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Kimberly Montgomery (CA)'s avatar

I would like to see discussion around disabilities. Especially those that come due to unforseen circumstances.

My son was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in 2016. He was 33. His whole life was thrown into the unknown. After numerous surgeries and over 30 days in the hospital, he was permanently disabled due to severing of sacral nerves and having to remove bone from lower spine and hip on his right side. He is in chronic pain. He cannot walk without crutches as he doesn't have the structure needed to hold his weight for any length of time, he cannot drive as his ankle was fused into a 90° as his drop foot got really bad.

His significant other kicked him out as he was no longer useful to her and kept his children from him.

He lives with me now as SSDI doesn't pay enough for him to live on his own, not can he do things on his own that most of us take for granted.

He feels isolated and invisible. There's nothing out there to help him socialize or meet others. He says, "Who wants to be with someone who can't work, can't drive, and lives with their mom? It doesn't matter that I am a really nice guy and a good Dad".

I am happy to take him wherever he needs or wants to go, but he needs connection with others his age who understand.

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Philip Skogsberg's avatar

Just wanted to say thank you for writing and sharing your ideas. You provide a nuanced, informative and truth-seeking perspective on many important topics. Keep going!

An idea for how to collaborate with other writers and your audience: why not a podcast of sorts? Bring on guests to discuss the topics around your articles from across your audience Substack and other networks. Might be a better or at least a good supplement format to the articles, especially with many contributors!

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