so I tell people that I have a former life and a new life in my former life I
life and a new life in my former life I
life and a new life in my former life I was the charity queen kinda I
was the charity queen kinda I
was the charity queen kinda I volunteered for everything that I could
volunteered for everything that I could
volunteered for everything that I could possibly do thought it would help me in
possibly do thought it would help me in
possibly do thought it would help me in my business but I also had a need to
my business but I also had a need to
my business but I also had a need to help other people so I did meals on
help other people so I did meals on
help other people so I did meals on wheels all kinds of things locally in my
wheels all kinds of things locally in my
wheels all kinds of things locally in my hometown and then also global
hometown and then also global
hometown and then also global initiatives and we raised a lot of money
initiatives and we raised a lot of money
initiatives and we raised a lot of money and I also travel I have a love for
and I also travel I have a love for
and I also travel I have a love for developing countries and so when I would
developing countries and so when I would
developing countries and so when I would go to these countries you see the people
go to these countries you see the people
go to these countries you see the people and they live on a dollar a week some of
and they live on a dollar a week some of
and they live on a dollar a week some of these nations so we’re raising these
these nations so we’re raising these
these nations so we’re raising these hundreds of thousands of dollars and I
hundreds of thousands of dollars and I
hundreds of thousands of dollars and I started questioning where is the money
started questioning where is the money
started questioning where is the money going right so I came back I started
going right so I came back I started
going right so I came back I started asking the questions and then I wasn’t
asking the questions and then I wasn’t
asking the questions and then I wasn’t very favorable in to the the staff and
very favorable in to the the staff and
very favorable in to the the staff and everyone and so when I started my new
everyone and so when I started my new
everyone and so when I started my new life in California a lot of those
life in California a lot of those
life in California a lot of those organizations were here and I told them
organizations were here and I told them
organizations were here and I told them not to tell them that I was coming that
not to tell them that I was coming that
not to tell them that I was coming that if I could find a place that I could
if I could find a place that I could
if I could find a place that I could really make a difference that I would
really make a difference that I would
really make a difference that I would get involved again so for seven years I
get involved again so for seven years I
get involved again so for seven years I looked at projects locally in California
looked at projects locally in California
looked at projects locally in California and then when I traveled I used to talk
and then when I traveled I used to talk
and then when I traveled I used to talk to organizations that were there I’d
to organizations that were there I’d
to organizations that were there I’d have a driver take me to a sad story to
have a driver take me to a sad story to
have a driver take me to a sad story to an orphanage to a clinic I’ve been to a
an orphanage to a clinic I’ve been to a
an orphanage to a clinic I’ve been to a leper colony you name it I’ve been there
leper colony you name it I’ve been there
leper colony you name it I’ve been there and it wasn’t that the need wasn’t there
and it wasn’t that the need wasn’t there
and it wasn’t that the need wasn’t there there was tremendous need around the
there was tremendous need around the
there was tremendous need around the world the problem was is that I was
world the problem was is that I was
world the problem was is that I was going to trust you with the money and I
going to trust you with the money and I
going to trust you with the money and I never got the warm fuzzies that I could
never got the warm fuzzies that I could
never got the warm fuzzies that I could really trust somebody because I’m not
really trust somebody because I’m not
really trust somebody because I’m not going to live there I’m coming back to
going to live there I’m coming back to
going to live there I’m coming back to San Diego right and my thought was is
San Diego right and my thought was is
San Diego right and my thought was is that when I would go and visit the
that when I would go and visit the
that when I would go and visit the perhaps the person would spread the
perhaps the person would spread the
perhaps the person would spread the wealth a little bit I don’t speak the
wealth a little bit I don’t speak the
wealth a little bit I don’t speak the language and they would all love me and
language and they would all love me and
language and they would all love me and I would have this false sense security
I would have this false sense security
I would have this false sense security that I was really doing good in this
that I was really doing good in this
that I was really doing good in this community but I wouldn’t really know so
community but I wouldn’t really know so
community but I wouldn’t really know so seven years went by
seven years went by
seven years went by and I was told about a small clinic in
and I was told about a small clinic in
and I was told about a small clinic in Uganda a local charity here was raising
Uganda a local charity here was raising
Uganda a local charity here was raising money for a generator and I was to be a
money for a generator and I was to be a
money for a generator and I was to be a major donor for that project well I’d
major donor for that project well I’d
major donor for that project well I’d never been to Uganda I’ve been to the
never been to Uganda I’ve been to the
never been to Uganda I’ve been to the Congo I’ve been to Wanda I figured if it
Congo I’ve been to Wanda I figured if it
Congo I’ve been to Wanda I figured if it was a bust I’d go see the gorillas that
was a bust I’d go see the gorillas that
was a bust I’d go see the gorillas that was my thought because I didn’t have
was my thought because I didn’t have
was my thought because I didn’t have high hopes in that so I met the woman
high hopes in that so I met the woman
high hopes in that so I met the woman two weeks later I’m on a flight on my
two weeks later I’m on a flight on my
two weeks later I’m on a flight on my way to Uganda I’m a frustrated doctor by
way to Uganda I’m a frustrated doctor by
way to Uganda I’m a frustrated doctor by heart I always wanted to be a
heart I always wanted to be a
heart I always wanted to be a pediatrician my life didn’t go that way
pediatrician my life didn’t go that way
pediatrician my life didn’t go that way so when students come to talk to me I
so when students come to talk to me I
so when students come to talk to me I tell them don’t worry about it
tell them don’t worry about it
tell them don’t worry about it it may take years to figure out why your
it may take years to figure out why your
it may take years to figure out why your path goes a different way so when I go
path goes a different way so when I go
path goes a different way so when I go to the clinics I diagnose in my head
to the clinics I diagnose in my head
to the clinics I diagnose in my head it’s a little weird I don’t tell anybody
it’s a little weird I don’t tell anybody
it’s a little weird I don’t tell anybody my diagnosis or anything like that
my diagnosis or anything like that
my diagnosis or anything like that but I do I look at it you know and so
but I do I look at it you know and so
but I do I look at it you know and so I’m in Africa and I see the children and
I’m in Africa and I see the children and
I’m in Africa and I see the children and malaria aids you can kind of tell well
malaria aids you can kind of tell well
malaria aids you can kind of tell well there was this little boy he look like
there was this little boy he look like
there was this little boy he look like he wasn’t feeling well but not gravely
he wasn’t feeling well but not gravely
he wasn’t feeling well but not gravely ill and I had brought toys right when we
ill and I had brought toys right when we
ill and I had brought toys right when we go to these countries we bring pencils
go to these countries we bring pencils
go to these countries we bring pencils and crayons and coloring books and
and crayons and coloring books and
and crayons and coloring books and things like that so the next morning had
things like that so the next morning had
things like that so the next morning had only bid there one day I asked sister
only bid there one day I asked sister
only bid there one day I asked sister Ernestine who runs the clinic is that
Ernestine who runs the clinic is that
Ernestine who runs the clinic is that family still here
family still here
family still here I brought some toys I would like to give
I brought some toys I would like to give
I brought some toys I would like to give it to them and she said no he died and I
it to them and she said no he died and I
it to them and she said no he died and I said really and I thought wow I really
said really and I thought wow I really
said really and I thought wow I really missed that you know I didn’t I thought
missed that you know I didn’t I thought
missed that you know I didn’t I thought he wasn’t that ill and I said really
he wasn’t that ill and I said really
he wasn’t that ill and I said really what did he die from and she said asthma
what did he die from and she said asthma
what did he die from and she said asthma and I said how can a child die of asthma
and I said how can a child die of asthma
and I said how can a child die of asthma when we have all these other diseases
when we have all these other diseases
when we have all these other diseases here that is unbelievable to me well
here that is unbelievable to me well
here that is unbelievable to me well prior to me going the woman that I
prior to me going the woman that I
prior to me going the woman that I traveled with had been to this location
traveled with had been to this location
traveled with had been to this location multiple times
multiple times
multiple times now she’s raising money for a generator
now she’s raising money for a generator
now she’s raising money for a generator right so obviously they must have things
right so obviously they must have things
right so obviously they must have things because a generator is a luxury item
because a generator is a luxury item
because a generator is a luxury item correct so I she so sister de’cine was
correct so I she so sister de’cine was
correct so I she so sister de’cine was telling me she’s like you know
telling me she’s like you know
telling me she’s like you know Westerners like you come here and you
Westerners like you come here and you
Westerners like you come here and you tell us what we need you don’t ask us
tell us what we need you don’t ask us
tell us what we need you don’t ask us I have rehab equipment Who am I going to
I have rehab equipment Who am I going to
I have rehab equipment Who am I going to rehab
rehab
rehab they go back to their village to die
they go back to their village to die
they go back to their village to die this is my scalpel and she pulled out a
this is my scalpel and she pulled out a
this is my scalpel and she pulled out a rusty razor blade so I looked at the
rusty razor blade so I looked at the
rusty razor blade so I looked at the woman who had been there multiple times
woman who had been there multiple times
woman who had been there multiple times that had brought me to be a major donor
that had brought me to be a major donor
that had brought me to be a major donor for a generator $35,000 generator I
for a generator $35,000 generator I
for a generator $35,000 generator I looked at her and I said you told me it
looked at her and I said you told me it
looked at her and I said you told me it was a clinic and she said well it is a
was a clinic and she said well it is a
was a clinic and she said well it is a clinic
clinic
clinic I said you told me that they have things
I said you told me that they have things
I said you told me that they have things and she said well I thought because it’s
and she said well I thought because it’s
and she said well I thought because it’s a clinic right our misconception you
a clinic right our misconception you
a clinic right our misconception you know we hear the term and we think they
know we hear the term and we think they
know we hear the term and we think they have everything so I had a piece of
have everything so I had a piece of
have everything so I had a piece of paper and I made three columns and I
paper and I made three columns and I
paper and I made three columns and I wrote on their scalpel nebulizer oxygen
wrote on their scalpel nebulizer oxygen
wrote on their scalpel nebulizer oxygen and then I wrote in the third column an
and then I wrote in the third column an
and then I wrote in the third column an incubator something that if they don’t
incubator something that if they don’t
incubator something that if they don’t have something simple an incubator is
have something simple an incubator is
have something simple an incubator is far out of the realm of anything they
far out of the realm of anything they
far out of the realm of anything they think they would ever have so I gave it
think they would ever have so I gave it
think they would ever have so I gave it a sister understand and I’m having
a sister understand and I’m having
a sister understand and I’m having breakfast and I said can you please fill
breakfast and I said can you please fill
breakfast and I said can you please fill out what you want now and and then fill
out what you want now and and then fill
out what you want now and and then fill out the rest later
out the rest later
out the rest later so I was having breakfast she fills out
so I was having breakfast she fills out
so I was having breakfast she fills out this list the woman that I’m with with
this list the woman that I’m with with
this list the woman that I’m with with the traditional charity she’s bumping me
the traditional charity she’s bumping me
the traditional charity she’s bumping me and she said what are you doing and I
and she said what are you doing and I
and she said what are you doing and I said don’t talk to me right now because
said don’t talk to me right now because
said don’t talk to me right now because I’m not very happy with her right so
I’m not very happy with her right so
I’m not very happy with her right so they give me the list and I didn’t even
they give me the list and I didn’t even
they give me the list and I didn’t even have a vehicle now this one want to give
have a vehicle now this one want to give
have a vehicle now this one want to give him a generator because she wanted
him a generator because she wanted
him a generator because she wanted lights in her room they didn’t have a
lights in her room they didn’t have a
lights in her room they didn’t have a vehicle so I said can we borrow the
vehicle so I said can we borrow the
vehicle so I said can we borrow the vehicle from the church to go and buy
vehicle from the church to go and buy
vehicle from the church to go and buy this stuff lady keeps hitting me
this stuff lady keeps hitting me
this stuff lady keeps hitting me you’re my donor you have to give me the
you’re my donor you have to give me the
you’re my donor you have to give me the money and I said nope I brought money
money and I said nope I brought money
money and I said nope I brought money I’m going to raid my ATM and I’m going
I’m going to raid my ATM and I’m going
I’m going to raid my ATM and I’m going to buy as much of this equipment as I
to buy as much of this equipment as I
to buy as much of this equipment as I can for these people so I did we
can for these people so I did we
can for these people so I did we borrowed a car we went in and we bought
borrowed a car we went in and we bought
borrowed a car we went in and we bought medical supplies and I’ve been hooked
medical supplies and I’ve been hooked
medical supplies and I’ve been hooked ever since
ever since
ever since on the small community now I say small
on the small community now I say small
on the small community now I say small this Health Center is run by seven nuns
this Health Center is run by seven nuns
this Health Center is run by seven nuns it’s when I went there it was 20 beds
it’s when I went there it was 20 beds
it’s when I went there it was 20 beds it’s now 60 beds and we helped three
it’s now 60 beds and we helped three
it’s now 60 beds and we helped three districts 49 villages a population of
districts 49 villages a population of
districts 49 villages a population of over 660,000 people those are very big
over 660,000 people those are very big
over 660,000 people those are very big numbers
numbers
numbers but a sister Ernestine says one person
but a sister Ernestine says one person
but a sister Ernestine says one person at a time so the numbers become smaller
at a time so the numbers become smaller
at a time so the numbers become smaller so from there I’m big on sustainability
so from there I’m big on sustainability
so from there I’m big on sustainability because charities come in right and we
because charities come in right and we
because charities come in right and we set up we give them things we get them
set up we give them things we get them
set up we give them things we get them all set with whether it’s a school or a
all set with whether it’s a school or a
all set with whether it’s a school or a clinic or something then we leave them
clinic or something then we leave them
clinic or something then we leave them well how do they replace the books how
well how do they replace the books how
well how do they replace the books how do they get more supplies so
do they get more supplies so
do they get more supplies so sustainability but the sisters wanted to
sustainability but the sisters wanted to
sustainability but the sisters wanted to have goats someone had been there
have goats someone had been there
have goats someone had been there another organization had told them goats
another organization had told them goats
another organization had told them goats you want goats raise money for goats
you want goats raise money for goats
you want goats raise money for goats so I told sister I said I don’t I’m not
so I told sister I said I don’t I’m not
so I told sister I said I don’t I’m not doing goats because I found this hybrid
doing goats because I found this hybrid
doing goats because I found this hybrid Pig that could give 18 piglets one or
Pig that could give 18 piglets one or
Pig that could give 18 piglets one or two goats 18 piglets I mean that doesn’t
two goats 18 piglets I mean that doesn’t
two goats 18 piglets I mean that doesn’t it make sense so I said no I’ll do pigs
it make sense so I said no I’ll do pigs
it make sense so I said no I’ll do pigs but I’m not doing goats
but I’m not doing goats
but I’m not doing goats so they said nope because they’ve been
so they said nope because they’ve been
so they said nope because they’ve been so brainwashed that goats were the way
so brainwashed that goats were the way
so brainwashed that goats were the way to go so I came back four months later
to go so I came back four months later
to go so I came back four months later we want goats I said I’m doing pigs
we want goats I said I’m doing pigs
we want goats I said I’m doing pigs that’s it now I could have forced my
that’s it now I could have forced my
that’s it now I could have forced my opinion on them right and just gone out
opinion on them right and just gone out
opinion on them right and just gone out and built the piggery and said you’re
and built the piggery and said you’re
and built the piggery and said you’re going to have pigs that’s it
going to have pigs that’s it
going to have pigs that’s it but if you don’t have buy-in by the
but if you don’t have buy-in by the
but if you don’t have buy-in by the people then it’s not going to work right
people then it’s not going to work right
people then it’s not going to work right for students I can drill it into your
for students I can drill it into your
for students I can drill it into your head or your children or when you have
head or your children or when you have
head or your children or when you have children later on I can talk to you and
children later on I can talk to you and
children later on I can talk to you and talk to you but if you don’t buy into it
talk to you but if you don’t buy into it
talk to you but if you don’t buy into it it’s not going to happen you’re going to
it’s not going to happen you’re going to
it’s not going to happen you’re going to fight it or you’re going to change your
fight it or you’re going to change your
fight it or you’re going to change your mind later on when I turn my back you’re
mind later on when I turn my back you’re
mind later on when I turn my back you’re going to go do something else the same
going to go do something else the same
going to go do something else the same thing so finally by the end of that trip
thing so finally by the end of that trip
thing so finally by the end of that trip they said okay we’ll do pigs so we
they said okay we’ll do pigs so we
they said okay we’ll do pigs so we bought five piglets and now we have the
bought five piglets and now we have the
bought five piglets and now we have the number one piggery and all of Uganda
number one piggery and all of Uganda
number one piggery and all of Uganda remember I told you seven nuns it’s
remember I told you seven nuns it’s
remember I told you seven nuns it’s called the holy hams piggery right so
called the holy hams piggery right so
called the holy hams piggery right so from there the sustainable businesses
from there the sustainable businesses
from there the sustainable businesses have grown we have a bigger e we have a
have grown we have a bigger e we have a
have grown we have a bigger e we have a grocery store we have a clothing store
grocery store we have a clothing store
grocery store we have a clothing store we have organic Gardens I tell people if
we have organic Gardens I tell people if
we have organic Gardens I tell people if you stay there too long they’ll sell you
you stay there too long they’ll sell you
you stay there too long they’ll sell you now this is a population that was
now this is a population that was
now this is a population that was beaten down by civil wars felt that life
beaten down by civil wars felt that life
beaten down by civil wars felt that life was over
was over
was over edie I mean and everything and so it’s a
edie I mean and everything and so it’s a
edie I mean and everything and so it’s a really good test case to see how these
really good test case to see how these
really good test case to see how these people have really become entrepreneurs
people have really become entrepreneurs
people have really become entrepreneurs right they believe in themselves now I
right they believe in themselves now I
right they believe in themselves now I gave them the tools I didn’t do it I’m
gave them the tools I didn’t do it I’m
gave them the tools I didn’t do it I’m not making them do it but they see
not making them do it but they see
not making them do it but they see something in themselves just like we all
something in themselves just like we all
something in themselves just like we all should see something in ourselves
should see something in ourselves
should see something in ourselves correct so the project is done very well
correct so the project is done very well
correct so the project is done very well we’ve become a model we’ve had people
we’ve become a model we’ve had people
we’ve become a model we’ve had people come from all over the country and and
come from all over the country and and
come from all over the country and and out of other countries come and be a
out of other countries come and be a
out of other countries come and be a model for them which is perfect so the
model for them which is perfect so the
model for them which is perfect so the need for medical supplies continues so
need for medical supplies continues so
need for medical supplies continues so they’re able to what these other
they’re able to what these other
they’re able to what these other businesses have clinic day twice a week
businesses have clinic day twice a week
businesses have clinic day twice a week five hundred people come to be tested
five hundred people come to be tested
five hundred people come to be tested for HIV we have three thousand adults
for HIV we have three thousand adults
for HIV we have three thousand adults and eight hundred children actively on
and eight hundred children actively on
and eight hundred children actively on antiretrovirals so there’s a lot of
antiretrovirals so there’s a lot of
antiretrovirals so there’s a lot of people that come to this we have a staff
people that come to this we have a staff
people that come to this we have a staff of 51 people now we have three full-time
of 51 people now we have three full-time
of 51 people now we have three full-time doctors all because of these sustainable
doctors all because of these sustainable
doctors all because of these sustainable businesses but there’s equipment that we
businesses but there’s equipment that we
businesses but there’s equipment that we need that would help a lot x-ray
need that would help a lot x-ray
need that would help a lot x-ray machines Gurney’s so I found out that
machines Gurney’s so I found out that
machines Gurney’s so I found out that they that we here in the United States
they that we here in the United States
they that we here in the United States we’re quite wasteful we’re not wasteful
we’re quite wasteful we’re not wasteful
we’re quite wasteful we’re not wasteful we have to outdo each other so when a
we have to outdo each other so when a
we have to outdo each other so when a hospital or a clinic gets a new piece of
hospital or a clinic gets a new piece of
hospital or a clinic gets a new piece of equipment somebody else has got to get a
equipment somebody else has got to get a
equipment somebody else has got to get a new piece of equipment and nobody wants
new piece of equipment and nobody wants
new piece of equipment and nobody wants that old piece of equipment but there’s
that old piece of equipment but there’s
that old piece of equipment but there’s plenty pieces all over the world that
plenty pieces all over the world that
plenty pieces all over the world that could really use that equipment and what
could really use that equipment and what
could really use that equipment and what has been historically is it gets sent to
has been historically is it gets sent to
has been historically is it gets sent to the metal recycler or to the landfill
the metal recycler or to the landfill
the metal recycler or to the landfill because why because if we’re afraid to
because why because if we’re afraid to
because why because if we’re afraid to be sued the hospitals the clinic’s
be sued the hospitals the clinic’s
be sued the hospitals the clinic’s nobody we’ve become the society that
nobody we’ve become the society that
nobody we’ve become the society that we’re we have to go after something all
we’re we have to go after something all
we’re we have to go after something all the time so I realized and there’s other
the time so I realized and there’s other
the time so I realized and there’s other I’m not reinventing the wheel that’s not
I’m not reinventing the wheel that’s not
I’m not reinventing the wheel that’s not what I do I just make it better I take
what I do I just make it better I take
what I do I just make it better I take someone’s idea and I improve it a little
someone’s idea and I improve it a little
someone’s idea and I improve it a little bit so what we started doing is oh there
bit so what we started doing is oh there
bit so what we started doing is oh there it is you guys wonder what that is
it is you guys wonder what that is
it is you guys wonder what that is that’s my home
that’s my home
that’s my home pretty much I love I lived there
pretty much I love I lived there
pretty much I love I lived there part-time that’s my warehouse here in
part-time that’s my warehouse here in
part-time that’s my warehouse here in San Diego now everything that you see
San Diego now everything that you see
San Diego now everything that you see there is trash I am a dumpster diver I
there is trash I am a dumpster diver I
there is trash I am a dumpster diver I have been for three years I would have
have been for three years I would have
have been for three years I would have been for four years but it took me a
been for four years but it took me a
been for four years but it took me a year to have anybody to listen to me I’d
year to have anybody to listen to me I’d
year to have anybody to listen to me I’d call all the hospitals clinics I started
call all the hospitals clinics I started
call all the hospitals clinics I started calling my doctors hi I’m Laura
calling my doctors hi I’m Laura
calling my doctors hi I’m Laura Luxembourg who I would like I know that
Luxembourg who I would like I know that
Luxembourg who I would like I know that you’re throwing things out can I have
you’re throwing things out can I have
you’re throwing things out can I have them can I have your expired can I have
them can I have your expired can I have
them can I have your expired can I have your old IV poles we’ll get back with
your old IV poles we’ll get back with
your old IV poles we’ll get back with you
you
you no there’s a liability and so for a year
no there’s a liability and so for a year
no there’s a liability and so for a year everyone said no to me and I was going
everyone said no to me and I was going
everyone said no to me and I was going to give up and I cry and I would put the
to give up and I cry and I would put the
to give up and I cry and I would put the covers over my head and I have two
covers over my head and I have two
covers over my head and I have two children and I said mom just just forget
children and I said mom just just forget
children and I said mom just just forget it
it
it and I said no people are good if they
and I said no people are good if they
and I said no people are good if they really know what we’re gonna do with
really know what we’re gonna do with
really know what we’re gonna do with this they’re gonna want to help us I
this they’re gonna want to help us I
this they’re gonna want to help us I know it now my kids refer to me as a
know it now my kids refer to me as a
know it now my kids refer to me as a very very special snowflake they’re not
very very special snowflake they’re not
very very special snowflake they’re not here today because they know how special
here today because they know how special
here today because they know how special snowflake I am so they didn’t come but
snowflake I am so they didn’t come but
snowflake I am so they didn’t come but so I’m the very very special snowflake
so I’m the very very special snowflake
so I’m the very very special snowflake so they go along with it it’s really
so they go along with it it’s really
so they go along with it it’s really good my son helps me in the warehouse
good my son helps me in the warehouse
good my son helps me in the warehouse he’s 25 years old and I don’t know if
he’s 25 years old and I don’t know if
he’s 25 years old and I don’t know if they do it just humor me or what but
they do it just humor me or what but
they do it just humor me or what but they hang out with me and so we take
they hang out with me and so we take
they hang out with me and so we take this stuff and there’s an there’s a need
this stuff and there’s an there’s a need
this stuff and there’s an there’s a need and I finally got the hospital so we
and I finally got the hospital so we
and I finally got the hospital so we were going along and the hospitals would
were going along and the hospitals would
were going along and the hospitals would say no no no no and then I was at UCSD
say no no no no and then I was at UCSD
say no no no no and then I was at UCSD at a Christmas event and selling bags
at a Christmas event and selling bags
at a Christmas event and selling bags and beads by HIV patients that have been
and beads by HIV patients that have been
and beads by HIV patients that have been turned down for jobs by organizations
turned down for jobs by organizations
turned down for jobs by organizations here in the United States because of
here in the United States because of
here in the United States because of their HIV status if anybody wants to try
their HIV status if anybody wants to try
their HIV status if anybody wants to try something I’ll give a much you know if
something I’ll give a much you know if
something I’ll give a much you know if they want to work they want to try I’ll
they want to work they want to try I’ll
they want to work they want to try I’ll give them an opportunity I don’t care
give them an opportunity I don’t care
give them an opportunity I don’t care about statistics I don’t you know I
about statistics I don’t you know I
about statistics I don’t you know I don’t usually except for the number of
don’t usually except for the number of
don’t usually except for the number of people that we help I never refer to
people that we help I never refer to
people that we help I never refer to statistics statistics is a number how do
statistics statistics is a number how do
statistics statistics is a number how do I know how you are you’re you and I are
I know how you are you’re you and I are
I know how you are you’re you and I are different right I can I can’t tell you
different right I can I can’t tell you
different right I can I can’t tell you how you’re going to react
how you’re going to react
how you’re going to react something or you or you are you and lump
something or you or you are you and lump
something or you or you are you and lump us all together everybody is different
us all together everybody is different
us all together everybody is different and that’s how I see it so we continue
and that’s how I see it so we continue
and that’s how I see it so we continue to you know beg people right so I met
to you know beg people right so I met
to you know beg people right so I met UCSD and I am selling bags and beads
UCSD and I am selling bags and beads
UCSD and I am selling bags and beads from these patients and this woman comes
from these patients and this woman comes
from these patients and this woman comes by and her name tags turned over and she
by and her name tags turned over and she
by and her name tags turned over and she says what are these made out of I said
says what are these made out of I said
says what are these made out of I said I’ll recycle paper and I had a box and
I’ll recycle paper and I had a box and
I’ll recycle paper and I had a box and it’s box that represents one cubic foot
it’s box that represents one cubic foot
it’s box that represents one cubic foot of medical supplies that goes to our
of medical supplies that goes to our
of medical supplies that goes to our landfills
landfills
landfills so she goes oh that’s perfect for me I’m
so she goes oh that’s perfect for me I’m
so she goes oh that’s perfect for me I’m going to buy him from all my friends for
going to buy him from all my friends for
going to buy him from all my friends for Christmas he comes in she goes what’s
Christmas he comes in she goes what’s
Christmas he comes in she goes what’s that box I said oh it’s a project that
that box I said oh it’s a project that
that box I said oh it’s a project that I’ve been trying to get off the ground
I’ve been trying to get off the ground
I’ve been trying to get off the ground for a year and all of a sudden I picked
for a year and all of a sudden I picked
for a year and all of a sudden I picked up like what are you doing Laura maybe
up like what are you doing Laura maybe
up like what are you doing Laura maybe this is the one person that can help me
this is the one person that can help me
this is the one person that can help me and so I said oh do you know anybody at
and so I said oh do you know anybody at
and so I said oh do you know anybody at UCSD Medical Center and she goes no no
UCSD Medical Center and she goes no no
UCSD Medical Center and she goes no no tell me what this is about so I told her
tell me what this is about so I told her
tell me what this is about so I told her I said I’ve been trying to collect
I said I’ve been trying to collect
I said I’ve been trying to collect medical supplies and equipment and help
medical supplies and equipment and help
medical supplies and equipment and help my you know clinic in Uganda and then if
my you know clinic in Uganda and then if
my you know clinic in Uganda and then if I get a surplus then maybe I could
I get a surplus then maybe I could
I get a surplus then maybe I could spread it around and help other people
spread it around and help other people
spread it around and help other people around the world and she says you want
around the world and she says you want
around the world and she says you want to know me I said really
to know me I said really
to know me I said really she said I handle all the waste
she said I handle all the waste
she said I handle all the waste materials for the VA San Diego I said
materials for the VA San Diego I said
materials for the VA San Diego I said you’re right I want to know you so we
you’re right I want to know you so we
you’re right I want to know you so we became very dear friends that was on a
became very dear friends that was on a
became very dear friends that was on a Tuesday Friday I was at the VA just
Tuesday Friday I was at the VA just
Tuesday Friday I was at the VA just drooling over everything that they had
drooling over everything that they had
drooling over everything that they had so March 7th 2014 we did our first
so March 7th 2014 we did our first
so March 7th 2014 we did our first pickup from the VA and from there they
pickup from the VA and from there they
pickup from the VA and from there they introduced us to other Hospital partners
introduced us to other Hospital partners
introduced us to other Hospital partners I got much more that I could ever use in
I got much more that I could ever use in
I got much more that I could ever use in Uganda and so we have been spreading the
Uganda and so we have been spreading the
Uganda and so we have been spreading the wealth here locally and around the world
wealth here locally and around the world
wealth here locally and around the world we’ve sent loads to Ethiopia Nicaragua
we’ve sent loads to Ethiopia Nicaragua
we’ve sent loads to Ethiopia Nicaragua Cuba Egypt Jordan for the Sudanese
Cuba Egypt Jordan for the Sudanese
Cuba Egypt Jordan for the Sudanese refugees I’m right now trying to raise
refugees I’m right now trying to raise
refugees I’m right now trying to raise money for my own project in Uganda I’ve
money for my own project in Uganda I’ve
money for my own project in Uganda I’ve been collecting and collecting and then
been collecting and collecting and then
been collecting and collecting and then we do a lot of projects locally we
we do a lot of projects locally we
we do a lot of projects locally we there’s there’s populations that you
there’s there’s populations that you
there’s there’s populations that you know when you go to the insurance
know when you go to the insurance
know when you go to the insurance company you hurt your foot and they give
company you hurt your foot and they give
company you hurt your foot and they give you crutches well what if you can’t use
you crutches well what if you can’t use
you crutches well what if you can’t use crutches for
crutches for
crutches for some reason you’re not strong enough or
some reason you’re not strong enough or
some reason you’re not strong enough or something they don’t give you a
something they don’t give you a
something they don’t give you a wheelchair well you come find me and I
wheelchair well you come find me and I
wheelchair well you come find me and I give you a wheelchair and so we’re doing
give you a wheelchair and so we’re doing
give you a wheelchair and so we’re doing a lot of things here in San Diego we
a lot of things here in San Diego we
a lot of things here in San Diego we support 16 of the unified high schools
support 16 of the unified high schools
support 16 of the unified high schools we’re saving the unified each school
we’re saving the unified each school
we’re saving the unified each school $12,000 a year by providing them with
$12,000 a year by providing them with
$12,000 a year by providing them with trash don’t tell anybody it’s trash
trash don’t tell anybody it’s trash
trash don’t tell anybody it’s trash because when it comes to me it becomes
because when it comes to me it becomes
because when it comes to me it becomes beautiful it’s gauze and tape and all
beautiful it’s gauze and tape and all
beautiful it’s gauze and tape and all these things that we can use in the
these things that we can use in the
these things that we can use in the crutches and everything and so we’re
crutches and everything and so we’re
crutches and everything and so we’re passing that out and it’s been an
passing that out and it’s been an
passing that out and it’s been an amazing project so when when the
amazing project so when when the
amazing project so when when the invitation came my son answered the
invitation came my son answered the
invitation came my son answered the email and he said mom you got a TEDx
email and he said mom you got a TEDx
email and he said mom you got a TEDx talk I could really how did that happen
talk I could really how did that happen
talk I could really how did that happen he said but don’t be upset and I said
he said but don’t be upset and I said
he said but don’t be upset and I said why would I be upset
why would I be upset
why would I be upset and he goes the title and I okay I won’t
and he goes the title and I okay I won’t
and he goes the title and I okay I won’t be upset
be upset
be upset he says it’s madness and miracles I said
he says it’s madness and miracles I said
he says it’s madness and miracles I said really that is the easiest thing that I
really that is the easiest thing that I
really that is the easiest thing that I could ever talk about because we are so
could ever talk about because we are so
could ever talk about because we are so blessed through this whole project and
blessed through this whole project and
blessed through this whole project and so we’ve taken this nothing and made
so we’ve taken this nothing and made
so we’ve taken this nothing and made something beautiful grow and so the
something beautiful grow and so the
something beautiful grow and so the madness to me so I interviewed some
madness to me so I interviewed some
madness to me so I interviewed some students and I said what does madness me
students and I said what does madness me
students and I said what does madness me and I came on the campus and I said what
and I came on the campus and I said what
and I came on the campus and I said what does madness mean to you and everything
does madness mean to you and everything
does madness mean to you and everything was so negative it was like you’re crazy
was so negative it was like you’re crazy
was so negative it was like you’re crazy there’s something wrong with you you
there’s something wrong with you you
there’s something wrong with you you can’t be in society anybody else think
can’t be in society anybody else think
can’t be in society anybody else think madness means those things see for me
madness means those things see for me
madness means those things see for me madness is not doing something the rest
madness is not doing something the rest
madness is not doing something the rest of the world is madness if you have the
of the world is madness if you have the
of the world is madness if you have the opportunity and you don’t do something
opportunity and you don’t do something
opportunity and you don’t do something that’s the madness that’s in this world
that’s the madness that’s in this world
that’s the madness that’s in this world and from that madness you can make some
and from that madness you can make some
and from that madness you can make some miracles happen so thank you
miracles happen so thank you
miracles happen so thank you [Applause]
”
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