Sunday, 18 April 2021, 5 pm PT

At that time click: tinyurl.com/ivorypeer

This is a free webinar in honor of the late Ivory McCuen (1990-2021).

Ivory died homeless of exposure at the age of 30 on 24 Jan. 2021 at 17th & Chambers in Eugene, Oregon. Ivory was a mother of two boys, and a frequent user of the mental health system. Ivory was known for her love of nature, art, and singing.

Live music by folksinger David Rogers

Speakers include:

• Breezy Smith, Ivory’s sister
• Reverend Lois Van Leer, UU Church in Eugene
• Eric Jackson, homeless rights activist
• Merri “Kitty” Carlisle & David Oaks, co-chairs of UUCE ATF
• Chuck Areford, retired mental health worker
• Christina Peirsol, NAMI Lane County
• Jacek “Jack” Haciak, Oregonians with Lived Experience
• Rachel Levy, Rethinking Psychiatry
• Rev. Phillip Schulman

ASL Interpreting by Patrick Galasso, Closed Captioning ㏄ Available

Co-sponsored by:

• Unitarian Universalist Church in Eugene Community (UUCE)
• UUCE Accessibility Task Force
• CareWorks of Lane County
• MindFreedom International
• MindFreedom Oregon
• Oregonians with Lived Experience of the Mental Health System
• Extinction Rebellion Justice Eugene
• Planet versus Pentagon
• Rethinking Psychiatry
• Aciu! Institute

Ivory’s obituary in Eugene Weekly: tinyurl.com/ivory-eugene

Donations in honor of Ivory can be made to White Bird’s crisis team, CAHOOTS.

For more information, to co-sponsor, or to reach organizers: ivorypeer@gmail.com or 541-914-1469

For the Facebook event page for this Virtual Vigil, click here.

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Tomorrow, 17 February 2021, is a special day for me. Along with many people all over the world, I remember the life and times of Giordano Bruno. He was the last individual burnt at the stake by the Inquisition on 17 February 1600.

A few years ago, I had the privilege of hosting my Mom from Chicago here in Eugene, Oregon for a decade. She shared many stories. One of the most startling was the revelation that my grandfather, an immigrant from Lithuania who spent many years digging coal, admired the author and philosopher, Giordano Bruno, whose statue is in Rome, turned to face the Vatican.

This year, I have asked a wonderful friend who was raised in Italy, psychiatrist Benedetto Saraceno, MD, to translate a short remembrance of Bruno. May we all be freethinkers during these challenging times when we need to change almost everything to address the climate crisis and the way our humanity responds.

You may find both the Italian and English translations here, please forward especially to folks who speak Italian:

Giordano Bruno: Italian & English Tribute, 17 Feb

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Updated: Now watch this webinar live, either on Zoom or Facebook, tomorrow, Sunday 31 Jan 2021:

Free Public Disability Webinar  

Unitarian Universalist Online Access Forum

Mental Disability, Mental Health & UU Values

TOMORROW Sunday, January 31, 2021

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm PST

Watch live on Zoom: tinyurl.com/uu-mental-disability

Or watch live on Facebook: facebook.com/UUEugene

All are welcome: Mental disability, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), brings special challenges. How do mental disability and mental health relate to the UU value of dignity & respect for all? A dialogue between Leslie Relle (TBI survivor) and David Oaks (psychiatric survivor), both UUCE members.

Special Guest: Rev. Phillip Schulman (TBI survivor) has served four UU congregations as Minister. He is a community organizer, peer leader & restorative justice activist.

Live music by Susanne Giordano, tune in 5 minutes early.

ASL interpreting by Patrick Galasso. Moderated by Merri Carlisle, Co-Chair.

Sponsor: Unitarian Universalist Church in Eugene Accessibility Task Force (ATF)

If you have any questions, would like to get on our email list, or would like to volunteer, contact us at access@uueugene.org or 541-914-1469. If you miss, ask about online recording. (Version 3)

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Updated: 20 July, 2:26 pm PST

I will be one of the five keynoters in the main international conference this year, PEERPOCALYPSE, for mental health consumers and psychiatric survivors. Spoiler alert: I will call for REVOLUTION. Below is how anyone can listen to my keynote live and free on Zoom tomorrow, Tuesday, 7/21. (If you miss it, it will be recorded and streamed free.)

The conference is entirely on Zoom, and it is now all free (unless you want continuing education credits.) There are so many dozens of wonderful workshops and keynotes, along with a virtual display. There are participants from all over the world.

Because of my communication challenges, my keynote will be a little longer than others, 30 minutes. Here’s how to listen live directly:

We are the 100%: Mad Pride, Disability & Revolution

Tomorrow, Tuesday, 21 July 2020
1:45 pm – 2:15 pm CST (11:45 am – 12:15 pm PST)
We will have live ASL by Patrick Galasso
Join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85606595030

Here is the description of the whole event, which ends this Thursday 7/23, from organizers:

PEERPOCALYPSE is a conference of leaders, emerging leaders, innovators, and peers who want to become more involved in the peer community. Adopting the philosophy that peers bring with them a great deal of knowledge and expertise, the event is about bringing the community together to share information, skills, and experience.

PEERPOCALYPSE Link: https://www.mhaoforegon.org/peerpocalypse

By the way, earlier today, Monday, 7/20, I gave a workshop with the wonderful Christina Peirsol about combining peer support and activism, entitled Winning Human Rights in Mental Health: Campaign Action Team Support!

If you missed any of the workshop or keynotes, most of this should be recorded and available. Check it out!

Thanks to all the folks who worked so hard to support the empowerment of our people’s voice for all these years with this important annual event, organized out of an office in Portland, Oregon. Aciu!

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Updated: 20 July 2:22 pm PST

The main international conference this year for mental health consumers and psychiatric survivors will be entirely on Zoom, and it is now all free (unless you want continuing education credits.)

There are so many dozens of wonderful workshops and keynotes, along with a virtual display. There will be participants from all over the world.

Unfortunately, unless you paid and registered (which is now closed), the only way to get links for the workshops is through the workshop presenter themself. Again, now everything is free on Zoom.

I gave this with Christina Peirsol:

Winning Human Rights in Mental Health: Campaign Action Team Support!

Today, Monday, 20 July 2020
2:30 pm – 4 pm CST (12:30 – 2 pm PST)
Register for free first to get the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0ud-mhpzstGNP5imG6nQLR_2T7cy-bNtiT

I am also one of the five keynoters. Because of my communication challenges, my keynote will be a little longer than others, 30 minutes.

Here’s how to listen live directly:

We are the 100%: Mad Pride, Disability & Revolution

Tomorrow, Tuesday, 21 July 2020
1:45 pm – 2:15 pm CST (11:45 am – 12:15 pm PST)
We are currently arranging ASL by Patrick Galasso
Join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85606595030

Here is the description of the whole event from organizers:

PEERPOCALYPSE is a conference of leaders, emerging leaders, innovators, and peers who want to become more involved in the peer community. Adopting the philosophy that peers bring with them a great deal of knowledge and expertise, the event is about bringing the community together to share information, skills, and experience.

Peerpocalypse Link: https://www.mhaoforegon.org/peerpocalypse

If you missed any of the workshop or keynotes, most of this should be recorded and available. Check it out!

Thanks to all the folks who worked so hard to support the empowerment of our people’s voice for all these years with this important annual event, organized out of an office in Portland, Oregon. Aciu!

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You’re invited to a free Zoom this Thurs 5/7 sponsored by MindFreedom International. Watch recent doc on empowerment of people with disabilities, plus a panel discussion (I’m on panel). PISS ON PITY: WE WILL RIDE traces origins & early history of ADAPT. Beginning in Denver in ‘83, ADAPT has become a national force utilizing civil disobedience to fight for the liberation of people with disabilities from institutions & for equal access to society.

2 shows, preregister:

https://mindfreedom.org/front-page/piss-on-pity-movie/

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Free Opal Network Public Event

Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/414424775938010/

Creativity & Mental Wellness

Art for Empowerment & Mad Pride in Mental Health

You are invited to a free, special gathering with workshops & performances!

Where : Trauma Healing Project

1100 Charnelton St., Eugene, OR

When : This Tues., 29 October 2019

3:30 pm – 5:30 pm

Live music with guitarist David Rogers!

Guests via web video on a screen, including standup comic psychiatric survivor Jim Flannery in Massachusetts.

Hosts: Christina Peirsol & David W. Oaks

Free Art Workshop by Scott Parker:

Explore your creativity! Enjoy an easy drop-in class. All ages welcome. All materials provided. No experience needed.

Wheelchair accessible. Sign language if 72 hours notice.

Ask about joining via live web video from anywhere on Earth: OpalNetwork@protonmail.com

Questions about the event: 541-914-1469.

All are welcome!

We especially invite mental health consumers and psychiatric survivors to attend & speak out!

Free, yummy New Day snacks. Beverages. Celebrate the Halloween holiday! Make banners & signs for mental wellness. Supplies provided.

[Bring your signs, banners, costumes to Halloween, Thurs. 31 Oct. 2019, 5-6:30pm Kesey Square. All ages welcome! Theme: RIP Normality!]

Opal Network: A Lane County coalition to support the self-determination, voice and empowerment of clients of mental health services.

Thank you to Opal Network Sponsors:

• Aciu Institute • Center for Family Development • Direction Service • Eugene Office of Human Rights • Lane County Mental Health Consumer/Survivor Advisory Council • Lane Independent Living Alliance • Laurel Hill Center • MindFreedom Oregon • NAMI Lane County • Oregon Consumer/Survivor Coalition • Oregon Family Support Network • PeaceHealth Counseling Services • Sexual Assault Support Services • ShelterCare • Trauma Healing Project • White Bird/CAHOOTS

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