17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord.
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8, 9 (NIV)
Have you done something you truly want to do today?
Slept until 7:30 am. Trying to coordinate my schedule so I can do more Autism Activism. For example there is a rally on Friday March 11th in front of the Gov. Cuomo New York City office for the Gov. to increase funding to agencies which serve people with developmental disabilities. Gov. Cuomo has proposed increasing the minimum wage to $15 but unless he increases funding to agencies how will these organizations afford to pay their workers. This presents a dilemma for me as my brother Stephen lives in a Group Home and relies on his Direct Care workers for assistance with his daily needs. Now if one can make more money working at Mickey D’s why would you stay helping disabled people? Therefore this may cause agencies/organizations to lose workers thereby affecting my brother Stephen and others like him in a negative manner.
My problem is that my vacation ends March 7th. I return to work March 8th and it is highly unlikely I can get March 11th as a day off. Sigh…….
Here is the backstory of my battle and if you do a Blog search using the terms Stephen Vincent Palmer, Paid Family Leave, Stephen Palmer or FMLA you can see what I’ve been going through over the past eight years. Sadly the laws in the United States nor the attitudes of employers have kept up with average citizens (especially those like me in low wage/low level) who must care for a disabled loved one. There is great stigma against those with intellectually or developmental disabilities and their caregivers. What should be a legal/moral right turns into a battle where companies force workers to choose between having a job that pays your bills or losing your job because your disabled family member needs you. I walk a delicately balanced tightrope with No safety net beneath me. This weighs on my mind 24/7/365. However I place my faith in God to deliver not only me and Stephen but all who fight for this just cause. Like the song says, “I will Praise you in all that I do. In the good times and bad. Whether happy or sad. Because Praise is what I do.”
The New York Times did an article on my brother Stephen and me. Please take time to read this eye opening article of our lives. Thank you. http://nyti.ms/1BktTeP
What can you help the world with?
Autism Activism. Being an Independent Advocate for people with Developmental Disabilities. If my job grants me FMLA I will be in a better position for Autism Activism. Also when Paid Family Leave comes to pass for the New York State I will be able to increase my Autism Activism/Advocacy.
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If life was ‘just a bowl of cherries’… which fruit other than a cherry would you be..?
Maybe an apple. I like the expression being “The Apple of someone’s Eye.” Also New York is known as The Big Apple and has many apple orchards in upstate New York. Otherwise I’d be a pineapple because they grow in nice warm sunny climes
Quotes List: At least three of your favorite quotes?
Philippians 4:13 New King James Version (NKJV)
13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
2 Timothy 1:7 New King James Version (NKJV)
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Isaiah 54:17 New King James Version (NKJV)
17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord.
Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?
My Vacation. Had a great Birthday on Feb. 27th. Still on vacation. Looking forward to spending time with my brother Stephen next weekend March 5th & 6th.
Espiritu en Fuego/A Fiery Spirit 