Portland Forward

We are an intergenerational learning hub for the political process, building a progressive, equitable, & sustainable PDX of 2050 & beyond. Rts ≠ endorsements

[Portland Forward @ForwardPortland]

Protect Oregon from Big Money in Politics - https://t.co/kb7r48pBCi

[Portland Forward @ForwardPortland]

Introducing the Portland Comeback! - https://t.co/2Dx23fcwAq

[Gregory McKelvey @GregoryMcKelvey]

I did not think pain this bad was possible without just dying. This has broken me. The needles deep into the tongue are unbearable. I never expected this. Good news is we should save most of my tongue. Bad news is I am broken now and desperately need help. https://t.co/KJzKC5InoE

[Gregory McKelvey @GregoryMcKelvey]

I’m not going to die tomorrow. But there were recent days where I was sure I couldn’t go on. Life is so precious. I hope you understand my recent absence from the public eye but I am back to say I desperately need your help in this fight. #FuckCancer

https://t.co/8zayYQgbd0

[Gregory McKelvey @GregoryMcKelvey]

🌟 Life has a curious way of surprising us when we least expect it. For months, I've been navigating a profound and unexpected health challenge that turned my world upside down. During this time, I withdrew from many aspects of my life, leaving friends and acquaintances puzzled by my uncharacteristic silence. I know many of you deserve an explanation. The truth is, I am not okay. But I will be. However I realized that will only happen with community by my side.

Around my birthday in March, a small bump appeared on my tongue, something that had happened before and usually vanished within days. But this time, it persisted. After two months, I sought medical advice, only to be assured it was nothing to worry about. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. With each passing day, it grew, and my concern deepened.

I honestly just didn’t know how to tell people. I didn’t want people to think of me with the tubes in me. I didn’t want people to think I might not make it. I just hid from it all.

As I endured tests, the weight of uncertainty took a toll on my mental health. Needles, tubes, and even scissors became a part of this unwelcome journey. Soon, the bump turned into a mass, and I felt an impending sense of dread.

In May, the doctors took my condition seriously, a shift that frightened both me and my wife. The excruciating pain made normal life impossible—I couldn't eat, talk, or swallow without difficulty. The subsequent biopsy only escalated the fear, and the first surgery dealt a heavy blow, leaving a significant portion of my tongue gone.

Now, I'm relearning to talk, swallow, and eat. The healing process is a long road, and I can't express enough gratitude for my amazing wife, who's been holding everything together. However, childcare expenses are overwhelming, and we're uncertain about our financial future.

I'm not one to ask for help lightly, but my journey has reminded me of all the times I've used my voice and platform to assist others. It's humbling to turn to you, my dear friends, for compassion and support. I've set up a GoFundMe campaign (in comments) to overcome this challenge, and your contributions, no matter the size, will be a beacon of hope during this trying time.

Life's uncertainties have taught me the value of leaning on each other, fostering a community that stands together in moments of need. Together, we can overcome adversity and cherish every moment life offers.

I need much more than just funds though. So if you can’t contribute don’t worry. Even sharing this would help a lot but I need my community back to face this with me. So if you can send ice cream or smoothies, know of a job opportunity, or can just send a nice note - it all adds up. Thank you for being part of this journey. Your love, prayers, and support mean the world to me. Someday soon, I'll share the whole story. For now, I focus on healing and fighting to come back stronger.

With heartfelt solidarity,
Gregory Robert McKelvey

Please donate at GoFundMe. Or send support to my CashApp handle: $gregoryrmckelvey

P.S. I might not be able to respond to everyone right now, but your kindness won't be forgotten. I simply don’t have the energy yet, but I will. Your generosity makes a difference and gives me hope. Together, we'll rise above this challenge.

https://t.co/eHk40br0h5

[Shane Dixon Kavanaugh @shanedkavanaugh]

Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan, yesterday:

“To put it bluntly, my secretary of state salary on its own is not enough for me to make ends meet.”

Today: Resignation effective May 8.

https://t.co/zL6pmeIj11

[Matt McNally @mattmcnallypdx]

Feeling down about the state of Portland? Next year, we get to elect an entirely new city council. Every current council member could win re-election & they would still be outnumbered by the new 12 person council. Start organizing. This is an unprecedented opportunity.

[Willamette Week @wweek]

“Portland jurors are starting to wake up to the reality that there’s racism in our local community,” says lawyer Jason Kafoury.
https://t.co/2onKxr9zav

[Daniel C Hauser @DanielCHauser]

Just wow. People making more than $566k are expected to average a $42,000 kicker bonus check. This will add up to hundreds of millions of dollars unavailable to invest in our communities. Low-income families projected to get...$60. #orpol #orleg

[Brad Schmidt @_Brad_Schmidt]

Interesting: @PDXParksandRec says it can't afford to replace all 243 very old light poles in city parks that pose a potential safety risk to people.

Cost: $15 million.

That's ... $61,728 per pole ???

https://t.co/Ts3KhgN8Mr

[Khanh Pham for Oregon @KhanhPhamForOR]

Deep gratitude for the families & community leaders who took yesterday off to testify in support of House Bill 3014, our bill that will allow school districts greater options to invest in programs encouraging students to walk, bike, and take transit to school. Dozens

[Robert Weissman @Rob_Weissman]

Citizens United "violates the essence of what made America a great country in its political system. Now it's just an oligarchy with unlimited political bribery. ..."

-- Jimmy Carter

[Gordon Padelford @GordonOfSeattle]

Alternatively: "the days of a vertical office park are gone."
So let's stop treating downtown streets like extended highway onramps to flush vehicles in and out everyday, and rethink them as PLACES that can support downtown families, local businesses, arts, music, etc.

[Senator Jeff Merkley @SenJeffMerkley]

13 years ago, the Supreme Court handed down the Citizens United decision—a disaster for our democracy. This decision has allowed the powerful and privileged to inject billions of dollars into our elections from the shadows.

[Chris Smith @chrissmithus]

Further demonstration that we shouldn’t let ODOT design urban infrastructure https://t.co/OpW77nDlmH

[BikePortland @BikePortland]

The City of Portland is in the awkward position of having to work on and support a freeway expansion project that is deeply unpopular w its own modal advisory committees

https://t.co/mkGbS0CS1p

[Gregory McKelvey @GregoryMcKelvey]

If I/We fail, a survivor of some of the worst trafficking and abuse I have ever heard about will be giving birth with no insurance and bringing her newborn “home” to her barely working car with expired tags. We are better than this.

[Gregory McKelvey @GregoryMcKelvey]

A pregnant survivor of sex trafficking and domestic/sexual violence needs our help. This is one of the most heartbreaking injustices I have asked for community help on. Michelle is being evicted for police activity at her apartment after her abuser/stalker appeared 3 times.

[Aaron Carr @aaronAcarr]

"Research shows it costs taxpayers $31,065 a year to criminalize a single person experiencing homelessness while the yearly cost for providing supportive housing is $10,051."
https://t.co/26b85LFTNL

[Willamette Week @wweek]

Maybe what’s missing from Portland is a healthy, walkable downtown. What would happen if we created a six-block “Carless Square” in the heart of Portland?
https://t.co/9fkGXTHvzR