Tuesday, July 27, 2010

That's It. I'm Done.

Not with the blog, don't worry!
I'm done putting others' needs ahead of my own and my family's.  It's not that I don't feel for the small business owners who are having trouble keeping up with their taxes, or for the farmers (ESPECIALLY small farms!!!!), or anyone else.  But, y'know what?  My husband works FULL TIME at the V.A. hospital, caring for those who fought for our country.  I work outside the home part time, and the rest of my time is spent taking care of my Autistic kids.  They go to special ed and have therapies that cost approx. $60,000 a year. EACH.  Together my husband and I make just over half of that.  We NEED support from the school district, the Regional Center and, yes, sorry, THE GOVERNMENT.   And I am DONE apologizing for it!  My children did not CHOOSE to have Autism!  They cannot help it that they need extra support to do the things other kids do naturally.  I'm truly sorry for those whose businesses are struggling to survive, but my kids are struggling to survive, too!  If they DON'T have these therapies, they will have to be institutionalized.  Clothed, housed, and fed, 24/7, for THE REST OF THEIR LIVES!  Paid for by, you guessed it, the taxpayers!  Trust me, sending them to special day classes and therapy NOW will save hundreds of thousands of dollars in the long run!
People with disabilities have the right to live.  They have a right to as equal a quality of life as the rest of us.  Most of them grow up to be productive citizens; they have jobs, they buy stuff, and yes, they pay taxes!!!!! Isn't that better than being dependent on the state?!?!?!
So quit calling my kids leeches!  They work harder in a single day than most adults do in a week! When YOU are a parent of a child with special needs, then you can pay for it all yourself, but most of us don't have that luxury.  Most of us are too busy WORKING and taking care of our kids!  How many nights last year did YOU stay awake all night with a screaming child?  How many occupational/speech/physical therapy sessions did YOU attend, just do your child could walk? How many dirty looks and nasty comments do YOU put up with in a single day, simply because your children are "different?" How many nights have you lain awake, wondering what will become of your kids when you are no longer around to take care of them, wondering if they will end up in the street, unable to care for themselves, because all of their programs were cut?!  When you've walked a mile in the shoes of anyone with a disability, or the family and friends of anyone with a disability, THEN you can lecture me about what a DRAIN my family is on society!  Until then,
FUCK. YOU!

2 comments:

Charlotte said...

Good heavens, girl!! Who on earth said these horrible things to you!? Your children are a gift from God and are no way a "drain on society." I applaud the careful care you take of them and how hard you work

azusmom said...

Joven, thank you!

Charlotte, it actually wasn't one person, but an amalgamation of things various people have said and/or done over the years.
Last week was a bit difficult, and I guess I hit my breaking point, lol!
THANK YOU for all your support, and I hope your little guy had a great birthday!