It's Been Awhile

Hey Everyone!

I know, I know...It's been awhile, more like two months. I was going to try and write a post each day that I was in Iowa but even though there was time, there wasn't time. So, I have decided that before I start back up in school for my fourth year, I will update you all on how this Summer has gone and is going. What do you all think about that? 

Let's first start with the National Junior Disability Championships (NJDC) that were held in Ames, Iowa during the week of July 5th-12th. After having tons of fun on the bus ride on the way to Minnesota, we decided to do another road trip with the bus, as well with the same awesome bus driver! First half of the ride out to Iowa was fun, watching movies, reading books, listening to music, laughing and talking with each other. One of the movies that stood out to me, of course, was watching Eight Below (my favorite of Paul Walker's [RIP]) which was one of the movies that I brought. Reason why it stood out was because of what happened when this following scene happened:

The whole bus jumped in surprise when the seal came out of the whale because it was something that no one but my mom and I were expecting it (even I jumped, it gets me every time). It was a little funny seeing everyone jump out of their seats because it brought be back to the day when I saw the movie for the first time in the theaters and everyone jumped up. Sorry team for not warning you! 

Now, another moment that stands out on the bus ride was when broke down in Indiana due to mechanical issues with the bus. We had stopped a few times before our bus driver pulled off at a rest stop while we could get our bus be fixed. We were stuck in Indiana for a about five-six hours but once we got back on the road, we were about seven hours away from our destination. 

Now, after the road trip, we are now in Ames, Iowa getting ready to compete! My first competition was the first day of competition and that was archery. I had a rough time during the first round due to issues with my bow and arrows but I improved during the second round. I shot a 100 which wasn't my worst but not my best either. My next competition was table tennis and I had very close matches that led to game 5 but overall, I won one match but two of my teams made top three of all the athletes! Two days later, I had both field and track which was my final day of competition. For my 100 meters race, my time was 34.22 seconds and I was also in a relay which did great/awesome! For my field events, the following distances were my best that day: Discus - 5.93m, Javelin - 7.49m, Shot Put - 2.88m. All distances were close to personal bests. Overall, I had a great week in competitions and had a fun time with my friends, teammates, officials, event organizers, coaches, families, and more. Children's Lightning Wheels won 2nd place in the large team division! Yay team! 

Our ride home seemed like it went quicker than the ride out there and we got home a little earlier than planned which always feels good. Here are some pictures from the week. Also, if you want more information for the week of this year's Nationals: NJDC 2014. 

 

So, that is the update for Nationals. What else have I been up to this Summer? Well, two days before we left for Nationals, my sister had a new baby - a boy! I met my new nephew the day after we came home from Nationals and he is very adorable. Also, my other nephew (7 years old) stayed with us for a week, a couple weeks ago. It was an interesting week.  When Summer comes around, I always go to work with my Mom to help her with shredding, filing, putting together packets, etc. 

So far, I have done two other things Summer that were a blast. Last Monday, I went to the Somerset Patriots game with my parents, aunt, and uncle which I always enjoy doing. It was a hot day so I wasn't able to stay in the spot where I normally sit the whole time so I moved to the back for the shade. Good chicken fingers and french fries which is usually what I get when I go to ball games. I don't like hot dogs. Well, I do but I don't. That's a story for another time. Sadly, the Patriots lost but it was still a fun day.

The final event that I just recently was at the 19th Annual Softball Benefit Tournament for Children's Lightning Wheels, this past Saturday, which is an event that I go to every year. This tournament is held every year to raise money for my team and I always have a blast. This year was no different, maybe even more fun than other years (don't know why..lol). I have a new nickname from the guys (players, umpires, event organizers), and it is The Commissioner (Commish) which I will enjoy having from now on. I had lots of fun seeing, hanging out, and laughing with the players who I have known for awhile and meeting many new ones. I can't wait for next year and excited for it because it will be the 20th Annual Tournament and it's going to be awesome! Also can't wait to see everyone next year. 

I have more pictures from the event, but the above collage are four of my favorite pictures from the day. Once again, on behalf of the Lightning Wheels, thank you to all the players, sponsors, umpires, and event organizers for another great day!

Well, that is everything that I have done this Summer. Oh! I forgot to mention that for my Spring 2014 Semester for school, I made the Dean's list. I was very happy when I achieved that honor and I'm going to push myself for my last couple (few) semesters to make the list again. 

I hope everyone has/had a great Summer and if you are returning to school, have a great year and push through everything. 

I am not sure when my next post will be but it will be sooner than two months (maybe). 

Until Next Time 

CGoerlich <3

Rutgers Bus Driver Fired Controversy

Warning - Here is my first of many very opinionated posts!

So in the past week, there has been a controversy about the firing of Pastor Stan McNeil, a "beloved" bus driver at Rutgers University in NJ.

Stan McNeil claims that Rutgers only fired him because he touched a disabled girl on the head, praying for her to heal.  He has done it before and was asked not to do it again.  But in reality, people, there is more to the story which many just have skipped right over.  Even journalists skipped over it!  Which makes me even more mad but let's get to the bottom line shall we?

Here's some background if you don't know what's happening.  Stan McNeil was a popular Rutgers University bus driver who is also a Pastor and every day on the bus, McNeil always had inspirational speeches.  I never experienced these speeches personally, well because I don't go to Rutgers but that's the not reason of this post.  Many students say that always looked forward to getting on the bus because he would always lift up their spirits if they are having a bad day.

Well good for them, but what about the students who are in wheelchairs that are bouncing around on the bus because he didn't tie them down?  Because that's the REAL reason why he got fired.  Not because he was praying on a girl who was in a wheelchair, to be healed.  Yes, that may play some role since well she did complain and he was told not to do it again.  But, he wasn't tying down the chairs which is a big safety hazard!
Sharp turns = student with chair bumping their head on the side of the bus or even they end up at another part of the bus.  A short stop = the chair going harshly forward where the person could land on their front and/or banging their head.  And if the person doesn't get a seat belt put on and they don't have a seat belt on their chair (because not everyone has one!), the person could be knocked out of their chair if any of the previous things happen.

All of the above could have happened if McNeil kept on with the job because he wasn't tying down the chairs and you want to know why?  Here is a quote from a newscast NBC did on him:

"Personally I was a little concerned about the time because you're spending time putting them on the bus and getting them hooked up so you're losing time," says Stan McNeil when asked about tying down the chairs.

Like really? Did he really say that? I have been saying that since the moment I heard him say that.  Right after he did, my mom and I looked at each other and just asked at the same time, "Did he really just say that?" So, of course I was expecting many people to talk about it and do a report of what he said but it's been two days now and nothing.  Many people are still supporting him and there are already over 6,800 signatures on a change.org petition to bring him back.  You know why?  Because they think he was just fired for religious reasons, not because of the safety reasons.

Time? Like really? Time was the reason you couldn't tie someone down? I hope you all realize that it probably doesn't take more than four minutes to get a person with a wheelchair on the bus plus strapping in.  And you're losing time? What time is exactly lost? Four minutes. Wow. That's a lot of time....Not. If you notice in the quote, he does say "them" so meaning he hasn't just not tied down one person, but he has done it numerous time.

As a student with a disability, I am definitely upset.  I rode the school bus throughout all of 13 years of public school and do you think there was once where they didn't tie me down? Nope. And you know how long it took to get me on the bus plus tying me down? I'll say it again - not even more than four minutes. I don't understand how someone can say that time is why they weren't tying down a chair down.  That's like saying you're not going to take a moment to put on your seat belt.

I mean, come on people.  There were more than religious reasons for this man being fired.  But did you research all of the reasons?  Of course not.  Only NBC, that I know of, has gotten something about safety reasons.  Yes, I noticed other news reports that do mention safety reasons were for the reason but you know where in those article that information was?  At the bottom, oh and not to mention, no where in the title of the article which is normally the first thing readers see and remember.

As you can tell, I'm very passionate about people knowing the real reason because I want to make sure that this does NOT happen again and that others learn to read EVERYTHING before they make assumptions.  I know that some already know the real reason and agree what I have said in this blog post but there are still so many who still don't understand the real reason behind this.

I hope you all understand where this is coming from and that you will share this with your friends because this is a very important subject.

Here is the link to the video of where Stan McNeil says the quote above - Video to NBC newscast of Stan McNeil's Firing (It is the top video that auto plays itself)

Feel free to comment on this post what you believe (whether you agree or disagree) and please share this post! :)

Thank you for giving me your time and listening to my opinion about this matter!

Until Next Time

CGoerlich <3