History does not have to repeat itself!
An important moment for people with disabilities
For the last 18/20 months, I have stayed aware of the changing tides in our government. The waves have felt high and dangerous. I have kept wanting to say, “I don't believe this!” Yet everything in me knows that these changes are believable.
This week, the lid blew off. The Department of Justice released a memo questioning whether states are required to provide home and community-based services. (https://www.npr.org/2026/06/20/nx-s1-5865100/doj-memo-trump-disability-civil-rights-institutionalization)These services have kept disabled Americans out of institutions for over 30 years.
I am a disabled American. I was born in the late 50s, when most disabled children were sent to institutions. My parents made the decision to keep me at home for most of my childhood, but even I faced boarding school (a special boarding school for disabled children) when my family began to grow, and they were unable to pay for the assistance that could have helped keep me at home.
Many of us are very concerned as we begin to see history repeat itself. I will probably have more to say about this, but I want to share this video by Gaelynn Lea.
I am privileged to serve as Gaelynn’s assistant. Having worked with her for 4 years, I know her to be a passionate advocate and a committed community builder.
Please take the time to watch this video and share it within your circles. As she says… disabled people are in need of allies… will you be one?
Thank you, Gaelynn Lea
I stopped in my tracks to watch Gaelyn's video. I am absolutely horrified. I purchased and read her book a few weeks ago. Because I had retired from my community college jobs (which included a LOT of working with and advocacy for students with disabilities) I had NOT seen the documentary about the camp nor kept up with the issues. I was well aware of the Deaf President Now Movement - as one of the leaders was a guest lecturer in the Deaf Communications Studies program where I was taking ASL classes and engaged in teaching students from the Deaf (capital D) Community. It was a small community college and I became the unofficial liaison between the disabilities support department and the Reading Department where I taught remedial/developmental students. Gaelyn is absolutely correct - this is a step in the direction of warehousing people - one the U.S. has clearly already begun and which will NOT stop at sending those with cognitive disabilities to institutions. It's a short step toward confiscating my retirement pension and ME (and others) - particularly those who do not have children or spouses - and making our pensions contingent upon living in an institution. And that won't be the end of it.