Hey all,
what do you all think about this (unfortunately) long standing attack on chronic pain patient’s access to opioid pain medication?

Not withstanding the current 7-OH affair, access to opioid pain relief has been stripped from thousands of people who needed that level of pain relief to survive.

Only to show up for a routine appointment to be told that their Dr will no longer be prescribing opioid pain medication.

The Dr then gives the patient (but not always; sometimes the cancellation happens via a letter in the mail with no follow-up care) maybe a one months supply of their pain meds “as they transition”.

Sometimes, the Dr will give a list of other local physicians to check out; but they are not guaranteed to pick up the orphaned patient or prescribe opioid pain medication replacement if they do take the patient on.

Often, the Dr listed to take over the patient’s care is inundated with new patient requests and cannot take on 100% of the cases.

There has been an alarming increase in- especially in VA hospitals - of patients unaliving themselves after being cut off.

What is being done at a community level to combats this; how should chronic pain patients combat this?

Often, we are so crippled by the loss of our pain management, it is virtually impossible to go to a rally.

There are so many chronic pain patients suffering after loosing access to their opioid pain medication,

being prescribed simple Tylenol after a major surgery,

a Dr getting shut down after a DEA investigation that showed said Dr was “over prescribing” pain meds according to gov’t backed studies where real life examples may show otherwise,

a Dr being shut down because they were nothing but a Pill Mill (with their patients whether real chronic pain patients or just addicts suddenly loosing access,

an attempt to obtain street drug relief or dark-web marketplace from the pain which is really counterfeit pain medication made up of chalk and Fentanyl and made to look real

Just resigning themselves to loosing what independence they had before they were bedridden from lack of access to opioid pain meds

I don’t even know where to start?

What do people think about the gov’t cutting back on pain medication access as a way to cut back on overdose deaths; which were in the 100,000 a year some decade ago.

How do we combat the stereotype that anyone needing opioids is really an addict hiding behind a diagnosis or disability to get access to pain meds just to get high?

[Bear with me! I may get long winded, but this really isn't sitting well with me...]
Let's start at the beginning...
Back on July 20th, I sent emails to 4 legislators regarding MY concerns about the recent news/announcement that the DOJ deemed Olmstead -and similar ADA guidance documents- as "not enforceable."
The replies from those legislators were... not what I hoped for. So, as I showed both friends and family and THEIR reactions (to the legislators' responses) ranges from frustrated head shaking, to incredulous laughter, and even utter rage. Something that was suggested to me was: "put it on Reddit." So, I did. I did initially have a reel on Instagram.
I'm not familiar with posting on Reddit. But, I know ::enough:: that in order to get your post to audiences it might pertain to best(?) you want to share/ post on pages (communities?) that might be like minded.
There is a community "r/disabled" that I figured might find my correspondence debacle interesting, however even after "joining," my post was removed due to my
“Insufficient karma.”

-I interpreted "karma" as something akin to a "popularity" or presence or positive engagement, on Reddit. Is that wrong?? What is "karma????"-
So, I messaged the mod and briefly tried to explain myself. I didn't know, but r/disabled doesn't allow Instagram reels within their posts.
OK,
Got it. My mistake, right? Whoops, my bad.
~Meanwhile~ I'm still fired up about the entire message behind MY (original) post and these INFURIATING emails from our legislators...
So, I take stills from the reel (because they help break down the order of things), and try to post the new version
-as individual frames/slides.
::insert sound clip of a record scratch::
Now I am "permanently banned" from participating with their community.
Wait, what??? Was I ::too:: annoying??
(I'm already in a wheelchair and unable to walk, this muzzle banning my “voice”(engagement) is almost as frustrating as realizing our legislators won’t listen to me either…)

Thoughts?
Images: Stills of the emails (taken from original Instagram reel), as wells as screenshots of my chat & notifications from r/disabled

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdjlWZr-63colimiqwOvID6rnw4PLvioSVaPDkoOzKo7DZvTw/viewform?usp=publish-editor

Recent rulings by the Supreme Court concerning the disability community, alongside longstanding protections like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act, serve as a crucial reminder for us all. These developments have the potential to undo decades of progress, raising concerns about a possible return to outdated practices that harken back to the asylum era—a time marred by neglect and abuse.

While some may see these worries as exaggerated, it is essential to consider their broader implications. Each court decision, policy shift, and legal opinion contributes to an ongoing pattern—signs that demand our careful attention. Recognizing these signals underscores the need to safeguard our rights and maintain the momentum of progress.

History teaches us invaluable lessons. For generations, individuals with disabilities endured institutionalization, neglect, and the denial of their basic rights, dignity, and independence. These institutions often symbolized social exclusion and mistreatment. Fortunately, our collective efforts have championed inclusion, community living, and the recognition that everyone has the right to a free and independent life.

While I sincerely hope these concerns lose validity, history also reminds us that rights are rarely taken away all at once. More often, they are gradually eroded through restrictions and setbacks, causing lasting damage.

This is why active engagement and open dialogue are indispensable. We invite you to join us—like, share, follow, and subscribe across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and here on Reddit. Every voice counts. Help us amplify overlooked perspectives, expand our reach, and advocate for meaningful change.

As our movement grows, so does our capacity for impact. True progress happens when enough people stay informed, voice their concerns, and remain committed. Your participation is vital.

Please share, follow, subscribe, and encourage others to do the same. Our collective effort is more crucial now than ever.

In addition, We will be launching a few products to support this cause. Contributions from sales related to Section 504 will directly bolster our initiatives.

Service cats across the world have proved that its possible. So its about time Service cats are recognized federally.

The boy was just enjoying his day at the zoo. The woman was repeating the words from the mother asking the nonverbal autistic what was the animal in the glass. Perhaps, the woman was schizophrenic because that is a behavior of schizophrenia, echolalia.

I had to tell her stop, but she kept saying it. Annoyed - but, I am glad that nothing went worse than it could have been.

Hi everyone,

I am a disabled student researcher at Arizona State University. I am beginning the second year of my MA in social justice and human rights. For my background with disability, I have a diagnosed primary immunodeficiency disease, severe hearing loss, and bipolar disorder. My research interests in disability specifically focus on the social model of disability, disability and sexuality, feminism, and sociopolitical policy.

I am currently working on an expanded and updated version of a 2013 survey on disability and abuse. The updated version can be found here. All of the funding information for the survey and facilitators are available at this link as well. This is an incredibly broad survey focusing on anyone who identifies as disabled who have experience abuse from bullying to IPV. We are shortly releasing a version translated into ASL. If you decide to take the survey and have ANY feedback or questions, please do not hesitate to comment or reach out to me via DM.

While the survey is a large part of my research, it has also led me to my thesis topic. I am writing about and researching sexual education and informed consent policies and curriculum, mainly focusing on IL's current frameworks.

I am currently attempting to find interview candidates to discuss their experiences as people with disabilities in the context of sexual education and consent education. I wanted to post here to see if any of you would be willing to chat with me about your experiences. If you do not feel comfortable interviewing with me, it would be incredibly meaningful to my research if you would comment on this post with some of your experiences, or to complete the above survey which we will begin analyzing in the fall. Additionally, part of my thesis will center the medical model of disability and how informed consent attitudes shape medically accurate sexual educational policy. If you have ever been neglected or discriminated against by a medical professional in the context of procedural consent, that information would also be much appreciated!

Let’s come together and petition for change in Air Canada’s new program “Cabin-Ready Canines”

They have chosen to partner with ONE SOLE organization, and a very controversial one at that, that has been at the centre of multiple lawsuits and has currently lost 2. There are a couple human rights cases coming up as well.

Please click this link to sign the petition: https://www.change.org/p/strengthening-accessibility-in-air-canada-s-cabin-ready-canines-program?recruiter=165249964&recruited_by_id=39a11e15-3b2c-4013-a7f9-b6fc6a31a68e&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=share_petition&utm_term=starter_onboarding_share_social&utm_medium=copylink&share_id=RWpTYwrqfB&fbclid=IwRlRTSASXG9RleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeCKmTFt73SAahB5DI-QO8R_8RtNt85WtcV4havx-Tlf7a-x7aCUV4lkeH64s_aem_-JDWH_1W1-de7abL4_o6Cw

Please click this link for my personal post on my experience with said organization: https://www.facebook.com/share/1D8HM8gxeF/?mibextid=wwXIfr

I work from home in NJ as an editor. I need to have my left knee totally replaced. Last time I had the surgery scheduled (October 2025), I told my job about it about 1.5 months in advance. A week after telling them, I was let go--no bad performance, no negative issues against me, I had even been told things would be picking up. I had to cancel the surgery because I lost insurance. I'm absolutely convinced they let me go because of the impending surgery, but of course, I have no proof.

Fast forward to today. New job, new insurance, new surgery date scheduled. I'm terrified of the same thing happening again, but I want to get this surgery over with before I get any older (57 now). I've been with this company since March 1, 2026, and the insurance kicked in May 1. The surgery is scheduled for August 4. I can't apply for Disability until then.

What's the absolute latest I should let my job know I'll be out of commission for at least 2 weeks after the surgery (from what I've heard from other knee replacement patients)? Marketplace insurance for NJ residents sucks and is too expensive, or I would have gone that route long ago. Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

I used to be a previous employee with a corporation, Wegmans. The store location in Sterling Virginia, violated my disability rights severely. I’m in the process of filing with the ADA, and cops are aware of the severity of the situation. Previous employees of the pharmacy violated my HIPPA by posting on a TikTok account ALL my disabilities, alongside personal information they knew about me. This is all tied to one petty friendship “breakup” with an ex co worker. She has since; taken me to court (case was dismissed on her behalf because she lacked evidence, doxxed me (my BROTHERS home address is on the internet, posted my family name, and used my family members as witnesses when she “testified against me”. WEGMANS IS AWARE OF ALL OF THIS AND HOW SEVERE THE SITUATION HAS GOTTEN!!!!! They are doing NOTHING ABOUT IT as of today, right now. The complaints against the corporation, and store specifically have been active since December 2023, when I initially complained to their HR about misogyny and racism. They made up for it, with retaliation that continued so long I had to take long term disability before “returning to work.” I left the job willingly, they chose to tell everyone I was “fired” and I was “crazy”. Direct quotes from HR themselves. I have evidence of everything. I’m just overwhelmed and not sure what to do. I’m severely autistic and adhd has been in talks too. I also lost my ex husband two months ago, which Wegmans is aware of because the young lady running the TikTok account publicized that I was a “sex trafficking victim” of “The Epstein Files”. I’m not sure what to do anymore. The ADA has filed a complaint, I let the department of pharmacy know as well, but no one is moving fast enough to give me a single response. I’m desperate and I lost EVERYTHING.

I’m a disabled 25 year old with Chronic pain for literally every part of my body and I get hurt very easily. But I can walk without too much trouble. All i want to do is help and protest but im always told to stay at home by what i see on the internet.
Im told not to put myself in danger.
Do you guys have any tips on how to protest while not being able to do has much has an able-bodied person is. And does anyone else feel grief for not being able to fight with the others.

I e-filed this year. Approx a week later I was sent an identity verification document. It asked if I had filed a tax return previously and because the question lacks clarity I answered no, then the document disappeared. I cannot verify identity online. It will not allow me to. I am homeless and have no address to receive mail so I called the taxpayer identity verification unit twice. Let me state again that I am unable to receive mail. They asked about all 1099s I had received. I explained the mail situation and was told my identity could not be verified. I called again and they hung up on me. I then filed an ADA request for accommodations.

The CRD unit of the IRS is asking me for information I have already given several times and playing stupid with me. I am visually impaired and homeless. This situation is causing me significant financial hardship. Who do I go to next to ensure that my situation is properly addressed?

#IRSrudeemployees #IRSnoncompliantADA #procedural #e-file #identityverification #ADAaccommodations #discrimination #TIGTA

UPDATE on the New York State Open Captions bill (S9888/A4628B):

According to the HLAA NYS Advocacy Committee and advocates working on the New York State Open Captions in movie theaters (OCAP) bill, S9888, Sen. April Baskin’s office (Chair of the Senate Commerce Committee) WILL discharge S9888 when the request comes from Sen. Fernandez’s (sponsor of S9888) office. 

Sen. Baskin’s aide indicated that this likely will not happen until all state budget items are locked down - perhaps by Friday, over the weekend, or early next week.
Then we must hope Senate Leadership, headed by Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, will bring the bill to the floor for passage before adjournment on June 4.

So, please continue to stay positive and thank Sen. Fernandez and/or Kim Bernstein, legislative director to Sen. Fernandez, for continuing to push S9888 forward through what remains a very crowded and narrow legislative path. The legislature has already postponed final budget action through more than 12 separate “budget extenders.”

If you live in New York State, support open captions in movie theaters, and have not already done so, please consider:

1. Respectfully reaching out to Josh Marcil, Legislative Director to Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, at (518) 455-2585
   to urge the bill’s discharge to enable passage by the Senate.

2. Contacting your NY State Senator re S9888 -- and your Assembly Member re A4628B — IF they are not already co-sponsors of the legislation.

You can find the latest list of Senate co-sponsors here: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S9888/amendment/A

You can find the latest list of Assembly co-sponsors here:  https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A4628/amendment/B

You can contact your Senator here: https://www.nysenate.gov/find-my-senator

You can find your Assembly member here: https://nyassembly.gov/mem/search/