Pennsylvania legislators can keep families secure through the Family Care Act

Growing up in Erie in the 1990s, I went to school, had friends and liked to have fun like everyone else. But having cerebral palsy brought challenges, such as learning how to use a wheelchair to get around, weekly physical therapy appointments and many surgeries.

With all these different things happening, I saw the toll it took on my family. My parents often had to call off work to take me to doctor’s appointments, as well as sit long hours in the hospital while I recovered from surgery. My recoveries continued at home, with both my parents ensuring that my aftercare was done properly.

My parents not being able to work became a financial burden. With most of my surgeries being invasive, both of my parents had to take time off work to help my recovery process. As a young child, I saw the stress it caused my family and I often felt guilt for things that were out of my control.

More:Laughlin's family leave proposal gets first hearing

According to a new FMLA survey published in 2020, 29% of people in the workforce in the last 12 months have had to take off work without pay to care for a loved one. With this percentage of people not being able to work, it leaves many families in a financial crisis wondering how they are going to afford necessities.

Pennsylvania now has a chance to address caregiving situations like my family’s. The Family Care Act, introduced by Sen. Dan Laughlin, of Erie County, R-49th Dist., and Rep. Wendi Thomas, of Bucks County,  R-178th Dist., would relieve financial stress by allowing an individual or caregiver to take paid time off to care for a loved one who may be experiencing difficult medical circumstances. It would also allow workers with urgent medical circumstances to make their health a priority.

More:Sen. Laughlin: Access to paid family medical leave is the right thing to do

The Family Care Act is a vital asset to those who have disabilities and their families. As an advocate for people with disabilities and having a disability myself, I would like to add my voice and my lived experience to help people understand why the Family Care Act is so important. Most parents with a child with a disability often have a lot of stress with learning how to cope and navigate life for someone who may need therapy and surgeries. If the Family Care Act had been around when I was younger, my family would have benefitted from being able to take time off when I was having surgeries and medical complications and still receive pay. It would have helped relieve pressure off my family to be able to focus on their home life and not have to worry as much about how things were going to get paid.

The Family Care Act will also positively affect adults living with a disability. As an adult who is now in the workforce, I often have medical circumstances and chronic pain associated with my diagnosis. Because of my pain I must take off work because I am responsible for my own care. I often have days where I am not physically able to function in my daily activities. It is often in the back of my mind that if a medical emergency were to occur, would my job be protected until I return, and how I would get by while off not getting paid? I would still have responsibilities of paying my rent, buying groceries, and other household necessities. The Family Care Act would help me by ensuring me job security as well as financial needs until I was able to return to work.

In 2018 I had major back surgery followed by a very long and difficult recovery. I was hospitalized for over three weeks. I also spent a portion of my recovery in a nursing home completing intensive physical therapy. If I were in the workplace at that time, I would have often wondered if my job was going to be available after recovery. The fact of the matter is these worries are what prevented me from moving away from home and joining the workforce, which hindered my belief in my own independence.

Furthermore, the FCA can address the mental health status of individuals and families. As a person with a physical disability, I also have a mental health diagnosis due to the emotional stress that it can sometimes cause. Many people with a diagnosis of depression often have periods of time where it is mentally difficult to function. The Family Care Act would provide time off to take care of one’s mental health during the event of a crisis. The Family Care Act also would offer a sense of hope to caregivers facing what could be a seemingly negative situation.

The reality is that disability does not discriminate. It can happen to anyone at any time. As such there is a need for time off — whether to care for themselves or have a family member provide needed care to them. The passage of the FCA will ensure that future generations will not have to suffer like my family did. The Family Care Act would ensure no one would be excluded if an unexpected circumstance arises, and people would have the means to support themselves or a loved one.

Pennsylvania legislators have an opportunity to improve the lives of many individuals and families during difficult hardship. They can provide these families with one less burden and allow them to take of themselves or their loved ones. I hope they will heed the call.

Christine Vasui was born and raised in Erie. She was also born with cerebral palsy. A 2019 graduate of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, she works as an  independent living specialist for Voices for Independence.