Isn’t That SPECIAL!

Over the past 43 years, people have reacted to me in many ways. The two extremes are those who seem to treat me as if I don’t exist, and those who place me on a pedestal.

There are times when I’m at restraint, the waitress looks to the person I’m with to ask what I want. In these instances (and others in the community), I regard them as opportunities to
educate people. I don’t mind people staring at me as I open doors at the Mall or other stores. In fact, it’s kind of fun watching people (especially little old ladies) freak out as I sit there in my wheelchair and hold the door for THEM!

When I’m treated like I’m special, I become a little uncomfortable. When they use terms like “HERO”, well, I’ll just say that it’s not a word that I’d use to describe myself. I just try to be an Ordinary Average Guy.

Even though I'm a little uncomfortable with the "HERO" label, there is a contest to give 3 new wheelchair accessible vans to "Local Heros." My current van is starting to become unreliable... got stuck last week at the bowling alley & had to pay $60+ for the 10 mile accessible cab ride home (PLUS $50+ to fix the thing PLUS I gotta take it in again next week to fix something else), but it was late at night & you do what ya gotta do.

Anyway, vote for me every day the rest of the month and use Promo Code: 995, 818 or 989 for extra points! Vote once every 24 hours through the end of April (try each code once, then vote without a code). Help me get a new vehicle!!!

AND SPRESAD THE NEWS!!!

thanks,
steve

Here’s some info about the contest

National Mobility Awareness Month
National Mobility Awareness Month is a proclaimed month that will be celebrated throughout the month of May. The purpose is to educate the public that people with disabilities constitute the 2nd largest minority group in the United States. Over 18 million people in the U.S. and Canada have mobility issues. Six million of those are veterans.

This website is where we share the stories of people with disabilities who are dealing with and overcoming their mobility challenges. We are also asking people to submit their stories to be showcased by national and local media over the upcoming months. Favorite stories will be voted on by your friends, family and peers, and the winners will be awarded a new customized wheelchair accessible vehicle.

http://www.nmeda.com/mobility-awareness-month/heroes/missouri/kansas-city/549/steven-hurst

Here’s something that a friend wrote about me & my wife when she
forwarded my email asking for votes:

Hello sweet friends and family! Please take just a moment to read this important message and help my dear friend Steve win a new wheelchair accessible vehicle (which he NEEDS). He might be uncomfortable with the label "hero" for himself, but I am not. For those of you who do not know him...Steve and his wife Luanne are two of the most amazing individuals I have had the pleasure of knowing. Steve was paralyzed at the age of 16 and has made it one of his lifelong endeavors to teach others that a person with a disability can (and should) be just like everyone else. He married Luanne who has got to be an angel among us. She is like no one else I know! Luanne works at TLC, a Children's Therapeutic Learning Center. They adopted not one, but two children with developmental disabilities, Mark and Michael. Years ago I was lucky enough to work with both of them as a Life Skills Teacher (mostly worked with Michael though) and I learned as much from them as they hopefully did from me. Sadly, Mark passed away a handful of years ago due to complications of lifelong health issues. He is missed dearly by us all. Michael (who is now 26 I believe), works part time at Petsmart in Kansas City and we talk regularly. He is part of our family. They all are and we love them whole-heartedly.


Together, they live quite a life of service - so giving and kind and are always there to lend a helping hand to others. Steve is such a kind, considerate, selfless man and quite the comedian! I am blessed to have him in my life and our family's lives. I wish this was more than a contest for a new van, as he deserves so much more. Steve and Luanne truly shine their light in this world and are an example for us all. I know someday he will be rewarded tenfold though for all the love he shares.

Please take just a second out of your day and click the link, vote for Steve and enter Promo Code 989, 995 &818. http://www.nmeda.com/mobility-awareness-month/heroes/missouri/kansas-city/549/steven-hurst

Also, it would mean the world to me if you would please share this email with all your friends and encourage them to vote as well. I will be posting it on Facebook too which is another great way for us all to share it. I would love to send this message around the world and get him that van. It is just a small fraction of the appreciation he deserves for being such a wonderful person!

Here is the link again: http://www.nmeda.com/mobility-awareness-month/heroes/missouri/kansas-city/549/steven-hurst

Thank you!

Love,
S---- K----