Helping Doug

June 21 update

This is not an appeal for more donations.

Though several thousand dollars have been contributed by generous people like you, the fact is that Doug's medical bills are now up around $30,000. The good news is that creative, hard working people are coming up with a plan to raise more funds.

Meanwhile, the Social Security system has given Doug the "business as usual" treatment. After suffering hours of hold time and information collection, then not calling back when they said they would, they've lost his file and suggested that Doug needs to start from scratch in this process that takes months in the best of circumstances. At one point, a person whose expertise is negotiating this morass was working with Doug, but that person has mysteriously dropped out of the picture.

Here is what Doug really needs at the moment:

1. Someone to advise him on how to manage the mounting medical bills. Strategiesfor maintaining solvency for as long as possible.

2. Someone to help him with the process of getting Social Security Disability benefits. To be relentless in staying on the bureaucrats that seem to care little of his plight. Doug's ability to cope with this is directly related to his ability to breathe , and he's having a rough time of it.

Paul

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Please join Doug's Homies on

Friday, 29 May,

5PM to 8PM
Westminster College (Nunemaker, Honors Bldg.)

for an evening of

stories, music, poetry, food and drink

to celebrate Doug.

Bring your own story about Doug,

a poem, a song, a dance, a drum, or just listen to other people.

We'll have poems for you to read if you prefer.

for information email: jnichols@westminstercollege.edu

Those interested in purchasing a genuine, "Experiencing the Doug" poster (all proceeds going toward Doug's medical expenses) please email: jnichols@westminstercollege.edu

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Most of you know that Doug is without family in the traditional sense. His parents are long gone and like me he's an only child. The good news is that over the years, thousands of students have been lucky enough to experience him as a teacher. Educators and artists have come to know him as a creator, poet, and compassionate advocate of awareness in all endeavors.

Doug is facing a huge adversary in this cancer. It's made all the more challenging by the fact that his health insurance lapsed at the end of 2008. Without insurance, there is huge uncertainty in regard to his getting the services he might need to continue living.

So what do we do?

First, nothing will sustain Doug as much as his knowing you care. Send him some love. A phone call, an email, a visit will go a long way toward keeping his spirits up. He told me today that the response from so many people to his condition has given him hope that he might be able to win this one.

For people who want to get involved in helping Doug with the day-to-day tasks ahead. Please log on to this site: http://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/613782/login/ Here you can make yourself available and see at a glance the what's and when's of Doug's needs.

Third, there is a way to donate money directly to helping Doug. Doug's dear friend Richard Badenhausen wrote to us this week:

"As you know, Doug does not have any health insurance and has limited means. If you are so inclined, you may make a contribution (*non-deductible* for income tax purposes) to the "Doug Wright Medical Fund" at any Wells Fargo Bank (there's one right by campus on the corner of 21st South & 11th East). Checks can be made out in the name of the fund and deposited at Wells Fargo or given to me and I will deposit them. I also have an account number if they give you trouble at the bank, but that shouldn't be necessary. If you do make a contribution, please try to let me know, as I am supposed to keep track of deposits/withdrawals, according to the bank and my accountant. (Doug has been in contact with the Medicaid and S.S. disability offices, as well as Hospice Care.)"

Lastly, you can send your prayers, good intentions, peaceful visions and healing thoughts his way. Picture a tsunami of healing washing over Doug as we summon the unknowable to do what "can't be done".


Paul