People who have special needs or are caregivers for special needs individuals need to have their voices continually heard. The reason for this is like anything else in politics, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. If you want to get money or funding for research, a cure, anything to make the quality of life bearable, you need to be able to reach out to the private sector for charity or approach government.
Why is it that some diseases or syndromes make it to the “Chosen List” and are worthy of national attention while others aren’t? Generally it is either because the special needs situation becomes the flavor of the month and Congress invites people with the disease or syndrome to speak, it gets some good publicity – after all, who would vote against people with special needs, right? – or somebody in political office has a child or relative that has the disease.
If the latter is the case, it turns out that the political figure becomes like a movie star and “This time, it is personal.” The leader will become the most ardent crusader for the cause and do their best to help with funding, public awareness and anything else they can.
None of the above is a bad thing.
The reason that I am discussing this is because special needs funding and awareness generally gets sidetracked or washed away in election years, wars or when there are natural disasters. In the last few years we have had a lot of each. I am hoping that the incoming President, Congressional leaders and respective local leadership across the country remember that a lot of the American tapestry has threads that need a little extra help.
Most people with special needs or caregivers don’t have the money and are in dire need of services. We, as a people and as a nation, set ourselves apart (or like to) because we are a caring nation.
Please remember to remind our leaders of this and to insure that funding for research and care for special needs and their respective programs are not cut as we work ourselves out of the economic quagmire that we are in over the next few years. Yes, there are a lot of other issues that we need to get straightened out but let us not forget that all of us know at least somebody who is affected somehow with somebody with special needs and let us work to making all of our lives a little more easier.
Kim Isaac Greenblatt
Talking about the politics of special needs post-election.
Tags: Business, leaders, politics, special needs