|
|
I call myself an accidental activist because I have thrown myself into a number of intrests of mine as of recent and all because of surgery 8 years ago to control epileptic seizures caused by a head injury from a car accident when I was only 4 months old.
Until the surgery option was broached by my neurologist, I had a "Woe is me!" kind of attitude about everything I did as I "knew" in my heart that I would forever be in a deadend job and would never be rid of my seizures. That all changed after I burned my hand during a seizure while cooking breakfast one day back in 1998. That's when my doctor suggested surgery since medication alone wasn't cutting it.
The surgery took place December 31, 1998 - New Years Eve - and I have never been the same since. My self esteem and confidence skyrocketed and I also aquired a much greater sense of empathy for those whom, I now realize, are much worse off than I ever thought I was before I had the surgery.
I have found myself "pushing the proverbial envelope" much more often and trying new things and speaking up for myself and others.
I have picked up digital photography as a hobby and manipulated many of my images into artwork some of which have sold at a local coffee shop/art gallery. I plan on trying other venues as well.
I have spoken at a public forum here in Seattle in front of maybe 200 people as well as in front of the full city council in favor of a fee for new residential development in downtown Seattle that would go into a fund for more "Affordable Housing" in downtown so the service sector workers - security officers like myself, janitors and dayporters, daycare workers, baristas, retail clerks, etc. - who would be working in those buildings could live close to where they work instead of decreasing their standard of living by forcing them to live further and further away in order to be able to find a place they can afford and, in turn, clogging the roads and highways with their commutes while being away from their families for longer and longer periods.
I have been active in my union as well and am on the bargaining team to attain a first ever master contract for security officers here in the Seattle/Bellevue area.
The "Accidental" part of my activism is because I was pretty much volunteered by others who knew of my interests and desires.
|
|
|
|
|
The Accidental Activist is at it again
05.21.2007
Tonight from 6-8pm I will be at my union office asking questions of a couple candidates for a city council
Digital Photography, Wheresgeorge.com
| SAVIOR |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
