Official ISDB Launch in October

On Wednesday, October 3rd, the ISDB was successfully
launched to the public. Attended by a wide range of advocates for people with disabilities and advocacy organizations, the Institute's headline panel included former US Attorney General John Ashcroft, Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell, ACLJ chief counsel Dr. Jay Sekulow, Bobby Schindler, brother of Terri Schiavo and founder of the Terri Schindler-Schiavo Foundation, and high-profile disability-rights attorney Jerri Ward. Thank you to the many who attended and supported this event.

Mostert Consults at the United Nations

In early November, Dr. Mostert attended the week-long session of the UN's Third Committee, which deals with international, social, humanitarian, and cultural issues. Dr. Mostert met with representatives of several delegations (including the ambassadors from Haiti and Burundi, as well as high-level first/second secretaries of Egypt, Pakistan, Benin, Botswana, South Africa, Kenya, and Zimbabwe) to share the aims of the ISDB. The members were unanimous in understanding the need for help with disability issues in their countries, especially because most countries have recently signed the UN Declaration of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which obligates them to begin providing advocacy and services for their citizens with disabilities, which are sorely lacking or non-existent.

Dr. Mostert has been invited to the UN for further work and meetings in late January.

Mostert Addresses International Symposium on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide

In late November, Dr. Mostert delivered a keynote address at the First International Symposium on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide in Toronto. His address, The Nazi T4 Program: A Blueprint for the Current War Against People with Disabilities was well-received by the 400+ members of the audience. Dr. Mostert was also interviewed by Canada's Salt and Light TV, and was quoted in a National Post article about the conference.

Other speakers included issue experts Margaret Somerville, Rita Marker, Wesley J. Smith, and Bobby Schindler. Read more about the conference.

The ISDB Partners with the American Belarussian Relief Organization 

Dr. Hollowell has spent her time and energies since the launch developing another important focus for the Institute. Specifically, the ISDB will partner with the American Belarussian Relief Organization in a collaborative effort to bring to Hampton Roads orphaned children who are currently living in areas contaminated with radiation from the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant accident.

The children will be hosted by local families for six weeks in the summer of 2008. The goals of the program include:

• providing clean food, rest, and sanctuary in radiation free environments.
• offering medical evaluation and treatment as needed.
• recognizing and nurturing the spirit of those it seeks to assist.

The number of children who come will depend directly on funds raised.  The cost is approximately $2,000.00 per child.  For more information or to make a tax-deductible donation, please contact Cindi Spaulding at isdb@regent.edu or 1.888.572.8950.