Saturday, March 16, 2013
Friday, March 15, 2013
Begging for Food on Amtrak . . . in America?!? Not Even Two Crackers?!? Really?!?
What's happening? Great question. On a recent cross country Amtrak train ride, it became apparent that I needed food. I showed my room attendant my shaking hands and due to requiring accommodation for mobility issues which caused an inability to "go to the food car downstairs" as I was directed by said room attendant, "no" (food) was his final answer.
Shortly thereafter, I fainted. My legs were in the isle and my body was inside my bedroom romette. When I began coming around, it was so magical - there was the food I needed before when I was pleading for just a couple of crackers. All very traumatic and embarassing. (And as a result, I had to leave the train and rest for a few days in a hotel in Kansas.)
Who would ever imagine that Amtrak would decline a shaking woman begging for food and then claim no fault and take no responsibility?
I am legally disabled and when my husband made sure I was safely on the train, I don't believe he imagined that Amtrak would neglect his wife - after all, she made her disability known to Amtrak and her tickets clearly read disability.
As I reflect on Amtrak and what they have said and done since this incident, I see a very generic apology letter - one more appropriate for a backed up toilet. Another letter stated that because I have diabetes "it doesn't appear that Amtrak was liable for the incident." I've never, ever had diabetes. (And if you think about it, what difference does it make when the problem was denying food to a pleading woman. If food were provided when asked for, I wouldn't be writing this - diabetes or not.)
Further, I had another Amtrak employee tell me "this happens all the time on Amtrak.” (Is that in fact something you wish to share Amtrak?)
And, I had an attorney tell me if I had died due to this I would have a case - fortunately or maybe not, I lived and so the same actions that could have led to death turned out well and I'm alive. It is therefore not Amtrak’s problem.
In reaching out to have my needs met, based on my disability, I would pull the call button. It was ignored and in one case it was ignored for 45 minutes.
My bed in my room was left down until noon and I kept hitting my head on it. The room attendant ignored my request to put the bed up. Sometime later, it was put up with a crow bar.
My advice to potential travelers on a cross country Amtrak trip, be prepared to have to accommodate your own needs. These workers in my roomette area were nowhere to be found, ignoring my calls for assistance.
Since my room attendant didn't seem to know that when I was begging for food and my hands and arms were shaking he needed to act, I would advise travelers with issues to not travel alone. It is likely you will need someone to assist you.
It's scary to be on a moving train, in the dark and no help or assistance in sight.
And since Amtrak, based on a $2000 ticket/fare couldn't give me a couple of crackers, be sure to carry your own food. I waited for breakfast (included) for over two hours and it never came.
Somehow it seems that these Amtrak workers don't realize they are dealing with real life and human beings. Travelers on Amtrak need to come to their trip prepared. Once something happens, it is too late and no one at Amtrak cares, especially so when there is no access to any management level personnel. They are kept well hidden.
Amtrak Management: My call button has been on long enough. Begging for food on your trains in America, really? Own up to how wrong this incident was and then get your personnel some basic medical training/knowledge.
It must feel good to you to know that your employees can do anything they want – even at the expense of the safety of the passengers.
And don’t you know that in America, you are not permitted to ignore the needs of disabled passengers – especially when they have been made known? And that is exactly what led to this incident – I absolutely was ignored and denied the staple I needed – food.
Shortly thereafter, I fainted. My legs were in the isle and my body was inside my bedroom romette. When I began coming around, it was so magical - there was the food I needed before when I was pleading for just a couple of crackers. All very traumatic and embarassing. (And as a result, I had to leave the train and rest for a few days in a hotel in Kansas.)
Who would ever imagine that Amtrak would decline a shaking woman begging for food and then claim no fault and take no responsibility?
I am legally disabled and when my husband made sure I was safely on the train, I don't believe he imagined that Amtrak would neglect his wife - after all, she made her disability known to Amtrak and her tickets clearly read disability.
As I reflect on Amtrak and what they have said and done since this incident, I see a very generic apology letter - one more appropriate for a backed up toilet. Another letter stated that because I have diabetes "it doesn't appear that Amtrak was liable for the incident." I've never, ever had diabetes. (And if you think about it, what difference does it make when the problem was denying food to a pleading woman. If food were provided when asked for, I wouldn't be writing this - diabetes or not.)
Further, I had another Amtrak employee tell me "this happens all the time on Amtrak.” (Is that in fact something you wish to share Amtrak?)
And, I had an attorney tell me if I had died due to this I would have a case - fortunately or maybe not, I lived and so the same actions that could have led to death turned out well and I'm alive. It is therefore not Amtrak’s problem.
In reaching out to have my needs met, based on my disability, I would pull the call button. It was ignored and in one case it was ignored for 45 minutes.
My bed in my room was left down until noon and I kept hitting my head on it. The room attendant ignored my request to put the bed up. Sometime later, it was put up with a crow bar.
My advice to potential travelers on a cross country Amtrak trip, be prepared to have to accommodate your own needs. These workers in my roomette area were nowhere to be found, ignoring my calls for assistance.
Since my room attendant didn't seem to know that when I was begging for food and my hands and arms were shaking he needed to act, I would advise travelers with issues to not travel alone. It is likely you will need someone to assist you.
It's scary to be on a moving train, in the dark and no help or assistance in sight.
And since Amtrak, based on a $2000 ticket/fare couldn't give me a couple of crackers, be sure to carry your own food. I waited for breakfast (included) for over two hours and it never came.
Somehow it seems that these Amtrak workers don't realize they are dealing with real life and human beings. Travelers on Amtrak need to come to their trip prepared. Once something happens, it is too late and no one at Amtrak cares, especially so when there is no access to any management level personnel. They are kept well hidden.
Amtrak Management: My call button has been on long enough. Begging for food on your trains in America, really? Own up to how wrong this incident was and then get your personnel some basic medical training/knowledge.
It must feel good to you to know that your employees can do anything they want – even at the expense of the safety of the passengers.
And don’t you know that in America, you are not permitted to ignore the needs of disabled passengers – especially when they have been made known? And that is exactly what led to this incident – I absolutely was ignored and denied the staple I needed – food.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
WE MUST NOT VOTE FOR ROMNEY
Roberta M. Helming
1:35 PM - Public
WE MUST NOT VOTE FOR ROMNEY . . .
Romney has lost his heart and he doesn't care to find it.
Anyone who truly feels that Romney cares about Americans is seriously misled. Yes, he smiles now with his rolled up sleeves. Those sleeves willNOT be rolled up if elected. They'll be no tour bus compassion.
I didn't see anyone in need - the elderly, disabled, the miliary, the poor - anyone whom he could really help during his presidenial Republic National Convention.
I've read he's kissed up to the wealthy to obtain more campaign money. Why doesn't he sell some of his six houses.
And are we supposed to believe that these wealthy donors aren't going to expect things in return? Money that could help the poor and needy will in fact go to causes of these wealthy donors.
He's not for the average American. He's not for the poor, handicapped, military and those who are trying to get by on social security and maybe a small pension - people who did the right thing and never imagined themselves in such dire straights.
Don't make these people suffer any more. Don't cast your all important vote for Romney.
Think about you, your family, your neighbor. Romney doesn't know or care that you exist. He never will. A vote for Romney is a vote against you, your loved ones and friends.
Really think about that one vote you can cast and think about yourself, your needs . . . Romney doesn't care.
Romney has lost his heart and he doesn't care to find it.
Anyone who truly feels that Romney cares about Americans is seriously misled. Yes, he smiles now with his rolled up sleeves. Those sleeves willNOT be rolled up if elected. They'll be no tour bus compassion.
I didn't see anyone in need - the elderly, disabled, the miliary, the poor - anyone whom he could really help during his presidenial Republic National Convention.
I've read he's kissed up to the wealthy to obtain more campaign money. Why doesn't he sell some of his six houses.
And are we supposed to believe that these wealthy donors aren't going to expect things in return? Money that could help the poor and needy will in fact go to causes of these wealthy donors.
He's not for the average American. He's not for the poor, handicapped, military and those who are trying to get by on social security and maybe a small pension - people who did the right thing and never imagined themselves in such dire straights.
Don't make these people suffer any more. Don't cast your all important vote for Romney.
Think about you, your family, your neighbor. Romney doesn't know or care that you exist. He never will. A vote for Romney is a vote against you, your loved ones and friends.
Really think about that one vote you can cast and think about yourself, your needs . . . Romney doesn't care.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Mitt Romney is Totally Out-Of-Touch With Real Americans In Need
We, who are not of his "circle" will be the "dogs" on his roof during his presidency, as with his poor dog Seamus.
How can we elect someone who bullied his fellow school mates? How can be excuse the fact that he cut off a schoomates hair - a major bullying act?
How can we accept the fact that he didn't invite Veterans - those who fought for his freedom and ours - on to his Republican National Convention Stage?
Do we honestly believe that his weathly lifestyle won't be sustained in the White House?
In such an important election, we must face that most people are struggling and Romney is not. Romney is so far out of touch with the people of American and the meager means they must live with, he won't be able to see beyond his privileged status and know what the anwers for us are. Because if we think about it, don't we usually surround ourselves with those who are like us and of life mind. His mind is not like the majority (average) Americans.
Who will live in Romney's numerous mansions while he is in the White House?
Why was he allowed to be excused from the draft so many times?
Why does his church accept his tithings when it is reported he earned his money in ways of which they didn't approve? I guess it says alot about money versus morality.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Roberta M. Helming: Romney, Veterans and the "Little" Guy
Roberta M. Helming: Please remember all the Veterans who made sacrifices - some the ultimate sacrifce, so that Romney could have multiple deferments during the Vietnam War and subsequently live the American dream (that eludes many) by owning many properties and possessing great wealth - God Bless America, for I know the true meaning of wealth, as many Veterans do I'm sure. I'm talking about wealth of a non-material nature that is built on a strong foundation from within one's mind and heart. Many of us know how to live without a lot - Romney's inner foundation depends upon money and material possessions, which are very hollow. His fall would result in difficulty having to learn to live without his false sense of happiness wrapped up in the financial prosperity that is dear to his heart and clearly defines him.
Romney is not for the "little" guy, because he can't relate to them. He needs to live (for a minimum of a week) the life of those of us who struggle, so that if elected president, he knows our pain, struggles and suffering - as every day citizens.
And I'm not referring to people who just don't try to help themselves, but rather people who worked a career during a time when inflation was not so high. In this country, we have retirees who can't pay their bills and buy their medicine - it's a choice at best, because their retirement income was never enough and they haven't received a raise in a decade in some cases.
Does Romney care about that? Does he care to know about that?
Roberta M. Helming: Romney and the "Little" Guy/ Veterans
Roberta M. Helming: Please remember all the Veterans who made sacrifices - some the ultimate sacrifce, so that Romney could have multiple deferments during the Vietnam War and subsequently live the American dream (that eludes many) by owning many properties and possessing great wealth - God Bless America, for I know the true meaning of wealth, as many Veterans do I'm sure. I'm talking about wealth of a non-material nature that is built on a strong foundation from within one's mind and heart. Many of us know how to live without a lot - Romney's inner foundation depends upon money and material possessions, which are very hollow. His fall would result in difficulty having to learn to live without his false sense of happiness wrapped up in the financial prosperity that is dear to his heart and clearly defines him.
Romney is not for the "little" guy, because he can't relate to them. He needs to live (for a minimum of a week) the life of those of us who struggle, so that if elected president, he knows our pain, struggles and suffering - as every day citizens.
And I'm not referring to people who just don't try to help themselves, but rather people who worked a career during a time when inflation was not so high. In this country, we have retirees who can't pay their bills and buy their medicine - it's a choice at best, because their retirement income was never enough and they haven't received a raise in a decade in some cases.
Does Romney care about that? Does he care to know about that?
Monday, September 3, 2012
Roberta M. Helming - Romney and 2012 Election
Roberta M. Helming: Romney placed Seasmus (his dog on the Roof of his Car,) Romney had multiple deferments from Vietnam, Romney didn't mention the War at the Republican National Convention, Romney presented Olympic Athletes as Average America People at the Repulican National Convention - Why Not Some Senior Citizens or Veterans?, Romney Has Multiple Houses, Romney gave $40 Thousand Dollars To His Church Last Year and Yet He Had Dealings With Companies His Church Didn't Approve of - I Guess They Weren't "Ungodly" companies - If He Can't Obey The "Godly" doctrine of His Church, How Can We Know He Will Do The Right Thing as President? After all Both His Faith and The American People Are Important to Him?
Will, We Who Are Among The Suffering American People Be Riding On the Roof of Romney's "Presidency/Car" (words that are interchangeable) as his poor dog Seamus had to do?
Please think about it.
Roberta M. Helming: Romney placed Seasmus (his dog on the Roof of his Car,) Romney had multiple deferments from Vietnam, Romney didn't mention the War at the Republican National Convention, Romney presented Olympic Athletes as Average America People at the Repulican National Convention - Why Not Some Senior Citizens or Veterans?, Romney Has Multiple Houses, Romney gave $40 Thousand Dollars To His Church Last Year and Yet He Had Dealings With Companies His Church Didn't Approve of - I Guess They Weren't "Ungodly" companies - If He Can't Obey The "Godly" doctrine of His Church, How Can We Know He Will Do The Right Thing as President? After all Both His Faith and The American People Are Important to Him?
Will, We Who Are Among The Suffering American People Be Riding On the Roof of Romney's "Presidency/Car" (words that are interchangeable) as his poor dog Seamus had to do?
Please think about it.
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