Saturday, April 4, 2009

Trying to hault the American Dream in broke California

For the past three years I have been the owner of a home care business which caters to people with all disabilities, but primarily developmental disabilities. It is no surprise that the owner of a business would make a decent income while working hard to create and grow the business. The one unique aspect to this true tale, is that the owner has a developmental disability, cerebral palsy, which requires the use of the state program, Medi-cal which is connected to in home supported services. This program pays for 8 hours of my overnight care and Medi-cal pays for repairs to my medical equipment, including my power wheelchair and other needed disability support. Due to a program created by the World Institute on Disabilities, the program allows someone with a disability to make over 250% of the poverty level, and still keep vital benefits that allow people to work. I was shocked and confused when my benefits were discontinued due to a lack of knowledge about the 250% program. This has a negative effect on me because all of the sudden my world was turned upside down and I had to start to consider what my life would turn into without these benefits.
The workers who work for Medi-cal should be well versed in these programs regardless of what the income level may be. I am grateful to many people, including my book keeper who manages my financial affairs, Mr. Bryon McDonald of the World Institute on Disability and the commitment of these people in less than two weeks to get my benefits turned back on and allow me to keep working and keep paying taxes and being a productive member of society. I hope my part in paying taxes will get rid of the draconious cuts to valuable social services and other community organizations that are being effected by the state budget crisis. You would think that the Schwartzenegger administration would make a tremendous effort to take the working while disabled programs and give them the opportunity to allow all people who want to work with disabilities, an equal chance on the playing field.

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