Nick Dupree

Nick Dupree

A picture of Nick Dupree wearing a suit.

Dupree in February 2004
Born Nicholas Folk Dupree
February 23, 1982
Occupation Disability rights activist, writer
Known for Nick's Crusade

Nick Dupree (born February 23, 1982) is a disability rights activist and writer.[1][2][3][4] His campaign labeled "Nick's Crusade" resulted in a special program for 30 ventilator-dependent Alabamians (including himself and his younger brother) to continue home care after they turn 21 years old.[3][4]

Early life

He was born in Morgantown, West Virginia on February 23, 1982 with mitochondrial disease.[4][5] Despite the disease, he was able to go to school by himself, feed himself, and use a manual wheelchair. On September 13, 1991, an infected surgical site during a Luque rods surgery triggered a collapse that killed Dupree's remaining muscle tone.[5] In October 1991 he got his first feeding tube and his first vent in February 1992.[5] Dupree was admitted to Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama at age 16.[5]

Nick's Crusade

Dupree organized "Nick's Crusade", a campaign which attempted to gain continued in-home services for Alabamians with disabilities who are over the age of 21.[3][6] On February 10, 2003, United States Department of Health and Human Services secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced a limited program in Alabama that would fund in-home services for Dupree and 29 others who were turning 21 shortly.[3][6]

Personal life

Dupree has lived in New York City since 2008 with his partner Alejandra Ospina,[5] who is also a disability rights activist. In 2010, the couple held a public commitment ceremony in New York's Central Park, conducted in part to dramatize concern that people with disabilities are dissuaded from marrying because of U.S. government rules that could cause them to lose disability benefits if they were married.[7] He enjoys writing, and is currently working on his memoir.[5] He also enjoys editing the free online encyclopedia, Wikipedia.[8][9]

Dupree has an unknown muscular disorder believed to be related to the metabolic cycle and carnitine.[10] Due to his disability, he depends on a ventilator to breathe, and uses a wheelchair, though he is often bedbound. He works, creates art, and communicates via the computer by using his thumb on a trackball mouse.[10] He clicks out text on the computer screen[10] using KeyStrokes, an on-screen keyboard.

References

  1. ↑ "Disabled college student's future depends on ruling". The Associated Press. 8 February 2003. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
  2. ↑ Shapiro, Joseph (12 February 2003). "A Medicaid Victory". NPR. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Reynolds, Dave (19 February 2003). "Nick Dupree's Crusade Pays Off". Inclusion Daily Express. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "This Day in Disability History". Independence Today. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 "About The Author, Nick Dupree". Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Reynolds, Dave (29 March 2004). "Alabama Medicaid Policy Blamed For Friend's Death". Inclusion Daily Express. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  7. ↑ Keller, Emily F. (June 6, 2010). "Couple Exchanges Vows in Central Park". NYC Transportation Access.
  8. ↑ "Nick Dupree tweet". 21 February 2013. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  9. ↑ Dupree, Nick (17 June 2011). "Nick the Wikipedian". Wikipedia. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Dupree, Nick (17 June 2011). "Disability". Wikipedia. Retrieved 13 March 2014.

External links