I start a new email message. I agonize over the addressees. Should I include my boss? Should the lead developer and the contractual developer both receive it? Come to think of it am I even supposed to communicate directly with a contractor? Subject field. Thinking carefully I make several typos just getting a five word…
Last year I told the story of Two Remarkable Veterans. What have they been up to since their military service? Ben Branscomb, M.D. Earlier this year Dr. Ben Branscomb was inducted into the Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame. Ben V. Branscomb, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.C.C.P. Dr. Ben Branscomb’s career forever…
Touring the National Library Service One of the first things that was restored to me following the loss of my eyesight was the ability to read. I was still in the hospital when the talking book player from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, NLS, arrived. The taped instructions were…
My day job is with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, VA. I’m part of a team that ensures that software used by VA is accessible by individuals who have disabilities. Ellen is our director and Mary Lou, ML, is one of my colleagues. In late March Ellen called me. “Hey woman,” she…
As I turned into our driveway at the end of our Sunday morning walk my feet crunched on dry dead leaves. “Wow,” I said to Jim, “it’s not even September and look at all of these fallen leaves.” “I know,” he replied, “It’s been so dry. I guess that’s why the leaves are starting…
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY UNIFORM First-year students will require: Three sets of plain work robes (black) One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar) One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings) Please note that all pupils’ clothes should carry name tags When I read…
This news item was broadcast on the Fourth of July, twinty-nine years ago. I was at Seeing Eye, training with my first dog, Sadie. My instructor was Gary Matoon. NBC News story, broadcast on July 4, 1985. From Chapter 19, Her Name is Sadie “Hello Ms. Wiygul, I’m Gary Matoon and I’ll…
Daddy Pete His name was Lee McGriff, Jr. He was a husband and father. He was a naval aviator, flying off of aircraft carriers in the Pacific Ocean during World War II. After the war, he took over his family’s insurance agency and, over the following fourty years, built it into the powerhouse it is…
I rested my left hand on the trolley which, in turn, rested on the steel cable above my head. Making sure the thick leather padding in the glove of my right hand was straight; I rested it on top of my left hand. At George’s say so, I let my weight rest…
Today, Jeri retires from a thirty-nine year career with Veterans Affairs. We’ll miss her. I’ve never known anyone who embodies the ideals of customer service so perfectly. I first met Jeri when I worked at the Birmingham VA medical center. Jeri worked at the VA Office of Information field office near the medical center. VA…