A "thank you" to Teddy from an American with a disability

All his life, Ted Kennedy never stopped thinking of, working for, championing and succeeding in changing the lives of ordinary Americans, especially those who were marginalized because of discrimination of any kind. His wealth and privilege could easily have shielded him from ever seeing us. But we had no better, more powerful friend in Washington. Teddy changed the lives of so many Americans who don't know who to thank for the blessings of liberty he was instrumental in securing for not just them but their loved ones, co-workers, neighbors and friends.

And so he worked for and achieved countless victories for those of us in the shadows, and we owe him an incalculable debt. I think particularly of his guidance of the Mental Health Parity Act into law in 1996. Prior to that, because I have a mood disorder and not a physiological illness, I could not get the same kind of health care that my co-workers with diabetes, lupus or other illness enjoyed through our employee health care plans. My premiums were higher, I could see my doctors less often and had to pay more, and often times the medications I needed were considered "experimental" and therefore priced out of reach. Hospital stays were limited, and the stigma employers attached to their employees like me once we returned to work was sometimes insurmountable. Thanks to Senator Kennedy, that listing ship of inequality was righted.

If you felt that you were left in the shadows by a country that did not see you struggling with poverty, trying to obtain the best eduction for your children or yourself; putting up with unfair labor practices, suffering discrimination on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, or physical and mental disabilities, Teddy saw you. And like his brother Bobby, Ted Kennedy was never one to ask why all his fellow Americans weren't enjoying the blessings Americans bestowed upon themselves when they created a new nation, but why not? No matter which political party held the reins in Washington, Ted Kennedy triumphed time and time again for people like you and me.

Too many times throughout his long life, Ted Kennedy eulogized his loved ones in saying they had been "granted every gift but length of years." How strange it is to realize this morning that Ted Kennedy was granted more years in the Senate than any of his brothers was given in life. And how much richer we all are because of the rights and privileges his long life of dedication and service granted to all of us. We will not see another like him, but how lucky we are to have had him in our corner for so long. The odds were certainly against it.


--Lancer

:kick:

I won't ever been able to thank him enough

I won't either. :(

Especially since I have worked with disabilities.

which gave children with disabilities the right to a free public education. He was always a strong voice for people with disabilities and he will be greatly missed. RIP, Senator.

:cry:

:)