Closed Minds Shout Down Disabled Woman in Wheelchair

You really have to see it to believe it. At a town hall meeting in New Jersey, a woman in a wheelchair is shouted at while she tries to tell her story. The costs associated with her two incurable autoimmune diseases are threatening her ability to pay for her medications, and she fears losing her home. She speaks, but the hecklers never let up, never listen.

She wants nothing more than to explain her situation and take part in the “debate” on health care reform. She pleads in vain for those present to “please hear this voice of the disabled.” But these folks are not here to hear. They are here to prevent hearing.

Just why she is being shouted down and heckled is clear. Closed minds and closed hearts.

“It’s your fault!” they yell at another woman who spoke of her developmentally disabled daughter being dropped from her blind husband’s insurance plan.

What can these people be thinking? That these are things that only happen to “those” people? That they are somehow immune from illness, accidents, or job loss? That their government-provided Medicare is their right and theirs alone? That “those” people have somehow brought it upon themselves?

I’m one of “those” people, having been diagnosed with a chronic illness six years ago. I have experienced the disbelief, as well as the indifference of others when the subject of health care reform comes up. It’s not going to happen to them; it’s never going to be their problem.

There’s not an ounce of compassion for a fellow human being in trouble. Not even the pretense of giving a damn.

The woman in the wheelchair did what I’m not sure I could do. She kept talking. She kept trying, despite the venom aimed in her direction. She was the strongest person in that room.

Others present chose not to hear her. But I heard her. And if you view the video you will hear her. I urge you to listen because one day, it could be you. You or a loved one could be stricken with illness, or be involved in a crippling accident. You could lose your job. You could lose your medical benefits. You could become one of “those” people. Please hear the voice of the disabled.

Listen — Learn — Exchange ideas — Work on a solution together — That’s a debate. These town halls are nothing of the sort.

As witness and reporter Brian Donohue said, “There was no discussion, no one listened to anyone.”

Visit NJ.com to read the report and view the video here: Health Care Reform Town Hall: no room for a centrist by Brian Donohue/The Star-Ledger

Action Items in Support of Health Care Reform:

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Photo: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/871694

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

12:09PM PST on Nov 21, 2009

If I had been at that town hall, I would have my own way of shutting up those people who instisted upon heckling the woman in the wheelchair, and the hecklers would NOT enjoy the consequences of continuing to heckle her that I would have waiting for them.

send a green star

Faith M.

2:38PM PST on Nov 20, 2009

It is a sad comment on how people are when they do not listen to those who live the experience,The woman in the wheelchair kept trying to be heard to tell her story and some very immature non compassionate people were shouting her down.This article calls for the one thing many people do not seem to be able to give and that is empathy and compassion for another.

Robert B.

6:49AM PDT on Sep 15, 2009

Dear Linda McKnight, If you don't think the DEMOCRATICALLY elected President Obama and all the citizens that voted for him aren't sincerely for positive change, then you can't see the forest for the trees. If being a liberal means caring for your fellow man, the environment and a better world then I AM PROUD TO BE A LIBERAL! There are extreme leftists that are nuts and there are extreme right wingers that are nuts. And there are the fearmongering ignorant ones. The rest of us (liberals and conservatives) have to work around these nut jobs. Which group do you belong to?

6:31AM PDT on Sep 15, 2009

Hey LInda,
What's a "leftest"?

Katie G.

10:12PM PDT on Sep 12, 2009

Dear Linda Mckinight, on Sep 4, 2009 4:26pm you made a comment about scripture.

I have a question for from one Christian to another, didn't Jesus say "you are your brothers keeper?"

And I think Jesus meant it. I believe that heathcare is a moral issue.

It seems you are only against it because it is being lead under a Democratic President? I believe that what is being proposed is similar to the same proposal Nixon gave. Are you familiar with the Nixon Health care Reform?

You seem to have alot of anger in your heart. I will pray that you find peace.

And how would you answer Jesus?

Theresa G.

11:20AM PDT on Sep 12, 2009

Linda McKnight,

I would love to hear your thoughts on the heckling of the woman in the wheelchair. Do you excuse this behavior? And do you feel the American system is ok as is? How would you improve it? If you are not American, be honest about it and tell us how you think it compares to your system.

If we cannot discuss this issue clearly and honestly, then we are wasting time and energy. The left v. right "war" is portrayed way out of proportion and honestly, I'm sick to death of it (read Culture War? by M. Fiorina). It's an "honest debate v. propaganda" war, if you ask me. If you aren't sticking to honest debate, I (personally) tend to assume you're being paid to obstruct real discussion. Otherwise, you're just an irresponsible citizen. Everyone should study up on all the different types of propaganda, even if you think you know what it is. I looked it up myself and it cleared up a few things, especially when weeding out the good comments from the useless or dangerous ones. Using propaganda means "impartially presenting information" and there are many, many ways to do it. Everyone does it, including me, though I try my best not to. Every word we choose has a connotation. We can't help but be impartial, but some people are really bad offenders (Hitler and Stalin, for example).

But don't take my word for it. Lesson #1: look it up yourself! Propaganda is our enemy here, not "leftist haters", and you can't "rest your case" on propaganda.

Diane H F.

6:06PM PDT on Sep 11, 2009

Linda, when I tried to reply to the email you sent to me, using the "reply" button, it showed the return address as bounce@australia.care2.com. So, you want to have your say, but evidently don't welcome a response. Australia? I think that would explain your comments about current US politics and policies.

Subhash J.

8:09AM PDT on Sep 11, 2009

The little time I spent in US gave me an insight into the state of those deprived of health coverage as also the attitude of medical/pharma fraternity.

I am not surprised that there was a crowd in the meeting which heckled persistently enough to drown the voice seeking deserved compassion, an essential ingredient of humanitarianism which medical ethics demand from the practitioners of medicine and its support industry. None should be surprised if the hecklers were paid plants of the pharma industry and health insurance companies.

Dispensation of health care is analogous to dispensation of justice in any civilsed society which will continue to have a few unscrupulous ones who freeload or defraud the system. The point is, just because of the few who cheat, are we justified in denying to many their due medical care which I believe is the duty of any national government (and society), especially so in a democracy.

Debbie Z.

5:15PM PDT on Sep 9, 2009

The behavior & attitude of the hecklers toward the woman in the wheelchair is appalling! No one is immune from becoming ill or disabled. If that happens to any of those hate mongers some day, they'll expect the government to take care of them if they're uninsured or under insured.

Bev M.

3:55PM PDT on Sep 8, 2009

Health care is not "charity" It should be a right of citizenship, just as it is in most of the developed world.

No one should die in the richest nation on earth because they can't afford health care, and no one should go bankrupt because they get sick.

I am sickened by that hate, selfishness and bigotry being spewed in this country right now. Heckling a woman in a wheelchair is beyond inexcusable!

Too many people have the "I've got mine, screw" mentality.

I'm lucky to have a decent job and health insurance...If I have to pay a few more dollors in taxes so that everyone in this counrty has health care...so be it!