Disabled students climb Everest for the first time in history
Plus: Sweden censured over disabled child deportation; SoonerCare benefits cut; autism-to-gaming careers; RFK Jr. sparks paid caregiving backlash; medical mom comedy show
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Just the news round-up this week but don’t forget to check out our Bingo game! Let me know you are participating and you’ll get a shout out in our special Mother’s Day edition next Sunday.
Medical Motherhood’s news round up
Snippets of news and opinion from outlets around the world. Click the links for the full story.
• From KFOR Oklahoma’s News: “Parent pushes to restore SoonerCare for her disabled children”
A Moore parent is speaking out after her disabled children’s SoonerCare benefits were abruptly terminated.
Ryan McLaughlin’s 14-year-old daughter, Lucy, and her 17-year-old son, Henry, rely on multiple daily medications.
McLaughlin says her family is able to afford the medicine and the everyday care through the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act, also known as TEFRA. The program provides SoonerCare to families with disabled children regardless of the family’s income.
Editor’s note: Read more about TEFRA and Julie and Katie Beckett’s push for this legislation in the 1980s in this 2022 issue of Medical Motherhood.
• From Disability Scoop: “Postsecondary Program To Prepare Those With Autism To Work In Video Game Industry”
A unique studio that trains people with autism to work in the movie business is expanding to a new field: video games.
Exceptional Minds says that it will launch a game arts program this fall. The four-year postsecondary program will prepare individuals on the spectrum to work as game artists and designers.
• From The New Indian Express: “21 specially-abled students from Andhra Pradesh reach Everest Base Camp”
They were told they couldn’t walk straight, couldn’t hear, couldn’t see, couldn’t dream. They were mocked with questions like “Why attempt such an expedition when you can sit at home?” and dismissed with cynicism. “Even the rich and strong fail at Everest, what can poor disabled children do?”
But on the icy slopes of Nepal, at 5,364 metres above sea level, 21 specially-abled students from Andhra Pradesh government schools turned those taunts into triumph. Their flag fluttered proudly at the Everest Base Camp — a symbol of resilience taller than the mountain itself.
Under Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA), Andhra Pradesh became the first State in the country to send a team of children with special needs (CwSN) on such an expedition. The trek, flagged off on April 15 by HRD and IT Minister Nara Lokesh, culminated in the final week of April with the team reaching the Base Camp.
Lokesh, in his congratulatory message, said, “For the first time in world history, 21 specially-abled students from our government schools have scaled Everest Base Camp. To a society that often sees disability as a barrier, your self-confidence is the strongest answer.[…]”
• From Mother Jones: “What RFK Jr. Doesn’t Get About Paid Family Care”
[…]Most states allow parents of adult children with disabilities, family members of children with disabilities, and family members of the elderly to be paid for providing attendant care.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is now saying all of this should be considered “natural supports” and unpaid labor. And the underlying rhetoric is that this labor should be provided by women.[…]
• From The San Diego Union Tribune via Disability Scoop: “Show Offers Solo Comedic Take On Being The Mom Of A Child With Autism”
A humorous take on the challenges, joys and chaos of raising a son on the autism spectrum will be presented by Megan Dolan in Poway [California] on Sunday afternoon.
[…]The 80-minute solo show with no intermission covers essentially the first year after Dolan’s son was diagnosed with autism at age 5. He is now 16.
[..]“It’s very universal,” she said, adding that the show helps create a connection by touching upon themes such as redemption and resilience while incorporating levity over the absurdity of situations at times.
“I really think it is great for a parents’ night out, and recommend it for ages 14 and up because there is some well-placed profanity, which every show about parenting needs,” she said.[…]
• From Jurist News: “Sweden censured over deportation of disabled child”
The UN Human Rights Committee determined Monday that Sweden violated the rights of a child with severe disabilities by deporting him to Albania without ensuring access to essential medical care.
The finding concerned E.B., an Albanian national diagnosed with multiple complex and life-threatening conditions, including autism, grave developmental disorder, spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, and epilepsy.
[…]In its findings, the Committee recalled that states party must refrain from deporting individuals when there are substantial grounds to believe they would face a real risk of irreparable harm in the receiving country.
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