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Hello once again, I hope your Wednesday is going well. The reason I wanted to wait till March to relaunch my blog is that March is known as disability awareness month in the United States. It’s usually seen as a celebration of how far our community has come in the last few years. I want to use this opportunity and this platform to bring attention to those of us that have been forgotten. Not everyone can post on Instagram or come up with a fancy new hashtag. Those of us who can speak must stand for those who have no voice.
A few weeks back in a nursing home In Sussex County New Jersey Just under 200 individuals with various disabilities were found locked away in horrible conditions. According to reports linked below, countless rooms smell like urine and feces. By the time most of you are reading this the world is probably moved on to the next story and lawsuits have already been filed what about the people themselves? What are their stories? Has their suffering ended or did they just get transferred from the facility where they’re still going to be abused? I know the system is overwhelmed and understaffed but that said the reason why this happened. Instead of Googling the latest TikTok craze, I asked that you take a few minutes to investigate this. This is not an isolated incident. I think what hurts the most, is that this situation keeps recurring. The coronavirus pulled back the curtain on this horror show.
Generalizing something like this happens, when an individual with an intellectual disability suffers a stroke. They do not recover fully and because the system does not have enough medical group homes They are forced into these programs that cannot meet their needs accordingly. Having a disability is not equal to aging. I once knew a man who went through this exact scenario at 55. participants from his day program were the only visitors. I am saddened to say he’s no longer with us. I believe he didn’t make it to his 60th birthday. This took place years before there was a global pandemic. Who you think anyone went to his funeral?
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:7-8 NIV
There are plenty of systemic issues because the system is not centered on the person It’s focused on protecting itself from lawsuits and avoiding blame at all costs. The human service industry In its entirety at a given point took on its own life force. It has become a runaway train coasting down the track. What can we do to stop it? I don’t have the answer to that but I can tell you we need to focus on the little things. There’s no reason why the staff cannot take the clients out on a walk. I’m not exaggerating, read the articles for yourself.
The reason why this subject hits so close to home is, I know If it wasn’t for my family This could have been me. Imagine going to bed but never being able to get out of it. We don’t see value in people with disabilities. I tried to think of a creative comparison, It’s not like prison because they have committed no crime. It is different from slavery because no one is benefiting from their silent pain. We have created a subconscious genocide by ignoring those who need us the most. Wake of America!
Source Material:
Disability Limbo Newsletter
I started Letters from the Limbo as a way to connect with you on a deeper level. Twice a month, I send out an email filled with personal anecdotes, professional updates (like my recent reelection as Vice Chair of the NJCDD), and the policy insights I don’t share anywhere else. This isn’t just another email—it’s an unfiltered look at the life of a disability advocate. Join my community and get an exclusive, honest look at the work that matters
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The Advocacy Life Podcast & Blog 
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