7 Ways to Celebrate My 70th Birthday, & My Approaching 50 Years of Activism!

Posted by David W. Oaks on September 14, 2025 in Commentary | 34 comments

On September 16, 2025 I turned 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. 

David Oaks smokes cigar with saluting super care worker, Elijah.

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!