At Lehigh Valley Companion Care Homes, we are committed to supporting the rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). A critical part of this advocacy is ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, has the right to love and marry without being penalized by outdated laws. A powerful new documentary, Patrice: The Movie, shines a spotlight on this very issue, highlighting the struggle for marriage equality in the disability community.

Patrice: The Movie – A Love Story with a Cause

The film follows Patrice Jetter, a New Jersey-based disability rights advocate, and her partner, Garry Wickham, both of whom receive government benefits like Medicaid and Social Security. Their story reveals an often overlooked barrier faced by many disabled couples: if they marry or live together, they risk losing the benefits they rely on to survive. This is because current U.S. laws place strict limits on the income and assets that couples can possess while still qualifying for disability benefits​.

The documentary masterfully blends romance and advocacy, illustrating how unfair systems force disabled people to choose between marriage and financial security. Patrice and Garry’s story underscores a pressing issue—one that affects countless disabled couples across the country. Despite the obstacles, Patrice leads disability rights marches and takes action to raise awareness about the injustices faced by people like her who are simply trying to live their lives with dignity and independence​.

Lehigh Valley Companion Care Homes: Advocating for Equal Rights

At Lehigh Valley Companion Care Homes, we stand in solidarity with Patrice and others in the fight for marriage equality in the disability community. The issue highlighted in Patrice: The Movie is more than a personal battle—it’s a civil rights issue. The rules that penalize disabled couples for marrying are outdated and need to be reformed. We believe that no one should have to choose between love and their well-being.

Our organization not only supports individuals with IDD through daily care and companionship, but we also work to create an environment where they can thrive, socially, emotionally, and legally. Part of this mission is advocating for policy changes that protect the rights of individuals with disabilities, including the right to marry without financial consequences.

Why This Issue Matters

Disability rights advocates have long called for the removal of barriers that prevent disabled people from living full lives, including the right to marry. Under current laws, couples like Patrice and Garry are forced to navigate a complex system that can take away essential support if their household income or assets exceed a certain threshold. As Patrice: The Movie so poignantly shows, these limitations trap people in a cycle where their right to love and companionship is restricted by systemic injustice​.

The documentary serves as a powerful reminder that marriage equality is not just about LGBTQ+ rights—it also encompasses the rights of people with disabilities. Patrice’s fight for marriage equality is a fight that affects many in the IDD community, and it is one that Lehigh Valley Companion Care Homes is proud to support.

Conclusion

As we continue to provide care and support for individuals with IDD, we remain dedicated to fighting for their rights, including the right to marry without fear of losing essential services. At Lehigh Valley Companion Care Homes, we believe in love without limits and equality without exception. Together, we can work towards a future where everyone, regardless of ability, has the freedom to marry and build a life with their loved ones.