Thank You

So this is not going to be like a regular blog of mine. It is just a quick note to thank you for your support with the blog in general, but specifically for any of you have called to support the CRPD. Remember, the second round of hearings is this Tuesday, November 12^th. They can be seen on CSPAN or the Foreign Relations Committee website. However, once these hearings are over, that does not mean the process is over. The issue will not come to a vote for several months, so I ask for your continued support and ask that you continue to call your senators until the American disability community has more to be remembered for than just the ADA. Here’s to hoping we can pass the CRPD within the year. Thank you again. 

CRPD Hearing: Round 1 Aftermath

 Today was the first of two hearings on the Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities conducted by the United States Foreign Relations Committee. The hearing went for approximately two and a half hours. Both sides of the issue were equally given time to present their argument. Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey did a fine job proceeding over the hearings.
       My the previous blog laid out my position on the treaty as well as the position of approximately twenty-six prominent disabled organizations in the U.S. As I sat and watched the hearings that were broadcast life on C-Span something struck me. Regardless of where one falls in regards to the treaty, the disabled community can only see the hearings as a positive. Not since 1990 has the disabled community’s needs been put front and center. Twenty + years ago this quiet segment of society was given a voice and a great voice that allowed such platforms like this blog to exist.
       Amongst all the debates over how the U.S. was going to be affected by the treaty I kept hearing one theme. The U.S. and the ADA are the gold standards in disability rights. For the first time in a long time, American was acknowledging the positive impact we had made on the world. We might disagree on such issues as how big government should be or even what roles government should play in our lives, but for this one day, we were able to put aside differences and civilly debate an issue. On both sides of the issue, there were bipartisan contingencies. Democrats and Republicans were supporting the treaty as well as forcing their opinion against it. Between all the battling, over whether a United States individual’s right to be homeschooled would be affected I heard one important thing. No one out loud said it but it was still there. The importance of disability and individuals with disabilities, which was not recognized 20 years ago, was again at the forefront of the American political arena today.
       I could get into all the arguments that took place over adding or subtracting political Ruts that would protect America’s laws, but that is not the point of this blog entry.  Although this blog entry is going to be fairly short compared to the other postings I simply wanted to write to express my great thanks to the Foreign Relations Committee for even discussing disability rights on a major stage. I hope that they do pass the treaty because I am a firm believer that the billion people with disabilities worldwide deserve at least the same quality of life that their able-bodied counterparts get, in whichever country they live in.  I understand both sides, but as these supporters said while the hearings closed, “America is a great and powerful nation. We are the best example of disability rights out there. This would be a great way to extend our leadership without negative influence on the international community.” Whether you agree with my opinion or not, one cannot disagree with the point that today and the hearings next week are the beginnings of what can be a great time for disability rights in America and the world.

P.S.: For those who missed the hearings today you can view an archived video session on C-Span’s website or on the Foreign Relations Committee website. You can also keep in mind that the second round of hearings will occur next Tuesday. For those who are not familiar with the Political process these hearings do not signify the United States’ ratification of the treaty rather they are just the first procedural step required to eventually bring the issue of treaty ratification to the floor. 

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 5^th and 12^th, 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 5^th, 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 21^st century and not just known for something done over two decades ago.

 

 

 

 

Footnotes:

1.)http://power.aapd.com/site/Calendar?id=100081&view=Detail

Come On, Man!

 So a couple of days ago, a friend of mine sent me a group message on Facebook. Usually, I ignore group messages, and I don't know why, but I do. This time I checked it out, though, because this friend does not usually send group messages. Upon further review of the message, I clicked on an article, which was very disturbing. This blog piece is less applaud and more a letter to the subject of that article. 
       Most of us in this U.S. love sports, and one of the most popular sports in our country, is the NFL. For my unfamiliar world readers, that stands for the National Football League. Football players in America have undergone many changes throughout the decades. When the game started, there was not as much fanfare surrounding it as there is now. Players got "real" jobs in the off-season and did not forget that they played a game for a living.       

       However, as everything does, athletes' perception gradually changed, and now they are seen as notable celebrities. With this newfound fame came certain shortcomings. Some athletes developed the opinion that they were above others. I can understand how this occurs when one makes millions and millions of dollars to catch a ball or, in the case of this article subject, to throw that ball. I love sports. I'm a sports junkie, but to steal a famous line from a Monday night countdown show on ESPN by one of the best sports anchors ever—Chris Berman, when I read the article, all I could think was, "Come on, man!" I will put the actual link for the article at the bottom of this blog post. It can also be found on this blog's Facebook page located at www.thevoicelessminority.facebook.com. In short, the article was about how athletics can corrupt a person. Athletics can change people who are completely logical and normal into egotistical morons. 
       I am sure Jay Cutler (who the article is about) was a nice individual before he started to play Football, but I must ask Mr. Cutler a question. How many times have you been sacked, and are you don't still have a concussion? That is the only way I can explain your ignorant comments in a recent pro football mock article. The article, which I'm sure you are aware of by now, Mr. Cutler, was about your defending your illegal use of an accessible parking spot. You said, "goddamned if I'm going to wedge this $250,000 beauty into one of those narrow ass spots in the back of the lot like some practice squad chump, and then schlep my ass to the building for some stupid film study sessions or whatever." So let me guess this straight, Mr. Cutler. You have perfect use of your body, you have a god-given the talent to throw a ball better than 95% of the people on this planet, and you get paid millions and millions of dollars to do so. Yet you don't want to use your working ways to walk across a parking lot?! Is that precisely what you are saying with your quote? Before you say, "Oh, you're just some fan who doesn't understand, and you're a pion," let me tell you a little bit about myself, Mr. Cutler. I am a 27-year-old disabled individual who is confined to a power wheelchair. I have Cerebral Palsy, which is a neuromuscular disability, which affects my motor coordination. There are thousands of other people like many others and me who have different physical disabilities—one of which works as a payroll clerk with your Chicago Bears. The comment you made was made before your recent groin injury. Suddenly you have had a change of heart! Now you demand that your beloved Bears have a golf cart with an attendant at your beck and call. 
       Mr. Cutler, I am sure playing the game of Football or being an athlete, in general, is more challenging than I can imagine but (and I'm trying to be as lovely as possible) you could never survive a day in my life or anyone else's life who has it 10x worse than you. The Bears should be ashamed that an ignorant individual such as you represents their organization. In case that wasn't a clear enough statement on how disappointed and outraged I am as a disabled citizen, let me put it another way for you. You should be ashamed of yourself as a human being. Maybe, my friend, you should get your head out of the clouds and realize that you have a luxury that 95% of the people in this world never get. Maybe this little groin setback should serve as a wake-up call to show you that life can be a whole lot worse, but it probably won't. People like you perpetuate continuing stereotypes ignorance about people with disabilities and people who are different in general. 
       I am not just a disabled person. The fact is, Mr. Cutler, I am going for my Master's Degree. Indeed, I am in the process of taking my last class for my Masters in Education. The game you play will end someday. I hope for your sake you have something to fall back on. As I said before, you should be ashamed of yourself as a human being, and anyone who supports you after the comments you made is equally at fault. They may not be ignorant, but they are complacent and complicit. 

Sincerely,
Mr. Jason Hahr

Footnote:
1.) http://profootballmock.com/jay-cutler-now-legally-permitted-to-use-handicapped-spot-hes-already-been-parking-in-for-years-anyway/

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.

 

                                

 

I’m Disabled--It Doesn’t Mean I’m Dead

It falls again. It's been a while since I've written because I'm back in school, and that comes with the Fall and along with another great American past time, that being NFL. The National Football League is one of the most talked-about things in American life. Sports, in general, play a significant role in American culture. The sports phenomena units people that frequently have very little in common. There is a spirit about competition in the sports arena that is hard to find anywhere else. However, usually, one group of individuals who are not associated with sports or at least disability in sports doesn't come to mind simultaneously in most people's minds. The disabled are not that different from anyone else, though, when it comes to their love of sports.
       Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am an avid New York Giants fan, and I often yell at the T.V. when they screw up (which happens to be a lot this season). I am also a die-hard New York Yankees fan, and I love hockey in general and college basketball. I am often asked, "How can you be that into sports if you can't play them?" And yes, I can't play them, but I can still feel the drive and adrenaline from a game. It's hard to explain. Disabled people don't only sit and watch. We also compete just as hard, if not harder, than regular athletes. There are misconceptions when it comes to disability and sports. Through an interview I recently conducted, I hope to dispel some of these misconceptions.

       As I have said in previous blogs, I go to a University in North Western Pennsylvania. The University prides itself on being an "inclusive" campus for people with disabilities. As a part of that effort, they have a wheelchair basketball team. I was recently fortunate enough to be able to interview a senior on that team. Kate Chaser was kind enough to discuss basketball sports for people with disabilities and disability awareness in general. Before I get into the interview, here's a little bit of Kate's bio. Kate is a senior Public Relations major with plans of going to Grad school. She has not yet been accepted, but she is still hopeful. She is also a part of the University's sizeable student-athlete population. She plays point guard on the wheelchair basketball team.

       To give an unfamiliar reader a little insight into wheelchair basketball, I asked Kate to explain it a little. She explained that she first started playing when her mom was suggested for Kate to play at a function for the Philadelphia chapter of the spina bifida association. Spina Bifida is a disability that has made Kate a person with paraplegia. It caused her to be born with a hole in her spinal cord. As far as basketball, Kate started playing around the age of 10. This opened many doors for her. As Kate put it, "It gave me many opportunities that I would not have had if it wasn't for sports." She went on to further explain that not every state has a wheelchair basketball program. Thus, the competitive pool is small, but although the pool is small, the sport's competitive nature is anything but small. These athletes are some of the most intense athletes you will ever meet. The only way that the game differs from regular basketball is in a little technical fashion. Athletes are allowed to dribble the ball once and then push their wheels twice before dribbling again. Apart from that, the physicality of the game is the same as its "able-bodied" counterpart. 
       Now that you understand a bit about wheelchair basketball, I can get further into an exciting point that Kate made. "Even though we are athletes, we don't get the same respect as other athletes," said the senior. When I asked her what she meant by that, she displayed tremendous insight. She pointed out that people with disabilities have often been relegated to in a power chair needing full assistance or not disabled. Many times people don't see the varying degrees of disability. They lump disability altogether. This goes back to the societal habit of seeing the disability before they see the person. To make this point clearer, it is like comparing the Special Olympics to the athletic contests that Chasar and her teammates engage in every season. Both involve disabilities, but they are remarkably different. 
       Why is it that when it comes to disability that the disabled are seen as quiet, timid, or sideline sitters most of the time? People often think that just because people have a physical obstacle that they must overcome, they do not have a competitive spirit. Kate has a concrete example of the idea that this is an outdated thought. She gets up nearly seven days a week at 7 a.m. and practices for three hours, then takes on a full college schedule (much like any other athlete would do). Aside from that, she also has to deal with obstacles in her everyday life that not every person has to deal with. As she notes, her obstacles are less severe than others, but it still has presented challenges in her life. 
       "Sports have allowed me to develop "normally," and I don't know what I would do without sports." You might ask what she means by this statement. Usually, people with disabilities sit on the sidelines and don't engage the outside world. Even though I have a disability myself, I haven't figured out why this disturbingly more common than you think phenomena. Being involved in sports or other "normal" social activities allows people (disabled or not) to develop a sense of community and commodity necessary for human existence—the story of Kate and others like her highlight an interesting point. 
       No matter our obstacles, whether physical or mental, we all have a spirit that is dying to be expressed in one form or another. Some use writing, music, violence, and video games, while others use sports. Disabled people and the disabled community are no different. What is different is our society's perception of us expressing our spirit normally. We are often seen as "inspirations" or "amazing" when we engage in everyday activities that no one expects us to get into. This blog is not designed to get rid of all the "you are amazing" comments but shows that people like Kate Chasar and I are not unique. Disabled people, in general, have passion, and we are just like the rest of society. Sports are only one way that we express our love for life. That being said, there is one other point worth mentioning. 
       At the University, which I currently attend, disability is supposedly one of their calling cards. One of their badges of honor. Not to downplay a great University for the few things they do well, but as a person who has attended the University for several years now, I feel like I have the right to say if you are going to champion the disabled population as one of your cornerstone attractions, and push disabled athletics (as far as wheelchair basketball is concerned) you might want to give them equal time as other programs. I am not an athlete as I am down to a power chair, but I know this is not just a sentiment, which I hold. Others have said that the wheelchair basketball program (of which Ms. Chasar is a part of) is treated as a second-class athletic program. Their games are never promoted on equal footing with other events; they have often pushed aside other schools and organizations to use our facilities. Yet, one wonders why disabled sports, in particular at this University, are not well known. As Ms. Chasar's interview and the above indicate, people with disabilities have a spirit that loves competition, loves self-expression, and loves adrenaline despite our obstacles. Now it is time for society to appreciate who we are and what we can do.

Along with not treating us as abnormal or "amazing" when we express the same emotions that everyone else does and enjoy the same things daily. This is my motto, but hopefully, it will be a motto associated with all people with disabilities. Despite our obstacles, fear nothing and regret less. 

 

 

Forgotten Importance

       As human beings, we have an inherent desire to achieve independence, and it is only through social contracts in societal constraints that we enter into communities with others. This is a very simplistic way to put human beings’ desire for independence into words. However, it often right that this desire often comes with conflict relating to society and everyday constraints. Some groups face different conditions. Like for example, the restrictions placed on the disabled community are more prominent. 
       When it comes to disability, I have a unique perspective. I’m a twenty-seven-year-old male who relies on others for most of my physical needs to be met. When I say that I rely on personal care, I include such tasks as showering, eating, dressing, and even moving from a supine position in bed to a functional upright position in my wheelchair. Those in the aide care profession are crucial to my life, whether I want them to be or not. That being said, there are many things within the current aide care system that results in a disconnect between care providers and the people they assist. 
       Having a disability does not limit me as a person. I am currently in the middle of completing my last class for my Master’s degree. My situation is not commonplace, but it is not unique either. Many of the people who personal care aides take care of our disabled, intelligent, goal-driven individuals. I live in a college town where approximately one hundred students with physical disabilities attend a local university. The aide care community in this town is vitally important. Often those in the aide care professionals do not remember just how important they are to this community. They forget that other human beings rely on them for such simple things that they do every day and take for granted. Many of them have not even thought about what they would do if the situation were reversed. Often in college towns like mine, the aide care profession is heavily inundated with individuals who see it as a transition job. I am here to tell anyone who reads this that aide care should be classified as anything but a “transition” job. On the contrary, those who pursue aide care as a profession should follow the profession because they desire to help others and not just get to the next step of their plan.
       I understand that it is difficult in today’s economy to find a job, and not all jobs are attractive. I am also well aware that this article may come off as semi-arrogant. It is not intended to do so, but some people might take it that way. I believe that aide care and the professions associated with it, i.e., physical in-home health aides, agency coordinators, office personnel, nurses, and social workers, should not consist of apathetic and uncaring people. Now many may say that these types of individuals are scattered throughout all professions. That may be true, but it does not negate that the aide care profession should not seek to be like all other professions. Instead, it should hold itself to a higher standard. 
       In recent weeks, I have had my share of bumps in the road. I am not by any means saying that my bumps in the road are any harder or any less unexpected compared to other individuals. I am saying that the bumps in my street have been related to my disability, though, and could have been avoided had the people surrounding me approached their position in my life differently. If they did not see me as just a paycheck but as a living and breathing human being—maybe they would not find it so easy to call off at the last moment or to regularly not even show up. I understand that this is a romantic view of life. 
       As we progress into the second decade of the twenty-first century, it is sad but true when someone says that we are more self-absorbed now than ever before. The prevalent altruism used in the “Barney Fife” and “Leave It To Beaver” eras have sadly gone by the wayside. Along with that, it has died another very important idea, which is the “meaningful promise.” The dictionary definition of the word “promise” is a declaration that one will do or refrain from doing something specified. Sure, people say, I promise I will do that, or I promise I will be there for this, but rarely are those promises ever kept. Promises now become a placeholder when we don’t want to make somebody feel bad. This is also extremely true in the aide care profession. Often people will “promise” to cover specific shifts but conveniently forget. I am realistic, and I know that in life, sometimes things come up unexpectedly, but if you are not even man or woman enough to pick up the phone and tell me (or anyone else in my situation) that you are unable to come—or flat out do not want to go in, then don’t even bother, “promising” me anything. 
       I may be angry after reading that last paragraph. Overall, I am not, but sometimes it is essential to show that, yes, even disabled people have spouts of anger. Anger is a great motivator. I hope that what I have said and what I will continue to say in the rest of this article will help those in the aide care profession understand their importance. The current system perpetuates “aide apathy” (as I like to call it), but just because the system is broken does not mean that people cannot rise above it. There is no earthly reason that anyone can give me to explain why a twenty-seven-year-old female was left in bed from 11:00 pm to 11:00 am until the next day, which was not by her own doing. This young lady was left in the ground because somebody overslept or decided not to come in. I understand that the aides that care for us, the “disabled community,” are human as we are—but whether it’s fair or not, they need to be held to a higher standard. To illustrate, let me use an example. 
       I know that I have hammered home the point of non-apathy by the aide care population throughout this piece, but here is a very powerful example. Consider the person(s) you are taking care of like your children. Would you want your son or daughter to have to sit for hours in urine and feces? Just because someone didn’t want to do their job because it happened 20 minutes before the shift ended. I think the common sense answer to this question would be no. Also, consider that same idea when making plans to go out and party the night before working. It is notable to mention that the tardiness and constant call-offs have to be tolerated because disabled people have no recourse and other substitutes for you. Or so you think. Your assumption is probably the case, but remember that at some point, everyone can be replaced. It’s a harsh reality, but it is a reality of life that many in the aide care profession forget about.      
       I have been harsh on those in the aide care profession throughout this piece, and before I close, it is important to mention that I do appreciate the aides, and I understand that the system is broken. How can a person who takes care of someone 20-40 hours a week not develop a bond with him or her? It is impossible. However, many who are not in the industry but know people who utilize services believe that neither the consumer nor the provider should get involved in each other’s personal lives. I have a question for them. How do they expect that to happen when each individual is such a large part of the other’s life? I am so harsh on those who provide aide care because they need to realize how vital they are and how important they are to the system. Hopefully, this piece will do a little bit to boost the confidence of consumers and the awareness of the individuals who take care of them.