The following statement and subsequent article are written and produced by Jesse Schwartzman He is a tremendous disability advocate who formerly worked on Governor Philip Murphy’s reelection campaign in New Jersey I hope you all enjoy his fresh perspective.
Progress has been made but it is not enough. We are at least 15 percent of the population but do you see people with disabilities integrated into society? It is time to uplift voices and bring our own seats to the table. Look to your left and your right disability can be hidden and happen anytime. The intersectionality is insane. Be kind to everyone, especially yourself. Do your best and improve at least 1 percent each and every day.
Hello, my wonderful reader thank you once again for choosing to spend a little time with me on your Wednesday. I get asked every so often what do you do for a living? In today’s post, I want to provide a glimpse into that. The following are my remarks that were released as part of the event that was held on May 4, 2022, by the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD.) I hope you enjoyed and I can’t wait to read your comments.
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21 NIV
NOTE NJCDD Did not sponsor this post or any other work on this website. The statement featured is the opinion of the author prior to editing on the date of release. You can find a full copy of the report mentioned at the bottom of this post.
Greetings and warmest regards, Thank you all for making time to discuss this very prevalent issue affecting the most underserved and underrepresented population in New Jersey and the nation at large. My name is Kevin Nuñez I am fortunate to be the current Vice-Chair of the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities. I’m a 34-year-old Puerto Rican male living with Cerebral Palsy.
It is a well-known statistic that one in four Americans are diagnosed with some form of developmental disability, this is roughly 25% of our population. Our population is willing and able to pay their share in taxes and become contributing members of their local communities. All we need are solid opportunities. The reality is the Employment First policy that was passed a decade ago did not become a call to action but instead a slogan for stakeholders. The intent was there but the execution was not. The outline steps proposed in his plan are prudent and cost-effective.
Too often have individuals like myself been threatened with the $2,000 asset limit, as we reached the end of educational entitlement. Recently legislation was passed to enhance New Jersey’s WorrkAbility to eliminate the unearned income caps and age requirements. It is common sense measures like these that would create the chances for this population to not only succeed on a temporary basis but thrive in a long term. However, if individuals and families do not know about these programs as they reach the critical age, then the tireless work of the advocates and legislators would be for nothing. education and sustainability are the keys to American progression.
If we invest in the individual and what their needs are to maintain competitive employment the disability system would not be so overwhelmed, the reverberation would be that those who can work could help support those who need more intense support and cannot. one hand has to wash the other it’s that simple. The employment first initiative is derived from the idea of person first.
In closing, I would like to leave you with this, “promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty” This comes directly from the US Constitution. The same one that begins with “ We the people” PEOPLE with disabilities just want the same opportunities as every other American. Thank you for your time and have a good day.
Mr. Paul Aronsohn is New Jersey’s first Ombudsman on intellectual and developmental disabilities. Do any of you know what an Ombudsman is? I thought he was just another bureaucratic pencil pusher. His job is to help people and families navigate the complex disability system. I have been fortunate to work alongside the ombudsman for the last few years in my Journeys as an advocate. I admire his position constantly juggling his appointed positions by the governor’s Administration and fighting for the rights of individuals and families at the same time.
“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2 NIV
On a personal note, this position would be my dream job. There was recently some good news from his office that I needed to share with us possible. it gave me a good kind of envy I was not asked by any organization to publish this.
“Signed into law by Governor Chris Christie in January 2018, the Office was made operational when Governor Phil Murphy appointed the first Ombudsman a few months later.The legislation creating the Office outlines specific responsibilities, which can be grouped into 3 categories:
Assisting individuals and families to navigate New Jersey’s system of care to get the services and supports they need and deserve;
Working with individuals and families to identify opportunities for improving the system; and
Helping to ensure that the voice of individuals and families is heard in a meaningful way in decisions that directly affect them as well as in larger policy discussions.”
The Garden State does not have the best reputation on the national stage. sadly we are known more for Jersey Shore and trash TV. on the subject of disability, I believe this state has not led any significant category on a spreadsheet. Thanks to Mr.Aronsohn that has changed, We made it to the White House. The Ombudsman The President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. (PCPID)
“In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson established The President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID), formerly The President’s Committee on Mental Retardation, to ensure the right of a “decent, dignified place in society” for people with intellectual disabilities. Since that time, PCPID has served as a federal advisor to the President and the Secretary of Health and Human Services on matters relating to persons with intellectual disabilities. PCPID promotes policies and initiatives that support independence and lifelong community inclusion. ACL provides oversight and support for PCPID.”
I truly feel that his recommendations will be common-sense solutions to problems we have had for too long. I strongly suspect that New Jersey can make a good conclusion Thank you Mr.Aronsohn for your service. Have a wonderful day everyone. As always all comments are welcome and feel free to contact me at any time.
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
The following was written as an Op-Ed advocate for pending legislation in New Jersey in February 2022. Hope you enjoy and have a good day
My name is Kevin G. Nuñez I am a thirty-four-year-old Puerto Rican male living with Cerebral Palsy. Ensuring and protecting the rights of people with disabilities is what I have been doing my entire life. I immigrated with my family to New Jersey at the age of four. Due to the nature of my disability, I use a wheelchair as my primary tool to live my life. I have my daily struggles to overcome and try to live my life the best way I can. I need to use this platform to bring attention to an issue that does not enter the public consciousness when it comes to the disability population.
Like most individuals with disabilities, I use the assistance of a Direct Support Professional (DSP) with my personal needs daily. When I want to visit my family, I must take a three-hour and twenty-five-minute flight. Despite what Hollywood movies might have you think, the bathroom on the plane is not large enough to fit two people, or even one person using a wheelchair. After I use the restroom at the airport, I am the first person to board the plane. I do not move for the duration of the flight. Finally, I am the very last person to get off the plane. I can guarantee you it is not comfortable at all. By the time everyone gathers their belongings and gets off the plane another thirty-five to forty-five minutes has gone by.
At this point, Mother Nature has my full attention. When I get to the next accessible bathroom, there is always someone in the handicap stall; peacefully stretching their legs in a space they don’t need to be using because they don’t have a disability. This leaves me with two options. The first is to wait until they’re done and at best get a halfhearted apology. My second choice, I am forced to relieve myself in the corner of the restroom by exposing myself and urinating into a plastic urinal bottle. Females with disabilities do not have the same luxury.
Thanks to Assemblywoman Carol Murphy a Bill was introduced that requires business owners to put up signs on these specific bathroom stalls to discourage people from using them inappropriately. Provided there is more than one stall. The Accessible Restrooms Sign Bill (A467/S1239) Needs to be made a priority, This is a human rights issue! It has gained bipartisan support. We are still awaiting committee review in the New Jersey state legislature. This legislation secures dignity and respect in this private moment that all humans should have.
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
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!
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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