What’s happening in Idaho might look like a local budget issue—one governor, one legislature, and a $22 million cut. But that perspective misses the bigger picture. When Governer Brad Little approved cuts to Medicaid services, he became another part of national trend that’s been growing for years. These cuts mainly hit home- and community-based services,… Continue reading The Services That Keep People at Home, And Why They’re Disappearing
Category: Uncategorized
Living in a World That Questions Our Right to Live Fully
CW: Ableism Independence is a cornerstone of society. From the time we are young, we are encouraged to do things for ourselves. Children take pride in learning to tie their shoes, teenagers yearn to get their driver’s license, and young adults look forward to moving out. As a person with cerebral palsy, independence is difficult… Continue reading Living in a World That Questions Our Right to Live Fully
Defending the Right to Live in the Community
For many years, disability rights in the United States have been based on a key idea: disabled people should not have to live in institutions if they can live safely in their own communities. Unfortunately, this idea now being challenged by a lawsuit led by Texas that could change how care is provided across the… Continue reading Defending the Right to Live in the Community
When Independence Depends on a Ride That Doesn’t Show Up
When Joshua Taylor who lives in Farmington Hills, Michigan, needs to get to his medical appointments, his struggle shows a bigger problem: the transportation systems meant to help disabled people often don’t work. Joshua can’t drive and uses a power wheelchair, so transportation isn’t a luxury for him—it’s how he accesses healthcare. His Medicaid plan… Continue reading When Independence Depends on a Ride That Doesn’t Show Up
A Democracy That Excludes Disabled People Isn’t a Democracy
In a democracy, voting should be easy to access, not complicated by paperwork, logistics, or physical obstacles. However, proposals like the SAVE America Act force us to reconsider who voting systems really serve. Though the act is presented as a way to improve election security, it imposes stricter requirements for proving citizenship, showing ID, and… Continue reading A Democracy That Excludes Disabled People Isn’t a Democracy
Trained Forever, Hired Never
CW: Ableism Bryan Rowe is 21. He is a young man who does what millions of young men do every day. He shows up, works hard, proves himself, and hopes that his effort will lead to bigger opportunities. Rowe also has myotonic dystrophy. Myotonic dystrophy is characterized by progressive muscle wasting and weakness. People with… Continue reading Trained Forever, Hired Never
An Actor, an Insult, and a Moment That Exposed a Bigger Problem
CW: Ableism British actor Adam Pearson, who lives with neurofibromatosis, became the target of an online joke this week. A critic posted a photo of him from the Oscars red carpet with the caption, “Me and the boys after taking Chinese peptides for 5 years.” The comment was intended to be funny. Neurofibromatosis type 1… Continue reading An Actor, an Insult, and a Moment That Exposed a Bigger Problem
Supporting Disabled People Means Supporting Their Right to Belong
In Australia, discussions about the cost of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) often focus on spending on activities like walks, movies, or haircuts. At first glance, these examples can seem superfluous. However, if you are only looking at the price tag you are missing an important point: disabled people deserve to be a part… Continue reading Supporting Disabled People Means Supporting Their Right to Belong
Navigating a World Not Built for Us
CW: Institutional Bias For me, one of the hardest parts of having cerebral palsy is the lack of resources for disabled people. Programs that are meant to help often fall short. Vocational rehabilitation, for example, exists nationwide to help disabled people find jobs. In theory, that sounds promising. However, in reality, navigating vocational rehabilitation can… Continue reading Navigating a World Not Built for Us
In Homes Across America, People Who Need Care Sense the Ground Giving Way
CW: Fraud & Institutional Bias The Trump administration has focused on its next target: ending healthcare fraud. President Trump announced the formation of a task force aimed at eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse in all federal benefits. On Tuesday, the administration broadened its Medicare and Medicaid fraud investigation to include Republican-led Florida. Mehmet Oz, the… Continue reading In Homes Across America, People Who Need Care Sense the Ground Giving Way