Do They Hear the Voices of the Disabled?

Well, the presidential conventions are over and the campaigns are in full swing. The rhetoric has been strewn about who is the most experienced, capable of making critical decisions, protecting our country, and even a bit about our economy.

Yet, the idea of strong health care reform has seemingly been on the back burner. Educational subsidy to give our children a competitive edge in our country and the world has been less than even skirted.

Even more deafening has been the silence on behalf of the disabled population of our citizens. Federal and state budgets in crisis turn to balancing them by reducing or cutting programs that serve our disabled who have the least recourse to articulate how it affects their lives. Lives that have had to make extreme effort to become integrated in the "abled" community of our towns, cities, states, and nation.

What have the elected men and women stood for when it comes to the disabled who seek employment, health care, a place to live? These are rights of living in our country, yet so many disabled are relegated to being ignored, overlooked, and enduring a loss of dignity.

Familes of disabled are struggling to give their sons, daughters, parents, and friends who are disabled caregiving. How difficult it is for caregivers to maintain their own jobs without the support of professional caregivers in community based programs. Why? Because the reimbursement for professional caregivers is often close to minimum wage.

Quality care for the disabled is not reimbursed at the level for the work provided. Across the country home health caregivers are paid a dismal pittance while they provide quality care to help disabled remain independent.

So while the campaign rhetoric persists about being for the people; some of the people who are overlooked remain unheard. It is time for those of us who are "able" to urge our politicians at all levels of government to "listen" and take "action" on behalf of those who are disabled. Cut the frivolous "ear marked" projects in bills and turn that money into quality care for disabled to live in dignity.

What is your willingness to stand up for those who are less able? Do something that will make a difference that really counts...

Maralene