The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 dramatically altered the life of people already compromised with a chronic debilitating disease. Around 15 per cent of the world’s population, live with disabilities. More than 660,000 people in the USA are on dialysis treatment. A prescription for dialysis  can feel like a prison sentence. Life suddenly changes for the person with the diagnosis. 

Rafael Gonzales is a person living alone with kidney disease. Sheltering in place was never an option because traveling to the dialysis center three days a week is essential for his survival.

Medical researchers work continuously seeking a cure for diabetes; however, the preferred focus is on maintenance over finding cures because chronic illness encourages the pharmaceutical industry to continue making money.

One of the chief problems confronting the country is the unending debate on the broken healthcare system. This ongoing approach  to medical care is not in the beneficial interest of a low-income person living with disabilities. Without a new functioning health care system that works for all people we will continue to experience this devastating problem.

*Ralphael  passed on in  November 2021 RIP