One of the many many attempts I made at getting help with this NYS situation. This is a record of Colleen Kober Pasqale's infamous moments of showing her intelligence. NYS was behind police calling the police in my mother's town across state lines to get me admitted to the hospital twice for psychiatric treatment. On both occasions the emergency room doctors rolled their eyes as to why I was there and sent me home. One of the NJ emergency room doctors told me to follow up with the NY doctor when I get there but she has NO CLUE what the NY politics is. Neither did Colleen or the other cop but Colleen who knew me before coma couldn't even piece together ... she started out telling me to give her a good reason why they should not bring me to the hospital. I did my best at the time but her IQ or intuition should have told her something was off about the whole situation. Nice going Colleen! As a matter of fact that situation happened within a month of 9/11/01. 

From:     Occupied Newbie
Sent:    Thu 1/24/02
To:    richard.anderson@ed.gov

Mr. Anderson,

Following is my old message from Jan 2, 2002.  Not much has changed.  I just keep getting further into debt and further away from things I've learned in college. 

As I said earlier on the phone, I have been sending an informal coorespondance just about everyday to Washington DC.  There is a lack of good reason to with hold VESID services from me.  ... I am working with Donna Gillette of the RILC in Utica to help me in this matter.  She and I have been cooresponding with Steven Novacich of the Malone office since August of 2001.  My being dropped from other services dates back to August or September 2000.

Mr. Novacich states two emergency room visits as proof that I'm not fit for services but that lacks credibility because I was never admitted to the emergency room either time in August of 2001.  Mr. Novacich called the police to escort me to the emergency room and I had no choice but to go.  I was never admitted.  There are other inconsistencies such as Mr. Novacich stating that I was paranoid to give my old VESID counselor my doctors records when the truth of the matter is that I've had an extremely hard time transitioning from School to that type of situation (difficulty transitioning to different environments is common with my condition).  There are other inconsistencies.

I possess a Bachelor of Science degree and I'm fully capable and entitled to receive services.  I can be reached at 

Thank you,

Occupied Newbie

April 30th 2014
Mom's talking to the mother of one of the non-disabled children she used to always compare me to and put me down for not being like. She's discussing her daughter's most recent sucesses of selling her home for $1 million and it was featured in a major newspaper. Mom also in the year 2000 said I should do like all these other people by moving to an up and coming part of NJ. This same child also sold her townhouse (co-op?) from this place for double the amount of money she bought it for. I'm just not good enough. In hindsight was it worth it? A life of no protection upon being released from a children's hospital with a diagnosis of severe brain damage. From the cradle to the grave. From the flame to the frying pan. Nice job Morris County Surrogate's Court.

April 29th 2014 

What a stupid woman. Last night was yet another episode for her to get what is needed. I really get irked sometimes by her distinct whining. Well there was a lot of it last night because she got physically ill and I stayed silent waiting to see how this plays out. At one point she said to Christine "I don't know if I can help you (get ready for bed) tonight." Just like she taught Christine through stress and negativity to say she doesn't want to live here anymore but Christine doesn't say that anymore since mom recently came back at her with "then leave!" What an idiot guardian of an incompetent to say such a thing. So as usual last night is mumbling all these things she has to do when it's really obvious she's not as able-bodied to do everything anymore. Well this morning everyone woke up an hour late because the alarm wasn't set. When I saw that it was getting light outside I called Christine. Mom said she told me to to set the clock and close the front door. As if! She's already been told many times what to do at the Morris County Surrogate's Court to take care of that problem. Justice for the child that got ignored - what a stupid woman.

i still didn't say anything when I learned Christine almost lost her balance getting onto the bus yesterday morning. Mom can't request the necessity that Christine use the lift? The driver yesterday is the sourest of all drivers and is a former cop. He's the impatient kind even when he arrives early. On one of these days I had to go out to tell him nicely that "she'll be out in a few minutes. She thought she had until 9am." His response with an attitude was "well I could go and come back in a few minutes." My unspoken response was "or you could go get yourself a paper and desk job and steer clear of the public asshole." He had some validity when he told mom once that perhaps she should keep Christine home on snow and ice days because the driver's responsibility is not to leave the bus and help the patron on. Yesterday though Christine was at the bus already when this incident occurred. Something is really wrong when i'm the most competent for christine's medical needs and history happened the way it did for this loose cannon.

More insight ten years after I started dealing with these "disability advocates:" This email was my response upon realizing finally someone means business and is doing something with collective insistence.

I'm reading all this with a big smile on my face. I'll read this entire email some other time but nothing is a surprise to me.

About fifteen years ago (into losing my life to NYS) other people are finally rocking the boat Iike I've been doing all along. Thank you Mr P from Bronx or Brooklyn (? I can't remember but I met you once at a Brain Injury Coalition meeting). The Judy I remember from years ago I thought had the last name Sarver but I could be wrong. I just know I beat my head against the wall with yet another person in "TBI Services" and the local FACTS coordinator named (ummm...searching memory...I'll get there...let me use google as a memory tool...her brother owned/ran the Grill and she wound up moving to Massachusettes...Evelyn Carr!) put me down for burning my bridges with yet another person in the state. But guess what? There's nothing to burn. Nobody's home. I'm guessing the State has it's secret financial resources set up of the haves and have-nots and the disabled fall under the have-nots so these people with the state abide by the secret rules.

Thank you P for stepping up to what will cause the death of me because there is no way I'm going to survive at this point - but at least I'll enjoy my last terah and the government will be stuck with my debt I should have been paying off ten years ago. My high work ethic self has been beaten to a pulp. I'll survive if NYS eats the cost of this life it ruined. I had a neuropsychologist from my home state write a letter for legal assistance in returning to state disability services and no lawyer in NY would touch it (elsewhere was too far away). If you do your legal research on Legal Aid going against these agencies, at some point the funding was changed that Legal Aid isn't provided money any more to take on these type cases AND Legal Aid receives it's funding from guess who? The very state services everyone is having a problem with. So sad! Some lawyers I went to said that the state can do whatever it wants. There you go! That's us! We're hidden behind this archaic tomb that doesn't have to answer to anyone. I wouldn't wish the Karma NYS has coming back on itself to anyone! I was never supposed to be living like this! Not in a million years! I had a life before it got thrown away to NYS!

See; Judith collects her paycheck like all the other "advocates" in the state. Seventeen years later nothing has changed except possibly sounding more politically correct and god knows what else. And what happens to us? Same wheel spinning. Kudos to you Peter if you finally break through. Long ago I thought for sure my educated and objective point of view was going to make a difference. It didn't. Maybe now with social networking there will be enough voices to rise up. Speaking of social networking, what do you think about Facebook as well? I'm "Occupied Newbie" on Facebook. I'm usually not so open about my info but I'm just to the point of letting all go.

Occupied Newbie


--- On Wed, 9/12/12, P wrote:

From: P
Subject: Re: For Judy
To: "Judith Avner" <JAvner@bianys.org>
Cc: long list of all involved in the welfare of this subject matter
Date: Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Judy,

We'd not received a response for a request for a message board. We know several of us have asked for one.  The idea, as has been explained, is that the message board would serve as a place where members could communicate with leadership and each other. The idea was not to have one person to call.

I did not know that only Marie speaks for the organization. I've heard you speak for the organization countless times over the years. How are we, as members, supposed to know when it is you and when it is Marie. This appears to be what many of us feared, a well-worded response which, said in a direct line, goes like this: The answer to the request for a message board is NO. Call Marie, not me. Am I wrong?

I've never heard of a non-profit where the board president, a volunteer post, interacts with members while paid staff like yourself remain silent. Board presidents usually have separate full-time jobs. Marie does.

You say: "Our days are filled with responding to, advocating for, and supporting people who reach out to us for assistance" and here we are asking for a message board so we can all communicate. 

How is it that your "days are filled with responding to, advocating for, and supporting people who reach out to us for assistance" and when those you are responding to, advocating for, and supporting ask for a message board the answer that's not possible? What on earth could be the problem with a message board? What on earth could you be afraid of? The only thing I can think of is you do not want to put anything in writing. 

A cynic would say that your pointing out that Marie "invited people who have concerns or needs to contact her directly by email or telephone" is yet another way of your trying to keep your footprints off of as much as possible. Moreover, no one was taking about the message board as some kind of complaint process, or a process solely for concerns. We were talking about it as a way of communication that would be inclusive, informative, and provide a way for members across the state to communicate with people in Albany like you.

So, to be clear, is the answer to a request for a message board is no? 

If the answer is no, it further underscores RB's point that we might be listened to but no one hears what we are saying or, for that matter, cares. 

I think the request for the message board should stay on the table and I think communicating by email like this, in a group, is fine too.

I am one of many who are hoping BIANYS (you and Marie) does the right thing here.

P

On Wed, Sep 12, 2012 Judith Avner <JAvner@bianys.org> wrote:

Hello Peter:

Thanks for your email. I know that you have already received a response to your request for a message board from Marie Cavallo. As you know, Marie, as the President of BIANYS, speaks for the organization. In her response, she invited people who have concerns or needs to contact her directly by email or telephone. As always, people are welcome to call the office. Our days are filled with responding to, advocating for, and supporting people who reach out to us for assistance.

All the best,

Judy

From: P
Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2012

To: Judith Avner
Cc:

Subject: For Judy

Judy,

At this point several people have expressed their desire for a BIANYS message board in the hopes such a board would improve communication between you, Marie, and BIANYS members. You have yet to take part in this conversation and I know a lot of us would like to hear from you, especially since a lot of us are BIANYS members. Thus far only Marie has responded. 

In my experience with non-profits I've never run across one where the communication with members is left up to the president of the board of directors while paid staff like yourself stay out of it. It just doesn't make sense. One of the reasons there is paid staff is to communicate with members, especially in cases like this in which many of us are on limited incomes and can't meet face to face at the  drop of a hat.

Silence leaves an empty space which is often filled with conclusions that may be inaccurate. For example, is the executive director of BIANYS willfully ignoring members of the organization she heads?

We would like to hear from you, you are important to us, and, we would like the message board which will improve communication and lead to less misunderstandings.

P

--

******

Kahrmann Blog

The following email was sent to me as final word after NY Disability services got away with closing my case stating I need to go to a brain injury rehab proving I'm employable and engage in Pharmalogical needs for my disability. It is from a woman named Kate Falcon who moved to Utica NY from NYC because of 9/11/01 (I think). Kate Falcon allowed my life to be ruined after NY Disability services said they would pay for me to go to that place and be treated (OF COURSE THE FUNDER GETS THE SAY!). Years later Kate had to protect a woman with a brain injury who was a pediatric nurse previous to injury and after jerking that nurse around Kate was no longer employed in Utica and few of us will ever know if she was fired or allowed to resign or retire. Welcome to the bizarre nature of those in power in NYS. MOST are never fired and there is no accountability (my flame to the frying pan existence). This is only a piece in the mountain of history with these people who have disregard for those they're supposed to protect. Sound familiar?

 
>From: kfalcon <kate.falcon@rcil.com>
>To: Occupied Newbie
>Subject: RE: phone call follow up
>Date: Tue, 21 May 2002

>
>Don't be so rigid. Arguing for every little dot and comma is not helping.
>Everyone is not all wrong or all right. But if we are all coming to similar
>conclusions maybe you need to re-visit your own opinions.-K\

some previous emails to this one from Kate:

1. 

>From: kfalcon <kate.falcon@rcil.com>
>To: Occupied Newbie

>Subject: Contact with VESID
>Date: Fri, 5 Apr 2002
>
>Occupied Newbie,
>
>Tried to reach Reyone and/or Doherty. They won't be back until Wed. next. So
>we'll try again next week. Call me Friday afternoon. Email me your correct
>phone #-, it's buried somewhere....
>
>Kate Falcon
>RCIL
>
>Call collect!
 

2. from me to her on above date:

	Tue 4/09/02
To:	kate.falcon@rcil.com

Please be aware of what happens with these state disability services. For example, when Donna Gillette intervened for me, Stephen Novacich didn't answer her for 2 months and when she got in touch with him, he said he couldn't find my stuff. True or not true, something is very wrong because it doesn't take 2 months for this type of thing. So if you find you're not getting answers, know what they do. There's probably other things you should know and I'll let you know as I remember them.

I certainly have no problem doing what I can on my end of things but I only hold so much weight.

Occupied Newbie

3.

>From: kfalcon <kate.falcon@rcil.com>
>To: "Occupied Newbie
>Subject: Check this out
>Date: Fri, 19 Apr 2002
>
>http://www.ivillage.com/work/print/0,10738,216011,00.html
>
>Info on business plans, this is a nice site...-Kate Falcon

4.

>From: kfalcon <kate.falcon@rcil.com>
>To: Occupied Newbie
>Subject: RE: RE: please help with state disability services
>Date: Thu, 25 Apr 2002
>
>Occupied Newbie
>
>Debbie Reyome from job coaching called me back yesterday afternoon and indicated
>that they (state disability services)would be writing to you in lieu of calling in order to 'get
>everything straight'. This may be a good thing to have documented. Please
>update all of your medical records as pertains to current employability;
>this includes a current psych evaluation. I anticipate a struggle here, and
>I want to have as much information that supports your employment goals as
>possible.
>By the way, have you a current employment plan that has changed or been
>modified since your last state disability service meeting? Call or email. I'll be out at
>another state disability service meeting until 2:30p today.-Kate
5.

>From: kfalcon <kate.falcon@rcil.com>
>To: dgillette <donna.gillette@rcil.com>
>CC: Occupied Newbie
>Subject: Occupied Newbie job search
>Date: Tue, 30 Apr 2002

>
>Spoke to Occupied Newbie today......State disability service is again trying to 

>find reasons not to
>work with her....however, I was just thinking...her local ILC is @ 20
>miles away. Might they be interested in seeing her resume? I think it's
>worth a shot. After all, who better to employ then those capable consumers
>whom we try to help? Your thoughts? Please copy Occupied Newbie at this cc email
>address.-Kate
>

6. From me to Kate Falcon after her behavior shocked me into silence after 

all this time

	Mon 5/20/02
To:	kate.falcon@rcil.com

Kate,

The outcome of today's meeting was not what it was supposed to be. Regardless, of where ever I may go or whatever I may do I atleast could and should get help with endeavors until then. Regardless of anything, I'm entitled to getting help setting up work from home if that's what I need (if state disability services insist that I'm not office material - which is ludicrous in all reality). They based what they had to say on an environment which was not conducive to my disability in the first place. Regardless of the setup, I carried out the job until the minute the job ended.

I can't be expected to make sense in all that I said today. I did much better at the meeting reading because (as you saw as time went on) I was not prepared for a lot. I have no intention (regardless of anyplace I may go at whatever time in the future) of doing absolutely nothing. It's obvious to me that I have not been successful setting up work from home on my own. I'll simply ask for that help if State Disability Services insist I'm not office material.

Is it possible to get help setting that up???

Occupied Newbie

From the cradle to the grave; 
from the flame to the frying pan; 
we tried so hard to get answers. I heard nothing past October 26 2012 but silent corruption is the norm in NYS disability services. 


Susan,

With all due respect, you are mistaken. You were copied on a recent email I sent and are fully aware of the fact BIANYS will not answer our questions or engage us. You know this.  We had hoped you of all people would have encouraged BIANYS to respond to it members and answer what were and are reasonable questions.

I am deeply disappointed in you. I am sure Jim and Sarah will be as well.

All of us are accountable, and that includes you.

P

 On Fri, Oct 26, 2012 at 4:39 PM, Susan Connors <shconnors@biausa.org> wrote:

Hi Mike,

I see that while I was away, Marie Cavallo provided a very thoughtful, comprehensive and respectful response to many of the concerns posed in previous emails. It sounds like BIANYS adopted several of the suggestions made even though money is very tight at BIANYS right now. Since it appears a resolution is underway, my assistance is not needed.

I wish you all the best,

Susan

Susan H. Connors, President/CEO

1608 Spring Hill Road, Suite 110, Vienna, VA 22182

Phone: 703-761-0750│Fax: 703-761-0755

shconnors@biausa.org

   The voice of brain injury.

From: Susan Connors [mailto:shconnors@biausa.org]
Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2012 1:26 AM
Subject: RE: Some questions

Hi Mike,

Thank you for including me on this email string.

As you know, I am very proud of BIANYS and grateful for the commitment of the volunteers and staff who accomplish so much with so few resources. Yet, I know there is always room for improvement.

I would be happy to assist BIANYS and its members in any way I can. Unfortunately, I will be out of the country from October 9 to 25. (I’m taking my first real vacation in 8 years.) I promise I will check back with you when I return

In the meantime, I hope everyone will be respectful of one another, think deeply about each other’s point of view and remember that we all share the same goals.

Thanks.

Susan

Susan H. Connors, President/CEO

1608 Spring Hill Road, Suite 110, Vienna, VA 22182

Phone: 703-761-0750│Fax: 703-761-0755

shconnors@biausa.org

   The voice of brain injury.

From: 
Sent: Monday, October 08, 2012
To: sconnors@biausa.org
Cc:
Subject: FW: Some questions

Susan,

   There is a real problem with the BIANYS, Judy Avner and Marie Cavallo. Both refuse to have open dialogs with survivors throughout the state.

   Thank you,

   Mike

From: P
Sent: Monday, October 08, 2012
To:
Subject: Re: Some questions

I doubt I can given that I now live in Mass. What I would recommend is to get still more people to write emails in (Brent, etc) and then one or two call Marie and then report on the conversation in the email. I like Christine's idea of reaching out to BIAA and letting them know we have a problem.

On Mon, Oct 8, 2012  wrote:

P

   You need to get back on the Board...!

From: P
Sent: Sunday, October 07, 2012
To:
Cc:
Subject: Re: Some questions

Agreed, and survivors who will, along with other board members, not simply yes the executive director, or anyone for that matter.

On Sun, Oct 7, 2012 wrote:

The only way we're going to get any type of change in the BIANYS is to have more survivors elected into the Board as Board members...!

From: P
Sent: Sunday, October 07, 2012
To: G
Cc: 

Subject: Re: Some questions

My thought is if by the end of next week we continue to receive nothing but, well, silence, the next step is to pose these questions to BIANYS board members via email. It is sad that we, people with brain injuries, have to struggle to have an open discussion with Judy and Marie. One thing is clear - BIANYS ignoring people with brain injuries and others is simply not okay, not acceptable. 

So, if and when things ratchet up on the protest front (I'll be reaching out to ADAPT) we truly want to be able to say we have tried our best to communicate with BIANYS leadership, the questions we've asked are certainly reasonable, and we would all prefer to have an open transparent discussion aimed at solutions, not, if we can at all help it, confrontations. 

The questions are pretty straightforward and reasonable:

1) Why does the BIANYS FB page not allow for comments prompted by those who like the page? The BIAs for NJ, CT, MA, all do. 2) Why have you both decided not to respond to a request to change the format of the FB page? 3) What specific issues are BIANYS currently advocating for or against and how are they keeping their membership informed? 4) What is the reason you have both chosen to ignore thoughtful email? 5) When did you, Judy Avner, become executive director? 6) How many persons with a brain injury does BIANYS currently employ? 7) In what areas do you both believe BIANYS could improve? If the answer to question 6, is, as I suspect, none. Then the next step is what can be done about that, and when? In other words, how do we address it. Question 7, I don't know any organization that doesn't knows ways in which it would like to improve. Question 3 is completely reasonable given BIANYS's claim they are the leading advocacy group in the state. Questions 1 & 2 simply reflect the desire many of us have to have an open discussion forum for us all.  How can that be anything but desirable for an organization that wants to know what its members are thinking and be able to have an exchange of ideas and proposals? The apparent desire to operate in an insular fashion, i.e. keep us out of the discussion, leads one to ask, what are they afraid of?

On Sun, Oct 7, 2012 wrote:

True, but how do you propose we get the answers. The questions and complaints have been made!

J

On Oct 6, 2012,  wrote:

I think we should all get answers to our questions. After all, this is our association isn't it...?

From: Occupied Newbie
Sent: Saturday, October 06, 2012

To: Judith Avner; Marie Cavallo;
Cc: 

 Subject: Re: Some questions

I'd like answers. Are they coming soon?



--- On Sat, 10/6/12, P wrote:

From: P
Subject: Re: Some questions
To: "Judith Avner" <javner@bianys.org>, "Marie Cavallo" <Marie.Cavallo@ahrcnyc.org>
Cc: 

Date: Saturday, October 6, 2012

Marie & Judy,

Should those of us in this email conclude that you are both purposely ignoring the questions? Purposely ignoring questions posed to you by one of your members? I hope this is not the case. One thing that is the case, and I would think the two of you must know this, is ignoring these very reasonable questions, like how many, if any, people with brain injuries does BIANYS employ, is only going to draw more attention and more action, not less. 

If, as one would hope, you can help us with answers to the questions than a healthy and productive discussion can take place.

So, the choice is yours, healthy and productive discussion, or a ratcheting up of things. All of us would very much prefer the former.

P

On Thu, Oct 4, 2012 , P wrote:

Marie & Judy,

Will answers to the questions sent 9/29 be coming anytime soon. If you're both busy, is there someone else in BIANYS that can perhaps answer them? As a member of BIANYS (even if I were a non-member) I can't imagine why any of the questions posed would prove difficult to answer.

P

On Wed, Oct 3, 2012 , P wrote:

Judy & Marie,

I am re-sending the questions (please see below) I sent on Sept. 29th. On the 29th I received an out-of-office reply from both your emails, which leads me to another question. If, as members, we have questions or suggestions of and for BIANYS and you two aren't available, who do we send them to?

Thanks.

P

 

After losing my life to the scum of NYS disability services I was absolutely elated to hear from other victims of the same thing on Sunday, September 9, 2012. The below will give insight to the things happening. I have removed email addresses and other information to protect privacy which I hope I've done a good enough job of. As far as protecting the privacy of those supposed to HELP the lives of the disabled, I could care less: Well being that I'm executing my bucket list because I will not survive without a job (only now having to stick to a "price acceptance range") and will die in protest instead of go on welfare or bankruptcy, here is an honest and open email sent to the provider fair merry-go-round. It will give an insight to the lives kept in ruin in NYS because the people holding jobs need to keep their jobs while those with brain injuries are just kept on a merry-go-round rather than actually being helped. Being that my brain injury is from 1978 I have an ahead-of-my-time understanding that brain injury knowledge was purposefully kept at bay due to insurance companies and the 1929 Omnibus Act - which is only part of the reason. When was the automobile made? Late 1800's, early 1900's? Of all the untreated brain injuries dating back to that time the government heyday of automobiles would go completely under having to compensate victims going back that far and then you consider how our country isheld together by a trucking company bonanza shipping products all over, it's no big mystery. Anyway, here's my open and honest response to the medical joke in NYS and I have nothing left to lose in stating this. I've lost all potential and means of survival by staying in NYS: "sorry but I have to give my feedback about why I won't be there and it won't sound politically correct and is actually a quite tactless flame. I was specifically told not to go to the provider fair if I will overtly give a piece of my mind to the little putz who is the boss of my former job coach (who is always there). You can tell that little putz that whoever said I have a body odor problem has been proven a liar time and again not only by future agencies I got involved with but also the many people in my every day life who have verified there is no problem. Listen up putz (and I don't care if you're on this list or not) - after this happened, out of the many people I consulted with to see if there is a problem, one of them is a woman who stands next to me first thing in the morning. If I don't have a body odor problem when I'm wide open to my breath stinking and my body needing washing first thing in the morning, THERE'S NO PROBLEM YOU CHUAVINISTIC PUTZ EXCEPT YOUR EVER-PRESENT CHAUVINISM. YOU WASTED TIME IN A LIFE WITH LOTS OF POTENTIAL AND BY NOW IT'S ALL COMING TO AN END YOU JACKASS. I dare you to try to deny me freedom of speech - although after what I've seen in this state it's a great opportunity for another merry-go-round. I've put up and shut up for long enough. Everybody just enjoy these little medical merry-go-rounds you're all riding on. I'll stick to my holistic health ways which is doing me just fine. I received my injury early enough in life to be ready for marriage, kids, and a career. I've lost that all by now and will not be riding a welfare or bankruptcy merry-go-round. I will not be bowing out gracefully from this place as you might be able to tell. (will I make it back? hmmm) And you're welcome to all those who, for job security reasons, haven't been able to give a piece of your mind to that little chauvinistic putz flying around on a cloud filled with a false sense of superiority at that disability service provider and is always at the provider fairs. Job well done NY in ruining a life! With all wisdom and talent gone to waste, Occupied Newbie" --- On Mon, 8/27/12, wrote: From: Subject: 2012 Provider Fair Date: Monday, August 27, 2012, 2:36 PM Hi all! Our 2012 TBI Provider Fair is on September 20th from 10-3 at .  I have attached our Save the Date flyer and also a Registration Form for agencies that would like to register.  We are very excited about this year's Provider Fair.  We have some very different things to offer.  We will be having a presentation (10am) from Bridges for Brain Injury.  They will be using animals in their demonstration, that is put on by TBI survivors.  We will also have our annual survivor panel and a presentation regarding Work Incentives.  There are many providers participating in the Fair and we have Day Programs and survivors who will be showing artwork, music, etc...  Also, NEW this year will be a community resources/social networking table.  Come check it out!!!! We hope to see you there!!  If you are a professional and have not registered, please do so ASAP using the attached form.  We have some FREE tables still available!!!  Please contact me with questions.  See you there!!! REMEMBER TO "LIKE" US ON FACEBOOK!!!! --- On Sun, 9/9/12, wrote: From: Subject: An idea for us all Date: Sunday, September 9, 2012, 10:11 AM Marie and Judy, RB's understandable resignation email (text below) reflects ongoing concerns some of us have with the communication between BIANYS leadership and its members and other interested parties. As I mention in an earlier email, R makes a very salient point when he talks about people listening to us (us being people with brain injuries) but not hearing us. It is also a concern that while Marie answers these emails and, to her great credit, engages in  discussion, we hear nothing from Judy. The concern is this is because Judy does not like to put things in writing. Well, whether that is true or not, here is what is true. BIANYS leadership deserves to really hear what those of us who live with brain injuries and our families are saying. Many of us can't get to Albany to sit down face to face for a wide variety of reasons. With R's resignation coupled with the ending of five monthly BIANYS workshops in Albany because BIANYS says there is no money to reimburse the facilitator (me) who, at the time was driving 150 miles for each workshop even though we, the group, asked BIANYS to reimburse at half its mileage rate, means that six workshops have come to an end. This is tragic, and in many ways inexcusable. BIANYS raises money fairly aggressively, where does it go? What is it used for? The point is, here in an open honest email discussion we can all take part. I have no problem being wrong about things. I have no problem being corrected or dealing with it if others get mad at me. And so, I propose that we begin a discussion group here in email or perhaps BIANYS can start a message board in which Judy can communicate with us all. In the meantime, I would urge that all BIANYS board members be made aware of this request. To be silent or avoid this discussion format would be to reject a way of communicating with members that is, for many of us, the most feasible as it is the least expensive. Please know this, one of the wounds adults and children with disabilities and their families face, is being kept on the sidelines, being held at bay, not being heard, dealing with condescending pats on the backs. We should not have to establish our equality simply because our equality already exists.  So, Judy and Marie, what do you say?   P P.S. I think with the money it raises BIANYS ought to reimburse group facilitators for their mileage. These are, after all, volunteers. One of the ways companies and agencies keep volunteers volunteering is by reimbursing them for their expenses.  Dear Marie Cavalo, President, BIANYS Board of Directors. I'm hoping you can help me. I'm confussed. I was in attendance at this years conference, and as usual it was very informative, although I must admit networking with other Survivors is the most rewarding.            On Wed. morning at the annual Association meeting, you mentioned how the B.I.A. has been making conference calls to all the Support Group Leaders. Well thats part of my confusion. When I brought this matter to your attenton, that in 1.5 years as the Albany Support Group Leader I've never recieved a conference call, along with the Fact that B.I.A.N.Y.s web site doesn't even list the Albany Support Group. You appeared to be concerned, you even asked if I had told anyone else about the web site? My response was Yes, I had just found out about it on Mon. and told seveal board members on Tues.           More confusion. I've spoken with other Group Leaders (Survivors), board members, both past and present, and most agree,that BIANYs don't HEAR what the Survivors are saying. They may be listing but they don't HEAR us.           I will give you 3 instances of my own, of not being HEARD. 1st. It's been 18 months since I've signed paper work for B.I.A.N.Y. taking over as facilitator of not only the Albany Chapter, but the Albany Support Group as well. I'ts been over 3 months since I've mentioned that the B.I.A.N.Y.s website didn't even list there own home base Support Group. You told every one in attendance that this matter would be taken care of, still confused. It's still not listed. Am I suppose to call B.I.A.N.Y.s and beg for it to be listed, NOT. Did someone get there EGO hurt because I brought it up at the conference. Well that someone needs to get off there high horse, it's not about you or me it's about us Suvivors.           What most of you need to realize is,this is the Brain Injury Association not the brain injury Board Association. the Survivors looking for support are the ones being hurt. 2nd. For 3 consecutive years at the conferences Iv'e suggested to several people from Mike and Judy on down to other board members about how they applaud at the conference for the Deaf. Always wth thesame results,a pat on the back and thats a good idea. They may have listened to me but they didn't HEAR me. 3rd. At the same time I've suggested to them that they all so dim the lights, because most Survivors are not only noise sensitive but light sensitive as well. Again with the same results.            Another thing that confuses me. Every year B.I.A.N.Y.s asks all Survivors to show there ART work at te Empire State Plaza. Well on several occasions I have tried to submit someof my Wood Carvings, always with the same results. Either my Carvings are too nice or there too nice they will get stolen, or that the partitions that the Plaza loans them are not sturdy enough. Well if all this is True then in the future when you ask for Artist's in your news letter to submit there Art work, Please don't ask for all Artist. or put either all Artist's except RB or all Artist' except Wood Carvers.            It's True that people that don't have a T.B.I. try, but don't understand.a T.B.I. 2 of the biggest obstacles that we as Survivors have to deal with on a Daily basis is the Ignorant and the Arrogant, and no I don't recomend getting a T.B.I. to have a better understanding. But we as Suvivors hope and expect that the B.I.A. would understand just a little more then the average person.            It's an absolute shame that B.I.A.N.Y.s started out with the sole purpose of helping the Survivors, now it's all about politics and power struggles and how you can help your selfs both personnelly and professionally.             I had 7 years of pure hell, putting up with the powers to be, in a legal battle due to my injury.I had no Choice but to put up with the Ignorant and the Arogant everyday. I now have a Choice, and my Choice is to not put up with the attitudes, like the ones that we as Survivors are recieving from B.I.A.N.Y.s. So for this reason I am resigning my position as not only the Support Group Leader but the Albany Chapter Leader as well. Sept. will be my last meeting as facilitator. Yours Truely RB (Survivor). -- ****** Kahrmann Blog Bold Progressives Campaign for Change "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you...then, you win."              - Mahatma Gandhi  "Be the change you want to see in the world."              - Mahatma Gandhi  "Our lives begin to end the day we become   silent about things that matter."              - Martin Luther King Jr.

The End - At least facebook posts from where they started on my own page. Putting everything into order on here needs to happen. I have some other goodies like unanswered emails to corrupt Morris County Deputy Surrogate Christopher Luongo and a recent post I made to someone getting a raw deal from the "mental health" situation as a matter of fact I may put a different version of it at the bottom here.

 

March 31st 2012

 Welcome to the depths of my life. LOCOMOTOR TRAINING: http://gma.yahoo.com/video/sexlove-26594280/paralyzed-man-dances-with-wife-for-first-time-28782437.html#crsl=%252Fvideo%252Fsexlove-26594280%252Fparalyzed-man-dances-with-wife-for-first-... See More

 

sorry all. I put this on my wall. I had no idea it would end up in Newsfeed.

 

April 12th 2012 

uprising

April 17th 2012

I thought I just posted this.

http://screen.yahoo.com/we-re-not-young-28966610.html?pb_list=23dce613-c500-43f0-9134-70e58b73187a

 

April 26th 2012

time left for me if not hired: http://is.gd/h31v9B

 

April 30th 2012

Re-post this if you know someone who is alive today simply because you don't want to go to prison. — with Romeo Boogieman.

 

RECENTLY APRIL 2014

 

Ok how did I lose my life fighting these people.  Let’s start off with the fact I woke up from a month long coma at 6 yrs of age. Fast forward to when I was 25 years old it was revealed to me when I met with a brain injury counselor for the first time that the symptoms of my brain injury deal with the frontal lobe which is the part of the brain dealing with perception, judgement, emotional response, organization, prioritization, initiation, social skills, reading one’s environment, etc… Back track to when I was 19 (and had behind me years of counseling trying to figure out the mysterious psychological “problems” of me in not being able to accept my social deficiencies , etc) my life was in an inappropriate place of full time college far away.  It’s hard to put into words the amount of stress I was under at that age and place in that I was so overloaded or breaking down that it felt no matter what I did the rug was slipping from under my feet no matter what I did in keeping them in one spot.  One college official recommended me talk to the school psychologist who recommended a psychiatrist for medication and for some reason I don’t remember I was also seeing a psychologist outside the school. I started out with the psychiatrist asking me if I feel certain ways and he put me on meds. The meds gave me physical symptoms which the psychiatrist said were no big deal and there would be just some side effects temporarily. (to this day I still suffer those same side effects).  As time went on the psychiatrist kept coming up with more ways I should feel and I had to disagree with him. Eventually I was caught in the politics of all 3 professionals telling me I was lying and that I did feel these ways. Eventually I called up the psychiatrist and told him “I’m not doing this anymore” (and stopped the meds cold turkey). His response was “well it’s your choice if you want to get better or not.” (!!!yup – nice professional). When I returned home from college I had 3 professionals declare “you are NOT manic depressive!” and the diagnosis was simply depression due to head injury. Case in point: if you take a brain injured out of their familiar environment and add stress like I was under you can get reactions that can be diagnosed as psychotic. My brain injury comes from a head-on collision with a tractor trailer truck carrying gravel. We never got justice for that but instead became children of no-fault insurance. That no-fault insurance paid for the misdiagnosis and proper diagnosis. The goliath of insurance is in bed with the American Medical Association who has a long-standing root in psychiatry that all began in the 1940’s. It’s all a money making merry-go-round between big pharma, big insurance/govt etc. who tie the hands of medical doctors into belief and practice of what will keep them in business and we’re the lab rats. Your diagnosis could very well REALLY be a diminished brain capacity due to pollution or any subtle brain injuries that happened in the womb or after birth. Anyway I might be able to add to this later but you’ll read that my nightmare didn’t end with this first misdiagnosis. In the end NYS services wouldn’t help me because they needed an acceptable amount of medical history / treatment (which the proper diagnosis of brain injury is too expensive to cover) yet the 1970’s law for treatment for handicapped persons has monies set aside for psychiatry diagnosis. The ADA of the 1990s requires that not only is proper diagnosis of brain injury necessary but it's up to the states to pay for. The system set up for you with your diagnosis already has you bought and paid for as long as you do what they say. Unfortunately you’re stigmatized by a diagnosis (as I am) that making behavior accommodations is not on the table. With the massive amounts of energy I get when I’m pissed off I took on these people without a lawyer in my 20s. No wonder no one in NYS will hire me. I spoke out against them at a public hearing held by the National Council on Disability that took place in NYS and I used specific names too. I didn’t bust my ass in college for a bachelor’s degree just to live on welfare or bankruptcy so that should give some background of how I lost my life with these people.The work history I have going back to when I was ten years old doesn't mean a thing. I became a dollar sign. More than one of my medical records state I need to be working to keep my mind engaged away from stress at home and it was completely disregarded. 

 

Save me my way by putting me to work and taking care of all this accumulated debt or bury me six feet under. This is not my fault.