Tony Leys | (TNS) KFF Health News
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Garret Frey refuses to be sidelined.
Frey has been paralyzed from the neck down for more than 37 of his 42 years. He has spent decades rejecting the government’s excuses when he and others with disabilities are denied the support they need to live in their own homes and to participate in society.
The Iowan won a landmark case before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1999, after his school district refused to pay for the care he needed to continue attending high school classes in Cedar Rapids. He recently scored another victory when a complaint he lodged with federal officials pressured Iowa to agree to increase Medicaid payments for caregivers to stay overnight with Frey so he won’t need to move into a nursing home.
“These are civil rights issues,” he said. “They are human rights issues.”
Frey makes his points a handful of words at a time. The cadence of his speech follows the rhythm of a mechanical ventilator, which pushes air into his lungs every few seconds through a tube in his throat.
His voice is soft, but he makes sure it’s heard.
Frey was paralyzed in an accident at age 4. He uses sip-and-puff controls to drive his wheelchair into courtrooms and through the halls of the Iowa Statehouse and the U.S. Capitol, where he demands policies that allow people with disabilities to live full lives.
“We’ll get there. It takes time, but I’m not going to just let things go or let things slide,” he said in an interview on the sunny patio of his Cedar Rapids home.
Frey emphasizes that anyone could find themselves needing assistance if they suffer an accident or illness that hampers their ability to care for themselves. He encourages other people with disabilities to cite his victories when seeking services they’re entitled to under federal law.
He has served on numerous local, state, and national boards and committees focused on protecting disability rights. He composes emails and updates his website using…
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