by Skylar Taylor

Created on: June 18, 2009

Having become disabled has cost me more than I could have ever imagined. Every day I have to worry whether there will be food to eat, if the utilities will be on or off. I have to suffer in pain because the cost of prescriptions are so high and my SSDI is so small. I cannot work to fill in the gaps and he gaps become bigger and bigger each and every day. My son has to wear shoes until they are squeezing his toes and the soles are worn through. His clothes are too small and he does more around the house than he should have to do at 10.My wife who is also disabled must go without medications and medical care. She has to push herself beyond her abilities as do I because we cannot afford help. It is a sad state that we must live in but it is also the challenge hat we have been given.

I watch the news and listen to stories of people that have lived beyond heir means losing their jobs and homes and I find it truly amazing that people will get together and send them money. I listen as there is talk of a woman that had eight children and am again amazed that people and companies will send her money, build an pay for a house and clothes and even food. taken aback by how people will give and give to those who created their situation but these same people and companies and churches will not help homeless man, an elderly neighbour or a disabled family. These people think that because someone collects disability or social security that hey are well provided for but the truth is they are not.

My family suffers more because of unwanted disability than I could explain there is not just the financial tole or the physical tole but there is a great emotional tole. They average disabled person fights five years to be approved for disability, many people die before they get a decision. Then after two years of disability one gets the privilege of paying for Medicare and most doctors will no accept it. Medicare only pays 80% of medical cost; it does not pay for prescription, preventive care, most specialist, dental or eye care. If one wants or is in need of these hey must pay even more to get them and beyond the cost; the deductibles or the gap it very high.

My family potentially may lose everything, my dignity is already lost along with my physical ability. I pay and my family is forced to pay over and over again for a situation that was not caused or created by me but one that was caused by another and is salt ridden by the thoughts and ideas of society and of government. Thousands of people are suffering needlessly because no one cares. It is easier for people to say get a job to the homeless or hey, you are eating up my tax dollars because you sit around, doing nothing collecting disability or social security. It seems so simple to most and unimaginable to those who find themselves fighting each moment or survival.

I hope no one here ever finds themselves in my position or the position of other disabled people. I hope our country will stand up one day and say no more to the lack of assistance and decent care of the disabled, elderly and poor. I pray for a day when people help those in real need and stop helping those who really do not deserve help. Today, my family will continue to suffer and struggle, to go without because we must as many thousands must but maybe tomorrow one person will reach out and help and then another and another until the day comes that the struggle has ended.

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