2022 YEAR IN REVIEW   

Is it... "a generous local community" or is it "impossible to start a new charity here"? We began with those two quotes and learned a lot during the last 12 months. We did a lot of research and shared vast amounts of data identifying the greatest disparities facing our communities. During that time we included more proven expertise and metrics to identify root causes and target actionable solutions. But, before any under-served or under-represented group can be treated fairly they must be recognized, represented and included first. Data identifies needs and measures results. It is not a personal or political attack. Unfortunately after two years of trying to engage current gate keepers and local elites they have proven to be unable or unwilling to accept the facts, support solutions and include us. This either reveals egos and emotions over-ride proven data and economics or it exposes the presence of local bias and attitudinal barriers resulting in segregation or exclusion of causes they deem undeserving or people they dislike.

Executive Order 13985 officially titled Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities specifically includes in SECTION 2 paragraph 1 "persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality." Our data and correspondences over the past two years have been about urban-rural gaps, equal opportunities and equal protection under ADA definitions and existing laws… including employment, housing, healthcare and small business. The failure to recognize the facts and the lack of local inclusion sends a clear message… the neurodivergent, disabled and their caregivers are not welcome in the mountain communities where they were born, live or diagnosed. Local politicians believe popularity contests and personality conflicts justify the labeling and exclusion of local disability causes they deem inferior.

This past year local governments, leaders and corporations have made financial contributions, proclamations or posted support on social media for a variety of race, gender and orientation anniversaries and observances. At the same time only the president and governor recognized The 32nd Anniversary of the ADA in July and 77th National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October with a Disability: Part of the Equity Equation theme. Fact Check your local mountain towns, politicians and corporate social media feeds and see what causes they acknowledged on the anniversary or first of the month, and see how many omitted or ignored disability causes in July & October. This is about the dignity of equal access, opportunities and inclusion not diminishing other causes.

2022 YEAR IN REVIEW     

Let's review key data local politicians, charities and corporations chose to ignore in 2022. Disability unemployment rates are more than 2X the non-disabled. The neurodivergent unemployment rate is more than 8X the non-disabled rate. The poverty rate is 25% among families with a disability, but only 9.3% among families with no disability. The poverty rate is higher in all 50 states and DC among families with a disability compared to families without. Disability Impacts All of Us while other equity causes divide communities by race, gender, etc. Households in relative poverty have 70% greater occurrence of mental illness than wealthier households. Depression among those with disabilities in Colorado is 43% compared 14% among those without a disability. Disability & Health Profile Data: Colorado

The CDC reports 1 in 4 Americans and 1 in 5 adults in Colorado live with at least one disability. That includes 2 in 5 adults over 65, 1 in 4 women, and more. Over 90% of disabilities are invisible and the leading category of disability in Colorado is cognition. Where there is a disability there is often a family caregiver. 78% of those who require care get it from a family member or neighbor. 33% of caregivers have a disability themselves. NAMI reports the typical family caregiver provides 32 hours of unpaid care per week. Caregiver poverty and depression rates are more than 2X the non-caregiving families. Depression and poverty are cited as the two most common contributors in over 50% of all suicides. Data also indicates urban-rural gaps in disability, poverty and suicide rates have all been expanding since 2007.  Caregiver Statistics: Family Caregiver Alliance

2022 YEAR IN REVIEW  

Having shared the data and asked local leaders and charities to help us help our local neurodivergent, disabled and caregiving neighbors with documented diagnosis… we were denied. Next we asked local government to help fund accommodations local charities already getting local tax dollars had refused. We were told we had to be locals (we are), apply by the deadline (we did) and there are no exceptions. But, again we were denied. Over the past two years Afghan and Ukraine refugees, fire victims in Boulder, shooting victims in Colorado Springs and a variety of other equity causes received local funds or considerations. Are they all local? Did they apply by the annual deadline? Or did longtime locals and politicians reach out to them, break the rules they cite to deny us and other locals, and give more tax dollars to the same organizations who already excluded those with disabilities they dislike or deemed undeserving? AGAIN... do not be confused. This is about the dignity of equal representation, access and opportunities based on data for locals with documented diagnosis who aren't included... NOT about discounting or defunding other causes.

Mental health treatments do not cure lifelong disabilities, diagnosis and other conditions or contributing factors. In 2022 it became clear our current local governments and charities will make time and find money for any cause they like and deem worthy, sadly local neurodivergent, disabled and caregiver suffering is not among them. Instead they label those they deem inferior as difficult, or worse, misdiagnose depression as being angry or bitter to intentionally exclude them. In 2023 we will change this by mobilizing the willing and compassionate who believe in inclusive communities and challenging bias politicians, charities and corporations who practice selective inclusion. In spite of local media coverage of all the money raised on Giving Tuesday, Colorado Gives Day and local giving days… our resort communities and charities still ignore our neurodivergent, disabled and local caregivers. So we ask again… is it "a generous local community" or "impossible to start a new charity here"?

We look forward to 2023… and want to THANK YOU for taking your time to learn the facts about local suffering our leaders and charities ignored again this year!

We are grateful for our growing number of followers and all the messages of encouragement and for those sharing your stories and suffering with us… we see you… we hear you… and YOU ARE NOT ALONE. We will never give up on data centric solutions or let bullying silence us or the facts. We will continue to be the messenger, seek willing allies and advocate for fair representation and economic inclusion in the year ahead.