Author: Grace W. Dow

There are millions of disabled people in the country struggling. The fears are real, felt in social media posts, and in the quiet moments when someone is too tired to pretend everything’s fine. It’s a heaviness in the air, a slow unraveling that disabled people can sense immediately. It’s not loud or dramatic. It is… Continue reading The Quiet Erosion of Disability Rights

CW: Ableism When I read Jon Gingerich’s article in The Dispatch in which he argues that disability has somehow become a “luxury identity,” I felt an immediate disconnect. I have cerebral palsy, and not a single thing about it is “trendy”. I’m comfortable with my disability because I’ve had to be, but comfort isn’t the… Continue reading No, Disability Isn’t a Luxury Identity

CW: Cancer & Ableism In our culture, people focus on the palatable aspects of disability. They want the feel‑good stories and shy away from anything that makes them uncomfortable. They love the heartwarming scenes, the smiling faces of disabled children in an ad, the child with prosthetic legs who is an athlete, or the viral… Continue reading Disability Isn’t Heartwarming

Disability Pride Month is almost over, and I’ve been reflecting on how my view of cerebral palsy has changed. I’m comfortable with my disability. I know my body. I know what I need. I can’t say I’m proud of my disability though. Not in the way people usually talk about pride anyway. Feeling proud of… Continue reading Pride, Exhaustion, and Everything in Between

CW: Fraud Medicaid provides health benefits to more than 80 million Americans, including children, older adults, disabled people, low income families, and pregnant women. It also serves as a lifeline for hospitals, nursing homes, community health centers, and home care agencies. Because so many people depend on the program, even temporary disruptions in coverage or… Continue reading Losing Medicaid Services Isn’t an Inconvenience, It’s a Crisis

I was born in India and adopted by my moms. I was born prematurely with cerebral palsy. Early in life, I learned that medical care, therapy, and special education-aren’t signs of weakness. They’re what make it possible for disabled people to grow, learn, and be part of their communities. That’s why a new immigration rule… Continue reading My Life Defies the Public‑Charge Myth

CW: Ableism When I read Steve Way’s Time article, it was like he was talking directly to me. He’s promoting his TV show.  At the same time, he’s worried if he’ll have the care he needs next year. Sadly, millions of disabled people are worried about the same thing, including me. In the spring, Medicaid… Continue reading America Loves Our Stories, It Doesn’t Love Supporting Us

The Trump administration is freezing nearly $1.1 billion in Medicaid payments to Minnesota and California, over concerns that they need to prove claims are legitimate. The goal behind this, federal officials say, is to hold states accountable by making sure taxpayer dollars are spent properly. However, state leaders fear even temporary funding interruptions will negatively… Continue reading The Billion‑Dollar Freeze That Touches Real Lives

CW: Institutional Bias Today marks 36 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed. The anniversary is arriving at a time when the people the ADA is supposed to help are feeling the pressure in very real, personal ways. The ADA has always been about allowing disabled people to live their lives fully: to… Continue reading The ADA at 36: A Promise in Peril

CW: Institulization There’s a common thread in policy discussions on disability. Governments present cuts to home and community-based supports as difficult but necessary choices for the sake of long-term sustainability, even when the evidence shows those cuts make little difference to long-term spending. Australia recently announced a decrease in the funding of social and community… Continue reading More Than a Budget Line