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”
My biggest beef with Health Care Reform right now is that we’re building a new tower on top of a broken foundation. Medicare and Medicaid are badly broken, and we’re building more programs on top of that. Bad idea. Insurance company bureaucracy is even worse, but federal programs have to be significantly better in the … Continue reading “Fix The Broken Foundation Before Building A Skyscraper On Top Of It”
My friend Dan will love this. In Scrooge McDuck’s first **named** appearance in a cartoon (his first actual appearance was in Spirit of ’43) he teaches Huey, Dewey and Louie about the economy, from the origins of the types of the currency to taxes to inflation, budgeting and investing. It’s good stuff. Great primer on … Continue reading “Financial Advice From Scrooge McDuck (1967)”
My other half and I have been playing and singing this ode to anesthesiologists (called anaesthetists in Britain) for over a week now! It’s really a classic parody! Video available in HD: My favorite lyrics from the song (sung to the tune of Total Eclipse of the Heart) are: ’cause we sometimes check the screen … Continue reading “This Song Has Been Stuck In My Head For Over A Week!”
Once upon a time, I was sitting in class at Spring Hill College, and overheard some pre-class chatter that included a girl mentioning that she worked as a “pharmacy technician” at the CVS Pharmacy my family and I frequently used. Given that this particular girl was not a day over 20, and was about as … Continue reading “Are Pharmacies Operated By 19 Year-Old Girls Safe?”
I’ve been on this ventilator for over 14 years. Some of the topics discussed may be advanced for you, so feel free to ask me any questions you have in the comments (whether about PEEP, low pressure, high pressure, anything)
The media was once controlled by the government. During WWII, the Walt Disney Co. was under U.S. government contract for 32 short propaganda films at $4,500 each, which would save the studio after they spent four times their budget on Fantasia, which had pushed them close to bankruptcy. The films did their best to boost … Continue reading “Donald Duck As A Nazi. Really.”
So, the U.S. has now signed on to the historic UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD). People are saying this is wonderful, the ACLU is saying that it marks America’s return as a world human rights leader (by the way, the Senate has yet to ratify the treaty). I’m concerned that … Continue reading “Is The U.S. The World Leader In Disability Rights?”
I’ve inadvertently stirred up some shit controversy at one of the major medical blogs, Happy Hospitalist (a hospitalist is a relatively new term for a doctor specializing in the care of hospitalized patients). Don’t get me wrong, this story is not black and white; there’s plenty of value in much of what “Happy” writes, I’ve … Continue reading “Nick And The Not So Happy Hospitalist”
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.
Congratulations, Regina Benjamin!! I couldn’t think of a better candidate for Surgeon General than Dr. Benjamin, and I was surprised and pleased that someone from my old hometown that I am familiar with hit the big-time! Dr. Benjamin works in a clinic in Bayou La Batre just south of Mobile, Alabama (where I’m from). As … Continue reading “Alabama’s Own Regina Benjamin, Advocate For Nick’s Crusade, Named Surgeon General Of US”