You are here:
- Home
- News/Issues
- Disability Issues
- Living With Disabilities
Living With Disabilities/Questions Answered by Expert John Craig
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Volunteer Firefighter | 6/1/2011 |
| Q: My husband is a volunteer firefighter and has been been for 42 years. About 7 1/2 years ago he was ... A: First off, does the volunteer fire company have any problems with how your husband performs his ... | |
| Blindness | 3/23/2011 |
| Q: I am doing a project in school. My group of four and I have to figure out a way to make it possible ... A: I like the concept. Yet what happens if the teacher or a student walks in front of the camera? What ... | |
| Concerned Niece | 3/21/2011 |
| Q: I am a nineteen year old and I have an Uncle named Norman who has Down syndrome. For the past forty ... A: WOW.....this one is tough! If you do accuse and you are wrong you will most likely get attitude from ... | |
| inspiration | 3/10/2011 |
| Q: Mr. Craig, your story is so inspiring. How has your way of dealing with naysayers, misguided and ... A: Good question. I have a 21 year old daughter that experienced a bit of what I went through growing ... | |
| A 2 yr. old that isn't able to walk on his own yet. | 1/31/2011 |
| Q: I am sorry, this is my first time on this website. Something is bothering me, and has actually been ... A: I am a bit confused. The child can cruise furniture, yet he isn't able to pull himself from a sit to ... | |
| can some one with | 1/29/2011 |
| Q: can someone with down syndome get married and have kids? and can some one with a learning ... A: As far as I know there are no laws against someone with downs syndrome having a child. However, ... | |
| Any Info on microform cleft | 1/23/2011 |
| Q: Read you were born with a cleft lip. I too was born with one. Its specifically a microform cleft ... A: I have a cleft palate with no visible structural damage. Mine is a pin hole sized opening in the ... | |
| Cleft and Orthodontic Care | 1/17/2011 |
| Q: My son was born with a cleft lip and palate. He is now 9yrs old and we are beginning orthodontic ... A: Actually in your sons case it sounds like it could be a health issue if the teethe are growing into ... | |
| SSDI | 1/5/2011 |
| Q: I was paralyzed due to damage to my upper neck area (around the 3rd disc) almost 30 years ago in HS ... A: The first thing I would ask you is if you have all of this documented. If the answer is yes , then I ... | |
| Help with my medications | 12/24/2010 |
| Q: My name is Susan. I have been unemployed for several months. I have Lupus. I am on several ... A: Susan, I have seen advertisements on television for either Squibb or Pfizer to help with medication ... | |
| Volunteer fireman | 3/9/2010 |
| Q: i have been a volunteer firefighter since 1995. In 2007 I was involved in a motor vehicle accident. ... A: You are referring to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1992 commonly referred to as ADA. In ... | |
| life expectancy of a person with CP | 3/5/2010 |
| Q: My little brother has Athetoid dyskinetic Cerebral palsy, he is dependent on others for feeding etc, ... A: Athetoid cerebral palsy (also known as dyskinetic cerebral palsy) affects 10 to 20 percent of people ... | |
| disabled | 2/21/2010 |
| Q: My husband is a volunteer fireman in Iowa. He has been a volunteer for 8 years. He had a accident on ... A: What is the nature of his disability? A right sided weakness and double vision could by a few ... | |
| Can disabled person inherit money without losing payments? | 1/23/2010 |
| Q: I have a dear friend who is on government disability. I would like to leave her $100,000 in my ... A: Steve, This question is best answered by an attorney. I know in NY you can receive up to 10,000 in ... | |
| Is Cleft Palate disability? | 11/7/2009 |
| Q: I was born with cleft palate but up to this point of age I'm not sure where should I belong. Is ... A: To be honest if you were standing in front of me I would knock that chip of your shoulder! It is ... | |
| Is Cleft Palate disability? | 11/7/2009 |
| Q: I was born with cleft palate but up to this point of age I'm not sure where should I belong. Is ... A: I have the same situation. If I think the person isn't listen I tell them to. You need to be ... | |
| Is Cleft Palate disability? | 11/6/2009 |
| Q: I was born with cleft palate but up to this point of age I'm not sure where should I belong. Is ... A: This is a doubled edged sword. Cleft palate in and of itself is not a disability per se. It becomes ... | |
| Help me find the right shoes. | 9/30/2009 |
| Q: I'm John: I'm 39, I have Cerebral Palsy, and I've tried for years (online) to find shoes to fit my ... A: John, Not quite sure what state you live in. I am in NY and near me we have a specialty store for ... | |
| Motor dysgraphia | 5/17/2009 |
| Q: i looked it up on WikipediA and found most of my symtums coinside with Motor Dysgraphia i have been ... A: Hope this helps. Dysgraphia is a writing disability in which the individual's writing is incorrect ... | |
| Informative speech on Intellectual Disabilities | 9/18/2008 |
| Q: I will be giving a 3-4 minute speech on Intellectual Disabilities for speech class. This topic is of ... A: Sherry, Tough question!! Couple of thoughts, you could give a overview on a topic such as ... | |
| dyspraxia | 8/14/2008 |
| Q: I'm 13 and I've got dyspraxia in my hands and fingers i wanted to ask what is dyspraxia and why do i ... A: Definition Dyspraxia is a neurological disorder of motor coordination usually apparent in childhood ... | |
| Possible Future Disability Issue | 7/20/2008 |
| Q: I was sitting in a computer chair about two weeks ago, and after getting up I had a burning pain ... A: Mike, First thing you need to know is what the problem is. It could be a very simple thing. Let me ... | |
| Definition for legal blindness, total blindness, low vision as a disablitily | 2/11/2008 |
| Q: I'm doing research to determine what the difference is between legal, total blindness, and low ... A: Sorry it has taken me a bit to get back to you. The best advice I can give you is to check with the ... | |
| Job Security | 1/29/2008 |
| Q: I'm extremely frustrated. I have a learning disability which makes it extremely hard for me to ... A: In most states there is a vocational placement service called VESID. This service deals with ... | |
| sport for son | 12/12/2007 |
| Q: I was wondering if you could suggest a sport/activity for my 10 year old son who is not athletic at ... A: Almost every sport requires some use of his legs. However, depending on what he can tolerate I will ... | |
| DISABILITY QUESTION 2 | 7/21/2007 |
| Q: Would you please explain to me: what cerebral palsy is? Thanks C Barwick ANSWER: The term cerebral ... A: I am a bit perplexed why you would ask me what Cerebral Palsy is when you have it? I am not sure of ... | |
| DISABILITY QUESTION | 7/14/2007 |
| Q: Would you please explain to me: what cerebral palsy is? Thanks C Barwick A: The term cerebral palsy refers to any one of a number of neurological disorders that appear in ... | |
| Public/handicapped accessible restrooms | 2/1/2007 |
| Q: I really hope that you can answer a question for me. I work for an agency that accredits home ... A: It all depends on the building (year it was built) the state the building is in, also what comes ... | |
Living With Disabilities
Answers by Expert:
John Craig
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I have been disabled since birth. I was diagnosed with cleft palate and ADD. Early test results indicated I was boderline mentally retarded. In the 70's the testing was very subjective and did not take into consideration different learning styles. I have been beaten up, ridiculed, and made an example of by bullys as well as so called experts. My guidance counselor went as far as to meet with my parents before my senior year and tell them I would be lucky to get a job at McDonalds. So at age 49 with 4 degrees under my belt (A.A.S Occupational Therapy, B.P.S Recreational Therapy, B.S./M.S. Occupational Therapy) and over 28 years of working with disabled individuals I think I have beat the odds. I am familiar with ADA, school services, as well as hollistic medicine.
Experience
28 Years of experience as a Recreational / Occupational Therapist working both in the private and public sector with varying disabilities.
Organizations
AOTA
Publications
National Library of Congress- The Effect of Special Olympic Training on Grip Strength in the Metally Retarded
Education/Credentials
AAS Erie Community College - Occupational Therapy
BPS Brockposrt State - Recreational Therapy
BS/MS D'Youville College- Occupational Therapy
Awards and Honors
Leadership award - Erie Community College
Outstanding Student Award - Erie Community College
Winifred Craddock Award ( Outstanding Recreation Student) Brockport
Pinicale Non- Traditional Student Honor Society - D'Youville
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.