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Post by not2peased on Jun 10, 2016 13:18:00 GMT
my family is a mix of liberal and conservative and we often have heated discussions about various issues. One thing that continues to puzzle me about the conservative viewpoint is as it relates to the cost and appropriateness of welfare programs/spending
my research shows that the cost of TANF (my numbers might not be the absolute latest and greatest) is $21B and SSI is $43.7B yet, I never hear much grumbling about the high cost of disabilty here in the US
given that so many chronic health conditions are life style related (and YES, I am fully aware that there are MANY chronic health conditions that occur due to no "fault" of an individual)generally speaking, do people have a responsibility to keep themselves as healthy as possible in order to avoid having to go on publicly funded disability? should disability be paid to people who have conditions that were caused by lifestyle? is disability a form of "welfare" in these cases? I know there are people scamming the system for both TANF and disability and I think that all of us (on both sides of the political spectrum)agree that fraud needs to be pursued.
I hear a lot of grumbles about people needing to get a job and get off welfare, but almost nothing about disability and the poor choices that led some people (SOME, NOT ALL) to end up in the disability program
thoughts?
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Post by refugeepea on Jun 10, 2016 13:21:50 GMT
given that so many chronic health conditions are life style related (and YES, I am fully aware that there are MANY chronic health conditions that occur due to no "fault" of an individual) generally speaking, I would need to see some concrete evidence to believe that as fact. I admit I'm too close to this subject. Also some disabilities are truly not visible if you don't know that person on a daily basis. |
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Post by epeanymous on Jun 10, 2016 13:22:43 GMT
I have heard quite a bit of grumbling about disability, FWIW.
To the extent that lifestyle choices lead to disability, I would think that for most people, to any extent that they are consciously making those choices, that actually wanting to not be disabled would provide enough incentive such that "also you will be homeless and unable to eat" wouldn't be providing a lot of additional incentive.
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Sarah*H
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Post by Sarah*H on Jun 10, 2016 13:29:49 GMT
It's an interesting discussion because whenever laws or regulations or programs are crafted to try to address some of these lifestyle issues (nutrition labeling, soda sizes, federal school lunch programs, anti-obesity programs like "Let's Move," many anti-smoking regulations, etc.) it's decried as evidence of the nanny state and lodged as another complaint against liberals. And yet, if our society better addressed these issues, it could have a measurable affect on lifestyle related diseases that result in disability eligibility. I mean, try to make Cookie Monster eat some broccoli instead of a chocolate chip cookie and people are outraged.
If it's a matter of expecting people to just make the right choices, well, good luck with that. (It's the age old liberal/conservative debate of the world as it is vs. the world as you'd like it to be.) And what's the alternative? Let people just die? Starve to death because of their abject poverty because they are physically unable to work? This is one of those things our society weighed in on already and determined that we aren't willing to let our citizens die from poverty even when it results from their own poor choices. There are plenty of societies where that isn't the case and we always tout ourselves as better and more enlightened than those places. But then turn around and complain endlessly about the very programs that make it so.
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Post by refugeepea on Jun 10, 2016 13:34:51 GMT
I think another thing to consider is people in poor urban areas. They have to use public transportation. There are no Trader Joes or grocery stores nearby with a good selection of healthy foods. Also, when it's a matter of even being able to buy those foods vs processed, they go with processed because it's cheaper and there's more to feed everyone.
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uksue
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Post by uksue on Jun 10, 2016 13:56:43 GMT
I think it's a hard stance to take, to take those with diseases related to lifestyle off disability .
Firstly often those with the poorest lifestyle choices may be the ones with poor education and or upbringing . I saw this all the time in my health visiting days . Some young mums had never seen a meal cooked from scratch and had no idea what a healthy diet may look like, for instance . Then there are the addictive choices like smoking, alcohol and other drugs.
Secondly , would you include those injured through a dangerous hobby such as skydiving, climbing- or a kid injured playing football or rugby? How about car accidents? You choose to drive, you may cause the accident yourself unintentionally but still be deemed at fault.
Obviously our welfare and disability system is different here in the UK but the principles and dilemma is comparable .
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Post by not2peased on Jun 10, 2016 13:58:48 GMT
to be clear-I am not making any assumptions about whether someone I see or know is "truly" disabled, or whether their disability is life style related, nor am I suggesting that anyone try and make that assumption about anyone else. I am also not talking about people who are gaming the system. we all know that a small percentage of both programs have people who are taking advantage. I am also very aware of the barriers that exist that prevent some folks from being healthy/pursuing a healthy lifestyle...but don't barriers exist re: employment of the poor? I hear a lot about working 3 jobs if you "have" to, and bootstrapping your way through extreme poverty without welfare, yet NONE of that when it comes to a healthy lifestyle.
all the talk and memes I see about "lazy" people not working and collecting welfare, with seemingly no sympathy provided for people's whose life situation makes it hard, if not impossible, to work (kids they have to care for, with no access to daycare)no transportation options for a job,limited intellectual capacity, etc. yet the disability program (IME)rarely gets any of the same backlash. why arent their memes and more grumbles about people whose lifestyle choices led to their disability? why do they get a "free pass" so to speak on collecting an entitlement? why do so many not consider it an entitlement?
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Sarah*H
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Post by Sarah*H on Jun 10, 2016 14:02:49 GMT
I see more posts about the disability system than I do about welfare these days. I have a lot of friends who are EMTs and it's a regular complaint about the people they pick up. Lots of snide comments about how it must be nice to sit on your ass all day and live off the government just because you're obese and similar sentiments.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Jun 10, 2016 14:04:27 GMT
my family is a mix of liberal and conservative and we often have heated discussions about various issues. One thing that continues to puzzle me about the conservative viewpoint is as it relates to the cost and appropriateness of welfare programs/spending my research shows that the cost of TANF (my numbers might not be the absolute latest and greatest) is $21B and SSI is $43.7B yet, I never hear much grumbling about the high cost of disabilty here in the US given that so many chronic health conditions are life style related (and YES, I am fully aware that there are MANY chronic health conditions that occur due to no "fault" of an individual)generally speaking, do people have a responsibility to keep themselves as healthy as possible in order to avoid having to go on publicly funded disability? should disability be paid to people who have conditions that were caused by lifestyle? is disability a form of "welfare" in these cases? I know there are people scamming the system for both TANF and disability and I think that all of us (on both sides of the political spectrum)agree that fraud needs to be pursued. I hear a lot of grumbles about people needing to get a job and get off welfare, but almost nothing about disability and the poor choices that led some people (SOME, NOT ALL) to end up in the disability program thoughts? This is a good point. I am a firm believer that the majority of the chronic health problems that people have are related to lifestyle (eating poor food--through our own choices as well as the systemic destruction of our food sources), lack of exercise, other environmental issues. That includes mental health issues, cancer, autoimmune issues, chronic pain, etc. Of course those diseases would not go completely away if our food sources changed and there were no/fewer chemicals in the environment, but I strongly believe they can be greatly reduced. Pesticides have been found in rain water, cord blood, and in the systems of adults and kids. Why is nobody looking to that as a cause for autism or other health issues? That is just one example of environmental problems that we have that are most likely causing health issues for many people. As it is, we are going to have to figure out who is going to support the growing number of people who today would likely qualify for disability due to autism and other chronic health issues. |
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Post by ntsf on Jun 10, 2016 14:04:48 GMT
ssdi pays so poorly and is hard to obtain... I am pursuing this for my disabled adult child..and the pay is not enough to rent a room in our town.. it actually should be doubled and she would still be very very poor and barely able to live independently.
there are so many factors..I don't think we can solve this without structural changes..like free preschool.. maternal leave for mothers, more public health support..etc. we are worse than a third world country when it comes to supporting healthy families. it costs us in the long run.. but no one wants to pay decent taxes
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Post by not2peased on Jun 10, 2016 14:05:02 GMT
I see more posts about people gaming the disability system than I do about welfare these days. I have a lot of friends who are EMTs and it's a regular complaint about the people they pick up. I do hear grumbles about people gaming the system (both welfare and disability) what I don't hear is the bootstrap type of comments that I OFTEN hear about welfare re: people who are in fact, disabled, but got that way from a chronic disease/condition that could have been avoided by healthstyle choices. it seems odd to me, to be honest and one more way the poor are villified in a way that other groups are not |
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uksue
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Post by uksue on Jun 10, 2016 14:09:46 GMT
Here in the UK there IS a lot of press and grumbling about people on disability . You frequently see newspaper stories about people 'caught' defrauding the system ( filmed playing football or walking without a stick fur example) and there are always thousands of outraged comments underneath these articles online . When the government tries to implement new methods of weeding out the fraudsters the disability support groups go wild.
Those who receive disability for being grossly overweight seem to attract the most criticism - which I feel just outlines the general prejudice that this group often experiences ie it's ok to criticise the obese person but not a smoker or drinker who has given themselves heart disease or cancer !
I think this whole issue is beginning to heat up and many people are starting to pose the questions you have .
My youngest gets disability as he is autistic , and I even had one of his therapists comment that she couldn't believe I had 'managed' to get DLA for him. This was someone who is supposed to know the regulations and be helping and advising other families with children with special needs. Fact is, I have to submit reports and doctors letters to apply for this payment . I would much prefer he wasn't disadvantaged by his disorder than receive the payment !
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uksue
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Post by uksue on Jun 10, 2016 14:14:30 GMT
I see more posts about people gaming the disability system than I do about welfare these days. I have a lot of friends who are EMTs and it's a regular complaint about the people they pick up. I do hear grumbles about people gaming the system (both welfare and disability) what I don't hear is the bootstrap type of comments that I OFTEN hear about welfare re: people who are in fact, disabled, but got that way from a chronic disease/condition that could have been avoided by healthstyle choices. it seems odd to me, to be honest and one more way the poor are villified in a way that other groups are not I see what you mean and have witnessed this first hand. Here in the UK the largest proportion of children on DLA are from poor backgrounds , often they have multiple children. These families receive far more criticism ie I have heard comments like 'knocking out another disabled kid for the money ' where a middle class family with several children , with one or two on DLA wouldn't be criticised in the same way. ETA sorry about the typos, I'm on my phone . |
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Post by not2peased on Jun 10, 2016 14:19:28 GMT
Here in the UK there IS a lot of press and grumbling about people in disability . You frequently see newspaper stories about people 'caught' defrauding the system ( filmed playing football or walking without a stick fur example) and there are always thousands of outraged comments underneath these articles online . When the government tries to implement new methods of weeding out the rraudsters the disability support groups go wild. Those who receive disability for being grossly overweight seem to attract the most criticism - which I feel just outlines the general prejudice that this group often experiences ie it's ok to criticise the obese person but not a smoker or drinker who has given themselves heart disease or cancer ! I think this whole issue is beginning to heat up and many people are starting to pose the questions you have . My youngest gets disability as he is autistic , and I even had one of his therapists comment that she couldn't believe I had 'managed' to get DLA for him. This was someone who is supposed to know the regulations and be helping and advising other families with children with special needs. Fact is, I have to submit reports and doctors letters to apply for this payment . I would much prefer he wasn't disadvantaged by his disorder than receive the payment ! I have a FB friend in Wales, and I have seen quite a bit re: the complex issue of disability and fraud being played out in the UK on her FB page. I think it's an incredibly tough issue all around. Personally, here in the US, I'd like to see more assistance being offered to get people off disability and/or keep them off disability altogether by getting people more access to healthcare and healthy lifestyle programs. I'd also like to see the medical community push much more lifestyle changes than the handing out of medication. I am not saying that welfare and disability programs shouldn't exist. they should, and there are people whose very lives depend on these programs. |
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Post by miominmio on Jun 10, 2016 14:56:02 GMT
A lot of those critisising people on disability, seems to believe that if you eat healthy, exercise, get an education etc etc....you won't become disabled. While it is true that people in lower socio-economic classes have a higher percentage of recipients, it comes (partly) from the fact that if you work two jobs, you don't have time to cook super-healthy meals from scratch (and you might live in an area were that food is difficult to find, or you just can't afford it). A person without much education, will most likely have a more physical demanding job (doctors and lawyers often work for years after others retire....not because they have made better choices, but because others might not have had the oppotunity to make the same choices).
And the criticism often comes with the "I'm better than you" attitude, and also with the firm belief that there is no chance that those who criticise will ever get sick or injured. They believe that those on disability are lazy (and they themselves aren't lazy, so that must mean they are guaranteed not to end up on disability, doesn't it?), that they are somehow lesser human beings, and if only the payments are so small that it is impossible to live on them, people will be "encouraged" to work. Because, you know, they are not REALLY sick, they are just lazy.
A good education and job, healthy choices etc, doesn't guarantee that you will be healthy (nor is it a guarantee that your children will be born healthy), EVERYONE can get a debilitating illness.
And when it comes to cost: In my country (with a (compared to the US) generous welfare system), it has been estimated that disability fraud is less than 1% of the yearly tax evation. And yet, the criticism f those who don't pay their taxes, is virtually non-existent.
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uksue
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Post by uksue on Jun 10, 2016 15:32:21 GMT
deleted due to double post
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uksue
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Post by uksue on Jun 10, 2016 15:35:30 GMT
Here in the UK there IS a lot of press and grumbling about people in disability . You frequently see newspaper stories about people 'caught' defrauding the system ( filmed playing football or walking without a stick fur example) and there are always thousands of outraged comments underneath these articles online . When the government tries to implement new methods of weeding out the rraudsters the disability support groups go wild. Those who receive disability for being grossly overweight seem to attract the most criticism - which I feel just outlines the general prejudice that this group often experiences ie it's ok to criticise the obese person but not a smoker or drinker who has given themselves heart disease or cancer ! I think this whole issue is beginning to heat up and many people are starting to pose the questions you have . My youngest gets disability as he is autistic , and I even had one of his therapists comment that she couldn't believe I had 'managed' to get DLA for him. This was someone who is supposed to know the regulations and be helping and advising other families with children with special needs. Fact is, I have to submit reports and doctors letters to apply for this payment . I would much prefer he wasn't disadvantaged by his disorder than receive the payment ! I have a FB friend in Wales, and I have seen quite a bit re: the complex issue of disability and fraud being played out in the UK on her FB page. I think it's an incredibly tough issue all around. Personally, here in the US, I'd like to see more assistance being offered to get people off disability and/or keep them off disability altogether by getting people more access to healthcare and healthy lifestyle programs. I'd also like to see the medical community push much more lifestyle changes than the handing out of medication. I am not saying that welfare and disability programs shouldn't exist. they should, and there are people whose very lives depend on these programs. My job used to be monitoring, educating and informing young families. I used to run cooking groups where I talked about healthy meals, budgeting, brought foods in that they had never tried before ( some of them had never tasted salad unless in a Macdonalds , or broccoli for example  ) I at one time ran an after school club where I would have the children help to prepare,cook and try healthy meal options. It was on a housing estate with a terrible reputation, the families were dirt poor etc. The sessions I ran were so popular I had a waiting list. The families were starting to turn towards healthier food options ( there was a limit to what some could achieve- several only had a two ring electric hob, for instance.) I was stopped from carrying on as I was told it was 'outside my job description '. I left for a while to look after my son and then due to having cancer twice, and tried to go back about 4 years ago. There is NO primary preventative work being undertaken now in the area I work and live. My job would just have been trecking from one child protection conference to another. After 3 months I couldn't stomach it and I left. I like the analogy of people falling into a river and drowning: we should be stopping them from falling in in the first place, not pulling them out and resuscitating them! |
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craftykitten
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Jun 26, 2014 7:39:32 GMT
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Post by craftykitten on Jun 10, 2016 16:03:22 GMT
I have a FB friend in Wales, and I have seen quite a bit re: the complex issue of disability and fraud being played out in the UK on her FB page. I think it's an incredibly tough issue all around. Personally, here in the US, I'd like to see more assistance being offered to get people off disability and/or keep them off disability altogether by getting people more access to healthcare and healthy lifestyle programs. I'd also like to see the medical community push much more lifestyle changes than the handing out of medication. I am not saying that welfare and disability programs shouldn't exist. they should, and there are people whose very lives depend on these programs. My job used to be monitoring, educating and informing young families. I used to run cooking groups where I talked about healthy meals, budgeting, brought foods in that they had never tried before ( some of them had never tasted salad unless in a Macdonalds , or broccoli for example ) I at one time ran an after school club where I would have the children help to prepare,cook and try healthy meal options. It was on a housing estate with a terrible reputation, the families were dirt poor etc. The sessions I ran were so popular I had a waiting list. The families were starting to turn towards healthier food options ( there was a limit to what some could achieve- several only had a two ring electric hob, for instance.) I was stopped from carrying on as I was told it was 'outside my job description '. I left for a while to look after my son and then due to having cancer twice, and tried to go back about 4 years ago. There is NO primary preventative work being undertaken now in the area I work and live. My job would just have been trecking from one child protection conference to another. After 3 months I couldn't stomach it and I left. I like the analogy of people falling into a river and drowning: we should be stopping them from falling in in the first place, not pulling them out and resuscitating them! I like your analogy Sue. Sadly this is exactly the kind of work that is being cut all over the place. The govt seem to think that it will all happen by itself, but as you know it takes a massive, sustained effort to work with some of these families and help them change their lives. not2peased, I don't think in the UK we have the distinction between welfare/disability that maybe you have in the USA. But I would argue that it's not as simple as a chronic health condition being lifestyle-related or not. There are so many other factors (poverty/education/social situation/opportunities) that are involved. I think there has been a move here in the UK recently to get people 'off disability' and 'back to work'. And what we have seen is that the most vulnerable are marginalised, persecuted and in some cases hounded to the point of taking their own lives. People with genuine, non-lifestyle related (not that it even matters IMHO) permanent conditions like multiple sclerosis are being denied support and told they are 'fit to work'. Then they lose the very small benefits that enable them to lead normal, independent lives. Many people who have a disability WANT to work, but either physically can't, or it is just too difficult because they need more support. There will always be people who 'play' the system (and trust me, I've seen a lot, like uksue I've worked with some groups in really deprived areas). But I would rather support EVERYONE, knowing that means that there are the odd few who probably shouldn't get it, rather than have a harsh system that pushes people into looking for work when it's not appropriate. I also think that the idea of 'benefit scroungers' is something that is perpetuated by the media as a means of dividing society against each other. Because if we are fighting over people getting less than £100 a week when maybe they shouldn't, we are not looking at the bigger evils that are being perpetuated by governments and corporations. Oh, and, another thing. If, as @iamkristin says, so many diseases are 'lifestyle related' and you include environmental factors in this - we don't get a choice about the air we breathe, or the water we drink, or the pesticides that are in the food we consume. Those are things that we trust our governments to take care of. Anyone who has a chronic condition (and this hits close to home because I had cancer at 26) already feels bad enough about what they are going through without the benefit/welfare system looking to place 'blame' for any of it. |
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craftykitten
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Post by craftykitten on Jun 10, 2016 16:10:36 GMT
Oh, here's another thought (sorry, topic near and dear to me!)
The UK government LOST £1.2 billion to benefit fraud in 2013-14. This is 0.7% of the total benefit spending.
The UK government SAVED £1.5 billion in benefits that people were entitled to, but didn't claim.
The 'Tax gap' - money lost to the state from people not paying as much tax as they should - was £34 billion.
Obviously, you're in a different country with a different situation. But I strongly believe that we are focusing our efforts to save money in the wrong place.
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Post by gmcwife1 on Jun 10, 2016 17:57:51 GMT
I see more posts about people gaming the disability system than I do about welfare these days. I have a lot of friends who are EMTs and it's a regular complaint about the people they pick up. I do hear grumbles about people gaming the system (both welfare and disability) what I don't hear is the bootstrap type of comments that I OFTEN hear about welfare re: people who are in fact, disabled, but got that way from a chronic disease/condition that could have been avoided by healthstyle choices. it seems odd to me, to be honest and one more way the poor are villified in a way that other groups are not Some of it might be that people don't see or know that someone is on disablity. I know three people on disablity. Two of them are for back issues, one broke her back lifting a microwave out of her trunk. She has had a few surgeries and now lives in constant pain. The other person has had more surgeries than I can count, she even had some device implanted in her back and she has been in so much pain she has battled drug addiction for pain meds. It took her years to get her disablilty approved. The third person left the Navy on disablity. Other than knowing these people personally I don't think people would 'know' they are on disablity. So it seems to be more under the radar then in the public eye. Though I often see shows on TV looking for fraud and cheaters. |
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Deleted
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Oct 7, 2024 11:22:08 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2016 18:18:59 GMT
I mean if you wanna carry the personal responsibility concept so far...anyone who willingly gets into a car then gets into a car wreck, could be held responsible for their own actions.
I have a friend in the hospital right now with E. coli, apparently from spinach. Are we going to blame her for eating a "healthy" salad?
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Deleted
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Oct 7, 2024 11:22:08 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2016 18:19:41 GMT
I'll admit I didn't have time to read through all the posts. SSI Disability is a God send to my non verbal autistic son who is 26 years old. Honestly, in my experience since there are no lobbyists who lobby on behalf of his population, that is one of the first places that there are cuts. My son was "lucky" in the respect that when he graduated high school there was a budget for him to use for a day program. The last two years of graduates have received $0 in my state...its deplorable. He also receives a small amount of SSI, that is no where near enough to support him, so his father and I gladly do.....
Wish they would fix the broken systems.....
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basketdiva
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Post by basketdiva on Jun 10, 2016 18:44:15 GMT
This is a good point. I am a firm believer that the majority of the chronic health problems that people have are related to lifestyle (eating poor food--through our own choices as well as the systemic destruction of our food sources), lack of exercise, other environmental issues. That includes mental health issues, cancer, autoimmune issues, chronic pain, etc. Of course those diseases would not go completely away if our food sources changed and there were no/fewer chemicals in the environment, but I strongly believe they can be greatly reduced. Pesticides have been found in rain water, cord blood, and in the systems of adults and kids. Why is nobody looking to that as a cause for autism or other health issues? That is just one example of environmental problems that we have that are most likely causing health issues for many people. As it is, we are going to have to figure out who is going to support the growing number of people who today would likely qualify for disability due to autism and other chronic health issues.
I disagree with this. Your belief does not take into account genetics. Many diseases are caused by genetic factors. Sure eating a healthy diet can help alleviate symtoms and maybe put a disease into remission but won't cure many diseases. My RA will never go away and it was not caused by an unhealthy lifestyle.
Lack of proper medical care causes simple curable diseases to escalate. ACA was to be the answer to that-unfortunately it is not at this time.
At the same time, too many people find a doctor or lawyer that is willing to say a person is disabled and can not join the work force. People tried to get me to go disability for my RA. I found that while some days were tiring and painful, I felt much better going to work instead of sitting around the house.
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Post by not2peased on Jun 10, 2016 19:24:03 GMT
This is a good point. I am a firm believer that the majority of the chronic health problems that people have are related to lifestyle (eating poor food--through our own choices as well as the systemic destruction of our food sources), lack of exercise, other environmental issues. That includes mental health issues, cancer, autoimmune issues, chronic pain, etc. Of course those diseases would not go completely away if our food sources changed and there were no/fewer chemicals in the environment, but I strongly believe they can be greatly reduced. Pesticides have been found in rain water, cord blood, and in the systems of adults and kids. Why is nobody looking to that as a cause for autism or other health issues? That is just one example of environmental problems that we have that are most likely causing health issues for many people. As it is, we are going to have to figure out who is going to support the growing number of people who today would likely qualify for disability due to autism and other chronic health issues.I disagree with this. Your belief does not take into account genetics. Many diseases are caused by genetic factors. Sure eating a healthy diet can help alleviate symtoms and maybe put a disease into remission but won't cure many diseases. My RA will never go away and it was not caused by an unhealthy lifestyle. Lack of proper medical care causes simple curable diseases to escalate. ACA was to be the answer to that-unfortunately it is not at this time. At the same time, too many people find a doctor or lawyer that is willing to say a person is disabled and can not join the work force. People tried to get me to go disability for my RA. I found that while some days were tiring and painful, I felt much better going to work instead of sitting around the house. I am surprised anyone would continue to debate this. even back in 2002 the World Health Organization noted that physical inactivity is one of the leading causes of death and disability. there are numerous sources of information that show the link between lifestyle choices and chronic illness and disease. I was very careful to note that not all disease is lifestyle related-and that many diseases chronic conditions just happen-through no fault of the person getting sick |
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pridemom
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Post by pridemom on Jun 10, 2016 20:03:45 GMT
This is a good point. I am a firm believer that the majority of the chronic health problems that people have are related to lifestyle (eating poor food--through our own choices as well as the systemic destruction of our food sources), lack of exercise, other environmental issues. That includes mental health issues, cancer, autoimmune issues, chronic pain, etc. Of course those diseases would not go completely away if our food sources changed and there were no/fewer chemicals in the environment, but I strongly believe they can be greatly reduced. Pesticides have been found in rain water, cord blood, and in the systems of adults and kids. Why is nobody looking to that as a cause for autism or other health issues? That is just one example of environmental problems that we have that are most likely causing health issues for many people. As it is, we are going to have to figure out who is going to support the growing number of people who today would likely qualify for disability due to autism and other chronic health issues.I disagree with this. Your belief does not take into account genetics. Many diseases are caused by genetic factors. Sure eating a healthy diet can help alleviate symtoms and maybe put a disease into remission but won't cure many diseases. My RA will never go away and it was not caused by an unhealthy lifestyle. Lack of proper medical care causes simple curable diseases to escalate. ACA was to be the answer to that-unfortunately it is not at this time. At the same time, too many people find a doctor or lawyer that is willing to say a person is disabled and can not join the work force. People tried to get me to go disability for my RA. I found that while some days were tiring and painful, I felt much better going to work instead of sitting around the house. I am surprised anyone would continue to debate this. even back in 2002 the World Health Organization noted that physical inactivity is one of the leading causes of death and disability. there are numerous sources of information that show the link between lifestyle choices and chronic illness and disease. I was very careful to note that not all disease is lifestyle related-and that many diseases chronic conditions just happen-through no fault of the person getting sick Many, not all. My Juvenile RA is genetic. It started by age five for me. To say I made lifestyle choices to cause my genetic autoimmune disease is insulting and insensitive. Two month old babies get this and they certainly aren't acquire this due to lifestyle choices. Damn, this stuff pisses me off. Do you preach this stuff to people with cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and multiple sclerosis? For the record, I work and have always worked. In college I worked two full time jobs during the summer. But I don't know how long I will be able to work full time. If I have to eventually apply for disability, I won't tell anyone because of the judgmental attitudes and ignorance above. |
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Post by not2peased on Jun 10, 2016 20:10:22 GMT
I am surprised anyone would continue to debate this. even back in 2002 the World Health Organization noted that physical inactivity is one of the leading causes of death and disability. there are numerous sources of information that show the link between lifestyle choices and chronic illness and disease. I was very careful to note that not all disease is lifestyle related-and that many diseases chronic conditions just happen-through no fault of the person getting sick Many, not all. My Juvenile RA is genetic. It started by age five for me. To say I made lifestyle choices to cause my genetic autoimmune disease is insulting and insensitive. Two month old babies get this and they certainly aren't acquire this due to lifestyle choices. Damn, this stuff pisses me off. Do you preach this stuff to people with cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and multiple sclerosis? For the record, I work and have always worked. In college I worked two full time jobs during the summer. But I don't know how long I will be able to work full time. If I have to eventually apply for disability, I won't tell anyone because of the judgmental attitudes and ignorance above. did you even read what I wrote on this thread?  ? no one has said or implied that anyone's individual disability is lifestyle related and I went to VERY great pains to communicate that I realize that there are many causes of disability that are not lifestyle related. if the scenarios outlined in this thread don't apply to you....then they don't apply to you-don't look for an insult or dig that simply doesn't exist. |
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Post by elaine on Jun 10, 2016 20:33:41 GMT
My son's osteogenesis Imperfecta (brittle bone disease) is caused by a genetic defect. There is no cure, just as there is no cure for Down Syndrome.
Both of my boys have Autism - diagnosed by 3 years old. I don't think exercise and diet caused it - again, there is a genetic component to the disorder.
I have Graves Disease, even though I eat well and exercise. It was under remission, as a matter of fact, until I started running half-marathons and then it became active again and attacked my eyes. My eyes and vision will never be the same again. If anything, I worry that the physical stress that long distance running put on my body is what may have triggered the autoimmune disease again.
FWIW, I think there is plenty of grumbling about Disability. Maybe because you aren't applying for it, nor receiving it, you don't pay as much attention as others do. I have gone through multiple interviews and filled out a mound of paperwork and we are now on a looong waiting list and will be lucky if my son actually receives Medicaid money in 2-5 years to help us cover the costs for treatment and respite care, and have been told it would probably 7-10 years.
I guess the big question is why do we need to complain and grumble and point fingers at people who need social assistance, regardless of the cause (health or poverty or both)? Wouldn't that energy be better spent finding ways to help alleviate '"food deserts" in inner cities? Better spent making preventative health and dental care readily available to the poor?
Michelle Obama has been vilified for her healthy kids initiatives- focusing on diet and exercise for kids. I am thinking that there are some people out there - not all, mind you - who would rather complain than actually DO something.
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basketdiva
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,649
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Post by basketdiva on Jun 10, 2016 21:16:11 GMT
Yes I read your posts and while your first post did say
given that so many chronic health conditions are life style related (and YES, I am fully aware that there are MANY chronic health conditions that occur due to no "fault" of an individual)
your 2nd post negated that (at least in my mind)
I am a firm believer that the majority of the chronic health problems that people have are related to lifestyle (eating poor food--through our own choices as well as the systemic destruction of our food sources), lack of exercise, other environmental issues. That includes mental health issues, cancer, autoimmune issues, chronic pain, etc.
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Post by not2peased on Jun 10, 2016 21:41:55 GMT
Yes I read your posts and while your first post did say given that so many chronic health conditions are life style related (and YES, I am fully aware that there are MANY chronic health conditions that occur due to no "fault" of an individual)your 2nd post negated that (at least in my mind) I am a firm believer that the majority of the chronic health problems that people have are related to lifestyle (eating poor food--through our own choices as well as the systemic destruction of our food sources), lack of exercise, other environmental issues. That includes mental health issues, cancer, autoimmune issues, chronic pain, etc. I never said what you are attributing to me above |
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pridemom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,843
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Post by pridemom on Jun 10, 2016 22:47:54 GMT
Yes I read your posts and while your first post did say given that so many chronic health conditions are life style related (and YES, I am fully aware that there are MANY chronic health conditions that occur due to no "fault" of an individual)your 2nd post negated that (at least in my mind) I am a firm believer that the majority of the chronic health problems that people have are related to lifestyle (eating poor food--through our own choices as well as the systemic destruction of our food sources), lack of exercise, other environmental issues. That includes mental health issues, cancer, autoimmune issues, chronic pain, etc. That was posted by iamkristinl16. |
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) I at one time ran an after school club where I would have the children help to prepare,cook and try healthy meal options. It was on a housing estate with a terrible reputation, the families were dirt poor etc. The sessions I ran were so popular I had a waiting list. The families were starting to turn towards healthier food options ( there was a limit to what some could achieve- several only had a two ring electric hob, for instance.)
? no one has said or implied that anyone's individual disability is lifestyle related and I went to VERY great pains to communicate that I realize that there are many causes of disability that are not lifestyle related.
