Dr. Weed is always looking for nation-wide organizations that have opportunities for people to impact others’ lives in all fifty states. If you have one to recommend, please send its chapter link to me here. This page will always be growing and changing as time passes so please visit as often as you like!
Volunteer
One of the biggest challenges in beginning to make an impact is finding a place to start. So I have put together a compendium of organizations that continue to impact the lives of so many around us through the volunteers that work with them. Click the link below to access this regularly-updated resource!
get inspired
The typeface that helps dyslexics read [BBC]
December 5, 2017
Christian Boer is dyslexic, and wrote a font that helps him read. This BBC story describes the font and others that can help. Christian’s font has been downloaded 300K times, impacting his life and others’, too. An option some dyslexics I know have used is text-to-speech software built-in to many computers. Both Apple, and Microsoft, have free accessibility tools that can help people with many kinds of reading challenges including the blindness with which I deal every day. Like me, you may need more than these free tools can offer but they’re a start.
100 Women 2016: Designing clothes for people with Down's syndrome [BBC]
November 29, 2016
Isobella Sprinmuhl was initially rejected and discriminated against. Now, she's a famous designer at the age of 19 and designs clothes for people with Down's Syndrome.
Diabetes nightmare: A hypoglycemic attack on air [BBC]
December 12, 2017
Alex Ritson, a presenter for the BBC world service had a hypoglycemic attack, before going on air. His team realized what was happening, got him sugar and helped him normalize his levels. Alex’ openness about his condition, how he manages it, and what people can do to help diabetics they know if they are having a low-glucose episode make him an impactor.
Colorado police start 'cuddle club' for colleague's baby [BBC]
December 4, 2017
When Alex Winch was born, his parents were told he may not survive. The couple were airlifted 300 miles away, to Aurora, Colorado, where the local police department formed a rota to take care of him.
Why I am running the New York City Marathon as a guide for a disabled runner [Fox News]
November 4, 2017
Michael Levin is an entrepreneur who has been profiled on Shark Tank. According to a piece published on Fox News, he still finds time to impact the lives of people with disabilities by running the NYC Marathon with them. His business activities give him wealth and fame. His community service makes him an impactor!
For three brothers, ‘Texas pride’ means buying a 5-ton truck on Craigslist and helping fellow Texans [PBS]
August 31, 2017
PBS News Hour reports that when Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, three brothers from San Antonio decided to buy a $13,000 5-ton truck on Craigslist and drive to the city to help with rescues.
$30,000 reception donated to homeless after US wedding cancelled [BBC]
July 16, 2017
Sarah Cummins decided to invites guests from neighboring homeless shelters when her wedding in Carmel, Indiana was canceled.
Nicki Minaj says she'll pay college tuition fees for fans [BBC]
May 7, 2017
Nicki Minaj decided to help fans who had reached out to her on Twitter, for their school tuition if they could prove their need for aid.
US teacher 'really proud' to save pupil's life [BBC]
February 28, 2017
Beth Bautista donated a kidney to a girl who would later become a student of hers at the kindergarten she had been teaching at.
Alert Uber driver saves girl from alleged sex traffickers [Fox News]
December 30, 2016
Keith Avila saved a 16-year-old girl from two alleged sex traffickers, Fox News says. He hugely impacted her life.
Indianapolis Colts black cheerleader hugs boy who used slur [BBC]
December 23, 2016
Leanna E, an African American cheerleader for the Indianapolis Colts, chose to forgive a white student after he posted a racial slur in a Snapchat photo that went viral.
Student asks mom to pack 2 school lunches so friend can eat [Fox News]
October 18, 2016
Josette Duran, a high school volleyball coach in New Mexico, would pack an extra lunch for her son's friend who'd eat a fruit cup for lunch everyday. When the team she coached raised $400 to pay her back, she used the money to pay all the delinquent lunch accounts of students at her school. She, her son, and the volleyball team she coaches are all impactors.
Road-tripping 91-year-old hopes her travels inspire end-of-life conversations [Fox News]
August 17, 2016
After experiencing the loss of her husband, brother and being diagnosed with uterine cancer, Norma Bauerschmidt decided to hit the road with her nomadic son and daughter-in-law.
Lonnie Johnson: The father of the Super Soaker [BBC]
August 15, 2016
African American Lonnie Johnson made the Super Soaker! This BBC story shows his race doesn’t stop his inventing, fun, or overall impact!
Meet the founder who briefly forced Silicon Valley to confront its race problem [LinkedIn]
April 3, 2016
Shandra Woworuntu: My life as a sex-trafficking victim [BBC]
March 30, 2016
Sex trafficking is a serious problem worldwide. Shandra Woworuntu was trafficked to the US more than 15 years ago. She suffered for months, escaped and is now a leader in the effort to stop this terrible crime. She is having an impact on her world. You can, too.
Third-graders shave heads to support classmate battling rare cancer [Denver Fox31]
March 16, 2016
65 educators and kids shave their heads, in support of nine-year old Marlee Park's battle a rare form of cancer
Inspired by husband, NC woman designs adaptive clothing for disabled; strikes deal with major retailers [Fox News]
March 15, 2016
When Maura Horton's husband was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, she went on to founding a company that sold adaptive clothing that would make it easier for people to dress themselves and maintain a sense of dignity.
India cancer survivor brings joy to destitute children [BBC]
February 6, 2016
After surviving colon cancer, Mark Rego to spend some of his time to raise money for destitute children.
A doctor in India decides to waive his fees for the birth of a girl child [BBC]
January 31, 2016
After facing several families who were disappointed with the birth of a girl, Dr. Ganesh Rakh decided to waive his fees
Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes 'cut herself daily' [BBC]
September 24, 2017
Olympic gold medalist Dame Kelly Holmes was severely depressed engaged in self harm only a year before she won gold twice in Athens in 2004. She speaks of her depression and self harm in this BBC interview.