Monday, August 25, 2008

Web 2.0 Expo, SXSW, Scripting Enabled-Seattle

Matt and I are speaking at the Web 2.0 Expo in New York City on 17 September. I look forward to seeing familiar faces!

We submitted a panel to SXSW called, “Inclusive Universe 1.0.” I would love to get back to Austin to be involved in the cutting-edge dialogs that happen there, so please support our session. Only 4 more days to vote, so do it now!

I *really* wanted to attend Scripting Enabled in London next month, but won’t be able to. So, I asked Christian if we could continue the work in November here in Seattle. He agreed, so Adobe (Thanks to Matt), will be hosting Scripting Enabled - Seattle, 1 and 2 November. We’re looking for sponsors, volunteers, and attendees, so drop me a line if you’re interested. We’re wrapping up the book in the next few weeks, but should have registration and other relevant bits of information available soon. In the meantime, book your travel and prepare to have a blast hacking!

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Please donate to help Nick move to New York

I received this through the DO-IT discussion list. Please consider a donation to help help Nick cover $3000 in moving expenses.

If you've never heard of Nick Dupree, a quick search on the web will bring up some interesting facts. Nick is a 26 year-old health care activist, writer, and former student from Spring Hill College in Mobile, AL. He also has an undiagnosed physical disability which necessitates the use of a motorized wheelchair and a ventilator to breathe at all times, and he requires 24 hour physical assistance to live.

In 2003, he made a major impact with his campaign to change Medicaid in Alabama by staying in the community and keeping himself and others out of nursing homes, dubbed "Nick's Crusade." (You can read more about it at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:NickDupree

Unfortunately, though his campaign was officially successful, services and supports in Alabama remain abysmal. He receives 16-hours of nursing care per day, and his elderly grandmother covers the remaining hours. The nursing care has been so unreliable, that beginning in 2005 he was unable to continue attending college classes. There is no way to reach his goals of safe independent living in AL, despite his past role as a national advocate.

With his primary caregivers facing age and serious illness, and a brother with nearly identical medical needs, there just isn't enough help to go around. It's become more and more difficult and dangerous for Nick to remain at home. As his support network weakens, he faces institutionalization (or worse) unless he can live in a state with better services.

To that end, Nick launched a broad effort to relocate, and his network of friends and associates have helped him plan and execute a transition to the state of New York. By the end of August, Nick Dupree will enter a rehabilitation hospital, where he can finally begin to receive much-needed services. He can also begin to plan a transition to independent living in New York City, where services are more readily available to people with significant physical disabilities.

This is a vitally important move, with significant costs to match. A minimum of $3000 USD must be raised to cover necessary expenses of air fares for himself and his caregivers, transportation on the ground in New York, and temporary accommodations for care givers as he gets settled in. Donations are being coordinated through the Ophoenix Public Benefit Corporation, based in San Carlos, CA, a charitable organization dedicated to assisting patients with disabling medical conditions such as Nick's.

Please help us raise money to relocate Nick from Alabama to New York. To donate by credit card or use a PayPal account you can visit: http://www.ophoenix.org/donation_NickDupree.html

Your donation will automatically be credited to Nick's fund. To donate by check, make your check payable to "Ophoenix Public Benefit Corporation", and write "For Nick Dupree" on the check. Please mail your check to:

Ophoenix Public Benefit Corporation
774 Knoll Drive
San Carlos, CA, 94070

For more information, contact the Friends of Nick Dupree: friendsofnick@gmail.com