31 August 2012

LA Times fails the paralyzed

With their blaring editorial, "No traffic fines for research", the LA Times has shown that it is an enemy of the paralyzed by both arguing against the need for a $1 surcharge on moving vehicle violations to support paralysis cure research AND by offering no other alternative to funding a cure. Remember folks, this is not an article, this is an editorial which gives the LA Times' opinion. 


I can respect the fact that they are entitled to their opinion; we all are. But what I can't understand is the irresponsibility of their editorial. 

A responsible newspaper would have offered alternatives to funding paralysis research on a state by state basis.

A responsible newspaper would have also talked about the costs associated to not curing paralysis.

A responsible newspaper would have talked about the money that has come in to California because California WAS financially supporting a cure for paralysis.

But these are not the words of responsible journalism. They are the words of a newspaper who on one hand empathizes with the need for a cure, but then condemns the fact that money is being spent on it AND more importantly offers no alternative. This is exactly why I use the word enemy of paralysis cure.

Oddly enough, I don't disagree that this is not the best way to fund medical research. The best way would be for a national or even international fund and leadership to cure paralysis. This way we would get the most bang for our buck and be able to use the best scientists wherever they live or do their research. I've said it before and I'll say it again; a Manhattan or Apollo project like scheme would soon see a cure for paralysis.

The problem is that this is not something on the horizon at the moment so we are stuck looking for alternatives and that means looking for money at a much more local level.

How I wish this editorial would have talked about a national strategy to cure paralysis rather than bemoaning the fact that Californians who break traffic laws will be asked for a dollar. An important paper like the LA Times could have an impact on a national strategy, but instead decided that Californians are not their brothers' keepers.

Here is a letter to the editor submitted by one of our Cure Captains in the Liberation War to Cure Paralysis.

We are not asking Californians to foot this bill alone, just to help the other states that already are doing it. My home state of New York is as are several others. The Spinal Cord Injury community is small in comparison to say breast cancer. Funds are desperately needed, how many of your tax dollars are already being spent on making building accessible, or going to long term health care coverage for the folks that are injured? Would you be as quick to say no if it was one of your loved ones? Do me a favor please visit Project Walk in Carlsbad, talk to those people about the daily hell they live in. Not one person in a chair wants to be in it. I have a 21 year old son that was injured and has no function from the chest down, he can no longer use his hands, go the toilet by himself. He was going to graduate last May and go onto graduate school. That is now a memory unless a cure is found. 12,000 Americans suffer this injury every year, the next one could be someone you know or love or even be you. Californians, please support this law.

29 August 2012

SEND FREE FAX to support Roman Reed law to Governor Jerry Brown

This campaign has now ended. See update soon!
As reported in my last blog post, the Roman Reed law to cure paralysis has passed all the stages of the California legislature and will become law as long as Governor Jerry Brown signs it.

But he may not; he also has the right to veto the law.

It's our job now to urge him to sign and have one dollar added to moving traffic violations to fund paralysis cure research.

YOU can do this today by sending a FREE online fax to the governor in 4 EASY STEPS at www.gotfreefax.com to his fax number: 
(916) 558-3160

See picture below for instructions. Here is the letter to copy and paste. The parts you need to add are highlighted.
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Your name,
Your address,
Your country


Dear Honorable Governor Brown,

I support California Assembly Bill 1657, a one dollar ($1) surcharge on all moving traffic violations to fund the Roman Reed Spinal Cord Injury Research Act via the University of California.

AB 1657 provides annual funding for research of spinal cord injury and related neurological conditions such as ALS, Alzheimer's, Parkinsons', Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and others, to be able to one day realize the dream of paralysis cure.

Supported by Lt.Governor Gavin Newsom, the University ofCalifornia, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Bob Klein, Steve Westly, Craig Newmark, Kristi Yamaguchi, Stem Cells Inc., CA Stem Cell Inc., Dr. Hans Keirstead, California Healthcare Institute, Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation,Dr. Irv Weissman, Sherry Lansing,Dr. Paul Berg, Art Torres, Duane Roth, Stu Gordon, Dr. Shinya Yamanaka, Dr. Os Steward, Dr. Brock Reeve, Dr. Wise Young, Dr.Alisa Gean,  Dr. Paul Knoepfler, Bay Bio and the USC School of Politics among many others!

There is a clear nexus ofconnection between car crash and paralysis. Auto accidents cause 46%of all spinal cord injuries and 56% of children's SCI paralysis,  according to the Mayo Clinic. It is altogether appropriate to fine those who may cause the condition.

For every 1 dollar that Roman's Law has granted - 5 dollars have been brought into California from out of State matching grants. Namely the NIH. Granting 15.4 Million and attracting an additional 85.6 Million dollars for California.

AB 1657 creates biomedical jobs in California, brings money into our State and enables the research that provides hope for all of paralysis cure.

Please sign AB 1657, Take A Stand, So One Day-Everybody Can!!

Sincerely Yours,

(YOUR NAME)


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This campaign has now ended. See update soon! 



27 August 2012

Roman Reed special appeal to North Americans

This campaign has now ended. See update soon! 
Thank you so much for all your emails to the California legislature for paralysis cure funding. Your emails worked and the law has passed all Assembly and Senate committees along with the full sitting of both the Assembly and Senate. YOU did this!

There is one last step and that is for the Governor to sign it. The Governor makes the last decision on these laws and if he doesn't sign it, the chance that the law will die is very big.

Please read an appeal from Roman Reed himself to send a LETTER to the California Governor. 
I'm making this appeal especially to those in North America as the chance of your letter arriving during the work is very high.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////
by Roman Reed

We have one chance to win our Law.

Everything that we have given and  All that we have done for AB1647, all the time spent, all the lobbying and letters sent. Has given us a chance!

We have One Chance to have our Governor Brown sign paralysis cure into California Law.

Miracles don't get a second chance, we must seize this opportunity to fund the research that will bring about our paralysis cure.

Carpe Diem means Seize the Day.

I am Roman Reed and I will.

Will you...Take A Stand!

here's how:

Copy and Paste the letter below and send your letter of support directly to the Governor. Each letter matters.

Calls and hard copy letters:
Governor Jerry Brown
c/o State Capitol, Suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814

Phone:  (916) 445-2841
Fax: (916) 558-3160


Here is the letter to copy and past or write your own letter.

/////////////////////////////////////

Dear Honorable Governor Brown,

I support California Assembly Bill 1657, a one dollar ($1) surcharge on all moving traffic violations to fund the Roman Reed Spinal Cord Injury Research Act via the University of California.

AB 1657 provides annual funding for research of spinal cord injury and related neurological conditions such as ALS, Alzheimer's, Parkinsons', Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and others, to be able to one day realize the dream of paralysis cure.

Supported by Lt.Governor Gavin Newsom, the University ofCalifornia, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Bob Klein, Steve Westly, Craig Newmark, Kristi Yamaguchi, Stem Cells Inc., CA Stem Cell Inc., Dr. Hans Keirstead, California Healthcare Institute, Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation,Dr. Irv Weissman, Sherry Lansing,Dr. Paul Berg, Art Torres, Duane Roth, Stu Gordon, Dr. Shinya Yamanaka, Dr. Os Steward, Dr. Brock Reeve, Dr. Wise Young, Dr.Alisa Gean,  Dr. Paul Knoepfler, Bay Bio and the USC School of Politics among many others!

There is a clear nexus ofconnection between car crash and paralysis. Auto accidents cause 46%of all spinal cord injuries and 56% of children's SCI paralysis,  according to the Mayo Clinic. It is altogether appropriate to fine those who may cause the condition.

For every 1 dollar that Roman's Law has granted - 5 dollars have been brought into California from out of State matching grants. Namely the NIH. Granting 15.4 Million and attracting an additional 85.6 Million dollars for California.

AB 1657 creates biomedical jobs in California, brings money into our State and enables the research that provides hope for all of paralysis cure.

Please sign AB 1657, Take A Stand, So One Day-Everybody Can!!

Sincerely Yours,



/////////////////////////////////////////
This campaign has now ended. See update soon! 

21 August 2012

Still time to send a message for cure - SOON!

The vote in the California Senate has been put off for a few days so you have a just a little more time to send a message for cure.
Do it NOW before it's too late!


If not us, who? If not now, when?”
- John F. Kennedy -


A simple California law, the Roman Reed law, to fund paralysis cure research will be voted on in the California Senate this week. This is the last vote in a long string of votes that you have already supported by sending a simple email.

And we ask that you do it one more time.

Your emails have had this law pass four committe hearings and a vote of the whole of the California Assembly. 


Now we're at the Senate and again we ask you to click for cure.

This law,AB1657, adds a one dollar surchage on all moving traffic violations to fund research of spinal cord injury and related neurological conditions such as ALS, Alzheimer's, Parkinsons', Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and others, to be able to one day realize the dream of paralysis cure. As you may know, car accidents are the number one leading cause of spinal cord injury and paralysis.

We don't care if you're in the Italy, Brazil, Thailand, or in California itself. Show the Senators in California that the whole world wants a cure for paralysis and that means funding direct research to cure paralysis.

Your click counts!
Send an email to the senators below and support paralysis research cure.


This is our moment in history to stand up against the malicious physical persecution of paralysis! - Roman Reed - 

This campaign has now ended. Thank you for your support and the results will be announced shortly.

18 August 2012

Dennis vs. the wash


Often when we think about paralysis we equate it to not being able to move your legs or arms without thinking about what that means.


Today's blog is something very simple, but hopefully it will lead the non-paralyzed to understand what it means to not be able to move legs or legs and arms.

I'm at home alone today as my wife and kids went swimming with some friends. I was listening to the radio when a tornado warning came through. Now, I'm not afraid of the tornado, having lived through the Great Woodstock Tornado of '79, but I have a very simple concern, and maybe after you read this, you can also think of all the things that I can't do.

The wash.

Yes. That's what I'm worried about.

I can see my neighbours taking in the wash hanging on their balconies so I start to wonder whether my wife had done laundry this morning and had it hanging on the third floor? I've tried calling but I can't get a hold of her.

I guess when my underwear falls on my head I'll know the answer.

Now I bet you're thinking that my predicament isn't so bad, but think of all the things you can do that I can't. Simple things.

Or you may be thinking, "Why in the hell does Dennis live in a three story house when he can't get to the third or even second floor?"

I live here for one simple reason, it's my house and it's brand spanking new (built it about one and a half years before paralysis). If you think about it, there is no way to make my life completely normal even in a one story house.

That's why I don't advocate for inclusiveness, even though it's important.
I don't advocate for better access, even though that's important, too.

I advocate for the one thing that will truly fix the problems caused by paralysis, and that's a cure for spinal cord injury.

So don't forget to send an email to the California senators who will vote on Monday in regards to funding for paralysis cure research. Sign atwww.bit.ly/KOparalysis

15 August 2012

The final click for cure - Roman Reed Law - SIGN!

If not us, who? If not now, when?”
- John F. Kennedy -


A simple California law, the Roman Reed law, to fund paralysis cure research will be voted on in the California Senate on Monday. This is the last vote in a long string of votes that you have already supported by sending a simple email.

And we ask that you do it one more time.

Your emails have had this law pass four committe hearings and a vote of the whole of the California Assembly. 


Now we're at the Senate and again we ask you to click for cure.

This law,AB1657, adds a one dollar surchage on all moving traffic violations to fund research of spinal cord injury and related neurological conditions such as ALS, Alzheimer's, Parkinsons', Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and others, to be able to one day realize the dream of paralysis cure. As you may know, car accidents are the number one leading cause of spinal cord injury and paralysis.

We don't care if you're in the Italy, Brazil, Thailand, or in California itself. Show the Senators in California that the whole world wants a cure for paralysis and that means funding direct research to cure paralysis.

Your click counts!
Send an email to the senators below and support paralysis research cure.


This is our moment in history to stand up against the malicious physical persecution of paralysis! - Roman Reed - 

This campaign has now ended. Thank you for your support and the results will be announced shortly.

09 August 2012

Cure Captains - Now Recruiting!

Firstly, I want to say thank you for signing our petitions for a paralysis cure. Your voice has already had a great impact and now I want you to commit even further to a cure for paralysis in just thirty seconds.

I'm not going to ask you for your money. I'm going to ask for a much simpler but more effective commitment.

I want you to become a CURE CAPTAIN because cure's not going to happen on it's own.

Today, I want you to become a leader in getting your own social network to support our campaigns for cure.


We often hear the myths about how Facebook and Twitter caused the Arab Spring, but it's not true.

Facebook didn't cause a revolution, it was dedicated people who yearned for freedom that used Facebook.

Twitter didn't have people pouring into the streets, it was those who believed in the power of people who used Twitter.

I know that there is a lot of hype about the impact of social media these days, but it's actually about how you use social media.

We've had a lot of successes using the campaign function on this blog and I want us to keep winning. 


Every small victory empowers more people to demand cure NOW!


So today, I want you to to enlist in the Liberation War on Paralysis as a Cure Captain. 


What's a Cure Captain you ask? A Cure Captain of course participates individually in cure campaigns, but more importantly, organizes others to participate. It's like taking care of your own platoon or company and leading them to support a cure for paralysis. 


Some ideas could be:


Building your own group of supporters for paralysis cure and making sure they're getting direct emails about our campaigns from YOU, a person they know and trust.


Keeping your facebook, twitter, and other social networking pages up to date in our Cure Campaigns.


Organizing materials in other languages.


Generally organzing a mood amongst your 'supporters' that they CAN CURE paralysis.

Whatever other way you know to get the word out.


Want to enlist? Fill in the form below and I'll get back to you soon.


Just want more information? Fill in the form and I'll get back to you soon to convince you to take up arms.

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04 August 2012

Two more days to click for Roman Reed law to cure paralysis

This campaign has now ended. Thanks for all your support!

If you haven't had a chance to click to support the Roman Reed law to cure paralysis in California, you only have a few more days left. Don't wait.

The vote will take place on Monday, 6 August, anytime after 10AM (Sacramento time), so you should go ahead and send your email now by going to the bottom of this page.

Will you stand up and be counted for AB 1657 (Roman Reed Law) or will you sit idly by as paralysis and suffering happens? 
We weren't born to be paralyzed. We were born to make a difference.
~Roman Reed~

You CAN stand up and be counted by sending a very simple email with one click to the members of theCalifornia Senate Appropriation Committee at the bottom of the page.

Your emails have already got us through three committees and the full Assembly. We have this committee, then the full Senate, and finally the Governor's signature. 

We've made great progress, but it's still too early to claim victory. 

Just a quick reminder of what AB1657 (Roman Reed Law) is.

AB 1657 provides annual funding for research of spinal cord injury and related neurological conditions such as ALS, Alzheimer's, Parkinsons', Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and others by tacking on a one dollar ($1) surcharge on all moving traffic violations.

There is a clear nexus of connection between car crashes and paralysis. According to the Mayo Clinic, auto accidents cause 46% of all spinal cord injuries and 56% of children's SCI paralysis. It is altogether appropriate to fine those who may cause the condition. 

This way we'll be able to one day realize the dream of paralysis cure.

This campaign has now ended. Thanks for all your support!