Troy VandeKamp

I made it to 46. Not bad, considering doctors told my mom I’d never see 3. Each birthday, I celebrate by asking one celebrity to help me make the world a little better. This year, I’m reaching out to @mcuban, and you can help by vouching. Mark, as a fellow Pittsburgher, I think we both value two things: time and making a difference. Time, I’m running a little low on. I’ve spent 25 years working in disability technology, and today I direct Mount Sinai’s Back-to-Life Center. Here’s the problem I can’t stop thinking about: No one teaches disabled people how to be disabled. The healthcare system can save your life, stabilize you, rehab you—and then, far too often, send you home to figure out the rest yourself. How do I use technology to regain independence? How do I work? How do I date? How do I travel? How do I find the tools that make everyday life possible? How do I build a life instead of simply surviving one? The answers exist. The technology exists. The knowledge exists. But there’s no real bridge connecting people to it. So here’s my birthday ask: Let me send you one email laying out how I think we can build that bridge. No pitch deck. No ask for a check. If you think there’s something there, point me toward one person, company, or organization you think I should be talking to. That would be one hell of a 46th birthday present.