For most adults, one eve they look forward to is retirement. While working at a job for decades, many people put money away for this milestone and look forward to the freedom it offers. Some professions allow for early retirement in their mid 50's, but not many.
After more than five decades of working various jobs, my mother was finally able to officially retire. It has taken a lot of planning and preparation, but I'm thankful she could reach this achievement. I wish my dad could do the same, but I still need medical insurance from his employer. Various ideas have been proposed, but nothing has come as a perfect solution.
While I'm thankful to see my parents slow down, it's also a hard dose of reality. One of the activities retirees do is help with grandchildren. It may be baby sitting younger kids, attending sporting events, or whatever the family does for fun. Grand children are a regular topic at church and with friends, but it is a blessing my parents, nor I, have been given.
With all the funding fumbles this year, we also have to be careful how my parent's activities may affect my benefits. Most people don't know, or care, about Iowa laws. If/when my mother takes retirement, it changes my government benefits as well and could eliminate some of my caregiver funding.
Unfortunately, living the quad life ends up discovering things that few people know exist. It is also rare that a child injured as young as I was still needs care over 40 years later. More of us are living longer and are realizing problems with the funding systems, but no easy solutions are available.
This week, I have been following a friend's situation and potential new rules in Ohio. Alex is a fellow high-injury level quadriplegic and is 21 years post injury. His mom, Beth, is basically his only caregiver and as a result, can't have a regular job outside the home. Ohio proposed cutting off payment for family caregivers, such as parents or close relatives taking care of a person's needs. This would stop Beth's only form of income and leave them with absolutely nowhere to go. Thankfully, it appears that this ruling may be scrapped, but it still has potential.
These are times where we must remember God is in control. I don't know what the future holds for my parents, or multitudes of families in Ohio. However, God has said He knows our needs and to bring everything to Him in prayer. It can be hard to be patient and not grow anxious, but God has demonstrated many times that He is in control.
This morning, I preached at a small church in eastern Iowa. A few days ago, they contacted me that next week was also in need of help and nobody else is available. Therefore, I'm scheduled to preach two weeks in a row. God has put me in a place where I can currently do this, so I am happy to help. It means another busy week of sermon prep, but I'm getting used to it. I will see what else comes my way as June marches on.
