Abilicorp Foundation(ABF) - 2021

Mission

Abilicorp’s mission is to initiate and promote Disabled Owned Businesses. It aims to provide resources needed to implement innovative ideas that offer products and services for and by people with disabilities. Creative ideas may include developing gadgets and software, producing art and entertainment, providing remote assistance, financial management, and personal assistant services. Resources include access to investors, capital, mentors, advisers, marketers, classes, workshops, forums, blogs, and assistive technology.  Abilicorp will encourage any products and services it helps bring to fruition to be made available through the Abilicorp website.

Background

 My focus in the Disability Movement has been improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Despite great laws, including the Americans with Disability Act, that have significantly improved people’s lives with disabilities, most people with disabilities’ economic well-being continue to be dismal. The unemployment rate still hovers around 70%. Many great agencies are working very hard to improve the financial health of this community. What is missing is a concerted effort to initiate and promote Disabled Owned Businesses

The Entrepreneurial Spirit; Initiating Disabled Owned Businesses

 The U.S. spends millions of dollars annually trying to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Much of this goes to persuade employers to hire people with disabilities. Some of this funding goes to preparing this cohort to be part of the workforce. Vocation training includes such things as resume writing and interviewing skills. Little if any funds are available to promote the entrepreneurial spirit many of us do or can have. As with the general population, there are people with disabilities who undoubtedly do better working for themselves. Abilicorp will create a model that will promote entrepreneurs with disabilities by providing them with the support they need. Abilicorp will undertake an education campaign informing the greater Disability Community that entrepreneurship is a feasible option with a proven model.

Promoting Disabled Owned Businesses

Some websites promote minority-owned businesses. A quick Google search for lists by minority-owned enterprises resulted in

1. Women-Owned Businesses
2. Black-Owned Businesses
3. LBTQ-Owned-Businesses 
4. Hispanic-owned Businesses
5. Veteran-Owned Businesses. (includes service-disabled veterans)
6. Deaf-Owned-Businesses  

There is no similar type of website for disability-owned companies. Disability: In has a comprehensive process for certifying Disabled Owned Business Enterprise, but the list they maintain is only available to corporate sponsors of their agency.

Funding Strategy

 Abilicorp will request 5% of any products and services sold through its website. Abilicorp will ask for a board seat on enterprises it helps start or fund. An Abilicorp staff member or adviser will fill this seat. Abilicorp will also seek a 10% minority interest in any for-profit corporation to help fund or start. Investors will be encouraged to invest directly in enterprises of their choosing. Investors who want to fund anonymously or through charitable giving can do so through Abilicorp.

Next Steps

There is a crucial need for attendants. Abilicorp’s first project will be starting the Abilicorp – Personal Assistant Services(ABPAS)

Would you please let me know what questions and comments you have regarding this exciting new endeavor?

 

Yitro - Torah Portion Commentary, February 2023

 

Yitro

February 2023

 

Reading this week’s Torah portion reminded me that Judaism is a very action-oriented religion. Throughout the Torah, we read about what this guy did, what God did, what people should or shouldn’t do, etc. Yitro told Moses not to try to do everything himself and to engage others to do their share of the work.

 February is Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion month. Synagogues throughout the U.S. have programs where they talk about disability and how to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities, and how to create an inclusive environment. Although I have participated in hundreds of these programs, I believe that disability awareness is an illusion and that an inclusive environment for people with disabilities is the same as everyone else's.

 I have always had a visible disability called Cerebral Palsy that has significantly affected my mobility, manual dexterity, and speech. As a teenager, I got involved with the Disability Movement, fighting for our rights, removing architectural barriers, better employment opportunities, etc. I dressed and fed myself, drove a van, flew throughout the U.S. for my Wells Fargo job, etc. I could do almost everything independently, albeit slowly, for most of my adult life. Denise and I hired attendants to help cook, clean, do laundry, and assist us when David was a baby. It was annoying but not life-threatening when an attendant was late or missed a shift.

 As a Disability Movement leader and having friends with all kinds of disabilities, I thought I knew what disability awareness was. I freaked out when my spine began compressing. I started losing functions, ever-increasing pain, and needing attendants to do almost everything. I can’t eat, dress, get out of bed, etc., without help. I had to start taking anti-depressants. I felt that I was in a whole new world. Since everybody is unique, disability awareness is a myth.

 Inclusion is different. Everyone can feel included. Paraphrasing JFK’s famous quote tells us how; “Ask not what we need do to for us. Ask what we can do together.”

Often when we discuss the inclusion of people with disabilities, the conversation quickly turns into talking about what we should do for them. Do we need to make the temple more accessible? Do we need to build a ramp or an ADA bathroom? Do we need to buy prayer books or hire interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing? Do we need tables and chairs at the Onegs so people can sit and mingle? Although these are all essential things to consider, I suggest that a critical way of including us in Temple Life is to need us. I suggest that maybe the best way of adding anyone into a community is to need them, to want their assistance, and to enable them to do their part in Tikkun Olam.

 Rabbi Berlin often relates how her family found a welcoming synagogue when she was a child. Her family, which included a brother with a developmental disability, did not feel welcomed at their old temple. The rabbi at the new synagogue immediately asked her brother to please turn the lights off before Havdalah and turn the lights back on at the end of the service. Her brother was thrilled! From then on, he had his job. He knew he was needed. He and his family knew they were wanted. The rabbi had created an environment where everyone felt valued.

 Many people are surprised when I say Wells Fargo was where I felt the most accepted and included. I often loved rolling into meetings where people did not know me. The tension in the room was so thick you could cut it with a knife. At first, no one would make eye contact, but as the meeting gained momentum, there was a great sense of relief when the team began to focus on my ideas rather than my disability. People sometimes struggled to understand my speech, but there was always someone in the group who could help interpret and communicate with me. Inevitably, by the end of the meeting, I found myself chatting with folks and feeling like part of the team.

 This year, think about Temple Sinai’s activities, work, play, informal gatherings, and tasks you wish had someone helping you. Then think about people with disabilities, including children with disabilities and the elderly, who you know. Are they interested in working and participating with you on any of these projects? If they are interested, find out if there are barriers or things they need to participate in the projects. If there are, collaboratively and creatively find a way to remove the obstacles and get what they need to feel included. There is always a way!

 Don’t be afraid to ask a person with a disability a question or to do a task. If you don't ask, you are taking away the other person's opportunity to say 'Yes!' to feel needed and to be part of the activity. If the other person gets offended, you might get to know them better by discussing why they feel offended. Please remember that the other person may be having a bad day or not want to talk about their feelings.

 Shabbat Shalom and Go-Go-Go!

 

 

 

God and the Google Search Engine

   [I wrote this in December 2022]

God and the Google Search Engine

I recently read “God is Here” by Rabbi Toba Spizer. I appreciate and enjoyed her describing the many metaphors people use to describe God and naming the entity. Wind, fire, water, and a baby’s breath are a few examples of the metaphors she presented. I like her acknowledging that an old big white man is probably the least helpful metaphor describing the single presence that many call God, the Father, the King, the Universe, the Almighty, etc. Rabbi Spizer refers to God as Yud-hay-vav-hay - four Hebrew consonants and no vowel because the Torah says there is no name for God.

Rabbi Mates-Muchin is the senior rabbi at the temple where Denise and I are members. A few years ago, she gave an exceptionally meaningful sermon about the phrase “God is One.” Traditionally people interpret that phrase to mean there is only one God. Another way of thinking about it is that “one” means “whole.” God is the “whole” universe. God is everything and everyone that existed from the beginning.

The metaphor that works best for me is the Google Search Engine. God, for me, is a highly advanced version of Google. I am amazed by the amount of information accessible through Google. Google has, or will someday have, everything that was ever recorded. Currently, whenever I want to know something, I ask Google. I envision God as having information about everything that was made, experienced, imagined, or felt by everyone and everything that existed anywhere at any time in the galaxy. We can inquire about any of these things simply by asking God.

There are many ways to acquire information from the Google Search Engine, including different languages and input devices. Similarly, there are innumerable ways of asking God. Praying, meditating, practicing rituals, taking drugs, eating, and drinking certain foods are examples of how people get God’s information.

The Google Search Engine cannot create, invent, develop, or promote new ideas, things, feelings, relationships, etc. It cannot, by itself, cause help or harm, nor does it know about the future. The search engine doesn’t know right from wrong, good from evil, or love from hate. Everyone, anything, everywhere, is constantly redefining these constructs. Collectively we are defining and creating the future. It is encouraging and uplifting to look around us and realize how many people throughout history have agreed about the meaning of good, righteousness, and love. We are evolving into a better world, albeit slowly.

 

As with the Google Search Engine, some people will misunderstand, misinterpret, or misuse the information they receive from God. Just because we think we are making the world better doesn’t mean we are right.  But if the ultimate correct notion of these constructs exists, why is it being withheld, and why are we here? Perhaps knowing that we are all working toward the same goal may enable us to be more empathetic to each other. However, it doesn’t relieve us from our obligation to ensure that no interpretations lead to making the world worse.

I believe that when we die, our souls are all connected. Collectively we review the successes we accomplished in our previous life. We decide how we want to improve the world and what kind of role would best enable us to reach that goal. Some souls may want to improve the world by helping people stay connected with God. Others may decide that seeing hatred will motivate people to move toward love. Showing people beauty by being a butterfly might be how some souls spend their next life. Whatever our role and physical manifestation may be, it only lasts for a speck of time.

As with any belief, my belief might be all hogwash. That’s fine with me. My most vital hope is that everyone, everywhere, knows they are fulfilling their role and they are not alone. As we begin 2023, may we continue our quest to better our world.  

End of Blog

Miketz - 2022-12-24

 Miketz - 2022-12-24

 Last Monday, I began my eighth decade. Miketz is the Torah read at my Bar Mitzvah. My family was members of a Conservative synagogue whose chapel was up a flight of steps. Bar Mitzvah boys were required to read the Haftorah and give a drash about the week’s Torah portion. Due to my disability, the Rabbi only allowed me to say the blessings before and after one of the Cantor’s readings. Since everyone coming near the Torah had to stand, I ‘stood’ while hanging from my Father’s arms.

Miketz is the Torah portion that tells the story of Joseph telling Pharaough about his dream. He dreamt that there would be a food abundance during the next seven years. A seven-year famine will follow. Since becoming a Temple Sinai member in 1991, I’ve given several drashes about Miketz. They’ve all been about how God speaks to us through dreams and our guts. This year, I questioned how God knew to tell Joseph what the future holds. Coincidentally, as I prepared this drash, I read a book about the metaphors we have that describe God. These two events motivated me to write a blog about how I perceive God. With your indulgence, I’d appreciate your listening to and commenting on the first draft of that blog. 

God and the Google Search Engine

I recently read “God is Here” by Rabbi Toba Spizer. I appreciate and enjoyed her describing the many metaphors people use to describe God and naming the entity. Wind, fire, water, and a baby’s breath are a few examples of the metaphors she presented. I like her acknowledging that an old big white man is probably the least helpful metaphor describing the single presence that many call God, the Father, the King, the Universe, the Almighty, etc. Rabbi Spizer refers to God as Yud-hay-vav-hay - four Hebrew consonants and no vowel because the Torah says there is no name for God.

Rabbi Mates-Muchin is the senior rabbi at the temple where Denise and I are members. A few years ago, she gave an exceptionally meaningful sermon about the phrase “God is One.” Traditionally people interpret that phrase to mean there is only one God. Another way of thinking about it is that “one” means “whole.” God is the “whole” universe. God is everything and everyone that existed from the beginning.

The metaphor that works best for me is the Google Search Engine. God, for me, is a highly advanced version of Google. I am amazed by the amount of information accessible through Google. Google has, or will someday have, everything that was ever recorded. Currently, whenever I want to know something, I ask Google. I envision God as having information about everything that was made, experienced, imagined, or felt by everyone and everything that existed anywhere at any time in the galaxy. We can inquire about any of these things simply by asking God.

There are many ways to acquire information from the Google Search Engine, including different languages and input devices. Similarly, there are innumerable ways of asking God. Praying, meditating, practicing rituals, taking drugs, eating, and drinking certain foods are examples of how people get God’s information.

The Google Search Engine cannot create, invent, develop, or promote new ideas, things, feelings, relationships, etc. It cannot, by itself, cause help or harm, nor does it know about the future. The search engine doesn’t know right from wrong, good from evil, or love from hate. Everyone, anything, everywhere, is constantly redefining these constructs. Collectively we are defining and creating the future. It is encouraging and uplifting to look around us and realize how many people throughout history have agreed about the meaning of good, righteousness, and love. We are evolving into a better world, albeit slowly.

 

As with the Google Search Engine, some people will misunderstand, misinterpret, or misuse the information they receive from God. Just because we think we are making the world better doesn’t mean we are right.  But if the ultimate correct notion of these constructs exists, why is it being withheld, and why are we here? Perhaps knowing that we are all working toward the same goal may enable us to be more empathetic to each other. However, it doesn’t relieve us from our obligation to ensure that no interpretations lead to making the world worse.

I believe that when we die, our souls are all connected. Collectively we review the successes we accomplished in our previous life. We decide how we want to improve the world and what kind of role would best enable us to reach that goal. Some souls may want to improve the world by helping people stay connected with God. Others may decide that seeing hatred will motivate people to move toward love. Showing people beauty by being a butterfly might be how some souls spend their next life. Whatever our role and physical manifestation may be, it only lasts for a speck of time.

As with any belief, my belief might be all hogwash. That’s fine with me. My most vital hope is that everyone, everywhere, knows they are fulfilling their role and they are not alone. As we begin 2023, may we continue our quest to better our world.  

End of Blog

Using my understanding of God, I believe God knew that given the weather patterns in the area Joseph resided in, there was a high probability that the weather might be good for planting and harvesting in the next seven years. Seven years of drought might follow. God offered this information to Joseph through a dream. With this information, Joseph developed an action plan for Pharaoh.

I’d appreciate feedback via email about my blog and my metaphor. May we have a healthy, happy, collaborative new year.

 

Goodbye 22 – Hello 23

[This was read for me at my 70^th birthday party on Sunday, December 18, 2022]

Goodbye 2022 – Hello 2023

 It’s hard to believe that I’ve been around for 70 years! I am not 28 anymore. 2022 was not the best year. My spine compression resulted in the loss of more functions: speaking almost incomprehensibly is frustrating. Finding attendants has become evermore laborious, and my inability to get Abilicorp – Personal Assistant Services(ABPAS) started adds to the frustration. My 98-year-old Mom, who cannot understand anything I say,  is in hospice. Unable to get together with John every Saturday morning as we have done for the last 29 years has greatly saddened me. Witnessing the war in Ukraine, the bipartisanship in our government, the polarization of so many people, the horrific effects caused by climate change, and the increased Covid related isolation makes me question how much progress we have made during my lifetime.

Many great things happened in 2022. Seeing David win the top award in an international pizza contest, having Ched and Elaine visit twice, getting together with friends, and going to Carmel were a few of the memorable events. Attending Saturday morning Torah study via Zoom allowed me time to appreciate the relevance of interpreting biblical stories into today’s culture. Watching mindless TV shows with Denise, going to museums, rolling in parks, and driving on car rides were more enjoyable than ever.

I learned how inadequate I am at expressing my feelings. I always appreciated the work attendants provided. This year I became keenly aware of the kindness, understanding, and love Luciana and Fae give me. This year, I realized that I rarely tell David how happy and proud I am of him, who he is, and who he continues to become. Most importantly, after almost 40 years of marriage, I finally began to understand how woefully unable to tell Denise how much respect, appreciation, and love I have for her. I will do better.

As usual, I have very high expectations for 2023. First and foremost, I hope my family and friends have a happy, healthy, fun-filled year. Denise’s book will get published, and she will get all the accolades she deserves. I must quickly find someone eager and able to take over ABPAS and run with it. Recruiting attendants and properly respecting their vital services must be a priority for the disabled community. I hope to have the guts to let ABPAS go so I can write my story. Most importantly, I want to spend time with friends and enjoy the world’s wonders and beauty.  

Politically my greatest hope is that we begin rewarding people for their ability to compromise and find win-win solutions instead of fueling polarization. We must get excited about the possibilities that can happen by ending global warming, homelessness, hunger, wars, and violence. Recognizing that we are creating tomorrow should be a positive, motivating force. Wallowing in dismay only results in more despair.

I have lived an unbelieve wonderful blessed 70 years. The people I’ve known, the beauty I’ve seen, and the experiences I’ve had are treasures I would never exchange. The gratitude I have for all of you is impossible to express. Let’s do this again next year. 

Ho! Ho! Ho! And Go-Go-Go!

 

  

 

Health-Care-for-All

April 2021

It’s time to ensure that healthcare-for-all includes long-term community-based support services for all, regardless of income or assets. Long-term support services include personal assistant services, ongoing therapies, maintenance medication, and durable medical equipment.

After retiring from Wells Fargo, I strongly advocated changing Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) so that people with disabilities can find employment without fearing losing the products and services needed to survive. Several years ago, I realized that I was wrong. In The Real Problem blog, I described my realization that Social Security should not be associated with healthcare. Social Security is designed to be a safety net for people who cannot work. Healthcare, including long-term support services, enables people to live their lives in the best possible way.

Linking Social Security with healthcare perpetuates the stereotype that people with disabilities cannot work. Unquestionably there are cohorts whose disabilities and illness prevent them from gainful employment. Advocacy is needed to ensure they receive a livable income. However, we must delink this from the need for healthcare.

Quality, accessible, affordable healthcare and long-term support services are not just disability issues. The Covid pandemic showed how dangerous, isolating, and heartbreaking institutionalization can be. Long-term support services will undoubtedly prevent many people with mental health disabilities from being incarcerated. We can reduce homelessness by providing people with the services they need.

Health care-for-all need not be single-payer and can be cost-effective. A Plan To Achieve Health-Care-For-All offers a brief, overly simplified example of how universal healthcare can also benefit the private sector. Disability advocates, healthcare providers, medical professionals, genealogists, economists, information technologists, and other stakeholders need to work together to develop a comprehensive program.

Community Living Support Services (CLSS) is a brief description of the type of enterprise needed to support community living. A for-profit social enterprise rather than a non-profit agency primarily so that entrepreneurs and investors partner with us in this transformation. The brief description explains why well capitalization is critical to its success. It’s also vital to have lobbyists for the medical, pharmaceutical, and long-term care facilities industries promoting community living.

With lessons learned from the pandemic, the economy’s reopening,  and the recognition of the need for a more inclusive and equitable society, we have a short window of opportunity to implement the healthcare we desperately need. Now is the time to ensure that people with disabilities can work and be as active as they want without fear of losing desperately needed services. Seniors should be able to enjoy their golden years with dignity in their chosen environment. People with mental health disabilities must receive the services they need instead of being homeless or incarcerated. Home Caregivers and attendants deserve compensation that is commensurate with the critical work they do.

Please let me know what you think of this proposal. Who is actively working on this? What next steps do you suggest?

Abilicorp – Personal Assistant Services(ABPAS)

 What is ABPAS?

Background

In 2010, my spine began to compress, resulting in my inability to function independently and significantly increased reliance on personal assistant services. In On Becoming More Disabled, I described the shock of the change, my appreciation of the work PCAs perform, and the luck I have living in California, where people with developmental disabilities receive the assistance they need regardless of their income or assets.

Personal care assistants (PCAs) differ from caregivers in the same way the independent living model differs from the medical model. The medical model helps patients’ get better,’ feel better, be comfortable, etc. The independent living model enables consumers to do what they want and live their lives their way. It is a very different mindset. 

PCAs often perform extremely personal care tasks for minimum wages, no fringe benefits, little or no training, and a wide range of work environments. They see us at our best and worst. Their reliability, punctuality, and understanding of non-verbal cues are often critical to survival. Medical team members, including caregivers, usually only see us when we are ill or in a strange, confining, and alienating environment.

 I am starting Abilicorp Foundation as a low-profit L3C corporation whose mission will initiate and promote Disabled Owned Businesses. Its 1st project is developing and implementing the Abilicorp – Personal Assistant Services(ABPAS) in the Berkeley/Oakland area, with plans to roll out its new model to many communities.

Our Mission

ABPAS’ mission is to establish a personal care assistant((PCA) referral and management agency that will enable people with disabilities and elders to have complete control in managing their assistance needs. ABPAS will also assist PCAs in achieving their work and financial goals. ​  

Our Unique Approach

ABPAS is the latest community-driven agency to actualize the independent living model. The IL model affirms that consumers (people with disabilities, elders, and their families) are the experts on their own needs and can live the lives they want when they have the support they need.

ABPAS realizes this ideology by giving consumers as much control as they want over their PCA search, hiring, and management processes while providing PCAs with living wages, healthcare options, training opportunities, and support. While other agencies charge high overhead fees for middle management services,

ABPAS offers ways that consumers can manage the PCA management process. They can

• Use the website tool for free and independently handle all aspects of PCA management  
• Work with an ABPAS independent facilitator to recruit and vet PCAs
• Consumers work with an independent facilitator to manage all aspects of PCA management  
• Engage ABPAS as the legal employer of PCAs, responsible for payroll, tax filings, liability, etc., giving consumers as many or as few day-to-day management responsibilities as they want. 

ABPAS will also offer the infrastructure for support circles. These localized networks of consumers, PCAs, and independence facilitators share work schedules, rotate PCAs, and respond to an emergency or varying needs. Support circles allow PCAs and consumers greater flexibility, knowing there is a diversified support network that can adapt in the face of emergencies or changes in schedule. 

ABPAS will assist PCAs in achieving their work and financial goals may. This assistance may include financial counseling, advocating with funding sources,  and referrals to multiple consumers. ABPAS will also encourage PCAs to be independent living facilitators or work at local businesses and agencies to augment their wages.

Holding equity at its core, ABPAS will work with government agencies and healthcare plans to help ensure that people with disabilities and elders receive the assistance they need regardless of income and assets and that PCAs receive livable wages and benefits. 

We will work with consumers and their support circles to recruit PCAs from colleges, universities, medical schools, community groups, religious institutions, and social media. We envision interwoven

We are looking forward to this new venture!