Numbers Are What Count (pun intended)
I was never great at math. Like many people who love words, it was easier to spend my time writing than figuring out how to use formulas to get to the right answer. What I’ve learned since my school days, though, is that numbers really do matter – and they matter in a big way.
You’ve heard a lot from us lately, often specifically from me. You’ve been asked again and again to take action to protect Medicaid, and you’ve been given all of the facts to support our argument that cutting Medicaid will hurt people with disabilities in devastating ways. You’ve shared your stories and the impact that Medicaid has made in your life and the lives of people you love. Thank you.
(What in the world does this have to do with numbers? Bear with me – there’s a point to all of this.)
Legislators, especially in the heat of polarizing arguments, are looking to their constituents to know how to best represent them. And that’s precisely where numbers count.
It’s nearly impossible for our elected representatives, or even their staff, to read all of the letters, answer all of the phone calls, and reply to all of the emails and texts they receive on even one issue. It’s not because they don’t want to, but from a practical standpoint, there just aren’t enough hours in the day. There are, however, enough hours to do one thing…count. How many of these communications are they getting that are in favor of something or opposed to it? Hundreds? Thousands? The numbers will provide the direction that these people need in order to truly represent us.
Let me be clear, we cannot overcommunicate, whether we’ve sent one or one hundred messages. I’m going to continue to ask you to join me in reaching out and expressing your support or opposition through any medium you choose. You can send the same email, the same letter, and leave the same message time after time and it will count. The sheer volume of communications will remind our legislators that they are here to represent their constituency and that we are serious about protecting critical supports that people with IDD need to thrive in our community.
Apparently, I’m good enough at math to know this – numbers count. Let’s continue to be a strong voice for the needs of people with IDD. Together we will be heard.
