Sen. John McCain’s chief disability policy staff person (unnamed) announced to the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) that the senator was changing his position on the Community Choice Act. The group rejoiced. Then at the Disabilities Issues Forum in Ohio, during the anniversary of the Americans with Disability Act, he swapped sides again. Right after the group announced his previous plans otherwise. All this according to a letter from the NCIL we obtained from an operative.
You see, those pesky retards and handicaps, cripples and helmet-wearers keep getting in the way of the almighty dollar. Those people! They want freedom; you know the freedom that is awarded to all. These persons with disabilities want to live in the least restrictive environment possible, rather than the dungeons and dung heaps of the institution. Not great places, institutions. Lots of abuse and neglect happens inside those walls. I mean really, who among us would want to live in an institution?
Some persons with disabilities need to reside inside the walls and structures that an institution provides. There are just cases where persons cannot live in other environments, but those make up a very small amount of the population. We have seen many a person come out of the institution (because of the Olmstead Act) despite the cries of families or others, and those persons have been very successful.
Sometimes that means a person lives in a nursing home, group home, an individualized supported living arrangement (with or without a roommate), or with family. All of these scenarios usually require staff members who assist the persons with daily needs. This may nothing more than helping the individual with finanaces, or may be as in depth as providing daily hygiene, and cooking all meals.
I have written many times about my friend, T-bone, who was paralyed from the shoulders down, much like Christopher Reed. He lived on his own, had staff, and worked part time. He paid taxes and contributed to society in many ways. He did receive Medicaid, which provided for his health care needs. Changes in the laws forced him to quit and live completely off the state.
On the heals of the recent presidential forum at Saddlebrook church, I am reminded of Matthew 25:40
Somehow we protect the sanctity of life when it is a fetus, but not when it is a person with a disability. They are all milkers, fakers, liars, system suckers, teat juicers. Don't you just love bias and hatred, especially against people with Autism, Down Syndrome, spinal cord injuries, and the like?
Unfortunately, the so-called Maverick has abandoned his independent streak and sided with the Republican party line. People with disabilities tend to be the poorest of the poor and one of the smallest voting blocks. Who cares about them when you can garner votes instead. Disability bias is pumping through the veins of American society.
You see, those pesky retards and handicaps, cripples and helmet-wearers keep getting in the way of the almighty dollar. Those people! They want freedom; you know the freedom that is awarded to all. These persons with disabilities want to live in the least restrictive environment possible, rather than the dungeons and dung heaps of the institution. Not great places, institutions. Lots of abuse and neglect happens inside those walls. I mean really, who among us would want to live in an institution?
Some persons with disabilities need to reside inside the walls and structures that an institution provides. There are just cases where persons cannot live in other environments, but those make up a very small amount of the population. We have seen many a person come out of the institution (because of the Olmstead Act) despite the cries of families or others, and those persons have been very successful.
Sometimes that means a person lives in a nursing home, group home, an individualized supported living arrangement (with or without a roommate), or with family. All of these scenarios usually require staff members who assist the persons with daily needs. This may nothing more than helping the individual with finanaces, or may be as in depth as providing daily hygiene, and cooking all meals.
I have written many times about my friend, T-bone, who was paralyed from the shoulders down, much like Christopher Reed. He lived on his own, had staff, and worked part time. He paid taxes and contributed to society in many ways. He did receive Medicaid, which provided for his health care needs. Changes in the laws forced him to quit and live completely off the state.
On the heals of the recent presidential forum at Saddlebrook church, I am reminded of Matthew 25:40
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Somehow we protect the sanctity of life when it is a fetus, but not when it is a person with a disability. They are all milkers, fakers, liars, system suckers, teat juicers. Don't you just love bias and hatred, especially against people with Autism, Down Syndrome, spinal cord injuries, and the like?
Unfortunately, the so-called Maverick has abandoned his independent streak and sided with the Republican party line. People with disabilities tend to be the poorest of the poor and one of the smallest voting blocks. Who cares about them when you can garner votes instead. Disability bias is pumping through the veins of American society.
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