News Archive

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=65 BGCOLOR="#666699" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="04e00840erlcjm.png"> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>News Archive</B></FONT><B>   |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mark Felling.com Dont let life pass you"><B>home</B></A></div> <div>                                                   </div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=150 BGCOLOR="#CCCCFF" TEXT="#080000" background="04811c00egdysm.png"> <bR> <div> <B>Back to </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mark Felling.com Dont let life pass you"><B>Current News</B></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=415 width="100%" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="5" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="816" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 82 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="http://www.broadenedhorizons.com" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://www.broadenedhorizons.com"><B><IMG SRC="961dd4b0.png" border=0 width="221" height="75" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="94"><div> <A HREF="http://www.BroadenedHorizons.com" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://www.BroadenedHorizons.com"><B>"Innovative Solutions for the Mobility Impaired"</B></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="467"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="82" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="467" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <B>Oct 3, 05:  </B> Complete Mobility Systems today pointed out and corrected a previous statement I had made in the post on July 29th while upset.  It was not very well thought out, as the information I based it on could have potentially been inaccurate.  I would like to further add since taking delivery of my vehicle, the individuals at Complete Mobility Systems have been very helpful and responsive to resolving problems that have occurred since.  However, I have been quite upset since the delivery of my vehicle was 2 to 2.5 months after originally committed and then two more items broke after the second and fourth time driving the vehicle. I just wrote an extensive letter to EMC addressing this and to other concerns I have with either their company, their equipment, or the service I have received.  I intend to give them a chance to respond before sharing my complaints or the information I received in response.  </div> <bR> <div> Jim Bulboc, CEO of EMC called me back directly himself in response to my letter the morning of the 5th.  We had a productive 2 hour discussion of my concerns and feedback for improvements.  In the end, we discovered we are both pilots, and discussed my <A HREF="http://www.BroadenedHorizons.org/skychairiot.htm" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://www.BroadenedHorizons.org/skychai">Sky Chairiot wheelchair accessible private airplane development project</A>, as well as my <A HREF="http://www.broadenedhorizons.com/powergrip.htm" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://www.broadenedhorizons.com/powergr">Powered Wrist-Hand Orthosis kit</A> development and how it might affect or improve driving capabilities.  There might be room for collaboration in the future, especially with fly-by-wire flight controls.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Sep 20, 05: </B>My Pontiac Montana EnterVan with EMC hand controls is finally completed with the hand controls being bolted down tightly today and getting checked out in it with Steve Quinn, the adaptive equipmentdriving evaluator with Courage Center!  For those of you who don't know, I drive with special EMC hand controls from my wheelchair which locks down to the floor with a mini power receiver hitch somewhat like you would see on the back of a semi.  (pictures coming soon!) </div> <bR> <div> <B>Aug 30-Sep 1, 05: </B>Returned to Cleveland to have the cast taken off my arm and the implant programmed and set out for exercise.  I will spend next month allowing the implant to exercise the paralyzed muscles that control my hand almost 24 hours a day, as well as my triceps and pectoral muscles, to build them back up after not being used from being paralyzed the past two years.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Aug 14, 05:  </B>Began work excavating around the exterior basement of my house to waterproof it since it was never built correctly in the first place. The original builder actually tried to cover up their mistakes.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Aug 1-12, 05</B>: I was at the <A HREF="http://fescenter.case.edu/" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://fescenter.case.edu/">FES Research Center</A> at MetroHealth in Cleveland Ohio for testing and to have surgery on August 9th to be the 5th person in the USA/World to receive a <A HREF="http://fescenter.case.edu/Start_Here/Patients/sci_programs_hand.htm" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://fescenter.case.edu/Start_Here/Pat">new 12 Channel forearm implant</A> which will ask someone like an artificial nervous system, stimulating the paralyzed muscles which control my hand to restore grasping function.<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#660000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="fesimplant.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="FES Experimental Forearm Implant">Read my </A><A HREF="fesimplant.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="FES Experimental Forearm Implant"><B>daily log</B></A><A HREF="fesimplant.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="FES Experimental Forearm Implant">  here</A>.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>July 30, 05</B>: Finally got my house reshingled.</div> <bR> <div> <B>July 29, 05</B>: I finally spoke with the shop manager at Complete Mobility Systems who informed me they should be able to get my van done by mid-to late August -only two months late!  The summer will be over before I ever get to see or use my van!  Apparently when I inquired, they didn't even start on it until June 14 - almost one month after originally committed!  When I suggested they should have taken out the parts that needed to be sent away for modification by EMC with the van in the parking lot, he was taken aback and said that than they couldn't drive it.  I suggested they could have pushed it into the shop or put the part back in while it was in the parking lot.  His response, it might be raining when they want to put apart back in.  When has it rained for 1 month straight!?  I informed  them I was very unhappy as I didn't have the vehicle and it is costing me hundreds of dollars every month just to have it sitting on their lot while they [and EMC] twidle their fingers.  Unfortunately, I cannot be very mean as I simply do not have any other choices and must take the vehicle back to them for service and recertification every six months! <I> [previous statement rescinded as potentially based on inaccurate information] </I> I ask you, who outside the disability community would tolerate such service?!  What would you do? or do you think I should just quit complaining and accept that that is the way being disabled is?  <A HREF="mailto: mark@felling.US" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto: mark@felling.US">E-mail me your thoughts and comments...</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.markfelling.com/components/airventure.jpg" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://www.markfelling.com/components/ai"><B><IMG SRC="8fea0780.png" border=0 width="160" height="120" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="3" VSPACE="0"></B></A><B>July 27 & 28th, 05</B>: After 2 years I've finally managed to visit <U>EAA Airventure in Oshkosh Wisconsin</U> with my dad, Earl, and brother, Ben.  I obviously missed it in 2003 being in ICU and last year I was busy moving into my new home just getting out of rehab.  We saw Burt Rutan's White Knight and Spaceship One, the first privately built aircraft to cover fly into low Earth orbit/space and the Global Flyer, the first aircraft to fly around the world without refueling. The afternoon shows were absolutely incredible, featuring some of the best aerobatic pilots in the world.  I'm looking forward to going back next year and it reaffirmedmy mission to design and build the first completely accessible aircraft which can be flown independently by anyone, even a quadriplegic, from their wheelchair.  To prove it can be done, my goal is to fly independently to EAA Airventure 2010!</div> <bR> <div> <B>July 24, 05</B>: Checked out the Minneapolis Aquatenial.  I think I could design a boat for the milk carton boat races that would kick everyone's acts...  Anyone care to build one for next year?</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.markfelling.com/components/M604Class.jpg" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://www.markfelling.com/components/M6"><B><IMG SRC="901a0690.png" border=0 width="160" height="105" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="3" VSPACE="0"></B></A><B>July 10-17, 05</B>: I <U>traveled to Denver</U> to participate in a course in Managerial Leadership at Regis University towards my MBA (Masters in Business Administration) degree and as part of their Summer intensive's program. It was excellent, one of the best classes I've ever taken!  The flight to and from Denver was rather uneventful as my wheelchair was delivered both times without incident.I did run into some issues with local transportation in Denver, specifically Metro Taxi treats wheelchair users like shit! The Marriott Residence Inn has nicely accessible rooms but demand that they get the wheelchair lift in their shuttle bus repaired!</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="900447c0.png" border=0 width="68" height="124" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="3" VSPACE="0">July 7, 05</B>: My <U>new</U><A HREF="levo.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Levo Combi"><U> Levo Combi standing wheelchair</U></A><U> was finally delivered</U>, 2 years and 5 days after my accident! After the owner of <A HREF="balder.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Balder Finesse">Balder</A>USA decided to be rather unethical in his business dealings and not honor the quote he originally delivered in early November of 2004, I was forced to switch and go back to pursuing a Levo power wheelchair.</div> <bR> <div> <B>July 5, 05</B>: I am very frustrated with Complete Mobility Systems.  I called them to see if they were done and all they would tell me is that they were working on it and could not give me a date as to when it would be finished!  Their laissez-faire attitude of "we will get it done when we get it done and you can just wait" is both insulting and lousy business.  Unfortunately, they are the only company for a few states around that installs EMC and controls and they know it.  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>April 25, 2005</B>: I bought my new  2005 Pontiac Montana.  It is wheelchair accessible with a 12 inch lower floor, automatic opening side door and foldout ramp.  With the help of Cummings Mobility, who is handling the power tie down and a few other little features, it was then delivered to Complete Mobility Systems to have EMC and controls installed on May 10. They should have the hand controls completed by the end of June or first week in July.</div> <bR> <div> <B>April 20, 2005</B>: Had tendon transfer surgery at University of Minnesota Fairview Medical Centerby Dr. Anne Van Heest, an excellent orthopedic hand surgeon.  basically, attendance from two of my muscles that I am able to use well were disconnected and moved to positions where they would functionally moved otherwise paralyzed areas.  The tendon from wrist end of my brachioradialis muscle which normally helps flex the elbow was moved and tied into my wrist extensor tendons so now when I flex it I am able to move and lift up my wrist.  Additionally, the tendon from the elbow and of my biceps muscle was disconnected from the top inside of my forearm and moved to the bottom outside of my forearm so now when the muscle flexes it will extend my arm straight.  The bracialis muscle with help from the brachioradialis will continue to flex my elbow with almost no noticeable loss in elbow flexion strength.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="million_dollar_bigot.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Eastwoods Sickening Milliondollar Baby"><IMG SRC="8dc41650.png" border=0 width="65" height="101" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="5" VSPACE="0"></A><B>March 12, 2005: </B>Clint Eastwood is a million-dollar bigot.  His movie, <I>Million-dollar Baby</I>, is the result of a sick personal campaign against disabled individuals.  <A HREF="million_dollar_bigot.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Eastwoods Sickening Milliondollar Baby">More...</A> </div> <bR> <div> <B>March 10, 2005: </B>Check out the new <A HREF="links_computer_maintenance.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links">Computer Maintenance</A> section on my <A HREF="links.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links">Links</A> page to keep your machine up and running smoothly. I've also shared all of my <A HREF="favorites.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Marks Favorites">Internet Favorites</A> with you, a great resource with links to disability resources, aviation, studying and working abroad, local publications and information, etc.!  Family and friends won't want to miss my <A HREF="download.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Private Download Archive">Private Download Archive</A>!</div> <bR> <div> <B>February 5, 2005: </B>Did you notice my new <A HREF="blog.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Blog"><B>Blog</B></A>?!  I update it every few days with new personal or spinal cord injury/disability news or important political issues I learn of.  Check it out and even leave your own opinions and comments!</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="8de78330.jpg" border=0 width="120" height="51" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><B>January 20, 2005:</B> I have finally agreed to do a follow-up news feature / interview with <A HREF="http://www.kstp.com/" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://www.kstp.com/">KSTP Channel 5 Eyewitness News</A> sometime in late February or early March.  The executive producer has wanted to do the article since the anniversary of my accident over six months ago, but I have been delaying hoping to present a more interesting, enriching, and informative story.  Now that things are finally coming together a bit I have agreed. I will keep everyone posted.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="fesimplant1c1.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Preliminary Testing"><IMG SRC="8e0895a0.jpg" border=0 width="137" height="90" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A><B>January 19, 2005: Functional Electrical Stimulation Forearm Implant:</B> In mid-March I am scheduled to return to <A HREF="http://fescenter.case.edu/" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://fescenter.case.edu/">the FES Center in Cleveland, Ohio</A> to undergo preoperative testing to support the research followed by the<A HREF="http://fescenter.case.edu/Start_Here/Patients/sci_programs_hand.htm" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://fescenter.case.edu/Start_Here/Pat"> forearm implant surgery</A> on my left arm and hand.  During the same surgery the tendon of my <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brachioradialis_muscle" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brachioradi">brachioradialis</A> muscle will be transferred to my wrist.  My arm will be casted for 3 to 4 weeks after the surgery followed by six weeks of exercising the muscles that haven't been used since July 2, 2003. (On November 18, 2004 I flew to Cleveland, Ohio to be evaluated to participate in an experimental procedure to restore limited hand functionby electrically stimulating the paralyzed muscles in my forearm.  I was accepted and will be the 3rd person in the world to receive the updated 12 channel system.  Learn more and watch videos at: <A HREF="fesimplant1c1.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Preliminary Testing">Preliminary Testing</A>.) </div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="van.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="My Van"><IMG SRC="8e2844b0.png" border=0 width="132" height="75" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A><B>January 14, 2005:</B> I should be getting <A HREF="van.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="My Van">my new van</A> soon! On December 22, I passed my driver's license endorsement for hand controls after the state suddenly changed the rules and regulations the week prior.  I was told at the beginning of this week that the Minnesota State Department of Vocational Rehab has approved the adaptions and hand controls on my van.  Now the wait is just for the bidding/purchasing person to complete the paperwork.  I am hoping to be able to pick up the van within the next week or so, and then sometime in the next two months the hand controls should get installed.</div> <div> <A HREF="balder.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Balder Finesse"><IMG SRC="8e4535b0.jpg" border=0 width="83" height="91" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="5"></A></div> <div> <B>January 11, 2005</B>: My <A HREF="balder.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Balder Finesse">Balder Finesse F290</A> standup wheelchair was finally approved December 2, after more than one year of struggling against the system!  The chair has finally arrived in Houston from Norway but remains delayed and U.S. Customs.  My chair will be receiving a you prototype customizations I suggested to the owner hopefully within the next two weeks or so and I've been told to realistically expected to arrive sometime before the end of the month.</div> <bR> <div> <B>January 10, 2005: </B><IMG SRC="8e691310.png" border=0 width="145" height="49" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Today I begin <I>Issues in International Business, </I>the 6th class out of 12 towords achieving a Masters degree in Business Ministrations from <A HREF="http://www.regis.edu" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://www.regis.edu">Regis University</A>.  I completed and received an "A" in Marketing Management just before Christmas, the first class I've taken since my accident. It is an <A HREF="http://mbaregis.com/" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://mbaregis.com/">online, distance program</A> from the highly renowned university based in Denver and Boulder Colorado.  I highly recommend it. There are numerous programs available from a bachelors to an advanced degree which can be taken online or in a traditional classroom setting. </div> <bR> <div> <B>January 5, 2005: </B>I had an opportunity to watch <A HREF="id466.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Broke Ellison Story">The Brooke Ellison Story</A>.  It is very good and gives some insight intothe transition one goes through to living as a quadriplegic as well as the impact spinal cord injury can have on the rest of one's family.  I highly recommend it!</div> <bR> <div> <B>Dec. 3, 2004: </B><A HREF="old_house.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="My Old House">My old house in Bloomington is sold! </A> We closed yesterday. I put a lot of work into it and will miss that beautiful bachelor pad!</div> <bR> <div> <B>Dec. 2, 2004</B>: A wonderful girl, <A HREF="id467.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Amy Mareck The Fight">Amy Mareck</A> from Albany, my hometown, passed away Monday after a five-year battle with osteosarcoma. With amazing resolve, she remained positive up until the end.  I would like to share with you a poem she wrote and is published on <A HREF="http://www3.caringbridge.org/page/amymareck/index.htm" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://www3.caringbridge.org/page/amymar">her CaringBridge web site</A>.</div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="551" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="539"><div> <B>"Food" for Thought - Origins of "S.H.I.T."</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 272 WIDTH="539"><div> In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be transported by ship and it was also before commercial fertilizer's invention, so large shipments of manure were common. It was shipped dry, because in dry form it weighed a lot less than when wet, but once water (at sea) hit it, it not only became heavier, but the process of fermentation began again, of </div> <div> which a by product is methane gas. </div> <bR> <div> As the stuff was stored below decks in bundles you can see what could (and did) happen. Methane began to build up below decks and the first time someone came below at night with a lantern, BOOOOM!</div> <bR> <div> Several ships were destroyed in this manner before it was determined just what was happening. After that, the bundles of manure were always stamped with the term "Ship High In Transit" on them which meant for the sailors to stow it high enough off the lower decks so that any water that came into the hold would not touch this volatile cargo and start the production of methane. </div> <bR> <div> Thus evolved the term "S.H.I.T." (Ship High In Transport) which has come down through the centuries and is in use to this very day. You probably did not know the true history of this word. Neither did I. I thought it was a golf term. </div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>