New Mobility Magazine's
1998 Person of the Year: Jim Lubin

Jim Lubin is New Mobility Magazine's 1998 Person of the Year. To really comprehend the magnitude of the honor bestowed on Jim, you have to be aware of the other people who were nominated for this award. The nominees represent an incredible display of talent, creativity, conviction, energy, commitment, intellect - impressive, lofty company. As noted by Barry Corbet, the Editor of New Mobility Magazine:

This year, once again, our quest to name our Person of the Year award drew a bumper crop of nominations (New Mobility, Vol. 10, Issue 64, Jan. 1999: 6).
  
Where does the Internet get its boundless promise? From people like Jim Lubin. Sipping and puffing his Morse code, he is the author and sustainer of several virtual communities that support the unsupported and connect the disconnected. And for people who have transverse myelitis or use a ventilator, he offers sanctuary and fellowship they can't find anywhere else. For his steadfast commitment to service, Jim Lubin is New Mobility's 1998 Person of the Year (New Mobility, Vol. 10, Issue 64, Jan. 1999: 5).

Our winner embodies what is perhaps the highest and best of the qualities we look for - direct service to people with disabilities (31).

In addition to recognizing Jim's efforts and contributions, the article represents a wonderful opportunity to educate the public about Transverse Myelitis and about the Association. In fact, if you look closely at the monitor behind Jim on the first page of the article, you will notice The Transverse Myelitis Association Home Page.

The article, written by Jean Dobbs, Executive Editor of New Mobility Magazine, describes the service Jim has performed for the TM community and for the community of people with disabilities.

Jim Lubin is sipping and puffing. Playing and programming. Learning, sharing, living. He's building virtual communities, and he's doing it one breath at a time with Morse code. Fleshing out those stingy dots and dashes to create a full life for himself and a smorgasbord of resources for others.

[Jim] presides over four Web sites he started to help people with disabilities. The sites are home to three "listgroups" where the common bonds are transverse myelitis, quadriplegia or ventilator use, and the MO is support, connection and information (31).

Jim has accepted the honor with his usual graciousness and humility.

Many people have told me I am such an inspiration to them, but I don't really know why, and it makes me a little uncomfortable. I'm just an ordinary person who got sick and found a way that works for me to handle my situation (36).

Maybe you are just an ordinary person, Jim. But you had decisions to make about how you were going to "deal with" your sickness. The how has been anything but ordinary. Your contributions to those who have TM and their families, your contributions to the tmic, and your contributions to The Transverse Myelitis Association are extraordinary. We are all so proud of your well-deserved recognition and award and are so grateful for the creativity, energy and enthusiasm you bring to your work in the TM community. We are all truly blessed to have you for a friend!

If you are interested in ordering a copy of the January 1999 New Mobility Magazine, with Jim's beautiful picture on the cover, you may do so by calling (888) 850-0344, ext. 108 or by Fax at (215)675-9376.