The State of Illinois has put 83 year old Felice Dworkin in a fine fix. The state’s budget ailments and slow paying habits have cut her pipeline to repairs on her wheelchair and has ended her independence.
Since her power wheelchair broke in June, Dworkin has relied on nursing home employees to push her around in a manual chair.
She has asked the repair company repeatedly to fix her chair, but the company, Mobility Systems in Hickory Hills, has refused. The reason? Her insurer, the state of Illinois, still owes Mobility Systems $2,291.12 for her previous two repairs — in November 2008 and in March.
A sad situation but not as uncommon a one as we might think. This situation is doing repeat performances in many states all over the country. It is certainly a troubling sign and likely a peek at things to come. It is made even more upsetting since these situations will likely affect vulnerable seniors more than any other population.
Why are seniors more vulnerable than the rest of us? For several reasons- As a group they have a high dependency on assistive technology for purposes of mobility, activities of daily living, and socialization. The elderly with disabilities are one of the poorest segments of society and usually are unable to self fund their way out of a tight corner. And yes, many seniors are afraid to speak out or to engage in self-advocacy.
These are tough times and all signs indicate that they will be getting tougher.
