Posttraumatic stress disorder | Be a Seed for Change

There’s a new petition taking off on Change.org in your area, and we think you might be interested in signing it:

Cover housing benefits for Bellingham woman with PTSD and severe chemical sensitivities so she can stay in her trailer

Sign Roberta’s Petition

HUD: Stop denying housing assistance for a disabled woman soon to be homeless

Started by: Roberta, Bellingham, Washington

No one should have to suffer loss of home due to illness, much less “live” in a car. No one should be denied housing assistance because they have a disability. And yet that is what has happened to me (and many others).

I have multiple chronic illnesses, including PTSD and Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS), the latter of which affects multiple organ systems, including respiratory, digestive, circulatory, and nervous. I suffer chronic joint and muscle pain, severe food sensitivities that have damaged my digestive tract, moderate to disabling fatigue, migraines and vertigo, cognitive decline that affects my memory, perception, speech, concentration, and ability to learn new things, as well as other symptoms too many to list.

HUD claims that they recognize and support accommodations for MCS –

–http://www.chemicalsensitivityfoundation.org/bennie_howard-multiple-chemical-sensitivity.htm

– yet their actions say otherwise.

I have been denied rental assistance because I could not find a residence that both met their rental price requirements and my medical needs. I currently reside in a mobile home that meets most of my health needs, however the local housing agency, the Bellingham Housing Authority (under HUD), said I could not remain here because HUD’s requirements do not make allowances for my particular illness – a direct contradiction to the agency’s claim to support this illness. The only types of residences that fall within their price range are apartments or similar complexes. Due to my high sensitivity to chemicals (which includes smoke, fragrances in body products, air fresheners, bug sprays, paints and solvents, laundry fumes, etc.), it is impossible for me to even go into an apartment building, much less live in one. To do so would mean my speedy demise.

Despite this information and letters from my doctors, the housing authority refused to accommodate me, even when I offered to accept just the minimum amount they were allowing. They said that I would be unable to afford to stay where I was on that amount; despite my explanation that I did not need much assistance to maintain housing. It’s odd they thought that this allowance was worse than denying me any assistance at all.

From other stories I’ve heard, this type of denial by HUD agencies is not an uncommon occurrence. People with disabilities are not given the consideration they need when applying for housing assistance with HUD.

Disabled people often have an even greater disadvantage when it comes to maintaining housing and in many cases, to finding appropriate housing to accommodate their medical needs. One way to help resolve the homeless problem is to fix the biases and flaws in the agencies that have been created to help people maintain housing.

Please sign my petition to make HUD do what they were created to do: help me with rental costs so I don’t have to lose a roof over my head, my belongings, and my sense of self-worth; so I don’t have to try to survive in my car with all my health problems; and to make them change their policies regarding the disabled. Make them honor their word that they accommodate disabilities.

Click here to sign Roberta’s petition, “HUD: Stop denying housing assistance for a disabled woman soon to be homeless”.

July 15, 2011

Addressing the Debt and Deficit will take Shared Sacrifices

As we work to put together a deal to raise the debt limit, reduce the deficit and debt, and stave off an economic crisis – I believe that the sacrifices required need to be shared. It wouldn’t be right to ask middle class families, students, and our seniors to bear this heavy burden alone, while the very wealthiest corporations and individuals get off scot-free. That’s why on Wednesday I delivered a speech on the Senate floor to push for a balanced approach that recognizes that we must make smart cuts while also protecting seniors and addressing our national jobs deficit.

I believe it’s time for all sides to embrace compromise and assure Americans that their benefits and financial safety won’t be jeopardized by petty partisanship or political games. Families, seniors, and businesses in Washington state and across America are counting on us to get this right, and I am proud to stand up for their priorities.

Bridging the Gaps in VA Mental Health Care

On Thursday, I chaired a hearing of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee to address shortcomings in VA mental health care that have contributed to unacceptable waiting times for care, rising suicide levels, and a series of negative reports from VA watchdogs. At the hearing I heard from Daniel Williams, an Iraq veteran who described how an IED explosion during his 2003/2004 deployment to Iraq led to traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) injuries. Williams told the committee how those experiences then led to a suicide attempt in 2004 that was broken up by his wife and local police. He also discussed how his PTSD was received by fellow soldiers, his concerns over the stigma attached to the mental wounds of war, and his frustrations with the mental health care administered by the VA.

I also heard testimony from Andrea Sawyer, wife and caregiver of Loyd Sawyer, who, after being deployed in Iraq, shared similar stories of frustration, including a failed suicide attempt. These two servicemembers, even after attempting to take their own lives, were met with red tape, wait times for initial appointments at the VA, and additional frustrations in seeking the mental health care they so desperately needed. These undue burdens are unacceptable and I will continue asking the tough questions until our service men and women have access to the quality of mental health care they deserve.

Helping Veterans Get off the Streets and Into Safe and Secure Housing

This week, I announced that public housing authorities in Washington state would receive a total of 175 housing vouchers to help local homeless veterans and their families get off the streets and into permanent housing. The vouchers, which can be used by eligible veterans for rental assistance in their local community, are a key reason why we are making real progress toward goals to finally end veterans homelessness. For some veterans, this support is long overdue, and I’m glad that homeless veterans across Washington state will have an opportunity to secure stable housing.

Commemorating Hanford’s Role in WWII and the Cold War

Earlier this week, I applauded the recommendation by the Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and the National Park Service that Congress establish a national historic park to commemorate the Manhattan Project at three sites where much of the critical scientific activity associated with the project occurred, including Hanford, Washington. Hanford’s B Reactor played a critical role in the history of our nation, and establishing a national historical park will attract visitors from across the country and give them an opportunity to learn about and reflect on the contribution made by Hanford and the Tri-Cities during World War II and the Cold War.

“B Reactor recommended for national historical park” – Tri-City Herald

Ending Unfair Mexican Tariffs Once and For All

Last week, I applauded the agreement Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood signed with the Mexican government that will result in them dropping their tariffs on U.S. agricultural products by 50% in the next few days. Mexico has committed to eliminating the tariffs completely once the agreement becomes operational. This is great news for farmers and growers in Washington who have been suffering under these unfair and deeply damaging tariffs for far too long. Now that the agreement is signed, there is no reason why Washington farmers and growers should have to wait any longer. They have nothing to do with this dispute, and it is deeply unfair that they continue to be punished for it.

“Deal resolves dispute that needlessly hurt growers” – Yakima Herald