Picnicking with McDonald’s french fries under sunny skies on a 66˚F (18.8˚C)
afternoon only got better when followed by a movie and popcorn. In Patti’s
world, after two decades of Multiple Sclerosis sometimes eating for taste
trumps eating for health.
While dysphagia is always a clear and present danger at least these
comfort foods require no assistance for self-feeding and are easy to monitor.
Empowerment can also be a treat.
"The Lorax" was 90 minutes of pure enjoyment, practically
an animated musical. Of course there was a 'message' about protecting the
environment but as with all Seuss stories the telling of the story is just so
darn entertaining and fun.
While we are blessed to own a wheelchair accessible van that empowers
Patti’s freedom, not everyone is. Perhaps even most families caring for some needing a wheelchair do not.
With budget cuts looming, people in wheelchairs, their caregivers
and families that depend on subsidized public accessible transportation or
contracted providers face an unknown tomorrow. Everything from access to
medical care to independence to access to family and friends could shrink.
Like everywhere, Pennsylvania’s budget in these economic times is created
with scissors. Gov. Corbett is proposing $620 million in cuts to human services
programs; $422 million from basic education on top of the $765 million cut from
last year’s budget, 20% cuts to colleges, 35% from State parks, and ‘zero
funding’ for public transportation.
Yet this is democracy and these are ‘proposed cuts’ it is time for
all interested parties to speak up and be heard.
MS Awareness in particular is not about one month or one week a year or glitzy ad campaigns. It's about keeping your eyes, ears, and mouth open.
MS Awareness in particular is not about one month or one week a year or glitzy ad campaigns. It's about keeping your eyes, ears, and mouth open.
That’s why I found this most disturbing for it is the double whammy
of cuts to social services and zero public transportation funding that could
most affect the lives of those needing wheelchairs. “Able-bodied people had
unfettered access to stairs and elevators that lead to Gov. Tom Corbett’s
office on Wednesday. People in wheelchairs did not.” Disability activists targeted in enforcement of Pa. State Capitol's restricted access policy
"UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
nothing's going to get better: it's not."
“The Lorax” by Dr. Seuss
Caregivingly Yours, Patrick Leer
videos: www.youtube.com/daddyleer
This is atrocious! Of course, things aren't much better in our little state to the east -- Mr. Christie loves wielding that benefit-slashing sword also. Glad you and Patti had such a nice day!
ReplyDeletePeace,
Muff
Thanks we did and I am grateful I can provide outings for Patti. Of course we cannot live on islands and it's long overdue to start speaking out so that others both today and tomorrow can get out.
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