As Congress works through this year’s federal budget, one topic is drawing more attention: Medicaid. While it might not always make the headlines, decisions about how this program is funded could have a lasting impact on how people across the country access mental health and substance use services.
"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time." – Thomas Edison At first glance, these words appear reassuring.
It is late summer, the kind of evening when heat clings to wood and skin, even after the sun has slipped behind the trees. A dock stretches out over the water, quiet except for the occasional creak beneath bare feet.
There are times when a person returns, and everything seems almost the same. The door still opens easily. The chair waits exactly where it was left. A familiar voice echoes faintly down the hall.
At a dinner party, someone begins telling a story— a story about a flight delay, and a memory of thunderstorms and kids stomping in puddles at recess.
On April 16, 2025, the Federal Office of Management and Budget released a 64-page draft budget proposal that has prompted concern among some advocates for older adults and people with disabilities.
True inclusion requires more than presence—it calls for shared participation. Equity involves recognizing the different challenges people may face and making sure everyone has the support, resources, and opportunities they need to be fully included.
A job application is met with silence. A storefront has steps but no ramp. In conversation, attention bypasses the person with a disability and settles instead on the person beside them.
The phrase measure twice, cut once isn't just about craftsmanship — it's a quiet warning against assumptions. A second look can prevent damage that a first glance never saw coming.
At first, stepping back from social activities can seem reasonable, even necessary, offering a welcome sense of relief. Over time, though, these small breaks can quietly grow, leading to a gradual distance from friends, family, and the support systems that bring stability.
