All Blog Posts in "Research"
The Buffalo State Hospital Farm Colony, Wilson, New York
June 30, 2014
By Dr. James M. Boles, Senior Research Advisor As the Museum of disABILITY History continues to research the history of Buffalo State Hospital in preparation for a new Abandoned History Series™ publication, more information has been uncovered about the Wilson Farm Colony. Our initial research was directed to the land owned by the Dwight family in the Town of Wilson. This was based upon an inquiry from a Wilson resident and New York State reports. However, with the assistance of the Town of Wil…
Complementary and Holistic Therapies for People with Cerebral Palsy
December 4, 2013
By Virginia Cunningham, Guest Contributor Did you know that approximately 800,000 people in the United States are affected by cerebral palsy? Despite this, we know the potential of the brain is absolutely remarkable and there are many ways to help people with cerebral palsy surpass their current limitations. The sister of one of my friends has cerebral palsy and is the most cheerful person I have ever met, despite needing a walker. She has a great job teaching, is married to a devoted husband, …
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 sprin…
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, t…
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 t…
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 …
Buffalo State Hospital Annex, Wilson NY
October 11, 2012
By Dr. James M. Boles and Melissa Royer, Contributors In 1908, the Buffalo Psychiatric Hospital opened the Lakeside Colony on property rented from the L.A. Dwight family in Wilson, NY. The Colony operated for a little over 4 years and consisted of thirty-three acres, a stone house and farm buildings in the Roosevelt Beach area of Wilson NY. With frontage on both Lake Ontario and Twelve Mile Creek, the Wilson farm provided the patients from Buffalo State Hospital recreation in the form of swim…
Taking a Walk with ReWalk
August 16, 2012
By Sarah Drexelius, Contributor After taking a tour at the Museum of disABILITY History, the picture showing the “Re-Walk,” a robotic exoskeleton immediately captured my attention. Although there were other incredible artifacts and displays about how far technology and society has come in relation to disabilities, this sparked my interest the most. My aunt was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) at the age of 19 and she is now in her 40s. As the disease progresses, walking is more challengi…