't start telling the owner what they did wrong or what you would have done different. It all goes back to the respect thing.
BE RESPECTFUL!
It may be "just an old car" to you, but but somebody put a lot of time, money, or both into it. Who knows, maybe that original condition unrestored '62 Ford was bought by the owners father brand new and passed down to the current owner when the father passed away. RESPECT!
BE RESPECTFUL!
Usually, garbage cans are provided. Use them!

Did I mention, BE RESPECTFUL!!!

Near Death and New Life (5/23/2010)

Originally posted to Facebook on Sunday, May 23, 2010

 

Hey y'all, just a quick what's up with me in case someone cares. Despite the odds, I am still alive. About 2 weeks ago they figured I was headed for the morgue. I went into the vermilion hospital Saturday night, may 8 and demanded to be transfered to camrose ASAP as vermilion seems to think all my problems are in my head and self induced. Was extremely dehydrated and unable to eat/drink anythink without throwing it up 2 seconds later. I vaugly remember being in camrose and then don't remember much until the following Friday. I woke up in icu at the university hospital in edmonton and was informed that they had performed surgery Wednesday and again Friday and had removed about 2 feet of dead intestine. I also learned that I should be dead. Not yet, I have things yet to do. I had a tube sticking out of my gut. Over the next few days I recovered amazingly quickly and awaited (hopefully) a final surgery, lucky 13. I also learned that the docs at the rah who did the initial and 5 additional illiostomy surgeries f'd up royally and kept trying to cover their ass. Tuesday I had the last surgery and they created a proper ostomy. By the next day I was off the icu and on to a ward. Now, less than a week later I'm nearly ready to go home again and live for the first time in 3 years. But, for a few days anyway, I'll be on ward 3E2, room 18 at the U of A and would love some company, so if anyone's in the area feel free to drop by. Take care,
The new improved Chris Repp

Rules To Tow By (3/23/2010)

Originally posted to Facebook on Tuesday, March 23, 2010

 

I run a towing company with my dad. We mostly do insurance writeoffs. The biggest annoyance with this is when the vehicle is at a residence. From directions to find the place to getting the hell out of there, some people just don't get it! So if you ever write off your vehicle, remember these rules;

* Learn left from right, PLEASE!
* Never use left or right!
* Learn which way north, south, east, and west are and use them!
* 'You can't miss it' is the last thing I want to hear.
* No, I don't know where the old schoolhouse used to be.
* Get your crap out of the car BEFORE I get there. I've got a long drive and don't need to wait an hour while you find your CD's and cell phone charger.
* It's not your car anymore. Remember that check you got from the insurance company? It's theirs now!
* I have no paperwork for you. Remember above? It's not yours anymore and I sure as hell wouldn't drive 300+ miles to 'steal' a 92 Caravan with 300k on it and a smashed frount end.
* I don't need your help backing up or loading, it's not my first day. Just get out of the way and it'll take 2 minutes.
* DO NOT lock the doors/take the keys. Who is going to steal a vehicle with no frount wheels?
* The keys are part of the vehicle, not a souvenir.
* I'm not going to 'fix it up' or do anything with it. Remember, insurance companies.
* It's just a car. It's not like it's anything special.
* The battery, stereo, and tires are part of the vehicle. Leave them alone.
* If you changed the wheels or stereo from non-factory, remove it before I get there.
* Don't park 5 other vehicles in front of it. You know I'm coming so make it easy.
* I DON'T CARE! I'm here to do a job.