Sending the Dogs to the Pound

I don’t know where to start. I just read this article and I am so relieved that I don’t have a more severe disability, but I feel for those who do.

To summarize, the article reports that parents and caregivers of people with severe disabilities are being given the option to abandon these people at homeless shelters because the State (Indiana in this case) can’t afford to provide them with services.

The analogy I automatically make is when someone leaves a dog at a pound when they can no longer afford the food to feed it. Many people would have a problem doing this due to their beloved pet’s inevitable demise. Although, the homeless shelter probably doesn’t practice euthanasia on its visitors, abandoning a person there would send them to their grave, earlier than necessary. Homeless shelters, in general, do not have adequate services for the people already utilizing them, much less people with disabilities that need individualized, specific care.

The fact that the State employees could suggest such a cold, insensitive option indicates to me how broken the “system” – and the country – really is. Not only are we (disabled people) not equals, we’re not even human! We’re something that takes human form (sometimes) but we’re less than. I understand that we are expensive to keep around. I understand the country is in the midst of having financial difficulties. But, I also understand that anyone, at any time, could become disabled and the structure and services already in place will suddenly become advantageous. The stronger the foundation and structure is made now, the easier the transition will be for the able-bodied community when they need it. Investing the time and money into the disabled community now, is investing in each individual’s future – mainly your own.

But, the fact is – we are fully human, even if we have cognitive, physical, and/or emotional deficits. Perfection is unattainable – for anyone – and everyone is deficient in one way or another. However, the deficiencies, imperfections, insecurities, and individual strengths are what make society so diverse and resilient. Diversity is our strength.

We also need to get out of the financial mess we’re in. For the sake of fairness, everything we’re spending money is important. Everything we want to cut spending on is also important. So, how we come to an overlapping place where we can acknowledge and appreciate the humanity and value of individuals, get out of our financial hole we’re in, and invest in our future?

Unfortunately, I don’t have the answer. I wish I did. But that question should be answered before stripping anyone of their humanity and value.

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