With the federal government fully in the hands of the Republicans, here are some of the services I am worried about that directly affect my ability to live an independent life.

Medicaid

I can’t believe I have to say it, but cutting Medicaid or making it more difficult to access will be devastating for me and so many people with disabilities. Medicaid covers the costs of my medical care, treatment, durable medical equipment, staffing, and more. To give an example; the chair I am sitting in is the equivalent of buying a nice car. Do you know what would happen if I didn’t have my wheelchair? Or how about my staff? I need 24/7/365 care to live independently (p.s. if you think it would be more cost-effective to live in a group home, it’s not, it’d cost the government more!).

And all the other stuff

These are all the other federal programs that help me live independently:

• SSI – you know, the social security benefits for people with disabilities
• SNAP food benefits
• Housing voucher

Are there any improvements that can be made to these services? Yes, but I have a feeling that those improvements would have been more likely had the election turned out differently. I have a feeling that SSI asset limits will remain at $2000/month and that there will still be huge, long waitlists for housing vouchers and other benefits that help people who are most in need of them. Those improvements seem as if they’ll be way out of reach now.

So, how am I right now?

This past week and a half has been filled with waves of non-stop fear about what will happen to the important benefits that help me live the life I want to live where I can write, give back to my community however I can, and raise my voice about disability justice. I’m ready to fight and make sure our voices are heard. I’m ready!

Oh, and I got glasses

I forgot, thanks to the Medicaid that covered my eye doctor appointment, I get to wear glasses again! Here’s a new activist me!

The banner image is from the National Museum of African American History. I was there a couple years ago on a trip to D.C. You can read more about it at Part 3: Fun things I did in DC & Philadelphia

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