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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
