Housing inspection was today.

Well, housing inspection was today, and I took the time to ask the housing inspector  about the cleaning issue.  Praise God, because he told us, point blank, what standards he was looking for.  The inspectors, here in Washington County look for whether one adult can get the house cleaned up within a couple of hours.  If it's been messy for a long time, and a person can see the difference, then, that is when the houses get failed for inspection.  I was so happy.  Even the inspector thought the hair on the baseboards was a crazy remark to make.  I told him to document what I said.  Oh, and the guy didn't know the thing about the three spiders either.  It was all scare tactics from the maintenance man. 

 

Here's the good part.  I'm going to have Todd right this next part, because he called the landlord and talked with him. 

 

When I called Brad, he was mildly cheery at first.  When he heard that our house passed, he sounded a little more cheery, and when I told him that even the inspector saw ***no*** dog hair on the baseboards Brad sounded even more cheery.  In fact, when we were about to hang up, it seemed like he didn't quite know what to say.Well, that's all from me, and I'll let Sean finish off the letter

 

So, by the time section 8 and HUD get my letter processed, I think there's going to be a real understanding.  Still pray that the intent of the letter that was sent is clearly understood by all in the proper authority.  Please also pray that appropriate action is taken. 

 

Now, my next  thing is to try to get the police and sherrifs' officers to become educated and give us people with disabilities equal and improved treatment.  I've heard way too many complaints from the disabled community, so, soon, I'll jump on that  and see what I can get done.  I'm not normally a reactionary, but I'm tired of the entrenched, and rebellious backward thinking in this area.  None of this garbage would be allowed in California, and I don't think it should be allowed anywhere.  Just pray that the Lord orders my steps and that I only do things in the way he directs me to do?  Thank you. I'm really actually a very easy going person, but I don't like to see others getting treated like dirt just because they have a problem.  the police in Portland don't deal well with the mentally ill people, or blind people.  I've heard the same about other populations, and it can't continue.  I can't change the world, but if I can take a bite out of ignorance in my little corner, I'll be happy.  We've lived in five years of oppression, because the officers won't really try.  Anyway, I just want to see positive changes happen.  All I'm going to do is write letters and maybe talk with the head of  the police and sheriff's departments, but only when God tells me.  Thanks, everyone for supporting me.  I'm not turning into some radical.  I just don't like seeing this kind of backward treatment.  Hey, it took me five years to finally move, so you know it had to take a lot to get me to a place where I am wanting to advocate for the disabled population at the various agencies.  My way is to quietly stir the water by writing letters and having calm conversations with professionals to see if we can work together and make a difference.

 

anyway, thanks for putting up with me.  Just pray that God is in control of any advocating I try to do.  I only want it to be Him anyway.

 

Blessings to all, in the Name of Jesus,

 

Sean and River
KE7IQY, (ham radio call.)
Come visit my blog
http://seanscoolplace.blogspot.com/
Facilitating the Leap of Faith, In home, small group.
 A proud owner of Prayer Warriors, an email list devoted to intercessory prayer.
prayerwarriors-subscribe@freegroups.net

Fw: Landlord and maintenance people issues. Need advocacy help

    Hello,

 

I could use your prayers with this one.  I was praying as I wrote this to HUD, I was praying.  I hope my points are understood.  Please pray for God's will to be done.  I'm really hoping that my letter gets advocacy done and not get me evicted from my home.

 

I just feel that it is time for us disabled people to be understood and treated appropriately.

 

Thank you.

 

Hugs,

 

Sean 

 

Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 5:38 PM

Subject: Landlord and maintenance people issues. Need advocacy help

Sean Ray

seanlray@comcast.net

Beaverton Oregon in Washington County.

 

To whom it may concern:

 

My husband and I are both blind and rent from a landlord who wasn't necessarily on the section 8 list.  This company doesn't know anything about how to work with people who are blind.  At first, when we would call about a problem, the landlord would then call my sighted sister to talk to her.  He will now deal with us, but I can tell that he talks much more easily to both my sister and caregiver. When something has broken, the land lord has said, "well, let's see how long this lasts."  That made me feel like Todd and I were going around  being careless and thoughtlessly destructive.  I've never had these issues  living anywhere else before.  I've always had good relations with the landlords or apartment managers and maintenance people. 

 

This last incident has finally moved me to write, ask questions, speak up, and advocate for both Todd and I. We like where we live, because of the convenience of the grocery store and restaurants, etc.  My goal, instead, is to take other kinds of action dealing with putting laws into place for the educating of landlords renting to disabled people.  Continue to read further, and you will see why I feel such a mandate is necessary.

 

 when the maintenance man came over, to us, it was unexpected, as he didn't give us 24 hours notice in a format that we could read.  He clamed that he called us at home, but instead, he called my husband's cell phone an hour before coming.  I was still bathing and preparing for the day, so his  visit was quite a shock already. 

 

the maintenance man was very arrogant in the way he pointed out things like a dusty baseboard, a dirty cold air return vent, some dog hair on the floor, and a couple of other little things.  I personally pride myself in keeping a clean house.  So, by the time he left, I felt belittled and about ready to cry.

 

as a result, I now have a couple of questions.  First, are new section 8 housing landlords required to take a sensitivity training to learn about how to deal with people who have disabilities?  If not, How can I/we get the ball rolling.  I have promised myself that I will never go through that humiliation again, and I mean it! 

 

The last question I have pertains to the housing inspection rules for this year's inspection.  Is there a heavier emphasis on cleanliness for housing inspections?  The maintenance man said, repeatedly, that the inspectors were leaning heavily on cleanliness.  He said that the inspectors were doing this so that none of the units got bugs and rodents.  He said that there were 3 spiders that were real bad.  I can't remember all their names, but one was supposed to get  in and rot your meat, another one was supposed to have a poisonous bite which would make anyone bitten have to be treated with a medicine, and a person could end up with a staff infection for the rest of their life.  I don't remember what that third spider was supposed to do, but  the man was using scare tactics, and it wasn't called for at all. His whole demeanor was critical and grumpy.

  We had really cleaned the house the night before, including wiping down walls, cupboards, refrigerator, etc.  Everyone cleaning tried their best to make sure that all was clean, as we originally were preparing  for our case manager from Senior and disabled services to come over and do a reassessment concerning our need for a caregiver, food stamps, etc.  We wanted to make sure that everything was spick and span for her visit.

 

However, the maintenance man indicated and made comments saying that our house was not clean.  We've never had bugs, and I absolutely detest a messy house.  We have some clutter corners because of the need to get ourselves some bookshelves.  We will get them when we can afford them.  However, I felt belittled and picked on during the maintenance housing inspection.  It's one thing when someone says, "were you aware that you have dust on the baseboards?"  What I got instead was, "does your caregiver ever do any cleaning?  When did your caregiver last do some cleaning around here?  You should have your caregiver clean the heating vent!" The first year that we lived there and we asked about our home being clean enough, because he was doing some griping, he said, "you have a clean house, for a blind person."  I feel that, despite our efforts to change his ignorant thinking, I still feel that what we've said doesn't matter, and he doesn't care to change his views of blind people.  I feel he discriminates against us by insisting on keeping his ignorant attitude about blindness.  I very much care about my house and feel very insulted by the treatment I received.  No matter where I live, I don't think I should be treated like a second class citizen just because I can't see.    I was really upset, because he was saying that I needed to go out and buy Grease lightening, a commercial cleaner that I had to use gloves and a painter's mask.  that was more indication, to me, that he thought my house was atrociously dirty.  The cleaners we use are ones where we can feel what we are doing on the days when our caregiver doesn't come.  All I can say is that something with positive results needs to happen so no one has to go through things like that again. 

 

Our Case manager for Aging and disability services came to do her evaluation, and told us that our house was in fact much cleaner than last year. She agreed with me that the maintenance man was being critical.  If our house is messy, we're more than willing to change it.  What I'm really objecting to is the treatment my husband and I received on September 14, 2007 from about 9:30AM to 12:00PM.  So, I'd like to know my rights concerning this issue.  What can be done to prevent this kind of incident in the future?  I know that this is long, but it's important.  I don't want to go through  that kind of company housing inspection again.  I don't want to be evicted, as we like the duplex we live in.  However, I want to make sure this isn't going to happen to us again.  If we need to pass some more laws mandating that landlords and their companyworkers go through a disability sensitivity training, then let's do it.

 

thank you for reading this long letter.  I'm hoping to get something heading in a positive direction.  I really don't want anyone else to have this negative experience, and this is mostly why I've written this email.  I eagerly await your response.  thank you again.

 

Sincerely,

 

Sean Ray

 

 

knitting patterns.

If anyone wants knitting patterns, I can send to them privately.  Of course, you can get a lot of knitting patterns from:

 www.lionbrand.com 

I've got a few patterns and one I didn't think I had anymore.

 

So everyone have a good day or evening.  Blessings to you.

 

Sean

 

writing.

I love to write and share, but if you like to write, then feel free to share with em.  Have a blessed day or evening.

 

 

Sean and River
KE7IQY, (ham radio call.)
Come visit my blog
http://seanscoolplace.blogspot.com/
Facilitating the Leap of Faith, In home, small group.
 A proud owner of Prayer Warriors, an email list devoted to intercessory prayer.
prayerwarriors-subscribe@freegroups.net

What time is it?!

    It's time to praise the Lord!  Everyone praise the Lord and just rejoice in Him tonight.  We can choose to be sad and grouchy, or happy and pleasant natured.  So, you decide what you're going to do.  Everyone praise the Lord when you don't feel like it and watch what happens.  don't mock the Lord, but truly praise Him.  I know that God has really helped me through some hard times when I've done that so that's what I want to pass on to you who are reading this.  Have a wonderful day.

 

 

Sean and River
KE7IQY, (ham radio call.)
Facilitating the Leap of Faith, In home, small group.
 A proud owner of Prayer Warriors, an email list devoted to intercessory prayer.
prayerwarriors-subscribe@freegroups.net

hobbies.

What are your hobbies? 

 

I like to knit, do computers, emailing, writing letters, swimming, singing and camping.  I like to go shopping, but only when I can afford it though.  I just hate, hate, hate, clothes shopping.  I just hate picking out something, thinking it will fit, and it doesn't.  GRRRRRR!!!! 

 

So, any other kind of shopping is cool.  Grocery shopping is okay, as long as it isn't mine to do.  It's utilitarian, mundane, but very necessary.  I like to shop for yarn so I can knit things.  Yes, I can knit things that will fit.  So, knitting is something I love to do.  I also like ceramics and beading. 

 

I love to collect things like windchimes, crocodiles, and wildlife figurines.  I like collecting music boxes, bells, shells, rocks, and rabbit figurines, as well.

 

I enjoy playing music instruments.  I was taught the accordion fairly well, it's the instrument where I'm at least at an intermediate level.  I played lots of instruments, but never really got proficient with any of them.  Lately, I've been taking to the woodwind instruments.  I like the flutes and penny whistles.  Those are so much fun!!!  I wonder why I didn't take lessons on those all my life.  It's the first type of instrument where I don't feel I have to be all wrapped up in to the letter, perfection. 

 

Oh yeah, I'm a licensed ham radio operator.  I mostly talk on two meters.  we have a ten meter radio, but most of the time that band is dead.  After about an hour of white noise, I've had enough.  Boy, that's some real excitement!  Not!

 

anyway, if anyone wants to share about their hobbies, that would be cool too.    It's not all about me.  It's about you all too.

Sean and River
KE7IQY, (ham radio call.)
Come visit my blog
http://seanscoolplace.blogspot.com/
Facilitating the Leap of Faith, In home, small group.
 A proud owner of Prayer Warriors, an email list devoted to intercessory prayer.
prayerwarriors-subscribe@freegroups.net

End

River

I have the sweetest dog who's name is River.  currently, he is hanging out  in the back yard catching some long awaited rays of sunshine.  He just loves the sunshine on these mild days.  During the winter, he can be found lying, in the house beneath a patch of sun that shines through the window. 

 

he loves to play.  I mean, he really loves to play, but not by himself.  So, my husband and I will play with him.  When Todd and I are laughing and tussling about, River think it's time to join in the fun too, and he becomes the interceptor.  He's just so very funny that way.

 

River is my guidedog. Yes, that means I'm blind, but my personality and everything I believe in and stand for are bigger than my blindness.  That's what I want anyway.  So, in this place, disabled people are welcome.  In this place stereotypes are not at all welcome.  I want this to be one place where we can be free from those kind of things.

 

So, Yes, River guides me around.  He isn't a school trained dog.  I did all the training myself.  I like it that way.  What I want to do is somehow become licensed so I can help others train their dogs to be service animals.  That would be so cool! 

 

I'm very proud of River.  He is very good.  The only bad thing is that he likes people so much that he would rather guide me to people and I don't want to go to people.  This can be very disorienting, so I try to discipline him and get, "oh he's okay."  Uh, no, he's not.  If he were, I wouldn't be telling him to take me on the path I wanted in the first place.  I feel like saying that to people, but try to be nice.  That consists of me pulling him back from the person and making him rework the area a time or two.  When I travel, I just want to get to my destination.  Traveling is not the time to visit just any old body.  Maybe I don't want to say hello to everyone either.  so, that's the only thing I wish I could really change in River.

 

However, he's such a good boy for a lot of other things, I just have to forgive him and love him.  I just keep praying that  he will stop taking little side visit trips.  He's on duty in harness and gets lots of pets out of harness.  Trust me, he gets a lot of pets out of harness.

 

So, do you have an animal or animal story you want to share?  If so, go for it.

Daughter of Sorrow

Here is a poem I wrote when I first was having trouble with the meth cooks in the apartment complex where I used to live.  I had revised it a little to get it published in the  Write around Portland  Anthology a year ago.  A lot has changed since then.  I read that poem today and still think it would be relevant for others in their trials today.

 

 

I've learned so much since writing this poem.  I realized that there is a better tomorrow.  I know that if I kept pressing into God and praying, then I'd have my victory.  The meth cooks are still in our neighborhood, but I'm more free, because I learned that faith is bigger than emotion.  It goes Faith, Fact, and then emotion.  Faith, fact, and then feeling.  The devil can mess with the emotions, so if you cling to the facts and believe for things to get better, it will happen.  It might not be in the expected, obvious ways.  God is so Good.

 

I just hope that I can use this blog to encourage people, and to talk about real faith, real belief, instead of canned religion and cliché.  That's my heart.  We'll also talk about fun things.  Too much heavy is even too much for me. 

 

Here's the poem.

==========================================================================================

 

Daughter of Sorrow

Sean Ray

Independent Living Resources

 

I come in here to write, and I'm so filled with fright. Anger, sadness, and searing sorrow threatens to cut my heart to pieces!  Do I dare question the Lord? He is the one I'm supposed to bow before. Yet, I feel he's not with me anymore. Where are you Father when I need you the most? I need you and your angels to stand at the sentry post. I'm crying out to you and I receive the land of empty promises. The promises that are sure to me are non-acceptance, terror, and control. Multiple molten mountains could not even contain my anger. Then I ask for a torrential rain storm of relief, and receive a half hearted hopeful drizzle. Is it me who is so full of unbelief? Then, I morn for the hope that has once more abated me. Alas! I want to be free!!

 

My heart cries out with inward screams and shouts. Yet, this huge trial threatens to take me out. I struggle to carry the load that threatens to pull me deep into fear and doubt.

 

Oh Mighty one, I weep, there are too many nights of fretful lost sleep. The thugs that hunt us follow their leader like sheep. This morning I weep as things are so dark and bleak. I sing a sad song for what has gone so terribly wrong. My sadness is so great, Their criminal bondage seems to have sealed our fate. From their clutches, thoughts and actions, I long to escape. In vain I tried to sing sweet songs of the Redeemer and His love and faith, but their hearts refused to hear or participate. I tried desperately to reach out and love, but it was so much easier to hate. Now my heart is sadder still than when it was bursting with anger and hate.

 

So, Master, I tried to love and cast all my cares to you above, but oh such sorrow for even my love was a waste. The bitter tears I now taste for the angry judgment made in haste. May they never remove the seeds from their hearts that you have placed. Oh my heart cries out with such sorrow, yet faithfully hopes for a better tomorrow.

 

Oh Precious Lord, the one I bow before with the crystal crooks, I can't compete. You are the only one who is really there for me, so I wonder,  can it be that going through death is sweet? I would be with you and in you complete.

 

I do want to live, because I have so much I want to give. Shall my life be cut short, because of what won't thwart? How long will you leave me to suffer? I don't know what more I can utter.

 

Great Spirit, hold my hand as I walk through the crystal-like sinking sand, with me everywhere you promised to go, but I feel so desperate and alone. Mere words cannot possibly express my complete sorrow and unhappiness.

 

I'm not into conflict like this. Reading a book, singing happy songs, and tandem bike rides are what I miss. I like a walk in the park or roasting marshmallows just as it gets dark. I long for the life filled with laughter, kisses and hugs – It's fun to only read about hiding from thugs. I may not have the white picket fence life, but I'm happy to be a wife.

 

I do know that we live in reality where life can be living hell for me. Oh, how I long to be free and far away from the cavern of misery – yet it seems to draw ever closer to me. It's like the trench that opens up underground to swallow its struggling victims down. Oh Father, I ask to be free from all this hate and animosity. Oh Great King, on this treacherous path I grow discouraged and weary. Is this what you want for me? What awful thing have I done that my very life should no longer have any happiness or fun?  I no longer can walk my dog independently lest someone snatch him away from me. He helps make my life bright. I feel bad for him as he is also a poisoned innocent victim. It's not right!  I no longer want this jaded life full of tension and fright. Oh, that you would make the heavy burden of the hanging crystal cauldron go away. Can you hear your daughter of sorrow pray?

 

Oh Mountain mover, it is true – With this hardship I am through. If you want me to live, then I need some desperate help, but if you want me with you, please spare me the rest of the tour of Hell, Quietly take me away and with you I will forever dwell. That's all I have to say, That's all I have left in me to pray. I've had enough of this heavy and crooked desperation today, and I'm too weak to live this way. You might have had enough of me, but please hear my final plea. If I could have but one wish granted or one prayer answered, it would be to take this ice epidemic away from this state. So be it.

 

 

end

A poem I wrote

Hello,

I wrote a poem/ prayer some time ago.  It is about the meth cooks in our area and all over the US.  they are basically taking in poison to their system, and to me, it's really sad.  I've been praying for these people for about four years now.  Many people would say, "they are hopeless," but I know that God specializes in the hopeless and the lost causes.  No one is a lost cause.  God made everyone of us.  So, if I could say anything, it would be to encourage you all  not to give up on people.  You, of course should set boundaries, so people don't continue to take advantage of you, but keep praying and hoping, and believing that they can change.  They will with God's help.

 

Now, here is the poem. 

 

UNREACHABLE YOU

 

Unreachable you.  I hope that's not true.  But, there's no way to reach you, for you I have a freeing truth, but you meet me with raging reproof.

 

Unapproachable one, you think you're having so much fun, but push the needle too far and you'll be all done. In the end, the enemy will have won, and he has the virtual gun, and he will begin, slowly, ending your days of fun.

 

Stop!  Look before you step toward another disastrous mistake.  I fight the feeling of oppressive fear because of the choices you make.  You need not live with such bitterness, hate and violent rage, and I am not the one sealing your fate.

 

I wish you could but receive a gift, and please, this time, don't refuse it, because I'm trying to pray you into knowing the truth and lift you out of the destruction pit.

 

I wish you could see, know, and feel what it is really like to be free.  Your grudges and anger command your destiny, but that doesn't have to be, so I pray for you to have real liberty, and en eternal destiny.

 

One day, you're really going to take a big, bad, fall, and I deeply wish, I could break your uninviting walls,  the violence, vengeance, and victimization gives you too much beguiling gall and I wish from you I could take it all.

 

Oh, unattainable you, for me, I think it's true, as I can't reach you, but I know what I can do and someone much bigger than I will be able to change you.

 

Unchangeable you?  For me, that's true, but I hope God gets a hold of you.  I pray, before it's to late, you learn and hold on to the truth.  Just open up and believe without needing a large amount of intellectual proof, and I pray you'll just accept the simple, loving, forgiving, truth.

Sean and River
KE7IQY, (ham radio call.)
Come visit my blog
http://seanscoolplace.blogspot.com/
Facilitating the Leap of Faith, In home, small group.
 A proud owner of Prayer Warriors, an email list devoted to intercessory prayer.
prayerwarriors-subscribe@freegroups.net

end

Finally, my first blog.

Hello and welcome to my first blog, where as you can tell, I've made some mistakes already.  anyway, I'm here to have fun and experiment.  I hope you'll join me and  we can chat.  The aspects of the blog are endless. 

 

Today, I hope everyone is well. 

 

It took a lot of struggle to get here, but now I'm glad that things will finally work. 

 

I'll probably submit some of my writings, and you're welcome to participate.

 

You may upload clean pictures to this blog.  I won't be, as I don't know the first thing about that. 

 

anyway, this message isn't much, but I thought I'd get started at least.  I'll probably be posting several times today. 

 

Everyone have fun.

 

 

Sean and River
KE7IQY, (ham radio call.)
Come visit my blog
http://seanscoolplace.blogspot.com/
Facilitating the Leap of Faith, In home, small group.
 A proud owner of Prayer Warriors, an email list devoted to intercessory prayer.
prayerwarriors-subscribe@freegroups.net

end

test.

I'm testing to see if  my mail will work with this or not.

 

Sean

 

end