Miles, who has chronic lung disease and Cerebral Palsy, is supervised by Neil and Abby Hoffman while seated in his positioning chair. He enjoys interacting with his siblings. A standing frame would provide Miles the opportunity to be at eye-level with his family. However, insurance will not cover a standing frame. Miles is covered by… Continue reading What Happens When Health Insurance Won’t Pay?
Category: Uncategorized
Reforming America’s Disability Services
During a panel discussion organized by The Hill on Wednesday, lawmakers underlined the need for collaboration between leaders and agencies in providing vital opportunities for people with disabilities. Disability advocacy leaders and professionals spoke at Wednesday’s event. It was organized by executive editor Bob Cusack and sponsored by SourceAmerica. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) stated that… Continue reading Reforming America’s Disability Services
More Than a Month
Today is the last day of Cerebral Palsy awareness month. It is the most common cause of childhood disability in the U.S. Cerebral Palsy is often considered a childhood condition. Upon turning 18 in 2017, I was forced to navigate uncharted territory as I was suddenly an adult with the same disability. As soon as… Continue reading More Than a Month
Disabled Missourians Need Help
On Tuesday, more than two dozen Republicans joined Democrats in support of a proposal that would have added $308 million to the Missouri budget in order to assist local agencies with their critical staffing needs. However, the proposal fell just two votes short of passing. The amendment from Rep. Deb Lavender, D-Manchester, would have increased… Continue reading Disabled Missourians Need Help
Disabled Students Needs Aren’t Met Amid Teacher Shortage
Federal officials continue to find the Virginia Department of Education violating various standards in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which ensures students with disabilities receive a free, appropriate education. Valerie Williams, head of the federal Office of Special Education Programs, addressed various concerns to the department in a February letter. Williams noted that the… Continue reading Disabled Students Needs Aren’t Met Amid Teacher Shortage
Where Will People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Live?
CW: Institulization Shawn E. Latham is 43 and lives in Lacey, WA. He is a graduate of Central Washington University and the executive director of Allies in Advocacy, an advocacy organization dedicated to helping disabled people. Latham has an undiagnosed developmental disability. At birth, it was suggested that he live in an institution. He lives… Continue reading Where Will People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Live?
Protecting Those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
CW: Abuse Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced a broad plan on Monday to conduct in-person wellness checks on the thousands of adults who get services through New Mexico’s Developmental Disabilities Waiver program. The interviews, which began last week, have already begun to uncover further instances of possible abuse. The statement followed the serious injury of… Continue reading Protecting Those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Flying Is Dangerous for Disabled People
CW: Injury & Death Karen McGee, a 71-year-old Florida resident who is deaf, is considering suing the city of Austin after what was meant to be a three-hour layover at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport turned into an arrest, a weekend in the Travis County Prison, and an arm broken by an officer and left untreated for… Continue reading Flying Is Dangerous for Disabled People
The Human Cost
CW: Death Alec Raeshawn Smith was 26 when he died. Smith died of complications from diabetes. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening condition that affects diabetics. It occurs when the body begins breaking down fat at an unusually rapid rate. The fat is converted by the liver into a fuel called ketones, which causes the… Continue reading The Human Cost
Losing Medicaid Will Impact America’s Most Vulnerable Citizens
Yesterday, I read Alice Wong’s first article for Teen Vogue. Wong discusses the upcoming changes to Medicaid. The White House announced on January 30 that the public health emergency regarding COVID-19 would end in May. Unfortunately, this will also result in millions of Americans losing health insurance through Medicaid. As the programs resume normal operations,… Continue reading Losing Medicaid Will Impact America’s Most Vulnerable Citizens