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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDisability is Misery - And an Election Issue
Let me begin by saying that I am a 27-year-old male. For the last 10 years, I have had to endure a chronic pain syndrome with no cure and little understanding in the medical literature. My method of enduring is pain management and a highly limited lifestyle.
Why am I telling you this? Simply put, it leads into an important issue for this electoral year.
There are countless people like me who endure the misery of disability, be it physical or mental. We rely heavily upon Social Security Disability/SSI and other social services for our very survival. This year, forthe first time I can recall in my young life, we have a glut of candidates who feel politically secure in attacking these programs. They even vow to slash or eliminate them once elected.
This is so distressing because the disabled are, as a whole, easy targets. We aren't physically able to get out and protest these extreme views, and so they seem (to the public) like they're unopposed. These candidates never have to face us and deal with the hard questions about what happens to us when the programs are gone. It's easier to portray us as leeches from behind a podium.
For us, the solution isn't as simple as going to an emergency room (nor can we generally afford to). We need long term care administered by specialists in various fields. The University of Miami is the only place in the state with pain docs who know about my condition. It costs $300 just to get in the door, excluding the gas bill for a four hour round trip. Then, there's my meds. In short, I could never afford proper care if not for Medicaid and other help, and my bills are nothing compared to many.
I as prompted to post this by the headline of today's newspaper, which stated that Allen West is gaining big over Patrick Murphy in the polls. He's exactly the kind of guy people like us need to be afraid of.
When you go to the polls this year, arm yourself with knowledge as to what the candidates plan for the most vulnerable of your fellow citizens. Consider donating to advocacy groups. Your choices might well impact the lives of many people who already have it hard enough.
NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)I'm in the same boat as you (ar at least a similar looking canoe). I was diagnosed this year as having lupus and a rare mixed connective tissue/neuro muscular disease and was declared as "disabled" by SSA. I can no longer work and receive what's equivalent to a $6.30 hour job from disability. In two years I'll qualify for a little help from Medicare. As of now, I'm a self cash pay person. My hospital stay was luckily covered by Medicaid. Medicaid in Florida is already barely hanging on by a thread because of our repuke governor who would rather refuse us treatment and have us then blame the federal government for our woes.
I too sit and watch and fear a republican government because I'm sure they'd label me a freeloader and would cut me off.
I also love seeing my healthy friends and family with great health insurance plans bitch and moan about Obamacare. I ask them what should become of me since I'm one of the bottom feeders that they think are ruining the system. Of course they always say that they dont mean me, but they mean the "other ones" who are taking advantage of the system.
Yep, like you, I'm politically helpless and dependent on the system. So we wait and see how out fate unfolds under the control of others who think we are a waste of money. I really think they'd rather us wander off into the woods like a wounded old dog and die quietly.
Shireling
(234 posts)I have a chronic illness and yes disabled people become targets. And it is difficult for us to fight back.
I keep thinking of the progress our society has made in overcoming prejudices toward minorities and gays. Now it is time for a movement that helps awaken people to the true realities of the disabled person and persons living in poverty. The stereotypes need to end.
Thanks for posting this.
porphyrian
(18,530 posts)zingrr
(16 posts)Every month Gov Scott is purging over 3000 100% disabled adults from Medicaid..just to cut the costs...forget quality health care. If you have no money and no medicaid, you have no safety net!!!!
Soon we will have an advocate who will fight for the rights of disabled adults....WE do have rights and Gov Scott is discrimiating against the disabled.
welcome to Nazi Florida!!!!
NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)before Medicaid will kick in and help me. You gotta love Florida.
I cant wait to see what happens when the bills I've submitted start rolling back on me.
Response to NightWatcher (Reply #5)
Post removed
TeamPooka
(24,256 posts)And here's another thread about the same topic
http://sync.democraticunderground.com/1251159386
and similar posts in non related threads like these:
http://upload.democraticunderground.com/10021577555#post3
and here
http://upload.democraticunderground.com/1251159340#post1
and here"
http://upload.democraticunderground.com/10021588450#post12
must be a contest tonight or something.....
annabanana
(52,791 posts)unapatriciated
(5,390 posts)My son is 33 and has struggled with Dermatomyositis since 1990. He wasn't diagnoised until January 1991, by that time he had lost a lot of muscle and was so weak he could not swallow or walk. The pain is manageable on a good day, unbearable on bad days.
When he first became ill my share of cost with insurance for the first year was 20 grand. Meds ran about a thousand a month. It didn't take long before I had to sell my home to keep up with medical bills.
If it wasn't for medicare and SSI he would not survive.
So yes I do think about the disabled when voting.
edit to give you a
upi402
(16,854 posts)They worship at the church of 'Hurray For Me Fuck You'.
Chronic pain sufferers also have to deal with the threats of addiction and drug interaction, from people I've known. So sorry to hear about your situation.
For me, there are many countries. I have one in mind - before we become international pariahs.
lunamagica
(9,967 posts)undergroundpanther
(11,925 posts)Disability is in danger if more of our politics go rightward.Definately endangered if rMoney is elected.,and if these familial laws get enforced our families might be in danger financially too because of disabled family members.
We need single payer health care for all. Like civilized countries have.Fuck the health insurance middlemen.
What makes me furious is the myth of Who DESERVES what,is rampant in this country.I never asked to be here,yet here I am.I never asked for the traumas and injuries I have,yet they exist and hurt.Life is unpredictable any of us could be disabled,yet is it only the rich who DESERVE not to suffer,who made THEM so fucking worthy over me, or anyone else?
Fuck the lucky sperm club and it's selfish cruel progeny..We are in this together.If some insist on believing they are entitled,then they have decided they are not part of this existence,so fuck 'em.
America's right wing society is a failure, Since the health of a society can be judged by the way it treats it's most vulnerable citizens. The 1% are just a tiny segment of humanity.Yet they get everything..why does our culture tolerate them at all? Who needs rich people that don't care about us,telling us what we should or shouldn't need to survive?
unapatriciated
(5,390 posts)couldn't have said it better.