In this month’s newsletter, we sit down with the Independent Living Coordinator with Able South Carolina and a member of the BIPOC community, Laquanda Clark, to talk about her experience with the COVID-19 vaccine. In addition to being Deaf, Clark is also a double-hand amputee. At first, she hesitated when it came to getting her COVID-19 vaccine. She was pregnant and had not yet given birth and was unsure how the shot would affect her. Clark decided to get her shot after having her baby because she knew her disabilities put her at greater risk of getting COVID-19. |
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She’d tried for a long time to convince her brother to get the vaccine, but, according to Clark, he was skeptical. He had been hearing false rumors and stories from others. “Wouldn’t you want to protect your child, and me, your sister?” Clark asked him. He said yes but still was a little hesitant. After a close friend of the family died from COVID he finally got the vaccine. They were around the same age and this person was healthy as well. When asked what she would say to those who are hesitant about getting the COVID-19 vaccine, Clark said: “I’d tell them to get it because getting the vaccine is better than getting COVID. It makes it so the symptoms (of sickness) are less harmful.” If you’re still not sure about getting your shot, consider talking to your doctor or another trusted medical provider to find out if the vaccine is right for you and which shot will be the best fit. If you still have questions or concerns, the Disability Vaccine Access Hotline can help. |
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Still have questions? Contact the Disability Vaccine Access Hotline at (800) 787-6046 South Carolina Disability Vaccine Access Hotline: A hotline staffed by Able South Carolina and Disability Rights South Carolina designed to provide people with disabilities information about many different aspects of the COVID-19 vaccine. These resources include but are not limited to: - Address any concerns you may have about getting the vaccine
- Find a trusted medical provider
- Assist with vaccine appointment scheduling
- Navigate transportation to get your vaccine
- Offer resources and guidance on transportation to and from vaccine
- Answer some of the most common disability related questions related to the COVID-19 vaccine
- Provide information about accessible vaccine sites based on crowd sourced data
- Address other disability-related barriers about the vaccine you may be experiencing
Disclaimer: The staff of the Disability Vaccine Access Hotline are not licensed medical providers. They are unable to offer medical advice about the best vaccine for you or predict how the vaccine may affect you or your family |
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