44th Annual Morgan Cantrell Memorial Heart Fund Show..

WHAT: 44th Annual Morgan Cantrell Memorial Heart Fund Benefit Show

WHEN: Saturday, 2007-02-24 -- 6:00pm-10:00pm

WHERE: Ellijay Elementary Auditorium; Ellijay, Georgia

COST: $5.00 per seat; miscellaneous ways to contribute throughout the evening including cake auction and bbq plate supper that starts at 4:30pm

DESCRIPTION: Heart fund benefit show featuring gospel, bluegrass, and country music performed by local North Georgia artists

NOTES: Host is Steve Purvis

Resource: North Georgia Now Magazine

People First Of Georgia Chartership Application..

Resource: People First of Georgia (email = p1stofga@yahoo.com).

Application for Chartership
Please include *all* of the following information

Page 1 -- Introduction

• Name of Chapter
• Location of chapter
• When will elections of officers be held
• What is your motto or mission statement?

Page 2 -- Proposed Advocacy Activities

• On another sheet of paper please explain what kind of activities and advocacy projects you have planned.

Page 3 -- Contact Information

• You will need to enclose a membership contact list. The list should have the name, address, and email and phone number of every member, officer and supporter of your chapter. We also need a point of contact for your chapter (point of Contact person can not be a supporter.) Start the list by showing who your current officers are and the point of contact and their name, address, email and phone number. (The point of contact person can be an officer.)

Additional considerations for prospective People First chapters

• Every chapter should contact the state officers once a month. Either by phone (their numbers is listed at the top of the enclosed letter), by letter (address listed at top) or by Emailing p1stofga@yahoo.com.
• **You will need to notify the state officers when you have changes in officers within 30 days of that change. **

Statement of Solidarity for the Dignity of PWDs..

A Statement of Solidarity for the Dignity of People With Disabilities: A Reaction to, against the "Ashley Treatment"..

pub6.bravenet.com/guestbook/501900445.

Resource: People First of Georgia.

MH Press Conference: Georgia State Capitol, Tuesday, January 23, 9:00am..

Related to a previous blog post regarding Andy Miller and Alan Judd's AJC articles, forwarding the following in its latest version to hit my inbox.. Resource thanks go out to my friends and mentors over at disABILITY LINK.. In their words,

This is an opportunity for cross disability advocacy - concern for the "services" people receive in state institutions - whatever their disability label.

Thanks for always being there.. :WINK:

Speaking elsewise most respectfully from these shoes that have been there (else it would never have crossed my mind to even say it, ya know, ya know?): To those who will tokenly stand out in this latest mess that is our state's mental health care system, psychiatric survivors will invariably seek you out as the kind and knowing soul who is saying what they wish they had the stremgth, energies, and position to say themselves that very moment, too..

When these sometimes otherwise labeled "consumer survivors" do reach out, answer their phone calls and return their emails, even if it's just to say, "I really don't have an answer for you in your specific case.. You need to take the next step forward by speaking with [these people].." The Life most assuredly in crisis at the other end will 1) appreciate your honesty and integrity and 2) appreciate you are not just in it for the limelight..

Press Conference will be given jointly by the Mental Health Services Coalition--*ALL MENTAL HEALTH-FOCUSED ORGANIZATIONS* (strength in numbers and unity)

Tuesday, 2007-01-23- 9:00am
Senate Press Office
Paul D. Coverdell Leglslative Office Building, Room 201
Atlanta GA State Capitol

Please call, email, write, arm twist or hawg tie your State Senators and Representatives to come.

Nora Lott Haynes
Email: haygreg@aol.com.

Crossposted: Six. Almost Seven...

ILRU/NCIL Online Course: Introduction to Olmstead and Community..

The IL NET is a partnership of ILRU and NCIL. On-line courses are offered with the on-line facilitation support of Utah State University.

COURSE DATES: February 5-March 2, 2007

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: January 22, 2007

ORIENTATION TELECONFERENCE FOR STUDENTS: February 1, 2007

TARGET AUDIENCE: Center and SILC staff, managers, and executives, as well as board members. This is a beginner to intermediate level course.

PURPOSE: Participants will learn about the background and significance of the U.S. Supreme Court Olmstead decision. They will examine a framework for analyzing disability policy that may be used to determine if state and federal laws and programs really support the rights of persons with disabilities. They will also better understand how the ADA formed the basis for the Olmstead Decision and the importance of that decision for people with disabilities. Participants will better understand how and why individuals with disabilities can plan and direct their own services. Additionally, the participants will focus on using the concept of "consumer direction" to support the choices of those who want to leave institutional settings (such as nursing homes) and live in the community with the supports that they need.

INSTRUCTOR: Helen Roth

A full course calendar is on the ILRU Web site at: Calendar.

PAYMENT INFORMATION: The course fee is $65 per participant. Payment may be made by credit card through the Web site at the time of registration. Credit card orders are also accepted by phone at 713.520.0232 ext. 130. Do not send credit card information by e-mail, since such transactions are not secure. Checks or money orders are also accepted and should be mailed with a completed application form. Return your completed registration form and payment to:

ILRU/ONLINE LEARNING 2006
2323 S Shepherd, Suite 1000
Houston, TX 77019

Related links:

• Registration Form.
• How does an online course work?
• eTips for online courses -- written by the instructors
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about taking an online course/training

ONLINE COURSES FROM ILRU: This online course is presented by the IL NET, the national training and technical assistance project for centers for independent living and statewide independent living councils. The IL NET is operated by the Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU) Program at Memorial Hermann | TIRR in partnership with the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL). Online course implementation is facilitated by the Interdisciplinary Training Division of the Center for Persons with Disabilities, Utah State University.

OTHER QUESTIONS: Contact Dawn Heinsohn at ILRU, 713.520.0232 ext. 130

Crosspost: Six. Almost Seven...

FRIDA: "Speak Out About the Ashley Treatment"..

Resource for this information was a member post over at the Disability Convention Yahoo! group..

ACTION ALERT: Speak Out About the Ashley Treatment
Fax, E-mail, and Phone Campaign

Feminist Response in Disability Activism (FRIDA), with the support of Chicago ADAPT (American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today), the national ADAPT community and Not Dead Yet (NDY), invites you to speak out about the Ashley Treatment.

Our Targets: Seattle Childrens Hospital staff involved in the case of nine-year-old Ashleys growth attenuation and sterilization, as well as Melinda Gates, chair of the Seattle Childrens Hospital fundraising committee and Susan Macek, Director of Communications for Seattle Childrens Hospital.

Why: To oppose their permission of what is now known as the Ashley Treatment, and to condemn further permission of such treatments for children with disabilities whose lives are not otherwise at risk.

When: Tuesday, January 9, 2007, starting at 9 am in your time zone.

Contact Info:

Dr. Douglas Diekema, 206-987-2380
B-5520 Emergency Medicine
4800 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105
Fax: (206) 987-3836
E-mail: Douglas.diekema@seattlechildrens.org.

Dr. Daniel F. Gunther
Phone: (206) 987-2380
M1-3 Endocrinology
4800 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105
Fax: (206) 987-3836
E-mail: Dan.gunther@seattlechildrens.org.

Melinda Gates
PO Box 23350
Seattle, WA 98102
Phone: (206) 709-3100
Fax: (206) 709-3252
Email: info@gatesfoundation.org.

Susan Macek
Director of Communications, Seattle Childrens Hospital
Phone: (206) 987-5201
Pager: (206) 469-6310
E-mail: susan.macek@seattlechildrens.org.

Ashley is a nine-year-old with a severe cognitive disability. In order to keep her small and more easily cared for by her family, doctors at Seattle Childrens Hospital are having her undergo hormone therapy to stunt her growth. In addition, they surgically removed her breast buds, uterus and appendix. The Ashley Treatment, as her parents call it, is a medical fix to serious social problems we face in America today. The first of these problems is a lack of quality home-based services for people with disabilities. The second is the social attitude that people with disabilities are less than human and therefore fair game for experimentation. The third is a lack of understanding of disability vs. illness: as Joe Hall of South Carolina has stated, "When I was born my parents knew that I would never walk, but they would have never thought it would be acceptable to cut my legs off."

To review Ashleys parents blog, please see: ashleytreatment.spaces.live.com.

To review one of the original articles as reported by the BBC, please see: news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/6229799.stm.

We need to let the Seattle Childrens Hospital and its fundraising Chairperson know that the Ashley Treatment has not gone unnoticed by those of us who live with disabilities.

For more information, AND TO KEEP US POSTED OF YOUR ASHLEY TREATMENT ACTIVITIES, please call Sharon Lamp at (847) 803-3258 or e-mail Amber Smock at ambity@aol.com.

(Original) Source: Feminist Response In Disability Activism (FRIDA)

Crossposted at: Six. Almost Seven...

"A Hidden Shame": AJC Investigation into Georgia Mental Health Care Hospitals..

***HIGH Trigger warning on this lead for consumer or psychiatric survivors***

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PLEASE NOTE: The reporters and those who assist them are putting together a very extensive investigation into Georgia's mental health care hospitals.. In several places, they give readers the opportunity to provide feedback, either through online comment forms or a phone number for one on one contact..

Overwhelming amount of information regarding the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's newest investigation(s) into what they state as "at least 115 patients from Georgia's state psychiatric hospitals who have died under suspicious circumstances during the past five years".. The reporters have presented so much information, it would be taking a huge chance on copyright infringement with respect to reposting from this keyboard..

Theoretically, this series of articles all starts here:

A HIDDEN SHAME: About this series
www.ajc.com/news/content/health/stories/2007/01/04/0107meshabout.html.

Links to the related articles so far are provided on the left of the screen.. You'll most likely need an AJC free, somewhat lengthy online subscription to view while the information is up there..

For my friends who wish to have alternative formats available, you will need to inquire of AJC directly.. The reporters offer the following phone number for those wishing to contact them regarding this series of articles in particular:

404-526-2640

Crossposted at: Six. Almost Seven...

Event: 2007-01-08/09 Georgia Independent Living Network Meeting

Direct from the SILC (Statewide Independent Living Council) homepage..

SILC of Georgia / Georgia Independent Living Network Meeting Schedule

The Council meets quarterly in conjunction with the Georgia Independent Living Network in various locations around the state. Details on specific locations and times will be disseminated at least 14 days prior to each meeting. Check back [at the SILC website] for info, or if you would like to be on [their] public notice list, please call or email the SILC office. Unless otherwise noted, meeting times are 9am-5pm.

Attendance and participation by the public is encouraged. Please RSVP by phone or email to ensure adequate seating and refreshments as well as materials, which will be made available in alternate formats upon advance request.

Next Meeting: Monday, January 8, 2006, 1pm-5pm
Tuesday, January 9, 2006 9am-Noon
Renaissance Atlanta Hotel
590 W. Peachtree St, NW
Atlanta, GA 30308
Hotel Phone Number: (404) 881-6000

Welcome, Welcome, Welcome.. :)

This latest blog of mine will serve first and foremost as a cyber cache of the best of the hundreds of emails that hit my inbox each day.. The focus for this, the Georgia Disability Advocates' Calendar (GDAC) blog will be meeting, conference, and other related disability advocacy and self-advocacy event information that might be of interest to persons with disabilities in and around Georgia..

As with informational forwards elsewhere, right from the git-go, you will immediately notice credits are openly provided to the originating information that will appear here.. Soo.. The only thing I will ask of others is that if you heard it here first, please consider linking, referring back to the related post..

GDAC began a few years ago as a personal way of getting involved to help promote disability advocacy events occurring throughout Georgia.. It eventually became a full-blown self-advocacy project commitment during my training with Georgia Voices That Count (GVTC)..

Choosing a very resource-rich, open method of operation for the calendar, among other endeavors, comes from my own first experiences of trying to find information out there on the Net, back when "psychiatric survivor" first became a part of my own vocabulary, back when I was desperately, very desperately trying to find something resembling immediate help, assistance of any kind.. More often than not, some info could be found, but, man, oh, man, were sources the best of well-kept secrets.. To the information seeking individual whose Life may be hanging literally by one single string, this can be a very Life-affecting practice, indeed..

'Nuff rambling.. Let's get down to the business of change, involvement, full community inclusion for people of all disabilities by getting out there into our communities and getting involved.. :WINK:

Note: This blog is now officially considered the primary, much more active spinoff of Georgia Disability Advocates' Calendar with the to-be included posts one day finding their way home to the same.. Very occasionally, where appropriate, related photos will be shared through my Mountain Splash profile over at Yahoo! 360..