I have been having mounting difficulties with trying to handle the transportation issues that come with being in an electric wheelchair and being of low-income.
Apparently the options out there to remedy this problem just simply are not options for me. Being disabled and on disability, it seems if you don't have cash, you don't matter and there's nothing anyone will do for you.
I'll be honest, I just don't understand. And maybe I'm just venting here but, being disabled, I don't have the luxury or ability to be making the medical equipment I need an option I can due without.
It does nothing to support the disability community to deny them the treatments or medical equipment they can't live without, it seems like an unattainable goal. These days it seems just about everyone is being denied health care BECAUSE of their health care needs.
Since when did it become apart of the Hippocratic oath to deny care because of the expensive of medical necessity?
In actuality, expense IS the precise reason WHY we need help. I hope that sounded wrong to you as well because it is.
It's backwards and wrong that we have to place expense before need.
We as humans have the technology, and the ability. Apparently not the desire. We could be transforming sick , injured, and people with disabilities into healthy, happy, accommodated, valuable and contributing members of society. People who are able to get an education, a job and to be able to not just pay it back, but to also pay it forward to support themselves, stimulate the economy via spending and pay their own taxes. The list goes on and on.
This is why it is imperative to gain awareness of the true capabilities of the disabled community. To show the value that those of us that are considered disabled can provide being as equals to our "able-bodied" counterparts.
Instead the system fails us. Anymore, if you are denied coverage because of your medical needs, it's up to you to afford the medications, equipment, prosthetic and surgeries, etc. Expensive but necessary, no. Required needs.
Living is one thing, but to thrive in this society, in this time in our history when money is more important than man, it's too rich for our blood.
We can't afford to be disabled. It's not a choice we have made for ourselves. Would you chose to be?
And all it takes is one diagnosis. One accident. And then you are on the other side.
Not only now are you disabled, and think of how it might be if you always were, but you also have to deal with the fact that you may not be able to support the medical costs involved with disability, but that you may not be able to support yourself or maybe even your family for days, months and years. Indefinitely.
How are you going to afford all of your bills when, after a process with social security takes maybe two years give or take. You get your first disability check, just to find out to them, Social Security, that your total living worth for a month is about $700.
Do you have any savings? How long will it last? Because those medical bills need paid first. Or was it rent? Because you need to keep the roof over head.
And this is just the beginning of a scenario that so many of us (millions) are now experiencing. This is what is preventing us within the disability community from rising above our disease, and to chase after our dreams. To get an education and to find work. It keeps us unable, which in turn perpetuates the stereotype that we ( the disability community) have nothing of value to provide to society as a whole.
I don't want that, and I have never had a more difficult time trying to convince someone, anyone that not only do I not want to be trapped by the limitations of my disability or financial standing, but instead that I want to work my ass off to make it on my own, but that in order for me to do that I need just a little compassion and help with resources to accommodate my needs that are simply beyond my reach.
I know it's expensive, but it doesn't have to be. And think of how much more expensive it's going to become on our health care system when the medically denied are forced to go untreated, creating a larger medical epidemic nation wide. One that I'm predicting will have drastic and overwhelming consequences to our population.
The U.S. mark up on medical equipment, prescriptions, procedures, and care is astronomically high and over-inflated compared to the same costs of those in other countries. And the message we send is that ability equipment for the disability community is a luxury available only to those with the money to afford to be disabled. What a horrible message to send to such a large portion of our society.
It's very discouraging and also forces those in my position to not only give up the fight, but also we are forced to live those stereotypical lives that society dreads -- on social security and on the tax payers dime.
It's heartbreaking to see people's souls crushed by being told to just give it up. This is the worst way to crush someone when all they want to do is overcome the challenges they have.
Now, this really isn't a rant, or a piece to pull pity for the disability community. This is more of a call to action. We need to band together as a whole voice in the disability community to put a stop to the reckless, oppressive practices within our society, our health care system and in how we treat each other.
Just because we have had to adapt to doing life in a different way, it shouldn't be used to rate us as invalid. Isn't the ability to adapt the key ingredient responsible for the evolution of life as we know it? It's that ability to adapt that makes those of us in the disability community an underestimated, undervalued and underutilized resource to humanity.
It's a shame that in this day in age, being disabled is being stereotyped and disgraced. Let's come together. Let's voice our issues. If we all come together within the disability community, our numbers alone would be a force for change to create equality for all abilities, and create opportunities for all bodies.