Between a rock and a hard place: When a Quadriplegic is not disabled

He's been a quadriplegic for 33 years and his medical and personal care expenses are through the roof. As his friend and ally I am forever trying to find ways to help him raise much needed funds for medical treatments, van repairs and the odd unanticipated catastrophes. It's a tough gig, though.

When Michael was 16, and newly injured it was easier. Kids elicit public sympathy in a way that a 49 year old white man in America just doesn't. And the adults that were his champions back in the day are getting old now, if they are even still here.

What does a disabled person do when their caregivers and benefactors start to die off? I wish I knew. It's an extraordinarily painful place to be as a friend.

The question I get most often is why he just doesn't go on Social Security Disability. Is he simply too proud?

Believe it or not, he doesn't qualify! He's been working for over 20 years (and he's very good at what he does). He is a speaker, therapist and life coach, all of which can be done from a wheelchair. He has a Master's of Social Work and has been in the National Speakers Association for 20 years. He can be and is working.

It gets crazier. In the event that a social security lawyer helps him fight for benefits he would get less than $400/month. We checked. And actually it would compromise his care if he went that route in other ways because his current health insurance allows him access to things that he wouldn't get as readily on government aid. Yes, he does have insurance. You don't even want to know what his premiums are each month. His life is so expensive it would have most of us in a fetal position in the corner.

It is mind-boggling to consider how many disabled individuals are in this position.

Here's a peek as a day in the life: laurayoung.typepad.com/nosafedistance/2008/10/lessons-in-seei.html