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Subject: Re: support initiatives for PWP


>Many of the programs for support of disabled are handled via the various
>states and municipalities in a variety of ways..........the social worker
at
>the local hospital or major medical center will be of some help and
direction
>to you to find what is available in your local area.
>
>The disabled person has a variety of needs, resources and support
>available....
>depending on the degree of disability and the nature of the disability
>(obviously the needs of a blind person are much different than the needs of
a
>quadraplegic for example).  Each PWP has a different set of needs....your
>local medical community should be able to direct you to services in your
>community/state.  The need for support from many of the agencies/services
is
>not available until the time of need (and then you get in line and
>wait)....however, funding is not available in most cases for those who
>"anticipate" the need.
>
>I am a bit disenchanted at times to read "I want to maintain my
>independence"....
>"who will give me a ramp.....a home, a sewer, a healthcare worker, a tax
>break, a legal advisor"...."who will pay to take care of me?"  are those
>comments not contradictory?
>
>Is it really more expensive to maintain an individual in a skilled care
>facility than to provide tax breaks, food stamps, utility benefits, health
>care, disability payments, van service, medicaid/medicare, home
alterations,
>home health aids, legal aid
>...........what do all of these benefits total over a year?  Someone is
>paying for these benefits....is it you? my husband? my children?  or the
>attorney down the street (is he exempt from the problems of life by virtue
of
>his profession?).
>
>Who is saying "I want to pay more taxes so I will be assured fulltime care
in
>my own home by the persons I select"......
>
>Who is saying "I want all of the support of health care providers, home
care
>services, etc".......but "I am too busy to volunteer my time to help others
>or to contribute to your foundation/cause/agency/non-profit?".
>
>Our contributions to the major foundations supporting PD research and
>education are the source of income for these groups....what has been your
>financial contribution? Do you want research? education? cure? service?
Each
>of these cost money. Don't expect "someone" to pay for these things.....we
>all worked to earn/maintain our financial situation
>
>Our taxes are the source of income for the federal, state and local
programs
>available.
>
>The more you are willing to pay (time or money) to the
>organization/government the more these organizations will have to give in
the
>long term.
>
>The more power/responsibility that you are willing to give to these
>organizations and institutions the more they will take care of you.  How
much
>are you power/
>responsibility are you willing to give?
>
>Our Declaration of Independence  refers to the "pursuit of happiness" as an
>inalienable right; not happiness itself.
>
>I got it off my chest.
>Rita Weeks 55/10
>