john boswell
Following some major life shifts through his battle with stage 4 cancer, John Boswell has been spearheading the development of community-wide programs to empower not only those who are faced with health and financial challenges, but the entire community at large.
Through founding the getavision timeXchange & TimeBank, getavisionFUND microfunding programs and visionTRADE Barter Exchange, John has been working to create locally and globally based networks to empower people through times of dramatic life changes. Since launching in 2010, the getavision programs have received honors from the California State Senate and West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Creative City Awards.
Prior to his cancer battle, John founded the Los Angeles-based NeTV Networks with a vision of convergence of online and video technology, which included a focus on local development efforts to enhance economic community strength. His career has always blended interests in socially-oriented programs beginning with Northern Arizona’s Public Radio Station as public affairs program director, host and news director. He later produced television programs in Asia and the US, always with a passion for covering inspirational human-interest and socially-relevant stories that could have a positive impact on people’s lives.
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S H I F T I N G G E A R S
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Cancer was a game changer for me, which after survival has caused me to want more than ever to fully embrace my life and help people to get a vision for their lives in the midst of health and financial crises. With that game change, I want to join with others to live life to the fullest, build family and get a vision when life throws a challenge.
These two videos share my cancer journey and my personal Power Shift.
LIVESTRONG 2010 LGBT CampaignToday I have a new vision for my life:
1. create an infrastructure & media vehicles which deepen the experience of life
2. develop programs that assist and suppport people facing health & financial challenges
stuff shaping my vision...
> in the beginning... adopted into a family with love
Life for me started on the streets nearby New Orleans' French Quarter, born into the world after what must have been many months of love and sacrifice from a young girl I have never known and into the arms of two people who would accept me with unconditional love as their own. Adopted at birth from a home for unwed moms, I was accepted into a family without prejudice of my ethnicity or predispositions. I belonged. I was accepted. I was wanted. As a kid, I was told continually that I was loved even more than all of the other kids because I was truly wanted in the family.
Throughout my life, I've enjoyed the gift and freedom in having no knowledge of my own ethnic heritage, inhibiting me from prejudice. Born on the footsteps of the French Quarter, I could be of French decent, maybe some cajun, maybe some African American and maybe throw in some Native American roots. The mystery has always been a blessing, helping me to be color blind in a ethnically-prejudiced world.
> living in a phobic world
While I was accepted into the family, the bigger world wasn't so welcoming. Growing up, it was a pretty cruel and condemning world out there, full of hate and prejudice. But the love and protection of my family seemed to be a safe haven from the hatred just outside. My family gave me a great life without preconditions. Great opportunities, a wonderful education, and the freedom to choose my life path whatever I could dream and wherever I wished to go, without reservation.
Then that old homophobic bigotry reared its head and I found myself forced out of job and career path wondering how best to fit into box I didn't belong in, but pretty soon found my way.
Things were good for me. Having my own business with a career I loved in the place where I felt most felt at home and loved. Perfect health, great insurance, and relatively good financial security. Every day I was content with life, feeling invulnerable to infirmities or disabilities. Nothing was holding me back to pursue anything I wanted in life.
> facing a life-threatening health & financial crisis
But one day I got the HIV diagnosis, then 15 months later received the cancer diagnosis, eventually identified as stage 4 Burkitt's Lymphoma, one of the most aggressive cancers usually found in sub-Saharan African children, requiring extensive hospitalization....
Prognosis: at least a year being unable to work. It was both debilitating & numbing. Because of that, I lost my vision and my financial security. I felt that I was quickly falling off of the grid.
> saved by support of my adopted family
Through it all, having no traditional family around, there was my partner and friends -- my adopted family -- who literally saved my life, along with some of the best medical care in the world. Even with many holes in it, I had a safety net. I was one of the fortunate ones.
Watching countless others fall through the cracks, I was compelled to do something that would help others to get a vision for their lives. I had an encounter with my own faith and those things which I held as truth. I had a clear sense of compassion that I couldn't deny and which compelled me to reach out to others.
> resolved to help others
Ever since then, I found myself on a new journey. A discovery of the fragility of the social & economic grid upon which we live and an exploration of possible ways to create a new grid.
Along the way, I've discovered a few things:
* The essence of FAMILY
* The fragility of our physical health
* When our health is gone, sexuality is irrelavant
* That life is too short and precious for prejudices
* We're all at risk of falling off the grid
* We need the safety net of FAMILY
> what are you looking for?
Deeper connection with others, unconditional love & acceptance, peace & security, health & wellness, self-respect & pride?
I want these things and more! I want to discover a way to live healthier, longer & happier through
Celebration, Loyalty, Compassion, Respect, Listening, Forgiveness, Courage, Giving, Humor, Creativity
I think we can get there together as family.
