All Blog Posts
Haunted Misperceptions
April 26, 2013
By David Mack-Hardiman, Contributor
While the computer age has revolutionized the world and forever changed the way that information is received, it has also given almost unlimited ability for people to stretch the truth, distort reality, and give imaginary thoughts a non-fictional spin. Hidden behind pseudonyms and user names, people are given an unchecked license to lie.
A few years ago, I was trying to find more information about the Wheater Road Cemetery in Collins, NY, whi…
Shattering the Stigma of Institutionalization
March 15, 2013
By David Mack-Hardiman, Contributor
The fall of 1928 was an exciting time for John and Molly and their young family in Whitesboro, New York, a sleepy town outside of Utica. Molly was expecting their fifth child and their older children were eagerly looking forward to the change of seasons and holiday season.
Born in New York City, John was orphaned at an early age and was raised by members of his extended family in Central New York. He was a book keeper for a local business, vo…
Lockport Mineral Spring Mystery
February 6, 2013
By Dr. James M. Boles and Melissa Royer, Contributors Because Niagara County has the notable Niagara Escarpment running along its width—east to west—there were, and still are, many natural springs as the ground water eventually flows north to Lake Ontario. Research and reading about mineral springs in the eastern United States shows a pattern of discovery by early travelers and settlers and their reports often mention the local Native Americans using the springs for medicinal purposes. A spri…
I Sing The Body Electric
January 25, 2013
By Douglas Platt, Museum Curator and Thomas Stearns, Researcher The Museum recently acquired two fascinating therapeutic instruments from the early twentieth century—"The Master Violet Ray” and "The Monitor Electric Battery.” These were types of high-frequency generators that were made for in-home medical applications. Today’s entry focuses on the Master Violet Ray, which carried the tagline: "No home should be without one." Manufactured by the Master Electric Company in Chicago, Illinois, …
History of a Home
December 28, 2012
By Meghan McMonagle, Contributor You cannot help but be moved when you are confronted with images of old asylums at the Museum of disABILITY History, located in Buffalo, NY. The majestic exteriors poorly represent the deplorable conditions concealed inside for patients who were forced to reside there, removed from participating in society. Asylums have become a part of America’s past; however, parts of our society still resist the integration of people with disabling conditions into their…
Celebrating Our Victories as we Move Forward for More - Part 2
December 18, 2012
By Osiris Gomez, Contributor The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) has made some significant strides, but more needs to be done. We need to keep pushing because areas that contribute to life satisfaction are still problematic, namely gainful employment. “I would give anything in the world if I could work, but now it’s much more obvious that I am disabled,” said Deborah Lewis, who has fibromyalgia, in an interview with SHRM Online. “I can’t even get an application. No one wants to …
Celebrating Our Victories as we Move Forward for More - Part 1
December 11, 2012
By Osiris Gomez, Contributor July 26, 2012 marked the 22nd anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, (ADA). President George H.W. Bush signed the act into law in 1990, which proved to be one of the most far-reaching civil rights bills in the U.S. history. Understandably, it also marked a huge step in the long struggle for disability civil rights. Thanks to the bill, individuals with disabilities are more protected. To name a few of the provisions in the ADA, employers…
My Emotional Adventure Fighting Bullying in Buffalo, NY
November 20, 2012
By Jesse Saperstein, Esteemed Guest Contributor On Thursday, October 4, 2012, I had the privilege of delivering a lecture at the University of Buffalo. The lecture was part of the "disABILITIES Film Festival and Speaker Series," an annual event hosted by People Inc. and the Museum of disABILITY History. People Inc. is the parent company of the Museum of disABILITY History.
Curator Doug Platt leads Jesse Saperstein on a tour of the Museum.A man named Doug gave me a tour of the Mus…