May 2004
Everyone has times in their lives when they feel like they are being tested, like someone up there is trying to teach them something they need to know. The weight on their shoulders feels heavier than usual, and they aren't sure why. I was sitting in a media training last week in San Jose when I started to feel this way. I don't have time to sit in this training today, I thought. I need to be back at the office. I don't even want to think about all the meetings I'm missing while I'm here...I said to myself.
As often happens, my internal dialogue was interrupted. The trainer was not about to let any of us give her anything but our full attention. I don't know if she saw the looks on our faces or if she just sensed the general exhaustion in the room, but she immediately clued in and remarked.... I know you are all tired, I know you feel like you don't have anymore energy, but we have to keep going...this is our 11th hour and we can't give up.
She was speaking to a room full of disability rights advocates worn out by the current battle to save the In Home Supportive Services Program (IHSS), so her little motivation speech was right on point. I had never really thought of things in that way before, and something about the way she said this made me sit up and take notice. You can be tired and overwhelmed some other time... I thought. Pay Attention Now.
Well, I bet you know where I'm going with this.... Ladies and Gentlemen... This is our 11th hour and we can't give up!
Some of you may have read that the Governor has backed off of his proposal to eliminate the IHSS Residual Program. Administration officials said at a recent Senate Budget Hearing, that they intend to try to get the Federal government to subsidize the program instead of cutting it. They are optimistic about their ability to obtain a waiver from the Bush Administration that would enable them to obtain Federal funding for the program.
Advocates across the State cheered, IHSS is out of woods... All of our efforts have paid off. They thought. While I am encouraged that our message may be finally starting to get through...I only have one thing to say about the perception that our fight is over.... Not So Fast.....as the old saying goes...It Ain't Over Til It's Over.
The Administration officials that have said that they will try to obtain Federal funding for this program are the same ones that say, even if they can get this funding it still may not be enough to avoid cuts. The Governor's proposals to cut funding for Public Authorities and bring wages for care providers back to minimum wage aren't off the table either.
I know that those of you who have contacted me about this program are tired. I'm tired too. I know the weight on your shoulders is heavy, and in truth, much heavier than mine. But, we can't give up. Write Letters to the Editor about what this program means to you. Call your Legislators and tell them the same thing. Already did it you say? Well, do it again.
Come to Disability Capitol Action Day in Sacramento on May 20th. I'll be there. Let's show the Governor how a Rally is done. Never heard of it? Well, call me and I'll tell you all about it.
Ladies and Gentlemen, just in case you missed the email...we are being tested and we can still fail, but more importantly, we can still succeed.