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EDITORIAL: Ed Eames removed barriers
Ed Eames had a simple goal for our community. "He wanted a barrier-free Fresno." said his wife, Toni.
Mr. Eames died Sunday at 79, leaving a legacy of making Fresno more accessible to residents with disabilities. Mr. Eames, who lost his sight at age 42, fought to improve bus service, lobbied for more sidewalks and battled against the growing trend of roundabouts and traffic circles in Fresno intersections because they make it difficult for the visually impaired to cross the street. Mr. Eames also founded an organization for people who use assistance dogs.
He made a difference, and our community is better for his work. Community members who worked with him said Mr. Eames inspired those who provide services to the disabled to understand how crucial their services are. Paul Kwiatkowski, manager of Handy Ride, which provides transportation for disabled people, said Mr. Eames influenced improvements to the Handy Ride system.
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Ed Eames fought for rights of disabled
Ed Eames, who lost his sight at age 42, spent the rest of his life advocating for the needs of people with disabilities.
Mr. Eames, 79, who died Sunday, worked to improve bus service for the disabled, founded an organization for people who use assistance dogs and lobbied for more sidewalks.
"He was a fighter, but he also was a thinker," said Fresno City Council Member Henry T. Perea. "He knew the issues, but he did his homework."
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Gates: injured troops face too much bureaucracy
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Monday that troops injured in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan continue to face too many bureaucratic hurdles.
Paperwork alone for them can be "frustrating, adversarial, and unnecessarily complex," Gates said.
Gates spoke at a mental health summit with Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki. By appearing publicly together, they sought to reinforce their commitment to tackling veterans' health issues and the stigma associated with seeking mental health care.
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Karen Douglas
Age: 63
Occupation: I'm physically disabled but mobile. I was employed by six law enforcement agencies; was an office manager, security supervisor and a self-employed home and business organizer.
Hobbies: Genealogy research, container gardening, crossword puzzles. I'm a voracious reader. Volunteering is my favorite pastime.
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Parents plan Web broadcast for disabled daughter
Disabled with severe cerebral palsy, 32-year-old Anne Lamic spends her days in southeastern France mostly in bed, surrounded by stuffed animals and dolls. She cannot speak or walk, and she sometimes has seizures.
Now, Lamic's parents are planning to broadcast her quiet life to the world via webcam. Their announcement has caused a stir in France, with many criticizing the plan as an invasion of Lamic's privacy and asking: How far is too far in the struggle to make disabled people more visible in society?
In terms of disabled rights on issues such as visibility and accessibility to public transport and buildings, advocacy groups say France trails behind Nordic countries, the United States and Canada, despite a 2005 law designed to ensure their rights are upheld.
Linda Foster
Age: 63
Occupation: Home-care provider through In-Home Supportive Services, artist, backyard farmer.
Hobbies: Watercolor painting, volunteering at United Cerebral Palsy, being queen of a Red Hat Society, growing fruit trees and roses, collecting antiques and old flower-patterned China, cooking, photography, travel, reading, music, bird watching.
Bee reader since: 1994.
How many letters: 13 since 2005.
Favorite topics: Environmental issues, disability related and home-care issues, attempts at balancing the budget by cutting programs and services to the elderly and the disabled.
Why do you write? To address issues that are important and where maybe not everyone truly understands the implications. To bring a subject to the attention of the general public, government officials and politicians, and to provide a voice for the elderly and disabled in our community who are not always able to speak in their own defense.
Education: associate degree, Los Angeles Valley College. Extensive units from several colleges: Cal State Northridge and Fresno City College. Fine art major at Cal State Northridge.
Family: Three siblings living in a variety of places; many nieces and nephews scattered around the country.
Political philosophy: I am a progressive Democrat with strong leanings toward environmental issues. We have to be in this together and do everything we can to keep the Earth livable for all those who will come after us.
-- Compiled by Pam Rowse
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