China adoptions

This is regarding the article “Amazing Grace” by Mindy Henderson ( September-October). We too tried to go through an adoption agency. But they were unwilling to help with proceeding with the Chinese government. My husband, Rey, suffers from myotonic MD, sleep apnea, and an unspecified lung disease. Because of his illnesses China is unwilling to touch us. We would like to adopt a needy child. Thank you for all your help, we greatly appreciate it.

Liza Suarez Pabon
Chicago, Ill.

GettinG Good MediCal Care

Thank you for the very nice review of my newest book, 101 Ways to the Best Medical Care (September-October). I wrote the book because of my sadness and anger about the problems patients are having in getting good medical care. It is getting a very good response and I am glad that it is helping people.

Charlotte E. Thompson, M.D. Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics University of California-San Diego Medical School

hotel aCCessibility tips I’m a travel assistant for a person with muscular dystrophy who uses a motorized wheelchair. I’d like to add to Barbara and Jim Twardowski’s informative ADA and hotel hospitality article (“To Boldly Go,” July-August).

Find out as much as you can about your accommodations before you even leave for your trip. When you call a hotel to get details, if you feel that the hotel employee you’re talking to is just guessing about wheelchair accommodations, ask for a manager. Always write down your contact’s name and number in case you have to follow up. Make sure that your handicapped room is blocked — that means that it can’t be given to anyone else. (Be aware that it still happens once in a while, no matter how much you plan!)

If you need to know the height of the toilet, ask them to measure it. Find out what type of transfer bench they have. Is it attached to the wall? Are the legs adjustable? How large is the seat? Usually someone in engineering or housekeeping will do the measuring for you. If you don’t get a friendly response, call a different hotel.

Bed height is not covered under the ADA because beds are not permanent fixtures. If bed height is an issue for you, ask them to measure that, too. While a roll-away bed might work for some people, it would not work for the person I travel with. I have had the castors and even the bed legs removed in order to achieve a safe bed height. (Hotel beds are getting higher to prevent people sitting, jumping or put-

In each issue, space allowing, Quest will run letters sent to MDA, National Chairman Jerry Lewis or to the magazine.

Write to: MDA Mailbag, Quest, MDA, 3300 E. Sunrise Drive, Tucson, AZ 85718-3299. Or e-mail letters to publications@mdausa.org.

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ting their suitcases on them — the mat-tresses last longer.)

One more bit of information that we learned the hard way: If a hotel fire alarm goes off, call the front desk immediately and make sure they know that you are calling from a handicapped room. In the case of a false alarm, the piercing sound and flashing light will continue in handicapped rooms long after the alarm has been turned off in the other rooms. Make sure they don’t forget you.

Safe travel!

Leah Pileggi
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Leahp1@gmail.com

LOOKING AHEAD IN QUEST . . .

CORRECTION: The September-October issue of Quest incorrectly listed the years that Aubrey and Nick Olson served as MDA national goodwill ambassadors. The siblings represented the Association in 1998 and 1999.

Next year’s Quest will continue bringing you in-depth articles about research, people, programs, assistive technology, medical and emotional care, travel and more. Watch for stories on:

• Keeping clean from a wheelchair

• Everything you always wanted to know about clinical trials

• Moving out of your parents’ house

• Adventure travel

• Sponsoring a caregiver from a different country

• Housing modifications

• Wheelchair innovations

• Home-based virtual careers

• What can Voc Rehab do for you?

• Genetic testing in the 21st century

• … and much more!

2008

Quest