Readers Respond

Re. "Creating a Magic Kingdom: Fairy Tales Do Come True," by Michelle Amerie, Winter 2001

I just finished reading the article in ABILITIES magazine. It was absolutely wonderful! It isn’t very often (actually I don’t think ever) that I’ve almost cried happy tears when I’ve read a magazine article. Good job! That must have been one amazing adventure!

-- Shawna Fisher, Burnaby, Vancouver


Wow! What a fantastic story. The article lifted my spirits and when I thought they could not be lifted any higher, the story got better.

The unfortunate part about the story was the little praise, if any, that Sandy Payne and Holly Irving [of Sunshine Dreams for Kids] received. I believe that they deserve more than a one-sentence mention. It sounds to me like these women did a lot of "behind-the-scenes" work. Were they staff members or volunteers? Either way, I think they are another two heroes that you can add to the long list from September 11, 2001.

-- Damion Stapledon, Accessibility Officer, Recreation Nova Scotia, Halifax, Nova Scotia


Thanks for another year of heartwarming stories and excellent disability issues. Congratulations to Michelle Amerie on her rendition of "Creating a Magic Kingdom." The story brought tears to my eyes. I look forward to reading your 50th issue in the spring.

-- Eileen Burke Dillane, Toronto, Ontario


Re. "Navigating the Kingdom of Peace: My Journey in Jordan," as told to Marie and Chris Stark, Winter 2001

I just read your magazine for the first time. The article was very enjoyable. Having a dog myself who has been a companion plus an aid for my deafness (no training), this article touched home. I’m looking forward to reading your next magazine, which is your 50th.

-- Sharon Lynne Parberry, Abbotsford, B.C.


Re. "Calling for Action: An Interview with David Lepofsky, Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee," Fall 2001

The interview is a most exciting document, specially for those of us who live in emerging countries like Argentina and, particularly, in small provincial communities where so many things still have to be done.

I live in Bariloche, a beautiful winter resort town 1,000 miles from Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. Although there are several NGOs dealing with disability issues, none is working specifically on accessibility issues. A group of us is now forming a new NGO named "Bariloche para Todos - BPT" ("Bariloche for All") to do so. But, as you know very well, no disability issue is really a stand-alone subject. Here, where tourism accounts for over 90 per cent of the area’s economic activity and accessibility is a major problem because we are between mountains and lakes, someone had to approach this issue, and that’s what we want to do. Your interview gave me a lot of food for thought. Again, my warm congratulations on this wonderful interview.

-- Mauricio Kitaigorodzki, President, Bariloche para Todos, Bariloche, Argentina


Re. ABILITIES Magazine’s 50th Issue

I discovered your magazine by accident in 2001. I subscribed immediately. Keep up the good work - I look forward to future issues.

I’m fighting in Ontario for adequate funding for our children in the schools. The cuts are extracting too high a price. Especially of concern for me are the ones facing disadvantages and disabilities - at home or learning or physical. We owe them the best chance at education that we can
provide.

-- Kevin Larson, Kincardine, Ontario


My favorite part is when I see articles from people I’ve lost track of over the years and see that they are still at it. Most recently you had an article by Sandy Carpenter, whom I am sure would remember me. Also there was a piece by Audrey King, whom I am not so sure would remember me.

Something I’d like to see which appears to be missing is an obituary section. Some time ago I had trouble contacting Marilyn Noel. She wrote "Another Path to My Garden: My Life as a Quadriplegic" and was working on a sequel. I never heard what happened to her.

Keep up the good work.

-- Zachariah Cameron, Toronto, Ontario

Send your feedback to: Letters, ABILITIES magazine, 489 College St., Ste. 501, Toronto, ON, M6G 1A5; fax: 416-923-9829; e-mail: able@abilities.ca.