I’ve established myself as an advocate of getting people off
of long-term disability. Too many people
with mental illness are discouraged from living at their most productive
potential by a method of assistance that condemns them to living within a
system that doles out subsistence while imprisoning them in a life where the
guarantee of a monthly check prohibits the risk and reward of work. There are many incentives to stay on
assistance, and many stigmas and barriers to stepping out and being fully
responsible for one’s present and future.
I also believe that if some organization is paying one’s bills, then
that organization has every right to demand certain behavior of the payee. Things like medication compliance, lifestyle
practices, and the need to contribute in every way possible through
volunteering, part-time work, etc. should be expected of the person being
supported by someone else. One is free
to neglect treatment and engage in dangerous behavior. One is also free to make no effort to pay a
portion of one’s expenses. This person,
however, should not expect a public entity to support such irresponsibility and
squandering of others' contributions, either through charity, insurance, or
tax-based transfer programs. The benefit
of work on treatment outcomes is well established, and the legal structure
exists to enable the challenged person to work with accommodations. So to be very blunt, comply and try or expect
no assistance.