During budget crunch, Indiana suggests leaving severely disabled people at homeless shelters

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Indiana tells parents: Drop disabled kids at shelters

By The Associated Press
Thursday, October 28th, 2010 -- 8:52 am

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/10/indiana-tells-parents-drop-disabled-kids-shelters/

Indiana's budget crunch has become so severe that some state workers have suggested leaving severely disabled people at homeless shelters if they can't be cared for at home, parents and advocates said.

They said workers at Indiana's Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services have told parents that's one option they have when families can no longer care for children at home and haven't received Medicaid waivers that pay for services that support disabled people living independently.

Marcus Barlow, a spokesman for the Family and Social Services Administration, the umbrella agency that includes the bureau, said suggesting homeless shelters is not the agency's policy and workers who did so would be disciplined.

However, Becky Holladay of Battle Ground, Ind., said that's exactly what happened to her when she called to ask about the waiver she's seeking for her 22-year-old son, Cameron Dunn, who has epilepsy, autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Holladay, a school nurse, said she and her husband would go bankrupt trying to pay for services themselves, so Cameron spends most days sitting in his stepfather's truck while he works as a municipal employee.

[Shallah Kali]

1. NO!

the bastards! I know of no obscenity foul enough to describe people who would put money ahead of human beings.


Where the HELL are the pro-lifers?

Where is Sarah Palin to defend the disabled against Death Panels?

:rage:

[Hannah Bell]

2. just disgusting.

[Bluebear]

3. k/r

for visibility. What a country.

[gratuitous]

4. I'm glad to hear that's not the agency policy

But who's to say whether it might not be soon enough? The taxophobia of certain segments of the population may force a policy change if we don't start recognizing what government services cost, and the best way to cover those costs is a progressive tax system.

[Dappleganger]

5. I suggest we eat the rich and live in their homes, first. nt

[donco6]

7. I bet they're tough and stringy.

But maybe with some marinade . . .

[foxfeet]

6. K&R to keep it visible.

Appalling.

[Bluebear]

8. and again

[political_Dem]

9. This breaks my heart. That suggestion is horribly cruel.

It says a lot about a country how it treats those who are unable to care for themselves. :(

Between this story and the curb stomping incident, I don't know what to think about this nation.

[Morning Dew]

10. Most of the homeless shelters that I know of

don't let clients hang around during the day and it's first come first served for sleeping arrangements later in the day.

Good grief!

[PA Democrat]

11. I'll bet the very people who are willing to let this happen are the

same ones spouting that we are a "christian" nation. Sadly, their "christianity" ends at their wallet.

Tax breaks for the wealthiest and for multinational corporations that ship jobs overseas are okey-dokey, spending for illegal wars is fine and dandy, but don't you dare raise my taxes to help people with disabilities live with dignity and in a safe environment.

John Boehner's education staffer once told me that "you parents (of kids with disabilities) should be grateful for what the taxpayers are willing to give your kids." That's the attitude we are dealing with here folks. At one time, you could count on many Republicans to do the right thing when it came to funding programs for people with disabilities. That is no longer the case. I've been doing advocacy for more than 15 years, and have seen a dramatic shift in attitudes on the right. As the parent of a child with autism, it keeps me awake at night.

[eShirl]

12. I'm surprised they didn't suggest animal shelters.

[TBF]

13. K&R nt