Visionary Solutions Newsletter #12
- michaelbeattie8
- Aug 7
- 2 min read
NYC Comedy Night Supports Children With Disabilities (Patch News, August 5th 2026)
In New York City, The Smiles for Speech Comedy Benefit will be going for its fourth year within Union Square. The event features stand-up comedians raising money for resources and education for caregivers, developmental disabilities, and speech therapy in the United States and East Africa. Nonprofit founder Sandy Dorsey brings up how many resources are unavailable to those who can't afford it, which leads to attempting cures that are ineffective or even harmful, inspiring the creation of The Smiles for Speech Comedy Benefit.
Dorsey also brings up how the event will hopefully raise more awareness and reduce stigma around developmental disabilities, since a lack of understanding can interfere with a disabled person getting proper help. There are plans to hopefully expand their cause/programs all the way to Ghana, as well as advocate for government investment in these said programs. The event will feature comedians such as Tim Dillon, Mike Recine, Monroe Martin, and Dr. Anthony Drew.
Read full story: https://patch.com/new-york/new-york-city/nyc-comedy-night-offers-big-laughs-support-children-disabilities
Disability advocates march on Gov. JB Pritzker’s office demanding more alternatives to nursing homes (Yahoo!News, Chicago Tribune, August 5th 2026)
On Wednesday August 5th, advocates and members of the Humanize Long Term Care campaign blocked the doorway of Governor JB Pritzker's office, demanding to speak with him inside. The arrival comes with frustration over the Illinois' lack of community-based alternatives to nursing homes, which is ranked the worst in the entire nation according to Care.com. This ranking is based off poor staff, unhygienic conditions, delayed care, and even two cases of death earlier this year. The group also claims that the state is violating Olmstead v. L.C, which rules that community-based services must be offered to those who need it.
Since April, the advocates have been trying to contact Pritzker about these awful conditions with no response, demanding a statewide "Freedom Fund" that would give $40 Million in housing assistance and to help transition those into long-term care. The standoff between the advocates and state police lasted for about 20 minutes until Pritzker's representative came outside to speak with the group's leader, Jose Ocampo. Ocampo reportedly told the representative that they would be back in 2 weeks if response is given until then. In his words, "All we want is to have the freedom to decide to live in the community."
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