CW: Xenophobia, Ableism, Racism, & Institutionalization Today, our neighborhoods come alive with barbecues, laughter, and fireworks. We settle into the familiar routines of our 4th of July cele…

Among today’s largest climate change concerns are the effects of extreme heat on public health. The risks are far greater for disabled and chronically ill people, not only because they are mo…

Not even a week has passed since I was told I had my nighttime PCA hours back. Now, I have another hurdle to deal with. I found out yesterday that I owe the Social Security Administration more than…

Today is the first day of disability pride month. My understanding of cerebral palsy has changed over time. I am comfortable with my disability. However, I can’t say that I am proud of my disabilit…

CW: Police Brutality & Death In Medford, Oregon, the city’s decision to settle a disability-related lawsuit marks a significant moment. However, it is also part of a broader narrative concernin…

I came home to America 26 years ago today, on June 29, 2000. Massachusetts will always be my home. I grew up here, and it’s the only home I’ve ever known. My family is the only one I’ve ever known.…

CW: Ableism Disabled people have been made to prove their worth for too long. Society sees value in work, earnings, or productivity, and anyone who doesn’t meet these standards is expected to…

CW: Institutional Bias Yesterday, after two months of grueling work, anxiety, and frustration, I received a notice from MassHealth informing me that I’d been approved for 60 PCA hours per wee…

CW: Exclusion A child’s first day of school is a very exciting day for most families. Parents drop off their children with the hope that they will learn, make friends and have fun. But for on…

This week, the Department of Education buzzed with talk of the federal overhaul amid a summer heat wave. There are plans to reorganize two key functions of the central department: special education…

CW: Ableism In recent years, disability accommodations have become a heated debate on college and university campuses. A recent article, The Law School Accommodations Racket, has sparked renewed in…

CW: Institutionalization Yesterday marked the 27th anniversary of the Olmstead decision, a landmark ruling that guaranteed disabled people’s right to live in the most integrated setting possible. T…

A federal deadline looms for United States airlines that will have the potential to significantly change the landscape of air travel for millions of disabled people — many of whom are waiting with …

As a disabled person who relies on caregivers every day, I believe that needing care means more than helping me do tasks I can’t do for myself. It means acknowledging my individuality and ind…

On Tuesday, I had my reevaluation with my new personal care management agency. They determined that my decrease in PCA hours was due to MassHealth removing my night hours. I was frustrated because …

CW: Institutional Bias For decades, disability rights advocates have fought for the ability to live in their community rather than in institutions. But a new opinion issued by the U.S. Department o…

Disability benefits are meant to provide financial support to disabled people who cannot work. But for those with permanent disabilities, that stability only lasts until the government asks them to…

CW: Rape & Violence Jennifer Kucera’s past is impossible to escape. Three blocks away from her home in Berea, Ohio, is the nursing home where she says that she contracted scabies, was punched i…

Nationwide, facilities that provide services to disabled people are facing budget constraints that are making it harder to provide services. For example, Kentucky’s Lee Specialty Clinic is getting …

Kansas’ decision to withdraw from Texas v. Kennedy was a milestone in a battle that has gotten national attention from disability advocates, lawmakers, and families. The lawsuit challenges a federa…

Yesterday, I wrote a blog post about how being disabled can feel like a full-time job. I spent hours doing things directly related to my cerebral palsy. It’s a cycle that exhausts you long before y…

When most people think of work, they imagine paychecks, offices, or clocking in for shifts. People can go home at the end of their workday. However, living with a disability often feels like a full…

CW: Abortion, Ableism, Death, Murder, & Cyberbullying The story of Jesse and Ashley Ridgway, two social media influencers who publicly shared their decision to terminate a pregnancy after a pre…

Julie Spradlin knew there was a problem right away when she read the notice from the Social Security Administration. Spradlin, from Union City, Georgia, has cerebral palsy and has not been able to …

Dr. Mehmet Oz’s recent support of Medicaid work requirements has reignited a debate that could have grave implications for millions of Americans who rely on the program for healthcare. Oz is now th…

CW: Institutionalization For years, a federal initiative has supported disabled Kansans in reclaiming something the Supreme Court has guaranteed: the right to live in the community rather than livi…

CW: Weight Integrated care offers a powerful way to reduce emergency room visits and hospitalizations among adults with developmental disabilities. For many in this population, navigating the healt…

The Massachusetts Legislature’s recent move to update state laws by removing outdated disability-related language is an improvement. The words used in legislation influence societal attitudes and s…

From time to time, a policy change reminds me of the difference between how legislators write a law and how it affects people’s lives. The new Medicaid work requirements serve as just one example o…

Our bodies naturally move so usually we don’t think about it at all. Tasks like standing in line or walking around a store are so easy for most people that they do not realize that these acti…

CW: Missing Person With summer fast approaching, water safety is vital, especially for disabled people. Beaches, oceans, lakes, and rivers are dangerous even for seasoned swimmers. The immediate ha…

Families in Minnesota caring for medically fragile children are facing a crisis. For years, parents have depended on private insurance plans from Medica and HealthPartners to fund the skilled nursi…

CW: Institutional Bias When I first heard Ohio Representative Jennifer Gross’s recent comments on long-term care, I was disappointed. Gross, who is the chair of the Ohio House Medicaid Commit…

CW: Institutionalization As a child, I had high expectations for myself. I did not see my disability as an obstacle. However, I did not anticipate possessing the strength, the patience, and the sel…

CW: Discrimination More than fifty years after the Fair Housing Act was passed, disabled people still experience many challenges in accessing and maintaining housing nationwide. These challenges ar…

CW: Homelessness A disabled veteran from Boston slept outdoors in the rain recently — not because he lacked shelter but simply because the elevator in his apartment building broke. Stevie Wheels, w…

CW: Fraud & Institutionalization Disabled people are being used as pawns in political battles around the world over budgets, bureaucracy, and the value placed on care. From Argentina to the Uni…

CW: Fraud & Institutionalization Disabled people are being used as pawns in political battles around the world over budgets, bureaucracy, and the value placed on care. From Argentina to the Uni…

CW: Foster Care Across the United States, an alarming trend has emerged: an increasing number of children are staying in hospitals after they no longer need medical care. They are not recovering fr…

Thanks to Steve Way for this post idea. CW: Ableism Independence is a cornerstone of society. From the time we are young, we are encouraged to do things for ourselves. When someone needs help, whet…

CW: Institutionalization Going to the bathroom at night is a challenging task for Issac Wide. Movement is a challenge. His daily routine is built upon a care system designed to maintain his safety …

CW: Foster Care & Death Two young boys died recently while in the care of Arizona’s Department of Child Safety —Christian Williams, 15, and Jacob Blodgett, 9—both of whom had Type 1 diabetes. T…

CW: Poverty & Fraud Whenever discussions about disability benefits occur, I frequently hear the same comments: “It must be nice not having to work,” or “People just want handouts.” These critic…

Yesterday, I finally opened a letter that I had been waiting on for what felt like forever. I knew the outcome could go either way. I clung to a faint hope that this time, the system would acknowle…

CW: Institutional Bias In September 2025, Ravi Mehta went to the hospital anticipating a routine visit—a simple adjustment to the settings on his ventilator. It was something he had done many times…

Discussions surrounding Medicaid are frequently simplified into political rhetoric focused on budgets, political disputes, and fraud. However, for millions of older adults and disabled people, Medi…

CW: Institutionalization The fight for disability rights in the United States is entering a critical new stage, with potential repercussions that could affect how millions of disabled people live a…

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries could see their monthly benefits rise again in 2027, as early projections indicate a higher cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Cu…

CW: Death, Abuse, & Neglect Having the American flag over the U.S. Capitol in one’s memory is a prestigious honor. This honor is usually reserved for military heroes, dedicated public servants,…

I’ve spent much of the last month preparing my appeal for PCA services. It has forced me into this kind of emotional introspection, which I wouldn’t wish on anyone. To appeal, I had to revisit some…