Most people have no knowledge of what is lurking in the shadows of the mysterious system that is supposed to benefit people with disabilities.  However, these same people might be only a split second away from learning about this process up-close and personal.  Allow me to enlighten you so that you will not be surprised, shocked and frustrated if someday you are forced to live with these restrictions.

First, if you are married—get a divorce.  A marriage certificate and money have one thing in common—they are both paper.  Unfortunately, you may be forced to live without one of them; it seems, although they are both paper, they cannot co-exist.  If you are single—plan on staying that way.  No, you no longer have the right to the pursuit of happiness, at least not if your chosen life-mate makes any money.  In order for you to receive your full benefits, it is necessary for you to live in poverty.  The system we currently have financially punishes you for falling in love with (and marrying) a person that has an income.  In addition, you will need to know that you can have no assets.  (Only those that have monetary value are applicable)  Therefore, you cannot own your home, have a savings account, or be a viable person, if you need medical assistance or help with daily living skills.

To make this point clear, pretend for a moment that your medications cost $1000 monthly.  Using elementary mathematics, this adds up to $12,000 per year.  A five-day stay in the hospital can cost $100,000 or more, and this is likely to happen at least one time yearly.  How many of you can afford this?  Keep in mind that most insurance polices have a pre-existing condition clause that excludes you for at least one year.  Consequently, even if your intended spouse has a better than average income and a good insurance plan, a wedding is still a definite no-no.

If you live alone and need assistance, there is a program within the system that provides you with this help.  However, by using this program you lose your right to freedom.  No, you do not have to break any laws to be held a prisoner; just lose the ability to go and do alone.  The state funded program that I am referring to will pay for in the home assistance only.  If you require help with grocery shopping, doctor appointments, getting prescriptions filled, or just going to the movies, you are out of luck.  There are no provisions for such luxuries built into this program.

If your disability is openly visible, you lose the right to be treated as a person. For example, if you go to a restaurant with a non-disabled person, whoever takes the

order asks the person that you are with what you want.  People assume that because you have an obvious disability that you could not possibly know what you want to eat. 

You might also be yelled at from well-meaning people that assume you are also nearly deaf.  These are the same big-hearted folks that speak to you in a baby-talk fashion as though your brain never matured past the age of three.

To be fair I must tell you about the rights that you do have.

You have the right (and government sponsored incentive) to live in poverty.

You have the right (and government sponsored incentive) to ignore your religious beliefs and live in sin with the person you love.

You have the right and obligation to not voice your thoughts, opinions, or objections about anything concerning your own life.

You have the right and responsibility to find and hire your own personal assistant at a lower pay rate than the fast food place on the corner pays.

You have the right to learn how to navigate the public transportation system.  Be advised that if you use equipment such as a wheelchair there are no accommodations provided by the over-the-road busses (Greyhound).  Most other forms of public transportation are not within your financial means.

You have the right to stay in your home and never go anywhere again

You have the right and predetermination to be a non-person.

There are an estimated 54 million Americans living with these rules everyday.  Yes, this is the good old USA—land of the free.