I don't  know how it goes up in NYC and I don't know about gathering  
for people with severe disabilities in NYC, but I can tell you that  
here in my small city in NC there is an disability advocacy group  
that includes quite a few severely disabled adults who are on their  
own.  In fact, there is an apartment building near downtown that was  
built especially for those with severe disabilities by a group of  
disabled people and it's not public housing, although it's eligible  
for Section 8 housing subsidies.  I cannot believe that there are no  
projects such as that in a city as large as New York City.  I have  
also been in public housing flats that are occupied by severely  
disabled people and they seem to do quite well.  Now, if you're  
saying that you barely get by without an aide (and I'm having trouble  
reading your posts sometimes), I'm sure Mag can offer a lot of  
suggestions about getting help.

I don't blame you for trying to hang on to your flat - change is  
terribly difficult and in a situation such as yours, the lack of  
money makes it worse.  But please do accept help - I really doubt  
that social workers are all as dumb as you're saying they are.  Maybe  
you need to keep asking for new ones until you find one who can work  
with you.

I happen to see the housing and economic problems of the poor in a  
much larger scope than just the disabled, and so that's why I was  
saying you're not unique.  You really aren't unique in your  
situation; unfortunately a lot of people share your plight - they may  
not be as severely disabled but they share the same anxieties.  And  
as the baby boomer population ages and more of us outlive our  
retirement benefits, more of the population will fall into the cracks  
- it will be a  huge problem.

I work for a large company that has just downgraded their retirement  
benefits, so this sort of thing is on a lot of people's minds.   
Unfortunately the fat cats in Washington don't  know the reality of  
all this. :(

Kat

On 16 Dec 2005, at 10:15, Jonathan Rand wrote:

> actually, I think my situation is quite unique, when yor looking at  
> the
> general population.  there r far less disabled people than able  
> bodied.  &
> much less severely disabled that still r able to function “in the  
> community”
> if given the chance.  & I’m also ill.  I know, & hav met only 1 or  
> 2 people
> who’s disability is at my level, in all of new york city.  there r  
> more, but
> they r locked away, or hidden away by their families!
>
>> From: Kathleen Salkin <[log in to unmask]>
>> Reply-To: "St. John's University Cerebral Palsy List"
>> <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: “But there are places for disabled   people!  ”
>> Date: Tue, 13 Dec 2005 21:06:14 -0500
>>
>> Well, to be absolutely fair, this can happen to anyone who lives from
>> month to month even on a regular paycheck.  I've also heard of
>> unscrupulous landowners trying to get rid of tenants who have legal
>> rights to lease flats under rent control laws in New York so the
>> owners can make more money.  Unfortunately, Jon's situation is not
>> unique.
>>
>> Kat
>>