Coalition Rally and Advocacy Day in Richmond - 1.21.13

Coalition Rally and Advocacy Day

at the

Bell Tower on Capitol Square in Richmond

I have known about the Coalition Rally and Advocacy Day for many years now, but this was the first time I was able to attend thanks to The Arc of South Hampton Roads. I was so excited to be there amongst my peers in the disabled community!

It was beautiful weather, which is rare for Richmond in January. The sunlight lifted up our spirits even further. Luckily there wasn't a harsh wind either. We were blessed to have such a fine day, because the next day the temperature dropped.

I arrived on a tour sized bus along with my fellow local advocates, as we were pulling up the bell on the Bell Tower was already ringing. For some reason that gave me a joyful feeling for the day ahead.

A small band was playing happy rallying tunes to further pump the spirits of the crowd up. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face when watching all different types of people with disabilities dancing and laughing to the music.

It was exhilarating to see so many long time friends gathered in one place. It was also a wonderful opportunity to make some new friends too! I'm a big believer in, “It's not what you know, it's who you know.” So hopefully my Social Network grew a little bit larger because of the rally yesterday.

There were so many fabulous speakers. Some delegates, people representing mental health services, advocacy organizations and self-advocates were there. I was honored to speak on behalf of VAULT. I'm a board member of the first cross-disability advocacy group in the state, Virginia Advocates United Leading Together. There were so many voices that wanted to speak but there was not enough time. I'm so glad that so many people wanted to speak out. So many strong self-advocates is a sign of a bright future for all.

After the rally, the energetic crowd headed up the hill to do what they traveled all that way for; to advocate for themselves and loved ones, so the delegates knew for sure to listen to our voice!

Highlights of the day:

Telling a legislator about a fact he did not know:

People on medicaid can't get married.

The look on his face was interesting. I knew my point dug in deep.
(I mean they can, but they'll loose Medicaid)

Embarrassed by tracking mud into the Senators and delegate's offices. Doing my spiel and when apologizing for the mud and hearing all sweet like in a southern accent, "It's alright, Don't you worry about it." I mean they have maids at night, right? lol!

Being at the General Assembly for an outside rally that is mainly about mental health services THEN discovering gun rights advocates are there too, in the building. I doubt the two groups co-mingled. Sad. Missed opportunity.
…Maybe?

.

State Budget Hearing - 1.4.13 - Medicaid Waiver

Here's the speech I gave:

It's a pleasure to be here today. My name is Ivy. I've been using the Medicaid Consumer Directed Waiver for over a decade to live in the community. Medicaid pays my Personal Care Assistants. The Waiver assists me to give back to my community by volunteering, going to school, and getting a job. I make a positive difference in my community thanks to my PCA.

For a true blue inclusive community, to see people with disabilities living independently and to see more of those individuals in the workplace, personal care assistants need to be paid more and given quality health benefits. This will secure PCAs as a serious career field and increase the quality of care, which will eliminate a huge barrier to me and many others.

Please add 7,500 Waivers slots to help the those on the wait list. People with disabilities should not have to wait to have a Personal Care Assistant. PCAs are essential to countless people with disabilities living in the community. Families that want their loved ones at home, they need support in the way of 400 ID Waivers and 200 DD Waivers. By supporting this, you will be enabling Virginia to complying with the Olmstead Decision of 1999, which states people with disabilities have the right to live in their community.

With the state wide closure of institutions you must require budget transparency and use the money saved by the closings to help families on the Waiver waiting list. Restructure the Waiver to promote smaller group homes which would allow for inclusive communities. Smaller group homes would be also safer for people with disabilities, because a smaller operation would squeeze out corruption, abuse and murder.

This state is currently ranked 45th in the country for its community-based residential services for people with disabilities. I hope you act now to make Virginia a state we all can be proud of. I urge you, Virginia policy creators, to take this historic opportunity to reform community-based services for people with disabilities! 

.