Both political parties need to nuance their discussions to better include persons with disabilities. The Republican Party needs to recognize that some people do need governmental support, who through no fault of their own can’t make it by themselves. The Democratic Party needs to recognize that it is not an either/or solution. Personal responsibility should be encouraged. We need to reflect on the principle of subsidiarity, which states that the lowest levels of competence should take precedence but when the needs are too overwhelming higher levels of society need to step in. For example, when going through our experience with Michelle we were usually presented with an either/or proposition. Either you’re on your own or you put her in a nursing home where Medicaid will pay. We brought her home and care for her every day. We did not walk away from our responsibilities but we do need help. Our family carries the bulk of the necessary care but several hours of Medicaid paid nursing assistance is also needed. What I want to hear is a more nuanced political discussion of how to better support persons with disabilities; not how to abandon them or turn them over to the state.
The Political Parties and Disability
October 14, 2012 by Marilyn Martone
Posted in brain injury, Coma, disability, health care debate, long-term health care, medicaid, presidential election, TBI, unconsciousness, wounded warriors | Tagged Brain Injury, coma, disability, health care reform, medicaid reform, paying for health care, presidential election, TBI, unconsciousness, wounded warriors | Leave a Comment
Over The Waterfall
Pages
-
Join 203 other subscribers
Twitter
Tweets by ladyoflearningTraumatic Brain Injury Resources
- American Veterans with Brain Injuries
- Bob Woodruff Family Foundation
- Brain Injury Association of New York State
- Brainline
- Brian Injury Association of America
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – TBI
- Dana Foundation
- Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center
- Dr. James Kelly, neurologist
- http://www.disabilitytodaynetwork.com/
- Mayo Clinic – TBI
- Michelle Martone's Blog
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- Traumatic Brain Injury National Resource Center
- Wounded Warriors Project
Leave a comment