Editor, The Spotlight:
After reading the article “Disability Advocates’ Encampment Stretches On” posted on March 26, I became outraged that disabled individuals in our local community are being so completely ignored by not only the New York State Nurses Association, but seemingly by society as well. As an aspiring special education teacher, I’ve been professionally taught everything from using person-first language when describing an individual with a disability, to how to develop a legal document called an Individualized Education Plan based on a medical diagnosis which gives the individual the best chance at educational success. So why in 2014 do we have excellent state-mandated education programs for those with disabilities, but these people do not have a choice for what could be considered a basic human right of being able to be cared for within their own home?
According to the National Organization of Nurses with Disabilities, other states have successfully implemented the Community First Choice Federal Program which intends to increase the ability of disabled individuals to have a choice in avoiding an institutional setting such as a nursing home. Currently in New York state, compared to the others who have implemented this program, people or their families need to hire and manage receiving care from attendants for simple nurse-related tasks such as using a ventilator. With this said, I also believe that anyone could be one accident away from needing this type of one-on-one attention or long term care. If this was a family member of a New York State Nurses Association Union member who became tragically disabled, would they simply foot the bill with no advocacy or questioning in return? Would they prefer to have their father, mother or child be institutionalized into a nursing home away from their community and family support system?
Instead of New York state unions or politicians looking merely at the budget, they need to not only consider other programs which have successfully worked, but basic human rights as well. If individuals who suffer from debilitating disabilities every single day out are willing to camp-out for over six nights to advocate for their health care rights despite getting sores on their bottoms and even one being sent to the hospital, then the New York State Nurses Association needs to severely reconsider their decision.
Ashley Girard
Latham