As the saying goes, it’s okay to be different. Whether it’s referencing a hairstyle, an ethnicity, a sexual orientation, or one of the millions of different characteristics people have, the notion of being different has been supported in this country for many years. A slew of legislative laws have been passed to protect and support people who are considered different from the norm. A few months ago, I wrote a journal entry about going against the norm. I talked about how it was okay to be different. While in some aspects, people choose to be different, in many aspects, people don’t have a choice. Disability is one of those notions that people can’t control.

Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Those three words have made almost every news headline across the country the last few weeks. The new administration has made it blatantly clear that DEI will not be part of their agenda. In fact, they have already made sweeping changes. Within a day of the switch several webpages with vital information were taken down. Within days, a freeze on federal programs caused mass confusion. It was later blocked by a judge, but the anxiety for people who are in minorities is palpable right now. Furthermore, after a tragic plane crash, the President blamed people with disabilities without any proof that anyone with a disability had anything to do with it. That caused more uproar in the already on edge disability community.

While I am not going to share all of my thoughts on this, I will say that I think it brings up some deep questions as a country. The first and biggest being is it really okay to have a difference from the norm? Right now, in my opinion, the answer to this question is up in the air. Of course, everyone is going to have opinions about everything, and the idea of democracy is that everyone works together to make this country what it is. In order for that to happen, people have to have an open mind and be receptive to the idea that people have varying needs.

The second question is whether or not we have leaders in government who accept and support people who don’t fit the cookie cutter norm? In my opinion, the answer is some. There are numerous leaders in government who are supportive of the diverse needs of people in this country; however, there are some who are not. It makes it very tough for a country to run smoothly when you have leaders who don’t believe in diversity, equity, and inclusion.

 As a person with a significant disability who relies on federal programs to literally survive, it’s an unbelievably scary time. Hearing that Medicaid could have significant cuts or potentially be defunded is unfathomable. Quite honestly, many people like myself can’t even imagine receiving less support than we do now and still lead the productive lives we have worked so hard to achieve. I don’t even want to think about what my life would be like without Medicaid. The truth is that I’d likely be in an institution.

To have leaders of the country not think that any person with a difference isn’t worthy of leading a successful life is infuriating. In my opinion, people who are in charge of this country should believe that every single person in this country is capable of leading a successful life. Of all people, people in leadership roles shouldn’t judge anyone—especially publicly.

While I can’t speak for the disability community as a whole, I will say that, personally, what has transpired the last three weeks in this country has just refueled my desire to advocate. I feel like I have no choice but to. The quality of my life is on the line!

***The views expressed here are strictly those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of InControl Wisconsin, the Network or any of our sponsors.