In one year alone, I was in immediate life crises six times. Only one threat was the state of my health itself. Five were from the acts, cuts, and restrictions of vital supplies, and regulatory changes of the agencies of the healthcare system. My ability to fight these dangers is weakening as I am. I remain physically disabled and must use a wheelchair for mobility, a constant source of supplemental oxygen, 24-hour attendant care to assist me in all of my physical needs, several pulmonary medications, critical care intervention, and a ventilator for breathing.
Current proposals promise further threats and horrific struggles.
The fees I must pay for my monthly entry to the system may be raised again as well even though they are already more of my income than the tax bracket of the richest Americans who have the sympathy of our current legislature. Medicare and Medicaid both plan to give me less as well, possibly not sufficient to remain medically stable enough to survive. This is, and has been for all of my adult life, my most painful and constant life struggle. Though my personal health is worsening more rapidly now, my life's work remains my focus. For now, and as long as I can persist, I volunteer my time and the skills I was blessed to learn to people who need them, to the community organizations which represent them, and to a continuing effort to try to make these issues a priority on the State and National agenda.