One Guyanese in Queens, New York, is making a difference by enhancing the quality of life of those who are
Dr. Vijay Lilliah
mentally retarded and developmentally disabled, through his agency, Queens Resource Center, as an advocate.
Dr. Vijay Lilliah, founder of the not-for-profit agency, spoke with Guyana Times International about his purpose, which includes providing quality care through counseling, and guiding those people who are unable to cross the bureaucratic lines.
“The primary goal is to provide services to the aged, blind, disabled, low-income families…all entitlements — government entitlement programs such as social security, disability, SSI — supplemental security income, public assistance for low-income families. Help people also with Medicare, Medicaid, food stamp programs, housing, education and transportation,” he posited.
He wants people who are suffering to know that they are not alone, and should not sit and suffer in their homes, since resources are available. He is reminding those who can benefit through his agency to join the center, which continues to expand its client-base, which is currently at 2000 active members.
Dr Lilliah believes that all members of this society, with or without disabilities, are entitled to respect and equal opportunities. He claims that the center sees through the eyes of these people and, as a result, the center does a lot of outreach programs. Part of its mission is to empower consumers to strive for their highest potential, and to basically serve and prepare them to deal effectively with the challenges that they might face.
Some of those challenges would include not being able to complete the application process for social services, and what the center does is initiate that application process and follow through until approval and the service is provided. To date, it has a 98% success rate.
“I’m the person who is out there as an advocate fighting for them. I do a lot of hearings and appeals,” he highlighted, adding that his advocacy role extends to pharmacies and hospitals if consumers are unable to receive their prescription drugs or receive medical attention due to an issue surrounding their Medicare or Medicaid, or because of financial constraints.
Dr Lillian pointed out that disability is a language, it’s not medical. He added that disability is really more of a legal language that we use in this sense, because when he focuses and makes evaluations of cases, he looks at their strengths and weaknesses, the things they used to do and what they cannot do.
However, there are some challenges that may stymie the process, such as funding. The agency is seeking funding through the Department of Aging in New York. But Dr Vijay says that, in the meantime, he receives some funding through the Social Security office. “They sign what we call an authorization, and social security makes a certain amount of money available for advocacy,” he pointed out. Each client also pays a minimal fee, which is based on a “sliding scale or a self-payment,” for the services the agency provides.
The Queens Resource Center, which is located in Queens, serves the New York communities and extends to some parts of New Jersey. March marks the center’s 20th year in existence.
