@coleandcharisma: Today is the anniversary of our legal marriage. Not our wedding (commitment ceremony), our marriage. We were married in a small cubicle in a government building. No family, no friends, just a lovely clerk with the right credentials to marry us in the eyes of the law. Because our family is incredible, they decorated the River House in order to celebrate our ability to finally be legally wed. The unfortunate truth is that marriage inequality still exists in America. When we had our wedding celebration Cole was still on SSI with very important benefits we simply couldn’t afford to give up. Cole’s bladder Botox, for example, is incredibly expensive, but it is also an absolute game changer for his quality of life. So instead, we opted for a commitment celebration. He worked his booty off with the avenues provided to him (the Ticket to Work program) to get to a point where we could truly be married. After a couple years of determined effort, focus, and a dash of luck, we finally were comfortable enough to take the leap. We got married, forfeited our benefits, and haven’t looked back since. Too many disabled folk in our country are still struggling with this very issue. In fact, we’ve known loving couples who were forced to divorce following an injury just to stay afloat and receive benefits like Medicaid, SSI, and a caregiver. Absolutely horrible. There’s no need for these outdated laws holding back our community and standing in the way of love. As society continues to become more accessible and inclusive, disabled people are thriving in new ways. Our laws should reflect that. Let there be LOVE!!

Cole and Charisma
Cole and Charisma
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Region: US
Wednesday 17 September 2025 17:57:34 GMT
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jennyk0924
Jennyk :
Check out the Patrice: the movie! It’s about this exact issue.
2025-09-18 21:18:05
12
lacourtneyslife
LaCourtney :
wow...he doesn't suddenly gain abilities by getting married, there's no reason to lose clearly necessary medical benefits...this country 😒
2025-09-17 19:29:53
1429
we_r_healing
we_r_healing :
Unfortunately this is real. I've seen multiple elderly couples divorce just so the spouse didn't lose life saving benefits from medicaid. It's horrible.
2025-09-18 01:59:03
546
christinaburns29
Christina :
This is mad. In the UK disability is given whether the person is single or married and the payments are the same if married or not. Disability is not decided on earnings her it's for the disabled person to use for anything they need related to their disability. Can't believe he had to give up his xx
2025-09-17 18:53:40
138
ding_dong_many_legs
Jenna.Tailia🦫🪵 :
I totally understand why a marriage certificate is so important to some, BUT.. is it legal to have a ceremony, reception and all that but NOT sign the marriage certificate and just change your last name to his? I know it's not exactly the same, but at least he could keep his benefits. Btw as a Canadian, I'm just finding out about this, and it blows my mind. Like, what if it's a secret ceremony that the government doesn't need to know about? There's got to be loopholes. It's really unfair.
2025-09-17 20:24:33
18
danielleroberts261
Danielle Roberts905 :
I just don’t understand how this makes sense to anyone. His benefits are there for medical needs and to supplement for work he might not be able to do. Marrying someone doesn’t magically make those needs go away. Honestly even if the abled person was well off financially and could afford it why is it fair for the expenses to be all on them now? Couples where no is in this situation get to combine their wealth. I’ve never seen getting this help as milking the system. Some can’t just go to work to make money and work for companies to have insurance. This is in place of that so should be considered their income to combine with their partner.
2025-09-18 01:54:58
177
allysonanderson902
Allyson Anderson :
why did he have to give up his benefits?
2025-09-17 18:03:22
8
neenah_856
neenah_856 :
This country is a…nvm Congratulations 💙💖💚💛💜💚💖💙💖💚💛💜💙💖
2025-09-17 22:00:55
192
jhopet4899
Jess (Taylor’s Version) :
Congrats!! My husband and I currently in the same situation with me being disabled. Maybe someday we can legally get married without the fear of the financial repercussions from medical expenses.
2025-09-17 22:26:31
34
donnacollins7272
Donna Collins9680 :
wow! I love you guys! I had no idea he had to give up his benefits to get married. That's insane!
2025-09-17 18:08:33
87
austinhanner2
Austin Hanner :
I can definitely relate! I am in a power wheelchair and married and had to get rid of all my benefits and pay privately for my home healthcare and wheelchair expenses. All because we both are working and exceed the assets and salary requirements for the Iowa MEPD program. The State of Iowa currently has legislation to change the requirements for the program, so cross our fingers this legislation passes!
2025-09-17 18:40:15
36
_krisco
Krisco :
We are one of the only developed nations in the world without universal healthcare. That’s the real problem. Healthcare comes with financially crippling costs. That’s just healthcare, but taking time off work to seek healthcare costs a family lost wages. It won’t change till these are fixed.
2025-09-18 01:18:35
26
sadieredmondwilsontabro1
Sadie :
Congratulation. I worked as nurse and many of my patient had to divorce to get benefits. It’s awful that you can’t receive benefits being married.
2025-09-19 22:29:27
14
askawaycorner
Ask Away :
Never knew this. This is so horrible. Congrats on you union 🥺
2025-09-18 11:35:00
32
vbot123
Victoria Serenity :
Congrats Cole & Charisma! ❤ This country is horrible when it comes to any type of disability benefits. SSI doesn't want you to have more than $2000.00 in assets and for a couple no more than $3000.00 in assets.
2025-09-18 23:06:09
0
mesha_beloved
Meshabeloved :
This is so beautiful and so horrible at the same time. Like how can they do such a terrible thing like that? It’s so sad but yall are so beautiful and I just love watching your content so much
2025-09-17 18:25:09
9
stitchesy2k
stitchesy2k :
Congratulations may you have a life time of happiness
2025-09-19 01:36:46
9
beatsbycent
Cynthia Bethea :
Happy Anniversary 🥂 to such a beautiful couple 🎉🥳
2025-09-18 08:45:12
15
andona83
LifePast40 :
This was so informative 😱I had no idea! Blessings Cole and Charisma!
2025-09-18 00:14:21
59
snarkyname86305
♦️SnarkyAce♦️ :
I’m so happy for you two! Unfortunately this is why my brother and sister in law can’t get married. We need marriage equality for all!
2025-09-18 01:58:21
11
karinlinder545
karinlinder545 :
This just made me cry. In this crazy world this true love is beautiful. Happy Anniversary !🥰
2025-09-17 21:05:20
8
divinemsmb
AuntieEm 🇨🇦 :
If I had a dollar for every medical professional and social worker who told me to divorce my husband so we could actually afford to live, I could bring him home. Instead, I work 3 jobs and have to forgo retirement savings because that would make him ineligible for funding for his LTC home. But for richer or poorer. He is my world.
2025-09-18 06:16:18
9
briarrose76
Briar Rose :
wait......why would he lose medical benefits by getting married
2025-09-18 15:16:02
3
sheilamac68
sheila mcginnis :
You two are a fantastic example of “for richer or poorer, in sickness and health “ you both are absolutely amazing! I pray many more anniversaries and celebrations!
2025-09-18 22:21:25
4
gosaunders71
gosaunders71 :
Why’d he have to give up benefits so you could get married?
2025-09-18 22:31:41
0
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