Renewable Revolution

My Personal Story

Ady Barkan cpd@populardemocracy.org via predictiveresponse.net

May 1, 2019
 
Dear friend,

Yesterday, I testified at the historic, first-ever congressional hearing on Medicare for All. Though ALS has stolen my ability to speak aloud, special software which tracks my eye movements allowed me to deliver my testimony and answer the committee members’ questions with an automated voice. You can read my full testimony here and watch the full hearing here.
 
I carried with me the thousands of stories I’ve heard since starting Be A Hero last summer. I am so grateful to all the heroes standing up right now to demand a transformation in our healthcare system. And we’re winning! Before yesterday’s hearing was over, it was announced that Medicare for All would have a hearing in the House Ways and Means Committee, the first major committee of jurisdiction for this legislation.
 
I don’t have time on my side. Americans who are dealing with the everyday realities of their healthcare don’t have time on their side. I can't believe we've come this far. But we have much further to go still.
 
What drives me?
 
I’ve written a memoir about the struggles for social justice that I have been involved with and about my personal struggle with ALS. The book will be published in September (with a foreword by U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez!) but we are announcing it publicly and released presales earlier this month.

The book is called Eyes to the Wind: A Memoir of Love and Death, Hope and Resistance, and you can preorder a copy here right now.


I have poured my heart into this book, in the hopes of leaving a beautiful legacy for my son Carl and our progressive movement.

In it, I write about some of my proudest social justice work from before Jeff Flake rudely confronted me on that airplane and about some of the work you and I have done since then, together, in resistance.

I also share the profound joys of building a life and a family with my wife Rachael and the pain and poignancy that ALS has imposed on us.

From fighting to save the Affordable Care Act to preserving the integrity of the Supreme Court, you have been with me each step of the way. I hope this book will provoke and entertain you, and most of all, I hope it will move you. I would be deeply honored if you were to order a copy (or three! It'll make the perfect holiday present).

If you're on social media, it'd be great if you could share this news on social media with your friends and family to get the word out.

Again, here is the link to preorder the book.

In solidarity and gratitude,

Ady Barkan 👍👍👍