Sign Fail in Unit A13
Photo credit: Alejandra Ospina This failed sign says “STORAGF.” People don’t realize it’s broken (a fitting metaphor for this place). Inspired by FAIL BLOG
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)”
Disability A “Social Construct?” Not If You Lack Supports
Who is more disabled? The successful banker who happens to be quadriplegic, and gets up each weekday (with the help of assistants) and goes to work, contributing to the community and pulling down over $100,000 a year? Or the dude who still lives in his mom’s basement, who can do chin-ups, run and jump, but … Continue reading “Disability A “Social Construct?” Not If You Lack Supports”
Lucky Unit 13 (Long Essay on Institutional Living)
Because Medicaid makes getting on home care waivers ridiculously complex and difficult, whereas institutionalization is easily funded, I ended up here, at a city rehab hospital while I wait for home care to be set up for me in Manhattan. This is my waiting period. Institutionalization, the most costly, elaborate and inconvenient option, is the … Continue reading “Lucky Unit 13 (Long Essay on Institutional Living)”
Rising From The Ashes
I used to be a big activist. I made a national splash fighting Alabama Medicaid’s arbitrary cut off at age 21 (NPR story here) in a campaign dubbed “Nick’s Crusade.” It was years of legislative work, followed by half a year of lawsuit work, and a sustained internet and media campaign throughout. I saved myself, … Continue reading “Rising From The Ashes”
Obama Victory A Great Moment, Now The Hard Work Begins
Wow! What an amazing night. When NBC News abruptly announced that Barack Obama had become the 44th President of the United States, I was watching with my girlfriend. We were yelling with joy. I yelled “VIRGINIA IS BLUE!!! I CAN’T BELIEVE IT! VIRGINIA!! IS! BLUUUUE!!!!!!” Outside the hospital room door, we could hear the staff … Continue reading “Obama Victory A Great Moment, Now The Hard Work Begins”
Why I Voted For Obama
Today, November 4th is the big General Election in the United States. Last week I mailed in my absentee ballot and voted for Barack Obama for president. Why? Here’s why: While it’s always a bit difficult for me to vote for one of the two dominant parties (whose incompetence, lack of principle or outright corruption … Continue reading “Why I Voted For Obama”
Hey Everyone, I Almost Died … Again
Wow. Last Thursday was my first CODE BLUE since February 1992. Human error + clogged lung = over 10 min hypoxic and unconscious. And it led to a not-so-happy jaunt to Bellevue ER which was ultimately pointless aside from the observations gleaned, and my first sight of the Empire State Building from the back of … Continue reading “Hey Everyone, I Almost Died … Again”
Providing A Soft, Pillowy Landing For Stupid CEOs?
AP: Economists see financial bailout as necessary O RLY?? It’s hardly the soup kitchen for people at the very top. The chairman of Lehman Brothers, Richard Fuld, still has his mansion in Greenwich, CT, his oceanfront estate on Jupiter Island in FL, and his Park Avenue co-op in Manhattan. Many at Lehman blame Fuld for … Continue reading “Providing A Soft, Pillowy Landing For Stupid CEOs?”
Living In A City of Immigrants: Dismantling Anti-Immigrant Ideas
I don’t live in Alabama anymore. I live in New York City in a rehab hospital now. This song, “City of Immigrants” really captures the heart of this city (and I love folk music). Hat tip to Mark for pointing out this video! This is a great city, and probably the most diverse on Earth. … Continue reading “Living In A City of Immigrants: Dismantling Anti-Immigrant Ideas”
View From Coler Hospital
Thanks to Aaron, who visited Sunday, we have this great photo of the view outside where I’m living at Coler hospital:
I Now Live at Coler hospital. My first twitter feed from NYC. Sept. 15
Here’s what I posted to Twitter today: 16:52 The doctors (rehab, pulmonologist, ENT) finally decided on a new trach. Thank G-d, this old trach simply won’t work anymore. # 17:07 The new trach is being rush ordered and should arrive Wednesday. # 17:08 In Coler day room, in makeshift manual wheelchair. Aleja rigged pillows so … Continue reading “I Now Live at Coler hospital. My first twitter feed from NYC. Sept. 15”
Today’s Twitter Feed, Aug. 12, ’08
Here’s what I posted to Twitter today: 04:09 I wonder how long i can sustain this level of busy-itude before I crash? A week? A month? # 04:14 Genesis 2:18 is important. # 04:20 Religion is like an ice pick, it can create (sculptures, cocktails, etc.) or destroy (murder weapon). Let’s make it more of … Continue reading “Today’s Twitter Feed, Aug. 12, ’08”
Will Obama Listen to the Disability Community?
Good news…I managed to get my “Medicaid: Why It’s Broken and How To Fix It” post in the hands of Obama’s disability vote director. He sent me an email saying “Got it. Thanks.” I’m really glad my message got through to the Obama camp (I wish I could get an email to the McCain people … Continue reading “Will Obama Listen to the Disability Community?”
McCain Not Supporting The Community Choice Act
In my last post, I mentioned various politicians who are co-sponsoring and supporting the Community Choice Act: New England has already caught on–MA and NY passed similar legislation years ago. Congressmen from both parties have signed on to the bill, which was formerly named MiCASSA; how can you argue citizens shouldn’t be able to choose … Continue reading “McCain Not Supporting The Community Choice Act”
Medicaid: Why It’s Broken and How To Fix It
The point of this post is to explain what the Medicaid system is to the uninitiated, and describe the vast inequalities between states, and the gangrenous corruption that undergirds the system. First off, before I begin, Medicaid is NOT the same as Medicare. And if you talk like you don’t know the difference (o hai … Continue reading “Medicaid: Why It’s Broken and How To Fix It”
Happy 50th Birthday NASA!
Wow. NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, turned 50 today! Happy Birthday, NASA! Dear NASA: develop a working shuttle pls, and harvest Helium 3 from the Moon for nuclear fusion power to save humanity from the energy crisis, kthx. I can haz moonwalk.
Weird SHC History: 45th Anniversary of Lee Harvey Oswald Speech
Hey fellow history buffs: Here is some very, very weird history for you all. On this day 45 years ago, July 27, 1963, Lee Harvey Oswald spoke at Spring Hill College. He gave a speech to Jesuit seminarians discussing what daily life was like in the USSR, which he defected to. He worked there from … Continue reading “Weird SHC History: 45th Anniversary of Lee Harvey Oswald Speech”
New Blog Title
My blog is changing and advancing as I evolve and grow as a person. Its new title is based on this book. And this song. 🙂
Relocating Nick: The Current Game Plan
As I mentioned in this past post, I’m working hard on changing my life and relocating to a new situation. I’ve begun searching harder and harder and we’ve put up a web page to explain my situation and ask for help: http://nickscrusade.org I’ve got a lot of desire and ambition and am chomping at the … Continue reading “Relocating Nick: The Current Game Plan”
Nick Dupree Published In National Textbook
My latest accomplishment is that this article of mine was published by the Greenhaven Press imprint of Gale Publishing in their Opposing Viewpoints Series, which is heavily used both in libraries and high school and college courses, to introduce differing views of the issues. I’m in the 2008 edition of Opposing Viewpoints: Health Care, if … Continue reading “Nick Dupree Published In National Textbook”
New Poem: June 11, 2008
Whirlwind Tumbling on a troubled seaand drifting downthe stream of consciousnessmy mind circling, overwhelming me. Rivers never stop runningover the spiked rocks,neon fishes and warped clocksnever stop bringing me back to you, a soul shimmering and wise,even covered in someone else’s dirtcan’t escape penetrating eyes. I look up at theblack rapids swirlbroken kaleidescope haloall around … Continue reading “New Poem: June 11, 2008”
Nick’s Crusade Part II
I got back http://nickscrusade.org/ and it is focused on relocating me. Mom’s health has declined, Alabama will not pony up for additional supports (other than a nursing home) and I really need to get to a better state or I’m gonna be screwed. I’m looking hard at NYC, Minneapolis, Portland, and other areas for the … Continue reading “Nick’s Crusade Part II”
Follow me on Twitter
For those of you who use Twitter, you can see my near-daily notes at http://twitter.com/nickdupree For those of you who have no idea what Twitter is, it is a social networking site where you can “micro-blog,” i.e. send updates to your friends in 140 characters or less. For more, see the Twitter Frequently Asked Questions. … Continue reading “Follow me on Twitter”
New Poem: May 28, 2008
Psychedelic Angel It’s understandableto doubtin a world of pain! darkness! disappointment!I can only pray the scales will level out I tryto understand,Psychedelic angel,take my hand!Nothing will stopa phoenix,rising from the sand. Let us try togo the other wayI sometimes try to pass as nothingbut my dreams give me away Psychedelic angel,come to me!I’ll work it … Continue reading “New Poem: May 28, 2008”
My First Poem / Song In Five Years
Nothing’s Gained Without Loss Take me.Take me to the indigoShut offshut off the radioendless in my brainshow me the lightthat isn’t an oncoming train Nothing’s gained without lossI understand the raindrop can’t create withoutlosing its shapeon the grass-tips. Strip itall away soonlose itshed my cocoonwithout a traceFall!I have faithand uncovered face Change me!Create again.
No "Personal Responsibility" For Corporations?
Justices Shield Medical Devices From Lawsuits Ok, basically, thanks to this Supreme Court ruling, corporations can make products that kill your mom, and can do this with total impunity and have no “Personal Responsibility” whatsoever. They are invincible. You have no recourse as long as the product was rubberstamped by the all-too-fallible, all-too-bribable FDA. Of … Continue reading “No "Personal Responsibility" For Corporations?”
After 26th birthday, getting back on track
Last night, I turned 26. I hope I can do something better with my 26th year than my 25th! Here’s to a new location and new opportunities in my life! Nick
My Virtual Seminar
Last Saturday I gave my advocacy seminar I’ve given all over the country, in Second Life (SL). You can view the PowerPoint and read the full transcript of the event here:Grassroots Advocacy in Second Life: Namav Abramovic (Nick Dupree) Also check out Aldon’s blog, where he juxtaposes my speech with a recent Obama speech. It … Continue reading “My Virtual Seminar”