Sunday, March 5, 2023
The Personal Care Crisis Continues: How a Lack of Funding for Home and Community Services Reinforces Larger Problem Within The Disability Community
Saturday, March 4, 2023
Unlikely Advocates: How One of America's Most Influential Families Became Some of the Disability Community's Strongest Allies
Recently I finished a book entitled “Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter” by Kate Clifford Larson. I was turned on to the book by my girlfriend Samantha Lebron. She knows that I love history, especially political history. When I first began reading the book, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The Kennedy family has been written about extensively. I thought this would be another look at the Kennedy family through the lens of politics, and, to some extent, it was, but it was much more than just a book about politics.
As I got deeper into the book, I realized the book was about something more. It was on a deeper level about the history of the treatment of people with disabilities in the United States. Although Rosemary Kennedy was born to one of the most affluent families of the 20th century, unbeknownst to her she would face prejudices not only from the outside world but even from some members of her own family. Without recounting the whole book which I highly recommend you should read, I will say that what happened to Rosemary Kennedy reflected attitudes about disability at the time.
The book does a great job of not only detailing Rosemary’s struggles as a young child, but it also does a great job of using her experiences to highlight the subhuman treatment of people with disabilities that was commonplace during that era. However, Rosemary can serve as an example of how the best characteristics of the human race are often seen during the darkest of times. Not every member of Rosemary’s family saw her disability as a thing that should be looked down upon. In fact, her sister Eunice would become one of the disability community’s most powerful advocates. It is through the work of the Kennedy family and their relatives that two of today’s most powerful and influential disability organizations are even in existence. Eunice took a special interest in a program known as the Special Olympics and helped transform it into what it has become today. If this was not impactful enough, Anthony Kennedy Shriver would go on to found Best Buddies International. For those unfamiliar with the organization, it aims to give people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDDs) the chance to live fuller and more inclusive lives by increasing socialization and opportunities for growth.
In closing, it is this writer’s opinion that the Kennedy family, a family who is often associated with heartbreak and tragedy, needs to be remembered not only for what they have undergone but also, they need to be celebrated by people with disabilities more than they already are. Without the Kennedys the disability rights movement may have taken longer to reach the goals it has so far.
Until next time, your friendly neighborhood super advocate,
Jay
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
The Disability News Network
The
news in America has become constant recycling of all the same stories. With the
advent of cable news, the news is on 24/7 on some channel or another. You have
three major providers, Fox News, CNN, and MSMBC. Along with these providers,
you have local affiliates of ABC, NBC, and CBS. But all these channels tend to
tell the same stories. Now there is a new type of news network out there.
The
Disability News Network, or DNN, is a news network run by DST, Developmental
Service Trainers, in Ocala, Florida. DST is a personal care company, which uses
the radio station to provide a voice for people with disabilities. Currently,
they do not broadcast all the time and are in the process of re-vamping their
broadcast schedule. Even though they are based in the U.S., now they only have
1200 listeners. Most of their listeners come from China and Switzerland.
Although this is a young radio station, it only has been around three years; it
provides an excellent outlet for people with disabilities. Below is the link to
the website where you can find the live feed to the station. I am in
preliminary discussions with DNN to host a radio show. Future posts will
contain more details. Thanks for reading, and until next time, fear nothing and
regret less.
Friday, November 1, 2013
CRPD
As the 11-month of the year begins,
we also mark the end of a month-long celebration. October was Disability
Awareness Month. Disability Awareness Month is designed to acknowledge all
forms of disability, everything from emotional and behavioral to mental and
physical. My university recently even did an exhibit entitled “Allies for
Inclusion: The Ability Exhibit.” This consisted of a variety of stations at
which visitors could experience an aspect of being disabled. In October, the
events that were held throughout the country demonstrated a great effort in the
disability community to bring awareness to an often forgotten minority.
However, there is a much greater task at hand.
Rarely do I call my readers to action,
but this time I am asking you to read what follows and use your political voice
to make a difference. On November 5th and 12th, your
voice can be heard. The U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations is holding
hearings on whether or not to ratify a treaty for persons with disabilities.
The treaty is known as the “Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities,” an international treaty that needs the United States’ support.
On December 5th, 2012, it only fell five votes short of a supermajority
known as ratification. As these Senate hearings approach, I urge you to not
only email your Senators but also place a phone call to their offices. To
re-affirm your support for people with disabilities.
Why I should support the CRPD:
· 57 million Americans
with Disabilities
· 5.5. Million disabled
American Veterans
· 1 billion people
worldwide
· Would be joining
supporters such as significant faith groups, the Chamber of Commerce, American
Association of People with Disabilities, and many other groups in
America/Worldwide.
· No additional cost to
the American taxpayer.
· the treaty has been
reviewed by Republican and Democratic Attorneys General and by past Counsel to
Presidents. They confirm that it does not threaten the sovereignty of the U.S.,
nor does it require any new legislation to comply with the treaty.
· Disabled individuals can contribute and be
functioning members of society. As well as being suitable for American
commerce.
If you still need a little bit more background, then here is the history of the
CRPD. The CRPD was first pushed forward by Mexico and then taken charge of by
the country of New Zealand. For the first time in its history, the U.S. is not
at the forefront of an International Movement, but it is late to the party.
For a country with such sweeping
legislation (such as the American with Disabilities Act), it is a shame that
the CRPD already has 158 signatories, and the U.S. is not on the list. Please
support the CRPD so that the American Disability Rights Movement can be heard
in the 21st century and not just known for something done over two
decades ago.
Footnotes:
1.)http://power.aapd.com/site/Calendar?id=100081&view=Detail
Thursday, October 17, 2013
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.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Hey! Down here!
So, it's been nearly a week since the last time I posted here. This
is not to say that there haven't been things bubbling around in my mind, just
that I've been a little busy. Since the last time I wrote, I've been
busy promoting the blog by creating a Facebook page. You can now
show your support for the blog and disability advocacy in general by
visiting The Voiceless Minority on Facebook. I've
also been busy continuing to write my first full-length
screenplay. Now, however, it is time to get back to the meat of
things.
I've
written extensively about several different issues, including how disabled
people desire to be treated equally but still use the "Disney World"
principle, as I like to call it, cut lines, etc. While I've said
that, in most cases, disabled people do want equality and strive for it
legitimately, it does not mean that they are always supported in their
efforts. I've also written about social acceptance and
disability. However, this past week, this issue has come up
twice. The issue has not arisen in my personal life, but I've had
friends and acquaintances mention it. Therefore, I thought I would
write this blog. But I would take a different approach.
I
have mentioned that legislation cannot legislate acceptance, and while I know
that this is not my view alone, a young woman powerfully drove this point home
in a poem. Sarah Smith is a young woman who has the same disability that I do,
cerebral palsy. I first met Sarah several years ago. We
both attended the same university. I am not going to mince words.
Sarah and I haven't always gotten along. Still, we've grown to respect one
another because of our drive and determination to prove that, although we have
obstacles that society calls disabilities, these obstacles do not define
us. What follows is the poem that this driven young woman has
written. It is used here with her permission. Thank you,
Sarah.
"I was born too
early
small, fragile, and
weak
they thought I would
not survive.
But along with my
will to live,
another token was
bestowed upon me;
one that I didn't
want to ask for or need.
"What is this
token," you ask?
Well, the answer is
quite simple.
For it is a cloak
of invisibility.
I carry it with me
throughout my life.
It was given to me by
society
and shallow
close-minded souls,
who believe my
disability
defines me.
They walk right past
me,
never bothering
getting to know
the person beneath.
Or worse yet,
they pretend they
care,
but really,
I'm just a pit stop,
until something
better comes along.
To those cowardly
people,
I say, "your
loss."
You are missing out
on meeting someone
who is loyal, honest,
and loving
through and through.
For those who have taken
the time
to look beneath the
label,
thank you
for giving me a
chance
to live and love
undefined and
free."
Being
nonobjective for a second, I must say that I love the poem. I may
not agree with everything that Sarah has ever said, but I was stopped dead in
my Facebook clicking when I read this. Back to objectivity now, if
one indeed looks at Sarah's words, they cannot help but be struck by
them. Sarah brings to light a well overdue point. Not
only are disabled people often brushed aside like second or even third-class
citizens, but they are also often unwantedly pitied and
patronized. We, as a group, is either exalted as heroes or we are
wallflowers. People rarely take the time to know us as people; instead,
they get to see the machine or device with the person in it. They do not see,
as Sarah says, a person who is loving, honest, and loyal, instead they see
someone to feel bad for or to judge. Sadly, this not only occurs in
the general public, and the realm of academia, but it often occurs in social
settings. By this, I mean, we are not only looked down on by waiters
in restaurants who glance at our companion to give our order, and professors
when we reach the higher levels of education, but mainly we are looked down on
by our peers.
Now,
when it comes to social invisibility, I refer to two ideas. One is
that we are not perceived to be capable or worthy of being in a romantic
relationship. While this idea is most infuriating to me, being in my
late twenties and being human, I do feel that this is secondary to the second
idea. It is even more frustrating when our peers brush off our
intellect in regular conversation and everyday interaction, and they brush off
our ability to behave like them. How often I hear the words, "You
like to do that, you're disabled," or "But you're in a wheelchair,"
or "That's weird, I wasn't expecting you to act like that." It is
almost like we are visible and invisible at the same time. Well, it
is time that the disabled community, as a whole, is recognized for who we are
as people, and not just for the disabilities that we have to overcome.