In the near future, a number of mad movement and disability movement leaders plan to launch a new project, and you are invited to be one of the visionaries before the launch.

• Would you like to help participate? Do not worry, this will not impose on a busy schedule, no strings attached.
• How have you transformed the negativity of mental health and/or disability label (s), into something of value to you, other labeled people and/or humanity?
• What would you like to see in a project and new website to help foment the positive revolution we need now?
• How can this revolution be more visible, and extend from our hearts to Earth?

In one week I turn 61. For more than two-thirds of my life I have worked as a human rights activist for people in the mental health system and people with physical disabilities.

We, humanity in general, need a revolution now, more than ever! Why?

Because of the climate crisis and the catastrophe caused by our collective paralysis.

Because of the enormous and growing imbalance of wealth in our world.

Because of a thousand more reasons.

PsychoQuad:

Turn Labels into Revolution!

With the capable help of web steward, Jeffrey Bousquet, we will soon be launching a new project and website. We request your ideas and feedback.

How does the experience of disability help us be better revolutionaries?

If you have never been labeled with a disability, how can you learn from disabled people?

What features on a new website would transform labels into revolution?

Join the Positively Weirdest in the World

Every thing and everybody are weird. But we aim to be positively weird. To be the positively weirdest!

Your feedback, ideas and involvement are encouraged in many ways:

• You can make a comment here on this blog entry at the bottom.
• If you are on Facebook, you may join a new group and give your comment here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/636247286557440/
• On Twitter we are using the hashtag #LabelMeRevolutionary

Watch for our launch!

We are looking for ideas, but more than that if the concept of turning labels into a peaceful revolution interests you, we would love to participate as a leader. Say it in your comment and provide a way to contact you.

While this project is totally independent, we support and work closely with the International Association for the Advancement Creative Maladjustment (IAACM). Founded as a poetic idea Martin Luther King, Jr. decades ago, we are making his dream a reality. You can too! If you support his values, you can proudly say you are IAACM leader!

By the way, my birthday is Friday, September 16. For my birthday, please make revolution visible now!

News Release – 26 September 2015

David Oaks Psychiatric Survivor Quad Plans to be a Public Speaker, Again

Oaks Hopes “Project Amplify Us” Will Help Others Facing Similar Disabilities

After nearly four decades of activism, mainly for human rights in mental health, David Oaks experienced a big fall and broken neck 33 months ago that put him in a powerchair with a label of “quad” and a number of new challenges, such as an impairment to one of his vocal folds.

Now, with the help of his brother Tony and others, he has launched a campaign to find the best experts to overcome his complex communications barriers. His goal is to once more become a professional public speaker.

Below, you can view the Project Amplify Us online 19-slide show with links to short videos, followed by Frequently Asked Questions:

View The Project Amplify Us Slide Show Here:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Project Amplify Us

How Can I Help?

Forward this news release about Project Amplify Us to any individual or group who you think might help. This Project is looking for the best resource people! Help surface them.

Are You a Potential Resource Person?

If you might be one of the experts who can address these challenges, let the Project know now: davidwoaks@gmail.com Say a little about yourself. There is no obligation.

What If I Have Ideas and Encouragement Now?

While this Project is not trying to solve everything at once, it would be nice to share your ideas and maybe help others too! You may post about Project Amplify here:

• On this blog you may leave a public comment.
• Search in Facebook for a new public group: ProjectAmplifyUs
• Watch for a Reddit sub group in the near future: ProjectAmplifyUs
• Of course, this Project is using this hashtag on twitter: #ProjectAmplifyUs

What If I Have Trouble Viewing the Slide Show?

The Project can email you the show. Contact the Project at: davidwoaks@gmail.com

Is There Any Financial Obligation?

This Project is totally for free, with no costs for anyone to participate. If you would like to donate to the David W. Oaks Irrevocable Trust, please go here.

Updated 21 September 2015:

Please feel free to post a selfie of you sticking out your tongue (known as a Qsign face) to Facebook, Twitter, or both. Please add the hashtag #qsigncrisis to whatever you post wherever. If you post to Facebook, please add your selfie to my Timeline! (If you are not yet a friend, please email me with your Facebook name at: davidwoaks@gmail.com.)

You are invited to take a selfie doing a “Qsign,” which I will explain in a moment. But first I need to beg for your help, especially if you are one of these young whippersnappers. You see, this week, September 16th, I will turn 60 years old, and I have never been able to start something online that goes viral.

A few weeks ago, I developed pneumonia. My wife and I had to wait in the emergency room for six hours to get an x-ray. To pass the time and show our frustration in a fun way, we stuck out our tongues to the side and took this photo. Later, a person who worked for many years as an ER nurse told us that we showed an actual face that they watch for in the ER as a sign of distress. The face is called the “Qsign” because the tongue sticks out at an angle, which kind of looks like a Q.

So I would like to ask you to take a selfie of you and maybe your loved ones, doing a Qsign. Why?

1. The planet is one big emergency room, but our leaders are ignoring things like the climate crisis. The least we can do is all show our Qsigns, and maybe that will get our leaders’ attention?
2. Hey, I am about to enter my 60’s, and I have spent decades working for human rights in disability, specifically mental health. Come on, show your appreciation, dammit!
3. You can post your photo on Twitter like we did using the new hashtag #qsigncrisis
4. I actually went viral by having pneumonia which I have recovered from. Now I am simply asking you to metaphorically go viral, which sounds a lot healthier. If you want to read about my pneumonia, go here.
5. Showing your Qsign just is not normal! Since what is mistakenly called normal has some of the worst behavior ever to visit Earth, then your Qsign is a blessing!
6. A group of us had a little contest to see who could make the best Qsign and my friend Dale won. Maybe this contest will go global and be the start of a game that will save the world. I have a name for this: Ultimate Wacko!