Guest guest Posted September 14, 1999 Report Share Posted September 14, 1999 http://www.duff.net/zapper/update.htm ZapUpdate September 14th 1999 Greetings Everyone! Hello from Florida, as we wait to see what direction Hurricane Floyd decides to go. Right now, I don't think winds in our area will exceed the high end of tropical storm levels of 73 miles per hour, so we should be fine. However, our internet service provider is in an area where the winds may be a bit stronger and get much more rain. Hopefully, their computers will stay online, and the ZAP•CHAT will go on as planned... at 8PM EST on September 16th. I'll be there too, unless the electricity goes out. Speaking of electricity, most ZAPPER readers are alive and kicking because we have access to a trickle of electrical energy, when our hearts need a jump start. As most of you know, I am active in campaigns to make that life saving option available to everyone - including people who do not have the benefit of an implanted defibrillator. That is why we often post news reports about the expanding accessability of external defibrillators (AEDs.) Golf Digest has just joined the effort, urging member courses to buy the equipment and have their staffs trained to use the AED. I FAXed a copy of the news release to the manager of the golf course in our community. Sadly, I suspect it is already in the trash can. Last week I went to our home owners' association budget hearing - and for the second year in a row, my pleas to buy an AED and be placed in our security office was dismissed without a moment of fair consideration. It's clear the Golf Course manager, who chairs the HOA board, and the other members have no concern for the welfare of the 2,000 residents of our remote community - and are only interested in their own bottom line. It's really sad, because I know it is just a matter of time until people die when an ambulance does not arrive in time. I know, it almost happened to my wife two weeks ago. It was only by the grace of god that she did not go into cardiac arrest when she suffered anaphylactic shock after getting stung by hundreds of fire ants. In a remote part of the county, the EMS crew with a defibrillator did not arrive for twenty-five minutes! There is no valid reason for anyone to live in such jeapardy... in our area or yours. I trust my words do not frighten you for the security of you and your loved ones who are not equipped with an ICD. I do hope it inspires you to investigate how well protected you are by existing emergency services. If you find an inadequacy, I urge you to fight to improve the safety net everyone deserves. There have been many requests lately for alternate ZAP•CHAT times... since 8PM EST is not convenient for many people around the world. So... let's try a morning session... 9AM EST on Tuesday. And a general free for all... around the clock from Friday evening in the US until Monday morning. When you logon to check your mail or get the news, take a peek at the ZAP•CHAT site to see if anyone else is there. A group of guys from Bulgaria has apparently adopted the site too... so if they are there, kindly ask them to return later when our support group is not in session. We are in the process of applying for grants from the major ICD makers, to complete our ZAP•LIFE project - a book compiled from our survey responses and a companion video, featuring a cross section of ZAP•LIFE respondents. One hurdle we face: All of the foundations stipulate their grants must go to not-for-profit programs. Obviously, we do not profit (financially) from this enterprise. But we can't have that official status without filing lots of paperwork, and a $150 fee, to the Internal Revenue Service. I keep THE ZAPPER online with "contributions" from my monthly Social Security disability check and really can not afford any more expenses for now. If you would like to help, it would be greatly appreciated. If you are also the least bit strapped... I appreciate your kind thoughts, but please keep your money. If you can afford to help, EMail me and I will tell you how to make a donation. For the record, all of this will go into a ZAPPER Account and NONE of this money will be used to satisfy my recently announced (exploratory) political aspirations. As for that effort... send me no money... but please share your thoughts! Please stay well..... Duffey, Zapper Publisher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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