Newest letter to legislators

Well, since I haven't gotten a reply or response from anyone who would actually help my situation, I have been planning my future, given that I am only allowed between my wages and my Medicaid spend-down, $420 to live on, when my rent alone is $495. I really did like the look of the Mackinac Room in the Anderson House Office Building in Lansing when I was there last week. Is there a local store that takes Food Stamps?? But I might want a change of scenery, so I might want to go look at the meeting rooms in the MI Senate's office building. Or maybe somewhere else in the Capitol, i.e. governor's residence. All I need is an outlet to plug in my oxygen concentrator and my sleep apnea machine. If I don't want to roam too far from Niles, I could plug in at Fred Upton's, MI Representative Jalinek's, or Sharon Tyler's local offices. What's the worst that could happen to me? Arrested?? I'd get free housing, electricity, medical care, and meals, all 24/7. It's a much better situation than I have now.

There are a couple of other alternatives I could pursue for my future. I could get pregnant. Yes, it is still possible. I am sure I could find a sperm donor, willing and able. I would qualify for so many programs if I was pregnant or had a child. What sense does this make?

My other option is to be hired by you all. It's not like I'm unskilled. I have a masters degree in occupational therapy, a graduate certificate in Holistic Health Care, a graduate certificate in Public Administration, and a Bachelors in Business Administration with a minor in social welfare. You all have spent the dollars in helping me achieve my success, mostly through the excellent services I have received over the years from Michigan Rehabilitation Services. Anyone that hires me, receives tax credits. If you all hired me, I could get out of the system. I could give up Medicaid, and actually be "allowed" more than $420 a month to live on. I mean a government job is the way to go. When I read the MI legislative journals, all that seems to be enacted on, is securing government workers futures and health, and preserving birds and battlefields. I am officially (electronically),am putting out my cardboard sign, saying, "Will move to Lansing for a government job, so I am allowed to live on more than $420 a month".

Or I could run for office. Oh yeah, you have to have money to run, and there are no elections right now. Not to pick on my local legislators, but Fred Upton's family owns Whirlpool. Sharon Tyler's family runs the only sustainable business in Niles. I swim at the Y in the Tyler swimming complex (thank you Sharon). But I'd contribute so much to "reality" of all of your decisions. I spent 3 years in Sydney, Australia, getting my masters, and can tell you from an insider point of view, a wonderful model for universal health care that exists in Australia.

My life is not supposed to be this crappy. I worked hard to achieve my successes, i.e. education and overcame enormous obstacles to do so because of my disabilities. Any of you could be in the same situation if you became ill. You all have destroyed the Freedom to Work Medicaid legislation in Michigan, and every program rewards those who have never worked or are not wanting to work, and the "system" rewards laziness. Heaven forbid, I might want to work to the best of my ability when I am able to be well enough to do so. It's a matter of pride. But I am punished in many ways, especially over the last year, for working.

And, just to let you know, I am not one of those "welfare cases" that society complains about. I have never taken any recreational drugs, smoked, drank alcohol or done anything in my life to hurt anyone else. I have repeatedly been a victim of crime, though. I don't trade my Food Stamps for crack or smokes. I followed the "rules". I used to have a good life in California, where I won a few humanitarian/human service awards before my health deteriorated.

I need help, and Michigan needs change. I am disabled..federally disabled; I am supposed to be a "protected" individual. Instead, I am treated worse than a criminal for the only "crime" of being ill and disabled. Please actually work on legislation to help me, rather than ensuring all of your futures and health. Or you are only working on legislation that helps birds and preserving battlefields. I think there are many more pressing issues right now.
Enable me to have Freedom to Work Medicaid, so I have some kind of future. If not, I am willing to travel to have that outlet for my life-supporting equipment in your offices....

Sincerely,
Laurie Alderman