Taking Care in Sickness and in Health

The New Jersey State Senate narrowly approved legislation on Monday that would make the state the third in the nation to grant employees the right to take paid leave to take care of a newborn or sick relative. The bills now goes to the Assembly and is expected to be approved on March 13; Governor Jon S. Corzine has said that he will sign the bill. From the New York Times:

The measure would be financed by employee payroll deductions that would cost every worker in New Jersey a maximum of 64 cents a week, or $33 a year. Those taking the leave would be eligible for two-thirds of their salary, up to a maximum of $524 a week, for six weeks. The benefit falls short of the $917 a week that California offers but is more than double what Washington State will offer starting next year.

Myself being sick, it’s not easy in taking care of Charlie, but there have also been times when he has been sick, or when he has so many problems at school that we had to take him out of school. Being able to take a leave from work would have been extremely helpful. I’m not sure the new measure would apply to a parent who has to take off from work to take care of an autistic or disabled child,though not physically sick, is not able to go to school for a period of time, but a measure like this could help a family in a tough spot who feels as if they have few, or no, options.

I’ve noted that being sick has been made slightly more manageable by Charlie himself being able to help out more and to be more responsible for himself: Last night, this showed in the little things, as Charlie helped make his own lunch and pushed open doors at the pool; we practiced piano together and then he had kept himself busy clicking to see the photos on his computer, occasionally calling “Mom!” (When he saw me with a tissue, he told me “Mom sneeze, Mom atchoo!”, and I have to say I complied with his words.) It’s all the efforts we’ve been able to make when we, and Charlie, have been well that have resulted in him being able to manage in so well these past few days.

Still touching his forehead from time to time to see if he feels hot………