Katie Rodriguez Banister will answer your on line questions! Click Here to submit a question.

Questions for Katie: (Click on the linked text for Katie's replies)

Hello Katie,
I heard about a famous statement Yitzhak Pearlman made once about "sometimes an artist must figure out a way to make music with what he has left". This was in reference to his breaking a string during a performance one evening. Is there any way you can help me get the information on the particular event and the context? Thank you so much. - Connie Davis

What disability does Paula Abdul have???- Tricia

Hi Katie, I provide personal care for a young adult (15) with severe spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. He has out grown his current car seat, but we are not ready to purchase a van with a lift. Do you know of car seats for adults or adapted captains chairs so that he can still sit in the regular seat? - Melissa

Looking for half slip with protective barrier for working quad. - Iris

I live in a condominium with 7 floors directly on the beach. We have some of our elderly residents in wheel chairs occasionally as well as a guest who has cerebral palsy. They are unable to use the pool or obtain access to the beach. What would you advise? Thank you - Charles

I need to get some information on a musician with a disability? Can you help? - Alessandra

Hi Katie - you were just at my school and I thought you were awesome. You really made me think and appreciate things more then I did before. Thank you. But I what I wanted to ask was my little brother might have a learning disability. We're not totally for sure but the doctor said that he doesn't think he does and that he's just a "slow learner." Sometimes I help him with his homework. He's young so it's just little books that he has to read every night nothing too big. What are some things I should look for or notice to see if there is any chance he might have a learning disability and then bring to see a doctor about it? ........Krystin

Dear Katie,

My uncle died how should I get over it?

I have a 23 yr. old special child and he is looking for a site or information on handicapped communication skills. He is not very good at socializing with his peers. He is going to a Active Rehab program and that helps somewhat but we would like more info to continue at home. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, a concerned mom.... - Debbie

Hi, I'm having trouble defining a switchback or dogleg ramp...can you tell me the difference? I need to add handrails to my ramp. Thank you - Becky

I work as a QMRP in a adult day care for mentally challenged adults. I am researching the options of finding a publisher to publish short stories and art of two of my clients. Do you know where to go to or do you publish other people's works? Thank you. - Christy

What kind of reactions do you get from people in public settings? And how do these reactions make you feel? - Susan

How do you board an airplane in a wheelchair? - Pat

I live in Daytona Beach, Fl. We are having a open to the public meeting on monday to keep driving on our beach. The beach is hard sand and very easy to access by anyone with a disability. Please help me to find some organization here to speak up at this meeting. The press will be attending
too.  Will explain more if you e-mail back.. Thank You  - Sarah 

I live in a condominium with 7 floors directly on the beach. we have some of our elderly residents in wheel chairs occasionaly as well as a guest who has cerebral palsey. They are unable to use the pool or obtain access to the beach.   What would you advise?  Thank you - Charles

For a married couple - things to help with romance and our sex life  - Jon

I have been trying to get help and have been turned down by cap. Is there someway I can get help in the state of NC? The state has given some others help and I need it too. - Linda

I have an antique wicker and wooden wheelchair with no ID plate or stamp of manufacturer. Can you direct me to a site that has photographs of and descriptions of this type of chair. I wish to restore the seat, but want to get it "period" exact before I attempt restoration.

Is there a product that fits between couch cushions that would provide a stable handrail to help someone get up?

My grand-daughter is severely disabled. She is 21 months old and  can no longer use an infant carrier but we can't get a car seat that suits her disabilities. We need a lot of items, such as cups, bath aids, and  everything for ADL's. Where do we go and help for her?

How did Marlee Matlin (deaf actress) have a successful career in spite of her disability?

Do you know of any famous actors who have narcolepsy?

What is the requirement for ramps for wheelchairs like height of rails, degree of slope and width?

How can I fix my house for a person who uses a walker and a wheel chair?

What is the history of the wheelchair?

What does a person do when they become disabled? What resources are there to meet the needs of people with disabilities?

Are there many famous people with disabilities?