Happy New Year!

Hey Everyone!

Happy New Year! It's time for a new year ---> 2017. Hope you all had a great year in 2016 even with the unfortunate amount of deaths that came through the year.

I know I haven't written anything on here for a few months but I wanted to wish you all a Happy New Year and hope you all have a GREAT 2017. I also wanted to let you know that I will try and update more on the blog this year (new goal - write more on here than I did in 2016 = more than 38 posts).

So have no worries, I haven't given up on Wiki-Wheelz and won't stop writing on here. I have a good feeling 2017 is going to be a great year and I will give you more information on exactly why (and what I have planned for the year) I believe that when the time comes.

I am working on something and you will all know about it soon enough. But for now I hope you all had a great Holiday (Christmas, Hanukka, Kwanza, and other holidays) and have a Happy New Year!

Until Next Time

CGoerlich <3

See You Again Hits TWO Billion Views

Hey Everyone!

Just a quick update on a couple of my previous posts. Back in January, I did an update on the song "See You Again" by Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth going by the numbers to see how long it would take for it to reach two billion views: See You Again song Update.

My numbers were off slightly as there were days where the video didn't get three million views a day BUT on September 3rd of 2016, See You Again has reached two billion views. According to the wikipedia  page, it was the fastest to reach the milestone (516 days).

Now there are two videos with two billion views (Gangnam Style being the first one) and there are a few behind that look to be close to the number as well.

So like I said this is just a quick update on "See You Again" and if you read my update post ^^^ then you will know why I wrote about this song and why it was important for me to talk about it reaching the two billion mark. Next up: Getting more than Gangnam Style! It is possible.

That's it for now but I feel another post building up inside of me so stay tuned for that one.

Until Next Time

CGoerlich <3

Don't Forget to Support the Rio 2016 Paralympics!

Credit: Paralympic Games, Rio 2016,
and creators of logo

Hey Everyone!

A couple weeks ago, the Olympics took over our televisions as we watched athletes from across the world compete in different sporting events like track & field, table tennis, gymnastics, archery, swimming, rugby, tennis, rowing, etc.

In the end, United States had the most medals of any other nation (thanks to swimming and track & field which were two of the most winning sports for our country). The Rio Olympics were one of the biggest Olympics as there were many records broken, medals won, and even drama [Ryan Lochte anyone? green water? and more].

The games came to a close with countries coming together (closing ceremonies) and the world celebrating their elite athletes as they return home to their respective countries. So what's next for these sports? Is that it for another four years??

Not at all.

In six days, another round of Olympic sports (games) will start again! This time - it's the Paralympics (Olympics for elite athletes with physical disabilities). Did you know that? No? Well...it's coming and be prepared to watch!

Because for the first time, in Paralympics history, the 2016 Rio Paralympics will be airing LIVE - specifically 70 hours. Remember when I first posted about it when it was first announced? Check out my previous post (from a couple years ago): Finally. The Paralympics to be Aired Live in U.S.

The 2014 Winter Paralympics were the first time NBC (and NBCSN) aired LIVE events from the Olympics and this year's Summer Games will get about 20 more hours than the previous Paralympics and it would mark about 65 more hours than the 2012 games where NBC only aired one hour highlights each of the five days.

With so much talk about diversity, equality, and more - it is IMPORTANT that you tune in and watch the games because this is a great deal for people with disabilities and the elite athletes who are competing. We need many viewers to watch the games because it will show our kids (with or without disabilities) that anyone has the capabilities of being an athlete.

The Paralympics help break down barriers between the disabled and abled. It is a step that helps bring equality towards all people (remember "disability" has their own group but not brought up in conversations). The following Facebook post is one of the ways Paralympics help bring awareness towards disability and help remove obstacles for people with disabilities (Tatyana McFadden is a great advocate for disability rights and adaptive sports.



Please take part in the Paralympic Movement (watching the Paralympics, sharing about the Paralympics, and more). Talk about the events you're watching and tell NBC that you want more for the future games. Paralympics deserve to get the same amount of air-time as the Olympics do!

Ready to watch some awesome athletes? Then check out NBC's schedule of the events, as well check out other places you can watch the games: IPC selects Dailymotion to live stream 680 hours of the Paralympics Games.

Then come back here and let me know what you're favorite sporting event is!!

Go Team USA. Bring home the gold!

Until Next Time

CGoerlich <3

Dear Gap Inc. (Old Navy Update #3)

Hey Everyone!

So I'm sure you're probably tired of these Old Navy update posts but like I've said before I'm going to continue writing them until well I guess until there's a change? Honestly I don't know when. But this post is going to be different then the ones previously. 

Now before I go into what this post is about. If you're new to this Old Navy ride, make sure you read the previous posts:

Old Navy

Old Navy Update

Old Navy Update #2

Old Navy: Trending on Twitter for the Wrong Reasons

Alright so yesterday, I went shopping at Menlo Park Mall and as always - Old Navy is one of the stores I go to (not because of this). So what I'm hoping you're going to ask is - how was the fitting rooms there? Any better than previously? Or the same?

Well...it was about the same and then not the same. What do I mean? Well yesterday in particular, this store seemed to have more clothing racks not only in the fitting room section but around the corners. They are doing better with leaving one of the rooms open and not blocked but they are still keeping the other one blocked, locked, and full of clothes (I'm guessing).

I also noticed that for the accessible rooms, they are allowing just about anyone to use them whether they are disabled or not. Can we please get it through everyone's head that when it says accessible, it's for those who need it (this isn't just for fitting rooms but also parking spots, bathrooms, arena seats, etc.).

But anyways I will say that Old Navy is ahead of where they were during my first post about it but again there is still more to be done - cleaner fitting rooms, keeping both accessible rooms accessible, and configuring the actual accessible room because hello, I still can't turn in the room to look in the mirror!

Remember this picture? (from Old Navy Update)

In the accessible fitting room at Old Navy

Well, it's still the same. The mirror is in an awkward position and so is the bench. Again if I can't fit it in it right - how do you expect someone with a power chair (or just a bigger chair) to do so?? I will again say that this isn't just at one of the stores, it's everywhere. I think at the moment, I've gone to about four Old Navy's in the New Jersey and they each have the same problem.

I love shopping at Old Navy and honestly if they fixed these fitting rooms, I would love it even more and I guarantee you that there are others who will as well.

Now after I was done shopping there yesterday, I decided to go to Gap and Banana Republic. To be honest with you, at first I wanted to see how their fittings room were since I know they are owned by the same parent organization (Gap Inc.). But when I got there, especially at the Gap, I found about new five shirts to buy (which was awesome!)

I also found that their fitting rooms are SO MUCH better than the ones at Old Navy. Check back to the Old Navy Update post for the picture from the Gap fitting room (at the other mall). When I entered the fitting room at the Gap, it was like a breath of fresh air. The same at the ones at Banana Republic (see following pictures).

The back of the Banana Republic's accessible fitting room.

Banana Republic's
accessible fitting room

As you can see by the two pictures above, I'm able to turn around and look in the mirror. I can look at my front, the back, the side, everywhere pretty much in these fitting rooms. So much better than the ones at Old Navy which I question - Why?? 

Gap Inc. is the parent organization of Old Navy, Gap, and Banana Republic but why isn't Old Navy up to par with their fitting rooms like Gap and Banana Republic?? 

Another difference I noticed between Gap and Banana Republic from Old Navy is that for the accessible rooms at Old Navy, they let anyone use those rooms (back to the whole use accessible rooms only if you need them [disability, need extra space, etc.]. 

But at Gap and Banana Republic, they leave those rooms locked but when someone with a wheelchair comes, they ask if I need the accessible room and then they will unlock the room to let me in. And then they will lock it after I'm finished with it. At least this is what happened yesterday which I have to say is Bravo! Because then I know the accessible rooms are being used for who needs them (and not just for anyone).

Another thing is that I noticed that if the accessible rooms are being used, I would be able to use the other rooms at Gap and Banana Republic because they're big enough for my wheelchair which is another check in my books.

So I'm asking Gap Inc. to please look into what's going on in the Old Navy stores when it concerns the fitting rooms because believe me it can definitely be better and I'm 100% sure that customer ratings would jump rocket and more people with disabilities would come shopping at the those stores. 

Reconfiguring the actual accessible rooms (to make getting to the mirror easier) and seeing what to do with the extra clothing racks (and clothes in the other accessible room) are just two things that can make the fitting rooms much easier to use. I'm not telling you how to do your jobs, I'm just making suggestions on how you can better your customers' experiences. 

Because I for sure can see how if customers are able to try on clothes, the more they may buy. Because believe me I can get frustrated easily with trying on clothes and then not want to continue shopping. I'm sure I'm not the only one. 

One thing I would definitely love to see is someone in the leadership role of Gap to appear on Undercover Boss and they can see first hand the differences in how the stories are run. It's just another suggestion (which I'm sure I've suggested in one of my other posts). 

Again - I would definitely be willing to show or discuss with Gap Inc. Old Navy's leaders ways on how they can make things better for all.

For all my readers, what do you think of this?? Are you tired of my Old Navy Update posts?? If so, share this and maybe I won't need to write anymore because there are more positive changes. 

Until Next Time

CGoerlich <3

Why People Are Upset With "Me Before You"

Hey Everyone!

I am here to talk about the controversial movie "Me Before You," adapted from novel with the same name written by Jojo Moyes (who also co-wrote the screenplay), starring Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin, and why people are upset about the movie (and novel). 

Now I don't know if you heard but there's been a lot of controversy with the movie and novel as it goes in discussion of disability and assisted suicide. There's also the controversy over the fact that the main character whose played by Sam Claflin isn't portrayed by a person with a real disability. 

You're probably thinking - oh here we go again, she's complaining about disability in Hollywood again. Well of course I am - it's a big problem that is going on. But for more on that, again please go read my other posts under the Disability Advocacy tab. 

Now back to "Me Before You." After you read the plot for the film and novel, you may question why there is such a controversy with the thought of it: 

"Young and quirky Louisa 'Lou' Clark (Emilia Clarke) moves from one job to the next to help her family make ends meet. Her cheerful attitude is put to the test when she becomes a caregiver for Will Traynor (Sam Claflin), a wealthy young young banker left paralyzed from an accident two years earlier. Will's cynical outlook starts to change when Louisa shows him that life is worth living. As their bond deepens, their lives and hearts change in ways neither one could have imagined." 

It sounds great, doesn't it? Believe me at first I was on board with the whole thing because "oh it's such a change and with a happy ending," well I was wrong after a few times watching the commercials. I was over it after the second commercial seen. It also doesn't help that the actor isn't someone who is disabled (yes I mentioned again). 

There's a lot I can say about this movie and situation BUT there are other writers who wrote up better articles about their thoughts than I probably could so I recommend you to read them: 

Why Are You Complaining? Some People Actually Feel That Way: A Critique of Me Befo...
Hollywood Promotes The Idea It Is Better To Be Dead Than Disabled
'I'm Not A Thing To Be Pitied': The Disability Backlash Against Me Before You

For this post I want to talk to those who question the backlash and make comments on those articles about us complaining. There's many who don't see what's wrong with the story or what's wrong with the movie and of course to them, there isn't.

But the main problem that we have with this is not necessarily just the movie but it's the idea that it's going to put in to its viewers and readers' minds: people with disabilities don't have a reason to live or the fact that we may actually feel that way (some may do but I know a lot don't, I don't). 

For your information, I love being in a wheelchair and there are many who feel the same way whether it's being in a wheelchair, being amputee, being blind, or so on. We see the world in a different way than others do but we don't see that on TV or in the movie theaters. 

We see the disappointments. We see the "bad" things about being disabled. We don't see the real story of the person in the chair. There's so much more that needs to be seen than the "bad" stuff. Yes it's good to see what they go through but how about showing the whole picture instead of just one?

Life goes on. It doesn't stop because we're injured. We want to tell me that but movies like "Me Before You" doesn't let us. I know you're thinking - it's just one movie. But it's not. It's what's in the news. It's what you see trending on social media. It's everywhere. There's so much more negativity towards people with disabilities than there is of positivity and that needs to change. 

You may think we're "picking" on this movie but it's what needs to be done because we  need to get our point across. One. Stop casting non-disabled actors. Two. Do more research when you're writing about real people and a disability. Three. Listen to the complaints.

Now I have to say there have definitely been movies that have shown positive thoughts about living with a disability (and how to keep on living with one). 

Support those movies:

Miracle in Lane 2
Soul Surfer
Tru Confessions

Yes, these movies' actors aren't disabled but they do the movies the right way. There's also another movie about living with a disability that should be getting more recognition and that's The Fundamentals of Caring and ABC has red lit a new sitcom called Speechless (who in fact does have a disabled person playing a disabled character). 

I'm hoping that this is a sign that it's moving towards the way it should be. But there still needs a lot to be done. Also I have a question - how come it's ok for groups of people to complain when they are being misrepresented in movies and television but when it's the disabled group, we're seen as complainers (and should be lucky that they're even covering a story like that)?? 

I don't think that's right. Do you? Think of it that way. Remember read those articles that I recommend above. I hope they make you see the side we're coming from. Because again - enough is enough. We should be treated the same as everyone and get the same opportunities. 

Let me know what you think!

Until Next Time

CGoerlich <3