The hidden price of inflation

Today, politicians get raises during periods of inflation.  Where as the common physically disabled folk, are forced to continue to suffer and live below the poverty line. I’m here to pull back the sheet and shine a light on something that society rarely talks about, or frankly wants or tries to understand.

Inflation affects me and I’m sure other physically disabled individuals, in more ways, then just money. We have all been hit with the increase to inflation. It’s not just the financial aspect that has affected me.  

Having a physical disability, my life is always in someone else’s hands.  We all have stress in our lives.  Family stuff, school, relationships, life has a way of making every day hectic.  

Looking at the clock, my days about to start.  I hear the door open and the day has started. Right off the bat, I can plainly see that my helper is not themselves today.  Me being me, I try to lighten the tense and quiet mood with a joke.  It does not land at all, and the atmosphere gets heavier. Not much to do, but just go through the routine.  As my helper is moving me around, it’s not going smoothly.  He’s still quiet, being rough with me and forgetting the routine.

As he is washing my face, there is a few deep sighs and my helper just looks so distant.  As they are pouring my coffee, he ends up spilling the coffee and dropping my cup.  He’s flushed and breathing heavy. The day is off to a rough start.

I sit down with him, after things calm down. He opens up to me and says, that with the price of inflation, the bills are piling up.  Life is full and stressful and they really do not know what do.  Sheepishly, he starts to weep.  I tell him that life will brighten up.

The next words that are spoken, shatters my heart into a million pieces.  

My helper looks at me, tells me that he so enjoys working with me.  Then he apologizes for the difficult morning.  I said no problem, thank you.  

Then he asks “Alex, can I have some more hours?” With the deepest of regrets, I say “I’d love to, but I cannot. The government only gives me so many hours to live. After a few emotional moments, we both come to a common understanding and move on with the day.

I am stressed out because I cannot help out my caregiver.  While at the same time, my quality of care is diminished.  All I’m left to do is two things, smile and continue to suffer.

The increase in inflation, has had a trickle-down effect, that very few people get to see.

Let’s hope the people up top, see how society needs to be addressed and not ignored.