Reflections

"But working together there is no challenge to which we are not equal, no obstacle that we cannot overcome, no aspiration so high that it cannot be achieved." 

Those words were spoken in regard to the global economic recession of late 2008 -- 2009. While I'm told of economic recovery I have not seen it in practice regardless, the collaborative sentiment of Gordon Brown's words to the United States Congress serve to inspire. Beyond inspiration however, there is a measure of truth that can be applied to the socioeconomic circumstances of people with disabilities. People with disabilities are often constrained by support systems that are there to assist them in achieving activities of daily living. Problems arise because the constraints of programming in their efforts to help hinder possibilities for true progress.


Brown's quote encapsulates the message that by working together the world would be shepherded back from the economic brink. This makes me think that if we were somehow able to persuade government and community agencies to relax regulation and limit micromanagement a larger percentage of people with disabilities would achieve the economic independence that government and community agencies support in principle but increasingly not in practice. True empowerment is to provide opportunities with full support until a level of sustainability is possible. Full sustainability is not always realistic given disability constraints; however partial sustainability is possible and probable if micromanagement and income claw backs don't make it less palatable to join the world economic stage. I am always struck by how quick bureaucrats, both government and the ones that find their way conspicuously into community agencies, are defensive about the administration of programs for income support or the employment of people with disabilities. There is one common fact people working within the systems have rarely if ever had to be consumer of them. The key is in the first three words of the quote above," But working together…", programs for people with disabilities are designed only with limited consultation if any, with people with disabilities and governments still tend towards short-term results rather than longer-term systemic gains.


There is another issue that stands at the foundation of many social programs, an all or nothing mentality that has people with disabilities remove their rights to economic autonomy by the stipulation of criterion of the "unable to work". This leaves many in an unassigned limbo with limited options and creates further obstacles to self-empowerment. Overcoming obstacles under these circumstances is an enormous undertaking. It requires fortitude and determination to stay in the fight and the ability to see the greater aspirations that the future brings. Achievement through persistent prosperity, prosperity does not have to be economic, it can be spiritual.


After all I saw an ad on a bus recently that said, "Free your mind, your assets will follow." I remain inspired in cautious tones.