What if Medical Mamas Went on Strike?

Plus: Could an expanded definition of disability hurt services? Read the news roundup for the week of Nov. 12

Nov 12, 2023

∙ Paid

A four-panel line drawing called Where is the Manual for This?! by Lenore Eklund. In the first panel, a mom watches the news while her daughter in a wheelchair plays with a bendy toy. The anchor says “With their own contract negotiated, writers are supporting actors on strike.” In the second panel, the mom is on the phone while her daughter is in the background. “What if parents of disabled children went on strike?” she says. “I mean, we are highly skilled, free labor, saving the state millions by providing medical-level care.” In the background the TV continues: Auto workers take to the picket lines.” In the third panel, another mom on the phone replies: “You know that going on strike means our kids go into foster care, right?” The mom’s son hangs in a lift system while the radio news says: “Nurses unions have authorized strikes across the country.” In the fourth panel, the first mom replies: “Good talk. Alright, back to work.” The TV news continues: “This just in: teachers will strike this week.”

We’ve all heard of moms going on strike, right? On sitcoms, the dads and kids step up (or don’t). But medical mamas (and papas) don’t have that option. Our kids will starve, hurt themselves or be traumatized if we stop work. Especially as the paid parent caregiver movement heats up, one wonders: How does this labor movement make progress?

On the second …

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