I have been asked by many people why I decided to get arrested last month. I, along with many people with disabilities, often feel like we are not heard by society. Often, we feel as though our needs don't matter. Is it because we are hard to understand? Is it because we don't have money? Oftentimes, society equates money with power. Since many people with disabilities do not have money, we have no power. People may think we are powerless.
Well, I wanted to show that we are anything but powerless! I am not scared to fight for my human right!!
As a human being, I have the same right to equality of health care, transportation, housing, education, employment, marriage, parenthood and freedom of speech! Sometimes I get tired of fighting for our most fundamental rights, which are challenged by society, social economic systems and dictated by politicians. I know that with each battle that is won I become stronger and more aware of the needs of my community.
As a mom, I teach my 11-year-old son, Brandon, to treat people with the same respect that he would like to receive from others. If we, as a society, does not know how to respect each other, then why have I been drilling this concept into his head? When Brandon has been bullied or picked on at school, I have always taught him to speak up and defend himself. Never physically, always through his words.
In regard to the previous proposed Health Care Bill, I did not feel like we were being treated with the respect that we as human beings should be treated. So like I have taught my son, it was my turn to speak up; defending myself and anybody else who would have been negatively impacted if this proposed Health Care Bill passed. Some people said, getting arrested was pretty extreme. Well, not if the Bill had passed. Like we were chanting in Washington D.C., before the cops took us away..."We would rather go to jail, than die without Medicaid."
As an American, a woman with a disability and a mom, I felt it was my time to scream and let my voice be heard!! As I sat there screaming, I looked around at the many passionate faces fighting for their lives and dignity, and all of sudden I felt like I was part of something bigger than myself. I got a surge of adrenaline, like our voices were reaching across the country... and they did!! The next morning, the Bill died. If you ever think you are just one voice, think again. People with disabilities may feel powerless sometimes, but we are the largest minority, 20% of Americans have a disability. I am a proud Jewish American, woman with a disability and a Mom, and I will not go down without a fight!!
As an American, a woman with a disability and a mom, I felt it was my time to scream and let my voice be heard!! As I sat there screaming, I looked around at the many passionate faces fighting for their lives and dignity, and all of sudden I felt like I was part of something bigger than myself. I got a surge of adrenaline, like our voices were reaching across the country... and they did!! The next morning, the Bill died. If you ever think you are just one voice, think again. People with disabilities may feel powerless sometimes, but we are the largest minority, 20% of Americans have a disability. I am a proud Jewish American, woman with a disability and a Mom, and I will not go down without a fight!!
