What It Is Really Like To Be Disabled

What It Is Really Like To Be Disabled

by Len Bourret (Copyright 2007)

Re: www.courant.com/news/yahoo/hc-ctnursinggrant0112.artjan12,0,4660284.story?coll=hc-aol-yahoo-nws-hed, and

www.nia.nih.gov/NewsAndEvents/PressReleases/PR20061201DisabilityDecline.htm

In December of 2004, after five and one-half years on a waiting list, I moved into a two-room cell of solitary confinement (two claustrophic rooms, plus an equally-claustrophobic full bath), at a so-called "community" for disabled people and seniors. Upon moving in, the first thing I noticed was that there was a completely

dysfunctional "community", dangerously isolating and existing below the poverty line.

On my first day in the "community", a neighbor on oxygen and smoking at the same time, knocked on my

door asking for cigarettes, drugs, and money. I found this to be common practice, among other residents

of the "community" and, because of smoking while on oxygen, one neighbor (whose story was featured in

all of the local media) almost blew up the entire apartment complex. Additionally, this neighbor was quite

a "pyramid scheme artist". She would borrow from one neighbor, pay another neighbor back, and borrow

at least twice as much from still another neighbor.

There are some "real desperados" in my "community", mainly because Social Security only pays between

50% to 75% of a disabled person's or senior's necessary expenses (rent, electricity, phone, food, medical

treatment, and prescription drugs), and Medicaid (thanks to former Governor John Rowland) pays only

for Medicare's annual deductible, Medicare's monthly premium--and, if you quality (which I don't ), for

Medicaid "spenddown" (which pays for medical bills). Before Governor John Rowland stepped down,

for misusing (stealing) state funds, he cut necessary funding for homemaker services (which I desperately

need) and Meals on Wheels (I have to choose between eating and prescription drugs). I might add that I

am diagnosed with extreme depression, heart disease, and diabetes. There isn't even state funding to cut

a diabetic's toenails. I suffer from chronic, if not severe heart disease, and my extreme depression takes

my toll emotionally, mentally, and physically. If I am not experiencing arthritis pain all over my body, I am

so depressed I cannot function (my medical symptoms adversely impact my depression). I am unable to

bend or stoop, have difficulty maintaining my equalibrium and balance--and, sometimes, I cannot even walk

(I use a cane or walker). I experience neuropathy in both my feet and hands--and, eventually, I may not be

able to walk. I now have tremors in my hands. I pray that I will not lose use of my hands, as the internet is

my only contact with the outside world. As most of my neighbors dangerously isolate, I am not able to

maintain more than a sporadic contact with them. There are no programs at my "community", we pay our

necessary expenses (there is no money left for anything more), and we continually vegetate. It appears that

is what the "system" expects us to do. We isolate, experiencing fecal and urinary incontinence. There is noone to care, or help, and so we sit in our incontinence. Some of us have no family members--and, those

of us who do, receive little or no help from them.

We live on a "bare bones budget", and I cannot even get a part-time job. The American Disabilities Act, at least in Connecticut, is not even enforced or implemented. Our "crime" is that we are disabled, and that we have become "dinosaurs" (outdated ancients) in modern times, quickly forgotten, and living in the landfills

of not-so-glorious America. Too bad that there are so many people and politicians that are so concerned

about the spoils of war, and not-at-all concerned about the disabled and seniors who are rapidly sinking in

the below-poverty quicksand. We do not live. We are not supposed to have any fun, or enjoyment in life.

We have no voice--but, thanks to self-determinations, we continue to exist. With little or no help from you,

the "status quo American". We do promise one thing, however. We won't die, before we are ready, to be

certain that our basic needs will continue to be deducted from your paychecks. But, perhaps, that is what it

takes to ensure that our basic needs are taken care of. We'll get you in your payroll deductions.

Community for the disABLED