The Forced Poor No More

s. If you have a disability, life is generally a struggle. It can be a struggle that can make you healthier or a battle that overwhelms you. In America, since the 1990s, the disabled community has had some form of rights to protect various aspects of life. Those rights have been talked about by me and others extensively. What has not been discussed much is the financial burdens that people with disabilities and their families have to undertake.

            To care for a child with a disability is a monumental task. It will consume the lives of people around him/or her. It will strain all parties emotionally and physically, but perhaps most of all, financially. The financial burden can range anywhere from a couple hundred thousand to millions. The financial struggle covers every aspect of life- from transportation to aid care to medical care. When the child grows up, the battle does not end.

            In America, we have a system known as social security. In terms of financial help for those with disabilities, we have two programs under the system of social security; these programs are known as supplemental security income (SSI) and social security disability insurance (SSDI). These programs provide financial assistance but perpetuate a permanent second class because, to qualify for these programs, individuals can only take a minimum of an income in the bank. The exact maximum number for a payment allowed is $2,000 in cash assets. Along with these programs, a person with disabilities can rely on Medicaid and Medicaid waivers to provide specific assistance such as aid care services and, in some cases, transportation. Although the financial aid provided by SSI and SSDI is excellent, the system has its drawbacks.  As I asserted before, the current system perpetuates a second class mentality because individuals are not treated like their peers. It also perpetuates a desire not to work in some cases because individuals on SSI or SSDI may lose their benefits if they even get a full-time job. Will the system ever change?

            The answer to that question is hopefully, yes. The hope comes in the form of something known as the ABLE Act or The Achieving a Better Life Experience Act. The act was first introduced in 2013 by a bipartisan group of Congressman, including Senators Robert Casey, Jr., and Richard Burr. So what did they teach exactly? They introduced a bill that, in theory, will better the lives of persons with disabilities significantly. Currently, there are 58 million people with disabilities in the United States. Through negotiation and compromise, the bill was signed into law in later December 2014. One of the compromises made is that the bill would cover those with “a significant disability.” It is estimated that 10 percent of the 58 million disabled people in the U.S. would qualify under this term, approximately 5.8 million people. 

Since the passage of the law, there have been several questions about what exactly are ABLE Accounts and what they cover. An ABLE account is a tax advantage savings account, which is not the same as a special interest trust or a pooled fund. These accounts are tax-exempt accounts, which can cover qualifying expenses while not taking away from a person’s illegibility for Medicaid. The qualifying expense categories are aid care, medical, transportation, and housing. Other questions about ABLE Accounts have also risen; for example, what amount can one put into an ABLE account per year. Once ABLE Accounts are established by the end of 2015, individuals can develop ABLE Accounts and put up to $14,000 a year into the account. It is essential to know these accounts are not a save all but should be used to supplement other options such as disability trust.

The hope that ABLE Accounts can provide is excellent; no longer will persons with disabilities have to be confined to a financial second class. The regulations have not been written and are only in the works; one will have to wait and see how the act is translated from paper to action. One can only be optimistic and hope that the action will speak as loud as the legislation does.

 

Until next time, thanks for reading, fear nothing and regret less

Government Shutdown

So I've written a lot about disability issues, and while that is my main focus for this blog, I thought I would expand it a little bit. To show you (the reader) that while I, as a disabled person, am very aware of issues that concern the disabled community, I am more than just a disabled person. Therefore, this blog post is going to talk about something relevant to all of us as Americans--the recent Government shutdown
       Now I realize that you guys are probably sick about hearing about this from talking heads related to media on both sides. Because of the advent of cable T.V., the news media doesn't work hard, but they repeat the same thing over and over again. They treat us like Five Second Tom from Fifty First Dates.  Five Second Tom is an individual that we meet in the care facility with a five-second memory and re-introduces himself every five seconds. The media treats us, the American people, as if we don't comprehend what they tell us. As a result of this perception of their audience, they are forced to reiterate the same things repeatedly. The government shutdown was no different. 
       Every second, you would hear either major media network describing what was happening as if the American public wasn't aware. However, (remember the media stated last night) America has gotten to the point where we ignore what goes on in Washington because Washington has not become the little boy who cries wolf. Every other day there is a "crisis," and in the Obama Administration, it's been the Benghazi scandal, the IRS debacle, or the "fiscal cliff fiasco." Everybody blames Obama for the fiscal cliff fiasco while playing a part with his "Obama care" idea. I only call it Obama care because the majority of the nation calls it that now. It's called the Affordable Health Care Act. Obama is not the only one that caused America to be where we are at financially. 
       Who do I blame? The answer is simple. I blame our culture and our society. I don't blame capitalism. This is not a communist rant or a push for socialism. It is a call for reason and logic! Let me explain, and the best way I can do that is by using a note that I recently wrote on Facebook in regards to a situation my University is going through. 

 "Okay, So I've never been a fan of authority. I always do what people tell me I can't do. I guess it comes with being not your average gimp. Lately, there's been a lot of stuff being said about how our University is a horrible place, and don't get me wrong, I've had my moments when I disliked certain things, but perhaps the federal government can learn from the hard decisions that the University has to make right now. The fact is, no one can spend more money than they make. I've learned that the hard way. No university, government, or person is immune. A similar issue to the one our University is currently facing occurred at my former school several years ago. At the time, I was bitter because they closed the handicap personal care program. Back then, the president presented similar economic facts to the ones Dr. W offers below. Difficult choices had to be made, and they have to be made now. By no means am I an advocate for everything my University does? I've had my battles with them, but I have this to say as far as what's going on now.

     Many people have been complaining about here, and some of their complaints may have been based on fact, but some, have not. When people are involved in a situation, they do not often take time to look at a situation's facts. They/ only tend to see the facts that benefit our point of view. How can we bitch at the government for overspending when we are not taught as a society that overspending is not okay. The University has to make difficult choices right now. They are not ideal, but unless we know all the facts, who are we to judge? Just saying.  Below is an email that every university student got. Most of you probably ignored it because we tend to like to complain rather than deal with the realities of situations. I thought I would include it below. Ms. W and the administration will try to put the most positive information out there, but at least they are presenting more facts than most people that I know who talk about it. 

   

 

Dear Students,

 

As our academic leaders continue to explore alternatives to the faculty retrenchment proposals in the Operations and Workforce Plan, I am writing to update the critical discussions on our campus. I believe the open flow of accurate information is the best way to reach the decisions we need to make together about cutting our expenses, increasing our revenue, and positioning our University for a healthy future.

 

Through talking with numerous student groups over the last several days, I learned that our students had heard a great deal of misinformation about the proposals and the impact of possible faculty retrenchment on their education.

 

To clear up this misinformation and calm any fears that the misinformation has created, I want to share the following:

 

-          The Operations and Workforce Plan is a collection of proposals. It is a starting point for the process of finding the best possible ways to balance our budget. When a specific course of action is chosen – to save a significant proposed for a moratorium or to act on a proposed cut, for example – I will share that information with the campus community as soon as possible.

 

-          Our academic leaders are working with department chairs and other faculty to ensure that cost-cutting has the least impact possible on faculty and students. This process will continue throughout the current academic year. Already they have made good progress on determining alternatives to eliminating faculty positions.

 

-          All University students will be able to complete their degrees, even if their program is placed in moratorium or faculty positions are eliminated in their department. 

 

-          Our Art Department is not being eliminated. Art is our flagship program here at our University and a significant part of our identity. The only proposed cuts in that area are eliminating five and a half temporary faculty and one regular faculty position, which is vacant, out of an extensive department.

 

-          I am very hopeful that a way can save music and music education as majors. Music is an essential and valued part of our campus culture. However, even if it can't continue as a major, music will continue to be taught and performed at the University. We will have a band, bagpipes, and ensembles.   Students currently enrolled as music majors will be able to complete their majors without interruption.

 

-          Cost-cutting, including reductions in the size of our faculty and all other employees groups to bring their size in line with our smaller enrollment, is unavoidable. The University will spend $7 million more this year than it takes in through tuition, fees, state appropriation, and other sources. Next year, we will spend more than $10 million more than we receive if nothing is done to adjust our costs. We don't have enough money saved in our reserve to continue outspending our revenue beyond this fiscal year. 

 

-          Our state appropriation is the same as in 1997, but those dollars have far less buying power. Just as the cost of your phone plan or favorite foods periodically go up, the items and services that the University must pay for becoming more expensive over time. Our appropriation would need to be 42% larger today to pay for the same things it did 16 years ago.

 

 

And finally, you are free to express your opinion about the Operations and Workforce Plan proposals. I encourage it. Your voice and suggestions are valued.

 

If you feel moved to participate in a demonstration, that is your right, and I respect it. Another productive way to express your opinion is to join the conversation on campus about our budget challenges. The next campus-wide Budget Forum will be held Monday, October 7, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in Pogue Student Center - Multipurpose Room A. My next Listening Hour also will be Monday, from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Crawford Center Conference Room. Your questions and input are welcome at both of these sessions. You also can share your ideas for reducing expenses and increasing revenue on our online Operations and Workforce Suggestion Forum using the link on [webpage].

 

This is a difficult situation that demands that we face our challenges directly. Solutions to fix the continuing budget imbalance created by reduced state funding and lower enrollment must be creative but realistic. We must act decisively this year for the long-term good of the University and you, its students. I continue to be overly optimistic that together we can and will achieve the savings and develop the new revenue sources needed to keep our University strong and make it even stronger.

 

Best regards,

Dr. W"

       The above note is a microcosm of a lesson that both parties need to learn. If one who makes 500 dollars a week, they can only spend 500 dollars a week. The government is acting like a college kid who gets all those credit card offers in the mail. They think just because we're allowed to spend into debt that it means we should. Now I am not an idiot. I realize that this is not a Republican or Democrat issue. As I said before, it is a societal issue. In the last 2 or 3 generations, we have not been taught the value of saving and being responsible with our money. I am a perfect example. However, until we learn this philosophy, we are doomed to repeat the same course no matter what part is in power. 
       As far as shutting down the government to get your point across, no matter what side you are on, I think there is a crucial point or philosophy that the American people have learned from this shutdown or should if they haven't. These officials there in Washington, no matter what party they represent, were put there by us. We need to take some responsibility and remember what special privilege we have on the nation and how we have to change the system. We could act like my friends on Facebook and continue to bitch about the problems this country has, or we could radically alter the system. Whether it be radically transforming it for fiscal change or disability/women's rights. If we let the system live as it always has, we will always get the same results. 
       Take, for example, the bill they passed to re-open the government as of 12:01 a.m. August 17. They only passed a bill that would give us funds for 90 days. They didn't make any significant changes. They are still squabbling over the same decisive issues that they have been for weeks now. Because ideology thinks they are better than another one. I do have some fiscally different ideas from others, but this is not the place nor form to present them. If I did, I would be like every other talking head on T.V. trying to present their side as the "correct" one instead then trying to find the solution. This goes way deeper than whether or not I represent an elephant or a donkey. My political party should not matter. As our first president said, "A nation should beware of political parties" because they will get us in the mess we are in now. What should matter is not always being right all the time because not everybody will be happy with everything all the time. So this is a call to Congress and Obama, but most of all, to the American people. It is time to stop telling us what you want or what you're going to do and do something about it! Put your ego aside, and remember you live in a country with 316,869,000 people. It is not just about what YOU want, but it is about compromise because no one can be king. We fought a war because we did not want to be controlled by a king, so quit acting like one side is right, and the other side is wrong.

       I'm getting off my soapbox for now, but the above should demonstrate that no matter your physical ability, one could have a voice or opinion about critical issues. People often see those with disabilities as "passive citizens." Well, this piece should indicate that some of us are not passive at all.