Dispatches from Ventboy Alcatraz From inside the walls of the institution, Coler-Goldwater, I continued to create content, to blog, and we added video blogging from the inside. I wrote the following blog posts about the institution, where I lived from August 28, 2008 to September 10, 2009: Hey everyone I almost died again – October 15th, … Continue reading “The Coler Chronicles: Collected Bloggings of the Institution Days”
You may or may not know about the medical model and the social model of disability. I wanted to talk about the social model of services and supports for people with disabilities, and barriers to implementing it. When you think about disability internationally, most disabled people in countries around the world are taken care of … Continue reading “The Social vs. Medical Model of Disability, Communities Will Be Forced To Choose”
Hollywood Images of Disability (CHF EDIT) from salome chasnoff on Vimeo. Everyone interested in disability rights should watch this 18min short “Hollywood Images of Disability,” about Hollywood’s terrible treatment of disability, which is normally depicted as something so deformed, so unspeakably terrifying that disabled characters have to be cured (Heidi, Monkey Shines, Avatar, and zillions … Continue reading “Rain Man (1988) and Hollywood’s treatment of disability”
Question: In light of Obama’s plan to expand Medicaid eligibility, is anyone in Congress noticing the MASSIVE state budget cuts to Medicaid across the country and ruminating about how that jives with this impending expansion? I fear that if states have to raise income eligibility and bring millions of uninsured onto the Medicaid rolls, that … Continue reading “Feds Fiddling While State Medicaid Programs BURN”
The ‘swarm has arrived! Bloggers across the globe have united to shine a light on rampant unjust institutionalization and segregation of people with disabilities and ADAPTs Fall Action in Atlanta confronting it! On Disability Unity NextStep blog WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER Finding My Way: Journey of an Uppity Intellectual Activist Crip Human Rights … Continue reading “ADAPT Blogswarm, Fall Action 2009”
ADAPT is going back to the heart of the civil rights movement, Atlanta, to demand that the promises made to Georgians (and all Americans) by the Supreme Court in Olmstead v. L.C. and E.W. are kept. Read ADAPT’s page on the action here. Segregating people with disabilities in institutions solely because they need daily help, … Continue reading “Blog To End Unjust Institutionalization!”
How many months have I been institutionalized? The number of the day August 28 marked a full year I’ve been in a NYC rehab hospital. It was a bittersweet anniversary: sweet because it’s one year since I succeeded in changing my life and moving close to my girl, and bitter because of the myriad of … Continue reading “A Year 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
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”
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.
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!”
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”
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
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”
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”
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??”
Nick’s Crusade Blog – April 21, 2009 from Alejandra Ospina on Vimeo Transcription (as captioned): Hello, and welcome to Nick’s Crusade blog. This is a video blog of day 236 here in the hospital. I’m here in the hospital because I’m waiting for community services, and the [Medicaid] waiver that I’m on just seems to … Continue reading “First “Nick’s Crusade” Video Blog: Day 236 in Hospital”
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”
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)”