Pimping for a good cause - pay it forward

Ganked pretty much directly from rm, chang of pronouns and tense mine. :) I've looked at the items, and there's some pretty nifty stuff offered. This supports a real person with real need.


rm is hosting an LJ auction (graduate_maria) to help raise money for her friend theotoky who has been trying to finish her degree for about 15 years. She supported an abuser so he could get his degree, and successfully got out of that situation. Now that Maria is totally ready, willing and able to succeed for herself, rm wants to make sure she can.

More information about Maria: http://rm.livejournal.com/1876873.html

As of right now the total of donations Maria has received + value of open auctions + value of closed auctions shows she's raised about $1,400 towards Maria's tuition bill. They've still got $3,600 to go.

Current auctions that have 1 or no bids: http://community.livejournal.com/graduate_maria/12911.html

Paypal address if you'd just like to send a donation directly: mariatheo74 AT gmail DOT com

rm's contact information if you have transparency concerns (i.e., she will try to provide you with information you need to feel comfortable): Racheline AT gmail DOT com

Thing you can really do to help: Boost the signal.

Current auctions up close at 11:59 EST July 30.

More items and a lightening round coming soon!

THANK YOU.

Service Animals redefined

The Department of Justice has redefined of "service animals" as ONLY dogs.

Relevant legalese, for those so inclined.
Service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition.

So, those who have diabetic alert cats, or "helping hands" monkeys, or even Bucky the Agoraphobic Wonder Hamster have just had ALL service animal protections stripped away. They can now be kicked out of apartments and denied access to stores without recourse to the ADA for protection.

How long before this gets limited to only dogs from recognized, certified schools, leaving thousands of owner-trainers shitouttaluck in this, too?

Dear DoJ,
Please stop eroding my civil rights. Life is hard enough as is without your "help."
No love,
Me.