LMNH - Updates from Bill Miller 05/09/2010

Hello Everyone! :-)

It's been quite a while since I updated those of you on my master e-mail list, so without further ado, here are my personal, family, and bowling & business updates...

Personal Updates

I'm doing well, just busy as usual, and my two biggest pieces of personal news are regarding graduate school and the Diaphragm Pacing System (DPS).

It's a long story, but I'm planning to begin graduate school at the University of Florida in February 2011 via their Internet-based Master of Science in Entrepreneurship (MSE) program. I'm currently studying for the GMAT entrance exam, which for me could be an EIGHT hour exam. For able-bodied testtakers, the exam is typically four hours, however I have to work by voice and tell a proctor what I need written and/or drawn to help me solve what can be some pretty involved problems. Consequently, I've been granted twice the usual time -- however, an eight hour exam is not my first choice of fun, so I'm preparing diligently so that I only need to take it one time. My exam is scheduled for June 12.

I'm hoping to have surgery for the Diaphragm Pacing System the week following my GMAT exam. The DPS might enable me to become ventilator free. I have been asked to chronicle my efforts to become a successful DPS user in a series of articles / blog entries for the International Ventilator Users Network. For more information, see my first blog entry here:

http://powerwheelchairusers.blogspot.com/2010/03/vent-dependent-quadriplegic-seeks.html

A smaller personal update, for those of you who have been on my e-mail list for a while, you may remember that I've been trying to switch from my old voice software to the newest voice software. Well, I am actually dictating this using Dragon NaturallySpeaking Pro 10 with KnowBrainer. You may have noticed that I only have one space after each period. That's because I'm a rookie with this program, and even though I thought I successfully told it to put two spaces after each period -- it's not listening -- which is ironic for voice recognition technology that is ALWAYS listening! LOL.

Family Updates

The biggest news, family wise, is that my Dad, Jim, is running for school board! He wants to use his experience and approach to help make a significant positive impact for the kids and future of Lake County. I am his webmaster and you can check out his election website here:

http://www.electjimmiller.com

My Stepmom, Donna, is up for reelection as a county judge, so we have two campaigns going concurrently. Donna loves her job, she's good at it, and she wants to keep it for six more years. I am her webmaster also and you can out her website here (although I need to update it because she's not currently on TV; she has an opponent and there is a rule that each candidate must have equal airtime, consequently her TV show is not currently airing):

http://www.judgedonnamiller.com

Bowling & Business Updates

Would you believe that I, someone who is paralyzed from the neck down, have actually bowled 10 games of 200 or better? Yep. I mention that to illustrate the point that ANY wheelchair user -- who can safely operate his/her chair -- CAN BOWL in dynamic fashion with the IKAN ("I can") Bowler. For details, including the scoresheet of my 10th 200+ game, click here:

http://www.wheelchairbowlingrecords.com/Bill_Miller's_4th_201_and_10th_200_Game.htm

And I have GOOD NEWS for both wheelchair users who are interested in bowling and also for existing & potential investors in our company (Manufacturing Genuine Thrills, Inc.).

We just received government approval that will make IKAN Bowlers available to essentially all appropriate individuals and groups that receive government funding, including: Veterans, VA Centers, Rehab Hospitals, Public Schools, etc. Technically, what we received is a GSA Schedule 78 Approval, which makes it relatively easy for the above entities to acquire IKAN Bowlers via the federal government. If you're interested in bowling or possibly investing in our company, please let me know.

Thanks and God bless!!!

Bill Miller :-)
C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 221 High Bowling Game
Co-founder of Manufacturing Genuine Thrills Inc. d/b/a MGT
My blog: http://powerwheelchairusers.blogspot.com
Business website: http://www.ikanbowler.com
Personal website: http://www.lookmomnohands.net