This is how the shutdown affects me and many others

I am an Everett resident who is affected by the government shutdown.

I am a client of a vocational rehabilitation service because I have a harder time being part of human society, like getting a job, keeping a job and communicating with others because I have autism. I was diagnosed when I was 3 years old and struggled through the school system

Past assistance I received made a huge difference in my education and probably is the only way I was able to graduate high school. I graduated from Cascade High School in June 2018. Ever since I have been in a constant struggle to get my adult life going.

I was getting qualified for vocational rehabilitation and developmental disabilities assistance. Then the shutdown came Dec. 22 and ever since it’s been a struggle to get my life going because I don’t know when or even if I was gonna get the assistance that I need. All over some border wall. Millions of Americans depend on the government for assistance with getting jobs or those who work for the government they are hurting right now and I wish that the president, the Senate and the House in Washington, D.C. would see how this shutdown is affecting their citizens.

Elijah Edens

Everett