On Tuesday, September 16, 2025 I turn 70 years old. I’m especially excited about this round bday because soon, in 2026, I will reach my 50th year as a community organizer activist for human rights of people regarded as having a mental and/or physical disability. 

I hope you salute my 70th & my 50th:

1. WNR: If not now, when? I’ve been calling for decades, in various ways, for Worldwide Nonviolent Revolution. I love this acronym: WNR! Whether you are public or private about your support, late at night when you are in bed, you can at least safely say to yourself a few times: “I am a revolutionary!” I am, and not the only one.
2. Debra Laura Nuñez, my wonderful partner, continues to be a miracle every day. Whatever you can do to support Debra, also supports me. 
3. Stay in Touch: You may want to get one or more of my e-newsletters on a variety of topics, such as: My personal blog; Unitarian Universalism & Accessibility; what I call “Green Disability” (the intersection of accessibility & ecology); etc. It’s free, occasional & private. Just go to this link & sign up: David W. Oaks E-News Sign-up. 
4. My Main Social Media: Yes, I know they’re all flawed. But for whatever reason, I’ve used Linkedin a great deal, and I co-own three groups you may wish to join for free, just click on each: Green Disability, with 1,300 activists from every continent except Antarctica. Mind Justice (networking people concerned about human rights of anyone regarded as having a mental disability, whether they do or not). And Unitarian Universalists EqUUal Access who are supportive of the disability rights movement.
5. My Independent Living has important expenses that are not covered by Medicaid or Medicare. Please consider giving either a one-time donation, or pledge a monthly gift, to my Irrevocable Medical Trust. To find out more, click here: https://davidwoaks.org/support
6. Aciu! That means thanks in Lithuanian, thank you all. As many of you know, after my accident in December 2012 (yes, that famous month for disasters), I searched for silver linings and started a small consulting business called Aciu! Institute, LLC, focusing on Green Disability. You can read more about that here: https://aciu.info/
7. Party Down, Wherever You Are. If you live out of this area, I actually do read those social media “Happy Birthdays,” I’ve sent them out myself. Or you can just email me at my personal address: davidwoaks@gmail.com. If you do live in the area, dance with one of Eugene’s treasures, the marimba group Kudana. You can search for them on YouTube, or go to their Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kudana/

I am sure you can imagine many other ways to celebrate your and my living on this beautiful planet Earth!

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National Webinar Thurs. 15 May 2025, 1:30 pm pt. Free but pre-registration required. Access successes & challenges at UU Churches. All welcome from anywhere, any faith. Your participation encouraged! ASL interpreted. Hosted by Unitarian Universalist Church in Eugene. More info:

https://aciu.info/2025/05/03/access-uu-free-webinar-2025/

You can also see more info on the David Oaks News here:

https://conta.cc/4d2gIZR

You may download a flier about this event by clicking here: GAAD 2025

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NeUUrodiversity: Neurodiversity & Unitarian Universalist Principles – Free national webinar this Sunday, 13 April 2025, 12:00 to 1:30 pm pt

At that time, click here: https://zoom.us/j/963297758

To download a one-page PDF of this flyer:
https://uueugene.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/neuurodiversity-free-webinar-atf-2025-04-13.pdf

Moderator: Intern Ember Morgan-Wigmore (pictured right)

Unitarian Universalist Church in Eugene

Join Ember and our diverse group of panelists, all of whom identify as neurodiverse. Ember says, “I believe that neurodiversity inclusion is central to our principles, in which each individual is inherently worthy of engaging their spiritual path in ways that allow for our diverse, amazing brains to fully realize our potential.”

All welcome from anywhere, any faith. Questions & comments encouraged! Or just watch anonymously.

Eugene community is invited to view in the UUCE Sanctuary starting at 11:30 am: 1685 W 13th Ave. While you wait, enjoy free refreshments & live music by folk singer and guitarist David Rogers.

Sponsored by Accessibility Task Force for Unitarian Universalist Church in Eugene. Email to ATF and we’ll add you to our Access News list: access@uueugene.org

ASL interpreted.

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Disability Justice & Mental Health

Free webinar this Thursday, 16 May 2024, 4 pm pt, 7 pm et

Special Guest: Rev. Amanda Schuber

Unitarian Universalist Association, Disability Justice Associate

To pre-register, click here & Zoom will send you a link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87892213110

Last year the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) hired a national Associate for Disability Justice. Amanda will have an informal discussion sponsored by our Church’s Accessibility Task Force by Zoom. All welcome from anywhere, any faith. Your questions & comments encouraged! Or you can just watch anonymously.

Eugene community is invited to view in our Church Sanctuary: 1685 W 13th Ave.

Amanda says, “I am an advocate for disability rights and visibility. I strive to create a welcoming and supportive space for those living with mental health challenges and their families.” Amanda is also Minister for High Street UU Church in Macon, GA and the Disability Justice Associate for the UUA Side with Love Organizing Strategy Team. For more about Amanda.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Join Amanda and UUCE discussants Rev. Jennifer Youngsun Ryu & ATF Co-Chair David Oaks.

Sponsored by Accessibility Task Force for Unitarian Universalist Church in Eugene. Email to ATF, and we will also add you to our Access News list: access@uueugene.org

MORE INFO —

https://conta.cc/4bsk46V

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MINDFREEDOM OREGON NEWS

Win Rights & Alternatives in Mental Health

THIS Friday May 3, 2024, 1 pm pt Zoom with

Kevin Fitts, Special Guest & Mental Health Consumer

Running for Multnomah County Commissioner

Oregon mental health consumer leader Kevin Fitts, psychiatric survivor, will share what it’s like to run for elected office. We don’t know of any other open mental health consumer running for office anywhere on Earth! Do you? More about Kevin’s campaign: https://www.vote4kevinfitts.com/

We’ll have an open discussion about grassroots community organizing to change the mental health system. Topics include civil commitment, involuntary treatment, humane alternatives, the intersection with other marginalized voices, and more.

We’ll have time for intros & mutual support. All human rights supporters are invited, whether in Oregon or not. David Oaks host.

To pre-register free for this MF OR Zoom: tinyurl.com/mf-oregon-zoom

To see MF-OR May 2024 News: https://conta.cc/4dmwVsj

(Photo of Kevin with David Oaks)

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Recently, we had ice storm. I blogged for help and we got it. Here is my post from last month:

If you or someone you know has transportation that can safely navigate our current icy/snowy streets in Eugene (such as 4 wheel drive w/chains), my care team members need to get here for their shift in SW Eugene. We are not on a hill, we are on a fairly-used street (near 20th, on City View). Our care team is fairly close to downtown Eugene. One is in Springfield.

If you have a lead, please email me at: davidwoaks@gmail.com

Update: Sunday, 1/14/24, Wow, today, already taken care of. Thanks to the wonderful Sue! Mo day and maybe Tuesday anyone?

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I’ve been reflecting on the intersection between the Disability & Pagan communities. Of course many of us live in both worlds. But deeper than that I see several fascinating connecting roots. For instance, this overwhelming climate crisis we are all facing seems to be an opportunity for humanity to become more humble. Perhaps we can now more easily recognize our interdependence, and that the idea of complete “independence” or able-bodiedness is a myth. Let’s explore this concept of “Green Disability.”

I’m working on a brief article on this bridge between disability and paganism. What comes up for you, whether you’re disabled or not, local or national? What are your thoughts, opinions & questions? I’d like to quote you; if you wish to stay anonymous, choose a pseudonym. Please try to email me by the Winter Solstice, December 21, 2023: davidwoaks@gmail.com. Aciu!, which means thanks in Lithuanian.

(I am Unitarian Universalist, and a current member of their national pagan group, CUUPS, as well as our UUCE local Church pagan affinity group. While I hope to hear from other UU’s, please feel free to email me with your ideas whether or not you are in a faith community of any kind, or none at all.)

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