Eleven Months In An Institution
July 28 marked my 11th month in a NYC rehab hospital. Here’s hoping I’m out before I pass 12! Nick
Category: Health care and Disability Rights
Disabled Still Forced Into Institutions Just For Turning 21: Open Letter To The Disability Community, August 2009
Obama Administration Signs the CRPD Treaty, But Is In Flagrant Violation Of It, The ADA, Olmstead, and Its Own “Year of Community Living” PR Campaign, As Arbitrary Termination of Medicaid Home Care Services at Age 21 Continues Unabated The recent addition of the U.S. as a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of … Continue reading “Disabled Still Forced Into Institutions Just For Turning 21: Open Letter To The Disability Community, August 2009”
NYC’s 19th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Event
Nadina LaSpina (NYC ADAPT) gives a powerful, stirring speech about how far disability rights has yet to go, and Elaine Kolb sings an insightful song about the medical-institutional complex at the 19th ADA Anniversary Event in Central Park, July 26, 2009.
Democrats Ignoring Long-Term Care, Activists Respond. LET MY PEOPLE GO!
44 years ago, Congress passed several historic amendments to the Social Security Act, the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Back then, there were no home ventilators, there were few medications for managing disease, there were no home Hoyer lifts, and Congress couldn’t imagine the elderly and disabled living at home successfully and independently. The technology and … Continue reading “Democrats Ignoring Long-Term Care, Activists Respond. LET MY PEOPLE GO!”
The ADA Turns 19. Are Businesses Listening?
There is, deservedly, much talk this ADA anniversary of the broken promise that the ADA guarantees people can live in “the most integrated setting” and how Obama just signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) while continuing to ignore long-term care (and the CRPD’s article on community choice). But what … Continue reading “The ADA Turns 19. Are Businesses Listening?”
The First Video Blog Series From Inside An Institution In History
A thank you for watching the video blogs I’ve made, as far as we can tell the first vlogs recorded within the walls of an institution (against hospital policy, obviously). Ninth “Nick’s Crusade” Video Blog: Too Many Setbacks To Count My videos keep getting more elaborate. This one, about all the setbacks I’ve had, features … Continue reading “The First Video Blog Series From Inside An Institution In History”
Native Americans Denied Health Care By Grossly Underfunded IHS
Instead of PAYING THE RENT to the rightful landowners, the White American government stole all the Indians’ land, and now that we control everything, we deny adequate health care on reservations and let them suffer and die. According to this AP story, the U.S. spends more on health care for FELONS in federal prison alone … Continue reading “Native Americans Denied Health Care By Grossly Underfunded IHS”
My Story Taken To The New York City Council
The New York City Council heard testimony today regarding the Proposed Res. No. 1783-A, a resolution urging Congress to pass the Community Choice Act. My partner Alejandra testified, and told my story. For the full text of her testimony, go here: NYC Council Hearing: June 17, 2009
Ninth “Nick’s Crusade” Video Blog: Too Many Setbacks To Count
The Ninth “Nick’s Crusade” Video Blog Ninth “Nick’s Crusade” Video Blog: Too Many Setbacks To Count (June 15, 2009) from Alejandra Ospina on Vimeo. Too Many Setbacks To Count Videographer: Alejandra Ospina Writer/Director/Editor: Nick Dupree Music by The Eagles Footage of The Count from this YouTube video Finished video made with Corel VideoStudio by Nick Dupree … Continue reading “Ninth “Nick’s Crusade” Video Blog: Too Many Setbacks To Count”
“Fighting For The Community Choice Act” music video/photo mashup!!
Please help spread the “Fighting For The Community Choice Act” music video/photo mashup I made. of ADAPT protests for housing and the Community Choice Act. I’m trying for a creative way to get the word out about the CCA. Fighting For The Community Choice Act from Alejandra Ospina on Vimeo. This, the Seventh Nick’s … Continue reading ““Fighting For The Community Choice Act” music video/photo mashup!!”
The Latest Leaked Info on Obama Administration’s Views About The Community Choice Act
Jeff Crowley from the president’s Domestic Policy Council met with the board of the NDRN (National Disability Rights Network, formerly NAPAS1) this week and a summary of how Crowley conveyed the administration’s views on the Community Choice Act was leaked to several listserves online. The disability community deserves to know what the thinking inside their … Continue reading “The Latest Leaked Info on Obama Administration’s Views About The Community Choice Act”
Sixth “Nick’s Crusade” Video Blog: What Life In An Institution Is Really Like, And Why This Entire Model Should Be Replaced
Sixth “Nick’s Crusade” Video Blog from Alejandra Ospina on Vimeo. What Life In An Institution Is Really Like, And Why This Entire Model Should Be Replaced Writer/Director: Nick Dupree Cinematographer: Alejandra Ospina Video put together in Corel VideoStudio by Nick Dupree Full transcript of the video, with links and footnotes This is Nick Dupree for … Continue reading “Sixth “Nick’s Crusade” Video Blog: What Life In An Institution Is Really Like, And Why This Entire Model Should Be Replaced”
Abuse People, Get Rewarded With More Money??
It sounds absurd, right? But that’s what’s been happening with institutions that abuse people with disabilities. First, an example of abuse from my local area: NEW CITY – Frank Zanghi says his blind, deaf son, who uses a wheelchair, was abused when he lived in a facility for the developmentally disabled in New Jersey years … Continue reading “Abuse People, Get Rewarded With More Money??”
Fifth Nick’s Crusade Video Blog: “A Seat At The Table” Determining Health Reform, Doesn’t Include People With Disabilities
Fifth Nick’s Crusade Video Blog: “A Seat At The Table” Determining Health Reform, Doesn’t Include People With Disabilities from Alejandra Ospina on Vimeo. In my fifth video blog, I go after the administration’s health reform deliberations for their lack of inclusiveness. Full transcript of the video, with supporting links and footnotes Hello, this is Nick … Continue reading “Fifth Nick’s Crusade Video Blog: “A Seat At The Table” Determining Health Reform, Doesn’t Include People With Disabilities”
They Tried To Kill My Brother. Insurance Companies Will Always Put Profits Before Human Life
So this is basically how I feel about the insurance industry. “…You tried to kill my brother. Prepare to die.” Years ago, an insurance company did indeed try to kill my younger brother Jamie. The story is basically this: my brother was born with the same disease I have. As soon as he was born, … Continue reading “They Tried To Kill My Brother. Insurance Companies Will Always Put Profits Before Human Life”
Fourth “Nick’s Crusade” Video Blog: ObamaFail! Administration Refuses To Lead On Disability Desegregation
Transcription (as captioned in the video): Hello, this is Nick Dupree for the for the Nick’s Crusade blog. This is my fourth video blog, and today is the 252nd day that I’ve been in an institution because I can’t get access to community services. And it seems that the Obama administration is not going … Continue reading “Fourth “Nick’s Crusade” Video Blog: ObamaFail! Administration Refuses To Lead On Disability Desegregation”
Leviticus and Disability: My Take
Patrick A from PunkTorah asked me to comment on parsha Emor, and here’s what I came up with. Everyone please turn to Leviticus 21, kthx. In this week’s parsha, Emor, Moshe Rabbeinu (Moses) tells us about some of the laws regulating kohanim (Temple priests). After the admonition for kohanim to not have contact with corpses, … Continue reading “Leviticus and Disability: My Take”
Third “Nick’s Crusade” Video Blog: Alejandra Guest Vlog On Good Caregivers
This week, I was interrupted by hospital curfew, and our video work had to stop. Many thanks to Alejandra for stepping up and doing the vlog. I’m glad! — Nick May 3, 2009 Text as transcribed in the video For those of you keeping track, this is Nick’s 248th day of living in a hospital … Continue reading “Third “Nick’s Crusade” Video Blog: Alejandra Guest Vlog On Good Caregivers”
Ablism: Idiotic Comments From Idiots
This post is for Blogging Against Disablism Day, BADD, 2009. As I noted here, ablism (discrimination based on ability) is one of the dumber forms of injustice. It’s dumb because it’s based on falsehoods. Just because someone is in a wheelchair, doesn’t mean they’re deaf or have mental retardation. That man in a wheelchair you … Continue reading “Ablism: Idiotic Comments From Idiots”
Government-Sponsored Ablism and Segregation Tears Families Apart
This post is for Blogging Against Disablism Day, BADD, 2009. There’s a dark part of America’s past (and present) that few are aware of: government taking children from their families and placing them in institutions. It usually goes like this: doctors and social workers identify a disabled child, and advise the parents to send the … Continue reading “Government-Sponsored Ablism and Segregation Tears Families Apart”
Nothing About Long-Term Care In HHS Progress Report
In recent days, I’ve been scouring the HHS email updates for anything of relevance to people with disabilities and our struggle for freedom. Yesterday, HHS put out its Progress Report, “a comprehensive report on the Department’s progress over the first 100 days of the Obama Administration.” (PDF file) It contains NOTHING about long term care, … Continue reading “Nothing About Long-Term Care In HHS Progress Report”
Don’t Forget: Blogging Against Disablism Day This Friday!!
Remember, Blogging Against Disablism Day (BADD!) is this Friday, May 1st (though since it is on GMT–Britain–you might want to make your submission late Thursday). Ablism (discrimination based on ability) is one of the dumber forms of injustice. Speaking out against it is the right thing to do. Please blog about ablism/disablism this Friday. Nick
Second “Nick’s Crusade” Video Blog: ADAPT Action and the Olmstead Decision
Transcription (as captioned): This is Nick, of Nick’s Crusade blog. This is day 243 of me being in an institution in this lovely blue hospital gown. Right now, ADAPT activists are protesting in Washington, DC to end unnecessary institutionalization, like I’m experiencing, and making care available in the community. 10 years ago, there was a … Continue reading “Second “Nick’s Crusade” Video Blog: ADAPT Action and the Olmstead Decision”
ADAPT Press Release: Tuesday’s Protest Blocks Independence and Constitution Avenues
For Immediate Release: April 28, 2009 (Tuesday) For Information Contact: Bruce Darling 585-370-6690 Marsha Katz 406-544-9504 http://www.adapt.org 99 Arrested as ADAPT Blocks Independence and Constitution Avenues on the Hill, then Crawls Up the Capitol Steps Washington, D.C. — ADAPT, the nation’s largest cross-disability, grassroots disability rights organization, took the fight to include long-term services in … Continue reading “ADAPT Press Release: Tuesday’s Protest Blocks Independence and Constitution Avenues”
ADAPT Press Release: Monday’s Protest at the White House
For Immediate Release: April 27, 2009 For information contact: Bruce Darling 585-370-6690 Marsha Katz (406) 544-9504 http://www.adapt.org 91 Arrested When ADAPT Told Obama Administration Won’t Support Inclusion of Long Term Services in Health Care Reform Washington, D.C.— Ten members of ADAPT met with Obama Administration officials in the White House today, and came away disappointed … Continue reading “ADAPT Press Release: Monday’s Protest at the White House”
Medical Personnel’s Hands So Tied By Liability Concerns They Hesitate To Save A Life
Months ago, a serious incident happened on Unit A13. Suddenly, I heard the operator blast over the loudspeaker “CODE BLUE A-APPLE-13!! CODE BLUE A-APPLE-13!!” Aides frantically checked all the patients, coming to me first (because I’m in the first room). They ran up and down the hall. Everyone was fine. “WHERE’S THE CODE??” It wasn’t … Continue reading “Medical Personnel’s Hands So Tied By Liability Concerns They Hesitate To Save A Life”
People Who Sit In The Disability Seats…
peoplewhositinthedisabilityseatswhenimstandingonmycrutches.com is a hilarious blog that highlights people who won’t get up and cede the disability seats on the subway. I love it. It’s the kind of guerrilla citizen journalism that I would love to see more of from the disability community; don’t just gripe about barriers, document them! I’d like to do this sort … Continue reading “People Who Sit In The Disability Seats…”
Removing Disability Vs. Removing Barriers
Should people with disabilities be focused on curing their condition, or be proud of their differences and work for accomodations for them? I’m somewhere in the middle in this age-old disability debate. I would definitely appreciate a cure because of all the suffering and lack of supports I’ve experienced, but I’ve mostly focused on supports … Continue reading “Removing Disability Vs. Removing Barriers”
Community Choice Act (CCA) Re-introduced!!
Today, March 24, the Community Choice Act was re-introduced in Congress by Senator Tom Harkin (D – Iowa) and Representative Danny Davis (D – Chicago)! It’s way past time for this legislation. Medicaid was passed in 1965, when medical technology was not advanced enough to allow severely disabled people to live at home, so institutionalization, … Continue reading “Community Choice Act (CCA) Re-introduced!!”
“That’s Not My Job” (Angry Rant)
For people with severe disabilities like me, you’re paradoxically only as independent (defined here as self-directing, in control of your own daily existence) as the people you’re depending on enable you to be. As I wrote in my last post, if your caregivers are responsive and willing and able to support all your needs, your … Continue reading ““That’s Not My Job” (Angry Rant)”