of benefit to all

What work I have done I have done because it has been play. If it had been work I shouldn't have done it. Who was it who said, "Blessed is the man who has found his work"? Whoever it was he had the right idea in his mind. Mark you, he says his work--not somebody else's work. The work that is really a man's own work is play and not work at all. Cursed is the man who has found some other man's work and cannot lose it. When we talk about the great workers of the world we really mean the great players of the world. The fellows who groan and sweat under the weary load of toil that they bear never can hope to do anything great. How can they when their souls are in a ferment of revolt against the employment of their hands and brains? The product of slavery, intellectual or physical, can never be great.
Mark Twain

a few months back, my blogami, marc, mentioned that he had a friend who specialized in benefits, especially for people living with hiv. this would include, but not be limited to, social security, disability, medicaid, and medicare. his specialty is returning back to work and keeping one's benefits- i.e. not losing your healthcare benefits as you try to re-enter the workforce.

this is a conversation that has not happened on a community level here in colorado that we know of, so we thought it might be a great idea to have him come out from sunny cali to do a workshop.

i contacted michael van essen and it turns out he used to live in colorado for a short while and jumped at the chance. so we have decided to arrange a forum for poz persons and added a workshop for hiv treatment providers to sweeten the pot. our logic is that if we begin to educate the consumers, but the providers are not on the same page, then perhaps we are doing no one any favors.

so feb 5th and 6th, michael will be spending time with us in denver and sharing some of his vast wealth of knowledge of how to navigate the benefits system, mostly on a national level, but also on a state level, too.

he is positive as well, (another image i proudly project) and gives credence to the idea of returning to work. i look forward to meeting him, viewing some treasures in his vault, and starting a conversation.

the positive community forum will be thursday february 5 at 9th and emerson (our savior lutheran) with dinner provided by tommy's thai. the provider forum will be at the residence inn (2777 n zuni) on friday february 6 at 8:30am - breakfast and box lunch provided. click on scribd (in sidebar) SIN newsletter 4 for more details.

michael also is a blogger. you can find his work at ofbenefittoall

today's sound choice is the one and only rupaul with "you better work"