We would like to thank all members and friends of the Alliance for their patience & forbearance over the last several weeks in the heavy amount of e-mail & attachments you all have been receiving. While some of you are very active in your own communities on behalf of ALL disabled, it is the Alliance's primary objective to keep interests that involve the entire Disabled Community "in your face" so to speak. To help you understand the Alliance's objectives, we have attached our Mission Statement. For those of you who have already received it, please bear with.
NAOTD/AccessHOPE has grown rapidly over the last two months, supporting well over a hundred members. THANK YOU ALL so very much for your support.
WHAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED: By driving you all insane with our posts, we have brought about a greater awareness on the Medicare/Medicaid battle that still continues & the on going war in the House of Representatives over the "Istook Amendment". It is important that we do not let these two important issues fall by the wayside. We urge you to continue voicing your opinion on the unfair cuts to our support systems and the amendment that would severly limit all non-profits from lobbying in your behalf. PLEASE continue to e-mail/ write the President & your representative via the online addresses we have supplied. If any of you do not have this information, drop us a note and we will see that you get it.
NAOTD/AccessHOPE have their own PAGE on the WWW and 2 folders in the Gov't section of AOL labeled "Istook" & "NAOTD". Be sure to check these from time to time. NAOTD/AccessHOPE will begin advertising in several national Disability Magazines in the very near future.
ACCESSHOPE - While NAOTD is the "mouthpiece" for the Alliance, AccessHOPE helps to aid the disabled by supplying services that other organizations do not. We do this by accepting tax deductible member donations. James (Jim) Heida, Jr.- a man of great vision- is the creator of AccessHOPE and you may reach him at AccHOPE or Jaminator on AOL or through the Web Page.
AccessHOPE has recently aided a disabled member in seeking Veterinary help for her "service dog", Abel. For those of you who donated to "Abels" cause in the amount of $100.00, we give sincerest thanks, but Able still needs more treatment; muscle biopsy and desensitization for a pinched nerve that is causing muscle atrophy. Any donation is very welcome. Please contact Jim.
CYBERSPACE LOVE - For those of you experiencing cyber love long distance, wishing for a way to be with, or to meet, that "very important" person, but are confronted with "medical accessibility" obstacles, many hospitals throughout the the country provide "rooms" within, or attached to the hospital for out of town disabled. NAOTD/AccessHOPE are currently compiling a list of these hospitals. For those interested, please contact Jim.
AARP now has a new Medicare-Medicaid Information Center online/ AOL.
WHERE DOES THE ALLIANCE GET ITS INFO: Updated Medicare- Medicaid info is obtained through online News & Government Services. The Internet provides information as well as concerned members. The FY96 Bill came via computer from a member who has access to these Bill's. The Istook Amendment was obtained via a members state rep. President Clinton's address to the elderly (the disabled were mentioned only 3 times in this address) on Medicare & Medicaid cuts was obtained through AOL. NONE of the information you receive is "bogus".
MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY MEMBERS - Our efforts toward bringing the MDA to ACCOUNTABILITY moves forward at a rapid pace. For so many of you that are putting in time and effort, facing dwindling energy supply, the Alliance is most grateful. You're doing a great job and without your combined efforts, this would be an almost insurmountable task. For other members willing to help in this endeavor, please contact me.
I would remind ALL members that your "real" names, addresses and phone #'s are held under the strictest confidence.
Stay well all...keep the faith.
"THERE IS NO RELIGION HIGHER THAN TRUTH!"
Sincerely,
Torrie Brown-Nalley
James Heida, Jr.
