Long ago and far away – Bryan with his girlfriend.

At one point in time, Bryan was thinking about getting engaged. His then-girlfriend was all about it. Bryan? Not so much. But the pressure was rather intense, so he caved. He allowed talk about a wedding, looked through Bride magazines, dined at the future “in-laws” and dreamed a little with his girl.

When I took the two of them to the prom, after this picture was taken, his girlfriend thrust her hand at me from the backseat as I was driving. “Look!”, she exclaimed. I said, “Nice manicure!” “No”, she replied indignantly, “there is something missing from my finger!” “What?” I asked. “A ring!”, she pointed out to me. Poor Bry. He was not delivering the way she expected.

This all flooded back to me this week as I watched an interview on “The View” and a most wonderful documentary movie on Hulu – “Patrice: The Movie”. Bryan’s sister, Amy, brought this film to my attention. The production company she partners with in her job produced the film. She was privileged to see the Philadelphia premier of the film last Monday, complete with a Q and A with the actors and director. The synopsis of the story is this: A disabled couple in their 50s, Patrice and Garry, want to marry but risk losing their benefits if they do. Despite the risk, they decide to hold a commitment ceremony. Sounds simple enough. However, the many trials and joys this couple experiences in the course of the film makes for excellent viewing and a complex story. I highly recommend this movie. It is a documentary which Patrice herself helped craft by writing the script and designing the sets that tell the story of her clueless mother and a troubled upbringing. Her personality is HUGE and shines through every moment of the film.

The couple try to exact change to the marriage penalty law by going to Washington. This law states that any couple cohabitating or wishing to get married who receive Social Security benefits will LOSE all money and healthcare if they even dare to live together. Life is unsustainable for these individuals when benefits are removed. Bryan would risk everything were he to pop the question to someone he loved. Why can’t two people in love get married if they have a disability? Let’s talk about equal rights for THIS portion of the population! The ones who need the money the most are forced to live apart from one another due to a law that needs fixing.

As I learned in the “View” interview, the problem lies in, you guessed it, the Congress passing a new law. After “Patrice” came out, the Social Security Administration contacted Ted Passon, the director of the film, and said “We are ready to make a change to this ruling.” It is now up to the Congress to enact the change, proposed by a congressman from California.

Dear readers, let’s watch this film and become advocates for our disabled population who want the same rights that we have! Contact your local politicians and ask them to get this through Congress! So many who deserve happiness are denied. PLEASE help to make a difference by advocating for those who don’t have a voice!