I have what most people call "invisible" disabilities that are related to a brain injury I experienced at birth. I'm lucky in that I survived the opinion of the attending physician at the time of my birth -- the physician told my parents I'd be better off dead. I obtained my Master's Degree in Special Education from Syracuse University in 1991. In 1992, I enrolled in the doctoral program at the same university. During his time at Syracuse, I worked with the Facilitated Communication Institute and the Center on Human Policy. During my years at Syracuse, one key event turned my interests and passions toward assisted suicide and euthanasia. In October 1996, I organized my first action -- an "invasion" of a major pro-euthanasia email list, accompanied by 12 other disability activists. This "invasion" has been written up in at least three books, including a scholarly text on rhetoric. I've has been a frequent contributor to national newsletters on developmental disabilities. In 2001, I was a recipient of a Positive Images Award from TASH, a national disability rights organization, for "Exemplary Achievement in Disability Media Coverage and Advancement." In my current life as a "recovering academic," I've published inside and outside of the disability community. I am the co-author of a 1998 article in the journal Disability & Society, titled "Disability, Eugenics and the Current Ideology of Segregation: a modern moral tale:" In October 2003, an op-ed I authored on the Terri Schiavo case was published in over 20 newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times, Tampa Tribune, and Newsday. I have been actively involved in Not Dead Yet since 1996. In addition to my various publications, I've appeared on 60 Minutes II as a representative of Not Dead Yet in a profile of bioethicist Peter Singer. I've also appeared on MSNBC, Democracy Now, and the News Hour with Jim Lehrer on related issues.Specialties: media analysis, policy analysis, article writing, blogging, disability activism and advocacy