NEW SITE, NEW BLOG

In preparation for the big mtv series launch, we've officially moved our blog to our new revamped site. We'll be posting lots of great new videos and news over there, so check it out!

Click HERE for link to new blog...

oh, and don't forget, HYN merchandise makes for great holiday presents! Get it HERE!

Bobby and John McCain

When we went to the political conventions back in '04 we weren't sure who would take the time to speak with us. We weren't even sure if we'd be let through the door. But it turned out that Democrats and Republicans alike are pretty willing to spend a little time with people with disabilities.



These days it's pretty tough to get an interview with Senator John McCain, but Bobby Bird charged right in there and got his question in. Here is the never before seen unedited tape from that exchange. Don't forget to vote in November!


Update on the MTV series: All the episodes have now been shot and edited and we're pleased to say that things look good. The folks at mtv seem to understand the unusual nature of the show and have been very enthusiastic and unobtrusive so far. Right now the air date is set for Feb. '09 and we'll keep you posted!

Jeremy and Ben Affleck

Since it's political season we figured we'd keep with the theme and upload some of our never-before seen outtakes from the campaign documentary we made last time around. This here is the uncut version of Jeremy's interview with notable actor and activist Ben Affleck:



When we put it in the election special for television we had to cut it down considerably because Ben just went on and on with his impassioned speech. Some people found it strange and awkward, some inspiring, others just found it funny. Now you can decide! But no matter how you cut it, we feel it always shows fine character to take the time to speak with our reporters and we're grateful to Mr. Affleck for his time and candid responses.

Ronnie at the DNC

In honor of the fact that the Democratic Nation Convention is now taking place we thought we'd comb through the HYN archives and post some never-before-seen clips from our now legendary trip to the political conventions back in 2004. This clip below is a full unedited interview between reporter Ron Simonsen and Al Franken:



Just to give a little background, when this interview took place, we had just entered the convention hall for the first time with dubious "perimeter passes" and we weren't sure if anyone would even speak with us. Mr Franken agreed to do the interview, probably having little idea what he was getting into. Little did we know that in four years he'd be running for the US Senate! This clip never made it into our 2004 campaign film simply because of time constraints. We always loved it, but Bobby also interviewed Mr. Franken and the clip was shorter and more concise. Now, here at last, we get to let you see the full fledged interview. Come back soon, we'll be posting more clips from the archives at the convention season progresses....

Ronnie, by the way, is still battling Leukemia and the various challenges which come along with his treatments. He loves to hear from fans with well wishes and can be reached at: dr.ronsimonsen @ gmail.com. Give the big guy a shout!

For Those About to Rock...

Our friend Michael Randa shot and edited this great video of HYN reporters Brendan and Lucas rocking out onstage with State Radio at Toad's Place in New Haven. Check out Lucas playing the guitar with his teeth at the end!



For those of you unfamiliar with Brendan and Lucas, they are the newest members of the How's Your News team. The joined up to round out the band this fall and boy did they ever do that. Both Lucas and Brendan have Williams Syndrome, rare genetic condition which, among other things, is often accompanied by an amazing gift for music. Along with veteran HYN reporter Jeremy Vest, who also has Williams, these guys with form the backbone of the How's Your News band which performs lives shows and also recorded some of the soundtrack for our upcoming series on mtv. For those about to rock!

The Dispatch Interview

This summer, while filming our new TV series, HYN reporter Jeremy Vest got the chance to interview one of the most successful independent bands of all time, that's right...Dispatch!



Singer/guitarist Chad Stokes is one of the co-creators of HYN and directs all of our music, so this was a good chance for Jeremy to get to the bottom of all the mystery surrounding this great band and ask the questions absolutely no one is afraid to find out! Check out the killer garbage can drum jam at the end too.

Thanks Brad, Pete, and Chad!

The Mountain Climb

We all wanted to do something big for the final day of shooting the new HYN series. We wanted to do something which showed what we're all about and which also included some of our friends with disabilities who have supported us along the way. So we decided to climb a mountain. We chose Bromley Mountain in Peru, VT because they have a great adaptive ski program there in the winter, and Joe Hurley, the guy who runs it, was excited at the prospect of helping get a big group like ours all the way to the top.


We asked one of our longtime reporters, Paul Remy, to write up a report of this mountain climb and what follows are his words as he typed them on the computer. Paul has CP and types with the use of a head pointer, like this:


Here's Paul climbing the mountain with Corby and Jake:


And here's Paul's report:

SATURDAY JUNE 7, 2008 – it was a beautiful spring day in Vermont. The temperature neared 90 degrees, but a cool breeze welcomed HYN. The HYN’s grew was joined by friends (including myself) from Camp Jabberwocky, a summer camp on Martha’s Vineyard for people with disabilities, and TulgeyWood, another summer gathering for the people with disabilties on Nantucket. We wanted to end the HYN coast to coast MTV series on a high note - climbing 3,284 feet up Bromley Mountain. We knew that this was our biggest challenge yet, but we also knew that if we made it to the top the climb would be a historic event.


The chair lift brought us to the point where we could start our ascent to the top of Bromley. Luckily, the lift stopped so that people with physical disabilities to get on it. I have Cerebral Palsy and am a wheelchair user. However, I am able to walk slowly when someone supports me. My friend Jake helped to walk to the lift and to on it.


The ride up was spectacular and I admired the breathtaking view of the beautiful mountains in the distance. Thoughts also entered my mind, however, wondering if my 53-year-old legs would be able to propel me all the way up the summit. Arthur told the group before the climb that we could take as many rest as we needed and instructed us to drink lots of water. Finally, the chairlift dropped us off, and we reached the starting point of our climb.


I began walking with Jake’s help. Several other wonderful and caring people also assisted me, but unfortunately I forgot their names. Remembering names of new acquaintances is not one of my assets. Anyway, we walked a few hundred feet. My goal was to walk another several hundred feet to a rock that I was eyeing, but I decided to take my first rest because my left foot started bothering me due to spasticity. – tightness of muscles cause by Cerebral Palsy. The spasticity takes more control of my left side of my body than my right.


My friends Larry, Shirley, and Nancy also have Cerebral Palsy, a neurological disorder that usually occurs at birth due to an insufficient amount of oxygen to the brain during birth. Stiff muscles prevent them from walking even with assistance. They had to be carried all the way up Bromley. To them, climbing was equally as challenging and exciting because it it also a partnership and requires arms strength and balance..



After resting for five minutes and taking a drink of refreshing water, I was ready to resume the next leg of the journey. Being energized I was convinced that I would be able to climb half way up the mountain before taking another rest. However, my left foot refused to accomplish this achievement. Someone offered to give me a short piggy-back ride and I accepted. One advantage about piggy-backing with a fast walker is that you past everyone. As I was passing by my friends, I noticed that all of them were enjoying Mother Nature while conquering the climb. Two friends and HYN reporters, Bobby and Susan, for example, were striding right along like seasoned mountaineers.




At about the half way point I resumed walking. I wanted to complete the rest of the climb on my own two feet. I felt refreshed and was keeping a good pace up Bromley, but the heat got to me. Soaking wet with sweat my friend Corby saw me tiring and offered me another piggy-back ride. I desperately wanted to refuse his kind offer. However, I knew if I wanted a strong finish to the top by my own power a short piggy-back ride would be the answer.


Excitement engulfed me when the tower on top of the mountain appeared into view. After getting off of Corby’s back, I shouted “LET’S DO THIS!” and walked the rest of the way. With more breaks, I agree with Arthur that I could have gone all the way without resorting to piggy-backs. Perhaps next time!



Greeting everyone on the summit was such an awesome feeling. We all knew that despite one’s physical and mental limitations the Bromley challenge was achieved. I also share the same feeling as Nancy, “climbing Bromley was the most rememberable, amazing and the breathtaking things that I may have ever done." It was a challenge, and would I do it again in a heart beat. With my friends, we will show people that the impossible is possible and can be done!



Everyone at HYN would like to thank Bromley Mountain and the great folks at the The Bart J. Ruggiere Adaptive Sports Center for teaming up with us for this event. We had 12 people with disabilities reach the summit, 8 of whom use wheelchairs. Let's get even more next time!