What We Need - Corey Coloma

May 4, 2020

My name is Corey Coloma and I am a person with what you call a disability. I have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. I am from Eugene, OR. The COVID-19 emergency has affected me personally and in ways I was not even aware. I first thought I stayed at home a lot, but now being forced to stay at home I realize how much I miss social interactions and physical touch. To the point where it has affected me personally to feelings of isolation, uncertainty, and fear. As, a person with a disability and with the clients I work with as a PSW and DSP, I have noticed the interruption in routines, that myself and my clients need. I have noticed that when working with my clients, such as running errands and going to the grocery store, which I had to get authorization to use their EBT cards to buy them groceries. These things take time. Some agencies are not acting fast enough to make adjustments to protocols to get people the things that they need. I am worried about my clients going out when I am not there and that they will get the virus and not be able to live through it; I am worried about my family and their health; I am worried of how getting the virus will affect me as a young person. I hope that moving forward that everyone has access to testing and that we will continue to work towards a vaccine.