KatjaOct 6, 2023
I just boosted "I think that the biggest reason I believe that we need universal basic income is so that people always have an out. A bad relationship, a bad job, a bad situation, even discovering you've overrotated on something that's turning into a scam or a cult. You should always be able to walk away without fearing destitution."
but,
more than that, we should have UBI so disability isn't a crime with a death sentence.
Show threadKatjaOct 6, 2023
Long Covid has kinda put "chronic illness" on the map.
Ish.
Which both sucks because chronic fatigue syndrome and other such has been around for ages, but also "maybe now someone will care, a wee bit, as a nod to decency".
I'm disabled and chronically ill.
I moved back in with my parents back in 2015 because I wasn't able to even pretend I could make it.
If they weren't able/willing to house/feed/clothe/wifi me...
I'd probably be dead.
Show threadKatjaOct 6, 2023
They live in Taiwan, so I moved here even though it was basically a foreign country.
Plus, affordable healthcare, when my medical bills were topping 1k every month in the US.
With UBI, possibly I could've stayed in the US, where my entire life was.
I left behind all my belongings.
The person I'd been in a relationship for 11 years.
My entire social circle.
Again, not exaggerating, my entire life.
And I'm lucky to have had this choice.
To be able to move in with my parents.
For them to afford it.
Show threadNorma Krautmeyer 🏳️‍🌈🍵🎨✂️🖍️🐈‍⬛Oct 6, 2023
@Katja it’s awful to have to see having to leave your relationship and all your stuff and move overseas as “lucky.”
Show threadKatja
@normakrautmeyer It truly is. But the timeline is filled with "help me with a dollar or two so I can avoid homelessness and pay for this vital surgery". It's...just...so terrible.
Oct 6, 2023 at 3:36pmWeb
Show threadNorma Krautmeyer 🏳️‍🌈🍵🎨✂️🖍️🐈‍⬛Oct 6, 2023
@Katja yeah. I’m in the US and spent a few years in disability advocacy and things are very ugly here for people with disabilities, and anyone who needs a safety net. How’s Taiwan treating you?
Show threadKatjaOct 7, 2023
@normakrautmeyer Taiwan itself...
I live with my parents and they cover rent and food and household bills, so that skews things amazingly.
Subsidized healthcare is wonderful, of course, but inflation in an island country dependent on outside sources for energy and sometimes food is...
Let's just put it this way: I wouldn't be able to survive here on my own either.
Show threadNorma Krautmeyer 🏳️‍🌈🍵🎨✂️🖍️🐈‍⬛Oct 7, 2023
@Katja I hear you.