ALLENTOWN, Pa. — An Allentown man living with a disability while supporting a family is advocating for more resources for those like him.
He recently met with United States Rep. Susan Wild, D-7th District, to voice his concerns and garner support for this type of legislation.
"The goal should be to help somebody go from beyond surviving, to start thinking about how they can be thriving," said Everett Deibler.
"Just because you have a good-earning job doesn't mean that someone can't have provided care through a waiver or through another program or through benefits."Everett Deibler of Allentown
He is living with cerebral palsy and is wheelchair-bound while supporting a family. He and his wife have a 5-year-old girl.
"Right now, the way it is set up, the best way to get care or support is to kind of limit what you earn or what you have access to,” Deibler said.
Deibler is a consultant who decided to forgo disability benefits to maximize his earning potential for his family.
"Just because you have a good-earning job doesn't mean that someone can't have provided care through a waiver or through another program or through benefits,” he said.
'My heart goes out'
He met with Wild, whose district includes the Lehigh Valley and beyond, this week as a constituent to voice his concerns about such issues.
“One of the most important parts of my job is hearing directly from my constituents, and then doing everything I can to advocate for policies that would make their lives better,” Wild said.
“I have spent my personal and professional life fighting for increased resources to the care economy — which includes home care, child care, disability care and senior care," she said.Susan Wild
“I have spent my personal and professional life fighting for increased resources to the care economy — which includes home care, child care, disability care and senior care," she said.
"But having the opportunity to speak with Everett directly was invaluable in shaping how I will now advocate for those with disabilities when I return to Washington.”
The meeting Thursday was set up by Care Can’t Wait, a coalition of organizations focused on expanding access to child care, paid family and medical leave, and home- and community-based services, and ensuring good jobs for the care workforce.
“This is an issue that affects Americans from all walks of life, regardless of political leaning," Wild said.
"And Congress must come together to pass bipartisan legislation increasing access to high-quality, affordable care and ensuring our care workers are fairly compensated for their work.
“I’m thankful that this is an issue that lawmakers and federal officials are starting to think a lot more about.
"As a working mom who raised my two children and cared for a sick parent, my heart goes out to all the families across the country struggling to juggle their responsibilities and care for their loved ones.”
'Would be a game-changer'
Deibler said it's an issue that will affect not just his future, but the future of his daughter, as well.
"I hope in Congress, they can start to look to things that are helping people, that are in similar situations to me, that might need the system to access care, that might need home care regularly, that it not be so tied to someone's income or income levels.”Everett Deibler of Allentown
"I'm going to get older, and my daughter's going to have to probably provide care for me," he said. "But it would be nice if she had access to a system that she could help me get the care.
"I hope in Congress, they can start to look to things that are helping people, that are in similar situations to me, that might need the system to access care, that might need home care regularly, that it not be so tied to someone's income or income levels.”
Wild said one of the ways to help alleviate the problem is by expanding Medicare to pay for home care.
It "would be a game-changer, and allow seniors to stay in their homes instead of being sent to nursing homes, which are often more expensive and isolating," Wild said.
"It also lets them age with dignity and comfort.”
The meeting comes following Vice President Kamala Harris’ proposal to let Medicare pay for at-home care.
