#axslab

Introduction 

AXS Lab exists to support people with disabilities and raise awareness of the issues they face via new media, films, and the power of story. Throughout the COVID-19 crisis AXS Lab will shift its focus from ordinary programs to focus on awareness raising and disseminating advice as it affects people with disabilities.  We will cover the threat people with disabilities face, our response to this threat and how you can help us beat COVID-19. 

How it affects us

Many people with disabilities will fall into the at-risk category depending on the nature of their disability e.g if they have illnesses which suppress their autoimmune system or cause respiratory issues, both of which are causes for concern in the case of COVID-19 infection.  Plus, those with physical disabilities often face discrimination and barriers which will make it harder to follow the general advice and may put them at a higher risk of contracting the disease.  In recent days there has been renewed chatter about the threat of discrimination against people with disabilities in end-of-life decisions as healthcare providers prepare for a shortage of lifesaving resources.  In our previous Tumblr post we go into more detail of the threats faced by people with disabilities, click to read more. 

Coronavirus cases, recoveries and deaths

AXS Lab is situated in New York City, currently the situation is concerning, with the number of cases doubling every few days, currently standing at just above 15,000, and over 25,000 in the whole of New York State. In New York City alone there are 930,100 people with disabilities, 11% of its total population.  The threat of COVID-19 is becoming more and more apparent as data scientists reveal the sharp rise in cases in the last few weeks compared to the first couple of months. The number of infected cases is growing quickly and will continue. As of 25 March 2020 there are 436,159 cases globally according to John Hopkins University.  With the WHO saying on Tuesday that “the US has the potential to become the new epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic.” 

Our Response

AXS Lab has an established audience from past projects which includes: people with disabilities, disability rights activists and supporters.  In order to combat the blanket advice given to all regarding self-isolation and social-distancing, information will be written and disseminated through social media pages.  The traditional media will also be engaged to highlight the problems that people with disabilities face and to stem the discrimination in advice and emergency policies to follow. In addition AXS Lab will act as a funnel for all advice, updates and news of new measures in regards to COVID-19 which apply directly to those individuals with a disability. This will include publishing information on AXS Lab social platforms and directing our followers to other resources to check information depending on geographic location. 

To alleviate anxiety and stress caused, AXS Lab will encourage those more harshly affected by this virus and measures that have been put in place, to reach out to the organization via social media and  we will share their stories and experiences, further highlighting issues and providing a network and moral support for people who are struggling.  AXS Lab will encourage supporters to provide specific help to people they know who have disabilities and/or underlying health conditions and different methods of how community support can be provided will be debated and shared with our audiences. AXS Lab will also be sharing ways in which people can advocate for the rights of people with disabilities amongst the growing fear of rights being curtailed in the midst of policy changes and insufficient resources in healthcare. 

Overall, AXS Lab hopes to ignite a supportive network for people with disabilities who may be having a particularly difficult time in order to educate and encourage others, as well as providing moral support and a community for those who need it so we can all make it through this uncertain and testing time. 

How you can help 

Donate to AXS Lab so we care provide the services outlined in our response to our audiences and community - https://www.paypal.me/axslab

Money will be used to engage with journalists to highlight disability rights issues during the COVID-19 crisis and to research news stories, new policies and advice, and helpful resources for our audiences.  

Get in touch with us and share your stories of how Coronavirus and government measures are affecting your life. 

September 4

Missing My Son

There is no way to express what it feels like to have someone in your life and watch them grow up and up and disappear. Jase has been part of my life for the past three and a half years and now he’s but a image on Skype that I see for an hour a day. Not that that’s even a good hour, because like a typical three-year-old, he’s running around, turns off the camera, plays with Mommy, and barely holds a conversation. Regardless, I still love talking to him and watching him getting older. However, that is my ultimate frustration.. is that I’m watching as the young person that I know and love gets older before my eyes on Skype. It just feels like I’m losing time. He doesn’t get to be around me and watch as I lose more of my ability to use my hands or to see or to even talk to him. When we get on Skype, it’s exhausting for me, as I’m not able to talk to him properly, because of my vocal volume and challenges with speaking properly. I wish he was in New York City and not in Austin, Texas. It’s so far away that I can’t get there. I can’t live there because the disability benefits offered there aren’t sufficient. That’s what I’m here in New York and here is where I must stay. Until things change, this is my home and I just wish to God that Jase was part of my life here.