JUDI’S ROOM
Judi’s Room is co-sponsored by I Love You Lead On Community and MindFreedom International. It meets the first Wednesday of every month at 6 PM Eastern Time, 5 PM Central, 4 PM Mountain, 3 PM Pacific on Zoom.Named after celebrated human rights activist
It typically begins with a presentation by one or more expert panelists, followed by an open public discussion. If you require accommodations for this event, such as sign language interpretation, please email office@mindfreedom.org at least three business days before the presentation date.
If you would like to support Judi’s Room, please consider donating to MFI and I Love You, Lead On.
Judi’s Room – Nothing About Us, Without Us.
Upcoming Sessions
November 4, 2026
Chris Palames, one of the first 5 CIL directors will discuss the beginning of the independent living movement, lesson learned, and how we can apply them today based on the day before’s election results
December 2, 2026
Supportive decision-making vs guardianship.
Previous Session
October 7, 2026 PAIMI; success stories, and barriers to success with Jim Gottstein, MindFreedom International and Louis Erteschik, Hawaii Disability Rights. Watch video: Oct72026
September 2, 2026 Liberated for Justice a call to action with Misty Dion, Roads to Freedom Center; Tom Olin, ADAPT; Richard Black, Center for Estate Administration Reform; and others. Watch video: Sept22026
August 5, 2006 Celebration of the life of Laura Rose Misaras Watch video: Aug52026
July 1, 2026 The fight against institutionalization with Jim Ward, ADA Watch; Jennifer Kucera,Center for Disability Empowerment; and Tom Olin, ADAPT. Watch video: July12026
June 3, 2026 Spiritual versus emotional crisis, looking through a human rights lens with Dr. Calvin Chathos, Center for Spiritual Awakening; Janet Werner, U Have My Word LLC; and Bret Warshawsky, Reformation Consortium. Watch video: June32026
May 6, 2026 Not sure Watch video: May62026
April 1, 2026 No. Judi’s Room – Passover
March 4, 2026 What about Olmstead with Jennifer Kucera, Center for Disability Empowerment;and Brittanie Maddox, Disability Rights Ohio. Watch video: March42026
February 4, 2026 Let’s celebrate Madness With Mike Rembis, University of Buffalo; and Matt Bodett, Center for Mad Culture. Watch video: Feb42026
January 7, 2026 A conversation with Dr. Bill Bronston Watch video: Jan72026
2005
December 3, 2025 Happy anniversary Judi’s Room Watch video: dec32025
November 5, 2025 Redefining Community Integration: Community Not Control: A Rights-Based Approach sith Al Galves and LauraRose Misaros Watch video: Nov52025
October 1, 2025 Two Cents an Hour: A Discussion on the Disability Industrial Complex with Doug Crandell Watch video: Oct12025
September 3, 2025 Dr Bill Bronston a keeper of amazing facts of history and a planner of a medical model extraordinaire. Watch video: Sept32025
A TASTE OF THE PAST
July 5, 2023 The Olmstead Decision lawsuit started with two women from Georgia, named Lois Curtis (pictured) and Elaine Wilson who both had diagnoses of mental health conditions and intellectual disabilities. Lois and Elaine found themselves going in and out of the state’s mental health hospitals dozens of times. Lois and Elaine asked the state of Georgia to help them get treatment in the community so that they would not have to live at the state mental hospital. The doctors who treated Lois and Elaine agreed that they were capable of living in the community with appropriate supports. However, Lois and Elaine ended up waiting for years for their community-based supports to be set up.
February 3, 2023 – “Assisted Suicide Laws and Depression” presented by disability rights activist Anita Cameron and John B. Kelley, New England Regional Director of Not Dead Yet. Anita Cameron has been involved in social change activism and community organizing for 36 years. As a teenager, the 51-year-old Chicago native joined peace and justice organizations and participated in nonviolent civil disobedience. In 1986, Anita joined ADAPT, a national, grassroots disability rights organization, and has been a member for 31 years, serving as a national organizer, strategist, and police negotiator. She is very proud of the fact that she has been arrested 124 times with ADAPT doing nonviolent civil disobedience in the style of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi. John B. Kelly is a Boston-based disability rights activist. As someone commonly referred to as “paralyzed from the neck down” from a spinal cord injury, John was influenced by the writings of Paul Longmore about the “right to die” cases of the 1980s and 90s – people with similar disabilities who were put on the fast track to death while being denied the resources to live. As director of Second Thoughts MA: Disability Rights Advocates Against Assisted Suicide, John has again and again helped stop the legalization of assisted suicide in Massachusetts. In 2012, he squared off thrice against assisted suicide proponent Dr. Marcia Angell, and more recently, his work has been featured in outlets such as the Boston Globe, Worcester Telegram, CNN’s “United Shades Of America,” WSHU-AM in CT, and elsewhere. John has a Masters degree in Sociology from Brandeis. John passed away November, 2025.
The Hardback Story presented by Brian Martin – When Brian was 18 years old, with graduation just around the corner, he was in need of a job! His family and friends (old and new) gathered to form a team of support. Together they helped him launch a customized business that would create a line of products, not only for his self, but hopefully for others. His passion for books and keeping the earth a great place for all of us to live inspired him to create an eco-friendly business, springing old books into a new purpose. He makes writing journals and other items from discarded media. He calls it a microenterprise because he is the entrepreneur of this small business. Brian has a form of Autism called Asperger’s Syndrome, and a customized job is always the best way for him to accentuate his strengths. The business has been running for over 10 years now. Just like many self-employed business owners, Brian relies on the help and support of others. It makes working more fun and he gets advice and input from a variety of people. His product list is growing and you can find his items at local fairs, conventions and expos, and in his Etsy shop. Most importantly, with the help of a Social Security PASS, Brian is making an income! Just like other employed business people, he is paying taxes and receiving benefits. He feels like he is contributing to his own well-being, as well as present and future work potential. He has reached an important goal of earning his Medicare Credits before his 22nd birthday! Visit Brian’s business at http://www.hardbackyoyo.com or http://www.etsy.com/shop/HardbackYoYo. He may be contacted at hardbackyoyo@gmail.com.
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