NYC Sentinel

There was a certain informality, bordering on disorganization, about the monthly Disabled in Action meeting held in the first floor auditorium of Selis Manor in Chelsea on Sept. 13. Although chairs had been put out, many members rolled their wheelchairs right up to circular tables arranged around the room. By 1:30 p.m., the meeting had begun and the room was abuzz as whispered conversations took place among familiar friends, forcing Paula Wolff, the group’s president, to raise her voice several times.

Throughout the meeting, Edith Prentiss, the vice president, whizzed around the room stocking the snack table and collecting membership documents. Daniel Porro hovered around to make sure that the information table was set up, speakers were identified and that the microphone was audible.

The bulk of the meeting was dedicated to healthcare plans as Nadina LaSpina made it her mission to explain to members how President Obama’s healthcare reforms will affect people with disabilities. Next, Jean Ryan announced that after three years, Disabled in Action has finally had a face-to-face meeting with Duane Reade executives after an access lawsuit against the drug store. On a tangent, Prentiss suddenly announced that she finally had a ramp installed at her apartment building. Judging from the applause, it has been an ongoing struggle.

As the afternoon drew to an end, the discussion took on a lighter note. One member enthusiastically shared that a new television series, “Brothers,” will star paraplegic actor Darryl Mitchell. The consensus around the room is that this is a little victory for people with disabilities and entertainment. But the conversation quickly turned to a running TV series, “Glee.” The resident entertainment enthusiast reports that Kevin McHale, an able-bodied actor who plays a character in a wheelchair on the series, is alleged to have said that he was relieved that he could get out of the chair at the end of a shoot.

Some showed their disgust, booing. One member saved the conversation when she recommended the blind stand-up comedian Brian Fischler, who pokes fun at his own disability and how people react to him.

By 4 p.m. the meeting came to an end. The Access-A-Ride van arrived, the display table was packed up, and the room cleared out. Everyone said goodbye to old friends.

— Lynsey Chutel