It’s Society man????

Yesterday we were out doing some every day task and the Gimp Mobile shut down, we think it was a dead battery. So, we are in a super market parking lot half way sticking out in the isle. I am telling Wifey just to start asking people if they mind giving us a hot shot. You would think some guy would at least ask if they could help seeing that the van’s hood was open, but no. It was a group of 6 women that tried to help us. Even thou we could not get the van started, they offered to drive us back home since we only live two miles away, but Wifey already called our road side assistances and we did not want to miss them.
The guy came and decided the van should be towed, but nobody could be in the van while being towed and he only could let one person ride with him. His truck had a bench seat, so all three of us could have fit in there. I was in my power chair and did not feel like causing more stress, I just rolled home of course Wifey hated that idea. It was a rainy day and she didn’t know if the route was safe. I really did not say anything to the guy, because I would have gone gimp on him.
When the guy drops off the van at our place he parked the van 2 feet from the curb, Wifey said please move it closer so people will not hit it. His reply was you have insurance so don’t worry about it. Insurance does not cover accessibility and what they would pay would not even pay for half of the modifications if something would happen to our van.
Here is this “guy” that is suppose to be helpful and relieve some stress is doing the opposite. By letting a disabled man walk home in the rain and did a drunk parking job and putting our van at risk, because he wanted to get his job done.

Art is Life and Life is Art

The Real Costs of Medicaid

We The People

AGREE or DISAGREE: Consideration of people with disabilities is often neglected, my reaction.

Art is Like Playing Monopoly

As some of you remember I was represented by the Phyllis Kind Gallery for many years, this was a good time in my life. The Oscars just fell into tour laps and HBO wanted to connect me to a gallery, that is how Phyllis I crossed path. From the moment we met, she referred to my work as my children.
Really, each art piece is a child, the seed is the idea and they bloom into their own identity as we work on them. Phyllis had the philosophy of finding the right buyer for each piece. I was off to a good run; my first solo show was a huge success. Then 9/11 occurred and understandable other things took precedence to art. I always knew art is more of luxury in life, face it I never did art for the money that is more of a bonus. Over the next few years I had two more solo shows at the Kind Gallery.

Then in 2006, I got a call no Artist would ever what to receive. Time to come pick up your work because the gallery is moving to a smaller place. To me this is mix emotions since my work is going into storage, but at least I have the opportunity to get my kids back. Whoever has taken an Art history class, has heard many stories about galleries closing and the Artist can’t find their work. Interesting enough when Dena and I went to pick up the kids, Phyllis kept a hand full of my work.

To be honest, I was frustrated that they kept the prints that I worked on in the summer of 2002. That summer I basically took over the print shop at Towson University and hired Dawn, Jessica and Brian to run edition for me, thanks to Tonia Mathews. All of women/men power and supplies were out of pocket, I think you would see why I would be worried about what happened to the editions.

For the next dozen years, I had no idea of what happen to Phyllis, or my work. Even the producers of King Gimp could not get through to the gallery. Two weeks ago, an email popped up in my inbox from Phyllis’ daughter, saying the gallery is finally closed and would I like to come get the rest of my work? Right away; I’m reply yes and I am thinking self, the flipping prints! I wanted to ask about how Phyllis is doing in person.

Last Saturday Dena, Daisy and I packed into our van and set out for NYC. When Dena and Rachel put the first load into the van, I did tear up. This is not only the end of a chapter in my life, but an end of an era in the Art world. As they finished loading the work, Rachel says it must feel good getting your children back. I know that is something her Mom would say, I hope she is having a relaxing retirement living on the West coast. Before we headed back home, I asked Rachel to please kiss her mom for me.

As we were heading home, I asked Dena; honey do you know what we have here? This was Phyllis’ private collection of my work. You know she handpicked what she wanted to keep, because she knew it’s value. Rachel said as she was moving my work to lobby, people ask if it was for sell. The thing about art, the Artist know it’s value, people like Phyllis tell you it’s value but there is no proof unless people see the dollars flowing.

Email Dan 

When people with disabilities and the elderly live in HUD housing does that mean they have lesser right than any other tenants?

When people with disabilities and the elderly live in HUD housing does that mean they have lesser right than any other tenants? Does it give the property manager the right to act like a bully? Once again, I feel like it is my obligation to speak for the voiceless, but this time my friends will not speak up in fear of retaliation.

For months, I have been hearing stories of their apartment complex has become a jail more than a home due to the manager’s threats. If my friend lived anywhere else can the manager tell him who he can, or can’t have in his apartment if no laws have been broken?

On another account the manager said if my friend does not file a report against his neighbor, my friend could be could face eviction. To me this is black mail and the manager is the that breaking the law. All this time I have been telling my friend, he needs speak up. The manager is abusing her position, but all the tenants are in fear of being evicted if they did take a stand.

Up until now Dena and I could just give people our advice since her actions were not directed to us. Yesterday our son that we advocate for, received a letter on his door stating that we are banned from the property, without breaking any laws. The manager just does not like how we tell the tenants that the disabled have rights too and they do not have put up with her bullying.

The two other issues that were mention in this letter were about I should not have mail coming to my friend’s address and my service dog comes to visits him. First, I am my friend’s payee rep so why would not my name be on his bills and other documents. Really why is this any of her business? How would she be aware of this, unless she is checking other people’s mail and in that case, she is breaking the law herself.

When the manager did ask me about me service dog, I did provide her with the proper documents and she has a copy for our Sons file. Really this is hypocritical, because the manager can bring her dogs to work but other people cannot have them visit. If she really cares about her tenants, she would encourage animals to visit since they uplift people’s spirits.

The manager of the building is owned by Bayview Management Llc, should see her job to advocate for disabled, not a dictator and it is no different then being back in an institution. My purpose of this letter is to bring awareness and see what steps can be taken to advocate for the tenants, so please give me your advice?

Is it legal to ban visitors of any kind?

Sincerely,

Dan Keplinger, King Gimp

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