Send me to World Bike Forum 2015

My name is David Griffiths. I have been disabled my entire life. At the age of 37, I acquired my first handcycle, and became a cyclist. Having a vehicle that allows me to use my body to move my body has not only changed my life, it has changed my thinking about how I move through the world, both literally and metaphorically. It allows and encourages me to be more actively engaged in my own life, in my community, and in society in general. I now have the freedom to move through my life, my community, and my world under my own power, at my own pace, on my own terms.
Just as I have seen for myself how human powered transportation benefits individuals, I have also seen first hand, from the seat of my cycle, how expanding the infrastructure that supports human powered transportation benefits communities. I have also learned through personal experience that the key to making communities more inclusive for people with disabilities lies in the integration of transportation and mobility.
The theme of the next World Bike Forum (Feb 26-Mar 1, 2015) is "Cities for All". I was encouraged by my friend Elly Blue, who is one of the scheduled speakers at the Forum, to submit a proposal for a presentation. I just learned that my proposal was one of those accepted from over 300 submitted. This event is quite literally the perfect forum for me to share the insights I've gained from living in my body and on my cycle. Unfortunately for me, World Bike Forum 2015 will be in Medellín, Colombia and I live in Portland, Oregon. Even more unfortunately, the organizers are not able to provide financial assistance for airfare or other expenses. I need your help to make this trip. My cycle has helped me to become a free and equal participant in a wider community than I ever thought possible. You can help me to participate in an even wider community- -the global community. Please help me get to the World Bike Forum and present my ideas to the world.