WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.520 --> 00:00:02.120 It's nice eyes with Dan Ray. 2 00:00:02.759 --> 00:00:06.360 I'm telling you crazy Boston's news radio. 3 00:00:06.679 --> 00:00:09.359 Thanks very much, Madison. My name's Dan Ray, host the 4 00:00:09.439 --> 00:00:11.919 night Side, and I will get you through the weekend. Well. 5 00:00:11.960 --> 00:00:17.039 For me, the weekend has not started because my weekend 6 00:00:17.039 --> 00:00:20.920 doesn't start until eleven fifty eight tonight, which I designate 7 00:00:21.000 --> 00:00:23.120 the official start of the weekend. For those of you 8 00:00:23.160 --> 00:00:27.679 who are driving somewhere, you've already started your weekend, so 9 00:00:27.760 --> 00:00:30.280 you're ahead of me by about four hours. But that's okay. 10 00:00:30.320 --> 00:00:32.560 Stay with me and I will get us all the 11 00:00:32.560 --> 00:00:35.679 way till Saturday morning. We have an interesting program coming 12 00:00:35.759 --> 00:00:39.640 up tonight, I promise you. The Tough Student has just 13 00:00:39.719 --> 00:00:42.719 been released down in Louisiana. We'll talk about that case, 14 00:00:43.399 --> 00:00:50.240 Ramesa Oor's Turk. She still faces some immigration challenges, but 15 00:00:50.359 --> 00:00:55.039 she is out of the detention center in Louisiana. And 16 00:00:55.079 --> 00:01:00.119 we'll talk tonight with Bruce Mittman, general partner and see 17 00:01:00.320 --> 00:01:04.120 of Community Broadcasters, and we're going to discuss the value 18 00:01:04.200 --> 00:01:07.560 and the importance of radio with a specific emphasis on 19 00:01:07.799 --> 00:01:12.200 AM radio, and tonight at eleven o'clock during the twentieth hour, 20 00:01:12.359 --> 00:01:15.239 we'll do a tribute to your mom, to all moms 21 00:01:15.239 --> 00:01:18.239 of our Mother's Day or annual Mother's Day edition. But 22 00:01:18.400 --> 00:01:22.359 we have four interesting guests to talk to in this hour, 23 00:01:22.480 --> 00:01:26.159 and we will be starting off with a State House 24 00:01:26.280 --> 00:01:29.879 news reporter, Ella Adams. Hi, Ella, welcome to Nightside. Thanks 25 00:01:29.920 --> 00:01:31.439 for hanging out with us for a few minutes here 26 00:01:31.480 --> 00:01:34.159 on Friday night. How are you by, Anne. 27 00:01:33.959 --> 00:01:35.680 I'm doing well. Thanks much for having. 28 00:01:35.560 --> 00:01:39.680 Me well, yeah, thank you very much. There's an interesting 29 00:01:39.719 --> 00:01:44.079 piece up there. I did not realize until I read 30 00:01:44.120 --> 00:01:49.200 your story today that there's this piece of wheelchair legislation, 31 00:01:49.319 --> 00:01:55.040 a wheelchair bill up at the House, and this is 32 00:01:55.079 --> 00:01:57.519 one I'm wondering, why is it taking so long to 33 00:01:57.560 --> 00:02:00.680 do something with this. I didn't realize that people who 34 00:02:00.719 --> 00:02:04.280 had wheelchairs, we're really having a tough time getting them 35 00:02:05.239 --> 00:02:06.840 repaired in a timely fashion. 36 00:02:06.879 --> 00:02:09.919 Tell us about it, Yeah, definitely, you know, Dan, I 37 00:02:10.120 --> 00:02:13.800 didn't really have a great idea about that either. Just 38 00:02:13.960 --> 00:02:16.599 you know, a bit over a week ago, the Joint 39 00:02:16.599 --> 00:02:19.719 Committee on Consumer Protection up on Beacon Hill, they held 40 00:02:19.719 --> 00:02:22.400 a hearing addressing a couple of bills that you're talking 41 00:02:22.439 --> 00:02:25.360 about that would address, you know, different ways the wheelchair 42 00:02:25.400 --> 00:02:30.800 repair system in Massachusetts and wheelchair users are struggling they've 43 00:02:30.840 --> 00:02:33.680 been talking a lot about, you know, feeling like they 44 00:02:33.719 --> 00:02:37.240 can't really live their lives. They're losing independence every time 45 00:02:37.280 --> 00:02:39.520 they have to wait for their wheelchairs to be repaired 46 00:02:39.560 --> 00:02:43.120 for extended periods of time. There's talk about the kind 47 00:02:43.120 --> 00:02:46.879 of structural issues in that wheelchair repair system. And there 48 00:02:46.879 --> 00:02:48.840 are two bills, a House bill and a Senate bill 49 00:02:49.120 --> 00:02:51.159 that both would kind of God would dress those. 50 00:02:52.599 --> 00:02:56.800 The problem is that they got to reconcile these pieces 51 00:02:56.840 --> 00:02:59.400 of legislation. So let's break them out. What does the 52 00:02:59.439 --> 00:03:04.199 first bill address? And I guess there's a question of 53 00:03:04.240 --> 00:03:09.159 how quickly the wheelchairs are repaired. And there was one 54 00:03:09.520 --> 00:03:11.840 woman I believe that you quoted in your article who 55 00:03:11.879 --> 00:03:15.360 said that once her wheelchair was unavailable, she was confined 56 00:03:15.400 --> 00:03:17.639 to bed for was it eleven days? That seems like 57 00:03:17.680 --> 00:03:21.120 an extraordinarily long period of time. This is an essential 58 00:03:22.680 --> 00:03:25.039 piece of apparatus that these folks need. 59 00:03:26.080 --> 00:03:29.159 Yeah, you know, and I believe one of the wheelchair 60 00:03:29.240 --> 00:03:31.759 users called it a crisis of equity. You know, nearly 61 00:03:32.240 --> 00:03:35.599 all of wheelchair users crowded into the State House hearing 62 00:03:35.680 --> 00:03:38.759 room and they were also testifying virtually, and they did 63 00:03:38.800 --> 00:03:41.120 talk about that, you know, when their wheelchairs break, they're 64 00:03:41.159 --> 00:03:44.439 unable to go to work, to doctor's appointments, they're stuck 65 00:03:44.439 --> 00:03:47.960 in the middle of the sidewalk, stranded in bed because 66 00:03:48.000 --> 00:03:51.120 they're waiting for weeks, in many cases months to get 67 00:03:51.159 --> 00:03:54.520 them repaired. So the first bill that i'll you know, 68 00:03:54.599 --> 00:03:57.680 i'll talk about the Senate bill. It's not new, but 69 00:03:57.800 --> 00:03:59.360 it was passed by the Senate last session. 70 00:03:59.360 --> 00:03:59.840 It died in the. 71 00:03:59.840 --> 00:04:02.360 House, and we can get to that infect. But that 72 00:04:02.400 --> 00:04:06.199 one focuses on the issue in terms of extending wheelchair warranties. 73 00:04:06.240 --> 00:04:09.199 So it would extend warranties to two years, require that 74 00:04:09.240 --> 00:04:12.240 an assessment of those broken wheelchairs is done within certain 75 00:04:12.280 --> 00:04:15.840 periods of time. And the second bill is a House bill, 76 00:04:15.879 --> 00:04:18.000 and that one is new, and that takes a little 77 00:04:18.000 --> 00:04:20.319 bit of a different approach. It would put an exact 78 00:04:20.399 --> 00:04:24.399 timeline on those wheelchair repairs, requires that they're made no 79 00:04:24.639 --> 00:04:28.519 later le than ten business days after that date of request. 80 00:04:29.199 --> 00:04:31.920 That still doesn't solve the problem though, because if a 81 00:04:31.920 --> 00:04:37.920 wheelchair goes down and someone is truly reliant on the wheelchair, 82 00:04:38.439 --> 00:04:40.839 that means they are their house bound. They're going to 83 00:04:40.879 --> 00:04:45.360 be housebound unless they have a replacement wheelchair. Now, if 84 00:04:46.079 --> 00:04:50.319 if I have to bring my automobile into an automobile 85 00:04:50.399 --> 00:04:55.399 repair shop, in most cases I might be able to 86 00:04:55.439 --> 00:04:58.920 get for them a courtesy car to drive for a 87 00:04:58.959 --> 00:05:03.040 few days. More worst case scenario, they will transport me 88 00:05:03.519 --> 00:05:06.600 to a local rent a car place and I can 89 00:05:06.639 --> 00:05:11.040 then rent a car. Why is there not something similar 90 00:05:11.120 --> 00:05:16.240 for people who Why why are they not replacement wheelchairs 91 00:05:16.240 --> 00:05:20.199 that all of these places that repair wheelchairs, why don't 92 00:05:20.199 --> 00:05:23.160 they have some replacement wheelchairs that they can if they 93 00:05:23.199 --> 00:05:26.120 have to rent them out, okay, but at least make 94 00:05:26.160 --> 00:05:30.199 them available to me. The analogy between how much I 95 00:05:30.279 --> 00:05:35.079 depend on my car, you know, I and someone depends 96 00:05:35.079 --> 00:05:37.639 on a wheelchair is virtually identical. 97 00:05:38.959 --> 00:05:42.680 Yeah, you know, and I think that that's an interesting 98 00:05:42.720 --> 00:05:44.920 that is a good point, you know, I think that 99 00:05:45.079 --> 00:05:48.199 is what these advocates and these users are of bringing up. 100 00:05:48.199 --> 00:05:51.439 You know, there are systems in Massachusetts to get people 101 00:05:51.759 --> 00:05:56.120 loner wheelchairs. It's an issue of you know, they were 102 00:05:56.120 --> 00:06:00.000 talking about there aren't enough people to repair those wheelchairs. 103 00:06:00.120 --> 00:06:03.000 The system doesn't move fast enough. And you know, loaner 104 00:06:03.079 --> 00:06:05.319 chairs are not the exact same thing in some in 105 00:06:05.360 --> 00:06:08.680 a lot of cases, as you know, someone's primary chair 106 00:06:09.439 --> 00:06:12.319 that they use and so, you know, I think it's 107 00:06:12.360 --> 00:06:14.759 really interesting. There were a couple of voices of opposition 108 00:06:14.959 --> 00:06:17.000 in this hearing as well to these bills, and I 109 00:06:17.040 --> 00:06:19.480 think that kind of shed some light on, you know, 110 00:06:19.720 --> 00:06:22.720 why maybe the Senate bill has it wasn't able to 111 00:06:22.720 --> 00:06:24.720 make it to the finish line last session, or maybe 112 00:06:24.720 --> 00:06:25.839 why this is still a contract. 113 00:06:26.120 --> 00:06:28.959 What what preytale did the voices of opposition have to say? 114 00:06:29.600 --> 00:06:32.560 Yeah, so one of those voices was the executive director 115 00:06:32.720 --> 00:06:38.439 of the National Coalition for Assistive and Rehab Technology. That's 116 00:06:38.480 --> 00:06:42.519 a national nonprofit advocates for people who rely on technology 117 00:06:42.519 --> 00:06:47.120 and equipment like wheelchairs. And he didn't all out, you know, 118 00:06:47.160 --> 00:06:50.279 say that these bills should not pass. He acknowledged the 119 00:06:50.319 --> 00:06:53.680 system needs to be addressed. His concern was on the 120 00:06:53.800 --> 00:06:57.800 to your warranty right now, as he explained it. You know, 121 00:06:58.040 --> 00:07:00.319 these this equipment is on you know, six to thirteenth 122 00:07:00.439 --> 00:07:03.439 month warranties. He's worried that the wear and tear on 123 00:07:03.519 --> 00:07:06.920 this equipment will mean that manufacturers just they can't expand 124 00:07:06.959 --> 00:07:09.600 their warranty limits to meet those two years because they 125 00:07:09.680 --> 00:07:13.199 buy pieces like batteries and tires from other companies and 126 00:07:13.279 --> 00:07:16.480 those parts have to constantly be redesigned and expanded over time. 127 00:07:16.560 --> 00:07:18.600 So that was what he was talking about, and that 128 00:07:18.639 --> 00:07:21.600 gives an idea of you know what from that perspective, 129 00:07:21.639 --> 00:07:24.519 you know, the manufacturing standpoint. He was talking a lot 130 00:07:24.519 --> 00:07:28.680 about how he's been in conversation with lawmakers and consumers 131 00:07:28.839 --> 00:07:31.680 and Ma's health, which a lot of these wheelchair users 132 00:07:31.720 --> 00:07:34.720 are on about how to kind of finagle the system 133 00:07:34.759 --> 00:07:36.560 to make it so that it works better for people, 134 00:07:36.560 --> 00:07:38.759 but also address that warranty concern. 135 00:07:39.800 --> 00:07:46.000 Wow, something like this seems to me we're negotiating like 136 00:07:46.160 --> 00:07:52.920 an anti nuclear agreement with Iran. I would think that 137 00:07:52.199 --> 00:07:55.720 that compared to that, this should be something that they 138 00:07:55.800 --> 00:07:59.160 should be able to solve, even at Beacon Hill. I mean, 139 00:08:00.439 --> 00:08:03.879 is it's interesting. It's interesting that something like this that 140 00:08:04.519 --> 00:08:08.160 we in Massachusetts, who consider ourselves to be such an 141 00:08:08.240 --> 00:08:11.120 enlightened state. I'm not trying to put you on the 142 00:08:11.160 --> 00:08:13.959 spot here, Ella, that's for sure. You've explained it so well. 143 00:08:14.079 --> 00:08:18.000 I just don't understand why, in twenty twenty five we 144 00:08:18.199 --> 00:08:21.639 have reached this point. And I would think that there 145 00:08:21.639 --> 00:08:26.279 would be some statisticians somewhere who would know precisely the 146 00:08:26.399 --> 00:08:29.720 number of people in Massachusetts who rely on wheelchairs, either 147 00:08:29.920 --> 00:08:35.600 full time or part time. How many replacement wheelchairs we 148 00:08:35.679 --> 00:08:39.000 would need, you know, for the for the vast majority 149 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:44.559 of those people. This is one that think, I just look, 150 00:08:44.879 --> 00:08:47.360 any one of us could be in a wheelchair tomorrow. Ellen, 151 00:08:47.399 --> 00:08:49.399 would you be kind enough to keep us posted on this. 152 00:08:49.519 --> 00:08:51.440 I'd maybe like to do a story some night on 153 00:08:51.480 --> 00:08:56.840 this because I this to me is intolerable. 154 00:08:58.879 --> 00:09:02.440 Yeah, I absolutely we'll keep you posting on this. Why 155 00:09:02.519 --> 00:09:05.879 I will be keeping and looking for looking at those bills, 156 00:09:06.879 --> 00:09:10.080 seeing how they progress through the legislature. If they progress, 157 00:09:10.840 --> 00:09:11.960 can definitely keep you posted. 158 00:09:12.600 --> 00:09:15.120 Appreciate it, Ella, I really do, because I used to 159 00:09:15.120 --> 00:09:17.000 cover the State House a lot, and I know that 160 00:09:17.080 --> 00:09:18.799 all they need to do is refer one of these 161 00:09:18.840 --> 00:09:23.360 bills to the subcommittee to study and that's it. And 162 00:09:23.440 --> 00:09:26.360 this one really does affect a lot of people, and 163 00:09:26.399 --> 00:09:29.120 a lot of people critically, and this is one that 164 00:09:29.320 --> 00:09:31.919 I'd like to fight for and I'd like to get 165 00:09:31.960 --> 00:09:34.559 some of the manufacturers, get the people on my show. 166 00:09:34.679 --> 00:09:36.480 You've given me great ideas and I'm going to bring 167 00:09:36.519 --> 00:09:38.559 you back to Ella. You did a great job. You're 168 00:09:38.559 --> 00:09:41.600 a good reporter. Thank you. You explained that so effectively, 169 00:09:42.120 --> 00:09:43.559 you won't be at the State Hell, You're going to 170 00:09:43.639 --> 00:09:45.720 be at the New York Times of the Boston Globe 171 00:09:45.720 --> 00:09:49.600 before you know or trust me, Oh Dan, I mean, 172 00:09:50.240 --> 00:09:53.120 I mean it. I've been around a long time. I 173 00:09:53.159 --> 00:09:56.960 can spot a reporter who is talented and who can 174 00:09:57.039 --> 00:10:00.000 explain it, and you are excellent. So thanks so much 175 00:10:00.120 --> 00:10:03.120 for coming on tonight, and I'll write a resume for 176 00:10:03.159 --> 00:10:06.240 you to anywhere. They're not going to want to lose you. You'll 177 00:10:06.120 --> 00:10:09.080 be able to get a better deal at the State 178 00:10:09.120 --> 00:10:12.159 House News. You did a great job. Thank you very much. 179 00:10:12.360 --> 00:10:14.519 I'm kidding. I'm not kidding with you at all, and 180 00:10:14.519 --> 00:10:19.919 I'm saying that from my heart that you did a 181 00:10:19.919 --> 00:10:22.240 great job. Thank you for explaining this story as well 182 00:10:22.279 --> 00:10:23.080 as you did. We'll talk. 183 00:10:23.279 --> 00:10:25.320 Thank you so much for having me. I really appreciate it. 184 00:10:25.480 --> 00:10:28.120 You're more than welcome on back soon. Thanks. I'll appreciate it. 185 00:10:28.440 --> 00:10:30.080 All Right, we get back. We're going to talk about 186 00:10:30.080 --> 00:10:34.000 the twenty ninth, sadly twenty ninth Annual Mother's Day Walk 187 00:10:34.039 --> 00:10:37.360 for Peace hosted by the Lewis D. Brown Peace Institute. 188 00:10:37.639 --> 00:10:41.080 We're familiar with this, We've covered this for many years, 189 00:10:41.600 --> 00:10:45.799 and once again the women and I hope some men 190 00:10:45.840 --> 00:10:47.559 will be out there with them. But it's the twenty 191 00:10:47.639 --> 00:10:50.320 ninth annual Mother's Day Walk for Peace. We'll come back 192 00:10:50.360 --> 00:10:55.960 with Alexander Cherry Durellis. She's the co executive director of 193 00:10:55.960 --> 00:10:58.440 the Lewis D. Brown Pieces Toute. My name is Dan Ray. 194 00:10:58.480 --> 00:11:00.679 This is night Side, going to take you all the 195 00:11:00.720 --> 00:11:02.600 way through the end of Friday night right up to 196 00:11:03.480 --> 00:11:06.759 Saturday morning. Coming back on Nightside, Stick with us. 197 00:11:06.559 --> 00:11:11.720 Hid night Side with Dan Ray on WBZ Boston's news radio. 198 00:11:13.639 --> 00:11:19.279 Night Side with Dan Ray on WBZY, Boston's news radio. 199 00:11:19.639 --> 00:11:24.039 Heh welcome back everyone, Night'side on a Friday night. This, 200 00:11:24.240 --> 00:11:27.879 of course is Mother's Day weekend, and for the twenty 201 00:11:28.080 --> 00:11:32.840 ninth year, the annual Mother's Day Walk for Peace, hosted 202 00:11:32.879 --> 00:11:36.440 by the Lewis D. Brown Peace Institute, will kick off 203 00:11:36.759 --> 00:11:41.279 this weekend with us is the co executive director of 204 00:11:41.360 --> 00:11:47.559 the Lewis D. Brown Peace Institute, Alexandra Sherry Durreles. Alexandra, welcome, 205 00:11:47.559 --> 00:11:49.639 How are you this evening? Hi? 206 00:11:49.840 --> 00:11:52.120 Dan, I'm well, Thank you for having me, How are 207 00:11:52.120 --> 00:11:52.440 you well? 208 00:11:52.759 --> 00:11:56.320 Welcome back. I'm doing great and again you folks are 209 00:11:56.840 --> 00:12:00.279 are once again doing this for those who are to 210 00:12:00.320 --> 00:12:06.360 the area give us the brief history of this tremendous event, 211 00:12:06.759 --> 00:12:12.639 which was founded in a horrific set of circumstances. 212 00:12:12.960 --> 00:12:16.120 Yeah, so we were. The walk was founded in nineteen 213 00:12:16.200 --> 00:12:19.960 ninety six by my mother, Clementina Sherry, who is also 214 00:12:20.000 --> 00:12:22.960 the founder of the Lewis D. Brown Peace Institute, after 215 00:12:23.080 --> 00:12:26.039 my brother Lewis was murdered in nineteen ninety three in 216 00:12:26.120 --> 00:12:29.960 December on his way to a teen's against Gang Violence 217 00:12:30.039 --> 00:12:35.879 Christmas party. You know, after Lewis's murder, my mother asked questions, 218 00:12:35.879 --> 00:12:39.879 how am I supposed to celebrate Mother's Day? What My 219 00:12:39.960 --> 00:12:42.399 oldest child is dead and I have two living children, 220 00:12:43.320 --> 00:12:46.039 and she really wanted to continue to be there for us, 221 00:12:46.519 --> 00:12:50.360 but still felt, you know, this tremendous loss and knew 222 00:12:50.360 --> 00:12:53.320 that there were other mothers out there who had to 223 00:12:53.320 --> 00:12:56.039 be experiencing the same thing as her, and so she, 224 00:12:56.440 --> 00:13:00.639 you know, started a walk that wasn't inten to be 225 00:13:00.840 --> 00:13:05.000 very big. It was just an opportunity to engage city 226 00:13:05.039 --> 00:13:09.840 officials in honoring mothers on Mother's Day who have lost 227 00:13:09.879 --> 00:13:12.559 their loved ones. And then it grew to something so 228 00:13:12.679 --> 00:13:16.639 much bigger. It's an annual tradition in Boston. Now everybody 229 00:13:16.679 --> 00:13:19.480 sort of gets ready for it, and we have people 230 00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:22.720 coming in from all over the country to celebrate Mother's 231 00:13:22.799 --> 00:13:26.279 Day and to know to grieve together and to continue 232 00:13:26.279 --> 00:13:26.960 to heal together. 233 00:13:27.720 --> 00:13:31.519 So let's talk about it. When does the march kick 234 00:13:31.559 --> 00:13:34.240 off and give us a rough idea of how long 235 00:13:34.279 --> 00:13:38.080 it is? And I assume that everyone is welcome and 236 00:13:38.200 --> 00:13:41.679 it's a march that virtually everyone can. 237 00:13:41.600 --> 00:13:47.000 Participate it absolutely, So it's Sunday, May eleventh. We start 238 00:13:47.279 --> 00:13:51.559 the speaking program at eight am in Townfield Park in Dorchester. 239 00:13:52.200 --> 00:13:57.159 That's in a small community called Field's Corner and it 240 00:13:57.200 --> 00:13:59.919 is a five k it's about three point two miles 241 00:14:00.879 --> 00:14:04.519 and we are just doing sort of a loop around Dorchester. 242 00:14:04.759 --> 00:14:07.559 So we start in the field and then we're gonna 243 00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:10.200 walk the streets of Dorchester and end up right back 244 00:14:10.200 --> 00:14:14.519 in the field. And you know, while the while the 245 00:14:14.559 --> 00:14:18.399 founding and who we're honoring on Mother's Day are survivors 246 00:14:18.399 --> 00:14:24.360 of homicide victims, we also welcome supporters, friends, We welcome 247 00:14:24.960 --> 00:14:28.159 you know, families whose loved ones have been incarcerated for murder. 248 00:14:29.159 --> 00:14:31.759 We really are It really is a day of unity 249 00:14:32.399 --> 00:14:37.440 because you know, violence has no borders and survivorship has 250 00:14:37.480 --> 00:14:40.559 no boundaries. Also, you know, we're all survivors of something 251 00:14:40.639 --> 00:14:42.159 in our own right, So. 252 00:14:42.200 --> 00:14:45.919 That's that's what I knew of as the Dorchester Town 253 00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:49.759 field where you're assembling, right, Yeah, perfect location. I can't 254 00:14:49.759 --> 00:14:51.840 tell you how many baseball games I played on that 255 00:14:51.879 --> 00:14:55.559 field when I was much younger than you. 256 00:14:58.879 --> 00:15:00.759 Participated in some of the those games too. 257 00:15:01.080 --> 00:15:03.159 Well, it's a lot of memories where I got I 258 00:15:03.200 --> 00:15:05.240 was a picture got lit up there. So you know, 259 00:15:06.519 --> 00:15:09.480 not every night is a success, but this, this this 260 00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:13.879 march is always a success. And what a tribute to 261 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:18.279 the memory of your brother. It is just it's an instant, 262 00:15:18.360 --> 00:15:23.240 it's an institution. Your family has stayed strong over the years, 263 00:15:23.919 --> 00:15:28.080 and you have extended your family. How many people have 264 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:32.240 over the years participated. There must be some sort of 265 00:15:32.279 --> 00:15:35.440 a wild estimate, And I'm wondering how many folks if 266 00:15:35.480 --> 00:15:37.639 we get the weather that we're promised it's supposed to 267 00:15:37.679 --> 00:15:41.120 be good weather on Sunday for a change, keep our 268 00:15:41.120 --> 00:15:43.879 fingers crossed, say a prayer, yes you will. What do 269 00:15:43.879 --> 00:15:45.360 you hope what do you hope to get in terms 270 00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:46.679 of a turnout this Sunday? 271 00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:51.399 You think a couple of thousands yeah, yeah, exactly a 272 00:15:51.399 --> 00:15:55.039 few thousand people. We've estimated between thirty five hundred to 273 00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:58.200 five thousand people a good day. 274 00:15:58.320 --> 00:15:58.559 Yeah. 275 00:15:58.679 --> 00:15:59.000 Yeah. 276 00:15:59.240 --> 00:16:02.960 We we have a fundraising goal of six hundred thousand 277 00:16:04.240 --> 00:16:07.159 and we are just under five hundred thousand, so we 278 00:16:07.240 --> 00:16:10.120 have a ways to go, okay, and we're hoping, you know, 279 00:16:10.159 --> 00:16:13.440 we're hoping that day of we'll really kick up those Okay. 280 00:16:13.200 --> 00:16:15.360 So what about if there are people who are listening 281 00:16:15.440 --> 00:16:19.159 right now who maybe can attend the march. I hope 282 00:16:19.159 --> 00:16:21.840 you have a website they could, they could click on 283 00:16:22.480 --> 00:16:27.279 make a donation. Okay, let's have that ahead, so you can. 284 00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:30.240 They can find us at Mother's Day Walk for Peace 285 00:16:30.320 --> 00:16:33.159 dot org. And that's the number four. So Mother's Day 286 00:16:33.240 --> 00:16:35.639 Walk the number four, Peace dot org. 287 00:16:36.320 --> 00:16:38.440 Yeah, I'm going to do that nice and slow because 288 00:16:38.440 --> 00:16:41.720 that's important. People are grabbing for pins. It's there's no 289 00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:45.720 apostrophes here. Whenever we do these. It's Mother's m O 290 00:16:45.799 --> 00:16:49.159 T H E R S D A y W A 291 00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:54.320 O K. So Mother's Day Walk that's probably lowercase, I assume, 292 00:16:54.440 --> 00:16:54.840 or is it. 293 00:16:54.840 --> 00:16:57.799 Case sensus lowercase. 294 00:16:57.399 --> 00:17:02.120 Mother's Day Walk the numeral four Peace p e a 295 00:17:02.360 --> 00:17:07.759 CE dot org. Donations are tax deductible. If you're a 296 00:17:07.799 --> 00:17:10.480 dot org I assume you're a five O one C three. 297 00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:11.440 Yes we are. 298 00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:14.880 So this is this is going to be a great event. 299 00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:19.839 It's it is such a great way to celebrate Mother's Day. 300 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:24.759 And your's been instrumental in this. You turned a horrific 301 00:17:24.839 --> 00:17:28.160 tragedy into something really positive for the city of Boston. 302 00:17:28.279 --> 00:17:30.160 So thank you so much. 303 00:17:30.599 --> 00:17:34.960 Please you so so kind of you to be available 304 00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:37.880 and best of luck on Sunday. 305 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:40.319 And hope, thank you for having me. I hope to 306 00:17:40.359 --> 00:17:41.000 see you there. 307 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:46.519 Let me tell you, I we just had a baby, granddaughter, 308 00:17:47.119 --> 00:17:51.079 a less than two weeks ago, so we have some 309 00:17:51.400 --> 00:17:54.319 family plans. Other than that, I'll be I would be there, 310 00:17:54.960 --> 00:17:55.920 so I'm not gonna. 311 00:17:55.640 --> 00:17:56.079 Lie to yet. 312 00:17:56.160 --> 00:17:58.039 We'll fill your spirit your energy there. 313 00:17:58.519 --> 00:18:03.519 Absolutely, I'm with you totally. Thanks so much, little girl 314 00:18:03.640 --> 00:18:06.519 named woman, Sweet Caroline. Ben's Alexandra. 315 00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:08.799 All right, okay, take care of Dan. 316 00:18:08.920 --> 00:18:09.400 Thank you. 317 00:18:09.640 --> 00:18:12.279 It's Alexander. To talk to you soon when we get back. 318 00:18:12.400 --> 00:18:18.319 A really fun story about a team of soccer grannies 319 00:18:18.559 --> 00:18:24.599 grandma's who are just back from an international football tournament 320 00:18:24.720 --> 00:18:27.720 in South Africa. No, that's not American football. That's soccer. 321 00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:30.480 We're going to talk with one of the leading one 322 00:18:30.559 --> 00:18:33.640 of the local Massachusetts soccer team players, author of a book, 323 00:18:33.799 --> 00:18:37.359 Soccer Granny's The South African Women who Inspire the World. 324 00:18:37.359 --> 00:18:39.160 We're going to talk with Gene Duffy. Come on right 325 00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:40.400 back on Nightside. 326 00:18:41.599 --> 00:18:46.400 It's Night Side with Dan Ray. Hey, Dan Boston's News Radio. 327 00:18:47.880 --> 00:18:52.119 You're on night Side with Dan Ray on WBZ, Boston's 328 00:18:52.160 --> 00:18:52.799 news Radio. 329 00:18:54.079 --> 00:18:59.759 All right, now, we have a really interesting guest. Uh, 330 00:19:00.119 --> 00:19:04.359 all of us know about sports and athletics and how 331 00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:06.640 we like to play sports. In athletics, a lot of 332 00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:10.279 people play pickleball and things like that, particularly as you 333 00:19:10.319 --> 00:19:13.119 get a little older. Well, I want to introduce you 334 00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:18.799 to a member of the Massachusetts The New England Breakers 335 00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:24.240 play in Granny's international football tournaments. I'm confused here, Geene Duffy, 336 00:19:24.720 --> 00:19:27.240 is that the New England Breakers? Is it the Grannies. 337 00:19:29.160 --> 00:19:32.160 I know you're pretty good soccer players. Tell us this story, 338 00:19:32.200 --> 00:19:34.599 which is going to be I believe this is going 339 00:19:34.680 --> 00:19:37.920 to be a cover story in the Boston Globe magazine. 340 00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:44.640 Correct, last sun It was in the Globe magazine last Sunday. 341 00:19:44.799 --> 00:19:46.799 Oh okay, I thought it was yet to be in there. 342 00:19:46.839 --> 00:19:51.880 Now you are a player on the team, and I'm 343 00:19:51.920 --> 00:19:54.880 not going to tell your age, but like many of us, 344 00:19:54.920 --> 00:19:57.480 you were definitely on the wrong side of fifty. Like 345 00:19:57.559 --> 00:19:57.920 I am. 346 00:19:58.119 --> 00:19:59.240 That's it all right? 347 00:19:59.319 --> 00:20:01.519 Do we leave it at That's how I phrase it. 348 00:20:01.880 --> 00:20:05.000 And you've written a book called Soccer Granny's The South 349 00:20:05.039 --> 00:20:08.559 African Women who Inspire the World. This kind of connects, 350 00:20:08.599 --> 00:20:11.720 I believe with the tournament that these these women from 351 00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:14.720 Massachusetts played in in April helped me out here and 352 00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:16.160 unravel all of this. 353 00:20:18.400 --> 00:20:22.680 Okay, well, the story, I guess it goes back to 354 00:20:22.880 --> 00:20:27.039 when I started playing soccer and I was standing on 355 00:20:27.079 --> 00:20:31.599 the sidelines in Lexington, outside of Boston and watching my 356 00:20:31.680 --> 00:20:35.039 daughters play, and I said, hey, that looks like fun. 357 00:20:35.079 --> 00:20:36.200 I'm already a runner. 358 00:20:36.680 --> 00:20:41.000 Surely I can run and chase a soccer ball. And 359 00:20:41.319 --> 00:20:44.079 I fortunately, I found a group of women just starting up, 360 00:20:44.440 --> 00:20:46.599 and in no time I was hooked. I found it 361 00:20:46.640 --> 00:20:50.359 was such a fun way to exercise. I forgot about 362 00:20:50.400 --> 00:20:53.559 my to do list for that hour. And now, twenty 363 00:20:53.640 --> 00:20:57.720 years later, they're among some of my best friends. And 364 00:20:58.240 --> 00:21:03.039 I know there were a team in South Africa that 365 00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:06.240 started up just a few years after I did. But 366 00:21:06.359 --> 00:21:10.119 these women were even older, in their forties to eighties, 367 00:21:10.680 --> 00:21:15.359 you know, they started exercising for their health. And one 368 00:21:15.440 --> 00:21:18.279 day some boys kicked the soccer ball in front of 369 00:21:18.359 --> 00:21:21.839 them and they were They kicked the ball and it 370 00:21:21.880 --> 00:21:25.799 went off in a crazy direction, and Becca, who was 371 00:21:25.960 --> 00:21:29.759 organizing the group, said, showed them grandmothers how to kick 372 00:21:29.799 --> 00:21:33.279 the ball. And so after you know, a half hour 373 00:21:33.319 --> 00:21:35.720 of running and kicking, they were like, who like this, 374 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:39.960 We want to keep playing. So there's kind of the 375 00:21:40.160 --> 00:21:43.960 parallel stories of women in Africa and women here in 376 00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:46.279 the US playing soccer. 377 00:21:47.400 --> 00:21:50.519 And so you did not know about them, but at 378 00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:54.160 some point you must have heard about them and you decided, boy, 379 00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:56.359 this would be great to go play a game in Africa. 380 00:21:56.480 --> 00:21:59.079 So you've have you been there two years now to 381 00:21:59.079 --> 00:22:00.240 play games? 382 00:22:00.680 --> 00:22:04.880 Yeah. So actually it goes back to twenty ten when 383 00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:10.039 South Africa was hosting the FIFA World Cup and the 384 00:22:10.079 --> 00:22:13.160 group of the team there in South Africa had just 385 00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:17.119 been playing a few years at that point, but running 386 00:22:17.160 --> 00:22:19.559 around in their skirts ticking the soccer ball. They were 387 00:22:19.559 --> 00:22:23.119 the perfect human interest story associated with the World Cup. 388 00:22:23.559 --> 00:22:27.720 So reporters were flocking there to show their story. And 389 00:22:28.640 --> 00:22:33.160 my team saw one of those news links, and you know, 390 00:22:33.200 --> 00:22:36.279 we're like, wow, even though we could tell our lives 391 00:22:36.440 --> 00:22:38.839 must be very different, we could tell also that they 392 00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:41.559 loved the same thing about the game that we did. 393 00:22:41.599 --> 00:22:44.400 And they were so inspiring because they were forty to 394 00:22:44.440 --> 00:22:48.160 eighty years old, you know, even older than our players. 395 00:22:48.680 --> 00:22:51.839 So how many times have you gone over there to 396 00:22:51.920 --> 00:22:53.079 play soccer? 397 00:22:54.279 --> 00:22:57.720 Yeah, So once reached out to them in twenty ten, 398 00:22:58.160 --> 00:23:00.440 invited them to come to the United States States, and 399 00:23:00.519 --> 00:23:03.160 they did. They came here to Boston and played in 400 00:23:03.160 --> 00:23:08.279 the Massachusetts Adults. They played in an adult soccer tournament 401 00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:12.240